The peak

Heading up the mountain the scenery around begins to change. That sparse vegetation, the little strands of grass that stand maybe ten centimetres apart, suddenly take on a sheen that glistens in the sun. It's silky and dazzling.

As I did going up the sand dunes of the Sousousvlei I carry with me my trusted 70-200mm lens despite the bulk weighing me down. Up here I'm grateful I have it. I just want to stop, sit down and keep gazing out at this landscape. I find it difficult to find the words but it's definitely an emotional experience. We've seen vast landscapes and plenty of mountains but it's perhaps the way the silky grass is abruptly broken by clearly defined mountains that creates the distinct beauty.

Our car down below suddenly seems so far away...

What is also very striking are the layers. There's the lines of manmade structures, the roads and fencing, but then the mountains and bushes all seem to follow a single direction. It might just be perspective.