Market Friday - Cappuccino at Sunrise in the Forest.
Today is #MarketFriday, a project initiated by @dswigle, and this post is my contribution to this project for this week.
To learn more about this project and participate, visit today's post by @dswigle.
Last weekend I decided it was time to do what I'd been wanting to do for quite some time...to enjoy a nice cappuccino at the Forest Cafe in Umhlanga.
During May, we did head out there to enjoy a cup of coffee, but the place was packed and we ended up going somewhere else. You can read more about the outing of that day here.
On our last outing to this area, I said to my wife that I would like to come back early in the morning to get some photos at sunrise, seeing that you walk into the forest just above the beach and I thought it would make for some really nice photos.
The Forest Cafe is part of the Bike and Bean Group and it's 37.5 KM (a 30-minute drive) from where we are staying. It is situated at the end of the boardwalk in Umhlanga.
According to the Forest Cafe page of the Bike and Bean website, "The Umhlanga Boardwalk is managed by the uMhlanga Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) and supported by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife who manage the uMhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve."
We arrived just after 7 am. From where we parked the car, it is a walk of about 2 KM to get to the Forest Cafe.
You have to leave the car on the main road and then use a walkway, passing through some holiday accommodation and going toward the beach.
The first 1 KM consists of walking down toward the beach, then turning up left, and walking on the promenade along the beach until you arrive at the boardwalk.
As mentioned, by now it was just after seven and the sun has just made its appearance on the horizon.
Our first glimpse of the beautiful colors created by the arrival of a new day.
We arrived at the beach and took a left turn, walking up north, following the promenade until we would arrive at the boardwalk.
By now, this was the view to the right. Admiring the sunrise over the ocean.
A little further along, another breathtaking view...
Looking at the ocean, as if through a window...
Then an open, clear view of the ocean.
Finally, we arrived at the beginning of the boardwalk. From here we would enter the forest and although we would still be walking along (just above) the beach, we would be walking through the forest from here.
This is the beginning of the final 1 KM before reaching the Forest Cafe at the end of the boardwalk.
Starting our journey through the forest, in the freshness of the early morning.
Some dense areas along the way.
Then, at the end of the boardwalk, we find the Forest Cafe. In the freshness of the morning, surrounded by the calmness and beauty of nature, it didn't feel as if we have already walked that far. Yet, suddenly, we have arrived at our destination!
It was already busy, but we were able to find a space on the furthest end to the left.
The Forest Cafe, as seen from our table where we were seated.
Although all the tables were occupied, it didn't feel "busy". It was still a calm, tranquil, and relaxed, yet friendly and joyful atmosphere.
Just after I placed our order, a table was cleared at the front of the little building and we decided to move there as there was quite a chilly breeze hitting us from behind.
After moving to our new table, we started feeling the gentle heat from the sun in the east and having shelter from the wind with the building behind us, we started heating up a bit, being seated in a nice, cozy spot.
It was just perfect!
I decided to have a cappuccino, and my wife had a Chai Latte.
It came to exactly R60.00.
At the time of writing this post, the exchange rate is R18.02 for $1.00.
That means I paid $3.33.
After finishing our drinks, we discovered a trail continuing further into the forest behind the Forest Cafe.
But I'll share more about the rest of our walk in my next post this coming Wednesday.
So, that's all for today, folks!
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What a beautiful way to start out your morning! You really do know how to enjoy the art of the morning, don't you? I am a morning person and I love getting up and out or enjoying a bit right there at home. In my brain, I kept picturing you walking through the forest, following the yellow brick road, so to speak. I actually thought it was dark, but, not dark, but, the sun hadn't broken either.
When it broke, it was incredibly beautiful, the water rolling up to the shore. I do love the sea rolling in. Don't you love how the sky colors up? how it becomes all aglow? It is such a breathtaking moment that sometimes only lasts a moment. I love Sunset too and sometimes I'm at a loss as to which one I love best. I love either to tell the truth.
I forget that it is winter there but honestly, I love the beach in the winter, especially in the winter as it is more peaceful and people forget about going to the beach in the winter. I was pretty surprised at how busy it was at the cafe! What a nice little place to enjoy the morning. There is no replacement for kind and thoughtful people It is so easy to get along with one another, you know? The world can do this by getting along with each other when there is no outside agenda.
Thank you for allowing us to follow you. You really do take us to some of the prettiest places, the simple life. Perfection! Have a wonderful weekend!
#MarketFriday began as a way to reach out across the globe and learn about different cultures through their markets, especially local markets and farmers' markets, and eventually branched out and evolved over time from straight shopping to a cultural affair as it highlights how we differ and then again, how much we are alike. We have become a melting pot of culture, but it is still the Rituals, Festivals, food, architecture, and even your language/languages that separate us... Along with the fact that these things are normal for us. There are unwritten rules that rule our social behaviors. I see this as allowing for increased tolerance between cultures and nations, and opportunities to come together on an even playing ground. A strong culture can be beneficial to a country as it promotes unity, especially during a crisis, peaceful debate, and open dialogue. I have learned so much about all of you and it has been an amazing experience. I can only hope that learning about each other can help us work together for a peaceful world.
Thank you for being a part of #MarketFriday
First of all, let me start by saying thank you for the nice Hive tip! I really do appreciate it, @dswigle!
Yes, I love to start my day this way! It really sets me up for having a good day. It is so peaceful and tranquil, surrounded by the beauty of nature, feeling the freshness all around you! You had a very good picture in your mind. It was still dark, but exactly as you say, not dark. The first light was appearing as we were walking toward the beach. As we arrived at the beach, the sun made its first appearance on the horizon over the ocean. Oh wow! I really don't have words to describe what that looks like!
I'm so glad to hear that you are also a morning person and that you appreciate these things too!
And yes, slowly walking along the beach, feeling the freshness of the breeze, watching the most beautiful colors appearing on the horizon as the sun start gaining height...and as you say, all that with the sound of the waves rolling up to the shore... How do you really describe that to justify it?
On our way to the cafe, there was activity, but it was spread out. only when we got to the cafe, we saw how "busy" it really was. People are quite health conscious in that area. So these were all early-morning walkers and joggers. The Forest Cafe is obviously a favorite spot for a stop-over, getting some refreshments before heading back. While sitting there, we also saw many walkers and joggers just walking/jogging up to the deck of the cafe, just turning around and heading back from where they came from.
But as you say, there are people, there is movement...but there is no loudness. It is still quiet and peaceful. Even on the deck at the Cafe. There were many people seated and you could see them having a conversation. Yet it was quiet and private. It was just as if there was an unspoken, mutual respect among everybody and for the atmosphere around us. Yet it was relaxed and everybody was friendly with one another! Does this make sense? It was awesome!
I love nature and I love keeping it simple. Enjoying nature and my surroundings as it is intended to be and seeing the beauty in that. We always try to complicate life so much in everyday life and I try to get away from that as much as I can. I'm glad to hear you enjoy my outings! Thank you for your continued support! I appreciate that.
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