Windswept

Scarborough, which lies just beyond Kommetjie, is one of the few suburbs of Cape Town that remains far from the madding crowds, despite its proximity to the city and a recent property boom that has sent even properties here in Scarborough into the stratosphere. Scarborough is a conservation village and essentially a random scattering of houses and beach homes that lie embedded in the steep mountains of Slangkop and Red Hill, overlooking the thundering Atlantic waves. It is a nature lover’s haven, seems miles from traffic jams and makes the crime of suburban living seem irrelevant. Despite the fact that its self-employed musician-writer-artist residents have been joined by the more affluent computer programmer and advertising exec, the easygoing lifestyle remains intact. Scarborough lies adjacent to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, which guarantees little development here in the future and means that the suburb is blessed with some of the greatest treasure collections of plants. The rustic charm of the Scarborough village is further enhanced by the fact that it offers some of the best fishing and surfing on the peninsular. Bodyboarding, kite surfing, kayaking, windsurfing and crayfishing are all highly rated, and Scarborough’s beach is privy to some of the most awesome sunsets and wonderful windswept walks. There are a couple of restaurants here and a small shop, but it’s not very far before you reach Simons Town, and Noordhoek and Fish Hoek are as easily accessible in the other direction, should you need to stock up on supplies.
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The photo was taken during October 2014 at Scarborough, Western Cape, South Africa.

Windswept

Launch

The chic holiday resort town of Umhlanga on KwaZulu-Natal’s Sugar Coast is just 16 km north of central Durban. Umhlanga is all about beautiful beaches, gorgeous weather and making the most of the great outdoors, and a boat trip is the ultimate way to take it all in! Boat trips from Umhlanga generally kick off with an exciting surf launch from Granny’s Pool, an area of water sheltered by two natural rock outcrops. With the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lapping at the hull, enjoy exploring the stunning coastline and viewing Umhlanga’s skyline and iconic lighthouse from a seafaring perspective. A fascinating array of sea birds and marine life including dolphins and whales may also be observed and close-encounters with some impressive ocean-going ships anchored close to shore are also common.
Info source: https://www.dirtyboots.co.za/activities/town/boat-trips/umhlanga-rocks-adventures
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The photo was taken during June 2014 at Cabana Beach Lifestyle Resort, Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Launch

Sheer

Just 13km from Sabie on the R532 road towards Graskop lies Mac Mac Falls, which was named by the Scottish miners who sought their fortune by panning for gold in the 1870s gold rush; they themselves didn’t come up with the name. Apparently, President Thomas Burger was visiting the area in 1873 and was struck by how many of the miners’ names began with “Mac”. On the spot, he named the area Mac Mac – a name that has survived to this day. Mac Mac has twin falls that plunge some 70m into a gorge below. Now a national monument, the waterfall was not always split in two. Gold miners in the area for the gold rush blasted the originally single stream to try and reach the gold-bearing reef over which it drops. Mac Mac tends to revert to one fall during the dry season. Passing the local curio sellers, a steep walk along a cement pathway (with many steps) takes you to the viewing platform. The view platform at the Mac Mac Falls is restricted by palisades, but you still get a great view, just make sure your camera lens points through the palisades.
Info source: http://www.safcol.co.za/what-we-offer/ecotourism/mac-mac-falls/
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The photo was taken during August 2013 at Mac Mac Falls, Sabie, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Sheer