Bike & Bean at Durban's beachfront

About this time 3 years ago I last cycled along the beachfront with a friend who lent me his brother’s bike. This time I decided to do it on my own and hire a bicycle from Bike&Bean, this took place yesterday when the weather couldn’t be better; sun and stillness unlike today’s gusty wind. 

It cost R50 per hour and I left my driver’s license for a deposit. After a leisurely 17kms cycle – down just past uShaka Beach, back again to the end of Blue Lagoon and along the Umgeni River until I couldn’t ride any further along the promenade,  back again and a short visit to Moses Mabidha Stadium.

I couldn’t believe I’d cycled for 2 hours. Actually, my extra tender bottom (ouch) forced me to return the bike then, ordered a bean to cappuccino and drank it on the beach while watching the few surfers at eThekweni  Beach attempting to catch the mini waves.

I’d noticed that Circus Circus now offered tables and chairs on the beach sand; about time too! Another eatery caught my eye – if I wasn’t vegetarian I’d definitely try  Afro’s Chicken, see picture below.

So, if anyone hasn’t cycled along Durban’s beach front in years it’s definitely worth a visit now that the promenade down to the Umgeni River is complete and looking good. And I'd highly recommend Bike&Bean for both the service and their beans!

To view images click here: blog/bike-bean-at-durbans-beachfront

Chasing the sunset

I started through the sugar cane fields and then ended up on the beach, desiring to capture the red ball sink down behind the Mdloti River and I just missed it; too much delirious joy while ‘skiing’ through sand.

I’d never experienced that before – my Jimny (or any other vehicle I’ve driven or been driven in) sliding through soft sand and the enjoyment of trying to control it, which is of course impossible. However, I was alone so deeply mindful of getting stuck and only skirted along the edges of the recently ploughed cane fields.

What a sensation; worth missing the sunset for.

Indeed I’ll be back out there catching the setting sun soon! Perhaps even tomorrow after work.

View images here: blog/chasing-the-sunset

#ResistanceIsFutile - 4x4

Another warmest thank-you to both Suzuki Pinetown (“the best dealership in town”) and Travis from Shift Group < line-height: 21px;">for a spectacular 4x4 adventure at Nkonka Lodge this past Sunday, 27 July, 2014.

10x Jimnys, 3x Grand Vitaras, 1x Sx4 and the 1 x unmentionable – at least the chaps at Suzuki see it as a challenge to convert the so called “traitor” – all met at the Pinetown dealership for coffee and muffins first thing, and in convoy made our way to the farm. Almost every 10 minutes, just after taking the Richmond turnoff, I longed to stop and capture the beauty in panoramic form; however, I also couldn’t wait to venture off road and explore the unknown.

After about an hour’s drive, 20 minutes on gravel, beneath the perfect blue African sky, the sun heating up by the minute, we reached the extensive land surrounding Nkonka Lodge. Land that could not deliver more stunning vistas set in the virgin terrain of the Umkomaas Valley in KwaZulu-Natal, just outside Richmond, en route to Pietermaritzburg.

After a pit-stop to quench thirsts and absorb the stunning beauty near the river, we set off deeper in to the bushveld to, of course, put our vehicles to the test over rugged landscape – a sense of freedom that’s hard to beat. Yellow vegetation, so dry Travis advised to be careful when stopping with hot exhaust pipes acting like instant tinder. Can you imagine this place in the lush green of summer months?

Hours later, we reached the main lodge where we further enjoyed the scenery, while the boerewors was braaied, overlooking another section of the meandering river gushing over the black, glinting boulders.  

All-day of 4x4ing through bushveld, surrounded by wildlife (and not so wild cattle), heat and inspiring vistas and brilliant company equates to a simple question, “What more could I want?”

#OnlyInAfrica  

View images here: blog/resistanceisfutile-4x4

Early bird catches...

 ...a stunning sunrise at Umdloti. 

What a treat to enjoy breakfast with such a sight before the eyes.

View images here: nabphotography.co.za/blog/early-bird-catches

Umdloti and beyond

The Dolphin Coast explored, partly.

Up at 6:30am and out immediately – an essential spur of the moment. With camera and banana in hand, I start photographing the red sun rising at Umdloti, from above and then down from the beach.

Shaka’s Rock came next, I gasp the moment I spot the beach fringed by rocky cliffs. At 8:50am I first step on to the sand, the wintery sun warming my bones.

The turquoise blue waves roll, form barrels, clear and inviting before crashing upon the black rocks.

Luminous green seaweed wave in all directions when saturated by pristine white foam; red and purple stained rocks glint beneath the gilding sun.

I pass through Salt Rock and end up exploring Sheffield Beach, another first. Almost as stunning as Shaka’s Rock but with fewer people – three families scattered in different directions play in the rock pools, a man lying under a towel reading a book.

A mansion overlooking the golden beach sand, more golden in the sun's glow, with the perfect view of the Indian Ocean, soon to be transformed into a palace the way the dozen builders are hard at work.

I decide to head inland and explore Shakaskraal – a place I’d heard of but never set foot/wheel in. The first thing I notice are the tracks off road in to the cane fields. I resist. I don’t know how but I did. I thought it best not to explore foreign, remote land on one’s own. Instead I venture off the main road and discover an innovative photographic studio.

View all images here: http://goo.gl/H0SD2W

Panoramic Umdloti

A stunning way to end the working week.

Top of Umdloti; 360 degrees of beauty – beauty truly is in the heart of the beholder. Is not beauty magnanimous for those who desire it?

When nature calls, I must go; allow the beauty of nature to transform…

Click on image to view more.

nabphotography.co.za/blog

Jimny VS Fortuner

Right back in the saddle – or in my case, off-road, grinning, behind the wheel of my new Jimny – I thought the best thing to do is a challenge.

I put my Jimny up against my dad’s Fortuner (3.0 D-4D 4x4) at Killarney 4x4 http://goo.gl/30TVNt track this past Father’s Day.

Well, let me just say that my camera captured the scenery as expertly as ever.

The End.

Okay! Confession time.

Pops’ Fortuner beat my Jimny.

Impossible, I know. Dumbfounding, absolutely.

That’s it – do points really matter? No, a win is a win, as the die-hard Sharks’ rugby fans always mutter.

No, it has nothing to do with the driver. I tried every line possible and the wheels in the air caused the wheels in the dirt to churn out the sand – evil dust devils from every direction.

Eventually, with my head hanging slightly lower than before, I congratulated Pops!

After days of going through the motions and wondering what I could have done differently, we decided that due to not deflating my tyres caused my distress.

Challenge back on!

Watch this space – it will be taking place towards the end of this month at Nungwane River Falls near Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal, with the Suzuki Pinetown crew!

View images here: http://goo.gl/g40EkO