Addo Elephant Park

Female kudu in the brush.

We have better photos, but this gives some perspective on how close the elephants were to the cars.

TTFN! Ta ta for now...

Our tour guide (who slept through a lot).

We decided that we wanted to see more animals and not on a reserve so we made a three-hour drive to the Addo Elephant Park National Reserve. It was so worth the drive as we saw 13 elephants in their environment (and we have great video if I could figure how to upload), kudu, zebra and more than enough warthogs to last us a lifetime.

Monkeyland

Ciaran making friends with our guide Jimmy.

Saoirse is trying to keep her pants out of the mud.

Crossing the long, rickety bridge to the end of our tour.

We received a free guided tour of Monkeyland - a reserve for what else, monkies. We trekked through the mud, tried to stay quiet which is always a challenge.

Garden Route Game Lodge

One of two white rhinos on the reserve. This one killed the female elephant they had about two months ago. Yikes.

Riding high in the land cruiser.

The cheetahs are kept in separate areas and we were told not to let the kids run around because they're the same hight as prey. We got a good lesson as Ciaran took off and the cheetah ran along side. Saoirse also got her head stuck in the fence before we went into the enclosure.

Hard to see, but the kids are looking at a tortoise. They wouldn't touch it of course.

This young private game reserve is just outside of Albertinia, S. Africa. We stayed four nights which was two too many, and with the rain and cold the kids got a little house bound, but everyone who worked at the hotel was very nice and kid friendly so that helped out. We tried a new beer, Hansa, which is popular with the locals and quite good :) Otherwise, we took a few game rides and checked out the lodge's cheetah and reptile centers.

Cape Point/Cape of Good Hope

Riding the funicular to the top of Cape Point.

Next stop, Antartica!

Wild Ostrich in the National Park

One of two breeding colonies of African penguins. This is Boulder Beach. The kids loved watching them, especially Ciaran. He could've sat there for hours.

Saoirse hamming it up for the camera.

Robben Island

View of Table Mountain from the water.

Wild African penguins (aka Jackass penguins) on Robben Island.

This is an ex-politcal prisoner who gives tours of the prison where he spent 11 years of his life.

Nelson Mandela's cell where he spent years as a political prisoner. The cell is locked to visitors.

When the walls were put up, Mandela asked to build a garden for the prisoners to look at through their cell windows.

Table Mountain, Cape Town

The cable car ride up the mountain.

Family fun.

Ciaran taking in the view of Cape Town.

The ride down.

2 Weeks in South Africa!

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town

Ciaran really loved the touch pool with the starfish.

May 15-28, 2007

Our last big trip was two weeks in the Western Cape of South Africa. After braving two flights to get there and surviving two weeks driving around, we all agree it was an awesome trip and we would definitely return (probably without the kids). James' dad Curt went with us and probably got more than he bargained for in "quality time" with the grandkids. I'm sure the lovely people of South Africa did too. Anyway, here's some highlights from our trip! Thanks to Carina at Selftours for a great time: http://www.selftours.co.za.

Bibbidi Bobbadi Boo

The Fairy Godmother strangely looks like an older Britney Spears. Saoirse is closing her eyes and wishing for a new brother.

The kids got "gifts" from the Princess and their Princes. Saoirse is showing off her Cinderella jewels. Ciaran got a plastic sword which is safely stashed in the hall closet. Shhh don't tell him.

Look who's actually smiling in this photo! He didn't even scream, so it's either he doesn't mind "face" characters, or he thinks the Princesses are hot.

Saoirse loves the Little Mermaid, but she's a bit grumpy here and it doesn't look much like Ariel without her fins.

Playing shy/coy here, I had to sit for this photo, he's been asking to watch Cinderella a lot so I'm thinking he likes her :)

And Saoirse was at least looking at the camera for this.

May Day

Ciaran chose the safe ride on the carosel - the chariot.

Saoirse and daddy preferred the horse.

While Saoirse was napping, Ciaran took advantage of some playground time at the Indian Village.

And his all time favorite, the Tea Cups.

For some reason, Blogger is showing up in Dutch so the formatting buttons aren't here, but anyway, we drove to Disneyland Paris for the day, always more exciting than spending a public holiday in Brussels (where nothing is opened).