Cape Town’s Steamboat Vicky: The Best $5 I Ever Spent

Cape Town 1 364 Cape Towns Steamboat Vicky: The Best $5 I Ever Spent

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is a bustling place. Shops, restaurants, entertainers and attractions all vie for your attention and dollars. If you’re traveling to South Africa, a trip to Cape Town is a must… and a stop at the V&A Waterfront is a necessary part of your itinerary. And if/when you do make it there, you can not pass up the opportunity to take a harbor tour on the Steamboat Vicky (only a facebook page is available).

Judging a Book by it’s Cover

Cape Town 1 358 Cape Towns Steamboat Vicky: The Best $5 I Ever Spent

Animals from the Mabula Private Game Lodge in South Africa

Rhino Animals from the Mabula Private Game Lodge in South Africa

Today’s post includes photos from the Mabula Private Game Lodge. Just over 2 hours from Johannesburg, Mabula offers the convenience of a short drive from the city, but the immersion in an expansive animal reserve that includes the Big Five!

Giraffe Animals from the Mabula Private Game Lodge in South Africa

A lone giraffe at dusk. They are tall creatures for sure!

Mabula Day 1 105 Animals from the Mabula Private Game Lodge in South Africa

The thickness of the elephant’s skin helps protect it from the plentiful thorn bushes in the reserve.

Hornbill Animals from the Mabula Private Game Lodge in South Africa

Sure the big animals often get all the attention, but South Africa has some pretty awesome birds too – including this hornbill.

Sign Spotting: This Way to the Moon

IMG 7358 Sign Spotting: This Way to the Moon

Boulders Beach is great for sign spotting. Not only do they remind you to check under your car for penguins, they also tell you which way the moon is – just in case you were trying to figure out the best way to get there.

IMG 7356 Sign Spotting: This Way to the Moon

I’ll see you out there…!

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The Victoria Falls Bungee Jump Accident: An Opinion About Extreme Sports

BungeeJumpVF The Victoria Falls Bungee Jump Accident: An Opinion About Extreme Sports

[UPDATE 1/10/11 8:30 A.M. EST - There is a twitter account (possibly) established by Safari Par Excellence. Follow them at @SafParZambia Their name has been in the news, attached to the accident, but they book all kinds of African Tours, don't operate any of them. I think if they had a Facebook and Twitter account ahead of time, they could have minimized the press they are getting. A lesson to all companies out there - if you don't engage in social media, you'll regret it later when you need it.]

Two Photos of South Africa in Two Seasons

The cooler weather has arrived in Florida and I’m reminded of Africa. You see, on my first trip to South Africa was during winter (summer in America). And I took a photo of this lonely tree. I loved this tree, because it was standing in a field all alone.

Winter in Africa

Carletonville 018 Two Photos of South Africa in Two Seasons

And then, 5 months later, it became summer in Africa (winter in America). And I took a photo of that same, lonely tree.

Summer in Africa

Part 1 176 Two Photos of South Africa in Two Seasons

Watching the seasons change is one of those simple pleasures in life. Watching them change in another country is even better!

A Cute Photo of a South African Rock Dassie

Rock Squirrel A Cute Photo of a South African Rock Dassie

I was recently reviewing some old photos and came across this snapshot of a South African Rock Dassie at Augrabies Falls National Park. I think it is by far, the cutest animal photo I have ever taken. What do you think? If you’d like to see more, click here to view my Facebook Fan Page Photo Album with more of these cute little buggers!

What’s the cutest animal photo you’ve ever taken on your travels? Share by commenting.

I’ll see you out there…!

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Spotting Victoria Falls by Helicopter: What’s it Like?

IMG 8636 300x200 Spotting Victoria Falls by Helicopter: Whats it Like?

I’ve always wanted to fly in a helicopter. It’s been on my adventure list for a long time. But to shell out $130 for 15-minutes of airtime… well it better be for something spectacular. Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, has dozens of lookout points that offer breathtaking views. But to truly complete your experience, you need to see it from above.

Microlight or Helicopter Tour?

IMG 8657 300x200 Spotting Victoria Falls by Helicopter: Whats it Like?

A Full-Feathered Photo of a Peacock

Peacock A Full Feathered Photo of a Peacock

I was staying at the Cedar Lodge in Krugersdorp in South Africa for 3 months. It’s a delightful bed and breakfast and was the perfect home away from home. The Cedar Lodge happens to have a giant aviary and peacocks roaming the property. Every once in a while, the peacocks would fan their feathers. Of course, I never had my camera… until this day.

It’s so rare to see a peacock with full feathers. It’s even rarer to have so many of the feathers in near-perfect condition. Many times they are missing a feather or two. Nonetheless, I thought I would share this moment with you.

8 Photography Tips on a Game Drive

Camera Safari 300x225 8 Photography Tips on a Game Drive

If you could only visit one country in the world, South Africa should be it, for a lot of reasons. But chief among them, is the opportunity to encounter wild animals. Take one look at my Lion Encounter at Pilanesberg National Park and you’ll see why. A trip to South Africa is not complete without a visit to a game reserve (golf cart safaris don’t count). Of course, you’ll want to document your experience with pictures, so here are 8 tips for taking envy-worthy photographs for your next game drive.

Sign Spotting: No Smoking by Skeletons

skeleton 300x225 Sign Spotting: No Smoking by Skeletons

I found this sign in South Africa in the same place where tampons weren’t allowed. Translated literally, this sign reads in Afrikaans, “Smoking Smokers Have Your Lungs Cooked”. We all know that literal translations never work. Our cultures use so many idiomatic expression that you just can’t translate like that.

Which is why, I think the sign reads, “Skeletons are not allowed to smoke”.

Has South Africa taken the no-smoking thing too far? Do you think skeletons should be allowed to smoke? Why or why not?  Share by commenting.

I’ll see you out there…!

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