Breathtaking Capetown! Diving and all the excitement

Hello everyone,

 

So it has been a while since we have written an update.  I am sitting in the Jo’berg airport and have 15 minutes before our plane leaves to head back to Canada.  Feel like I need to write one last update before we leave this wonderful continent!  So what has happened in the last 2 ½ weeks?  Well – we have flown all over South Africa (much cheaper than taking the bus).  We started our holiday with a wonderful visit to Kruger Park – where we became hippo experts and saw some giraffe (my favorites!) and many other animals.  We really wanted to see cats, but apparently they didn’t want to see them – however as we were leaving God told Kate don’t worry you will see lions – which she didn’t really understand – more on that later.  Following that we flew into Capetown and packed our three days there full of amazing experiences.  We went on a tour of Robben Island – the prision Nelson Mandela was in for many years (which was lead by old prisoners!).  We have had a very eye opening and interesting experience speaking with many people about politics, apartheid and the current state of affairs in South Africa!  It has been very eye opening and heartbreaking all at the same time.  Today we heard that 33% of the deaths in this country are related to AIDS – the largest cause of death in the country!  While we were in Capetown we went to the top of Table Mountain and at one point thought we were going to be repelling down (kind of got lost right before the thing closed at sunset!  Was a titch scary but we trusted the Lord and he guided our steps literally one at a time!).  We also went to Cape point and the Cape of Good Hope see pictures!  It was an absolutely beautiful place and we stayed at this lovely heritage home that overlooked the city – BREATHTAKING!  Did I mention that I drove the day we rented the car and it was by the grace of God that I didn’t kill us and we didn’t kill each other! (Yikes wrong side of the road!).  We then flew on to Durban where we stayed in this little town on the South Coast.  During this time I did my open water PADI course and Kate dove and relaxed.  It was exciting.  We heard dolphins in the water with us and actually swam within 1 ½ meters of ragged tooth sharks YIKES!  It was breathtaking!  Not so good news apparently I have a horrible problem with sea sickness and can’t remember the last time I vomited so much!  But hey I am now qualified to dive all over the world and I made through the qualifications amidst the chucking!  Back to the Cat story!  So the last 24 hours Kate and I have been with a dear friend and sister of one of our friends from work.  Today we went to the Lion Park AND Kate actually got to pet the Lion Cubs nevermind that we saw them up close and personal!  YAY GOD!!! So now we are about to board our 24 hours of flying that shall return us safe and sound to our home CANADA! We are both excited!  Thank you to all of you for our prayers – I’m sure I will post some more pictures and reflections upon our return!

 

Much Love,

Heidi