On holiday in South Africa….
I started this post while on holiday in South Africa. While I had a rare few minutes to myself…
I write this, sitting outside in the middle of a game reserve. The hot African sun repeatedly burning my pale English skin. There is something that just clicked with this South African trip. I came to SA for a holiday, believing that the UK was my home. At this point, I’m leaving in 3 days knowing South Africa has claimed my heart yet again.
South Africa, with all it’s political issues, horrific crimes and declining social services. No matter how much people would like to fix this country, and make it home again, it’s broken. South Africa is so very beautiful. How can something so beautiful be so broken? Beauty in disguise. SA takes your heart and squeezes every physical and emotional string in your heart that you never knew existed. And if its not the place that does this, then it’s the people. My people.
It’s one of the hardest things in the world to walk away from something you love. I know in my heart that it’s right to leave, but it’s my head that betrays me. Remembering endless sunny days, sitting around a fire surrounded by laughter of your friends and family. My memories don’t tell the whole truth though. They don’t remember the six foot walls, or the fear of driving in the dark, or the noises at night that you immediately think is someone breaking in. It doesn’t remember the violence against all people. It doesn’t remember that even friends turn against you. It doesn’t remember that winter does come in South Africa and it’s hard. At the end of the day, staying or leaving, there are some major sacrifices that have to be made.
However, apart from all the above, my holiday in South Africa was amazing.
My Dad lives in Johannesburg, which is like a mini London. Lots of hustle and bustle. And I could never not see one of my best friends while I am in Johannesburg. We spent the day at a park with the kids and then after off to my brother’s flat in Fourways. He has a view of Monte Casino and usually a beautiful sunset. The sunsets in SA this time around, were a bit disappointing. Sunsets gave me the passion for photography, so they are always super special to me.
We spent time in the World Heritage Drakensberg. The beauty of the mountains is breaktaking. We spent a few days hiking, playing miniature golf, canoeing and even face planting the grass (stone cold sober I might add)….
My Mom has recently moved, after being in another area for more than 20 years. We got to see some of the surrounding area. A bit too much of a retirement lifestyle for me, but it was good to see a new area and to see one of my best friends again.
During my time in KwaZulu Natal, I got to spend almost a whole weekend seeing friends I haven’t seen for years. The kind of friends that you don’t always talk to, but you know are there, and then we did meet up, we had an amazing time. Definitely a highlight of my holiday.
Here comes the real reason I went on holiday to South Africa – my brother’s wedding. International Wedding Photographer South Africa 🙂 I got some lucky, lucky images during the bridal couple shots. We stayed at the venue, Mangwa Valley Lodge, the day and night before the wedding and it was at the venue that I began this blog. I got to go on a game drive at sunset to find some gorgeous locations for the Bridal Couple Shoot. Taking some amazing wildlife photos at the same time.
The wedding was breathtaking. Everyone worked their part like champs and the entire day went smoothly.
My images are designed to create a story always. Here are some images covering the day, which I hope will show you the perfect day and love story.
