From the Bush to the New Year

Holidays: The Great Human Personality Test

Holidays are funny things. You pack your bags expecting rest, adventure, and maybe a tan… and instead you get a front‑row seat to the full spectrum of human behaviour. It’s like nature’s way of saying, “Surprise! Here’s who people really are when you remove the office, the routine, and the Wi‑Fi that only works if you stand on one leg.”

Some people soften beautifully. They laugh more, breathe deeper, and suddenly remember how to be patient in queues longer than the Great Wall of China. You see strangers helping each other, families reconnecting, and everyone collectively admiring sunsets like they’ve never seen the sky before.

And then… there are the others.

The ones who behave like the holiday was personally handcrafted for them by the universe. The ones who forget that everyone else also paid money to be there. The ones who treat viewpoints like limited‑edition collectables and refuse to share. It’s not ideal, but hey, at least they make the rest of us look like saints.

Still, these moments remind you of the kind of person you want to be, grounded, considerate, and aware that the world does not revolve around your holiday itinerary. A person who doesn’t let stress overshadow the privilege of being away. A person who remembers that kindness is free and looks good on everyone.

Act 1: The Adventure Olympics

The first half of our holiday felt like I was watching my boys compete in some sort of adrenaline‑filled family triathlon.

·        Soaring through the trees on a zipline

·        Off‑roading over trails that definitely weren’t designed for people who enjoy having spines

·        Archery, where we discovered that at least one of them should never be trusted with a bow

·        Walking the breathtaking Graskop Gorge

·        Exploring the ancient beauty of the Sudwala Caves

But the best part has been seeing my boys happy, getting along, and truly enjoying themselves. Those smiles, those shared jokes, those little moments of connection… the kind of memories you tuck into your heart and bring out on the tough days.

Act 2: The Great Slow‑Down

Then the boys headed home for New Year’s, and suddenly it was just Adrian and me, two adults left unsupervised in the quiet beauty of Marloth.

Life slowed down in the best way.

We drove along dusty roads and would find a giraffe casually standing around like he was the mayor of the neighbourhood. We’d look out the lounge window and spot bush pigs strolling past the pool. One afternoon, we came home to find a waterbuck sitting peacefully under the braai area, looking at us like, “Oh, good, you’re back”

We even squeezed in a round of golf at Kambaku, where the wildlife roams the fairways with more confidence than most golfers. Of course, we visited the Kruger, where the animals were spectacular and some of the humans… less so, but even that couldn’t ruin the magic.

And those nighttime thunderstorms? The kind that shakes the sky and makes you feel small in the best possible way. Absolutely unforgettable.

Gratitude, With a Side of Giggles

This holiday was a blend of adventure, connection, wildlife magic, and quiet reflection. A reminder of what matters, what doesn’t, and how much joy there is in simply being present — even when the universe throws in a few rude tourists for character development.

I’m grateful for the memories, the lessons, the laughter, and the moments that made this holiday one we’ll be talking about for years.

Stepping Into 2026 With Hope, Chaos, and a Bit of Sparkle

To end off, I want to wish you a very Happy New Year. We’ve officially tumbled into 2026, slightly disheveled, mildly confused, and pretending we’re more rested than we actually are. Let’s be honest, none of us ever glide into January feeling like we’ve had enough rest. But here we are anyway, showing up with coffee in hand and hope in our pockets.

This year, I’m wishing for the good stuff we can actually use, like love that steadies us, joy that sneaks up on us, confidence for the things we dread, and bravery for the moments that ask a little more of us than we planned. Let’s hold space for friends and family, for the people who make life softer, louder, funnier, and fuller. Keep reminding yourself, gently, to look after others and yourself with equal care.

I hope your break had at least one moment of peace, one laugh that made your stomach hurt, and one nap that felt like a small miracle. And if not? Well, we keep on keeping on, because that’s what humans do. Imperfectly. Bravely. Together.

If you didn’t get a break, I hope the year gifts you tiny pockets of rest in unexpected places.

With that, we step into 2026, ready or not, because here it comes.