i am home...
after 13 days away...
over 80 travel hours...
it feels good...
but like i have said before...
i leave a part of my heart in South Africa...
it is a special place for me...
the first time i stepped foot in South Africa in 2006 i knew i would return...
some places are just like that...
they take hold of your heart...
not only is it the country, it's the people...
this trip was no different...
i met so many wonderful, kind women...
i was reunited with some of the women i met on my very first trip...
in a word the trip was amazing...
everything about it...
we started out in Johannesburg...
taught a huge group of delightful, excited women...
the venue was beautiful...
Glenda and her team worked for hours, days months to make it special for each delegate...
{student}
In JoBurg we ate some great food...
we did some shopping...
we did a lot of laughing...
catching up...
Then we were off to Port Elizabeth...
and we drove to Kichaka...
magic...
it's the only word i can use to describe it...
the lodge is so beautiful...
serene...
private...
stunning...
i love it there...
we were greeted by hippos at the watering pool...
amazing to watch and hear...
my hut in kachika was like out of a romantic novel...
dark woods...
white linens...
flowy curtains...
private pool...
outdoor shower...
thatched roof...
really?
this time at Kachaka we spent more time at the resort it's self...
sitting by the pool...
by the fire...
on the decks...
in our huts...
the game drives were amazing...
we saw it all...
Jeffery our guide was a stud...
his tracker Stembele was a rocker...
we got so close to the animals this time around...
Jeffery was the man...
no fear...
we saw Zebra, Elephant, Giraffe, Cheetah, Lion, Rhino, Hippo and of course everything else...
after a few days of rest and relaxation we headed back to Port Elizabeth to fly to Cape Towne...
Cape Towne is beautiful...
by the water...
we ate...
we shopped...
we went on a tour of a winery...
we ate great cheese...
we stayed at Spier Estates...
the venue for the Cape Towne group...
again beautiful rooms...
beautiful venue...
great group of women...
we ate in a tree at Moya...
had our faces painted...
talked about the last 2 weeks...
ate great food...
laughed...
listened to music...
amazing...
then we said our goodbyes...
to South Africa...
to Glenda's team of wonderful ladies...
tears were shed...
pieces of our hearts were left...
hoping to return one day...
i love South Africa...
i love the memories i have created there...
grateful...
blessed...
humbled...
it's good to be home...
from another amazing life journey...
kiss kiss
m
Love it , sweets! Welcome home!!!
XoxOxo
Posted by: Rhonna | April 13, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Welcome home! Beautiful post!
Posted by: Lisa Day | April 13, 2011 at 11:28 AM
glad you had a wonderful trip. Where can I find the new lines before they are all gone?
Creative Hugs,
Posted by: Lola | April 13, 2011 at 11:29 AM
margie, it's all so beautiful. so much to take in. i am so jelly! those animals (and seeing them in the wild like that) would be such a dream!!
Posted by: Courtney Walsh | April 13, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Wow! It looks like you had an amazing time.
Posted by: Tona | April 13, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Oh my goodness--what a gorgeous post! I am so happy you had a great time...you have definitely inspired me to go! Welcome back!
Posted by: Erin Ummel | April 13, 2011 at 02:59 PM
south africa looks M*A*G*I*C*A*L... someday...maybe
m...where did you get those flats with the bow? (the ones in the pic by the fire)
welcome back margie!
xoxo
~p
Posted by: patty | April 13, 2011 at 05:52 PM
Patty...
i got the cute shoes at TJ Maxx!!!
Posted by: margie | April 13, 2011 at 06:04 PM
lucky bast.
Posted by: april | April 13, 2011 at 08:41 PM
Welcome home!!!! I don't know if I am more jealous of you being in Africa or that you got to be there with Tim & Mario or that they got to be there with you lol Either way I am so happy that you guys got to share such an amazing adventure and that you all shared it with us :)
Posted by: Kathy Kurth | April 13, 2011 at 09:15 PM
welcome home...the trip looks magical!!
Posted by: Alissa | April 14, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Glad you are home safely. Sounds like one amazing adventure. Thanks you for sharing with us.
Leslee in MT
Posted by: Leslee | April 16, 2011 at 07:36 AM
Margie, you are one adventurous woman!
Oh The places you go...reminds me of dr. Suess!
Love reading about your Africa trip...really... scarpbooking in Africa...who knew?
Thanks for bringing your delightful creative friends in today, I really enjoyed them and you as always!
Posted by: Brenda www.justabedofroses.blogspot.com | April 16, 2011 at 09:07 PM
I've never taken one of your classes. I've never even met you but I came across your blog one year and read a story about your Nativity and I new you were an amazing woman.
Thank you for sharing your amazing journey with us all. You've touched my heart with your talent and your heart!
Thank you for sharing your life!
Posted by: L. | April 20, 2011 at 10:14 AM