Robeya Williams Walt - Photographer

A Mother

robeya — Sun, 13 May 2012 04:29:40 +0000

Sheila Williams 1927 – 2005

I remember the day I took this picture. My mom never liked to be photographed and invariably I ended up with images with her covering her face or turning away from the camera. But this day she agreed to pose naturally. She walked up to the little gate and I asked her to rest her arms on the top of the gate and just relax, we might have even been joking about something, I cannot really remember. But somehow this image depicts my mom as she was. A mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother. It shows her personality and her warmth and if you look closely you can actually see that she was enjoying the moment very much in spite of her dislike for cameras. This is how I love remembering my mom – If you could have only one such photograph, then all the shutter actuations were worth it.

Today is Mother’s Day. The day we celebrate with our mothers and what they mean to us. On this day we try to show them our love and appreciation. We show it as little children by making Mother’s Day cards and presenting it to them on this day. Or as teenagers we show our appreciation by bringing Mom breakfast in bed. As adults we treat them to a day at the spa. But how do you still express your appreciation of what your mother meant to you after she has passed away?

My mom passed away 7 years ago but I still remember her like it was yesterday. Somehow, in my memory, she remains a young 45. When I think of her, I still see her shiny, thick black hair, not a grey hair in sight. I still see her strong body and her brisk walk, her beautiful, healthy skin. I remember her quiet, calm and always gentle answers to my 1000′s of questions. I remember her making our favourite foods such as melkkos and bobotie. And I remember her slaving over the stove, drying beskuit.

What I remember most about my mother was her constant support and her strength. She never wavered an inch when it came to her children. All 7 of us. We were all equal in her eyes and she loved us each like her first born.

Her adult life was not an easy one back in South Africa. But she was born in Hermanus, Cape Province during 1927, her father a fisherman, Benjamin and her mother, Stollie a housewife and laundry woman. She had a good childhood.

Many years ago my mom asked me what I would like of hers, once she passed away. Like most children, I didn’t want to think about her not being here with us anymore. But instead of asking for a piece of jewellery or a family heirloom, I instead asked her for her memoirs.

At first she didn’t like the idea of having to write down her memories but in the end she did and about a year before she passed away she gave me a little book and asked that I keep it safe. She didn’t like some of the things she wrote in it but my request was that she should write the good and the bad. And she did.

All these years, this little book has stayed wrapped for most of the time. I have only once been able to read to the 2nd page. I think the reason is that I prefer to keep my mother’s spirit alive in my memory and feel that once I read the complete book it would be like closing the book on her and her life.

I will drink a toast to my mother tonight when the sun sets, and I will wish her well wherever her spirit is, because her spirit will always be alive in me.

Robeya

13 May 2012

Dubai, UAE

Freedom Day Celebrated

robeya — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:25:49 +0000

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South African Freedom Day celebrates the post apartheid elections – this was the election that ended the racial segregation system enforced by the National Party government in South Africa between 1948 and 1994.

It’s been 18 years since that first election which was held between the 26th and 29th of April 1994 and which allowed all South Africans over the age of 18 to cast their vote. Nelson Mandela (Madiba) from the ANC (African National Congress) took 252 seats while FW de Klerk from the NP (National Party) took 82 seats and the IPF (Inkatha Freedom Party) with Mangosuthu Buthelezi took 43 seats. The ANC fell short of a two-third majority vote and therefor a Government of National Unity was formed with the NP and the IFP.

South African’s today, across the world, are “One People with One Destiny”. We have overcome many obstacles and even though we are still the Rainbow Nation, we have become more colour blind – at least that is my own personal hope for a future South Africa.

South Africans living in the UAE celebrated Freedom Day with Potjiekos, Biltong, Braaivleis & dancing the night away………………..

S’Africans – Freedom Day Celebrations

robeya — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:00:21 +0000

Potjiekos, Biltong & Boerewors – What more can a true S’African ask for, hey broer? Maybe the real thing, a Castle……

A Queensland Family

robeya — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:29:55 +0000

Little Max (grandson) only just turned one when Michelle asked me to do a family portrait. Shelly & Tim lives in this fabulous Queenslander & I have to admit – I want one of my own. The style of house is reminiscent of an era long gone and lends itself to a great family portrait. Lush gardens with Ginger Plants! which I thought were Palm Trees….. I might still be wrong though Tim, were they really ginger plants? By the time this piece has gone to press, Sarah has delivered another bouncy baby boy! Congratulations on the new addition to your family – I wish I was there to capture the arrival of your 2nd son!

Nuptials

robeya — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:51:52 +0000

First Wedding of the Year

Gareth & Katrina – a fab romantic setting at Jebel Ali Resort & Spa

It was chic & elegance from the start. The afternoon started with champagne at the amphitheatre overlooking the gardens & the ocean & was later followed with drinks & canapes on the luxurious floating venue, Divaz.

As the sun was setting over the Arabian Gulf the guests leisurely strolled on towards the Anchor Bar for dinner while I photographed Gareth & Katrina – we had to wait for that perfect moment when the sky turns red & gold at the same time.

The natural setting of the reception venue was nicely offset by burgundy & pale pink lilies on the tables. The wedding cake was decorated with a funky little white sports car complete with a bride & groom & the rest of the cake was made up of the tiniest monogrammed cupcakes.

Every little detail was taken care of & I especially liked the camel & spoon gift given to Katrina – the spoon a tradition that dates back many years when a wooden spoon was thought to be useful to the new Bride in her kitchen

Kroombit Treetops

robeya — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:13:30 +0000

Kroombit Treetops National Park, Queensland, Australia

A Sunday morning drive into the Kroombit Treetops National Park proved to be fun, adventurous and very interesting. It had rained quite a bit the previous days and it was hard to resist starting the drive without a big splash! The roads were very slippery with mud and provided even more challenge for drivers as well as passengers.

Once we arrived at the park we planned our route which was a basic 35km circuit with 2 natural lookouts. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a park this size and I have forgotten how tall the trees can grow and how fresh the undergrowth smells. Especially that fresh earthy smell after the rains. Actually, that fresh earthy smell is nothing more than fungi-like bacteria. But we don’t really care about that, there is something about that smell that recharges us and makes us become pioneers, explorers and adventurers.

We drove deeper and deeper into the forest and finally came to one of the lookout points. The views across the Boyne Valley were breathtakingly beautiful. Even on an overcast day the viewing is good and allows for that extra contrast and interest in your pictures.

Kroombit Tops now protects more than 850 plant species and a large number of snakes, spiders and leeches – of which I am happy to report, we did not encounter on this trip. It is also home to the critically endangered Tinker Frog. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Tinker_Frog

This particular area of the Kroombit Tops is the crash site for “Beautiful Betsy”, a WWII B-24D Liberator bomber. The bomber crashed into the western side of the mountain during 1945 and all on board lost their lives. A little more about this tragic event in a later blog.

Our basic exit route was past the Stonewall picnic area and out towards Calliope. We were making good time and had no reason to be in a hurry to get out before sunset. But we didn’t consider the massive storms of the previous days and that sometimes….. well, trees fall. We didn’t have many choices here. It was either over or around the fallen tree or turn back and drive a hazardous road in the dark. Over was impossible, driving in the dark was a painful option, around was the better alternative. A tricky situation but we managed a little detour without too much time lost.

Next time you find yourself in the Queensland area and want to do a bit of exploring, do yourself a favour and see what Kroombit Tops National Park is all about. You won’t be disappointed. Activities include 4×4 exploring, rainforest walking, hiking, camping and avoiding fallen trees. The beautiful views won’t disappoint – but, watch out for snakes, spiders and leeches! Walks vary from 300m to 13km’s, my personal favourite – the 300m to the lookout point, glass of red wine in hand.

Enjoy the journey while you travel the road – Robeya

: Kroombit Treetops National Park – Definite 4×4 territory

Planning an escape route

4×4 Route

Slippery & Muddy

Lookout point

Treetops view

Beautiful views over the Boyne Valley

A 'Not-so-unusual' sight

Beautiful Betsy, part of an engine

Ramadan 2011 – A New Day

robeya — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:20:52 +0000

You might think it strange that I start this blog on a photographer’s website with an article on Ramadan. I don’t. The timing is perfect. It is a new month, it is new day. August the 1st, 2011. It is also the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 to 30 days. This is the month of fasting when participating Muslims refrain from eating or drinking during daylight hours. This period of fasting is meant to teach patience, spirituality and show kindness and understanding towards those less fortunate. Regardless of my own personal faith or belief system, I think we can all do with a bit of that.

I greeted this first day of the holy month of Ramadan with a walk in the park with my dog, Shakespeare. The sun rose around 5:45 today, the sky just started changing into a light rosy colour. Soon the sun was peeping over the buildings. We were all alone in this vast space, enjoying it only for ourselves, me and my dog. There was a quiet so unlike Dubai, even Sheikh Zayed road was silent. I enjoyed it tremendously.

As I walked I noticed little things, a white cat, curled up on one of the tables at a restaurant, probably sleeping off a late night, a few wood hoopoe’s running criss-cross across the lawns, hunting for little breakfast insects. I saw, possibly the 2 smallest ducks in the world, floating serenely on the lake. They kept a watchful eye on us, the intruders and became quite alarmed when my dog went for a swim.

I noticed the white flowers from the Frangipani tree, many fallen on the ground. I picked up one, stuck it in my hair and another in Shakespeare’s collar. Flower Power!

So we carried on walking enjoying this first morning of Ramadan and I felt truly spiritually uplifted because of my surroundings. I realised that I can be content with what’s right here.

And in that spirit I would like to wish you Ramadan Kareem and share an image of one of the most beautiful places I have found on our earth, right here on our doorstep in the UAE. May you also find a little retreat of your own. It might be right on your doorstep, all you have to do is look.

Robeya

Life is a journey.

One of the largest sand deserts in the world