Eish!

And this is what we returned to.....snow on the mountains around the Cape.

So, on top of JC's little bundle of joy being VERY cross at not being taken with us, there was a flicker of forgiveness when he was dressed to go and play in the snow :))

Welcome back to the Cape of Storms!

This is the life!

We are back...but a part of me is still suspended on an Indian Ocean Island of the Tanzanian coast. These Islands remain one of the best options for a tropical break-away, especially for South Africans, as a 4 hour flight is quite manageable. The best time is in our winter, when the avg daily temperature of 38C is very welcome and you can find something that suites every need. We chose to do the customised approach - find a flight here, a bungalow there, a spot to dive here and a place to visit there. Some people prefer the packaged deals which are very affordable but may leave you feeling like you need a holiday afterwards :)

Some of our high-lights in pictures:

We stayed at an Italian hotel on Zanzibar first, which was a good base to unwind and organise snorkeling trips from.

 

 

 

 

The next stop was all about the beach and the sea and the sand. Upepo offers 4 bungalow's literally 7 steps from the beach. Fisherman come by and you choose your lunch/dinner which they go and fish for. This is what we love, fresh local food, basic (if not romantic) accommodation right on the beach and lots of sunshine!

 

We ended the 2 weeks with a couple of nights in Stone Town at Maru Maru. It captures this place perfectly (albeit with a bit of pizzazz). The last nigh we had cocktails on the roof and the most perfect sunset to a most awesome break-away....

 

 

 

 

Maisha marefu! To life....

Here we go :)

It is the beginning of August and we are almost off for a couple of weeks snorkeling around Tanzania! My suitcase is open and I am randomly throwing stuff in I imagine I might need:
- Goddess glitter body balm
- A pair of sandals I have never worn as they look like they belong on the beach ;)
- My snorkeling kit....including 4 bathing suite changes for every occasion
- Sunblock, mosquito balm, hair mask etc. etc.

The case is overflowing and I wish I had some space for a couple of pieces of clothing...

My shadow...

You come like a misty breath at winters' dawn.

Sneaking up from somewhere deep inside -

surrounding me, taking my shape, hovering.

And when, in a moment of weakness

you try to enter, 

you find I am already both sides of the moon .

 

Anne-marie

That ol' travel bug!

In the middle of a rainy winter in Cape Town and we are soooo ready for some sunshine. Best bet is to take off to one of the east African Islands that dot the equator around South Africa. We are spoiled for choice, but also have very specific ideas of what we want:

• As close to 30 degrees as we can get
• Powder white sand and endless vistas of turquoise sea
• A small, un-resort like place to stay which hopefully makes fresh, local food
• Snorkeling and kayaking and swimming on our doorstep

We have about 3001 places to choose from....and the searching is half the fun - so here I go:)

Bon voyage...almost!!!

 

Suspended

Blindly focusing

nothing

Heartbeat stopping

nothing

Perfumed promises

nothing

A touch

everything

 

Anne-marie

I hate rules!

So I was almost in dreamland when my cell beeped. Something made me roll-over and look at the message....and I nearly fell out of bed!

My little nephew is 5 years old and has a key to my heart. As an only child, it is safe to say he is indulged by us all. And he flourishes under the constant attention.

The message is a song he composed and recorded in the privacy of his room, to explain what he is feeling regarding...uhm...all the rules his parents are subjecting him to. What can I say....I concur.
I also hate rules!



 

 

 

 

Love!

There you are!

I found my purpose again last week, facilitating a super group of people. This raw talent was unleashed after a 5min search for their mojo...which they obviously forced to come out!

There is an old belief that when we are acting out our purpose, we channel magic with help from the universe. I believe this...as these gifts come not from you but rather through you?! And I love Newton's famous quote:

"If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants"!

Another great rendering of this concept was done by Elizabeth Gilbert of "Eat, Pray, Love" fame:

I have wondered about this elusive space we sometimes enter when we open our hearts to the highest possible good,when we for a moment, are able to forget ourselves....when we are able to pull the magic down from above and go: There you are!

We are....

I am the Stars,

whimsical and light.

You are the Sky,

from where I shine.

I am the Waterfall,

free and wild.

You are the Shore,

holding me gently.

 

 

 

Anne-marie

Cosying around Cape Town...

So off we went in the rain on Saturday. We love Cape Town and driving around, going where any whim leads us, is a wonderful way to spend a day.

We stopped at the Rhodes Memorial for "part one" of our breakfast run....njammelam, with a view!

And then we turned back towards Woodstock. Visited Woodstock Vintage for some shabby chic. By then it was time for lunch. We wanted to have some Indian food and were on our way to Chandani, when we saw Frangipani. Small family owned with real home cooking. We had curry and malva pudding for desert. Love!

Then it was time for a movie at the V&A....Star Trek!!! I am a Trekkie, loved it.
Great day :)

Bethulie, baby!

On the coldest weekend since the start of winter, I got a call from JC to pack warmly, as we were going away for the weekend. Very exited about the prospects of a fireplace and good red wine, I wanted to know where we were going. "Bethulie, baby!" was the answer...

So 867km and many Wimpy Mocha Choca's later, we arrived in the town of Bethulie in the Southern Free State.

Best of Bethulie? JC next to the ATM!

We stayed at Raptors Ridge...totally off the grid - see the solar panels.

Miles and miles of veld with extensive animal farming.

Not one person at the Post office!

mmmm....

I can honestly say that it has been an adventure - but, enough now :)

Into the Wildernis...

I love our weekends, which are supposed to be about work (really!) but then always seem to turn out to be these "going-nowhere-slowly" mini-breaks.

So off we went to the Southern Cape, where JC is developing a piece of land. This area is a favourite of ours, with George, Wildernis, Knysna all being great places to explore. Our special place is definitely Wildernis. With its rugged coastline and beautiful white beach, which stretches out for miles, it makes you gasp ever time you see it.

If you want to splash-out, stay at The Views. And if you want to be close to nature, in a wooden cabin, go for Ebb & Flow. Here you can go for walks, take a canoe out on the river, or just chill on the veranda with a glass of wine.
 

 

 

We also visited the Sedgefield Community Market on Saturday - what a treat! More dogs than people, organic foodies heaven and treasures to be found everywhere - love it.

I discovered Jan Cilliers de Wet, as the artist was in residence at the Market...check out some of his work :)

And do not miss a chance to eat at Pomodoro, a local Italian restaurant in Wildernis. No pretentiousness here, just traditional great food and a festive atmosphere.

So much to discover in this amazing country - cannot wait to go back!



 

Hop-on/Hop-off!

We decided to do the Cape Town tourist thing for Mother's day - we took the red "Hop on - Hop off" bus and did the blue, mini-peninsula tour. Loved it!

Every 20min a bus comes around to the different route stops. You simply choose the tour you would like to do and you can pay with a credit card. We paid around a R150/person and the tour takes under 3 hours if you do not decide to get off at Kirstenbosch for a picnic, at Groot Constantia for a wine tour, or at Hout Bay harbour for some fish & chips. Which we did...with ice-cream!

 

A happy, sunshine day....happy mother's day to all the Moms!
xx

Is it a dream?

I close my eyes

as you drag me up-stairs.

Generously sharing images without reference,

pictures from another space and time.

Is it a dream?

I ask, knowingly

as you, ever so gently, open my eyes.

 

 

Anne-marie

 

 

Simple meditation....

Breathe in..."I am blessed"...

Breathe out..."I am grateful"...

Bliss!