I stumbled upon this quote a while back: “Beauty is hidden in everything, just learn how to observe”. Little did I expect to experience the full force of this in my very own backyard that I have travelled extensively before.

Charlie had the following blog to share - It all started early on a Saturday morning on a South Africa Scenic Route SA18 as we travelled to, what is in my opinion the most beautiful part of SA, the Panorama Route adjacent to the world famous Kruger National Park. Firstly I was struck by the magnificence of Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Why this impressed me you ask? Purely because I learned how to observe! For the first time I noticed all the finer details in the area, how extraordinary this spot really is and I realised once again why I’m in love with my country. The view from God’s Window definitely added to this newfound love. Certainly there’s few places in the world with a lush, splendid view overlooking an area that speaks to a heart in such language… a language called B-E-A-U-T-Y!

Flowing rivers, a plethora of animals and, of course, landscapes to die for are synonymous with Kruger National Park. This time didn’t disappoint either! Apart from seeing wild dogs and the Big 5 in one day, the scenery grabbed my attention this time round. Starting a day with a sunrise over the river with elephants drinking begged for a photo, and promised for another beauty out in Africa! Surely the Lebombo Mountains are breathtaking and well worth a view, but the day belonged to a view that few people would stop for. Want to hear about it? Let me describe: A simple thatch-roofed lookout point overlooking the vast open plains of Africa, expected to be full of animals. Add now an abundance of trees, a lukewarm sun glancing down complimented by a baby-blue sky and multiple sand patches below. Striking me the most was not seeing a single animal for well over half an hour! Once again I came to the realisation that seeing nothing is impossible as beauty is hidden, but requires keen observation.

Mountains ended up catching the imagination as Swaziland opened up. Looking at the hills around, one can easily forget that there is a rushed world out there overlooking everything it passes by and amidst all that unrivalled beauty in nature. Nothing can quite bring out a landscape like exploring it late afternoon on foot. Mountains of a different kind invited us for a walk in the Drakensberg. Seeing how perfectly colours could blend into an environment was an absolute feast for the eye and definitely an experience to remember! Lush green plants with occasional soft brown (as trees was putting on their winter coats) was mixed to perfection with the most beautiful blue sky broken by soft, woolly clouds. Heaven knows, I’m in love with this country!

It would be a sin to leave out Zululand’s landscapes. Seeing landscapes of a different sort unfolding with an extreme drought taunting the area could be devastating for most people visiting an area… unless you understand that it is part of natural processes. Sometimes, beauty lies in the imperfection, and this is no different with nature. On a brighter note (yes, much greener!) Addo Elephant Park added beautiful landscapes to eyes gulping it up. Observing vast areas void of trees with animals surviving on shrubs demands minds to explore its uniqueness. Tasting Spekboom, a plant that most animals devour as part of their diet in the area, proved that even taste buds can be delighted in experiencing nature.

Tsitsikamma could very well have been paradise! Having typical coastal vegetation while walking pleaded for recognition as ocean scenes gobbled up all attention. In all most probability, this must be the most beautiful walk in the whole of Southern Africa. Following the coastline the trail gives opportunities to view the landscape that unfolds coming around curves & bends, over every rock & around every tree with the reward being a spectacular waterfall plunging down into the ocean.

Cape Town is renowned for the phenomenal landscapes around. Views overlooking False Bay prompted the mind to imagine what Cape Town holds. Even though Cape Point spoils one with a landscape to die for, and views from the lighthouse is unrivalled, the true beauty was hidden in the breeding penguin colony. Getting up close and personal gave opportunities to truly observe parts of their most private lifestyle. When landscapes is discussed, Table Mountain cannot possibly be left out as it is tantamount with spectacular scenery. Climbing this majestic mountain definitely spoils climbers with impressive views of the underlying city. Reaching the top revealed landscapes even more beautiful as one could see in every direction around.

Seeing most parts of South Africa as we travelled I never expected an experience like the one I had. Opening up my mind to observing what is happening around me revealed breathtaking beauty in landscapes right at my backdoor that has gone past in previous times. The question now is, when are you going to learn how to observe to unlock that hidden beauty?