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I love adventure and exploring new places.

South Africa’s Wild Beauty and Deep Inequality

Time flies, and with it come more photos, more memories, more places that stay with me. South Africa is breathtaking – the wilderness, the landscapes, the animals, the light that feels different somehow in Africa. I love the beauty and rawness of it all.

But it’s also impossible to ignore the contrasts. The history still lingers, and the gap between wealth and poverty remains. Knowing that youth unemployment is so high and that inequality runs so deep makes it hard to fully relax into the beauty.

I’m always torn! Part of me wants to go back again and again, to be in that incredible landscape. And part of me feels heavy with the awareness of my own privilege. South Africa moves me every time though for its beauty.

A rainbow arcs over an airport ramp, with an aircraft and a jet bridge visible in the foreground under a cloudy sky.
A rainbow, or two, as we leave Maputo!
Aerial view of rugged mountains with a valley and a lake in South Africa, showcasing the diverse landscapes.
Somewhere over South Africa
A scenic view of rocky coastline and houses along the shore, with mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
One of my favourite places in Cape Town, Camps Bay. Beautiful pool with view of the mountains and plenty of kelp.
Sunset view of the Twelve Apostles mountain range with a beach and coastal houses in the foreground.
A scenic view of a beach with people enjoying the sand and water, framed by rocky mountains and a residential area in the background under a cloudy sky.
A smiling couple poses for a selfie at the seaside, with a rocky shore and a cloudy sky in the background.
A scenic view of a beach in South Africa with a rocky coastline, calm water, and a backdrop of mountains under a cloudy sky.
A view of a rocky coastline with the ocean and dramatic cloudy skies, where rays of sunlight break through the clouds, illuminating the sea.
A serene coastal landscape in South Africa, featuring waves crashing against rocks, with sun rays breaking through clouds illuminating the ocean.
Sunset over the ocean, casting warm hues across rocky formations along the shore.
A coastal view in South Africa featuring rocky shoreline, gentle waves, and a backdrop of rugged mountains.
Waves crashing against rocky shoreline under a clear blue sky.
A rocky shoreline with a large stone in the foreground and a bird perched on top, overlooking gentle waves and distant rocks under a cloudy sky.
A panoramic view of Cape Town, South Africa, showcasing the city skyline, harbor, and distant mountains under a clear blue sky with a few clouds.
View from Table Mountain
A panoramic view of a mountain landscape featuring a prominent peak with a clear blue sky, surrounded by green hills and scattered houses below.
Lion’s Head, seen from Table Mountain
A stunning sunset over the ocean, with the sun dipping below the horizon, casting warm colors in the sky and reflecting off the water, while a coastal town is visible in the foreground.
Sunset view over the ocean with a vibrant orange glow and a coastal landscape in the foreground.
An angel sunset from the top of Table Mountain
A panoramic view from the top of a mountain, showcasing a coastal landscape with distant islands, a city below, and a clear sky.
A wooden walkway leading towards a rocky cliff with the ocean in the background, illuminated by soft sunlight during sunset.
A couple takes a selfie at a marina in South Africa, with Table Mountain in the background, showcasing a sunny day and various boats in the water.
Waterfront, Cape Town
A woman enjoying noodles at Ramenhead restaurant, with a menu displayed in the background and patrons seated at wooden tables.
Time Out Market and my favourite ramen! Yum
A scenic view of the ocean with rocky shores and green vegetation in the foreground, complemented by mountains rising in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Just more Cape Town views…
A scenic view of a coastal town in South Africa, with lush greenery in the foreground, houses on the hillside, and dramatic mountain peaks partially covered by clouds under a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of the coastline in South Africa, featuring rugged mountains and a blue ocean under a partly cloudy sky.
A scenic view of the coastline in South Africa, featuring rocky shores, rolling waves, and dramatic mountains under a clear blue sky.
A vibrant display of fresh, red peppers and other vegetables arranged in woven baskets at a market. The peppers are prominently featured in a large bowl, surrounded by smaller pots of greenery and other produce.
Oranjezicht City Farm Market. Some great food stalls and lots of fresh bread, cheese, local produce
A basket filled with vibrant red and green chilies, showcasing their glossy texture and fresh appearance.
A vibrant assortment of fresh chili peppers in various colors, including red, yellow, and green, tightly packed together.
A scenic view of a rocky coastline meeting the ocean, with waves crashing against the shore and sandy beach visible amid the rugged terrain.
Cape of Good Hope. The most stunning views, hiking trails and ostriches!
A breathtaking coastal view in South Africa, showcasing the ocean waves crashing against rocky cliffs and a distant mountain landscape under a clear blue sky.
A couple smiles while posing next to the Cape of Good Hope sign, with the ocean and rocky coastline in the background under a clear blue sky.
A group of ostriches walking through lush greenery near the coast with a blue ocean in the background.
Cape of Good Hope
A rocky cliff overlooking the ocean with waves crashing against the shore, showcasing the natural beauty of the coastline.
A chalkboard sign at a store entrance reads 'OPEN - Closed due to Baboons,' with a drawing of a baboon's face.
Simon’s Town where baboons cross the road
A selfie of a man and a woman standing in shallow water with large rocks in the background on a sunny day.
Boulder’s Beach to see the penguins, so cute!
Scenic view of a rocky shoreline with clear blue waters and distant mountains in South Africa.
A close-up of an African penguin standing on sandy ground, looking directly at the camera with a background of sparse vegetation.
A penguin standing on a rock by the ocean, with a blurred background of water and other rocky formations.
A black-footed penguin standing on a rocky surface with its head held high, basking in sunlight.
A close-up view of a small brown mammal, called a hyrax, foraging on sandy ground beneath trees with dappled sunlight.
Rock Hyrax
A panoramic view of a South African landscape featuring rolling hills, vineyards, and small clusters of white buildings under a clear blue sky.
Views over Franschhoek wine region
A scenic landscape of mountains and valleys under a cloudy sky in South Africa, showcasing the raw beauty and contrasting features of the region.
A scenic view of mountains shrouded in clouds, with green trees and blue flowers in the foreground against a clear blue sky.
A panoramic view of mountains under a partly cloudy sky in South Africa, showcasing the rugged landscape and a hint of a road in the foreground.
A person standing on a hilltop, looking out over a vast landscape of fields and mountains in South Africa, with a sense of contemplation.
A sculpture of two monkeys on a seesaw in front of a white building, with a shopping cart nearby.
Stellenbosch
A woman in a blue dress stands in front of a giraffe surrounded by trees and greenery in South Africa.
Marloth Park, outside our cottage
A group of vibrant blue birds perched on a bush near a river, surrounded by soft greenery and a rocky riverbank.
Kruger Park
A rear view of an elephant walking on a dirt path surrounded by greenery.
Road block!
A close-up view of an elephant standing among greenery, showcasing its textured skin and large ears, with another elephant partially visible in the background.
Three turtles on a sandy riverbank, with one turtle in the foreground and two in the background entering the water.
A turtle moving across a dirt pathway, showcasing its greenish shell and distinctive features.
An elephant stands amidst dense greenery in South Africa, showcasing its majestic presence in a natural setting.
A turtle with a glossy green shell moving on a sandy surface.
A water buffalo resting on the sandy ground, with patches of mud on its body, surrounded by sparse greenery.
A resting buffalo covered in mud, with a small bird perched on its back, set against a sandy landscape with tall grass in the background.
Three giraffes standing near a dirt road in South Africa, with trees and bushes in the background. Two cars are parked nearby.
Road block!
A scenic view of a river winding through a dry landscape in South Africa, surrounded by sparse vegetation and trees under a clear blue sky.
A group of hippopotamuses walking along the riverbank in South Africa, with some grazing on the grass and others standing at the water's edge.
A solitary elephant standing in a grassy area surrounded by rocky terrain.
A group of four turtles moving across a sandy surface in South Africa.
A group of hippopotamuses grazing on the riverbank, with a crocodile resting in the water nearby.
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5 responses to “South Africa’s Wild Beauty and Deep Inequality”

  1. Sheila Foreman Avatar
    Sheila Foreman

    I’ve just finished a series of books, based around a family of Hugenouts over several centuries. This last one was based mainly in South Africa and the roots of the disparity you speak of go back a long way – long before apartheid. Sadly it will take several more generations before things change for the better.

    Good to hear your news though

    Sheila

    Reply
    1. lisbonchick Avatar
      lisbonchick

      Hi Sheila
      Good to hear from you. How have you been? What is the name of the book?

      Reply
      1. Sheila Foreman Avatar
        Sheila Foreman

        The books were by Kate Mosse and there are four in the series, leading up to the one where the focus shifts to South Africa. They are, in order The Burning Chambers, The City of Tears, The Ghost Ship and The Map of Bones. I can’t remember the dates of the earlier ones but the last one covers 1687 – 1872. I think the earlier ones were 1500s.

        She’s a well researcher writer but her characters are the kind you want to follow in their story!

        Sheila

      2. lisbonchick Avatar
        lisbonchick

        Thank you

  2. Tony Avatar
    Tony

    Amazing as always x x

    Reply

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