Tribute to Africa

Today I’d like to share a special tribute to our incredible continent.

It’s by Meredith Hill, from the USA, and her sister-in-law, Sandy Salle, a born-and-bred Zimbabwean and now American citizen, who share an exceptional company called Hills of Africa Travel. Based in the USA, they bring clients on personalized trips to Africa.

Speaking from first-hand experience, they are the people to call if you ever consider coming here, and we highly recommend you do Dave & I joined them as the official photographers on their recent Soul Safari, which was an altogether stunning experience!!

In their own words, here’s what these two wonderful people have to say:

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Joost & Amor

I’m so grateful not to live in the sometimes blinding glare of the ‘celebrity spotlight’. My hope for Joost van der Westhuizen and Amor Vittone, and especially their children, is that they salvage some positive from the scandal that’s consuming the South African media at the moment. We haven’t followed it, so don’t know many details, but came across Joost’s interview last night on Carte Blanche, as well as on Kwela a few days before. This must be extremely tough on the entire family.

Having said that, though…I’m no doubt not on the same page, but it does seem sad that the full focus of Joost’s apology, to the public and his wife, was placed on his dishonesty (lying about being the ‘man on tape’), when surely the heart of the hurt lies in the betrayal itself?

International Day of Climate Action

I’m behind the game on this one, as we’ve been so busy processing images after our phenomenal Soul Safari with Hills of Africa Travel, but this is too significant to pass up:

Our group visited Table Mountain on Saturday, 24th October, which was ‘co-incidentally’ the International Day of Climate Action, organized by 350.org. Here’s a photo that Dave took from the cable car of a group of dedicated rock climbers doing their bit!

TABLE MOUNTAIN - Cape Town, South Africa

This follows on from my previous post on Blog Action Day 09 (15th October), with the theme of Climate Change. Robin Beck (Lead Organizer for Blog Action Day 2009) emailed all of us bloggers after that, saying the following:

“You just took part in something unprecedented–with a 500% increase in blog posts about climate change, last Thursday was the largest coordinated climate communication of all time…October 24th is shaping up to be the most widespread day of environmental action in the history of the planet. All events are designed to do one thing: show the support for the most important number in the world: 350…the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for parts per million carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. 350 is the number humanity needs to get below as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change…Most immediately, 350 is the number world leaders need to lead with as they prepare to meet in Copenhagen this December to draft a new global climate treaty.

Hats off to everyone who participated in these events & especially (from our point of view) to the Table Mountain climbers…it was stunning to stumble upon such a dramatic display of support for our planet – THANK YOU!!

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Settling in after “Soul Safari”…

It’s great to be back home and settling in again after our phenomenal “Soul Safari” with Hills of Africa Travel. What an AWESOME trip it was, from the stunning venues, five-star accomodation and food, exceptional wildlife and cultural experiences…to the ten-star group of fantastic new friends!!

Our sincere thanks again to Sandy and Meredith for including us as the photographers, to Ainslie MacLeod (author of The Instruction: Living the Life Your Soul Intended) for the insight he shared, to our exceptional hosts at Madikwe Safari Lodge and in Cape Town, and to the rest of our fabulous fellow travellers, from all over the USA and Canada. It’s been a privilege and a pleasure getting to know each of them, and witnessing their delight in a first trip to Africa

The journey involved far too much on too many levels to summarize in a blog post, so instead I’ll include a group photo from Madikwe Game Reserve and one from Cape Point, as tiny representation of our two destinations, which so beautifully encompass the themes for my two novels, the African bushveld and the Sea, respectively.

SOUL SAFARI 2009 - Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

SOUL SAFARI 2009 - Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape Town, South Africa

Now it’s all about processing…hundreds of images and hours of video footage…what a wonderful way to relive an amazing adventure!!

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In praise of Power Yoga

Yoga, in my opinion, must be the ultimate in mind/body/soul alignment. After doing a fair amount of it over many years, including Hatha (“The Yoga of Postures”), Kundalini (mainly chanting/’Mantra’ and breathing/’Pranayama’) and Bikram (“The 26 Pose Yoga in Heat”), I’ve recently found my favourite: Power Yoga.

According to the stunning website, www.abc-of-yoga.com, this is the “Western version of the Indian Ashtanga Yoga which emphasizes developing one’s physical flexibility and nurtures the desire for self-discipline…emulating a rigorous full-body workout and promoting mental stability and concentration”. Browse the site for much more insight into the practise of yoga in all its forms.

Undeniably, each type has its own appeal. I find Hatha relaxing, Kundalini invigorating, Bikram intense, but for me Power is the perfect package. It provides a satisfying sweat, excellent strength and stretch exercise, together with sufficient breath focus and meditation.

Perhaps it’s also that I have such a dynamic teacher in Claire Lane of Bikram Yoga on Republic, herself a graduate student of Bryan Kest (www.poweryoga.com) in Santa Monica, CA. How awesome to benefit from his fabulous influence here in Johannesburg!

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Taste

To taste is tantalizing.

AFRICAN ELEPHANT - Timbavati Private Game Reserve, South Africa

My interpretation:
Taste, like all senses, is worthy of ongoing appreciation.

Quotes to consider:
“For each mouth, a different soup.” – Portuguese proverb
“Cinnamon bites and kisses simultaneously.” – Vanna Bonta
“Everyone eats and drinks, but few appreciate taste.” – Confucius

What are your thoughts on this image and/or topic?

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Write with integrity

I’d like to share a snippet from Ainslie MacLeod’s book, ‘The Instruction: Living the Life Your Soul Intended‘ with other writers out there. For your reference, this book is available online here: www.amazon.com.

Ainslie encourages examining our desires, and establishing a balance that supports the soul’s purpose. He refers to the desires for fame (with the advantage of recognition) and immortality/leaving a legacy (with the advantage of achievement), mentioning these as possible motivations for writing a book. With humour he adds: “That’s not to suggest, of course, that everyone who – ahem – writes a book does it for that reason.”

The inherent advice is to focus on doing what you love and allow the rest to follow. He explains that “Something all desires have in common is that the harder you try to achieve them, the more they’ll elude you” and “The secret to overcoming desires is not to destroy them, but to master them”. The zen saying, “The moment you aim for something you miss it”, echoes this beautifully.

It begs the question, though, of how to approach not only writing a book, but also marketing it – especially in this age of social media and the ‘platform building’ explosion. My take is to strive for integrity, using the tools available to establish credibility and deliver a message to as wide an audience as possible, in the hope that it may be of benefit.

I’m scheduling this post for a few days’ time, as Dave & I will be privileged to be with Ainslie MacLeod and Hills of Africa Travel on their “Soul Safari”. We leave tomorrow for Madikwe Game Reserve, heading on to Cape Town…so will report back soon. Wishing you a fabulous fortnight in the meantime!

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Vulnerability

Vulnerability is universal.

RHINO CALF - Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, South Africa

My interpretation:
The toughest amongst us, know vulnerability.

Quotes to consider:
“There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community.” – M. Scott Peck
“When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability… To be alive is to be vulnerable.” – Madeleine L’Engle
“The supreme reality of our time is the vulnerability of this planet.” – John Fitzgerald Kennedy

What are your thoughts on this image and/or topic?

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Blog Action Day 09

Special thanks to Ida at Ethnic Supplies for the heads-up via Facebook of Blog Action Day 09, which is today! This year’s theme is Climate Change. If you’re a blogger, you may still have time to register your blog at www.blogactionday.org and “have your post appear on the Blog Action Day homepage when you publish”.

Born in Uganda and based in the UK, Ida Horner established Ethnic Supplies Ltd., which is a social enterprise specialising in African handicrafts, textile, art and crafts from East africa. Here’s a link to the thought-provoking article she posted on her blog today: Climate change and poverty. It’s been great to connect with Ida’s infectious warmth via Twitter!

On the subject of climate change, I think “A Beautiful Lie” must be one of the best music videos out there, highlighting this topic. The site, www.abeautifullie.org reports “CO2 Levels Highest in Two Million Years Thursday, June 25, 2009″. Have a read there to discover how you can make a difference.

Also on this subject, James Lovelock, celebrated scientist and writer (as well as originator of the Gaia theory), enthralled us in his Hardtalk interview with Stephen Sackur, addressing man’s “unsustainable exploitation” of the planet. Here’s a link to a small clip from their discussion, which refers to population reduction: www.youtube.com, and another to this phenomeanl man’s website: www.jameslovelock.org. His work is well worthy of consideration, especially today

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Spreading the word for endangered species…

Big thanks to Jenny at www.andnow.co.za for spreading the word about the EWT Saddle-billed Stork survey in the Kruger National Park, as well as for featuring some of Dave’s images! Have a look at her informative article, which gives great background to these beautiful, endangered birds: Saddle-billed Stork. While you’re there, she’s included an excellent post on another of our sub-continent’s struggling species: the African Wild Dog.

Here are two wild dog pics of Dave’s, in case you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting them

MUDDY WILD DOG - Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, South Africa

WILD DOG ANTICS - Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, South Africa

Jenny discovered my post, Saddle-billed Stork Survey, after browsing this blog courtesy of the www.sa-venues.com interview with Dave, so thanks again to them for featuring that!

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