The African Sun....(Feb.1st)

I know, I know...long time no update! The photos and stories just kept building until it seemed like one massive job to let you all know how our trip has been going. I have a few hours to relax and thought I'd better get back to letting the 'real world' know how we've been! Sorry guys! Oh and before I begin, please ignore the formatting errors. I've been trying to space out the paragraphs but Blogger won't let me...the photos are messing it all up for some reason!! UGH!

We left our beautiful little island on Christmas eve and arrived in Houston without any problems.

It was so sad to say goodbye. I cried as I saw West End fade into the distance as the sky swallowed us up in her vast blue arms. The silky beaches glistened in the hot sunshine as turquoise waters enveloped the shoreline...a gorgeous memory etched into our thoughts forever. I remember arriving much the same way - wondering what lay in the reefs we saw from our perch in the sky...wondering what people we'd find at the shoreline. Now that we know, we've realized it was all so much more amazing than we'd ever dared to hope for.

Our nights in Houston were awesome and filled with lots of sushi, warm baths, new movies and fluffy towels...luxuries we'd long forgotten in Roatan. Everything seemed new again after living so long without washing machines and television. Christmas was quiet and strange. It was the first time I'd ever been without my family and I couldn't quite wrap my head around the idea that it was actually the holidays. We spent the day in our hotel room before heading out for sushi and the movie theatre. You couldn't get more yuppy than us that day! I have to say, I missed the snow, my mom's cooking, my brother's antics and my dad's laugh.

That's what next year is for!

We departed for Doha, Qatar (cheapest flight option...) on Boxing Day with a nice surprise. We were chatting to the guys checking us in as we always do...asking questions about the holidays...making fun of impatient travelers...when Kevin asked if they had a seat by the exit for his long legs. They said they didn't and Kevin said it wasn't a problem. When we got to the flight gates we were stopped, pulled aside and told that we had been upgraded to business class because we were so nice!!! WOW!! What an amazing surprise. We had fully reclining leather seats, French champagne, food to die for, 150 movies, luxury perfumes, gorgeous pajamas and so much more. Was it ever a treat! I have never had a 15 hour flight pass by more quickly. We didn't even want to sleep because it was simply too awesome! Let me add, however, that once you fly business class it ruins flying for the rest of your life. Going back to economy class is like being sent back to a prisoner of war camp.

After eight hours in Doha airport we made our way to Cape Town where my uncle Gary met us at the gate! Finally we were under the hot African sun. After a few days we made our way down to Plettenberg Bay (Plett as everyone here calls it) to stay at my dad's house for a couple of weeks. There we enjoyed plenty of books, amazing food, a great beach and some nearby wildlife!

Our first real excursion was to take the Cheetahs at Tenikwa Rehabilitation Centre for their morning walk. We got there by 7:15 a.m. and Duma and the other one whose name I can't remember were waiting. What an experience!! We had them on leashes but it was really pointless. As soon as they begin to run in the forest you simply have to let them go! Obviously we can't run as fast as a cheetah! Every now and then they would sprint into the jungle only for us to find them lazing together under a tree. The process repeated itself until the cheetahs decided to have some fun and take off into a steep ravine. All the coaxing and calling wouldn't get them out before they were ready! It was an incredible feeling hearing them purr (which actually sounds like growling from such a big cat) when we scratched their ears.

After the walk we toured the habitats of some other cats including a leopard who decided to spray Kevin's leg. It was hilarious!! Kevin was, no doubt, surprised but decided it was a compliment (he would). Here are a few pics to share...and yes, Kevin and I do have the same jacket. We picked them out without one another and still ended up with the same one!

Great minds.....

After some time in Plett we decided to strike out to the surfing town of Jeffrey's Bay (known as J'Bay). It has some of the world's best surfing and tons of Billabong shops. We thought we'd go the cool kid route and stay in a hostel. After several brandy and cokes, meeting a guy name Matches, Kevin running around in his boxers and me speaking in an Italian accent all night, we woke up in bunk beds. Suffice it to say, the surfing crowd is similar to the dive bum crowd in a few key areas! HAHA!! Here's a pic of us before the mayhem started....

A couple more pics from when we got back to Plett...

Another incredible experience was our trip to the Knysna Elephant Park! WOW! We were able to spend some quality time with orphaned elephants and it was incredible...this is what I wrote when we got back that night...

'Trunks and tusks fill my my thoughts. What a magical experience today at the Knysna Elephant Park. We started off buying buckets of apples, turnips and pineapples and ended up dirty with crazy grins of glee spread across our faces. After a short video, we took a ride into the bush to find the majestic beasts. Pulling up to them I felt my heart tug. They took my breath away. Feeding them was an experience! They stretched their long trunks and whipped us with their anticipation. It was a frenzy and my white shirt got the brunt of their excitement. Trunks felt my hair, my neck and my shoulders looking for their sweet treats. I laughed and tried to turn my back to them but they out-manouvered me in every way. Kevin was mesmerized! His face spilt over in excitement and awe.

After we have handed our spoils to the giants, we are allowed to roam freely with them. The guides make sure to warn us of coming in between them, of bending over and of approaching them from behind. For over an hour we take photos, learn about these gentle giants and touch them. It is an incredible experience to note the sensory hairs on their faces, their long, thick eyelashes and their mischeivious ways. During this experience, I move towards one to pose for a photo. I put my foot too close to his and, he starts accidentally putting his foot on mine. I don’t flinch or squirm – in fact, I barely notice, but the elephant does. Gently and slowly, he moves he leg as if embarrassed. He is so sweet and sensitive. It seems to me he hopes no one has noticed his near transgression. This cements the elephants even more so into my heart. We come away exhilarated, excited and filthy!'

This impatient elephant felt I was taking too long to hand over the goods so he let out a

serious yell!

Love this pic! Kevin looks so small in comparison!



Such a sweet baby!!

Even more than the animals, this trip to SA was to see my family and introduce them to my amazing new husband!! Most of them couldn't come all the way to Canada for the wedding so this is the time for them to see what a special guy I married. Let me tell you, Kevin fits in so well wherever he goes. He has won them all over and I am so proud to have him as my own.

After we finished up in Plett we went to see my cousin Olwyn who is growing so fast we couldn't believe it! So tall and sweet. He is turning into such a wonderful young man...wow....don't I sound like an old lady! HA! Anyway it's true...he spent some time in Canada just after Kevin and I got engaged and we had a blast! He has a very good heart and is very special to the Bothas & Horrelts!

We were also able to see my cousin Jacolize and her new fiance Rocco! What a treat. Those two are the nicest couple and we are so sad we won't be there for their wedding April 24th. She is going to be a GORGEOUS bride. Those two have a beautiful future ahead and we look forward to spending more time with them.

We also picked up my two youngest cousins Zandre and Mika (Gary and Elize's sweetie pies) for the day. We took them to the zoo for the afternoon (where a chimp literally spat on us...that was hilarious) and then parted ways. Zandre and I hit the beach (we are both photo freaks) and Kevin and Mika hit the pool (both dare devils). It was such a rare treat to be able to spend time with these special cousins of mine.

Zandre has such a big, beautiful heart. She has a sweetness and softness to her that make the biggest impression on anyone she meets. I am terribly lucky she's family and I look forward to lots of time spent together in the future. I am hoping she can come to Canada soon so that I can show her off! She is a tremendous spirit. Plus, she has this incredible creative side. At only just under 14 she taught me a whole lot more than I could have imagined about light, angles and photography. We are planning another beach photography session really soon but this is just a taste of what we did last week. I miss her already!

This is Zandre....I think this photo sums up her sweetness...

.......and yes, we both have a crazy side! We are totally related...haha!

This is a photo she took for us at sunset in Blouberg...

At dinner, these two characters couldn't stop pulling faces and laughing! Mika is a bundle of positive energy and is very clever. He had us cracking up with his crazy comments all day long!

While we were in Cape Town we ran into some Roatan friends! Will (our PADI course director) and his beautiful new wife Loren were on their honeymoon! The original plan was India but the visa thing didn't quite work out in their favour (lucky for us!). We spent a few days having some great food, delicious wine (Boschendal was unbelievable!) and plenty of laughs. It was so good to see them and wish them all the happiness in the world. They are such a great match.

One of our best experiences was at Moyo in Stellenbosch. It is HUGE and filled with African food, culture, dance and song. AMAZING. We had a tree top table and spent hours indulging ourselves. I can honestly say I'll never forget the experience.

Here are a few photos..the first two are of our African face paintings...

Kevin was hungry and already tired of photos.....

The tree top tables...

One of the many food stations...YUM!!!

They had huge fires with marshmallows for roating everywhere. Before we left we had to take advantage! Oh and for those of you who don't know, Loren broke her wrist at the beginning of the honeymoon snowboarding. I tell you, no one has ever made a cast look so classy or been able to roll with the punches of an injury quite like Loren.

After saying goodbye to the newlyweds it was off to my favourite place in the whole, wide world...the Great Karoo!! My family settled here in 1900 and it's one of the oldest farms in the Karoo. My uncle Nico and the familly is now at the helm of 20,000 sheep, 800 boer goats, and 200 cattle. It's a busy operation filled with life and love...and damn good food!!!

Since we moved a lot growing up, this place is the only place that's been like a home for me. No matter what changes, Kareehoek (that's the farm's name) stays mostly the same. I've been coming here since I was in my mom's tummy and I can't explain the thrill that I feel when I'm here. It's the one place on Earth where I feel like I truly belong...where the people are my own...where a sense of history cements itself and reminds me of the stock from which I came.

I am infinitely grateful and blessed that I can come to visit and be around the land my ouma and oupa worked so hard to build a life on. I never had the chance to meet my dad's parents but being here, surrounded by the things and people they created, I feel the only connection I've ever had. Here the stories come to life...made vital with the dusty roads and salty red earth of the Karoo. I am blessed and honoured to be a very small part of it...blessed that my family has worked so hard to not only keep it going but to make it thrive!! I really think my grandparents would be proud. It truly is a spectacular place.

On the way to the Karoo...

On the way is a very famous stop called Ronnie's Sex Shop. Apparently Ronnie decided to start a small bar in the middle of nowhere and wasn't having any success. He had resigned to close it down years ago but one night his friends added the 'sex' part to the shop's name as a joke. Thus, a legend was born and Ronnie's Sex Shop is now world famous!

Arriving at the farm was like stepping back in time. I was instantly reminded of a million different memories...being bucked off a horse, chasing puppies and kittens, my fear of bats, spraying champagne at new year's and family reunions. I was instantly thankful for all that I have been given and reminded of everything good in life. Of course, being an emotional person at the best of times, I struggled not to cry.

Anyway, this is our first night. It flooded a few hours away giving the farm's river an exceptional amount of water- absolute gold in this part of the world. We stood in absolute awe as the banks overflowed with the lifeblood of this land. It was a thankful evening.

Kevin was quickly transfixed by the Bothas and decided to do some hunting. He bagged a Springbok and a beautiful Impala from quite a far distance uphill. It was very impressive and we are thankful for the meat! It will no doubt be delicious. Kevin is learning about farm life quickly and all that it entails. Of course, farming is never easy but, up here, it is a completely different ballgame. You deal with so many more obstacles, dangers and decisions.

One of the things you never quite get used to is the amount of snakes up here in the karoo that can kill you! Last night we had a brown cobra in the backyard ready and aimed at my cousin Dini when she stepped outside. It is extremely poisonous and, here at the farm, there is no anti-venom close enough to save you. If you are bitten, you're going to die. There's no easy way to say it. We are much too far away from any life-saving facilities.

This cobra was about seven feet long and it had to be killed. Once around the house, they simply won't ever leave and it's a recipe for disaster. Uncle Nico had to shoot it three times with a shotgun before cutting off it's head. We were worried about the dogs and cats but everyone came away unscathed. I had Casper (the wonderful farm manager) hold it up for a photo...it's massive!!!!!

And so life in South Africa continues. We are having such a nice time in the Karoo and have yet to decide when exactly we're leaving. We keep hoping that Kevin's killing exploits and my coffee-making skills are making us somewhat useful around here!! It is just such a great place to be.

I wish everyone could have a Kareehoek.