Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga Getaway

Hi everyone! 

As I’m sure everyone is well aware and super excited about, we have a lot of public holidays coming up over the next 6 weeks or so and I thought I’d shed some light on where to take a great mini vacation.  I’m always looking to take advantage of these and head off somewhere I’ve never been before so I thought I’d share one of favourites for this kind of holiday.

Mpumalanga?  People ask me all confused.  Yes, Mpumalanga.  It is one of my favourite places on this earth.  More specifically, Blyde River Canyon and the Panorama Route.  In this particular part of the world you can expect forests, waterfalls and views that your eyes might not believe. 

The Panorama Route comprises of various stops including Bourke’s Potholes, Berlin falls, Lisbon falls, God’s Window and the Pinnacle.  On route there are also two sets of caves; the Sudwala caves and Echo caves that are also worth visiting. 

This route requires you drive the distance between each stop which means you’re doing quite a lot of driving around but the route is circular so it does bring you back to your starting point.  If you don’t feel like doing the driving yourself there are travel shuttles that you can organise through your hotel or information centre that will do the driving for you.  We were driving ourselves so we decided to divide the route into two day trips which worked out perfectly.  For this reason, I’d suggest a three or four night stay.

I’d recommend you take a packed lunch as there isn’t very much in the way of restaurants once you’re out there.  We stopped at Spar in the morning and bought fresh rolls and cheeses and popped them in the cooler bag with a few bottles of water.  This is also so lovely to do because it means you end up picnicking surrounded by the most beautiful views.  On your way back to the hotel, Harrie’s Pancakes is not to be missed!  It is right outside Graskop hotel and it has pancakes like you’ve never tasted them before.  My favourite is the milktart filled pancake – nom nom nom. There is also the most incredible Mozambican restaurant just opposite Graskop hotel and if you can I’d definitely recommend having dinner there, it’s delish! 

The first time I ventured out here, I stayed at Graskop Hotel which is a very sweet hotel very close to the start of the Panorama Route.  If you don’t mind staying a little further away, I’ve also stayed Casa do Sol, a four star hotel in Hazyview.  This is a very romantic hotel with lovely spacious rooms (the double villas).  Our room rate included breakfast and dinner which were both delicious.  I also enjoyed staying at this hotel because the drive from Hazyview to Graskop takes you through Sappi’s forests which are beautiful.  The hotel also had a wonderful spa and lovely pool area which are both worth visiting on the days you’ve chosen to relax all day.

If you’re planning on road-tripping out here, have a look for specials for Casa do Sol.  I found ours on mtbeds.co.za which was R5000 for 3 nights including breakfast and an incredible dinner.   Graskop Hotel was about R700 a night including breakfast.  Other costs involve small entrance fees into the viewpoints, majority of which are R10 (the Potholes was about R60, but don't skip it!). 

Don’t forget sunscreen and lots of water and I can guarantee you will have an incredible time and make memories for a lifetime.

The highlights of 2013

2013 is over and here is 2014 already.  Time moves so fast when you're having fun!  I just wanted to take this moment to reflect over the past year.  My blog continues to grow and I can only thank you for that.  You make my day everyday.  Thank you for sharing this incredible journey with me.

In this past year, I've had the most wonderful experience of working with LEGiT fashion (if you missed it, you can take a look over here).  I've been able to learn the scientific methods behind skin care with Dermalogica (here).  I've had the opportunity of experiencing a number of my favourite food, wine and design events such as Decorex, Taste of Joburg to name only two.  I've attended the most wonderful store openings.  I was honoured to have been asked to write articles for online magazines.  I have also appeared in Grazia, People and LEGiT magazines this year much to my surprise!

Collaborating is a word that I'd use to describe 2013 as I've been doing just that with bloggers from South Africa and across the pond.  I love to see the blogging world work together so you can be sure to see more collaborations coming in 2014.  Meeting local bloggers has also been a highlight of my year.  There are so many of you out there and each one of you fascinate me.  I feel so lucky to walk alongside you.

I tend to take blogging day by day, never expecting anything but the self-satisfaction that I have something I love to do in my free time.  That being said, I have so often been so surprised when a super exciting email lands in my inbox or a fantastic delievery arrives at my door.  I'm so often gobsmacked but these little pleasures have really added highlights to my year.  The biggest blogging surprise I've had at all this year, however, came in the form of Irina Doman, a blogger I have the privilege of calling my friend.  It's funny how this little blog has created such a great friendship.  You can visit Irina's blog here.

This past year I received my first DSLR camera as a graduation present from my dad.  I have been having such fun learning the ropes in photography.  Hand-in-hand I have also been learning Photoshop which helped me redesign my blog which was quite exciting!  I also expended the blog to Facebook, Twitter (@arumlilea) and Instagram (@arumlilea) which has been loads of fun.  I like to share snippets of my life on each but also unique from each other just to keep things interesting.

In 2013 I was able to study further, something I'm really passionate about.  This year I dedicated my studies to a Master's degree in Public International law, a field very close to my heart.  I was wonderful to have been able to learn more and dedicate time to this and for that reason 2013 was a big year for me.

I was also able to travel quite a bit.  I ventured off to areas of South Africa that I had never been before which has made me so grateful to live in a country with so much beauty to offer.  I travelled to the United States once again to see the likes of cities I have never been to before (here, here and here).  I also experienced Halloween for the first time.  I hope to visit there again soon.  I was also lucky enough to be able to travel to Tanzania with my sister which was the most incredible experience that I could have shared with no one better (here and here). I can only hope more travelling is in store for me in 2014!

2014 will see me begin my career as an attorney which is quite monumental.  All my years of studying will finally be put to some use.  Arum Lilea will continue in what I hope will be from strength to strength.  There will  definitely be more outfits to post and stories to tell.

Thank you so much for all your support, every moment spent reading my blog and every comment you make.  I am so lucky to have you all.  Thank you also to my family and friend who have added such a great about of value to this blog (and for constantly listening to me ramble on about it).  Much Love!!!

Mpumalanga, South Africa

This past weekend I went away with my friends to Graskop, Mpumalanga.  It was absolutely amazing.  We spent our weekend getting massaged and eating the most delicious food.  It was the scenery of this beautiful part of the world that made me want to plan a trip and it definitely did not disappoint.  I highly recommend a stay here whether you're visiting South Africa for the first time or you are from this neck of the woods and need a getaway destination.

We stayed at Graskop hotel so that we were close to the Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon and God's Window.  The hotel itself is super cute but the staff are less than hospitable.  If you can look past that minor detail, the hotel is in a great location to take a drive around the sights.  Each room is uniquely decorated and it is fun to peak into all the different rooms. It is also connected to the must-try Harrie's Pancakes. For dinner we ate at the Mozambican restaurant which had amazing Portuguese dishes.  We had massages in Sabie and stopped at Mac Mac falls on our way back to Graskop.    

I was really looking forward to seeing God's Window but unfortunately a huge cloud moved over the viewing deck and prevented any possible visibility.  That's the risk you take with Mother Nature though.  All in all I couldn't have had a better weekend with a better bunch of girls.

Xxx

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On top of the world

 Zara blazer | vintage lace top | Identity jeans {old} | Europa Art shoes | Forever New bag | Michael Kors 

watch | Tiffany & Co. bracelet | Sass Diva bracelet | Mr Price necklace | Essie Bordeaux nail colour

Hi girls!

We shot these pictures at the building site for Grant's new house.  Isn't the view absolutely gorgeous?

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Leanne

xxx

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I would love to share the amazing work of Simone Davel,a young photographer, with you.
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Stellenbosch

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Images for Arum Lilea.

View from the Top

Here is an amazing view from the plane as you fly into Cape Town.  Its just one of many delights of this city.

Image by Grant Clarke.

Cape Town

What great memories!

Table "Top" Mountain

While in Cape Town I took my friends to Table Mountain to watch the sunset.  It gives you a different perspective of life from that angle.  Absolutely mesmerising. 

YDE dress, vintage belt, Cameroon blazer, Ray Ban sunglasses, Longchamp bag.

Images by me (except the ones of me of course)