Stray Along The Way
The iMfolozi Wilderness Trail
updated
African Fish Eagle
African Hoopoe
African Cuckoo
Grey-headed Bushshrike
Gorgeous Bushshrike
Red-chested Cuckoo
Black-collared Barbet
Orange-breasted Bushshrike
Thick-billed Cuckoo
Such a joy to listen to!
If you're an African birding enthusiast, be sure to get one of these excellent bird guide books (we have all 3 :))
Roberts Bird Guide: amzn.to/3qEfI4l
Complete Photographic Field Guide Birds of Southern Africa: amzn.to/2NkmQ8o
The Sasol Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds of Southern Africa: amzn.to/3csbqYD
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Image attributions:
"African Hoopoe, Upupa africana (Upupa epops) at Marakele National Park, South Africa" by Derek Keats is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
"Grey-headed Bushshrike - Meru - Kenya 06 8432-Edit (19394799884), crop" by Francesco Veronesi from Italy is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
"Gorgeous bushshrik, Chlorophoneus viridis, Vumba, Zimbabwe" by Derek Keats is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
"Red-chested Cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius - at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden." by Derek Keats is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
"Barbet Black-collared 2011 10 22 12 24 19 4658" by Alandmanson is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
"Immature Orange-breasted bushshrike, Chlorophoneus (Telophorus) sulfureopectus, at Chobe River, Kasane, Botswana" by Derek Keats is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
"Pachycoccyx a�rti00" by Ruan Minnaar is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Website: strayalongtheway.com
Instagram: instagram.com/strayalongtheway
X: twitter.com/StrayATW
Facebook: facebook.com/StrayAlongTheWay
This route passes through the best of what South Africa has to offer, and should be on every adventurer's bucket list.
We'll check out some of our favourite sites, activities and places to stay along the way.
Resources:
Route Map: google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1I7Y54u1b1velSrS6_lSTxP-f1sDaKjw&usp=sharing
Cape Town:
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden: strayalongtheway.com/kirstenbosch-national-botanical-garden
Cape Point Nature Reserve: strayalongtheway.com/cape-point-nature-reserve
Platteklip Gorge Hike: strayalongtheway.com/table-mountain-hike-platteklip-gorge
Garden Route:
The Garden Route Guide: strayalongtheway.com/garden-route
Hike the Storms River Mouth: strayalongtheway.com/hiking-storms-river-mouth
The Diepwalle Forest: strayalongtheway.com/elephant-walk-knysna-forest
Hike the Salt River Mouth: strayalongtheway.com/adventure-guide/natures-valley-salt-river-mouth-hike
Tsitsikamma National Park: strayalongtheway.com/tsitsikamma-national-park
Wild Coast:
The Wild Coast Adventure Guide: strayalongtheway.com/wild-coast-adventure-guide
Double Mouth Trail: strayalongtheway.com/beach-hiking-double-mouth-nature-reserve
St Lucia:
12 Things to do in St Lucia: strayalongtheway.com/things-to-do-st-lucia
Hint: This animal has been spotted using the Milky Way galaxy to move in a straight line.
#quiz #testyourknowledge #adventure #outdoors #wildlife #africa
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Sting Attribution:
African Drums (Sting) by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org
Hint: Eating stones helps break down plant material and aid digestion.
#quiz #testyourknowledge #adventure #outdoors #wildlife #africa
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Sting Attribution:
African Drums (Sting) by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org
Hint: The tear streaks are used to reduce glare from the sun and remove heat from around the eyes.
#quiz #testyourknowledge #adventure #outdoors #wildlife #africa
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Sting Attribution:
African Drums (Sting) by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org
Hint: The Big 5 is a list of the 5 most dangerous animals to hunt on foot.
#quiz #testyourknowledge #adventure #outdoors #wildlife #africa
______________________________
Sting Attribution:
African Drums (Sting) by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org
Image Attribution:
"Hippo" by Stuart Orford is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Photographer: flickr.com/photos/sjorford
Hint: Their animals are often called the "Badass of the Bush" due to their fierce nature and incredible courage.
#quiz #testyourknowledge #adventure #outdoors #wildlife
Sting Attribution
African Drums (Sting) by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org
Image Attributions
"Honey Badger" by Sumeet Moghe is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/?ref=openverse.
"Honey Badger Mellivora capensis Jerusalem Al Quds by Prof Dr Norman Ali Khalaf 2013" by Jaffacity is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/?ref=openverse.
"Honey badger" by ben.hollis is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Hint: These animals use their memory to remember water sources during dry seasons.
#quiz #testyourknowledge #adventure #outdoors
Sting Attribution
African Drums (Sting) by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org
Which animal is known for its long neck and distinctive coat patterns?
Hint: These animals are the tallest land animals on Earth and can grow up to 5.5 meters tall, with their legs alone being taller than many humans.
#quiz #testyourknowledge #adventure #outdoors
Sting Attribution
African Drums (Sting) by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org
Nusa Penida is the main island off of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan - a small archipelago off Bali
We dived a number of spots namely: Secret Manta, Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay. Each spot was unique in it's own way, but all were incredibly beautiful!
As with most popular tourist attractions, this one comes with lots of crowds. The boat operators do seem to do their best to ensure that people get a good experience without interfering with the mantas, but if you don't love crowds, this might feel a little too much.
Still an amazing experience to be up close and personal with these beautiful creatures.
The first time I heard about Taiwan was from a friend of who'd lived here previously. They said it was a great place, with great waves, so when the opportunity came up to move out here, I thought I'd give it a go. I had no idea what to expect.
我第一次聽到台灣,是從一個曾居住過這裡的一位朋友提起。他們說這個地方很棒而且浪也很讚,所以當我的家人有機會搬到這裡時,我們認為得試試看。我們沒想過究竟會發生什麼事情。
Videos with Sahile:
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park: youtu.be/v-w3ElPJA4c
Sakhile Dube explains Zulu culture: Ancestors youtu.be/3Eqrh_kLhHM
Incredible Zulu click language - The ultimate tongue twister: youtu.be/WHHGOYu6Fl0
Sakhile's YouTube Channel:
youtube.com/channel/UCM2YGltZ7uMB6OzNKLy_V6A
Sakhile's Tour Company:
safariandsurf.com
This is what it looks like to come across one on a kayak.
Shot in 2016 on Lake St Lucia.
Any wildlife enthusiast would probably agree when I say that there is literally no better way to appreciate nature than to be out on foot, breathing in the same air and occupying the same space as the creatures you're encountering. It's really quite an extraordinary experience.
This year we finally got to tick off the Wilderness Trail!! It was one of the greatest adventures we've ever done, so much so, that we've decided to put it back on the bucket list :) It's one of those things we'll want to keep doing for as long as we can.
Read more about our Wilderness Trail adventure here: http://wp.me/p7EFkH-CZ
If you're keen to find out more about this and other wilderness trails throughout southern Africa, then contact the guys from http://www.wildernesstrails.org.za/ They were truly amazing, and we could not recommend the more...
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Blog: http://www.strayalongtheway.com
Instagram: instagram.com/strayalongtheway
Twitter: twitter.com/StrayATW
Facebook: facebook.com/StrayAlongTheWay
The hike starts at the confluence of the river and follows the southern arm into the central mountain range and ends at a beautiful waterfall in the Golden Grotto.
The terrain is very hard-going, with loads of slippery boulders to scramble over, overgrown jungle paths as well as narrow ledges in some parts.
The trail crosses the river at many points, to be sure to know what the water level is like before trying this hike out. If there's been any recent rains, give this one a miss as conditions on the river and in the grotto can get dangerous when in flood.
We decided to give the Golden Grotto a go - here's what it looked like...
Bodyboarding in Taiwan is still very underground. But make no mistake, it's a legit surf destination with classic waves for those willing to search for them.
Massive shoals of sardines hug the coastal drop-off zone just a few metres off the beach, which makes finding and swimming with them really easy.
While this is an incredible occurrence, as with many spectacles that are relatively easy to access, it is unlikely you'll get to experience this natural treasure by yourself. Lots of local boat operators bring scores of tourists to this area and it can become a mess of boats and people very quickly.
We found that heading out to the sardines early in the morning was a good tactic for avoiding the crowds, as well as just before sunset when all the boats were leaving again.
While the shoals are shallow enough to snorkel with, there are also a number of diving operators in the town that can get you up close to the shoal away from the madding crowd.
In all, it's a fantastic experience albeit a little bit much in terms of the crowd, and one we'd recommend you travel for.
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Music:
Song: Math
by Michael FK
Ambient Cinematic Sounds 2018
Tarps, or tarpaulins, are great for wind, rain and sun protection and come in all different shapes and sizes.
The tarp I'm using in this video is 3.5 metres by 3.5 metres (11.5ft x 11.5ft) and puts out a shade area of around 12 square metres (132 square feet). This is a really practical size and offers plenty of space and shelter for a small group.
One of the biggest challenges when putting up a trap is the wind, so this setup makes use of your car to not only block the wind, but also to anchor the tarp so that it's super quick and easy to set up - even on your own.
Step 1: Park your car so that it offers the greatest sun and wind protection.
Step 2: Fill 3 sandbags to about halfway (use pegs if you're not on soft sand).
Step 3: Roll down the sandbags and place them on a nylon strap that you have prepared with a loop knot at each end and a large carabiner clipped in. Feed the carabiner through the loop knot on the opposite end, and pull to tighten.
Step 4: Clip a guy rope onto each sandbag carabiner.
Step 5: Walk the sandbags out to roughly the position they will be in for the final setup.
Step 6: Feed a nylon strap that you've prepared with a loop knot through the cab of your car and position the knot roughly a fist's width from the edge of the car and clip in a carabiner.
Step 7: Clip a corner of the tarp into this carabiner and walk the other three corners out, clipping them into the sandbag guy ropes as you go.
Step 8: Position the sandbags so that the tarp is nice and tight and then prop it up with 3 poles.
There are dozens of different ways to set this system up, so play around with it and let me know what you come up with.
Here's everything you'll need (I just found the best looking products with good reviews on Amazon):
Tarps
OneTigris Bulwark Camping Tarp - 3.9m x 2.9m (12.8ft x 9.5ft)
amzn.to/362vstJ
Sanctuary SilTarp - 3.5m x 3m (12ft x 10ft) - includes pegs and guy ropes.
amzn.to/3wtmuxQ
FREE SOLDIER Waterproof Portable Tarp - 3.2m x 3m (10.5ft x 9.8ft)
amzn.to/34RFiOr
Poles
Green Elephant Telescoping Tarp Poles (Aluminium)
amzn.to/3dFxbow
SANLIKE Adjustable Tent Poles (Stainless Steel)
amzn.to/3mwa2sI
Carabiners
Sprookber Stainless Steel Spring Snap Hook Carabiner
amzn.to/3tkX5He
Nylon straps
Cartman 1" x 12' Lashing Straps
amzn.to/36rLUn8
JIAKAI Nylon Heavy Duty Webbing Strap
amzn.to/3wd4wSB
Guy ropes
Hikeman 6 Pack 4mm Outdoor Guy Lines
amzn.to/3JlH7C1
Pegs
Pinnacle Mercantile 30 Pack Tent Stakes
amzn.to/3COra53
Sandbags
Woven Polypropylene Sand bags
amzn.to/3IjYFNJ
Woolsacks Sand Bags
amzn.to/3KOgJkw
Video Sections:
Intro: 00:00
System description: 00:29
What you need: 01:01
Preparation: 02:05
Choosing a location: 03:39
Setting up: 04:10
Outro: 07:11
These sections include:
1. The Marine ecosystem: Categorised by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
2. Eastern Shores: The section of the park that is home to the highest sand dunes in Africa as well as one of the largest coastal grasslands which extend all the way to Kenya.
3. Lake St Lucia: The pride and joy of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and a wothy centrepiece.
4. Western Shores: The savannah lands with amazing views and access to Lake St Lucia.
5. The Swamp Forest: The natural filter system for all water entering into Lake St Lucia.
It's no wonder why then name iSimangaliso means "The Wonderful Sight."
Listen as Sakhile talks us through this incredible World Heritage Site.
*Note - this video has been put together with excerpts from a presentation he did for a live audience on one of his walks.
Sakhile has a new channel!! If you like his stuff, please consider subscribing to his channel here: youtube.com/channel/UCM2YGltZ7uMB6OzNKLy_V6A
I know it would mean the world to him...
Check out our other videos with Sakhile here:
How to pronounce Zulu clicks with Sakhile Dube: youtu.be/WHHGOYu6Fl0
Sakhile Dube explains Zulu culture: Ancestors: youtu.be/3Eqrh_kLhHM
Wanna hear Sakhile live: Get on one of his guided walking safaris with safariandsurf.com
For those of you interested in learning to speak zulu, here are some cool guides:
amzn.to/3bKisZL
amzn.to/2Q1XDR1
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Blog: http://www.strayalongtheway.com
Instagram: instagram.com/strayalongtheway
Twitter: twitter.com/StrayATW
Facebook: facebook.com/StrayAlongTheWay
During our first summer here, we tried our best to explore as much of the outdoors as we possibly could but, there was just one problem…that insatiable heat and exposure to the sun.
Finally, we decided to take the problem of outdoor shelter more seriously and so we plunged ourselves into a period of research and testing in order to find the perfect portable outdoor shelter for our needs. So, in this video, we're going to look at some of the stuff we found.
Just a quick disclaimer - The point of this video is not to review individual products, but rather to give you an overview of the different kinds of systems that are out there. Also, I've not tested all of these systems myself so most of my comments are based on reviews I've seen and read, as well as my thoughts on where and how I see these systems applying to outdoor enthusiasts
5 Portable Outdoor Shelters
1. Car awnings
These are systems that are usually connected directly to the roof of a vehicle or to the vehicle's roof racks and either pull out on a roll or swing out on a hinge to create a sheltered area.
ARB 814301 Brown 4' Awning: amzn.to/32knwhM DANCHEL OUTDOOR Car Side Awning: amzn.to/3sr4VeD
Rhino Rack 270 Degree Batwing Car Awning: amzn.to/3xbZvb9
2. Gazebos
A gazebo is a free-standing, collapsible frame that provides the shell for a shade cloth to be stretched over.
EzyFast Elegant Pop Up Beach Shelter: amzn.to/32otApu COOSHADE Portable Beach Canopy: amzn.to/32otApu
3. Tarps (Tarpaulins)
Tarps are very low-tech and can be set up just about anywhere and as such they are great for adventurers who want shade on the go in any environment.
Aqua Quest Guide Tarp: amzn.to/3spIHcT
Sanctuary SilTarp: amzn.to/3spIHcT
4. Hiking tarps (Ultralight tarps)
Hiking tarps differ from regular tarps in that they are specifically designed to be carried on-foot, so they are extremely light and compact.
The Outdoors Way Hammock Tarp: amzn.to/3akU1kl
KALINCO Mat Camping Tarp: amzn.to/3e9Hdyq
5. Pop up shade tents
As the name suggest, a pop up shade tent is a simple and super fast way to gets some shelter from the sun while out and about.
Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent: amzn.to/3mZLpVl
Outdoorsman Lab Pop Up Tent: amzn.to/2QCrIXO
All product links are affiliate links.
Read the full post here: strayalongtheway.com/portable-outdoor-shelter-systems-beach-shade-rain-shelter-guide
Join us for more outdoor and adventure tips on our email list: strayalongtheway.com/email-subscribe
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Follow us on online:
Blog: http://www.strayalongtheway.com
Instagram: instagram.com/strayalongtheway
Twitter: twitter.com/StrayATW
Facebook: facebook.com/StrayAlongTheWay
Playlog: playlog.com/@strayalongtheway
I know it would mean the world to him...
In this video, Sakhile Dube from St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, shares a few stories about the Zulu culture in English (his second language). In particular, he shares how the Zulu people view and revere their ancestors. His storytelling is amazing and is something very unique to African culture as a whole.
Also, he has an epic voice :)
*Note - this video has been put together with excerpts from a presentation he did for a live audience on one of his walks, which is why you will see home addressing people off camera.
Check out our other videos with Sakhile here:
How to pronounce Zulu clicks with Sakhile Dube: youtu.be/WHHGOYu6Fl0
iSimangaliso Wetland Park: Southern Ecosystems with Sakhile Dube: youtu.be/v-w3ElPJA4c
Wanna hear Sakhile live: Get on one of his guided walking safaris with safariandsurf.com
_________________________________________________________________
Blog: http://www.strayalongtheway.com
Instagram: instagram.com/strayalongtheway
Twitter: twitter.com/StrayATW
Facebook: facebook.com/StrayAlongTheWay
Tarps, or tarpaulins, are great for wind, rain and sun protection and come in all different shapes and sizes.
The tarp I'm using in this video is 6 metres by 5.5 metres (20ft x 18ft) and puts out a shade area of around 30 square metres (323 square feet). This size is great for families and large groups, however, there are some challenges when it comes to putting it up by yourself.
The biggest challenge when putting up a big trap shelter by yourself is the wind, so it's always best to move slowly and methodically and keep the tarp pegged down as you go to avoid the wind getting under it and blowing it away.
Step 1: Check the direction of the wind and aim to set up your tarp at 90 degrees to the wind.
Step 2: Keep you peg bag in your pocket or on your belt and unravel the tarp little by little. Peg down the corners after each section is unfolded so that the tarp is completely pegged down by the time it's fully spread out.
Step 3: Use a simple loop knot to attach the guy ropes to the corners of the tarp.
Step 4: Walk the other end of guy ropes out as far as they go and secure them down to the ground with tent pegs.
Step 5: Remove the pegs holding down the tarp and assemble the tarp poles.
Step 6: Loosen the guy ropes closest to the first pole eyelet (grommet) and insert the pole. Walk it up into place and tighten the guy ropes again to hold it in place.
Step 7: Repeat the process on the opposite end.
Step 8: Walk around the tarp making adjustments to the guy ropes one at a time to ensure the tarp is well-tensioned and holding in place.
One thing to avoid is placing anything on the tarp to weigh it down. if the wind gusts, this will cause the tarp to pull against its anchors and cause damage.
Here are a few big traps I found with good reviews on Amazon:
Aqua Quest Guide Tarp - 6m x 4m (20ft x 13ft)
amzn.to/31ST3ai
Equinox Egret Tarps - 4.8m x 3.5m (16ft x 12ft)
amzn.to/3rPoGwd
Sanctuary SilTarp - 3.5m x 3m (12ft x 10ft)
amzn.to/3wtmuxQ
Stansport Reinforced Multi-Purpose Tarp - multiple sizes up to 18m x 9m (60ft x 30ft)
amzn.to/3urRMDm
And don't forget poles!
Green Elephant Telescoping Tarp Poles (Aluminium)
amzn.to/3dFxbow
SANLIKE Adjustable Tent Poles (Stainless Steel)
amzn.to/3mwa2sI
I use power banks all the time and for just about everything I do outdoors.
Power banks are great if you use any devices like mobile phones, GoPros, navigation hardware, or portable blue tooth devices.
They are especially great as backup power supplies, and in that sense, they can even be looked at as emergency equipment.
Power banks come in all different shapes and sizes and some are more suited to outdoor and adventure purposes.
In this video, we look at the different kinds of power banks you can get, and some of the things to consider when buying one.
Power banks mentioned in this video
Super light and compact:
Anker PowerCore 5000: amzn.to/2ZxQdpW
Small:
Anker Astro E1: amzn.to/3qyMkgH
High capacity power banks:
RAVPower 26,800: amzn.to/3azdRZE
Anker PowerCore 26,800: amzn.to/3s7C7YR
Multi-port:
Omni 20+: amzn.to/3qyA2EN
Quick charging:
RAVPower 15,000: amzn.to/2NFEK5j
Anker PowerCore II: amzn.to/3bo13ol
Waterproof:
Goalzero Venture 30: amzn.to/3uf5cDk
Outdoor Tech Kodiak Plus: amzn.to/2NEzeQe
Super rugged:
Fos Power Power Active: amzn.to/3pC1rV4
Zendure: amzn.to/2OIQC6U
Solar chargable:
Hiluckey Outdoor Portable Power Bank: amzn.to/3dE53DZ
Remote campsite power:
Anker powerhouse 2: amzn.to/3ubz4ke
Shop by brand:
Anker: amzn.to/3avivb9
RAVPower: amzn.to/2ZrtITQ
Omni Charge: amzn.to/2ZwCEHm
Goal zero: amzn.to/3pyRJTp
Outdoor Tech: amzn.to/3avzr1g
Fos Power: amzn.to/3ay0CbL
Zendure: amzn.to/2OIQC6U
Hiluckey: amzn.to/3pxJGGB
However, there are a very different set of rules when it comes to camping with wildlife and one needs to take extra precautions to ensure one's safety and the safety of the wild animals around you.
In this video we look at the 9 things you should NOT do when camping with wildlife.
Encountering wildlife when camping is an inevitability - it's best to be prepared so when this happens, you're not surprised.
If you find this video helpful, give it a like and subscribe to our channel for more outdoor and adventure content.
You call also follow us on these other platforms:
Instagram: instagram.com/strayalongtheway
Twitter: twitter.com/StrayATW
Facebook: facebook.com/StrayAlongTheWay
Web: strayalongtheway.com
Intro (0:00)
Story (1:06)
1 Do not think a fenced camp is impenetrable (5:16)
2 Do not leave any food lying around (5:56)
3 Do not feed the wildlife (6:41)
4 Do not provoke the wildlife in your camp (7:15)
5 Do not leave your tent at night (7:52)
6 Do not leave your tent open (8:20)
7 Do not spray any bug poison (9:00)
8 Do not leave young kids unattended (9:36 )
9 Do not set up camp where animals are expected to be (10:10)
Outro (10:49)
Long exposure, or using a slow shutter speed, is one of the best ways of capturing waterfalls and in this video we take a look at exactly how to do just that.
Here are the things you need to shoot long exposure motion blur in water:
Equipment:
1. Camera and Lens (The camea I used in this demo: amzn.to/3bGkKZC and the lens:amzn.to/38De9gC)
2. Tripod (One of the best: amzn.to/3ez6GmP)
3: ND / Polarizing Filter (optional) (77mm lens option: amzn.to/38y2lwo)
Camera Settings:
1. Lowest ISO number.
2. Largest f-number (smallest aperture).
3. Slowest shutter speed.
4. Self-timer set to 2-5 seconds.
The Scene and lighting:
1. Look for a scene with moving, tumultuous water.
2. Shoot in the early morning, late evening or even onto the night.
Shooting technique:
1. Keep the camera as stable as possible with a tripod, or by resting the camera on a firm surface.
2. Set your camera settings to accommodate the slowest shutter speed you can.
3. Press the shutter button and remove your hands and wait for the self-timer to set off the shutter after a short delay.
4. Check your image on the back of the camera and using the histogram to make see if you need to change any settings.
If you get all this right, you're going to get some amazing long exposure images with that dreamy motion blur in the water.
Socials:
Instagram: instagram.com/strayalongtheway
Twitter: twitter.com/StrayATW
Facebook: facebook.com/StrayAlongTheWay
Web: strayalongtheway.com
Pot bread is basically any bread that has been baked in a cast iron pot - usually in a wood fired oven, or over coals, like we're going to do today.
Pot bread is also known as potbrood in Afrikaans, or sometimes Dutch Oven Bread and is a great addition to any braai, barbeque or campfire dinner.
Here's what you need:
Cast iron Bread Pot
Charcoal - preferably briquettes or hard wood charcoal.
Oven gloves / cloth
Cutting board
Mixing bowl
Ingredients:
500g of Cake Flour
6 tspns of Baking Soda
1 Sachet of Onion Soup Powder
1 Can of Creamed Corn
1 Can of Beer
Cooking Oil
Butter
Honey
Read more here: strayalongtheway.com/pot-bread-recipe
To see the Warrior 500 documentary, hit this link right over here:
youtube.com/watch?v=2n3dlIUFUYU
POV stands for Point of View and simply means that you, the viewer, get to see the scene through the eyes of the person who shot it. It's a great, dynamic view and gives viewers a very real sense of being the character in the scene.
POV is one of the best angles for surfing and bodyboarding, particularly barrel shots, as it puts you right in that space and lets you capture the chaos and fury of a big, scary barrel and then re-live it over and over again.
A mouth mount is a device that allows you hands free control of your GoPro, because you're holding it in place with your mouth, usually by biting down on a mouth piece.
Pros:
- Mouth mounts give you the best POV angle.
- It's definitely the smallest rig you can use.
- The Pro Standard model gives you the added option of a board angle.
Cons:
- It gets in the way when paddling onto a wave.
- It effects your surf as you're always thinking about it in the water.
- Breathing can be tricky depending on your model.
- Some people complain that mouth mounts make them want to gag.
Mouth Mount Models on Amazon:
Pro Standard Grill Mount 2.0: amzn.to/31LhwPm
GoPros on Amazon:
GoPro Hero 9: amzn.to/38OSZgm
GoPro Hero 8: amzn.to/32LEA0N
GoPro Hero 7: amzn.to/3puVISn
Other handy GoPro Accessories for surfing and bodyboarding:
The Handler Floating Hand Grip: amzn.to/3os6Mz0
GoPro Floaty Backdoor: amzn.to/3eZIYOP
The waves had been pumping all week, so I decided to take a small gap in the swell to tuck into a few barrels with the GoPro and mouth mount. Love this angle and love this spot!
Mouth Mount Models on Amazon:
Pro Standard Grill Mount 2.0: amzn.to/31LhwPm
GoPros on Amazon:
GoPro Hero 9: amzn.to/38OSZgm
GoPro Hero 8: amzn.to/32LEA0N
GoPro Hero 7: amzn.to/3puVISn
Other handy GoPro Accessories for surfing and bodyboarding:
The Handler Floating Hand Grip: amzn.to/3os6Mz0
GoPro Floaty Backdoor: amzn.to/3eZIYOP
strayalongtheway.com/tsitsikamma-national-park
Knysna forest hiking
strayalongtheway.com/elephant-walk-knysna-forest
Salt River Hike
strayalongtheway.com/natures-valley-salt-river-mouth-hike
Storms River Mouth Hiking
strayalongtheway.com/hiking-storms-river-mouth
Find more activities to do along the Garden Route:
getyourguide.com/garden-route-l32178/?partner_id=NFOV04D
The Kruger National Park is the jewel in the crown of South African Tourism. With over 2 million ha of unfenced wildlife area, this is by far the biggest game reserve in South Africa and home to the famous Big 5.
Kruger Park and Panorama Route highlights:
- Waterfalls - lots and lots of waterfalls.
- Beautiful mountain passes.
- A plethora of outdoor activities including hiking, cycling and canyoning.
- Stunning views over the Kruger Lowveld.
- God's Window.
- The Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels.
- Access to the Kruger National Park, South Africa's biggest game reserve.
- Fascinating historical and cultural sites.
Read more about this road trip itinerary here: strayalongtheway.com/panorama-route-road-trip
Find more activities on the Panorama Route: getyourguide.com/mpumalanga-l234/?partner_id=NFOV04D
Barberton Geotrail: strayalongtheway.com/barberton-geotrail
Fanie Botha Trail: strayalongtheway.com/the-fanie-botha-hiking-trail
Long Tom Pass: strayalongtheway.com/long-tom-pass
Sabie Brewing Company: sabiebrewery.com
Kruger National Park: strayalongtheway.com/kruger-national-park
Skyway Trails: skywaytrails.com
God's Window: strayalongtheway.com/gods-window
Lisbon Fall hike: strayalongtheway.com/lisbon-falls-hike
The Gorge Lift: strayalongtheway.com/lisbon-falls-hike
Moholoholo Animal Rehab Centre: http://www.moholoholo.co.za/
Accommodation booking: booking.com/searchresults.en.html?city=-1280191&aid=843838&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
Massive shoals of sardines hug the coastal drop-off zone just a few metres off the beach, which makes finding and swimming with them really easy.
While this is an incredible occurrence, as with many spectacles that are relatively easy to access, it is unlikely you'll get to experience this natural treasure by yourself. Lots of local boat operators bring scores of tourists to this area and it can become a mess of boats and people very quickly.
We found that heading out to the sardines early in the morning was a good tactic for avoiding the crowds, as well as just before sunset when all the boats were leaving again.
While the shoals are shallow enough to snorkel with, there are also a number of diving operators in the town that can get you up close to the shoal away from the madding crowd.
In all, it's a fantastic experience albeit a little bit much in terms of the crowd, and one we'd recommend you travel for.
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Music:
Song: Math
by Michael FK
Ambient Cinematic Sounds 2018
I know it would mean the world to him...
Many of the languages spoken by the Nguni people of southern Africa as well as the San people have a range of click sounds.
In this video, Sakhile Dube from St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, demonstrates how these click sounds are pronounced in the Zulu language.
He has an epic voice :)
Check out our other videos with Sakhile here:
iSimangaliso Wetland Park: Southern Ecosystems with Sakhile Dube: youtu.be/v-w3ElPJA4c
Sakhile Dube explains Zulu culture: Ancestors: youtu.be/3Eqrh_kLhHM
Wanna hear Sakhile live: Get on one of his guided walking safaris with safariandsurf.com
For those of you interested in learning to speak zulu, Duolingo has just added it to their courses:
duolingo.com
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Blog: http://www.strayalongtheway.com
Instagram: instagram.com/strayalongtheway
Twitter: twitter.com/StrayATW
Facebook: facebook.com/StrayAlongTheWay
Day hiking is an awesome way to spend time outdoors. It's probably the outdoor activity we do the most (next to surfing) and it's our favourite way of exploring a new place.
In this video we look at a few essential things to consider when packing for a day hike, from what kind of backpack to use, what snacks to pack, and what kind of emergency gear you'll need.
What day hike essentials should I pack?
- Hiking Gear.
- Emergency and first aid gear.
- Clothing and footwear.
- Navigation.
- Food, water and sun protection.
- Tools and repair kit.
- Things to pack and leave in the car.
More information:
Website: strayalongtheway.com/day-hike-essentials-packing-list
Our complete KZN road trip guide:
strayalongtheway.com/kwazulu-natal-road-trip-first-timers-guide
Durban:
Interesting sites: strayalongtheway.com/mzinyathi-falls
St Lucia:
Things to do in St Lucia: strayalongtheway.com/things-to-do-st-lucia
Sodwana Bay:
strayalongtheway.com/dive-sodwana-bay
Kosi Bay:
Kosi Bay Slackpacking Trail: strayalongtheway.com/kosi-bay-slackpacking-trail
Snorkel Aquarium Reef: strayalongtheway.com/snorkel-aquarium-reef-kosi-bay
Northern Game Reserves:
Ndumo Game Reserve: strayalongtheway.com/ndumo-game-reserve
Hiking the Mkhuze Fig Forest: strayalongtheway.com/hike-fig-forest-mkhuze-game-reserve
Battlefields:
Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift: strayalongtheway.com/battlefields-isandlwana-rorkes-drift
uKhahlamba Drakensberg:
The Sentinel Peak Hike: strayalongtheway.com/sentinel-peak-hike
Sani Pass: strayalongtheway.com/sani-pass-ukhahlamba-drakensberg
KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast of South Africa is highly undervalued as a tourist destination, and often overlooked in favor of destinations like the Kruger National Park and Cape Town.
Having grown up in this amazing province we may be a little biased, but through exploring it ourselves have discovered that this sunny corner of South Africa offers it all - a vibrant and diverse culture, majestic mountains, untamed big five bush experiences and possibly the most unspoiled beaches in the country. Not to forget that KwaZulu-Natal's winter weather (April-July) is the best in the country!
KwaZulu-Natal highlights:
Unspoiled sandy beaches and warm water.
Malaria-free big five game reserves.
Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park).
A vibrant and diverse blend of cultures.
World-class diving and surfing destinations.
We would love you to come and explore this magical province for yourself, and have put together a list of our top picks in the province to get those travel juices flowing!
Our dream KwaZulu-Natal road trip is a circular self-drive route covers 1600 km and takes in all of the highlights of KwaZulu-Natal including the berg, big five bush and spectacular beaches.
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Music:
A Distant Shore by Itay Kashti | 2018 | Love | Cinematic Sounds
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Blog: http://www.strayalongtheway.com
Instagram: instagram.com/strayalongtheway
Twitter: twitter.com/StrayATW
Facebook: facebook.com/StrayAlongTheWay
Whether you're on a road trip, a hiking adventure, or even just camping out in your back yard.
The best part about cooking outdoors is that every step of the process can feel like a little adventure in itself. From making the fire to preparing the pots, to that first bite of your very own outdoor creation.
But cooking on an adventure trip can be a bit tricky, especially if you have to carry everything you need on your back.
So we went to the experts in outdoor adventure cooking, the Wilderness Leadership School, and got them to show us a few tips a tricks for cooking outdoors and leaving not trace.
The hike starts at the confluence of the river and follows the southern arm into the central mountain range and ends at a beautiful waterfall in the Golden Grotto.
The terrain is very hard-going, with loads of slippery boulders to scramble over, overgrown jungle paths as well as narrow ledges in some parts.
The trail crosses the river at many points, to be sure to know what the water level is like before trying this hike out. If there's been any recent rains, give this one a miss as conditions on the river and in the grotto can get dangerous when in flood.
We decided to give the Golden Grotto a go - here's what it looked like...
One of our favourite game reserves in South Africa is the uMkhuze Game Reserve. It's part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site and is known for its incredible birding and wildlife as well as the famous kuMasinga Hide and Ensumo Pan.
I thought we'd try something a little different on our recent trip and I combined my love for tea with my love for uMkhuze.
The trouble is, you don't want to compromise on image quality, but some of the camera rigs needed for good quality are just impossible to travel with. So how do you decide what to bring and what to leave behind?
In this video we're going to look as some of the super compact rigs we use on our outdoor shoots as well as which rigs are best suited to different situations.
Our rigs
1. GoPro 7 Black (amzn.to/3bJCpQh) + mouth mount (amzn.to/2OTeyo7)
2. Mobile Phone and gimbal (FreeVision Vilta M: amzn.to/2Nd5aLF).
3. DSLR, 28mm, F2.8 and gimbal (Yulunga: amzn.to/2OT0VFq).
4. Rhode Shotgun mic (amzn.to/3tfowiB)
Zoom NH1 Audio recorder (amzn.to/30Irz6A) + Audio Technica lapel mic (amzn.to/3qJJaG6).
Visitors to this incredible destination will find themselves immersed in a natural setting that few other destinations can offer.
There is good reason why this area was South Africa's first proclaimed UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you only have to spend a little time here to discover why...
Full post here: strayalongtheway.com/things-to-do-st-lucia
1. Explore the waterways of Lake St Lucia
Lake St Lucia is the largest estuary system in Africa. It's huge! And one of the best ways to explore it is from the water.
2. Stroll the Estuary Boardwalk and do some birding at the estuary mouth
The boardwalk leads to the beach while passing through a beautiful coastal forest. It meanders fairly close to the estuary so keep an eye out for birds and animals along the shoreline as well as in the water.
3. Enjoy some beach time on the unspoiled coastline
The length of coast from St Lucia right up to the Mozambican border is one of our favourite stretches in South Africa. The beaches are simply out of this world. While St Lucia has a number of winners within the town limits, a few other beaches worth checking out include Mission Rocks as well as Cape Vidal.
4. Snorkel Cape Vidal's rocky point
Speaking of Cape Vidal, we'd rate this as one of the top snorkeling destinations in South Africa. The snorkeling spot is right on the beach and follows a finger of rocks that extends out toward the open ocean. This rock-shelf creates a breakwater that makes for epic snorkeling conditions.
Guided snorkeling trips are available at Cape Vidal, and we'd highly recommend them.
5. Hike to Bat Cave on the Eastern Shores
This is a great little trip if you're keen for something a little different. Just north of Mission Rocks is a small cave which is home to a colony of Egyptian fruit bats. You can access the cave from the beach, although you'll need to time your trip with a low tide to ensure you can get there and back without getting wet.
Don't forget to bring along a torch or headlamp so you can see the bats when you get there.
6. Greet the ocean's giants on a boat-based whale watching tour
Whale watching is an absolute must in St Lucia! Nothing can really give you an appreciation for these gentle giants like watching them from the water. There are a number of excellent tour operators who run whale watching trips from St Lucia from around mid May to December when the humpback whales are around.
7. Explore St Lucia and surrounds by bicycle
One trip we found really great was the cycle tour of St Lucia. Your guide leads the way and stops off at a number of very interesting sites as well as points out various plant and animal life along the way. It's a nice way to get around and also a great way to get in some holiday exercise too.
8. Horseback ride the beach and bush
St Lucia is one of the coolest places to go horse riding. There aren't too many places out there where you can ride through a game reserve and along the beach all on the same trip.
The horse riding trails pass through a section of the Eastern Shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and is a great way to get right up close to the wildlife without scaring them away. We encountered a number of zebra, wildebeest, and other antelope that where perfectly relaxed around the horses.
After that it’s onto the beach for a brisk ride back to the town, passing by the estuary mouth along the way.
9. Explore the Eastern and Western Shores on a guided evening game drive.
Night drives are the best!! The bush seems to come alive at night and so getting onto an evening game drive is a real experience. The public aren't allowed to drive in game reserves after dark so you'll need to do this with a guide, but that's well worth it. Their eyes are accustomed to spotting animals in the dark and they offer a really great experience.
10. Self-drive
St Lucia is near both the Eastern and Western Shores Sections of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This area has been the success story of a re-wilding project that started a number of years ago and is now home to many of Africa's big wildlife including elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopard and so much more.
The roads in the park are mostly tarred with a few gravel tracks here and there, but visitors can explore the park in their own vehicles without any trouble.
There are a number of excellent view sites and picnic spots within the reserve, so be sure to pack for the day.
11. Witness turtles nesting on the sandy beaches
The turtle season runs from November to March and is an excellent time to be in St Lucia. The town is abuzz with the talk of turtles and St Lucia is one of the most accessible best places in the country to witness them nesting and hatching.
12. Take in the peace of an African sunset
There are a number of great places to watch the sunset, but the aptly named Sunset Jetty is probably the best one.
A few weeks ago went for a surf down the coast. After I came in I was covered in salt and sand and I was toweling off, and getting ready to endure the long drive home while feeling salty and sticky, when my friend invited me over to rinse off in his portable car shower.
I'd never seen one before so I did a bunch of research into portable showers and I decided to make a video no what I've found.
Just a quick disclaimer - The point of this video is not to review individual products, but rather to give you an overview of the different kinds of systems that are out there. Also, I've not tested all of these systems myself so most of my comments are based on reviews I've seen and read, as well as my thoughts on where and how I see these systems applying to outdoor enthusiasts
5 Portable Shower Systems:
1. Portable solar shower bags
Generally some kind of bag that fill up with water and then hang in a tree. Gravity creates the pressure in the pipe so the higher the bag the greater the pressure. Super simple concept.
Buy one on Amazon: amzn.to/3gIqGlJ
2. Rack mounted showers
Semi-permanent features that mount onto your car's roof racks. They are basically a long water storage unit that sits on the roof and can be accessed by a hose when you need to take a shower. There are all kinds of options to buy and you can even make your own.
3. Foot pump system
Pressure is built in a water container by using a foot pump instead of gravity or an electrical pump. This means that it's a low-resource requiring solution and it doesn't need to be raised like a gravity fed system to work. Really versatile and cool option.
Nemo Helio Pressure Shower: amzn.to/3qSktIH
WADEO Camp Shower: amzn.to/37cPCyB
4. Rechargeable battery
Basic unit that submerges under water and uses a battery powered water pump to feed water through a hose.
Buy one on Amazon: amzn.to/3gUepuV
5. 12v showers
Submersible pumps, much like the rechargeable options, are units that you put underwater and then pump water out through a hose and shower head.
The freestanding version is very similar, although in this instance, the pump is not placed in the water, but rather a hose feeds the water from a tank, through the pump and onward to the shower head.
Buy one on Amazon: amzn.to/37Zi9Hh (Seaflow 12V free standing shower)
Buy one on Amazon: amzn.to/3mjcf8R (Ivation 12V portable camping shower)
All product links are affiliate links.
Join us for more outdoor and adventure tips on our email list: strayalongtheway.com/email-subscribe
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Follow us on online:
Blog: http://www.strayalongtheway.com
Instagram: instagram.com/strayalongtheway
Twitter: twitter.com/StrayATW
Facebook: facebook.com/StrayAlongTheWay
But what if I told you that not far away, there is a group of islands with as much (and possibly even more) wave potential as the Mentawais that are still virtually uncrowded? Somewhere where surfing empty, world-class lineups with only you and your buddies is still possible.
Read the full story here: strayalongtheway.com/monkeys-telo-islands-indonesia
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Blog: http://www.strayalongtheway.com
Instagram: instagram.com/strayalongtheway
Twitter: twitter.com/StrayATW
Facebook: facebook.com/StrayAlongTheWay
If you love cooking on an open fire then follow along and learn how to make the famous Trail-style Meat Stew...
Check out the Wilderness Trail video here: youtu.be/sXRWBsyKNgY
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Music:
Track: Chill Acoustic
Music provided by Oak Studios
Track: Kona Sun
YouTube Library
Track: Jeremiah's Song
YouTube Library
This past year has been one of my all time best years in the water! I did my first international trip, spent a year travelling around South Africa in search of waves and moved home to a place with some of the best wave I've ever surfed!
It's great to put up a video like this to look back on one day and remember the incredible year I've had and also to mark the milestone of a new year and a new chapter going forward!
Big thanks to Chris Green and Jill Langley for all the non-POV footage.
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Music: Downtown Funk
Artist: DJ Quads
Support him here: patreon.com/DjQuads
●Soundcloud - soundcloud.com/aka-dj-quads
●Instagram - instagram.com/djquads
●Twitter - twitter.com/DjQuads
But what do you do when those expectations are met with 5 days of howling onshore winds and rain? What do you do when you've placed all of your hope in those perfect waves to help re-live some old childhood memories with your brother? What do you do when nothing is happening as you expected it to?
In the end you're confronted with a hard decision. Either wait around hoping for something that just isn't happening, or move on and start something new...something better. Which will you choose?
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Music:
Punch - DJ Quads
Missing Someone - DJ Quads
●Soundcloud - soundcloud.com/aka-dj-quads
●Instagram - instagram.com/djquads
●Twitter - twitter.com/DjQuads
Plantation by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
Artist: http://audionautix.com
Big thanks to Spilt Juice for opening clips of Byron. Check them out: spiltjuice.com
Don't forget to subscribe!
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Blog: http://www.strayalongtheway.com
Instagram: instagram.com/strayalongtheway
Twitter: twitter.com/StrayATW
Facebook: facebook.com/StrayAlongTheWay