Nicola Ann Art
Jul 28
by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road 2 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Exploring, Jimny, Off-road, Rugged Terrain, Suzuki

#ResistanceIsFutile

Another warmest thank-you to both Suzuki Pinetown (“the best dealership in town”) and Travis from Shift Group for a spectacular 4×4 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. How many time do I need mention: #ResistanceIsFutile?   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 […]
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Jul 18
by Nicola in Beach, Sunrise, Umdloti beach 1 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Early morning, Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal, Sunrise, Umdloti beach

Early bird catches…

…a stunning sunrise at Umdloti.   What a treat to enjoy breakfast with such a sight before the eyes. Only the early bird…
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Jul 13
by Nicola in Beach, Nature, Sunrise, Umdloti beach 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, KwaZulu-Natal, Salt Rock, Sharka's Rock, Sharkaskraal, Sheffield Beach, Sunrise, Umdloti

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 […]
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Jul 12
by Nicola in Nature, Off-Road, Sugarcane, Sunset, Uncategorized 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Indian Ocean, Jimny, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Sugarcane fields, Sunset, Suzuki Jimny

Panoramic Umdloti

A stunning way to end the working week with an off-road spin through the sugarcane fields to the top, to the panoramic top.   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…  
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Jul 02
by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Off-Road 0 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Challenge, Early morning, Father's Day, Jimny, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Rugged Terrain, Suzuki Jimny, Toyota Fortuner

Jimny VS Fortuner Challenge

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 4×4) at Killarney 4×4 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 […]
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