South Africa Part I - Durban

We are back! We just experienced our longest and best family vacation yet, South Africa. This trip exceeded our expectations on so many levels. First of all it was a GREAT family vacation. I don't think we have all spent this much time together, since I don't know...never! Secondly, what a fantastic place to experience this trip together..South Africa. It has been a goal since Jake was born to bring our children here, little did we know it would happen when they are so young and that it would only be an 8 hour flight away!!

We actually decided to come to South Africa in part because Mike had to come to Durban for work. Durban has a huge mall called Gateway. It boasts one of the largest Wavehouse facilities in the world. Wavehouse houses the waveriders which are the only man made surf simulators in the world. Mike is considering putting a wavehouse in here at the waterpark on Yas Island.

So..our adventure starts..we arrive in Durban and Jake is most amazed by the car..the steering wheel is on the wrong side!!

The view from our hotel window. It was cloudy and rainy the entire three days we were in Durban, but since we have hardley seen rain for months, we didn't mind!! Downtown Durban is in the background.

South Africa is very excited to be hosting the Soccer World Cup in 2010! Every major city is hosting games and each are building new stadiums for the events.

The Gateway Theater of Shopping...This is the area inside the mall by the Wavehouse.

The waverider...


Mike...hard at work..it is tough to have to test out these things for a living...as you can tell he is just overwhelmed with the stress of it all!!!

Durban also has a great shopping area right on the water called Ushaka...

Jett was thrilled to see a Nemo fish tank housing every fish featured in the movie...

The boys proudly wearing their newly purchased Safari hats. We are off to the bush the next day..the adventure continues...