South Africa III -- Cape Town!

Finally, the third installment.

In getting ready to go to South Africa and on the way there, all we heard is that we HAVE TO go to Cape Town. We did not initially plan it in our schedule. After awhile of hearing this, everywhere we went, we felt we had to go....as who knows when we would make it back to this part of the earth. So, we showed up at the airport and hoped one of the flight's out could accommodate us. I never thought we would be this adventurous (traveling with kids) but, like us they have learned to enjoy the adventure of it all...We found a flight and a hotel with no problem at all, it felt as if it were all meant to be, because it was so easy. We did have to wait at the airport for about three hours for the flight, but as you can see all the boys know how to stay busy. Thank goodness for modern technology. Many people looked, pointed and stared at us with a smile..all the boys happily playing their games, waiting for the flight to our next destination...
We arrived into Cape Town so late so we couldn't see much, but we awoke to a lovely view out of our hotel-apartment balcony...

The boys had to go check it out...

Alas..Cape Town across the bay..the clouds set on table top mountain like they were taking a rest stop to enjoy the scenery.

We first headed to the waterfront, below are statues of Nobel Prize winners...

Waterfront...

I had to take this picture in front of the San Francisco sign...the wind was crazy this day!!

The boys enjoyed looking out of this...

Hey..guess where it came from.....

Lunch from a hotdog stand..one of the many items we miss in Abu Dhabi..pork is not available when eating out. There is ONE store that sells it, you have to go through a special door in the back.

We only had two full days in Cape Town, so we decided to see the highlights on the double decker bus tour.

Headed to the top of table mountain...

At the top..it was just a tad windy!

Playing on the beach..the boys loved to chase the birds...

The wind was so feirce the sand was burning our skin, we still had fun getting carried by the wind...

Trying to knock Mommy down...

The next day..lunch in the city centre...

Local kids earning money by dancing. They moved around often as to not get caught by the police...Notice the little girl with a bandage on her foot...

The waterfront..a swinging bridge that would open for taller vessels..

The Bubbles!!!!!! Remember bubble boy? Well this is a way to turn it into an attraction.

Jake made Jett go first (to make sure it was safe.) Jake often uses Jett as his personal test dummy..Jett is so fearless he would try anything!! Here goes Jett..jumped in the bubble to get blown-up...

Here he goes...

Once Jake sees that his brother was safe, unharmed and breathing..he decided it would be okay to try...

Enjoying more street entertainers...

Getting ready to board the ferry to Robben Island...

"From the 17th to the 20th centuries, Robben Island served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment. Rebel princes from present day Indonesia, convicts from the Cape, and defiant chiefs from the Eastern Cape were removed from society and brought to the Island in chains.
The notorious prison on the Island was also used to exile political prisoners of the apartheid era between the 1960s and 1991.
Today it is a World Heritage Site and museum, a poignant reminder to the newly democratic South Africa of the price some paid for freedom. " -Robben Island website

The block where Nelson Mandela was held...

Where we wanted to put Jett when he would not stop talking during the tour...
The boat ride back to the Cape Town..we sat on top and rode the waves...Happy Jake!


Well, it was worth it..we were so glad we fit it in. When we were headed to the airport early the next morning, Jake said "where are we going next?" I said, "HOME!" He said, "No I don't want to go home yet, lets go somewhere else!!"

When we landed in Abu Dhabi Jett jumped up and down and said "Yeah, we are back in Abu Dhabi!" The locals loved it, so did we!! All we could talk about on our way home was..where are we going next!! We plan to see as much of the world as we can, together, as a family....I love living in Abu Dhabi!!!!

South Africa Part II

I was working on downloading these photos all day..sorry for the delay!

Our journey continues as we headed about 3 hours northwest of Durban to what locals call "the bush." The area we were in is called KwaZulu Natal region of South Africa. In this area there are several reserve parks to tour in the Drakensburg Mountains. These reserve areas were established by the British government in 1866, basically at that point they set a law that no one can hunt in these areas.

We literally had a thousand pictures, so I really tried hard to narrow it down. I hope the photos give you a glimpse of the amazing time we had, but no photos can replicate the beauty of Africa and the joy we felt experiencing this landscape and these animals in their natural environment.

The road to Zululand Safari Lodge...

Yes, in these areas the Zulu still live in these huts. They mainly run farms (sugar cane and pinnaple), they are students and they work at the local factories including, aluminum and limestone.

Our resort was actually located in a small reserve called Ubizane, therefore, there was wildlife all around us at all times!!

Upon our arrival we were thrilled to spot our first wildlife..this GIGANTIC snail. Why does Mike look so happy? Well most of you don't know that my Father, Kent has a major issue with snails, he literally is totally freaked about by them..and we are talking about just the small garden snails. The look of pure enjoyment on Mike's face is knowing that my dad hates these and here he is holding a massive one..as if it were a gift to him!!!

The steps outside our tree lodge...Our next sighting right outside our doorsteps..Impala..these were everywhere!

Our treelodge, we actually had two that were connected, one for us and one for the boys.

The back...

The boys out surveying the area...

Everywhere they went they each carried a walking stick...

A tree you can only see in Africa, a cross between a cactus and something else..I can't remember the name...

On game drives we always rode on these land cruisers, all of the boys were in heaven!

Jake's usual spot, right next to the safari guide...

I could show endless animal photos but I tried to give you good shots of a variety of few...Mommy warthog and babies...

A break from a drive, they would always provide a snack for all and your favorite beverage!

Amazing Africa first thing in the morning...Everywhere we went you could literally see the earth curve at the skyline...

From high on a hilltop...

Our surprize hotel hosts...the vervet monkeys. They told us when we checked in to shut and lock your door when you leave your room, as the monkeys will come in if you don't..we halfway thought they were joking and then they came! They were everywhere trying to steal food it was literlly the best part for the kids, the monkeys would try and trick you to get to your food, it was crazy! Here one is trying to get something we left on our back patio.

Then they tricked us, some got our attention to the front door, while another got to Jake's coke on the back patio..sneaky little devils!

The are so gutsy!

The babies were so cute, they would just cling to their mommies while the mommies jumped and ran around, even eating!

Next thing you know..they are trying to move in!

One day we went to a cheetah reserve where they rescue injured cheetahs..Mike got to go in!

Jake..taking it all in. He quietly viewed during all of our drives, he was really focusing on finding the animals and then learning about them!

A boat ride around St. Lucia lake, there were plenty of hippos and crocks!

Local children would stand in exit areas trying to earn tips...
A dung beatle...We could watch these guys for hours. These large beatles push and push dung to a certain spot to lay their eggs, the mommy rides while the daddy pushes. Sometimes they would push and push and then roll all the way back down a hill, your heart broke for them!
The bar at the lodge, restaurant at the back left.
More local housing areas...
Part III to come..Capetown!

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...