Awesome roadtrip in SA

Wow, another awesome holiday is behind us. This time we decided to do a roadtrip in South Africa so we packed up the car with food, drinks and a trailer and headed towards Drakensberg and our favourite place in the mountains, the Champagne Valley. Four days hiking, riding motorbikes, horse riding, swimming and just relaxing after a hectic time at school and work. 






Then we packed up again and drove through Zululand to the coastal town of St. Lucia, which is famous for the hippos that roam the streets at night. St. Lucia turned out to be a lovely little town with wild nature areas just next to people's houses. We saw hippos playing in the water close to the campsite, but did not spot any on the street. Unfortunately we had only one night at a lovely B&B, but the wetland park and Cape Vidal would be worth exploring another time. 


Last Christmas we were at superb beach called Mabibi Beach. It was so great that we wanted to revisit and so this time we checked in to the amazing Thonga beach lodge just below the campsite we stayed at last time. What a place! Nestled among trees with wooden walkways behind the untouched beach and the ocean. We enjoyed the waves, the beach, the delicious food and K and J also managed to explore the sand tracks around the lodge on their two-wheelers. On our last morning the housekeeping lady knocked on our door and told us that the first leather back turtle was on the beach laying her eggs. It was amazing to see how she struggled to cover her eggs by scooping sand with her fins for at least an hour before heading out to the sea. In about two months time the eggs will hatch and tiny turtle babys will follow her route. 

Champagne Castle Hotel

Our cosy chalet

J enjoys driving in the soft sand.

The South African national flower is called Protea.

Thongs Beach Lodge

The first Leather back turtle for this year on Mabibi Beach.

Lake Sibaya, South Africa's biggest lake.

Views on Zululand from the car.

Confirmation party for S

In August, just before returning to Johannesburg, we celebrated S's confirmation. The priest kindly offered to come to our home, so family and godparents gathered in the garden for the ceremony, followed by lunch. Here are some pictures from the day. 

In Cape Town for ice skating

Last week, S and I went to Cape Town for the South African national figure skating championships, the most prestigious competition of the year. We had a wonderful four days trip and the skating went very well. The team performed their best ever. Hope the video will work, it is in two parts. 

All the figure skaters from Central Gauteng (Johannesburg).

Team Lion Cubs with coaches.

Paradise found

For the third year in a row we travelled to Mozambique for a week long holiday over Easter. We drove first to Komatipoort, just before the border of Mozambique and south of Kruger park, and stayed there one night in order to arrive at the border early in the morning. To our surprise there was no hassle at the border and no long queues so we reached Maputo Marina early. We parked the car and were picked up by a speed boat for a 90 minutes ride out to Manchangulo Beach Lodge, our destination. The muddy waters at Maputo Marina slowly turned into turquoise, clear sea, and the occasional splash of the close to 30 degrees water was only refreshing.

On our arrival the boat reversed towards the sandy beach, and we jumped off barefoot in the warm, ankle deep water. The people from the lodge where there to greet us and took us to our family villa along wooden boardwalks under the shade of leafy trees. 

An hour later they brought us lunch to our terrace overlooking the ocean; grilled prawns on a bed of salad and fries. This felt like heaven already. 

After lunch we ran down to the beautiful beach and jumped right into the crystal-clear warm Indian Ocean. Dinner was served on our terrace, a three-course meal beautifully served on plates delivered right to the table. We only needed to pick which wine bottle to open from the fridge.    

We all slept like babies under the mosquito-tents that covered our beds, with windows and doors open enjoying the sound of the waves.

The next day after breakfast, we were taken on a small boat across to Inhaca Island and the marine reserve. A gazebo was already set up with chairs and a table underneath, and a cooler box full with cold drinks. The day went by snorkelling and trying stand-up paddle boards and kayaks, which were also brought from the lodge. 

Then came a rainy day, which we used to chill, read and play monopoly in the house.

J and S were keen to try diving so they signed up for a discover scuba diving course. After a theory and a pool training session, they were ready for their first dive! It was so cool they decided to go for another dive two days later. This time it was even more awesome with colourful corals, a stingray and a turtle sighting and a catfish, which S really thought was a shark. 

The week passed quickly but we enjoyed every minute. By the time we had to return to reality, we were tanned, relaxed and rested, and ready to take on autumn in Johannesburg.

The Easter Bunny paid us a visit.

Getting ready for the first dive outside Inhaca Island.

So much fun!!!

After drinking raspberry soda.

Local refreshments.

Sailing with a dhow, an ancient sailing boat still used today. 

Relaxed and rested!

Machangulo Beach Lodge from the beach.