"Farewell Tour" - one last road trip in SA

Since Jim officially finished with his academics at the end of April and I left 2 Way Travel at the beginning of May, we were able to take three weeks off before officially moving back to the US on 30th May. So for 12 days we took a road trip down the "Garden Route"/southeastern coast, revisiting some favorite sites and seeing some new places. Amazingly beautiful and it was nice to finish off our time in SA with one last trip together!

Since the trip we've been very busy saying good-byes and packing up. After today we won't be able to do any more posts until we are "stateside" - but maybe I'll do some "retroactive" posts next week from Durham - to show our final good-byes in Cape Town. WOA. We'll be in Durham!!! We are still a bit shell-shocked at the thought of leaving here on Saturday! But we are also very excited to see family again and start this next phase of life.

Don't worry, faithful followers, we'll still keep up with the blog once we are back on American soil. Now accepting all new blog name suggestions!

Stopping for fresh bread and real apple juice at one of our favorite farm stalls. Yummy.

Stretching our legs at a viewpoint along one of the mountain passes. Look at those crazy layers behind me! (Jim loves the geology stuff, thanks to his Black Hills Science Station student days.)

In Oudtshoorn, the "Ostrich Capitol of the World," we visited an ostrich show farm and even got to sit on an ostrich!! They said I was light enough to even ride around too but no way, I was too chicken. Or ostrich. Haha. Craig and Rach, this one's for you.

Group shot at a "canopy tour" - zip lines through the forest: awesome!!

At the Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park, where the Storms River meets the Indian Ocean. The previous day was a big storm so the waves on this day were impressive!! This was a very beautiful park, as you can see.

The Last Days of the Tazz

Good-bye little Tazz. We will miss you! ...your zippiness, your petrol efficiency, your cute little horn and tires. Your CD player, your air-con, and especially your sophisticated alarm and anti-hijacking system, and even your no-power steering and no-power locks. What a good little Tazz you have been.

(One last grocery shopping trip before we handed it over to the new owner.)

More Good-byes

Of course one of the hardest things about moving is having to say good-bye to friends - which we've been doing a lot of the past couple of weeks over "one more dinner/coffee/outing"...

Okay so Wolfgang was crying at this point and Enkidu was looking away from the camera - but that's an accurate reflection of the moment! Randy and Heather, I can't even begin to express how grateful we are for your friendship and how much we are going to miss our endless afternoons-turned-to-evenings-complete with endless food and conversation!

Jim with good buddies Mark and Fritz - sorry can't put it all in one sentence what these guys mean to us both!!

Jim with Sizwe, a regular coffeetime friend (and also a student at UCT). Maybe we'll see you in Wheaton next time, Siz?

Jul with Margit - our neighbor and Bible study "groupie" and energetic friend always up for anything. This photo was taken on the ferry as we came into the harbour at Robben Island.

The two of us with Blanche, one of our "first" friends here, who loaned us all sorts of household goods and with whom we had good convos and laughs over lengthy dinners and glasses of wine.

Last Sunday at church

Back on-line after some time away from internet access...

Here are some photos of our last Sunday at The Message. Anthony was leading the service this morning so he called us up front to officially say good-bye and pray for us. I (Jul) really had a hard time keeping my emotions in at this point as I looked around at the faces of a community that has been such a meaningful part of our experience in Cape Town. We have learned much from these people and church body (ask us in person some time and we'll happily share).

Here's Anthony being served some tea by this morning's helpers, Nik and Elsie.

Patrice, Hilda and Kinny

Mawethu, Matt and Nyasha

Lisa, Lara and Jenny. Lisa graciously (and incredibly, as she's a new mom of a 4 month old) made two big chocolate cakes this morning, which we all gobbled down with our tea.

A couple more from Okavango Delta (Bots)

This is such a beautiful and colorful shot, portraying the peace of the Delta - I had to post it. One of the students on our trip, Eivind, took it. The second photo is a group shot as we departed the Delta and said good-bye to our guides. Those 2 days were definitely a highlight of the trip!