Panoramic Yosemite

April 13, 2016April 13, 2016Vonita 19 Comments

I’ve had an ongoing problem with taking pano shoots on my current iPhone, as well as on my previous one. I know the functionality is there because it offers the option. But it never seems to work. So forget that, macro is so much easier, and I can capture flowers up close and personal. And flowers, especially pretty ones, make me happy.

But I’m in Yosemite, and I need my pano shots to work. Today. My twelve year-old who is taller than me (which in 12 year-old speak means he knows more) nonchalantly flipped my phone over. What? I need to hold my phone in portrait mode to take a landscape pano? Really? Who would have thought? That’s what it says, Mum, give it a go.

Hmm. So technology. So 12 year-olds. So pano.

Cable Car Chillin’

April 12, 2016April 12, 2016Vonita 23 Comments

We managed to track down the Painted Ladies this morning, and the Full House house, and then had ‘morning tea’ (Aussie speak for coffee at ten) at the Nook. Great coffee too I might add. And I can say the Nook has the most welcoming atmosphere, I didn’t want to leave. Coffee and service (eye candy, wink) not too bad either! 🙂 I captured their sign to remember them by.

And then I hung off the side of the cable car to see the crookedest street, because that’s how I roll, yay! 🙂

Biking the Bridge

April 12, 2016April 12, 2016Vonita 18 Comments

We biked the bridge! And while I was cycling across I thought this must surely be one of my life’s best moments! It is breathtakingly beautiful. When I was growing up in apartheid South Africa, the US was a faraway place. Only a place you see on television. Out of reach for many of us in an isolated country. And here I am, biking the bridge. #madeit

We celebrated with cherry pie. Because we ain’t had no cherry pie before!

Giants or Dodgers?

April 10, 2016April 25, 2016Vonita 21 Comments

So this morning we set off on a day of exploration, and as we went on our way we were caught up in the crowds all dressed in orange. They were on the way to one place only, so we made an executive decision. If in Rome do as the Romans do, right? We managed to get four seats in a row, and watched our first ever game of baseball. The weather was bleak so we thought to buy our kids orange Giants sweatshirts. The vendor looked at me strangely when I asked for a kid-sized ‘jumper’ for my daughter. What? A jumper. You want a sweatshirt?, he asked. Yes, please. For her.
And more firsts! Garlic fries, who can say no?

Key question, who to support, Giants or Dodgers?

The Other Side

April 7, 2016April 7, 2016Vonita 10 Comments

Will see you on the other side. Or not! May be limited posts for the next couple of weeks, will share happy snaps if I get that far!

All the best, dear friends!

Until then 💝 keep well xo.

Wishful Thoughts

September 25, 2015September 25, 2015 15 Comments

I would love to see the U.S., Canada and ‘travel the world’. When I was growing up, international travel was out of reach for my family. It was considered an unnecessary extravagance.

After I started work, I was focused on saving for a home, and wishing for a family, so travel was not high on my agenda. (I wanted a husband not a holiday Lol!) Our island honeymoon planned in Mauritius was canceled due to a cyclone hitting the island, and all flights halted. And then kids arrived. Nowadays my international trips seem to be reserved for going back to South Africa every few years.

Unless I make it a priority above all my other priorities, international travel and ‘seeing the world’ may just remain wishful thinking.

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Out of Reach.”

Write about the one X that got away — a person, an experience, a place you wanted to visit. How much would you change about your life to have it within reach again?

Bliss

September 9, 2015September 9, 2015Vonita 2 Comments

Bliss is a hammock
Keeping the wide blue ocean
And me company

Not Yet Home

June 30, 2015Vonita 15 Comments

Red lights separate
Me from home, darkness descends –
I travel alone

Red Heels

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015Vonita Leave a comment

The bus was crowded
Standing, pushing, holding on
You were seated, sitting, resting
When I climbed on with the throng
We have been together
You and I
In nights and days
That since have passed
Heels no comfort offered
As I stood and rode along
You smiled and greeted
Remained seated
As I stood standing
Amongst the crowd
Alone