Vacation Envy

My parents have been on a Eurotrip for about two weeks now and are due back on Saturday. They went to my cousin, Simon's, wedding in Tuscany. We were all invited alas financial constraints meant that just my folksies could go. So they extended the trip and went to Paris, France; Rome, Italy; Tuscany, Italy and London, England. I'll make it too someday.

With them being away it makes me think of when I turned 21 and my uncle gifted me with a ticket to the 2007 Monaco Grand Prix, and thus my parents gifted me with a trip to the South of France and London. A week in the South of France with my aunt, uncle and two cousins. Cannes, St Paul, St Maxime, Monte Carlo, Marseilles, Dijon, Paris, St Tropez... to name a few of the cities I went to in France. It was truly spectacular. I fell deeply in love and can readily admit to being a Francophile. Cannes was fantastic as it was the 60th Annual Film Festival, and being a video editor, and at the time a film student, for me was literally a dream come true. We saw stars on the red carpet. We were walking the famed streets of Cannes for goodness sakes! The Grand Prix was everything and more. We had spectacular seats close to the tracks whereby I could try and spot my beloved Kimi Raikkonen. I found the race hard to follow as the screens were so far away and the commentary in french, and my grasp thereof, well... non existent. However the vibe in Monte Carlo was sublime. Just to know that you are walking around the streets of a small principality ruled by a royal family where Grace Kelly was a princess. It blew my mind. The South of France is literally one of the most magnificent places in the entire world and I could easily see myself living there.

View from the train

Dijon

Dijon

Marseilles

St Tropez

Cannes

Cannes

   

Cannes

Cannes

Monaco Grand Prix 2007

Kimi Raikkonen Monaco Grand Prix 2007

Prize Ceremony at Monaco Grand Prix 2007

Prize Ceremony at Monaco Grand Prix 2007 

Epic sweet store in St Tropez

Yum, scallops in St Tropez

St Paul

Jess takes a drink from a fountain in outside St Paul

Alleys and streets of St Paul.

Alleys and streets of St Paul.

Best thing I have ever eaten.

I was then left to my own devices when my family left and I moved onto London. I was alone for all of the time. Staying with cousins and a friend, all of whom were working at the time. My first night there I had booked to see From Autumn to Ashes, they were on their final tour, they played with Drop Dead Gorgeous (a band I would love years later). I met Kayleigh at the one train station and we missioned to the Carling Theatre, bag in tow. The bands were awesome! Over the next few days I simply took the streets and explored London and it's rich history for myself. From The National Gallery to Madame Tussauds. I walked and I walked, but I guess that is what it is all about, the sightseeing when you are a tourist, and I wanted to see it all. It would have been great to have shared many of the moments with family or friends and I spent a long time on the phone to my mom or dad just chatting. Next time I vow to travel with a partner, group or my family. As I learned very quickly that I may be confident, independent and travel smart but when something awesome happens or is seen, it has to be shared. Life is for sharing.

From Autumn to Ashes - Carling Academy Islington

From Autumn to Ashes - Carling Academy Islington

Virgin Mega Store - Picadilly Circus

St Margaret's Church - Westminster Abbey

Big Ben 

South Africa House

The Globe Theatre

London Bridge

The Gherkin

Picadilly Circus

Madame Tussauds - Little Britain

Madame Tussauds - Oprah

Madame Tussauds - James Dean

Madame Tussauds - Dalai Lama

Madame Tussauds - Oscar Wilde

Famous beheaded faces.

Camden

Weekend Away at Phinda

One of my mom's closest friends gave her a call on Thursday and asked her if she might be keen on a weekend away at Phinda Game Reserve, there was a room available at the Homestead. Two photographers from the College of Digital Photography were coming along for the weekend and she thought that my dad might benefit from what they might have to say about wildlife pic taking. So my mom then suggested that I go instead. I of course was thrilled. I am always keen to brush up on my photography skills, and I am in love with the game reserve. So Saturday morning came and we departed for Kwa Zulu Natal. It was a long, bumpy drive but when we finally got to the luxury Homestead we were greeted by the warm staff. What an awesome vibe. I felt so blessed.

Love this couch ^^

Lunch and then game drive #1. The food, oh the food was incredible. Faith, the resident chef, cooked us meals I only dreamed of. You may be in the middle of the bush, but no costs or corners are cut, it was brillo! 

Fresh bread baked daily

Karen

Faith, the awesome chef

The rooms are gorgeous, well designed and have every amenity (plus!) that you would have in your own home. Forget something, no worries, it will be there. Modern meets nature. Very cool. I did smack my head on a shelf, but hey I am clumsy, you all know this. 

Lounging in the sun on the deck on Sunday afternoon between breakfast and lunch, I was met by a family of warthogs who came to graze a metre away from me. I loved that they were so close to me and that they felt so at ease to be this close to me, yet I also did not want to startle the piglets when I moved. Bliss. It is the only word I can use in summation of my weekend away in Phinda at the Homestead. I adore going on game drives and I went on four (being guided by some of the best in the country). I love eating some great food and was treated to excellent meals of excellent quality. I was really spoiled this weekend and am incredibly privileged. I would just like to thank Karen and of course my dad for the time away. Looking forward to doing it again.  

P.S. The weekend away was basically an opportunity to learn more about wildlife photography. I took lots and lots of pics and they will be posted soon. Much love!