WALKING UMGENI ROAD

So as those that pop in from time to time will know. I'm leaving soon. Couple more days of work left and way too much to do before I leave. Am I nervous? A little. I'm far more excited though. Part of what I'm hoping to give more energy to is my photography, particularly once I've settled in Delhi. So with that in mind I started a little project. The aim was to spend less time indoors and more time walking the streets of a city I thought I was familiar with . I'm hoping to see it from a new perspective. I don't want to just "see things"... I want to notice and observe every detail from a scrawl on a wall to lettering on a shop window. I know some people regard iPhoneography and more specifically Instagram as a poor version of the real thing and I value their opinions, but if using my iPhone makes me stop and observe with greater detail the beauty of my hometown then I think it's a step in the right direction. Above are a few things that caught my eye so far. Apologies for those that may have seen these already.

DELHI BELOVED - AND SO IT BEGINS

Years ago I set off on a journey. It seems like a lifetime ago. I had no frame of reference. No preconceptions. No clue to be honest. Looking back it's pretty crazy how much of an effect just a few days in foreign city would have on me. It's changed everything. I still remember the lights from those celebrating Eid strewn across rooftops as we flew into a bustling midnight Mumbai, destined for Delhi. That was 2006. Then again in 2008. Now six years on and I'm moving to city that has caught me totally off guard, but has never left my mind. So for those keen on keeping up to date on what I'm up to, please pop in and say hello or leave a comment. I leave South Africa on 20 March and after two weeks in London I will arrive in Delhi. I hope to find time to blog in all of the settling in. I'll be walking the streets, taking photos and volunteering with a few initiatives that I've been eye-ing out... plus exploring this amazing country... first stop Varanasi perhaps. I'm not too sure yet whether I'll be starting a new blog or what, but when the times comes I'll keep you all posted. So here's to taking risks and being scared. Hope to keep in touch with those I've neglected recently in all the prep and busy work vibes. Above are a few snaps from my last trip.

JEFF HOLT PHOTOGRAPHY

Really dig the work of North Carolina based photographer Jeff Holt. The shots he's chosen to feature on his site are grainy, moody and downright epic. All his work seems to be imbued with a love for life on a grand scale and his selected works view like a road-trip full of troubles and triumphs. Under the info section of his site he put his love for what he does like this.

"I have had incredible experiences that have shaped my opinions, views, outlook and disposition on life. It seems that in the last several years I have been dealt more than in those previous. From success to failure, life at it’s best to life at it’s worst; love, loss and personal injury just to name a few. With all of that said, I have come to know that everything happens for a reason and in the end, life is about the journey and how we choose to live it. It is short, it is sweet and I choose to live mine with a passion that I hope is infectious to those around me."

Above are my favourites from his various categories. See more of his work here.

LOTENI - THE VERY LONG WAY ROUND

Three weekends ago a couple of us took off to the Drakensberg for the long weekend. Taking Monday off, as Tuesday was a public holiday, meant we got the chance to get some good solid rest. Getting up there was a mission though. Please note if you're thinking of visiting Loteni, whatever you do, take a 4x4. We did end up in a ditch on the side of the road, but after some choice navigation from yours truly and superb driving skills from my mate Jono we were out. We had no choice but to turn back and overnight with friends in Dargle. The following morning we were off early and made it through to our cottage. All in all, it was a simply amazing weekend. Two of the highlights were a waterfall swim in a sub-zero pool and taking an afternoon stroll down to the river. The valley was lit up with this golden winter light that rendered even the drabbest shrub ablaze. It was magical. I got to shoot a ton of images; mostly of my mates. These were my favourites from the remainder of the shots.

JESSICA HILLTOUT

It's been about a year since the World Cup turned this country into one huge flag-waving mass of soccer hysteria. I made a concerted effort to resist getting caught up in the consumer pitched marketing and buy-something-you'll-never-use-again-mentality...except for the car flag, but that was practically a necessity. I did however recently buy a book titled Amen by Jessica Hilltout. Brimming with amazing photography the book launch coincided with the World Cup, but is by no means a gimmicky buy strictly for tourists seeking a momento of their time here. Travelling part of her journey in VW Beetle, Belgium born Hilltout traversed Africa documenting grassroots football at its most pure. The more I think about it, I think soccer may be the greatest game ever invented.

BUCKET LIST BEACHES

My hometown Durban has had some miserable weather lately. All the cold, wind and rain has had me yearning for warmer climes, so I compiled a list of salt water and fresh water beaches to see before I die. Each choice has a reason behind it, some personal and some frivolous. Some may not have the hugest beaches, so I've taken a little artistic licence if you will. If I missed any that should definitely be here, let me know.

From top left: 1. Krka National Park, Croatia 2. Blue Hole, Belize 3. Bora Bora, Polynesia 4. Mambo Island, Malawi 5. San Blas Island, Panama 6. Boulders Beach, South Africa 7. Noordhoek Beach, South Africa 8. Phak Nam Bay, Thailand 9. Ipanema Beach, Brazil 10. Durdle Door, United Kingdom 11. Manly Beach, Australia 12. Algarve, Portugal

MIDLANDS MEANDER MAGIC

I've been challenged lately by fellow bloggers who make a concerted effort to post only original content. I'm on the net for at least half my day on a regular basis, and as a result, constantly find great content to blog about. However, I do see the benefits of posting original content in terms of readers enjoying something original rather than something they've seen before. Chances are they'll stick around for a while longer and who doesn't like seeing their blog stats rise.

In light of this, I decided to make a concerted effort to snap a few shots of our stay in the Midlands this past weekend. Our accommodation was at The Coach House. Set about 11kms from the Nottingham Road turnoff, the venue boasts a few standalone rooms and a coffee shop serving great cappuccinos and scones. Give them a shout if you're looking to stay in the area.

HOPE PROJECT & SENYOL IN FINLAND

One of my favourite artists and now a great friend Wesley van Eeden and his lovely wife Megs, along with Paul Senyol are currently in Finland. I remember Wez chatting to me a while back about the opportunity to take-up an artists residency in Ekenas, a town a small trip away from Helsinki. Well, they're all there now and seem to be loving it, colder climate, snow and stark landscape and all. If you've never heard of Wez or his lovechild hopeproject.co.za, browse by his site and see what they're up to after browsing his portfolio. He's got some serious skills coupled with a great heart. His compadre on this adventure is Capetonian Paul Senyol whose blog you can check out here and his flickr page here. Have a great public holiday tomorrow and ejoy the long weekend.