From Here to South Africa: Road trip!

Starting about three months ago Shelby and I decided we needed to go on a little trip before we head home for Texas. After a lot of discussion we decided on a road trip down the Garden Route. We were going to rent a car and head east with zero plan and thats exactly what we did. After a few little hitches with getting a car we started on the road with just us and the road. Oh and we had another guest along for the ride. A friend of mine, Rencia, came in for the passion concert and she road with us to her home in Jeffery's Bay. We had a few things in mind that we wanted to do but for the most part we had no clue what this trip was going to hold. Well, we had a blast! Here's what we did...

We started out our trip first with an amazing upgrade! I was in complete shock when i saw our new rental. I kept ooing and ahing because i felt so priviledged! So we said goodbye to dear jackie and headed in this new beauty. Jackie was so wonderful though. We realized that she was absolutely perfect for the dangerous areas we had been working. It would not be recommended to take this newer and nicer car into our areas. But for the road trip, she was perfect! :)

So this was day one. We took a road called Route 62 which reminded us of Route 66 in the US. It was a beautiful drive! We had some good times on that road...

Some times of singing and dancing...

And there was some leaping. :)

Oh and there was some dried fruit too.

Anyways, we decided we needed to hang out with some ostrich because we have been seeing them everywhere since we got to SA. The time had come... I decided I didnt like them very much.

Right next to where we were staying was a dirt road that went to a beautiful and very cold waterfall. I loved it!

We then headed to a place where we had wanted to go since the beginning...the Cango Caves! They were absolutely amazing! I kept wondering how people could possible not believe in God. How in the world would something so incredible just happen?

After the caves we continued to the Cango Wildlife Park where we saw animals that i fell completely in love with. The white tigers played and played in a way i have never seen before. I could have watched them for hours.

We also had a few encounters. :) I was a little nervous about the snake but when it was on me i was fine because it was the coolest feeling. It you havent touched a snake you need to because they feel awesome!

On a few adventures we came across some amazing dirt roads. There is nothing more fun than picking roads and driving down them. This has become something Shelby and i do often and we have been blessed every time!

So beautiful!

Here is Monkeyland! This was a very unique place i thought because there werent any cages. Yes there was a fence but when you go on a tour it is like you are walking through a forest with monkeys all around you. I saw so much more than i expected. We decided this day would be declared monkey day. Before and after we went to Monkeyland we ran into large groups of baboons. Shelby and i find it interesting that we are now very used to seeing baboons around all the time. Interesting to be used to baboons roaming the streets.

One of our friends here told us about a beach that no one ever goes to. So we went and enjoyed its beauty. Oh and Shelby played with some jellyfish.

This in the highest bungee jump in the world! We thought people were a little crazy when we were watching. :/

And now for the BEST DAY EVER!!! The day started out with us going to the Elephant sanctuary. We were pretty excited!

I might have been just a tad too excited...

:/........

We quickly bonded with them! :)

I mean, who wouldnt bond with this precious animal!!!

Then........we headed to our game drive!!!

We were the only two because it was raining...but NOTHING was going to stop us from doing this! So we went on and we saw some pretty great animals!

And some more...

And for those of you who dont know, i have been wanting to see a wild giraffe since i came to Africa. I cant really tell you why, i just did! And i saw them! :) I even prayed for them and God sure did deliver!

This little baby starred at me for a few mins and winked at me several times. :)

If that wasnt all enough...on our last day we stopped in a place called Hermanus. This place is one of my favorites! It was absolutley beautiful and the moment we got out of the car we saw two whales swimming and playing. I had seen whales several times before but this time they were having so much fun. They made me see the incredible glory of God and made me feel so blessed! They were so beautiful!