Sometimes you need that little reminder to sit down and write a post, which is exactly what happened when I read the 2016 reviews from Iga (Eager Journeys) and Anje (Going Somewhere Slowly). It was that bit of motivation I needed to switch on my laptop during the Christmas break and start writing. Thank you girls, you rock!

At the start of 2016, I took on the Instagram #366DaysOfMakingSpace challenge with Dee from The Good Holiday and Heather from 2Summers, which was actually a lot tougher than expected. I admit that I didn’t make the 366 days……, but it did encourage me to focus more on my photography.

Looking at social media in general, many people feel 2016 has been a tough year. For me personally it may not have been the most exciting from a travelling point of view, but I was very privileged to have been able to work with some amazing people and visit some very special places.

The photographs below reflect some of the highlights of my year and I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did. Please click on any of the pictures below to view in full size.

Hiking in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Stellenbosch

Sunset over Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch

Fynbos in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Stellenbosch

Fynbos in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Stellenbosch

A special stay at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa, Cape Town

Cocktails at the 12 Apostles Hotel

Picnic at the 12 Apostles Hotel

View over the 12 Apostles mountain range

Experiencing the enigmatic, ancient and indigenous Platbos Forest, Gansbaai

Lush beard mosses in Platbos Forest

Beauty of Platbos Forest

Tree details in Platbos

Working with the passionate people of SAASA, The Crags

Being introduced to the new green kid on the block – Tented Eco Camp at Gondwana Game Reserve, Mosselbay

Gondwana Game Reserve, Mosselbay

Invertebrate survey Gondwana Game Reserve, Mosselbay

Gondwana Tented Eco Camp set in a beautiful secluded valley, Garden Route

Working with Masicorp, an NGO empowering the people of Masiphumelele through education, Cape Town

Life Skills graduate and entrepreneur, Mzwandile Xhonti

Flagship Masi Educare in Masiphumelele, Masicorp

Word Works in Masi Library, Masicorp

Discovering Fynbos at the gorgeous Bastiaanskloof Reserve, Bainskloof Pass

Protea Nitida, Bastiaanskloof Reserve, Bainskloof Pass.

Proteas, Fynbos indicator species, Bastiaanskloof Reserve, Wellington.

Bastiaanskloof’s diverse Fynbos flora.

Meeting exciting entrepreneurs, such as Kimilili Cheese in Tulbagh

Hand crafted cheeses at Kimilili Farm

Hand crafted cheeses at Kimilili Farm, Tulbagh

The “Fermier” cheese maker at Kimilili Farm, Tulbagh

Being the official wedding photographer at my friend’s daughter’s wedding in Holland

Going off the beaten wine track in Paarl and Wellington

Mellasat Vineyards White Pinotage barrel tasting, Paarl Cape Winelands

Fanglasstic glass art Karoo Windmill designs Paarl Cape Winelands

Sculpture by Nanette Ranger for the Digterstuin at Breytenbach Sentrum, Wellington.

Continuing to explore the Cape Winelands in great detail, as somebody has to do it 😉

Wine tasting at Vergenoegd, Stellenbosch

The Greenhouse at Babylonstoren, Stellenbosch

Beer tasting at Triggerfish Brewing, Somerset West