Heading North and discovering the moon

We all sat huddled up outside on a wooden bench and stared up in awe at the night sky. It was filled with what felt like every single star the galaxy had to offer.

Magoebaskloof is a little gem of a destination I discovered some 14 years ago. Situated about 320km from Johannesburg in the Province of Limpopo in South Africa between Polokwane and Tzaneen - it makes for an unforgettable destination.

I have visited many times since then but this was the first time I would take almost my entire family with me. My eldest daughter and I share the same birthday month only two days apart - what could be better than spending it away from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg. Stanford Lake Lodge was my choice of accommodation for these few days and I have stayed here many times over the last few years. I urge you to put it on your list of places to visit!! http://www.stanfordlake.co.za/

I had been sitting inside our cabin the final night of our trip reading the book I had acquired the evening before our departure. Unbeknown to me this would become the absolute pinnacle of the entire journey.

What’s Your Moonshot by John Sanei was ironically the reason I stood up and decided to go outside and look up at the sky. At first I looked up only at the sky directly in front of me - in a state of pure receptiveness my eyes followed the stars which formed a rainbow like shape across the entire sky.

I have explored this area in depth over the years and it was my intention to take my family out every day and show them the beautiful sites of Magoebaskloof. The truth is we had absolutely no need or desire to leave Stanford Lake Lodge - with walking trails, a berry plantation across the lake, eagles soaring above you and a stunning wooden double story cabin (our choice of two on the lake) we left the cabin only once in four days.

A friend of mine always talks about the power of breaking bread together and it has never rung more true. We prepared our own meals and shared moments together in doing so I would not change for world. However if you did decide to seek your meals elsewhere you can do so along the entire mountain pass - you will be pleasantly surprised at what you will find.

Before I had stood up to go outside and look at the sky I reached the end of page 99 in What’s Your Moonshot and to quote John it read - “I’m not saying we must believe in the things we cannot see; i’m saying we need to marvel at the magic that we often allow ourselves to easily dismiss - both around us and within”. The magic was just a few steps away and all I had to do was step outside and look up at the sky.

The real magic was summoning my family to join me outside and share in the spoils the galaxy was showing off in all her glory. This is a place I will never forget.