Day end

There is something so picturesque about a beautiful sunset. The way the sky changes from blue to streaks of pink and purple whilst the sun descends and the remaining light radiates a warm orange.

An experience of utter wonderment.

 

 

Cape Town sunset hot-spots:

• Chapmans Peak Cave.
• Milnerton Beach.
• Signal Hill.
• Lions Head.
• Clifton Beach.
• Camps Bay Beach.
• Kommetjie Beach .

Johannesburg sunset hotspots:

• Northcliff Water tower.
• Skye Bar (Grab a cocktail while you’re there).
• The Carlton Centre – make your way up this remarkable 50 story building in Joburg CBD.
• The Living Room – Maboneng.

Grab a group of friends, a bottle of bubbly and enjoy the view!

 

January

The beginning of a year is thought to bring change – change within ourselves and the decisions we make.

But to be honest, they last about 3 hours until our new and improved diet plan ( remember the one from last year…and the year before that….) has been destroyed by the chocolate chip cookie staring at you from the jar hidden in the back of your pantry.

Should we be focused on changing ourselves into the people we aren’t or should we rather focus our time and energy on improving our well being to achieve long term results?

January is a tough month. We map out our year ahead whether it be a list of goals or obsessively searching the web for our 2018 horoscope hoping that our love life improves when Venus and Jupiter align.

We download the new Sweat app hoping to burn off the pounds from previous years.

We jump straight into the everything-in-my-fridge-free diet.

We download Tinder to swipe right on Mr right?

We unfollow old friends which have disappeared from the dm’s.

We catch a tan over the first few days which fades quickly because we have forgotten to go outside in a while because we are too busy munching on that giant chocolate chip cookie

.

 

Image: https://christmas-new-year-quotes.com/wp-content/uploads/F/happy%20new%20year%202018%20tumblr%20;%20Best-Happy-New-Year-Image.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

The dam(n) water crisis

• Country: South Africa
• Province: Western Cape
• Crisis: Water availability
• Water levels: 36.1% (at the time of publishing)

Cape Town has recently experienced a staggering drop in dam levels currently siting on 36.1%.

With the levels dropping weekly, us Cape Tonians needed to act fast!

Over the months, locals have put their best efforts forward to save as much water as possible. JoJo tanks have taken over and it is almost impossible to find them due to high demand! I’ve even seen make shift storage tanks! – You know its bad when you don’t need an explanation of what a Jojo tank is.

MAKE SHIFT WATER STORAGE TANK IDEA USING A GARBAGE BIN!

Credit: https://za.pinterest.com/aboutthegarden/garden-watering-water-storage-ideas/

TIPS FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE CAPE:

1. The 2 minute shower: Wet, Soap, Rinse. (listen to a song to know when to jump out)
2. Close the tap when brushing your teeth.
3. Stand in a bucket when showering and use the saved water to flush your toilet.
4. Install Water storage tanks outside to catch rain water.
5. Hand wash clothes in a bucket with rain water.
6. Use captured rain water to wash your car.
7. DO NOT drink from the taps. Buy clean drinking water from shops.
8. DO NOT bath!!!!
9. DO NOT water your garden, rather use Grey water for this.
10. Have a bucket in your sink when rinsing fruit and vegetables to capture the water runoff.
11. Only run fully loaded dishwashers

(Feel free to let us know your own water saving tips in the comments!)

EVERY DROP COUNTS!!!!!

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Fun sites to visit:

• How to save water in your workplace: https://fruitguys.com/almanac/2015/04/23/10-ways-save-water-office
• Update on Cape Towns Dam levels: http://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/this-weeks-dam-levels

The stone village of Piodão

June 2016 I visited a small village hidden between the Açor Mountain within Serra de Açor. Located near Coimbra in the Portuguese region of Arganil I witnessed a breath taking view of a village made completely out of schist, brown stone and overlapping sheets of grey slate. The doors of the village houses have been painted vivid blue as well as the windows.

Walking through the narrow pathways throughout the village, your eyes dance in the field of ruby red light as the roses peak through the cobbled walls of the houses time forgot.

The Angelic silhouette of the church casts a subdued light on the village surrounding the terraced slopes. The vivid blue doors reflect against the white church walls as though it was the sky reflecting upon the river streaming below.

The day was filled with joy and wonder as I went back to being a child holding my olã ice cream in one hand and my camera in the other.

The aroma of fresh home grown produce being prepared inside the quaint local cafe is enough to get you drawn into the welcoming embrace of the friendly staff awaiting your arrival.

Leaving the village in awe , I looked back atempting to capture the view.