Trip to SA 2009

My trip to South Africa was AMAZING, a bit of a whirlwind, but a fab one at that.

Saturday morning, I waved goodbye to my hubby at DIA and caught my United flight to Washington. From Washingtom, I then caught my long and tedious SAA,16 hour flight o JHB.

The main reason for the trip was Adele and Marc's wedding, which naturally also results in a big reunion for all of us. Marc and Adel from Indonesia, me from the US, Amori from Dubai and many of Marc's friends from afar. Originally the wedding was going to be held in Bali, but then Marc and Adele decided to come home and have it SA.

I arrived on Sunday the 22nd, and Adele and Jules met me at the airport. We headed back to Jule's place, where the 3 of us caught up over dinner, 2 bottles of champagne and 2 bottles of wine, mmmmm.

The next few days we spent sorting wedding things out, checked out the venue, got the flower vases etc. Of course no visit back to JHB would be complete with out a dinner at the Baron, yummy, my old favourite, Ostrich fillet!

The stunning Venue - Misty Valley

One of my favourite menus - The Baron

On Wed I caught a flight to Durban and spent the rest of the week with the Seagram family. Chris Mom and Dad met me at the airport and off we headed to Cath's place to see the girls. It was so good to see everyone.

A walk on Umhlanga's new Pier with Pam and Gaston

I was still a little jet-lagged and eventually got some stuff to help me re-set my clock and get some sleep. I caught up on all the news, got to see Lolly swim in her school gala, where she did really well, and had dinner at Razmataz on the Umhlanga beach front. On the Sat we headed off to Tala Game reserve for my fix of game watching. The day ended off with a good old braai and of course some rugby, where we watched the Sharks kills the Brumbies.

Lauren after her race

Little Miss Sarah

Rhino sighting on our game drive

The magnificant KZN Bushveld

Unfortunately time flew by too quickly, and it was time to head back to Joburg. It was my brothers birthday, so I got to spend the day with him, Jo and the kids. They are all growing up so fast, it was wonderful to catch up, swimming and braaing with them, in the great hot weather.

Jarod getting into the swing of golf early on

Aunty Leigh in the pool with Camy

Madam Cameron

Mark,Jo and Me

Monday - 5 more sleeps until the wedding, yay! Wednesday also brought along with it, my Birthday. I also decided to chop off my hair, very liberating. I had breakfast with Jules, a facial, lunch with Del and Jules, and then a mani and a pedi with Del at Sorbet.

Jules and I, with my new short hair

The bride to be,Del and Jules

Marc met us afterwards, where we headed off to Pretoria for a braai with Terry,Sylvia and Tanya. What more could a girl ask for.

Little Teressa, good as gold, tell us again how Tanya?

Adele,Marc and I headed off to the wedding venue on Thursday to start setting things up.

The stunning Cosmos on the way to Mpumulanga

The amazing sunset over the dam

Friday all the guests started to arrive, and the girls all had a fab time at Adele's Lingerie Party that afternoon. The weather started getting chilly and we were just hoping it would be warmer the next day.

The wedding day was perfect. The weather was great, Adele looked stunning, and apart from a few snags, Adele and I forgetting our flowers, the pastor being a little strange and the DJ being fired half way through the evening, everyone had an amazing time. It was truly an intimate and blessed wedding, where everyone had a great time. Adele looked amazing, the most beautiful bride!

The bride wearing in her shoes

Having some crazy fun - Sylvia and I
Del and I all ready - breath, doesn't she look amazing!

The happily married couple - Congrats!

Sylvia and I
Tarryn and I

An old tradition continues..

The Sunday we were supposed to head back to Joburg, that was until Marc and Tarryn suggested we go back to Magoeboeskloof with them, and try out their new Canopy Tour, which they have just launched.
So, without much persuasion, off Marc, Adele and I went, with Marc and Tarryn to the great Limpopo province, to the breathtaking Magoeboeskloof.

You have to love this - the oldest form of transpoting goods.

The girls fooling around

Now, let me tell you, I have done 2 of the other canopy tours, Karkloof and Magaliesburg, and this, the Magoeboeskloof is by far the BEST!! The views, fona and flora, the waterfalls and river below you, make it magical. I would definitely do it again.

Ta,Les and Del

Del and I all kitted up and ready to go

Loving it!

The view of the dam, late evening on Marc and Tarryns farm

What better way to end a great day, than with a braai, good company and a good wine.

My last few days in Joburg was spent with my brother and his family, catching up with old friends, Odette and Adri over lunch and visiting Rob and Taryn.

Lunch with A3 and Odette at Papachinos

One last dinner at an old favourite, Lucas, gave us the chance for one last get together.

A final dinner at Luca's

My last evening was spent with Tanya, little Teressa and Sylvia, who spoiled me with a great dinner and company. The next morning we popped into Irene Craft market, where I got to sample some samosas and koeksisters, one last time.

And as I say, "See you later" not goodbye.

I had the most amazing time, I still love this country and the people in it.
Thanks to all my friends and family for making it a special visit, and to the newly weds, Marc and Adele, may you have a wonderful and happy life together.