In the Free State - CLARENS

Quite a Discovery - Clarens

From my last couple of posts, I wrote about our Festive season trip to South Africa (from Mozambique) to Visit family. On our return trip I decided to visit and stay for two nights at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, where one have to pass through this beautiful town called Clarens.

The small town of Clarens is situated at the foothill of its attractive feature, the Maloti Mountain. It offers beautiful natural surroundings of many things, such as another of its famous mountains, the Rooiberge

Clarens is an artists' haven with many well-known artists either living in or frequenting the village, with many art galleries scattered around the village square and the town. The tranquil village ambience combined with scenic views and a mild climate makes has made Clarens a popular getaway for city dwellers from Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Durban, among other places. Clarens is known for its spectacular sandstone mountains and wonderful climate; it is one of the most picturesque spots in South Africa and has recently been acclaimed as the best Trout Fishing waters in South Africa.

Clarens has become know as the “Jewel of the Free State” - rich in beauty, with an aura of peace and tranquility. Clarens is endowed with more trees than most other Free State towns - the fresh, light green willows and colourful blossoms of the many fruit trees are an unforgettable sight in spring time; whilst the magnificent autumn shades of the lombard poplars attract artists, photographers and nature lovers. The town is known for the many Art and Craft shops which offer the visitor a wide range of curios and original artwork. Another feature which adds to the picturesque atmosphere of the village is the many sandstone buildings. The popular Golden Gate National Park is located in the near vicinity of Clarens, and the area attracts many visitors.

The Golden Gate Highlands National Park with its sandstone formations and cliffs is 17 km from Clarens. It is part of the scenic Highlands Route and is surrounded by mountains. The Rooiberge is the range encompassing the village, whilst further towards the southeast are the Maluti Mountains in shades of purple and blue. 

The Photos

Made the following photos with the magical  FUJI X-T1 | XF35mm f 1.4 R, Beacause this is such a Quaint little town I decided to shoot with the "FUJI CLASSIC CHROME" film simulation.

 Please click on the photos to enjoy in full screen

Who remembers this?

Windmills

Children of South African

Cactus

Golden Gate Highlands National Park - Part II

Part II

This is part II of my photographs of this wonderful National Part in the North Eastern part of Free State.

If you missed part I just click this link

On our return trip from Cape Town, Plettenberg bay, Bloemfontein to Maputo, we decided to stop over for 2 nights at the Chalets of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, making sure we visited the Quaint town of Clarens. This whole trip was over 4.500km long, well worth to see family and friends.

Concerning the town Clarens, this must be one of the nicest little towns in South Africa, very arty indeed. For this I will do a little blog on Clarens.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is a Free State Nature Reserve in South Africa, located in the north eastern part of Free State, Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains.

The park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the Park's sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag rock, keeping vigil over the main rest camp.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park was established in 1963 to protect the sandstone rocks were once shelters for the Bushmen. Guests can view many of their cave paintings that are well preserved

Part II of II

Van Reenen Family Graveyard

Golden Gate Highlands National Park - Part I

Return trip through the Free State

On our return trip from Cape Town, Plettenberg bay, Bloemfontein to Maputo, we decided to stop over for 2 nights at the Chalets of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, making sure we visited the Quaint town of Clarens. This whole trip was over 4.500km long, well worth to see family and friends.

Concerning the town Clarens, this must be one of the nicest little towns in South Africa, very arty indeed. For this I will do a little blog on Clarens.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is a Free State Nature Reserve in South Africa, located in the north eastern part of Free State, Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains.

The park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the Park's sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag rock, keeping vigil over the main rest camp.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park was established in 1963 to protect the sandstone rocks were once shelters for the Bushmen. Guests can view many of their cave paintings that are well preserved

We stayed for 2 nights at the chalets part of the accommodation complex of the Golden Gate Hotel and Chalets. All went well, except that the chalets have no fan (never mind air conditioners), so we suffered a bit of the heat wave that went through South Africa.

PART I of II

Part I, the photos were made with my NIKON D600 and the fabulous TAMRON 70-200mm f/2.8.

Part II (later) the photos were made with the FUJI X-T1 and the XF10-24mm

Please click on the photos for a full screen view

The Golden Gate Hotel and Chalets complex

Brandwag Buttress overlooking the Chalets

How small are we

my son, the photographer

#southafrica

#visitsouthafrica

Cape Minstrels - 2016

Kaapse Klopse / Cape Coons

While on our family festive holidays in Cape Town, we decided to go and see one of the biggest events in South Africa for over 100 Years. The Cape Minstrels Carnival.

We have to really admire the people involved as the carnival event was right in the middle of a heat wave, where we saw some dehydrated people, both young and old.

The Kaapse Klopse is a minstrel Carnival that takes place annually on 2nd January and it is also referred to as the Tweede Nuwe jaar (Second New Year), in Cape Town, South Africa. As many as 13,000 minstrels take to the streets dressed up in bright colors, either carrying colorful umbrellas or playing an array of musical instruments. The minstrels are self organised into klopse ("clubs" in Kaapse Afrikaans, but more accurately translated as troupes in English). Participants are typically from Afrikaans-speaking working class Cape colored families who have preserved the custom since the mid-19th century.

The Origins

The origin of the carnival stretches back to the 19th century and has its origins in the time of slavery in Cape Town, when the original citizens of District Six were allowed their one day off on January 1st. The event, which has developed a distinct Cape flavor, is also supposed to have ties to the minstrel entertainers who stopped off in Cape Town on huge American ocean liners, over 100 years ago.

 Although it is called the Coon Carnival by Capetonians, local authorities have renamed the festival the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival as foreign tourists find the term "coon" derogatory. Most local people still call it the Coon Carnival.

My favorite photos first

Some more photos from the Carnival to Enjoy

#South Africa, #Cape Town