KwaZulu-Natal Archives - Page 3 of 3

Mar 23

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road, People 0 comments tags: 4x4, 4x4 challenge, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Challenge, Jimny, Killarney Track, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Rugged Terrain, Shift Group, Shongweni, Suzuki Jimny

One life. Live it.

Land Rover once said: “One Life. Live it.” I experienced something today for the first time by enjoying being a spectator at a 4×4 challenge, held at Killarney in Shongweni. Actually, because I am planning on purchasing a 4×4, one that was going to take part at the event I had to witness just how well it would do. Unfortunately, due to the track being too “soft” it ended up not competing. Just as well as most regrettably damaged their vehicles and had wished they’d never taken them out. But it made for great viewing so thank you to those who didn’t chicken out! Of course I was rooting for the underdogs: “Lucky N” and luminous “e-car”. Unfortunately, my rooting did not help. “Ooh!” “Ahh!” “Ouch!” And many vulgarities were heard whenever the Amarok got stuck; after the fourth time, in the same spot, despite trying different ways to attack the ditch coated in mud, only vulgarities could be heard. The vehicle should be labelled “AmarokDisaster” instead of “AmarokStar” – as highlighted in one of the images below. We only hung around for the first heat, which was enough to make me want to experience […]

Mar 15

by Nicola in Rugby 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Cell C, Growth Point Stadium, Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Rugby, South Africa, The Reds Rugby, The Sharks, The Sharks Rugby

Attack by the sharks

Another brilliant attack by the Sharks! How they pulled it off while sleeping for much of the second half, is questionable; however, they did it in the end. The score says it all… Sharks 35 Reds 20. The empty-ish stadium surprised me after all they were playing a decent flair-full Australian team. Where was everyone today? Great to see one or two die-hard fans around!

Feb 11

by Nicola in Beach, Not-for-profit, People 0 comments tags: Abandoned Baby, Baby Hope House, BeanOn Photography, Durban beach front, Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal, Pinetown, South Africa

Our government is blinded

‘Sawubona, boy! You so beautiful, boy.’ Yesterday, a young black woman greeted the child I sat with on the beach, Moses Mabhida Stadium directly behind, under an umbrella made out of thin wooden logs almost of identical size. I told her his name. Her eyes dropped down to the camera that dangled from my neck. ‘Are the photos instant? Can you take one of me with boy? How much?’ ‘I will not charge you. Do you have an email address?’ My ear felt deafened after she screeched with excitement. ‘I don’t have email but my friend does.’ Next thing I was taking photos of 3 people, many poses. About 4 groups of black people approached at different times soon after my friend joined us. ‘How you get black baby?’ A black man asked me while my friend went for a dip. I explained Hope House and their great cause. He grins, thanks me and then runs off.

Feb 03

Only in Africa

The ultimate beach-and-bush experience en route to Cape Vidal via the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site, Greater St Lucia. Stunning vistas of grasslands; greetings by zebra and kudu along the side of the road en route to the beach, where a beautiful, unspoilt bay awaits, beckons to be explored beneath its electric blue surface and then a grand farewell by two rhinos still with their horns attached, followed by a munching warthog. Honestly, what more could a visitor wish for? Once again, only in Africa!

Jan 05

by Nicola in Not-for-profit, People, Swimming 0 comments tags: Abandoned babies, Abandoned Baby, Baby Hope House, BeanOn Photography, KwaZulu-Natal, orphans, Pinetown, South Africa

Unsung heroes

What amazing work both Sonia and Lynne do by nurturing the stunningly beautiful children that are parentless, babies that have been abandoned; however, have been given another chance at life – beginning their new adventure at Hope House until they are adopted by other selfless people. Thank you, Sonia and Lynne, for allowing me the honour of being a part of your love-filled journey. Inspiration at its best! http://www.babyhopehouse.org.za/

Dec 16

Amakhosi Private Game Reserve

The day after Mauritius, from 14th – 17th December, I retreated to the middle of the bushveld at the stunning Amakhosi Private Game Reserve, on the banks of Zululand’s Mkuze River. Surrounded by thick bushland, wetlands and mountains makes for spectacular vistas from one of the six luxurious river suites I stayed in, and found a challenge departing from. The entire five-star experience – from the welcoming staff, the sensory cuisine, the game drives, the landscape, the animal sightings, the noises of the bush, the smells and the packed lunch given to you upon farewell – had you feeling like royalty; an experience fit for a king. It was worth driving 4.5 hours from Durban to Pongola, and I plan to visit again sometime in the next few years.

Nov 30

by Nicola in Black & White, Nature 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Black & White Photography, Exploring, Flowers, Garden, KwaZulu-Natal, nature, Plants, South Africa

Colour-less

I enjoyed a stroll through a garden with my camera in hand, poised, ready for action; inspired by everything around me, I couldn’t resist shooting black and white – a colour-less world – to capture the dull, wet day… ANON: These are beautiful images, I have always personally thought that “Black and White” photography shows the true character and nature of things. Somehow light and shadow seem to intensify and define themselves much better. I enjoy these images, and hope to see more on your website soon. BeanOn: Thank you for enjoying these images. Some things definitely demand to be captured in black and white, as you mentioned, highlight (excuse the pun) shadows and definition and turn something ordinary into something that’s worth appreciating.

Oct 29

by Nicola in Adventure, Nature 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Exploring, Getaway Magazine, Giba Gorge, Hi-Tec, Hiking, KwaZulu-Natal, nature, Pinetown, Quarry, Rugged Terrain, South Africa

Getaway Magazine and Hi-Tec at Giba Gorge

About 50 of us joined Getaway magazine and the Hi-Tec crew for a half-day hike at Giba Gorge on Sunday, 27 October. What a stunning trail through the peaceful new and old-growth forests with spraying waterfalls and inspiring vistas – to the top, high above the N3 freeway where it suddenly turned dangerous climbing in the pouring rain; not for the fainthearted!

Oct 20

by Nicola in Art, Beach 0 comments tags: Beach Bums, BeanOn Photography, derelict, Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal, North Coast, South Africa, Westwood Beach

Slow death of a derelict

A slow death of a derelict, next to Beach Bums, Westbrook Beach, north cost, KwaZulu-Natal: Around 1940, the owners, a wealthy Indian couple, departed South Africa to return to India. The couple left the house to their children who’d never set foot on the property, and the place died a slow death – pieces removed bit by bit by the squatters, whom to this day, still inhabit the hills across the road. The property is now in the process of being reclaimed as part of the beach; however, legalities prevail.

Oct 03

Lions Valley Lodge

Lions Valley Lodge, http://www.lionsvalley.co.za/, a stunning five-star experience enveloped in virgin bushveld of 21,000 acres within the Nambiti Conservancy, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. The lodge is built true African chic with an infinity pool and decking and main boma-style restaurant that all overlook the spectacular view across the valley, where herds of impala and zebra quench their thirsts. Immersed in history, there are two memorial sites on the reserve commemorating the Boer and English troops that did not make it through the Battle of Elandslaagte, 21st October 1899. The one and only thing I disliked about the luxury experience was thinking about the lioness mating with her offspring after photographing the pair close up, as close as possible… Of course there was no end to snapping away with my camera, almost like a video, and feeling in awe of being so close to lions in the “semi” wild…

Sep 09

by Nicola in People, Photo shoot 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Ctrlroom, Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, Lacoste Soccer Team, photo shoot, Rural, soccer, South Africa, team

Rural shoot

Once upon a time in Inanda, a curious puppy decided it was brave enough and took on a chicken. The chicken won. The pup lost its eye. A man found the pup, and rescued it from the chicken. The dog has never left the man’s side since. A friend of the owner said, ‘This dog is big problem. It follows the man everywhere. Whenever you see the dog you know you will find the man. Dog make him get caught cheating – wife loves dog!’ We all roared with laughter. I did a rural shoot in the poorest place I’ve ever stepped foot in. Ctrlroom, the company I work for, sponsors a soccer team known as Lacoste. No one could explain how the name was selected; however, they are happy to change it sometime in the near future. We brought them new gear and balls and training rings, which evidently, their joy palpable, delighted the team. Their opposition did not appear in similar spirits and almost caused a riot. I am happy I made it out alive, and it was agreed that things would need to settle with the public, the avid supporters, before we do another shoot. No argument […]

Aug 21

by Nicola in Art 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Close-up Photography, Experimental, KwaZulu-Natal, Lemons, Macro Photography, South Africa, Strawberries

Macro Photography

The urge to experiment with marco photography engulfed me; however, when I realised I’d given a macro Tamron lens away with my old camera I tried to bury the urge. The trying bit didn’t last too long when I decided to find out how close I could get with a 18-108mm lens. Well, I raided the contents of my fridge and came across the perfect object to experiment with; something I’d done before, but sadly lost all the photos when I damaged (dropped from a coffee table onto a tiled floor) my external hard drive. As you can see, macro photography should only be done with a macro lens, even close up photography needs to be done with the correct lens. And, there is nothing more perfect than the knobbliest lemon growing in one’s backyard…

Aug 11

by Nicola in Art, Nature 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Blueberry Hill, Early morning, Exploring, KwaZulu-Natal, Piggly Wiggly Country Centre, South Africa, The Midlands Meander, The Waffle Inn

The Midlands Meander

The Midlands Meander brought happiness to us all while browsing at Blueberry Hill’s shop selling homemade treasures; a satisfying brunch at The Waffle Inn; a gem discovery at Piggly Wiggly Country Village where I could have bought everything displayed within Fancy That – what an apt name – fancying almost everything for my new apartment! And of course afters bought at the Belgium Chocolate shop – the best chili stix in milk chocolate that explodes in the mouth, leaving your senses tingling for minutes after the creaminess dissolves. Oh and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect…

Jul 20

by Nicola in Beach, Nature 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Exploring, Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal, nature, Scottburgh, South Africa, South Coast, Wild Beach

Wild winds

After a leisurely breakfast at Scottburgh, we strolled along the beach where the wild winds brought in vicious waves that had reached up to 9 meters only moments earlier. About 4 brave surfers did their best just trying to stay alive out there… Allow yourself to be touched by nature; the power of nature will teach you more than any book you could ever read.

Jun 19

Sacrilege, but I don’t care!

Just over 4 years ago a dear friend bought me my first DSLR camera for a birthday. Talk about being bowled over by the receipt of an unexpected gift. Of course he’d chosen the brand he’d always used, the camera I’d always wanted that came with a 18 – 55 mm lens. Later the same friend spoiled me with a telephoto 28 – 300mm and then a stunning macro. Anyway, I loved this camera despite feeling it never lived up to what I’d researched its potential to be. I thought that perhaps I needed to practice more, learn the camera to its depths and that’s what I did for the next 4 or so years, but still the quality of my picture taking didn’t live up to my expectations. I wanted to buy a new camera; however, since getting the property ladder rolling I thought I’d better disperse the desire, the desire as violent as a hurricane ripping up buildings, as far away from my heart as possible. Whilst doing my best, my camera stopped working; the shutter did not release yet everything else appeared to be working fine or rather displaying correctly on the screen. […]