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Changs' South Africa Travel Journal	Oh, the places we'll go!

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read my profile sign my guestbook Name: Gina Message: message me Member Since: 12/14/2006

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Sunday, December 31, 2006

Hello again from SA

Sorry it has been so long to write. It has actually been difficult to get time away from all the sites, and to simultaneously have internet access. Anyways, below are just a taste of the photos that we have taken. Joe has proven to be quite the meticulous photographer! Stopping at every turn to get the perfect shot--those of you who know him can just imagine :) But the reward is that we have some incredible shots, and as he keeps reminding me...these we will have forever!

The four pictures below are from Cape Point which is the second most southern point of Africa. Cape Ahgalus (again please mind the spelling), is technically the most southern point, but Cape Point is much more dramatic!

These baboons inhabit Cape Point, and initially we were quite taken by them, however they proved very naughty and aggressive in trying to steal our picnic.

This is the furthermost point that you are allowed to hike on the point.

On Christmas Eve we took the cable car (holds about 60 people) up to the top of Table Mountain. It is hard to explain, but the mountain is so beautiful and dramatic. When you are in Cape Town you are very aware of the Mountain, and its beauty. The clouds are constantly dancing and resting about it, creating amazing landscapes.

Here is the view from Table Mountain--again we were very lucky with the weather!

Here is the Mackie family sans one (Andrew, who is in Colorado). We had an amazing time with them. They graciously hosted us for over a week, and we really felt like family! It was very hard to leave.

Hanging biltong. Dried and cured meats--very delicious.

After Cape Town we drove to a working Ostrich farm near a city called Swellendam. In the pictures below you will see that we went and collected ostrich eggs with the owners son, who are seventh generation South African farmers. It was quite an experience to get to meet him and here about his life. It was incredible to be so close to the ostriches and at one point one of the males did an ostrich mating dance for us--Joe has it on video. So we will have to show you when we get back!

Leon (the farmer) told us that an ostrich egg holds the equivalent of 24 chicken eggs. He also said that you could stand on them and they wouldn't break!

I believe that these ostrich chicks were about a month old.

After the Ostriches we went to Oudtshoorn where the Cango Caves (someone told us they were one of the 7 wonders of the world???), and did the Adventure Tour. You get to travel through some of the more tight corners of the caves--we had a lot of fun.

This is called the Devil's Postbox--you have to slide through an opening about 23 cm high!

After all the hiking through caves, we went for an ostrich steak dinner--yum!

Then we were off for Knysna, a beautiful seaside town. We arrived late, but were very welcomed by a calm lagoon and lovely accomodations. This is the view from our room.

Well that's it for now. We are celebrating the New Year with my Aunt Jean and Uncle Vic in Durban, and then we are heading to Johannesburg. We came into Durban last night, and you can already feel the difference between the small cities of the Garden Route (where we just were) and the big city of Durban. Every thing is surrounded by high walls and electric gates....we think it may be a good warm-up to Johannesburg. Alright, we love you and miss everyone. Happy New Years!

Cheers,
Gina

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Sunday, December 24, 2006

What an adventure!

So we left Pasadena on the metro; very excited for what the journey ahead would hold and having no idea how amazing it would be!

But before South Africa, there would be a whirlwind run around London on a nine hour lay over.

We saw a lot in such sort time! From Paddington we were off to Trafalga Square (please mind the spelling), and then onto Westminster and Big Ben.

It was a lovely break between flights that really helped the jet lag. But we will definitely have to go back--enough to bite Joe with the traveling bug :)

But now to the good stuff....don't mean to be so biased, well actually I do, and you will see why.

Glen picked us up at 12pm on Monday at Cape Town International Airport. After a brief visit home we were off to Hout Bay on the Atlantic side of Cape Town. Below is a picture of Hout Bay on a stunning summer day in the Cape. The weather as you will see in the photos has been amazing.

The next morning we were off to visit Trevor and his family in Somerset-West. Another incredible part of the world. Below is a shot of his kids and wife with Joe and I from his veranda.

This is Trevor and his wife Tricia...again notice the view.

After having breakfast with the Sampsons, Joe and I were off to Vergeleegen (I still can't say this word correctly). Vergeleegen is a beautiful winery just up the road from Trevor. Enjoy the photos!!

A midst all this beauty, there is the startling contrast of the townships. Although segregation in SA has ended, the poverty of the Black Africans combined with the influx of refugees from other parts of Africa, make townships a continued reality. At the entrance to all the major cities (and not so major), townships lined the highways.

Two days after arriving in Cape Town we were off again to visit my Aunty Anne in Malmsbury and then to head into the Winelands.

We had a great time with my Aunty Anne. We went out to lunch in Malmsbury, which is a small Afrikaans city, and then met her friends at the village where she lives.

It was an amazing day! And so lovely to finally see where Anne lives, and spend some time with her.

The next stop was Franschhoek, where we spent two nights at the Coach House B&B, run by some very meticulous and hospitable Germans. Franschhoek is a dream. I felt like I could never leave, and I would be happy! It is hard to capture the beauty of the Winelands in a photo, but below is a picture of the valley between Franschhoek and Stellenbosh.

Well I leave you with that. There is much more to follow. We had an amazing day at Cape Point (the tip of Africa), and we spent Christmas Eve on top pf Table Mountain. But the pictures are not uploaded yet, so it will have to wait. Merry Christmas to everyone! We love you and miss you.

Cheers,

The Changs

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