“There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope” ~ Bernard Williams
Port St Johns river mouth
Baby Canon South Africa 550D, Sigma South Africa 10-20, F10, 1/100 sec, ISO 100
Tag Archives: Amapondo
Behind the Gates
“The setting of Port St Johns is possibly the most dramatic in the country and the drive from Umtata to Port St Johns is one of the best journeys on the Wild Coast. The Umzimvubu River cuts a huge gorge right to the sea where it then squeezes between the river’s edge and the red stone cliffs of the gorge. Twin mountains, the Thesiger and Sullivan, lie on either side of the river mouth like bastions and are regarded as the gates of Port St Johns” ~ SA Venues
After the great seafood feast (prawn & calamari combo with chips and salad ZAR 85.00!!) and filter coffee at Amapondo Backpackers the previous evening, it was easy to get up before sunrise the next day for this photo shoot. PS – the hot chocolate is also super at Amapondo backpackers Port St Johns.
Canon South Africa 6D from Orms, 17-40mm, F11, 0.6 sec, ISO 320, 2 image pano stitch
Travelstart South Africa Where’s my backpack? SA-People – for South Africans in South Africa and expats#amapondo #portstjohns #transkei
Port St John South Africa
Amapondo Valley
When I can see it and action it I love to talk about it: Turning obstacles into opportunity, exercising patience and then taking the gap when it appears.
The day before New Year’s Eve… Task: drive 6 hours to do a job in Umtata E Cape. New Year’s Eve drive 6 hours to return home while some are cracking open their first beer.
Not the worst but I’m sure we would all rather be home at this time.
Solution: take camera with, don’t stay in Umtata rather Port St John’s on the sea and crack open a beer or two on the night before New Year’s Eve at a vibey backpacker spot called Amapondo Backpackers. Have a smashing meal with chilli and early night.
Sunrise next morning at 05:00: it’s raining. Solution: drive towards Durban at 05:00 and wait for the gap in the rain. Get out of car and take photo.
Benefits: what a smashing trip, job done sooner than later, pre-New Year’s mini-party (feeling like a backpacker), home in time for New Year’s party with two photos which remind me of the beautiful countryside I had to drive through.
Here is the first photo: Amapondo Valley
Canon South Africa 6D: F14, 1/40, ISO 320 using 17-40 available at Orms
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Andrew Harvard Photography 