Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Africa as of late
Africa is amazing, what else can I say? Internet has been hard to come by and when it is around it is very expensive. I am at a hostel now though, with decent prices and free computer use without the internet, thus my ability to post this blog.
So lets see...I flew into Cape Town a few weeks ago and since then I have moved on. After about a week of wine tasting, hiking, taking in amazing views, visiting with South African friends and exploring, we finally headed out. After toting our backpacks around Cape Town we rented a car and were off. First we drove to Cape Agulus, the southern most point of Africa, and the most southern place in the world that I have been to. We stayed at a wonderful little backpackers hostel and woke up at 5:30am the next morning to see the sunrise over the Indian Ocean. This was also the place that Andy proposed to me. We had discussed the idea of marriage before hand and even picked out a ring. So it wasn't a huge surprise, but Andy was very sweet about it and it was a special time. I can't wait to start a life with this man, he is truly amazing and wonderful and I am lucky to have him. I could probably write a book about his talents, quirks, and the things that make him so great. Love truly is grand!
Next stop...Bloukrans Bridge for the worlds tallest bungee-jump (216 meters). We had anticipated this activity for a few days and finally the moment arrived. We were buzzing with anxiety, nerves, and excitement. On our hands they wrote our weight and jumping number and we were harnessed up. Then a group of about 8 of us walked out a special walkway that ran under the bridge. When we got to the center of the bridge there was a group of Africans waiting to help us jump. They imediately gave us instructions and turned on some loud music to pump us up. They were a wonderful group of upbeat, happy guys to help us get into the right mood for jumping. Andy went first and with a huge grin and wide spread arms he jumped, it was crazy! Next Julie jumped with a nervous smile. I was fourth on the jumping list and I was beyond scared. They roped my ankles together, put their arms around me and carried to me to edge. They told me to put my toes over the edge and that was my first true glimpse of what awaited me. I could hardly see the bottom and a million thoughts went through my head. Then the count down began...5,4,3,2,1. I was for sure that I wouldn't be able to jump on my own, but sure enough my legs pushed off and I was airborn! I fell for 5 whole seconds and for about 3 of those I was truly horrified. The last 2 seconds I was finally able to enjoy myself and then it was over. I hung upside down for a few minutes and was finally pulled back up by my feet. It was incredible!! What a rush, oh man, a true crazy experience.
Next stop...was East London which is also situated along the coast on the Garden Route. We arrived at the hostel late at night in the pouring rain with the wind howling. The hostel was quite large, but very quiet. I think we were the only people staying there. All night long it poured rain and was windy. We were afraid the roof might blow off. The next morning right as we woke up the rain stoped. So we cooked up a big breakfast of eggs, tomato, onion, toast and instant coffee. After stuffing ourselves we piled back into the rental car and were on the road again. We drove a few hours to Mathatha, where we dropped the rental car off and were picked up in a truck by our next hostel.
Next stop...Coffee Bay. The guy from our hostel graciously drove us two hours over the most pot-holed road I have ever seen. We drove past little rondovles (round mud thatched roof houses) and finally arived in the sleepy little beach town called Coffee Bay. (A village of 600 people) We stayed for about a week and enjoyed all sorts of activities and people. Andy went surfing, we climbed over rocks and hills looking for caves, collected shells, learned how to play the jimbae drum, socialized with locals, explored, relaxed, ate amzing sugar loaf bread that our hostel baked daily, cooked a Thanksgiving meal, played with puppies...and it goes on. We had adjusted to the leisurely life of Coffee Bay quite quickly. We also ran into John (from South Africa) and Zasha (John's girlfriend from Switzerland), who were some people that Andy and Julie had befriended in Mozambique before I had arrived. They moved into our hostel and we spent the rest of our days in Coffee Bay with them. At one point they mentioned that their next stop was the Drakensburg mountain range and asked if we wanted to join them. So having no plans we decided that would be awesome.
Next stop...Drakensburg Mountains. Friday morning we woke up at 5am and packed all of our backpacks, a cooler and food, as well as all 5 of us into John's little VW Gulf. I can't believe we fit, it must have been a miricle! John drove us back over the pot-holed road and 6 hours on to Durban to his parents house. Just as the rain started to fall his parents welcomed us in with smiles and coffee. We unloaded our backpacks, re-packed for the mountains, picked up some tents and sleeping bags, had quick conversation with John's family and were on the road again. Our first stop was to the grocery store where we loaded up on fresh fruits and veggies, since Coffee Bay was lacking in those foods. Then we drove three hours to the Amphetheater Hostel near the base of the Drakensburg Mts. We arrived in the rain, but the hostel was buzzing with a party vibe. We met a huge group of John's rock-climber friends from Durban, and then set up our tents in the rain. Early the next morning we drove to the mountains and spent the day hiking with John, Zasha, and all of John's friends. It was a great time! Lots of jokes and stories were told as we hiked, laughter was had, and incredible scenery was taken in. At the summit we saw the worlds second tallest waterfall, Tugula Falls. At the end of the day we got lost driving in John's VW Gulf and almost ran out of gas. We were full of smiles though, because of the wonderful day we had. Finally we found the hostel, made dinner and enjoyed drinks with our new friends.
Today we are still in the Drakensburg, but taking it easy by the pool. It has all of a sudden gotten really hot, so a realaxing day next to the pool has been perfect. Tomorrow we are off on a backpacking trip in the mountains where we will hike, camp, and hopefully swim in some hot spring pools that John knows of. It has been so great to travel with a local South African, because he knows all the great places...and he's got a car. :) John and Zasha have been wonderful travel companions along with Andy and Julie. I am so blessed to be having such amazing experiences with quality people.
Well that's it for now. More experiences to come!
So lets see...I flew into Cape Town a few weeks ago and since then I have moved on. After about a week of wine tasting, hiking, taking in amazing views, visiting with South African friends and exploring, we finally headed out. After toting our backpacks around Cape Town we rented a car and were off. First we drove to Cape Agulus, the southern most point of Africa, and the most southern place in the world that I have been to. We stayed at a wonderful little backpackers hostel and woke up at 5:30am the next morning to see the sunrise over the Indian Ocean. This was also the place that Andy proposed to me. We had discussed the idea of marriage before hand and even picked out a ring. So it wasn't a huge surprise, but Andy was very sweet about it and it was a special time. I can't wait to start a life with this man, he is truly amazing and wonderful and I am lucky to have him. I could probably write a book about his talents, quirks, and the things that make him so great. Love truly is grand!
Next stop...Bloukrans Bridge for the worlds tallest bungee-jump (216 meters). We had anticipated this activity for a few days and finally the moment arrived. We were buzzing with anxiety, nerves, and excitement. On our hands they wrote our weight and jumping number and we were harnessed up. Then a group of about 8 of us walked out a special walkway that ran under the bridge. When we got to the center of the bridge there was a group of Africans waiting to help us jump. They imediately gave us instructions and turned on some loud music to pump us up. They were a wonderful group of upbeat, happy guys to help us get into the right mood for jumping. Andy went first and with a huge grin and wide spread arms he jumped, it was crazy! Next Julie jumped with a nervous smile. I was fourth on the jumping list and I was beyond scared. They roped my ankles together, put their arms around me and carried to me to edge. They told me to put my toes over the edge and that was my first true glimpse of what awaited me. I could hardly see the bottom and a million thoughts went through my head. Then the count down began...5,4,3,2,1. I was for sure that I wouldn't be able to jump on my own, but sure enough my legs pushed off and I was airborn! I fell for 5 whole seconds and for about 3 of those I was truly horrified. The last 2 seconds I was finally able to enjoy myself and then it was over. I hung upside down for a few minutes and was finally pulled back up by my feet. It was incredible!! What a rush, oh man, a true crazy experience.
Next stop...was East London which is also situated along the coast on the Garden Route. We arrived at the hostel late at night in the pouring rain with the wind howling. The hostel was quite large, but very quiet. I think we were the only people staying there. All night long it poured rain and was windy. We were afraid the roof might blow off. The next morning right as we woke up the rain stoped. So we cooked up a big breakfast of eggs, tomato, onion, toast and instant coffee. After stuffing ourselves we piled back into the rental car and were on the road again. We drove a few hours to Mathatha, where we dropped the rental car off and were picked up in a truck by our next hostel.
Next stop...Coffee Bay. The guy from our hostel graciously drove us two hours over the most pot-holed road I have ever seen. We drove past little rondovles (round mud thatched roof houses) and finally arived in the sleepy little beach town called Coffee Bay. (A village of 600 people) We stayed for about a week and enjoyed all sorts of activities and people. Andy went surfing, we climbed over rocks and hills looking for caves, collected shells, learned how to play the jimbae drum, socialized with locals, explored, relaxed, ate amzing sugar loaf bread that our hostel baked daily, cooked a Thanksgiving meal, played with puppies...and it goes on. We had adjusted to the leisurely life of Coffee Bay quite quickly. We also ran into John (from South Africa) and Zasha (John's girlfriend from Switzerland), who were some people that Andy and Julie had befriended in Mozambique before I had arrived. They moved into our hostel and we spent the rest of our days in Coffee Bay with them. At one point they mentioned that their next stop was the Drakensburg mountain range and asked if we wanted to join them. So having no plans we decided that would be awesome.
Next stop...Drakensburg Mountains. Friday morning we woke up at 5am and packed all of our backpacks, a cooler and food, as well as all 5 of us into John's little VW Gulf. I can't believe we fit, it must have been a miricle! John drove us back over the pot-holed road and 6 hours on to Durban to his parents house. Just as the rain started to fall his parents welcomed us in with smiles and coffee. We unloaded our backpacks, re-packed for the mountains, picked up some tents and sleeping bags, had quick conversation with John's family and were on the road again. Our first stop was to the grocery store where we loaded up on fresh fruits and veggies, since Coffee Bay was lacking in those foods. Then we drove three hours to the Amphetheater Hostel near the base of the Drakensburg Mts. We arrived in the rain, but the hostel was buzzing with a party vibe. We met a huge group of John's rock-climber friends from Durban, and then set up our tents in the rain. Early the next morning we drove to the mountains and spent the day hiking with John, Zasha, and all of John's friends. It was a great time! Lots of jokes and stories were told as we hiked, laughter was had, and incredible scenery was taken in. At the summit we saw the worlds second tallest waterfall, Tugula Falls. At the end of the day we got lost driving in John's VW Gulf and almost ran out of gas. We were full of smiles though, because of the wonderful day we had. Finally we found the hostel, made dinner and enjoyed drinks with our new friends.
Today we are still in the Drakensburg, but taking it easy by the pool. It has all of a sudden gotten really hot, so a realaxing day next to the pool has been perfect. Tomorrow we are off on a backpacking trip in the mountains where we will hike, camp, and hopefully swim in some hot spring pools that John knows of. It has been so great to travel with a local South African, because he knows all the great places...and he's got a car. :) John and Zasha have been wonderful travel companions along with Andy and Julie. I am so blessed to be having such amazing experiences with quality people.
Well that's it for now. More experiences to come!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Minimalist Interior Design with Brick Texture Material
Minimalist Interior Design with Brick Texture Material
Antiques Walk in Antwerp
For the 31st time the Antiques Dealers of Antwerp keep their annual Open House weekends. So this weekend and the next weekend they invite us to go to admire all their exquisite pieces of art!
So here I name a few of the participating dealers. To learn to know them all, please visit www.antiquairs-antwerpen.be.
Roman bust of a young man, Adonis.
Beautiful 17th century red coral on guilded base together with a Memento Mori ivory skull, probably German end 17th or early 18the century.
Rare 19th century model of a topsail shooner.
image website of Herwig Simons
A plate stand, mahogany, ca 1780 England.
image website Axel Pairon
Impression
image website Frank Van Laer
Bakery Table French ca 1900
image website Frank Van Laer
Set of 6 plates Chinese "Lady with an Umbrella ",Chine de commande, Qianlong period about 1735/40
So here I name a few of the participating dealers. To learn to know them all, please visit www.antiquairs-antwerpen.be.
Quality curiosities, works of art, natural history and maritime art.
Roman bust of a young man, Adonis.1th century B.C.
image website of Herwig Simons
Beautiful 17th century red coral on guilded base together with a Memento Mori ivory skull, probably German end 17th or early 18the century.image website Herwig Simons
Rare 19th century model of a topsail shooner.image website of Herwig Simons
Antiques and Interiors
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Impression
image website of Axel Pairon
A french oak table 19 th century.
image of website Axel Pairon
A plate stand, mahogany, ca 1780 England.image website Axel Pairon
Furniture and works of art,18th and 19th century.
Impressionimage website Frank Van Laer
Bakery Table French ca 1900image website Frank Van Laer
Specialized in 17th and 18th century Chinese porcelain, Dutch Delft and English and continental furniture.
Set of 6 plates Chinese "Lady with an Umbrella ",Chine de commande, Qianlong period about 1735/40image website M. Bascourt Antiques
Louis XV plaque Dutch Delft , 3rd quarter of the 18th century.
Cupboard oak , England 1800/1820.
Louis XV plaque Dutch Delft , 3rd quarter of the 18th century.Landscape with Shepperdess and Kneeling Sheppard.
Border with shell motif in relief.
image website M. Bascourt Antiques
Cupboard oak , England 1800/1820.image website M. Bascourt Antiques
Hertoghe Antiques
Specialized in mostly English furniture, silver and decorative items from the late 18th century to the Victorian period.
Silver beaker, London 1855, by D.& C. Hands
Hertoghe Antiques
Specialized in mostly English furniture, silver and decorative items from the late 18th century to the Victorian period.
Silver beaker, London 1855, by D.& C. Handsimage website Hertoghe Antiques
Regency mahogany brass inlaid sideboard, England 1815.
Regency mahogany brass inlaid sideboard, England 1815.image website Hertoghe Antiques
Cuttlery box transformed in desk rack.
17th century ebony embroidery cabinet, Flanders Antwerp.
Cuttlery box transformed in desk rack.
Specialized in 17th and 18th century silver and rare cabinets of curiosity.
17th century ebony embroidery cabinet, Flanders Antwerp.image website of Silver Objects
Early 17th century silver fork and spoon in leather case.
Early 17th century silver fork and spoon in leather case.image website Silver Objects
A lot of 19 th century wooden objects.
Mid 17th century oak table.
A lot of 19 th century wooden objects.Specialized in period Georgian furniture and decorative works of art.
Mid 17th century oak table.image website Georgian Gallery Antiques
A pair of Regency style chairs.
A pair of Regency style chairs.image website Georgian Gallery Antiques
George IV mahogany canterbury ca 1830.
Collection of carved and stained fruitwood inkwells in the shape of a dog head.
Egyptian dignitary statue, circa 900 B.C.
George IV mahogany canterbury ca 1830.image website Georgian Gallery Antiques
Collection of carved and stained fruitwood inkwells in the shape of a dog head.image website Georgian Gallery Antiques
Archaeology, furniture, oriental art, works of art and silver from the 17th to the 20th century.
Egyptian dignitary statue, circa 900 B.C.image website Axel Vervoordt
Gothic oak trestle table.
Gothic oak trestle table.image website Axel Vervoordt
Baroque console table.
Baroque console table.image website Axel Vervoordt
I hope you enjoyed this walk!
Have a nice weekend,
xx
Greet
Antiques Walk in Antwerp
For the 31st time the Antiques Dealers of Antwerp keep their annual Open House weekends. So this weekend and the next weekend they invite us to go to admire all their exquisite pieces of art!So here I name a few of the participating dealers. To learn to know them all, please visit www.antiquairs-antwerpen.be.Herwig Simons Quality curiosities, works of art, natural history and maritime art.
Friday, November 27, 2009
~A cute little apartment~
Via: AlvhemmakleriThis is an actual apartment for sale! I am thinking it is swedish, but not really sure... I don't understand all of the writing on the website but I do know I like it! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and wishing you a good weekend!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
*I need your Vote*
Via: Whimsy daisyI have been thinking for sometime to start making things such as hair accessories, necklaces, earrings along with some general fun arts and crafts to sell on Etsy. I would like to get your opinion on what I should name it. I have created a poll of a few names that I have thought about but just don't know. If you don't think of these sound too good then leave me a comment of something you think sounds better. Thanks everyone for your vote.
Flemish Interiors of today
The Flemish interiors of today are characterized by the use of natural (new or recuperation), materials and elements.
Oakwood for furniture and woodpaneling. Parquet, natural stone, terra cotta tiles or brick as flooring materials.
Lime paint on the walls. Linen used as seat upholstery or slipcovers and as curtains fabric.
The interiors of today give you the impression as if they were created a long time ago and never have been changed for years.
Our Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt has been a trendsetter for the look of a lot of these Flemish interiors. Did you know that this week he is named by the British design house Andrew Martin as "Designer of the year 2009" ? If you want to read more about it, you could visit the garvinweasel blog. James, the author of the blog did a post about the nomination (here).
Oakwood for furniture and woodpaneling. Parquet, natural stone, terra cotta tiles or brick as flooring materials.
Lime paint on the walls. Linen used as seat upholstery or slipcovers and as curtains fabric.
The interiors of today give you the impression as if they were created a long time ago and never have been changed for years.
Our Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt has been a trendsetter for the look of a lot of these Flemish interiors. Did you know that this week he is named by the British design house Andrew Martin as "Designer of the year 2009" ? If you want to read more about it, you could visit the garvinweasel blog. James, the author of the blog did a post about the nomination (here).
Oak beams for the ceiling, terra cotta tiles.
Wicker chairs in the orangerie of Brigitte and Alain Garnier.
Painted wood and terra cotta.
Boulders used as flooring, lime paint.
Natural decorative elements and furniture.Walda Pairon
Oak table, beautiful decorative elements.
Oak wood for the table top. Notice the table wheels, a glimpse of industrial furniture.Wooden beams.
Terra cotta tiles.
Parquet floor.
Oakwood paneling and natural stone floor.
Oak parquet, linen, beautiful decorative elements on the wall. xx
Greet
Images with no subscription: Sorry I do not know the source anymore.
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