We're back home now! Three weeks of travel and 17 full hours in the air and a total of 23 hours travel time to get home makes home feel pretty good!! We were so sad to leave beautiful South Africa though. It was an amazing trip that we will cherish in our hearts forever.
We really can't wait to see you all and share our photos and stories with you. It may take a little bit to get the photos all straight. We took close to 2,000! Be patient with us please!
**For anyone who may travel to South Africa in the future, or if you know anyone that is planning to go there, please contact us! We will be HAPPY to share our experiences and can also recommend an excellent tour guide. - Mthandeni Khumalo was everything we wanted and more! Really - anytime in the future, give us a call!
Thanks for following our blog. Sorry it wasn't well written and descriptive. When my long, descriptive entry got cut off, we were kind of discouraged from taking too long. In some places, we had to type fast. Also, pics took a LONG time to upload so we didn't get to post many that we wanted. We look so forward to sharing our trip with you!! Love ya! -Read & Jay
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Jo-burg
Hello again! It's so hard to believe that our journey is near the end. We have so many stories to tell and photos to share! This post will be short because I am borrowing time on this computer.
We visited Takalani's primary school in Soweto. What a beautiful experience!! We can't wait to tell you more! Mimosas - we will hopefully set up some communication with the students here, so be thinking about things you can share about American culture. Can't wait!!
We fly out tomorrow and will arrive in Atlanta on Saturday. We are sad to leave this wonderful country, but are so excited to be back home and to share our experiences with you!
We love you!
See you next week! (-except for those we love back home on the good ol' Eastern Shore - see YOU in about a month and a half! Can't wait!!)
Jay & Read
We visited Takalani's primary school in Soweto. What a beautiful experience!! We can't wait to tell you more! Mimosas - we will hopefully set up some communication with the students here, so be thinking about things you can share about American culture. Can't wait!!
We fly out tomorrow and will arrive in Atlanta on Saturday. We are sad to leave this wonderful country, but are so excited to be back home and to share our experiences with you!
We love you!
See you next week! (-except for those we love back home on the good ol' Eastern Shore - see YOU in about a month and a half! Can't wait!!)
Jay & Read
Monday, April 12, 2010
Eshowe
We are leaving Eshowe today. These past few days have been very genuine and authentic experiences. We were immersed in both rural, tribal South African culture as well as 2010 South African culture. We walked through a downtown market, and experienced a real Zulu Sangoma healing ceremony. We have stories to tell!!
This morning, we visited a school. Kids - you should feel very fortunate to have the beautiful schools you have. Here, everyone takes part in keeping the school nice. Kids were moving furniture and sweeping the steps. They are also very focused on their studies. (This computer is not at the school, there were none there.)
Also, this computer does not have the capability to load pics from a flash drive, so we'll have to upload more later. Many of our recent experiences, we did not take photos of out of respect for the people here.
Everyone has been very kind here. We are having an incredible time and can't wait to tell you more.
Headed onward today for J0-burg in hopes to visit another school tomorrow.
Miss ya'll!
Read & Jay
This morning, we visited a school. Kids - you should feel very fortunate to have the beautiful schools you have. Here, everyone takes part in keeping the school nice. Kids were moving furniture and sweeping the steps. They are also very focused on their studies. (This computer is not at the school, there were none there.)
Also, this computer does not have the capability to load pics from a flash drive, so we'll have to upload more later. Many of our recent experiences, we did not take photos of out of respect for the people here.
Everyone has been very kind here. We are having an incredible time and can't wait to tell you more.
Headed onward today for J0-burg in hopes to visit another school tomorrow.
Miss ya'll!
Read & Jay
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Indian Ocean!
So here we are - at the Indian Ocean! It is beautiful! As always, posting photos has been difficult. We are going to try again tomorrow as we head further south in Kwazulu Natal to Eshowe. The posts are not what we want them to be. That second day, I had a long, descriptive piece that was beautifully written and it cut off on me, so no more of that - just quickly typed, error-full posts. Better narration when we get home. :)
So we went on a boat ride today and saw some hippos and crocs. It was really cool! Then we spent some time on the beach - thinking of ya'll who we love at home - on our beautiful Eastern Shore of Virgina! The wetlands here are actually called "Eastern Shores!" (Dad, we have already given several of the hats away to friends we have made along the way and they have been much appreciated. Thanks!
Because of global warming, there had been a serious drought here for 8 years. Actually, our water where we are staying is not good - it could even run out on us so they tell us. The mouth of the estuary has closed off due to the drought and the size of the wetlands is about 1/4 of what it used to be. Our Earth is in a desperate state.
We have been immersed in true South African culture here in Mtubatuba. As we head towards St. Lucia, it is more of a beach scene - tourists from all over the world.
We are having the time of our lives! Thinking of you all!!
xoxo
-going to TRY to post some more pics again. We can't seem to upload the ones of the animals from Kruger, but we keep trying. They are awesome!! We want you to see them!
So we went on a boat ride today and saw some hippos and crocs. It was really cool! Then we spent some time on the beach - thinking of ya'll who we love at home - on our beautiful Eastern Shore of Virgina! The wetlands here are actually called "Eastern Shores!" (Dad, we have already given several of the hats away to friends we have made along the way and they have been much appreciated. Thanks!
Because of global warming, there had been a serious drought here for 8 years. Actually, our water where we are staying is not good - it could even run out on us so they tell us. The mouth of the estuary has closed off due to the drought and the size of the wetlands is about 1/4 of what it used to be. Our Earth is in a desperate state.
We have been immersed in true South African culture here in Mtubatuba. As we head towards St. Lucia, it is more of a beach scene - tourists from all over the world.
We are having the time of our lives! Thinking of you all!!
xoxo
-going to TRY to post some more pics again. We can't seem to upload the ones of the animals from Kruger, but we keep trying. They are awesome!! We want you to see them!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
no pics this time
Hi again,
We are sorry to say that we are not posting pics this time. It is very slow and difficult. We may try again later, but time is limited and we just can't take the frustration. LOTS to show you when we get home!! You will have to have HOURS to see them all!!! ha!ha!
We are sorry to say that we are not posting pics this time. It is very slow and difficult. We may try again later, but time is limited and we just can't take the frustration. LOTS to show you when we get home!! You will have to have HOURS to see them all!!! ha!ha!
Headed for Mtubatuba!
We are off to see the Indian Ocean and the St. Lucia Wetlands now! Swaziland has been wonderful, the people so warm and kind and friendly. We made some friends. :) Also, this morning at a local craft market, we ran into some friends we had met at Kruger who were from Columbia, South America. These people will be in our hearts forever.
We have been enjoying seeing a lot of local artists busy making their crafts, talking to many people here and have had some very genuine experiences. One of the Swazi women showed me a drum beat, so I drummed and she danced for us. We have made good friends here.
We had another braai last night. (I spelled it wrong last time - Oratile and Sandy, I bet you caught the error!) A braai is a barbeque, and we had all kinds of good food that Mthandeni cooked for us on our porch. It was great. This morning we had fresh eggs and fresh full cream for breakfast - from the farm where we were staying. Peacocks joined us for breakfast too! We are right now in Manzeni, immersed in Swazi downtown culture. It is very cool! We are sad to leave beautiful Swaziland. but excited to experience the next leg of our journey. We are thinking of you all and can't wait to share with you when we get home. Gotta go - running out of time. Love ya!
We have been enjoying seeing a lot of local artists busy making their crafts, talking to many people here and have had some very genuine experiences. One of the Swazi women showed me a drum beat, so I drummed and she danced for us. We have made good friends here.
We had another braai last night. (I spelled it wrong last time - Oratile and Sandy, I bet you caught the error!) A braai is a barbeque, and we had all kinds of good food that Mthandeni cooked for us on our porch. It was great. This morning we had fresh eggs and fresh full cream for breakfast - from the farm where we were staying. Peacocks joined us for breakfast too! We are right now in Manzeni, immersed in Swazi downtown culture. It is very cool! We are sad to leave beautiful Swaziland. but excited to experience the next leg of our journey. We are thinking of you all and can't wait to share with you when we get home. Gotta go - running out of time. Love ya!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Sorry
Pictures are very time consuming and we are denied access to some computer functions to transfer pictures. We wil try again in another place in a few days.
We are having an incredible time! (There's that word again - incredible!) The people here in Swaziland are soft-spoken, warm and kind. It's difficult to see how they live. It makes you want to do something about it. The people in South Africa are also very friendly and kind. We have been so very blessed. We cannot believe the things we are experiencing. It is truly wonderful! We can't wait to tell you in person and show you the pics. Be aware - you will have to sit through MANY photos and narration, so get ready!! :)
Whenever we update, we are timed and the computer will cut off so we have to rush. Please forgive any typos. It's just typing fast and trying to get it done before time runs out.
Gotta go see Swaziland now!! :))
Love ya!
Jay & Read
We are having an incredible time! (There's that word again - incredible!) The people here in Swaziland are soft-spoken, warm and kind. It's difficult to see how they live. It makes you want to do something about it. The people in South Africa are also very friendly and kind. We have been so very blessed. We cannot believe the things we are experiencing. It is truly wonderful! We can't wait to tell you in person and show you the pics. Be aware - you will have to sit through MANY photos and narration, so get ready!! :)
Whenever we update, we are timed and the computer will cut off so we have to rush. Please forgive any typos. It's just typing fast and trying to get it done before time runs out.
Gotta go see Swaziland now!! :))
Love ya!
Jay & Read
Joburg, safari, Swaziland
Okay, so sorry we haven't posted. We typed a LONG post on Tuseday night and then out time ran out and we lost everything. SO we are typing fast and leaving a bunch of stuff out because we don't want to have that happen again. So excues any errors please. :) We have not had internet access until now. Actually, we have not had phone, TV, and even limited elctricity and water.
So here we go to try to update you on our incredible journey so far. It has been nothing less than INCREDIBLE!!!
To back up, Tuesday, we visited the # 4 Prison where we learned about some horrible things that occurred here during apartheid. Next to the prison is now South Africa's Constitutional Court because of Mr. Mandela. It was an incredible place. What feelings we had overcome us here. We will say more when we get home about this. After this, we went to the Apartheid Museum and the Hector Peteirson Memorial Museum. Both were very powerful. Once again, more to come when we get home. We then visited Soweto and had an authentic South African lunch. Soweto is alive with soul! Here we tasted sheep intestines upon Oratile's recommendation. -very interesting! We found the people here very warm and friendly. We went to the Regina Mondi (?) Church were the mass funerals were held after the tragedy on June 16, 1976. It was another powerful experience. This church is in the center ofd Soweto and has much history and meanning to the people here. It was a place to remember the past and to worship. There were still bullet holes in the ceilings and walls. We met the father of the church so we feel our visit was blessed. To end our day, we met Takalani (Andrea and Reba's friend)! What a warm, genuine man! He is going to set up a time that we can visit his school in Soweto when we return to Johannesburg. We can;t wait!
It is so hard to sum all of this up with such limited time. We can't wait to tell you more and show you the photos!
Wednesday, we were transported northeast to the Kruger National Park area. We thought we would have internet access when we got there, but what were we thinking? We were goign to the bush! Not only was there no internet, but there was no TV, phone, and the water was spurting out and we had to be very conservative because there has been a drought here. The first night, there was a snake on teh threshold of our door. Around here, you have to be very careful because many of them are very poisonous (such as the Black Mamba and the Spitting Cobra!). We had a sunset drive the first night we were there where we were just amazed. Amazed in every sense of the word! It was beautiful! We saw zebras running in front of us with impala, and some warthogs and then giraffes and elephants. We can't go into the detail we would like becasue of time, but can't wait to tell and show you! The next day was Kruger National Park! What an expansive breathtaking place. To be in the home of these animals was exhilarating to say the least!! The next morning we took a walk in the bush! We were out ther in the middle of it!! Talk about exhilaration!!! We were alomost caught on foot between two huge herds of elephants!!! We got back in the landrover and in minutes, we were surrounded by about 40 - 50 elephants!! Incredible!! (I know I am saying incredible a lot, but no time to think of other words, gotta type fast.)
So then we head off to Swaziland. What breathtaking scenery. The mountains here are so beautiful! What a fabulous drive!!! The place we are staying is on a farm and it is a true working farm and it is awesome! It is situated amongst sugar cane, pineapple and banana farms. We are about to ride around and see the area now. Tonight, will will have a brie (did we spell that correctly Oratile?) Mthandeni says he can cook for us, but I know Read, and he will have to have part in the grilling! :) Now we will try to post photos. We are crossing fingers. Gonna post this first so we don't lose it. Sorry about the errors.
So here we go to try to update you on our incredible journey so far. It has been nothing less than INCREDIBLE!!!
To back up, Tuesday, we visited the # 4 Prison where we learned about some horrible things that occurred here during apartheid. Next to the prison is now South Africa's Constitutional Court because of Mr. Mandela. It was an incredible place. What feelings we had overcome us here. We will say more when we get home about this. After this, we went to the Apartheid Museum and the Hector Peteirson Memorial Museum. Both were very powerful. Once again, more to come when we get home. We then visited Soweto and had an authentic South African lunch. Soweto is alive with soul! Here we tasted sheep intestines upon Oratile's recommendation. -very interesting! We found the people here very warm and friendly. We went to the Regina Mondi (?) Church were the mass funerals were held after the tragedy on June 16, 1976. It was another powerful experience. This church is in the center ofd Soweto and has much history and meanning to the people here. It was a place to remember the past and to worship. There were still bullet holes in the ceilings and walls. We met the father of the church so we feel our visit was blessed. To end our day, we met Takalani (Andrea and Reba's friend)! What a warm, genuine man! He is going to set up a time that we can visit his school in Soweto when we return to Johannesburg. We can;t wait!
It is so hard to sum all of this up with such limited time. We can't wait to tell you more and show you the photos!
Wednesday, we were transported northeast to the Kruger National Park area. We thought we would have internet access when we got there, but what were we thinking? We were goign to the bush! Not only was there no internet, but there was no TV, phone, and the water was spurting out and we had to be very conservative because there has been a drought here. The first night, there was a snake on teh threshold of our door. Around here, you have to be very careful because many of them are very poisonous (such as the Black Mamba and the Spitting Cobra!). We had a sunset drive the first night we were there where we were just amazed. Amazed in every sense of the word! It was beautiful! We saw zebras running in front of us with impala, and some warthogs and then giraffes and elephants. We can't go into the detail we would like becasue of time, but can't wait to tell and show you! The next day was Kruger National Park! What an expansive breathtaking place. To be in the home of these animals was exhilarating to say the least!! The next morning we took a walk in the bush! We were out ther in the middle of it!! Talk about exhilaration!!! We were alomost caught on foot between two huge herds of elephants!!! We got back in the landrover and in minutes, we were surrounded by about 40 - 50 elephants!! Incredible!! (I know I am saying incredible a lot, but no time to think of other words, gotta type fast.)
So then we head off to Swaziland. What breathtaking scenery. The mountains here are so beautiful! What a fabulous drive!!! The place we are staying is on a farm and it is a true working farm and it is awesome! It is situated amongst sugar cane, pineapple and banana farms. We are about to ride around and see the area now. Tonight, will will have a brie (did we spell that correctly Oratile?) Mthandeni says he can cook for us, but I know Read, and he will have to have part in the grilling! :) Now we will try to post photos. We are crossing fingers. Gonna post this first so we don't lose it. Sorry about the errors.
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