Tuesday, July 22, 2008

It's show off time again. I hate to say it but I think my dad lives in one of the nicest spots on this one and only planet. To top it all he also shares his birthday with Nelson Mandela.

So, the overnight bags got packed and 180 km further down the coastline towards Cape Agulhas, the most southern tip of Africa, you will find a coastal village [dorp] called Gansbaai ; now internationally known for the shark cage diving expeditions.

The minute we drove into 'De Kelders', just outside Gansbaai, a whale tail greeted us. [to quick for the snapshot]. What a sight: sunny, blue skies, calmest of waters and near the shore, there they are, graceful, gentle giants. V blows everywhere, the Southern Right Whales are here.

Then further, all different kind of aroma's welcomed us, the birthday-boy cooked up a storm [he wouldn't hear of any other suggestions] and his indigenous fynbos garden had a clash of sweet and herb like smells from the little warmth and humidity.

So when we settled down at the end of the day I asked him how he felt about sharing his day with Madiba's 90's and this still is his 'point' of VIEW.





If you look at Wicus's website you will notice a spectacular sunset shot taken from the very same spot. [dad's balcony]. To think that it was 'this' close to being lost to runaway fire, thank goodness for the guys that hover those helicopters in banks of smoke to dump those water- buckets in the appropriate spots. Unfortunately the fynbos and all the dear creatures with it, they suffer the most and it takes a very long time to re-establish itself.


Harbours intrigue me, they are also a 'happy snappers' / photographers paradise. Gansbaai harbour is known for it's canning of pilchards and catching of various other fresh line fish. But something stood out that day and I remembered another image of, listen to this, my own harbour around the corner from me, namely Kalk Bay Harbour.


These are tied up in Gansbaai.

These are tied up in Kalk Bay.
Now whenever someone says they are tied up or down for time or appointments, or whatever, these are not the images to have in mind?








1 comment:

Steffi said...

Happy belated birthday to your dad!I hope he had a nice birthday!Very nice and interesting post,Anja!And your pictures are beautiful again.Yes, S.A. must be a really beautiful country with a fantatic nature.
Anja,yesterday we got your letter with the maps and prospekts.Thank you so much for everything!I will write you a email ...
Have a nice daY!