Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures » South Africa travel

Southernmost Lighthouse in Africa

jeff — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 12:00:38 +0000

One of my favorite places in the world is the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas. Part of it is nostalgia. When I was an exchange student in South Africa, one of my host dad’s was from the region. So, I got to spend a bit of time there. There’s not much there. It’s a town with a windswept beach that shuts down after dark. But there’s something about looking south and knowing that there’s no more land between you and Antarctica that keeps taking me back. On the shore is the old lighthouse. It’s still in operation as the coastline in this part of the world can be quite dangerous. You can go up and take in the 360-degree view of the coast, the neighboring towns and a bit of scrub-brush veld, which is the site of the world’s smallest plant kingdom – the Cape Floral Kingdom. I took this photo on my last trip to South Africa and it’s today’s Suh-Weet Shot.

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Southernmost Lighthouse in Africa is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

Baby Elephant Eating Briars in Addo Elephant National Park

jeff — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:00:59 +0000

Lunch time! Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

If you’ve had the chance to see elephants in the wild, then you know how beautiful these giants of the wild are. At Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa, we saw plenty of the residents that give the park its namesake. One herd we came across had a few young bulls. Our vehicle was parked at a great angle facing this ¨little guy.¨ How tough are these elephants? Well, they were eating briars, briars thick enough to pierce tires on a Land Rover. They eat hundreds of pounds of brush a year, which I guess is good for the vehicles to keep the briars at bay. I love making this suh-weet babe this week’s Suh-Weet Shot.

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Baby Elephant Eating Briars in Addo Elephant National Park is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

Zebras Running at Addo Elephant National Park

jeff — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:00:25 +0000

Afternoon run. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

While we went to the Addo Elephant National Park to see the elephants, there were plenty of other wildlife to see. Here we passed a small herd of zebra that were off to the races. Maybe our vehicle spooked them? We did see other zebra at Addo, a lioness overlooking the valley, and even disturbed a bit of ostrich love. Naturally we saw elephants too. But, seeing the animals run wild in the veld was awesome. Traveling in South Africa offers lots of places to see the wildlife. So, until you can get over for your first safari or if you’re biding your time for your next adventure, enjoy the zebra in this week’s Suh-Weet Shot.

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Zebras Running at Addo Elephant National Park is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

In Honor of African Penguin Awareness Day

jeff — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:00:53 +0000

Snuggle Bugs. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Tomorrow is African Penguin Awareness Day. Did you even know there were penguins in Africa? South of Cape Town, near Simonstown at a place called Boulders Beach, you can find these little guys going about their business. Boulders is park of the broader Table Mountain National Park. And, having the penguin colony there is what makes it one of Cape Town’s great beaches to visit. This map will show you where it is and how to get there. And, at Boulders, you can get really close to them. So, here is a tribute to them through photos and a short video.

South African Penguin Photos

Ready to go for a dip? Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Hope these sunbathers are using a strong SPF! Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Molting Time. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Love birds! Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Penguin Video From Boulders Beach in Cape Town

And to finish it off, check out this short video (36 seconds) of the penguins at the beach that you can see while traveling in South Africa.

In Honor of African Penguin Awareness Day is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

I Love Cape Town Photo Series Part 5: Roadtrip

jeff — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:00:29 +0000

In part 5 of our guest post series, ¨I Love Cape Town¨, from Craig of YTravelBlog, he takes us on a road trip outside of Cape Town to some of the great little towns and nooks just a quick drive away from downtown Cape Town!

Road Trip!

Take a one day road trip south of Cape Town for stunning coastal and mountain scenery. On the way, stop at Hout Bay for awesome fish and chips. Take the world-recognized Chapman’s Peak Drive where rocks threaten to cascade down from the stunning, imposing mountain peaks above. From there, you can drive down to the tip of the Cape of Good Hope for stunning views and where baboons run wild. Be sure to keep an eye on your lunch.

Hout Bay

Take the world recognized Chapman’s’ Peak Drive where rocks threaten to cascade down from the stunning imposing mountain peaks above.

Chapman's Peak Drive

Stunning beaches along the coast road

More amazing coastal scenery

From there you can drive down to the tip of the Cape of Good Hope for stunning ocean views and where baboons run wild. Be sure to keep an eye on your lunch.

Cape of Good Hope

About Craig – Craig Makepeace is the co-founder of yTravel Blog and has been traveling and living around the world since 2002, first with his wife Caz, and now with their daughter Kalyra. You can hangout with him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

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I Love Cape Town Photo Series Part 5: Roadtrip is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

I Love Cape Town Photo Series Part 4: Apartheid Legacies

jeff — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:00:00 +0000

In part 4 of our guest post series, ¨I Love Cape Town¨, from Craig of YTravelBlog, he shows that while apartheid is gone, the remnants and symbols of the old regime are still around Cape Town showing people what it was like not too long ago. Take it away Craig!

Robben Island

Robben Island, the former prison home of Nelson mandela for over 20 years, was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1999. Taking a tour of Robben Island with an ex-political prisoner is a very moving experience. The ferry to Robben Island leaves from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, and the 30 minute ferry ride across Table Bay provides for amazing views back towards Cape Town and Table Mountain.

Robben Island in the distance

cell block

The courtyard

Bo Kaap Neighborhood

The Bo Kaap District is an area of Cape Town formerly known as the Malay Quarter. It is quintessentially a township, situated on the sloped of Signal Hill right above the city center and is an historical center of the Cape Malay culture in Cape Town. It is rich in history and known for its romantic cobblestoned streets and colorful houses. Take a walk around and get some creative photos.

Bo-Kaap

Colorful houses

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I Love Cape Town Photo Series Part 4: Apartheid Legacies is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

I Love Cape Town Photo Series Part 3: Natural Wonders

jeff — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:00:45 +0000

In part 3 of our guest post series ¨I Love Cape Town¨ from Craig of YTravelBlog, he shows some of the natural sites in and around Cape Town. The good thing about this city is that you always feel connected to nature and the natural beauty of the city and the Cape. Enjoy!

Table Mountain

The impressive backdrop of Table Mountain is just one of the many striking features of Cape Town. This prominent landmark forms part of Table Mountain National Park and you can either hike to the top of the mountain or take the cable car.

Table Mountain

View from the ferry on Table Bay

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is recognized as one of the best botanic gardens of the world. Its position against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain makes for sheer grandeur, and you may even feel in the mood for a hike up one of the many trails to the top of Table Mountain.

Kirstenbosch was also the setting for my brother-in-law’s wedding ceremony which provided a magnificent backdrop.

Kirstenbosch Gardens

The wedding ceremony

Lion’s Head

Lions head is a part of the Table Mountain National Park and forms part of a dramatic backdrop to the city. It reaches a peak of 669 meters and there’s an hour-long walk to the top which is known for spectacular views over the city and the beaches below.

Lions head from Clifton Beach

Looking back at Lions head from Robben Island

Lions head in the distance

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I Love Cape Town Photo Series Part 3: Natural Wonders is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

A Splash of Color at Birds of Eden

jeff — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:00:43 +0000

Loved this little guy. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Last week I gave you a few shots from Monkeyland in South Africa. Next door is an equally enjoyable reserve, the Birds of Eden. In some ways this adventure is a little more fun and interactive…some of the birds actually come and sit on your shoulder, your back, your head. Yes, it happened to me and I found out…I don’t really like it. But the rest of the experience I did. One of the things that was hard to miss was all the different colors of all the birds inside. So, I wanted to showcase a bit of the 220 species of birds you can find at Birds of Eden.

A couple of things you need to know. First, I don’t know bird species. So, I didn’t name each of these. If you would like to educate me, please feel free to do so in the comments and I will update the post. Second, most of these photos were taken without any zoom. You really can get this close to the birds without them flying off. There are many more types of birds, but here are some of my favorite shots.

The Birds of the Birds of Eden, Free Flight Bird Sanctuary

OK, this one is the Grey Crowned Crane. I do know the name of one!

Grey Crowned Crane. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Flamingos! Yes, Captain Obvious gets one right!

Flamingo! Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Love the red tail of this African Grey Parrot. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

I want to know what the secret is. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Love the look of this guy. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Can't leave out the Blue Crane, South Africa's National Bird. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

So, while you’re planning to travel to South Africa, don’t forget to check out the Birds of Eden and Monkeyland in Plettenberg Bay.

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A Splash of Color at Birds of Eden is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

Springtime Blooms in the Cape of South Africa

jeff — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:00:14 +0000

Spring Protea and Fynbos Blooms. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Springtime just about anywhere is a great time to explore. But, in South Africa, it always seems particularly beautiful to me. Just to the east and south of Cape Town, you will find the home to the smallest floral kingdom in the world, the Cape Floral Kingdom, around Agulhas and Struisbaai. Springtime travel to South Africa is worth it just to see these flowers. This floral kingdom is most famous for its fynbos, and proteas are its most famous bloom. This photo was taken at a local wildflower show in Agulhas set up by the local garden club. While these blooms are quite large, many of the flower varieties were tiny, minuscule. They were quite different than the wildflowers we saw in the Namaqualand desert in the Northern Cape province. We had to use a handheld magnifying lens to see the detail of many of the species. The exhibit showed off some of the best that this part of South Africa had to offer. And these beautiful blooms were easy to select as this week’s Suh-Weet shot! If you like this, check out this 1 minute video on spring in South Africa.

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Springtime Blooms in the Cape of South Africa is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

I Love Cape Town Photo Series Part 2: Shopping and Dining

jeff — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:30:26 +0000

In part 2 of our guest post series from Craig of YTravelBlog, ¨I Love Cape Town¨, he shows off more of his photos of places where you can get out and relax with a little food and a little shopping in Cape Town. Enjoy!

Victoria and Alfred (V&A) Waterfront

The lively Victoria and Alfred Waterfront precinct is situated at the foot of Table Mountain in the heart of Cpe Town’s working harbour. It’s a great place to go for a meal or a drink and enjoy the fresh sea breeze and warm African sun. The V&A is home to waterfront walkways, historical buildings, museum, boat trips, markets, shops, hotels, bars and the Aquarium.

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

There are a number of restaurants with superb views of the harbour.

Mama Africa Restaurant

Mama Africa’s restaurant and bar is a great African dining experience. Mama Africa is in a historic building on Long Street, the inner city place of nightlife vibrancy. Sounds of African drumming accompany African cuisine, like kudu or crocodila, and an eclectic décor of mostly handmade African goods help to create a warm African atmosphere. Mama desires that all people leave at the end of the night with a full belly and a happy heart. Dining at Mama Africa was the perfect evening to another Cape Twon experience never to be forgotten.

Mama Africa's

African singing accompanies your experience

Brass Bell Restaurant in Kalk Bay

One of the best fish restaurants at the Cape Peninsula is the Brass Bell Restaurant in Kalk Bay. You have a choice of different vibes which makes for a great dining option. From the top upper deck when you feel like being smart and classy, right down to the lower deck where you can enjoy a live band and enjoy a casual pub-like atmosphere.

The Brass Bell derives much of its character through its position within the heart of historical Kalk Bay. This little fishing village has a magical quality with its historica architecture, interesting variety of shops and cobbestone streets.

It’s just great fun to go there and its position on the rocks is quite spectacular.

Traditional South Africa Braai

If your accommodation offers grilling facilities, why not cook your own traditional South African Braai? The word ¨braai¨ is Afrikaans for ¨barbeque¨ or ¨grill¨ and is a favorite of mine, even over the famous Australian BBQ. Typically a braai is similar to the American or Australian version in that you grill or BBQ outside, and it’s a very casual and fun cooking experience. Meats are, of course, the star of the South African braai. They typically include boerewors, kudu steaks, ostrich fillets, and lamb and chicken kebabs.

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I Love Cape Town Photo Series Part 2: Shopping and Dining is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures