WHY SOUTH AFRICA?
South Africa awakes all your human senses in an effortless wave the second you get off the airplane. There is no better feeling than the warm sun on your skin after traveling from a country that was just in the midst of winter. I always wait in anticipation for the aircraft doors to open because that first deep breath of fresh air on African soil is always the memory I hold onto for months and years after returning back to the United States. Even in combination with jet fuel, Africa has a perfume to me that is intoxicating. South Africa is rich in plant life and flowers, which enhances the beauty of the country as well as its fragrance. There are so many breathtaking areas in South Africa but traveling to me is not about quantity but quality.
A FEW FUN FACTS:
- South Africa has the longest wine route in the world.
- South Africa is the second largest exporter of fruit in the world.
- South Africa has the highest commercial bungee jump in the world 710ft.
- Table Mountain in Cape Town is believed to be one of the oldest mountains in the world.
- South Africa has deserts, mountains, escarpments, plateaus, grasslands, wetlands and subtropical forests.
TSITSIKAMMA (pronounced Tit-Si-Kamma):
During my visit to South Africa my focus was on Cape Town since I truly believe it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. However, while visiting family friends we took a day trip to Tsitsikamma. Isn’t it amazing when you find an unexpected jewel! I have been to South Africa many times but I have never heard or seen this area of the country and I felt the need to share it with you. The reason Tsitsikamma, South Africa is on my list of stunning places is simple: How many areas in the world can you hike up a mountain (that has a beautiful deck-like trail) along the blue Indian ocean while listening to the waves roll in as you smell unlimited selections of plants that surround you while birds are singing away in trees above? Tsitsikamma – word meaning “place of abundant or sparkling water” truly is a place of stupendous beauty. “Tsitsikamma National Park, declared in 1964, encompasses a marine reserve made up of 80km of coastline and offers the visitor magnificent scenery, walks, a beach, restaurant and shop” (http://www.tsitsikamma.info/).
I just want to make one thing clear – I am not a super “outdoorsy person.” However, I did love the fact that they had a perfectly manicured path for visitors to walk on with benches if you want to stop and literally smell the flowers. However, for those who seek more adventurous options, your appetite will not be disappointed. Besides tailored hikes you can camp, go rafting, and ziplining to name a few. There are enough trail options for any type of person regardless of age. My father who is 79-years old walked the whole trail with me including going over the suspension bridge, which is fun in itself. My mother who had knee surgery a few years ago walked most of the trail but decided to sit and relax by one of the many benches that overlook the ocean. I loved seeing a great selection of people in the area as well. There were families hiking together, couples, and a mom with a baby in a body carrier and even the solo traveler with a large camera in hand. It felt like a very safe area and everyone was very friendly – how could you not be in this surrounding? There is a large cabin-like restaurant where we sat outside on the deck overlooking the ocean after our long hike with a cold drink (or two) and great food – Does life get any better than that? Our waiter’s name was “Welcome” and he also lived up to his name because we felt very welcome at Tsitsikamma! I hope to extend my visit next time for more than a day and to really get in touch with my non-outdoorsy side. I will definitely sacrifice my heels for hiking boots because the scenery is that breathtaking (and mind you I don’t say that often…or never). I left Tsitkamma feeling rejuvenated. Even as I write this blog I crave to go back and to be part of it all again.
ANGEL WINGS
Through every single trip I have ever taken (and there have been many) I have always learned a lesson. When I travel, life makes sense to me…things fall into perspective. Through Angel Wings – my hope is that my lessons will radiate in your life as well. Please don’t hesitate to share your travel lesson on this forum as well. According to research at Northwestern University, “Detaching from the familiar gives you a whole new perspective on your everyday life”.
Angel Wings in South Africa: A few years ago my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer but he survived surgery and rehabilitation. A year ago, my father had a major stroke and heart surgery that he once again survived and came out of the process with a smile on his face. He does not view himself as a victim but rather a survivor. The life threatening moments that crossed our path rocked my core and I became a lot more aware of how fragile life really is and not to take time together for granted. I decided I wanted to take a father-daughter trip and I highly recommend everyone to take a trip with a loved one (whether it’s a sister, brother, mother) – take time to celebrate life. During this trip I learned so much about my dad that I did not know. I stopped seeing him as my “father” but rather an “individual.” I know it sounds odd but I have never thought of my parents other than just parents. However, I learned about my father’s dreams, hopes and goals prior to becoming a father. He talked about his biggest successes in life and his biggest failures. I learned about his childhood and he told me stories of all the times he got in trouble by my grandmother while laughing as he relived the memories. I kept wondering, “How do I not know all this about my father?” However, growing up in an all-female household my father did not get too many words in during time at the dinner table. During the hike through Tsitsikamma I stayed close to my father who is turning 79-years young in April. I kept checking on him to make sure he was OK. He just kept smiling and said, “Never been better.” My father is a retired photographer and Tsitsikamma is a slice of heaven for anyone that loves the art of taking picture or video. We turned a corner as we got to the top part of the trial there was this huge suspension bridge over the ocean. I stood there with the camera and said, “oh that’s pretty” and my father yelled, “lets go cross it!” I am a little scared of heights so my stomach flipped just at the thought of it. However, I saw years melt off my father as he starching marching down towards the bridge. At that moment I realized that we had been through so much with his cancer, stroke and heart surgery…why not walk over a suspension bridge? That thought melted away pretty fast as the bridge started rocking side to side with waves crashing down beneath my feet. I clung to the railing for dear life while my father walked across it as if he had done it a million times with a camera in hand. I never realized the adventurous spirit that my father had and I was lucky enough to see it first-hand. He has always put life on hold for “his girls” and anything he ever wanted to do came secondary over our needs. However, on this day I saw Jimmy Balcomb, the man who is a survivor, who loves adventure and who taught me that age is nothing but a number. The Angels reminded me that you should never surrender the child within. For it is your inner child that keeps you young!
Thank you dad for reminding me that life is about embracing your fears and not being paralyzed by them.
Love Your Middle Daughter (aka Suitcase Diva)
suitcasediva 