#cape town guide

[andre64]

TOP AWARDS FOR BONNIEVALE WINES

Bonnievale Wines has crowned a record, award-winning year with fresh accolades in recent days from two leading championships, namely the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge and Platter’s South African wine guide.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                    8 December 2022 TOP AWARDS FOR BONNIEVALE WINES UNDERSCORE LEGACY OF QUALITY Bonnievale Wines has crowned a record, award-winning year with fresh accolades in recent days from two leading championships, namely the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge and Platter’s South African wine guide. At the former,…

[lyaiozpress]

A Hypnotic Groove

“Sandcastle (Remixes)” emerges as a stunning canvas, a collection that reimagines the beloved original with vibrant strokes that captivate the senses. Here, Sir LSG, a true maestro in the realm of deep house, intertwines his artistry with the soulful voice of Ayanda Jiya, whose heartfelt emotions resonate like echoes through a sunlit shore.

Each remix unveils a new dimension of “Sandcastle,” preserving the emotional core while exploring a myriad of soundscapes. Jiya's evocative vocals glisten against the pulsating heartbeat of intricate rhythms, crafting an auditory tapestry that invites listeners on a mesmerizing journey of discovery. The textures within these remixes tantalize the senses, each note a brushstroke in a portrait of profound beauty.

As if following Yoko Ono’s instruction to "Imagine a world where you can freely express love," Jiya’s artistry flourishes not only in these remixes but also in her recent single, "It’s You That I Want," featuring Flvme. Yet, it is within the realm of these reimagined pieces that her expressive power truly takes flight. Some versions sway with a hypnotic groove, lulling listeners into an enchanting reverie, while others traverse experimental landscapes, weaving together elements of electronica, jazz, and ambient whispers—each remix an invitation to explore the breathtaking possibilities of sound.

Lyrically, “Sandcastle” serves as a poignant meditation on vulnerability and resilience. Jiya’s heartfelt delivery, imbued with grace, beautifully encapsulates these themes, which are elevated to new heights in the remixes. The emotional depth of the song shines brightly through each interpretation, resonating within us like the sound of waves crashing against the shore. Every note dances with transformation, echoing the beauty of rebuilding oneself anew.

Ultimately, “Sandcastle (Remixes)” stands as a testament to the enduring power of music—a celebration of creativity that beckons us to feel deeply, to embrace the journey of growth and renewal. In this collection, every reinterpretation becomes a portal, inviting us to rediscover our connection to emotion and to each other, creating a symphony of experiences that reverberate long after the last note fades away.

To indulge in this otic odyssey, please click the link:

From us, we appreciate your contribution to our sonic landscape. If this found you, I hope you share the same enthusiasm for South Africa because what a time! The future of house music is indeed in capable hands.

[visitcapetown02]

Cape Town private tour guide | Ingwe Africa Safaris

Unlock the secrets of Cape Town with our private tour guide services. Immerse yourself in a customized journey through the beauty, history, and culture of South Africa. Your dedicated guide ensures an exclusive experience, tailored to your interests and pace. Elevate your Cape Town adventure with our expert local guides. Book your private tour guide today for a unique and unforgettable exploration.

https://www.ingweafricasafaris.com/

[wowtraveltour]

Exploring Cape Town: Wine Tours, Guided Tours, and Seasonal Highlights

When planning a trip to Cape Town, it's important to consider the Best Time to Visit Cape Town. The peak season, from December to February, offers warm weather and a vibrant atmosphere, making it perfect for beachgoers and festival lovers. Events like the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival add to the lively summer vibe, enhancing the experience of Cape Town Tours.

Autumn, from March to May, brings milder temperatures and fewer crowds. This season is ideal for wine tasting in the Cape Winelands and scenic drives along the Garden Route. The fall foliage provides stunning backdrops for photos and outdoor activities, making it a great time for Cape Town Wine Tours. Exploring the vineyards and enjoying the scenic beauty is a highlight during this season.

Winter, from June to August, is cooler and wetter but perfect for whale watching. Southern Right Whales migrate to the shores of Hermanus, offering spectacular views. It's also a great time to explore Cape Town's cozy cafes, museums, and indoor markets, especially with Cape Town Guided Tours. These tours provide a comfortable and insightful way to experience the city's culture and history.

Spring, from September to November, sees the weather warming up and wildflowers blooming across the Western Cape. This season is perfect for nature lovers, with the Cape Floral Kingdom in full bloom. Visiting the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and going on safaris are must-dos in spring, often featured in Cape Town Tour Packages. The vibrant flora and fauna make spring an excellent time for Cape Town Tours focused on nature and wildlife.

Each season in Cape Town offers unique experiences, making it a year-round destination. Choose the Best Time to Visit Cape Town based on your preferences and interests, and make the most of your trip with various Cape Town Tours. Whether it's the bustling summer or the serene winter, Cape Town has something special to offer every visitor.

[travelernight]

South Africa’s Winelands: Experiencing the Best Vines and Views

[africulturechronicles]

Cape Town 2023 Guide: Must-See Attractions and Wildlife Adventures #afri...

[deadsetobsessions]

Bruce “Sad Wet Cat of a Man” Wayne meets Danny “Sad Wet Cat of a Teenager” and immediately adopts him. A prompt? A fic starter?

——

This was pathetic, Bruce groused, wringing his cape under the mostly effective shelter of an awning. Amity’s rain was somehow more potent than that of Gotham and it managed to soak the waterproof fabric of his cape. This was not scientifically possible.

Bruce refrained from giving into the urge of slamming his head backwards into the wall.

“You’re new in town, aren’t ya?”

Bruce subtly startled, head swiveling over to the presence he somehow hadn’t detected. His heart gave a little squeeze- and, uh oh, that’s the squeeze he got when he adopted his kids. Bruce was self aware enough to see where this was going, but as usual, he was helpless to stop it.

Batman slightly dipped his head. How did the child know?

Like he read his mind, the teenager nodded. “You look like it. We know everyone in Amity. And you’re new. Tourists.” He chuckled, brushing the weird rain out of his hair. “And, you’re soaked.”

“This is waterproof,” Batman growled.

“Yeah, in other places of the world, maybe,” At Bruce’s questioning look (not that anyone other than liminal could have figured out his friendly intentions via the scary glare he had on), the kid elaborated further. “but you didn’t get Amity-made textiles. They’re made to last in any weather.”

“This is rain.”

“Ecto-contaminated rain, yeah.” The kid sighed, one hand absently fluffing up his hair and getting rid of stray green-tinged water droplets. “I’m Danny. I guess I’m your Amity tour guide today.”

Well, Bruce wasn’t the type to turn down an advantage. If this was a trap one of his enemies made for him to stumble into, Bruce had to admit it was well made and well researched. He never could turn away kids, especially ones that had that edge of work weary exhaustion to them like Danny did.

Danny, as expected, tried to fill in the silence. Alfred's technique always worked. Even on Bruce himself.

"This is the mall, by the way. It's dead right now because you're here on a Wednesday during school hours." Danny smirked to himself.

"Why are you not in school then?"

"It's called skipping. Or, for you, I guess it'd be 'playing hooky,'" Danny sassed, making quotation marks with his hands. He was exactly like Dick.

Bruce felt his heart melt. Oh no. Alfred was going to be mad again. But... it was for a good cause! And besides, what are the chances that Danny'd be a crime fighting vigilante? Can't be that high, right? (Bruce conveniently avoided the fact that statistically, the chances of him adopting baby vigilantes were pretty much at a hundred percent success rate.)

"Hng." He grunted. Danny rolled his eyes. Like Jason and Damian and Stephanie. "Where are your parents?"

He had to get the important stuff squared away first.

Danny shrugged. "Come on. There's a fabric store that way. We'll make you a rain guard first so your stuff doesn't get wet."

Ah, classic avoidance. Danny sure reminded him of Tim. Bruce inclined his head. "Lead the way."

[delusionalbubble]

Discover Cape Town in Just Three Days: The Ultimate Itinerary

Looking for the Best Cape Town Three Days Itinerary? Cape Town, South Africa is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and there’s no shortage of things to do and see. With its stunning coastline, majestic mountains, and rich cultural heritage, Cape Town is the perfect destination for a short break. Cape Town is one of the cleanest cities in Africa, as well as being one of the most…

[banj0possum]

could you ever try writing a poly between 3 vampires and male reader? like, reader is a painter and the vampires ask him to paint them something while in their house, and is just.. evolves. sorry if it doesn't make sense

Love Bites

Poly!Vampires x Male!Painter!Reader

CW: implied kidnapping, murder, implied vampirism

holy shit this is like one of the chillest fics ive made so far :0 anyways enjoy the funny vampire men !!

🌙 You always had a knack for finding beauty in everything, from the calming dance of raindrops amongst the smell of petrichor or the lovely reds and oranges of the fall when the leaves withered.

🌙 It was very handy considering what you did for fun.

🌙 You loved to paint, anything and everything you saw was inspiration for you. After a long day of delivering bread and pastries to the people in your village from your bakery, you would run up to your room and continue on the latest masterpiece you were working on.

🌙 Everyone in the village loved your work, many of them paying you for a painting of their own.

🌙 Life was simple and calm, and you wouldn't have it any other way.

🌙 But life decided fuck that bullshit.

🌙 Rumors and whispers filled the streets of the town, it wasn't like the usual talk like someone's daughter getting married or the like, it was much more...unusual.

🌙 News spread from neighboring towns of coffins being found unearthed and opened, shadowy figures roaming around in the late hours of the night, and bodies being found in the morning, drained from their blood.

🌙 It was a terrifying thought, but you didn't dwell upon it, you weren't the type to believe such rumors so easily, and yet a feeling of uneasiness lingered within your soul.

🌙 Your town was no longer the vibrant, happy place it once was before. Windows that once had lovely flowers and laundry lines hung on them were shut day and night, the busy streets you once traversed were covered in a gloomy fog. It really was like an evil has brought itself to your home.

🌙 Or should I say evils?

🌙 In the midst of all the tension, 3 men came to your town. Eccentric was an understatement when describing them, it was like the horrors and whispers of death and murder didn't faze them a bit.

🌙 Even so, you were happy to see something other than terrified faces and panicked expressions.

🌙 You greeted them politely during a cloudy day and noticed how covered they were. One had a large hat on, the other draped in a black cloak and the last holding a parasol that shrouded him in darkness.

🌙 "Good afternoon to you too, me and my friends here are just visiting this quaint little village, how uhm...calm..it is here..hah.."

🌙 The cloaked one chuckled whilst looking to the empty streets.

🌙 "My, my! Aren't you that famous painter I've been hearing about! I'd love to get a painting done from you, but it seems everyone here is quite busy with other things.." says the one in the hat.

🌙 "Oh no! I'd love to paint for you! Come, let's talk more in my bakery. Painting is more of a secondary job for me." You guide the men to your home as you hear the cawing of crows overhead.

🌙 Days pass and you grow closer to the men. You learned that their names were Viktor, Garrick and Silas.

🌙 Viktor had long, silky hair the color of raven's feathers. His eyes shone like two rubies in the dim light of the lanterns you lit around the house. He wore a black cape which hid a wine-red vest.

🌙 He was a gentleman and had a love for poetry. He would recite his favorites to you as you painted next to him. One interesting thing you learned was that he's scared of mice. 'Dreadful things' he calls them, you found it quite adorable once when you two were talking and he suddenly squealed and pulled his feet up at the sight of a small mouse crawling passed your floors. His face, although still as pale as the moon, turned into a light red.

🌙 Garrick had messy, dark hair. His fingers were always adorned with golden rings, and he wore a somewhat stained white, ruffled shirt, you can't tell what it's stained with though. His eyes were a deep purple, one of them covered by his locks. He was unusually flirtatious with you. You joked how he should be courting women, not a baker's son such as yourself, but he whined and cooed how irresistible you were to him, why wouldn't he be interested in a boy like you!

🌙 Silas is a bit darker skinned than the others, who were unusually pale. he had round black glasses and silver hair under a dark hat. Over his shoulders draped a coat, you weren't able to decipher what he kept under it, only that they were vials of strange substances. His eyes were the color of amber, like the hues of leaves that fell in the autumn. Rather shy, he was, always looking away from your eyes whenever he talked with you. He had an interest in flowers, always handing you one whenever he visited for inspiration purposes of course...

🌙 You wouldn't notice it at first, but they've gotten quite a liking to you, protective even. They would always check up on you, if you've been eating, who you've talked to today, things like that.

🌙 It was only until they scared off a young lady for making small talk with you that you started to notice something was off about them.

🌙 When you heard the next day her body was found dead with bite marks on her neck and drained of her blood, you started to worry.

🌙 You started avoided them after that, making excuses to not invite them over to your bakery, walking the other way the moment you see them down the street. They noticed your strange behavior towards them and knew something was wrong with you.

🌙 They didn't buy your silly act at all...

🌙 "You just had to leave the body there, didn't you?!"

🌙 "What? It's fun seeing them all scared and panicky!"

🌙 "Hahah yes but uhm...there's no food out anymore..."

🌙 You heard their voices by your door during the late hours of the night. The feeling that your new friends were not what they seem festered in your mind, but your kind nature overrode your fear and you opened your door.

🌙 "Hey! It's dangerous out there! Do you want to be gutted or something?"

🌙 The 3 of them were walking along the moonlit streets when they heard your voice.

🌙 "A-Ah! Yes! Uhm...of course, excuse us, we just came back from uh..."

🌙 "A pub-"

🌙 "A pub! Yes! And we've somehow lost our way! Could you, by chance, let us stay the night? Our inn is particularly far you see.."

🌙 You unlocked your door and let the 3 gentlemen in, going to the kitchen to warm up some bread and tea for them.

🌙 "Make yourselves at home! Apologies for the mess, I been really busy lately..." you say sweetly. Viktor nods with a smile and they all sit down, whispering softly amongst one another.

🌙 As you wait for the tea to warm, you get a good look at the 3 men.

🌙 Pale skin, pointed ears, not to mention their eyes, they have to be. You had to stop yourself from gasping when Garrick laughed, revealing his sharp fangs. Fear bubbled in your stomach once more until you heard the whistle of your kettle.

🌙 After giving them their tea, you feigned a yawn and told them you were off to bed, giving directions to the spare quarters before going in your room and waiting by your door for any sounds, grabbing a broken paintbrush you accidentally snapped, a makeshift wooden stake..

🌙 You then hear the men climbing the stairs, a conversation being exchanged between them.

🌙 "Shame we must drink from him now, he was such a darling though.."

🌙 "Oh, but I believe I'm quite well off with those wonderful treats he offered us. It's a mystery how someone as wonderful as him isn' married yet..."

🌙 "Unfortunate as it is, I don't think it would be in our best interest if the boy lives.."

🌙 Your heart pounded faster as you heard them talk about you. Your hunch was true, these men are the demons that have ravaged your town. You scrambled to your bed as you hear them walk to your room.

🌙 Your door creaks open as you grip your blanket tight. Footsteps approach you as you feel a dip in the bed.

🌙 "I can hear your cute little heartbeat darling~ I know you're awake~" You hear Viktor purr, tears start to well up in your eyes as they open.

🌙 A hand caresses your cheek and brushes your hair away from your face. You brace yourself as you feel Viktor's cold breath near your neck. You dare not move lest the beast lying next to you devour you whole.

🌙 "Do we have to Viktor?" You hear Silas say in a sorrowful tone.

🌙 "I'm with Silas with this one, why can't we just..I don't know, bring him with us?"

🌙 Viktor pulls back as he pauses for a moment. You could hear the smirk on his face when he chuckles. "Actually, that's not a bad idea Garrick.."

🌙 The next morning, the townspeople saw that your front door was wide open, a window or two was broken and paintings that hung on every wall was gone. There was no sign of you. The only thing that remained was a stain of blood on your bed and claw marks on the walls of your bedroom...

oOOoOooooOo cliffhanger or whatever :00000 part 2 soon !! sorry this one took so long, i had a hard time with the story and such..

And as usual, gay men doodles <3

[kyri45]

ISAT Sky Cotl AU Headcanons Masterlist

Here's the masterpost of the AU with all the comic! Feel free to suggest more if you want!! The list will be updated as the story goes to avoid major spoilers

About the Light /Wishcraft

Everything that is triggered originally in SKy in the AU is triggered by wish craft, which is a power that comes directly from the stars.

The island is filled with mechanism that recognize wish craft users and are modelled based on constellations

Most emotes are the equivalent of different forms of advanced craft hand signs, and each can be used like in Sky to activate certain doors (or to be able to call for creatures, or do other stuff like floating etc...)

There's a high concentration of star (wish) magic at the highest point of the Kingdom (where the eye of eden is currently) and if the habitant get's too far away from the island they wont be able to use some of their original abilities derivated from them (like for example they can't regenerate their wing levels)

About the habitant of the Island

Everyone is born naturally, but they all come from a line of people who were moslty made of stardust

The different seasons are periods of time like the chinese years, and are used as a reference for when people were born or even occurred.

People wear pendants with the season symbol they were born in. The season you were born in doesn't necessarily reflect your personality but can influence your passion

Every year, on the birthday of each sky kid, they meditate at the temple of the prince to visit Orbit and gain more power from the stars. They then come back with new "wings" every time. All kids do it with their parents or guardians until the age of 17th, which is the mark of them gaining their 6th wing wedge. From then on, they are officially considered an adult and can fly to orbit by themself. (I'm dividing the sky levels in half, since no one could live up to 200 years, so 4 wings is 5 y/o, 5 wings is 10 y/o, 6 wings is 17/18 y/o, 7 wings is 27 y/o, etc…)

People can decide to follow one of the Elders based on what they want to do in life/ which elder they are closer to (Dawn elder teaches navigation throught the stars, Forest elder teaches creativity and architecture, Valley twins trains your phisical ability and the Vault elder teaches you about the more advanced crafts). After they succeded in all the quests and finished their studies, they are blessed by the elders (which is the equivalent of finish one of the constellations, so you get the same gifts. Yes, the Valley Twin gift is literally them just allowing you to copy their haircut)

Moths are the equivalent of very young kids who still haven’t figured out which kind of person they want to be, which Elder they prefer to follow.

Elders are as big as they are for the same reason of the King in ISAT, the abnormal amount of craft they use is reflected in a collateral effect in their body

About their colture

Paper boats are rituals they used to send messages and wish anonimously, and are crafted so they can't get wet in the water

All capes are crafted so that you are always not too cold or too hot regardless of the climate

Creatures such butterflies, manta, fish and bird all are made of stardust as well, and recognize sky people as one of them and are able to charge them like in Sky

Their language is written with an alphabeth based on constellation shapes

SInce constellations are seasonal you would end up having different events based on the constellation they are under at the moment (days of nature, days of color, days of love, days of fortune)

About Siffrin

lived on the more outside part of the island, in the towns over the black sand beach (isle of dawn) which is the only part of the Kingdom open to visitors, travellers, traders, merchants.

Siffrin was born during the season of Performance and the Performance Guide was one of their first childhood presence during his first years. He continued to be passionated by acting even though he didn't live in Valley, but he and their parent still visited the Village Theather occasionaly to see some of their spectacle.

Had their cape made by his mother as custom, and before coming back to the island could never understand why it was so important that he should always wear it.

Siffrin before the events in the game always felt weird when it rained, was like slowed down and tired and sleepy. (by @forwonderfulpeople)

His call is the bird one (by @lone-owl-s-nest )

About The Wish (AKA The Eye of Eden)

The wish created a cataclysm so big people, not even Elders, can rememeber which was the original wish that caused it.

it made dissapear all people who were on the island, leaving only a spark of their memory

The Wish make you both forget and lose your wish craft power.

Krills are very big sadness

[sssammich]

For supercorp 💗 🥹🥹

💗 slow kiss / gentle kiss / inevitable / soft

thanks for your patience, anon! alas, i have gone overboard once more because i cannot help myself.

ask meme

---

she's been given a mandatory month off from supergirl duties. she's not sick, she hasn't solar flared, and she's not hurting for any freelance work that requires her attention. she had simply been told that she needed to take the time off and to avoid any caped hero work unless absolutely necessary.

so that's why she's here now, without superhero work for the next thirty days. free to do whatever she wants.

after the initial shock washes over her, she places her hands on her hips and nods towards alex and j'onn. she knows exactly what she wants to do with her freedom.

"okay."

"look, before you fight th--okay?" alex stares at her, wide eyes mirroring kara's. "really?"

she shrugs, already heading towards the elevator. no need to fight the inevitable. "really."

as the elevator doors close in front of her, she can't help smirking in amusement at the identical confused expressions on both of their faces.

she has one destination in mind.

-

she knocks on the massive wooden door, though she knows she doesn't need to. it's a formality at this point considering the unrestricted access that she's been granted to enter the top floor of this condominium highrise.

still, she waits, because the anticipation is half the fun.

her face splits into an easy smile when lena opens the door to her with her own toothy grin.

"heya," she greets, stepping foot into what she calls home: within lena's arms.

"hello to you, too," lena says, swift yet careful in wrapping kara in her arms. her hands are open as they rub circles on kara's back. kara sinks further into lena's embrace, pulling lena further into her. "how are you?"

"i'm great."

lena stares into her eyes. "yeah?"

"oh yeah. i'm on vacation." she emphatically nods.

lena beams at that. "funny you say that. me too."

she quirks a brow at that, though she shouldn't be surprised. a month vacation doesn't just fall into people's laps without explanation. "yeah?"

"oh yeah," lena mimics her.

kara, still holding lena in her arms, pulls the other woman back in, the two of them swinging in place. "what a coincidence, right?"

lena throws her head back in laughter.

-

they arrive in a private villa off the coast of naples.

it's a modest hillside two bedroom house that overlooks the gulf below. when the local guide roll their suitcases for them, he unknowingly wheels lena's to one room and hers to the other. she smirks and lena tips him handsomely--enough that his olive skin tinges in embarrassment at just how much is in his hands. when their eyes meet after he leaves, they break into a giggle.

because they know the truth, despite not uttering a word of it: why bother taking up more room when right by each other's side is all the space they'll want to take.

despite the destination of her luggage, her body follows after lena to the other room, the one with the better view of the water. just as well, lena's body follows after her when they busy themselves in the kitchen to make themselves a quick dinner. when they finish, they share the hammock sitting out on the back deck, lena's head on her chest and her arms around her waist, while kara's arms wind their way in holding lena against her, their limbs tangled.

when lena yawns a few too many times, they call it a night. lena leads, their hands entwined, and they end up on lena's bed, drawing back the thin covers enough to stave off the inevitable cool night air.

-

they walk everywhere, always touching. a hand on the arm the elbow the bicep the small of her back. an arm slung over a shoulder or hooked together.

it's when they reach a destination that kara's courage grows, that lena's bravery broadens.

when they travel to the town square market as they shop for groceries that lips find their way on one another's skin; the temple the cheek the forehead.

when they treat themselves to a picnic right by a vineyard and lena is leaning back on her between her legs, lips chance on a bare and pale shoulder.

when they lounge in the hammock and lena is resting on her chest, lips chance on collarbones and behind the ears.

when they tire themselves out from full days, fuller stomachs, and fullest hearts that they are in bed and lena is facing her and their legs are tangled with one another, lips chance on entwined hands and fingers.

each one given freely, each one received gracefully.

soon, kara thinks, this will all change. especially when they cross the final threshold between them. though that's a formality at this point, all things considered.

still, she will wait until that happens, more than happy to be exactly where she is.

-

thirty days is long and short and is plenty and is not enough.

on their last day while they wait for their local guide to collect them, they stand on the corner edge of the back deck, lena in her arms as they overlook the gulf for the last time.

"i don't want to go back to work," she murmurs into lena's ear. lena twists in kara's arms until they're facing one another.

"you don't have to, if you really don't want to."

"we can move into this villa. i'll learn to fish. you can sell them at the market."

lena laughs in her arms and kara holds her tighter, like trying to capture lightning in a bottle.

"you're no good as a fisherman, sweetheart."

kara pouts because it's probably true. but she'll learn for lena.

"well, next time we're on vacation, we ought to come back."

"anything you want," lena says, her eyes dipping down to where kara's lips are.

"anything?"

lena nods, assuring, her eyes darkening. kara's smile widens and she leans forward just enough, their noses brushing.

kara is ready for what's to come. she's ready for lena.

still, she waits, because the anticipation is half the fun.

[textless]

One morning we came across a group of lions gnawing away at a cape buffalo who was already past caring.

A couple of female lions and some cubs enjoyed breakfast while the male, who had already eaten, lazed in the grass. Over an hour or so, a whole parade of scavengers arrived to wait, sneak in for a nibble, and hold one another at bay, all while the lions remained focused on their meal.

It was gruesomely fascinating, and the photos are below so you can skip them if the whole thing is too red in tooth and claw.

In the last photo above, the lion is scratching dirt over the bloody ground where the buffalo met its demise. Our guide said that diminishes the scent of the kill and its siren call to every hungry creature, but it's safe to say plenty of creatures were already on the case.

Jackals had been close by since we arrived, but they got steadily bolder as the lions dawdled. Then an assortment of vultures arrived. Of course they flew in, but then they edged closer on foot. They were remarkably stealthy for such enormous birds.

The vultures pictured above include lappet-faced vultures and white-backed vultures.

Finally, the little jackals couldn't wait another minute. The lions had pushed the buffalo stomach off to one side, intact, and that is where the jackals made their move.

The big male lion had returned to the buffet by this time, and lost patience with the company.

Annoyed, the lion moved the buffalo a little. This left some bits and pieces behind, including the stomach, and the jackals and vultures went to town.

Just when it seemed the jackals would finally have a chance to dig in, the hyenas that had been creeping around the edges decided they had waited long enough.

It was interesting to see the one unfortunate buffalo provide a meal for the whole wild kingdom.

When we moved on to have our own breakfast, the male lion was still standing guard.

Masai Mara, Kenya, July 2023.

[wowtraveltour]

Cape Town Guided Tours – Explore the Best of the Mother City

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[masked-men-fantasy]

Anniversary (Call of Duty)

It has been a year since you and him have been together, and he has a surprise just for you. 

Jackal

You know that Jackal is a busy man. You know that he is the head of the mercenary group. He has a lot of business to take care of. So, you tried to not get your hopes up. You are his partner, and being another important part of his life means you have to understand him as well.

It was almost 11 at night, and you were about to go to bed since you realized that he was not back from his mission yet.

Then you heard a sound from the front door. Who would come around this time? Is it a burglar?

Not so long after you arm yourself with a pan you found in the kitchen,  you see the door open.

Jackal in the same old mask. He held a flower bouquet. But then you realized that there was something off. His cape and left arm are covered in blood.

"Are you hurt!?" you asked panickily, rushing to him.

"Don't worry, enemy blood," Jackal replied. "I am so hurrying to find this flower that I forgot to take a shower."

You sigh with relief; at least he is not hurt, and that is all that matters.

"I am not a romantic person. So, I don't know what people do when it comes to an anniversary. But I hope this represents how much you mean to me." Jackal handed you a flower. His eyes are so much different when compared to when he talks to his colleagues. Eyes that show affection and vulnerability.

"This is more than enough." You kiss him through his metal mask.

Once both you and Jackal walk back home, you and him have a conversation about how his mission went, whether he has had anything yet, whether he should clean himself up, and so on. Just like a typical day after he is back from a tiring day of work.

But to make it a bit more special, you place flowers in a vase on the table and open the radio with the song "That's Life" by Frank Sinatra playing.

You held Jackal's hands and guided him on a slow dance. Both of you shared body warmth and each other's homely scent throughout the entire song.

Mace

"Let's get some McDonalds," he suddenly said in the evening after you and him finished training.

You think that he might forget the anniversary. Well, I can't say you are disappointed. It's just Mace being Mace, after all.

However, it is different this time. Instead of dining in, he took a drive-through. Once he gets the packages of burgers, fries, and coke, he then goes a different way; that is not a way home.

"Where are we going?" You frowned.

Mace did not answer, even though you asked him multiple times, so you did not ask any further. Just cross your arms and wait until the answer is revealed.

He drove almost 100 miles from the base, went through the woods, and went up a hill  before parking a truck at the hill when it was about a night.

You were about to complain about where the hell he took you, and then you saw the sky full of stars. So bright and so beautiful that you almost think there are only you and Mace left in this universe.

Mace opens the trunk of the truck and calls you to take a seat by shaking a bag of fries.

"Not a bad idea of an anniversary date, right?" He smiles.

You don't know why, but his smile is brighter than all the stars you just saw. Bright enough that it's warming your heart.

Ghost

You will wake up with a full English breakfast and a sweet cup of tea on your bed.

"Happy anniversary, love," Simon kissed your forehead.

You and Ghost will have breakfast together, have a small talk, and have a good laugh and smile that Simon never shows to anyone.

After that sweet breakfast, Simon will take you to the nearby park. Enjoying a sightseeing walk and bird feeding, probably with some boat rides in a small pond.

In the afternoon, he will take you for a motorcycle ride around the town. Feel the breeze as the wind goes through; feel his strong, muscular back while you sit.

As for the evening, he will bring you back home and prepare dinner for you. He will not allow you to help him; just let you watch him make a steak and some mashed potatoes. He wants it to be a special day for you, so he will do everything just for you.

You and Simon will enjoy dinner with a glass of wine together. And if you feel like you want to spend some more time with him, a movie night of your choice is also available as well.

Overall, 10/10 husband material. Would marry him over and over again.

Nikto

"Come with me, Дорогой (darling)." Nikto suddenly said that in the middle of a sparring session with you. But it is quite concerning. It is rare that Nikto uses a word like darling. He mostly just called your name or some degrading name in the bedroom.

You and him walk to the meeting room with rookies and some Kortac members. Suddenly, he held your hand and announced it out loud.

"This one is my future wife. If I see anyone flirting with what's mine, I will take care of that personally." Nikto said it loudly in a heavy Russian accent.

Not only was everyone in the room shocked, but you also gasped at what he just said.

"Happy Anniversary." Nikto said. His eyes were drawn to you. "I tried my best to make a surprise."

You believe his sense of understanding what makes a good surprise is broken. You cannot either tell if he is so sweet to make this relationship clear or if it's just his sense of understanding what makes a good surprise completely broken.

[uva124]

PRESENTING THE REDESIGN OF THE GIRLBOSS QUEEN AMAYA 📢🗣🗣(I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE FINISHED THE DRAWINGS)

It should be noted that this is a redesign for the Wish Au character written by @ animación , who helped me with the ideas and references for Amaya's design,@ animación it is very fun to collaborate with you :D

Now I will start to explain how we came to make this design:

-At first I didn't have many ideas for their design (the truth is before I was concentrating more on Aster and Asha) so I decided to watch the Whis movie to get a better idea of ​​the aesthetic I wanted to look for them………yes, the movie is not that good, later I will talk about my opinion of the movie but in terms of design I was disappointed that out of so many possibilities for the design and costumes of royalty, Disney chose a neutral color palette with small details of blue color, I don't know, I feel like there were so many striking possibilities wasted for they desings.

-Well, continuing with the topic, the author of this Au Wish sent me references about what her vision was about the design of Amaya, which were mostly about the storyboards of the movie, I really liked the idea, since it gave me vibes of a threatening but elegant queen,she also sent me some concept art of Mother Gothel that I used as a reference for the structure of Amaya's face

This gave me the idea of ​​also using Sephora that belongs to the movie "The Prince of Egypt" as a reference for the aesthetic that I more or less wanted for the character.

so first I decided to practice the structure of the face to familiarize myself with the design :D (I clarify that I traced the structure of the drawings here because it was just a practice, I used none of these sketches in the final result)

After a while I started making my own sketches when I finally understood how to draw the face

(For the hairstyle, I was guided by the photos that the author sent me, I almost forgot to put that😅)

-I also decided that instead of putting a crown on Amaya, I put a kind of headband with a jewel, because in addition to being comfortable, practical and cute (something that greatly characterizes Amaya's style)

It is also a parallel to my Asha design which has a diamond-shaped tattoo on her forehead.

-Now talking about Amaya's dress, yes or yes I wanted to design a cape with a hood, although at first I thought about adding a neckline to the top part of the dress, an idea came to me which was to be inspired by the Greek mythology character Circe, since curiously she is also a sorceress, I mentioned this to the author and she mentioned that at first when trying to draw her she was inspired by the conceptual art of Megara, who is also Greek, so in the end she decided that maybe the queen comes from from a town in Greece (Also this could have something to do with her backstory 👀)

-At some point in the story we discover that Amaya keeps different potions inside her dress (I guess for emergencies, I don't know), that's why I decided that the dress has a small opening, because in addition to making it easier for you to walk, it would also help you. get your potions out in an easier way (her potions are attached to a belt that would be on her leg or waist I suppose).

-In the end I designed these 3 prototypes and sent them to the author to help me decide which one to choose or which to combine because the truth is I couldn't choose alone (I'm too indecisive).As I said, I was inspired by the character of Circe, so I looked for references of how the Greek goddesses dressed in ancient paintings, and if you look a little closer you can notice that I added the Leo symbol, since it represents the lion. , an animal that was associated with the Greek mythology character I mentioned

Another important detail is the moons on her dress, since it represents motherhood, an aspect that Amaya uses as a facade with her people, and speaking of space, the writer gave me the idea that Magnifico represents the sun since in her own words:

"I know the association with the sun and the moon fits their personalities really well. As the sun can be seen as bright, fun and warm like Magnifico presents himself, but it can also be a force of destruction that burns and is unpredictable. And the moon can be associated with Amaya for being a protective glow in the darkness like how she presents herself as a caring guide, but the moon also has a mysterious dark side we can never see.And the moon only shines to us because the sun is shining on it, so like… Amaya only shines because she’s next to Magnifico"

(Honestly, I'm always surprised by how much symbolism the writer can find for the characters, I only put it in because of what I mentioned before and because I thought it looked cute lol).

(I came up with the belt and most of the costume thanks to this circe painting)

-Don't think that I decided on the colors yellow and dark blue just because they go together well, nonono, this one also has a meaning :D , you see, while I was looking at some of Wish's concept art there were these discarded designs of Magnifico:

And doing a little google search I found this:

-That's why I chose these colors, blue is a color that represents the truth, something that Amaya and Magnifico want to pretend, but the color yellow represents what they truly are, liars.

-And finally (because this writing is taking me more than 2 hours) the roses that are in her dress and hair are natural, and without giving you too many spoilers about the rewrite, Amaya suddenly ages a little, and when this happens the roses also have a change as they wither

Final comments :D

wow, that was quite long ,wasn't it?, I'm more than happy with the result, I hope you like it too, @annymation and I've put a lot of effort into this design and history of Amaya :)

[robotsandramblings]

just a quick visual guide i threw together for Visions: Volume 2, highlighting the different animation studios from around the world that contributed such amazing work! it was really great seeing different cultural and historic influences. i really hope they do this again next season!!

you can read more about the directors/writers here

(text ID below)

("episode title" - studio name - location of studio)

"Sith" - El Guiri - Madrid, Spain

"Screecher's Reach" - Cartoon Saloon - Kilkenny, Ireland

"In The Stars" - PunkRobot - Santiago, Chile

"I Am Your Mother" - Aardman - Bristol, UK

"Journey to the Dark Head" - Studio Mir - Seoul, South Korea

"The Spy Dancer" - Studio La Cachette - Paris, France

"The Bandits of Golak" - 88 Pictures - Mumbai, India

"The Pit" - D'art Shtajio - Tokyo, Japan - (w/Lucasfilm Ltd.)

"Aau's Song" - Triggerfish - Cape Town, South Africa