The Crags are a lesser known area in the Garden Route, dwarfed by the more famous Plettenberg Bay and Knysna, among others. Nature’s Valley and Keurboomstrand are equally appealing though, too, distant cousins of the twin glamour girls of Plett and Knysna. However, lo and behold, it was to be The Crags (or at least, that area) that I was to be shooting in, one fateful day in August.

All part of a Garden Route ramble, work had taken me up to Port Elizabeth for the photography of a mountain lodge, a beachfront hotel, a laid-back guest house, and a pretty normal B&B. Four properties there, and then a string on the way back to Cape Town, in what became a road trip of sorts. Stops in Nature’s, The Crags, Emily Moon on the outskirts of Plett, Eden’s Touch just outside Knysna, Knysna itself, and then Sedgefield all comprised what was an epic 11 day trip – one I will surely never forget. When you are forced to point the lens each day, you are also forced into realising just how magnificent our country – especially this part of it – truly is. And, after this stint, I am again gobsmacked at our country’s beauty. I have been to Europe, the States, the East and even tropical islands like Mauritius but somehow home is best. They all have their qualities, that’s for sure, but our prized coastline has few rivals.

To get to the point, Tamodi Lodge was the order of the day, or afternoon, really. It was a brief 1-2 hour shoot, and hopefully the first of many stops there. I could easily move to a location like this; the views and surroundings bringing peace to my city-weary soul. Thankfully, and gratefully, I can always visit – the drive being a mere 5-6 hours away – and perhaps that is something I shall try do twice annually.

Tamodi Lodge was stunning, surreal, and yet down-to-earth. The owners and staff reflected that casual farmstyle manner and it all rubs off on you after a while. See the truncated gallery and let me know what you think of this place. Somehow I feel like you will want to transport yourself there one day soon…