All internet access is not equal

Sorry for the long delay in getting up a post. We are dependent upon cellular net access, and our beach house is unfortunately in a lee spot for a decent connection. Plus, we’ve been having such a nice time no one has wanted to update!

We started out on Sunday the 16^th of March with a fully packed car, and two very excited children. The airports and flights were mostly uneventful and the 14.5 hour D.C. to Jo’burg segment was, if not comfortable, than at least tolerable.

After a couple of days at Grant’s mom’s flat to regroup, we packed it all up again and headed down the coast to Westbrook Beach, and the house we were to call home for the next ten days. The home was spacious enough with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, and also came with a housemaid to assist with cooking, cleaning, and laundering. The house sat on a hill above the Indian Ocean with about 20 yards of indigenous coastal forest between the back lawn and the beach itself. If you look to the water line on the right, you can see the some of the rock pools.

The kids couldn’t wait to try out the beach, so as soon as the bags were put down the costumes were put on, and down to the sea they went. (costume is the term South Africans use to indicate a bathing suit….it’s a bathing costume here) The beach was surprisingly empty, and we had it to ourselves that afternoon.

Since we’ve arrived at the beach house, we’ve had a braai (pronounced bry) almost every night. Braaivleis is the South African term for grilling out or barbequing. It’s as much a social event as it is meal preparation. Owen is here laughing at something his Uncle Charlie is saying.

The children have been playing cricket off-and-on since we arrived. Cricket is a bat-and-ball game that has a worldwide following (except in the US) where the pitcher is called a bowler and the batsman tries to protect a wicket.

We arrived just before Easter weekend, and the children here enjoy visits from the Easter Bunny as well. They build nests of clothing for the candy to be delivered during the night.

Along with the multitude of palm trees and other coastal flora, there is a simply stunning frangipani tree just where we park our cars. The flowers are beautiful and the fragrance is even better.

Grant, the kids and I took a trip down into Durban proper and enjoyed a walk along the boardwalk and fishing piers. The Monday after Easter was a public holiday here (Family Day…such a nice holiday!) and all across the beach front they were setting up for festivals later in the day. Lots of talented sand carvers were out and creating fascinating sculptures out of sand. Here is one in progress.

On Tuesday (the 25^th of March) we took all the children to a crocodile farm for an exhibition and tour. They boast of having thousands of crocs on the premises and we arrived just in time for feeding. The lazy reptiles didn’t budge the first 15 minutes we were there, but when the keeper whistled and opened the gate, the pit came alive with snapping, writhing crocodiles fighting over the food. These crocs like chicken, feathers and all, apparently. They brought out a ten foot python for the kids to touch and see, as well.

Wedesday morning, the sky was overcast and the sea was calm, and it was perfect conditions for watching the wild dolphins who came out just a few dozen yards offshore. The pod was a good size and had probably 12-15 members. They appeared to be following the food and spent lots of time just out in front of our house.





As I'm finally publishing this morning, the dolphins have returned. We have 4-5 foot waves at the first set of breakers, and they will line up with the wave and surf down it, sometimes six at once! What a privilege to watch them playing in their natural environment. We also have a resident vervet monkey, but haven't managed to snap a shot of him yet. He's quite shy, which is rather unusual for suburban monkeys....they're generally quite cheeky and are happy to steal your food when you aren't looking. Sometimes, even when you are!

Hope to get another "guest" post up soon.

--Doni