Part 2 of our holiday in South Africa

We left for Roger and Kelly in Mtunzini on Thursday 28th afternoon. On our way, we called in at the factory shops at Jacobs. We were quite disappointed this time but Gerard managed to find a few nice shirts and a nice rucksack at the Reebok shop. It was nice to see the family again and we got to bed so late after sitting and chatting for ages.

Friday morning, we went into Empangeni. Gerard dropped me at the dentist and then took the kids to Cheryl. He had an appointment at the bank which would keep him busy.
Dr Fahn managed to repair my tooth quite easily and painlessly at a cost of R530,00. Gerard picked me up and we collected the kids from Cheryl and headed off to Richards Bay. We took the kids to Wimpy (had to wait in line to get a table). Jenny Coetzer walked in and spotted us which was great – we would not have got to see her otherwise. Engela and Pannie saw her further along in the Boardwalk and they also came over to say hello. The shopping centre was absolutely full to capacity with holiday makers. I managed to do a bit of shopping at Woolies and then we went to the new Mr Price shop which is very impressive.
After our shopping spree we headed off towards the small crafts harbour and then decided to go and visit Shawn and Stacey instead. It was great to see them again and of course little Sarah. They have made wonderful improvements to their house and it is now a beautiful home.
We then drove back to Empangeni to have a braai at Cheryl and Ian’s. We all had a swim and it was nice and relaxing until a gale force wind blew up and threatened to blow everything and us away. Left them and headed back to Mtunzini.

Saturday was so overcast but we headed off to the beach. The kids had a wonderful time but little did we realize just how they were burning. Even though it was so overcast and looked as though it would rain, those harmful rays got through and burnt my poor kid’s skin. That night Steven was suffering and was quite ill so we phoned the chemist who advised that we use Freeze on him and ensure that he drank plenty of water. We had a braai that evening.

Sunday was a rainy day and it was old year’s eve. It was fun listening to the older girls planning their activities for the evening. Nici went with Angelique to Richards Bay and spent the night there and Kirsty went with a group of her friends to Ballito. They were sleeping in the back of the 4 X 4 that they were going in. The old fogies and little kids had no great party planned but we did have a braai. Kelly’s folks, Shannon and Melissa
and Clive were all there and we saw the New Year in together.

On Monday the 1st, we decided to go up to Hluhluwe Game reserve. The weather was still undecided and there were patches of rain all the way there. We drove through the Gates and up to Hilltops. We hadn’t been there long when the heavens opened and it poured. After the downpour we drove down the route where elephant, giraffe and rhino had been sited. Unfortunately, we did not get to see any elephant!!!! We left through the same gate and headed to Mtubatuba to visit Aunty Lily. She is living with friends who have a lovely home and are still able to give aide to her. She is on oxygen constantly (suffers from emphysema) after long years of smoking. Did not stay too long and headed back to Mtunzini. We had promised to take the family out for dinner so went to Tradewinds Hotel only to find the service shocking and the meal cold and unappetizing. Very disappointing indeed!!!
The next morning we packed ourselves up. Lara was not well and spent most of the morning puking. Roger had gone with Kelly to a job interview in Richards Bay, so we took our kids down to the stables to visit Monty. Monty is Nici’s horse and is much admired by my kids especially Lara. After a ride each, they were happy to leave. While the kids spent time with their cousins, Gerard and I went down the road to visit Debbie Hartley who had also worked for Richard Grantham. Richard, was the man I worked for in Empangeni. It was nice catching up with her and getting to hear about the other friends we had in common.
We then left Mtunzini and drove back to Warner Beach. I unpacked and we dropped off all our washing at the Laundromat and then went on to do some grocery shopping. After those chores, we went to the beach. That night was fun and games with all the kids having diarrhea and vomiting.

The next day Robert was not feeling too good, so he slept while we went to the beach for a short while. The maid came just after our late breakfast and cleaned the flat thoroughly.
I had contacted my cousin Ardyne (from Australia) about visiting us that day but she was put off by the stomach bug. After running off to Woolies and buying a diving chocolate cake, she phoned to say that they wouldn’t come that day after all. Disappointing!!

The next morning, after a short time on the beach, we decided to go shopping at the Pavilion. Oh what a treat to shop in these shopping mall!!!! We were in Musica buying the boys Singstar for their PS2 when I saw a guy that was familiar. I approached him and it turned out to be John who is Ardyne’s husband. They had also gone shopping and we had bumped into each other in the same shop – talk about a small world. We spent a few hours doing the shopping thing and then headed back. We bought a new phone for the flat. We went down to the beach and on our return, Ardyne and John arrived to visit us. It was nice to catch up on their news – can’t believe that they have been in Australia for 18 years now and I last saw them 10 years ago. They had also spent Christmas with my brother Dave who has just immigrated to Australia. John’s parents are now in their 80’s and still living in their house in Amanzimtoti, hence their visit to S.A.

On Friday morning, we went to the beach. Gerard went off to Toti shopping mall to try and get a new plug connection for the phone and could not find one in any of the nearby shopping malls. The maid came in to clean again and at about 3.00pm we headed off to Gateway Shopping Centre. We went to the Crescent and had a look at some amazing shops – one being a pet shop. Could not believe how the birds stayed in their cages which had no top to them. Gerard managed to get a connection for the phone and I found a new bikini in Grab a Garb. All in all – a very nice shopping spree.
We drove down the road to Umhlanga Manors where Cheryl’s parents live and joined the already very full house. Gerard and I showered and changed. Leigh and her boyfriend were babysitting the kids while we all went to a show at the Barnyard. Gerard was quite taken with the huge openness of Gateway Shopping Centre. We went into the Barnyard Theatre and got shown to the very front table. The whole place is kitted out like a Barnyard with woodchips on the floor, huge wooden tables (for dancing on) and a great atmosphere. Cheryl and Ian have been to quite a few shows and knew the whole system. They had packed in a wonderful 3 course meal for all of us (10 of us in total) and we all put into a kitty for 2 rounds of drinks. Thereafter we would have paid for our own.
The show we watched was called Surfing Safari. It was all the songs from the Beachboys and the likes (all our era) and we had a really enjoyable evening.
At the end of the show, Cheryl and I even got to pose with the lead singer for a photo. What a way to end and evening and our second week in S.A.!!!

Part 1 of our holiday in South Africa

We flew on Lufthansa and left late in the evening of 22 Dec. The kids and us were very disappointed at not having our own TV screens etc. and had to just contend with watching the two movies supplied at specified times. The sun rose early over the African continent and someone close by opened their blind to look out. The light was blinding and an airhostess rushed over to close it. They did not want everyone waking up before they got breakfast ready etc. Having left a cold climate in Germany, we found ourselves stripping our layers of clothing off as we neared Southern Africa.

The hustle and bustle in O.R. Tambo International airport was typically African – loud and cheerful. One definitely notices the friendlier, happier faces in Africa.

Mom was waiting for us and eventually we were all packed into her car and on our way to Brakpan. By the time we got there, we were all hot and sweaty and we all got changed into shorts and t-shirts. What a change from all our layers of winter clothes.

That afternoon we went off to visit Dad in hospital. Got to Sunninghill hospital and met up with Roger, Kelly and family. We all sat and had cool drinks, as Dad was having his dressing changed.
It was good to see him sitting in a chair but he has aged quite a lot.

After our visit with him, we had phoned Cherie and Gregg only to find that they were at the Vaal River. So we decided to take a drive to Pretoria. We drove up to the houses of Parliament and took some photos from there.

Christmas Eve was spent at Eddie and Karen’s. He cooked two different meat rolls on the Weber and Karen had put on a wonderful spread.
The kids had a wonderful time swimming and playing soccer with their cousins. Presents were swapped and everyone was happy.

On Christmas Day, we drove through to Van Der Bijl Park to spend the day with Dad and Val. Poor old Val had been busy all night and morning to prepare a wonderful meal of 3 different roasts with the most divine butternut and (Afrikaans) green beans. They spoilt the kids with presents of clothes and I got to spend some time with my Dad who was very emotional.

Our day was free on the 27th as we did not spend the night with Dad and Val as originally intended. So we took Mom and the kids to the Bunny Park in Brakpan. The boys have been many times but this was a first for Lara and she thoroughly enjoyed having all the bunnies running around and feeding them and the goat’s carrots.
In the afternoon we visited Colin Robb and his family (a friend of Gerard's) and they had years of catching up to do over quite a few beers. Reminded Gerard that we were meeting Gregg and Cherie at Carnival City for dinner that night. It was great to see them again and hear of all their business dealings (Gregg was my old boss) and which old colleagues of mine were still working for them.

We packed ourselves up on the 28th and headed to the airport. Our SAA flight was so quick and we had a very nice lady sitting chatting to us the whole way. She has informed me about ginger being so good for motion sickness.

Arriving in Durban, was exciting as the kids had seen the sea and knew what was in store for them. The heat and humidity really hit us and by the time we got ourselves to Warner Beach, we were so hot and bothered, so we changed into our cozzies and hit the beach. It was so nice to feel the sand underfoot and walk in the cool sea water. What a treat!!!!