“I believe there is no sickness of the heart too great it cannot be cured by a dose of Africa.  Families must go there to learn why they belong together on this earth, adolescents to discover humility, lovers to plumb old but untried wells of passion, honeymooners to seal marriages with a shared sense of bafflement, those shopworn with life to find a tonic for futility, the aged to recognize a symmetry to twilight.”

John Hemingway, African Journeys

It has always been a dream of mine to go on a safari in South Africa.  We had planned on going this year but we got lazy after getting back from Asia.  We almost pushed it off for another year until I saw my Xanga bud’s amazing South Africa photos.  That gave me the nudge I needed to get crackin’ and plan!  Thanks J.!!  I can’t thank you enough for inspiring us! 

The Singita Game Reserve received some notable distinctions in Travel & Leisure’s 2007 World’s Best Awards - #1 in Top 25 Hotels in Africa and the Middle East, #2 in Top 100 Hotels Overall and #2 in Top 15 Small Hotels.

Singita Boulders Lodge

Singita Lebombo Lodge

Our travel agent (Classic Africa) is awesome!  He’s actually a South African Rhodes Scholar, veterinarian and Oxford PhD.  Wow!    He helped us plan our whole trip and even made us our own personal website.

One really helpful site has been the Fodor’s message boards.  The people on there are so knowledgeable and helpful.  You should check this site out if you want to get more info on any future trips!

Books I want to read before the trip:

The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals

Chris and Tilde Stuart’s Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa

Journey Through South Africa

A History of South Africa (2001)

Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela

South Africa Photo Safari Companion

Dead Men Don’t Leave Tips: Adventures X Africa

A Traveller’s History of South Africa (2003)

South Africa - Culture Smart!: A quick guide to customs and etiquette

Frommer’s South Africa (2005)

*Edit*

Thanks so much buddies!  I was feeling pretty crummy yesterday but now I feel so much better after reading your comments/messages.  I was sorta scared though while I was reading…thinking someone else might say stuff.  Silly, huh?  This all got me to thinking about how much I’ve really come to love my Xanga buddies…and how much I truly appreciate you all.

I think about you a lot. 

I ordered some Juicy frames and thought…this buddy likes Juicy too and it would be so cute for her new baby-to-be.

I got these really cute pink puppy beds and thought…this would be great for my buddies with little girl dogs…this buddy’s birthday puppy, Yuki, Coco, Lola, Zoe, Belle, etc.

I think about my Xanga mommies…how adorable their kids are…how I’m inspired and learning so much from their amazing parenting.

I think about my single Xanga buddies…it’s so fun reading about your escapades – finding love, traveling to faraway places, partying it up.

I think about my Xanga brides…I love seeing your weddings come together, hearing about your honeymoons and newlywed lives.  We’re all at the same stage of our lives~ just married and not ready for the preggers boat yet.

To all my dog-loving, photography junkie, craft making, bargain hunting, travel-loving and just generally awesome buddies out there…I’m so thankful to have found you~!  Anyways~ check your protected posts!  And let me know if I missed ya somehow…I was sleepy & trying to put the list together.   

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I know there are mean people out there but I was pretty shocked at a comment someone wrote on one of my posts today.    Sheesh!  I don’t think I did anything wrong…I just wanted share my travel photos with friends.  This person wrote an essay on how awful I am…that I’m just a “stupid clueless tourist”…that I feel that I’m “entitled to such opulence”…basically that I’m evil for staying at nice places and traveling to interesting locations.  *sigh*    If you’re so offended by my travel posts then just don’t look at my photos and please don’t say mean things. 

So…I’m going to make most of my posts protected now.  I never wanted to do this because I love meeting new people and sharing things.  I’ve met so many amazing people already and I don’t think our paths would’ve crossed if my posts weren’t public.  I’ll miss all my would-be buddies out there…and I’ll miss being able to share with my friends who don’t have Xanga.

Let me know if you want me to add you to protected~ where we’ll be safe from mean and bitter people. 

We recently went on a charity walk called “Strut your Mutt” with Bella to raise money for homeless dogs.



I walked for 2 miles in flip flops! 



So did Andy…hehehe!



After the walk there were tons of homeless dogs up for adoption.  There…we found a little homeless dog who captured our hearts.

Introducing……………..Gracie!


This poor girl lived in a cage most of her life…had been abused, had an eye infection, kennel cough, fur so matted it was ripping up her skin, and had just been crapped on by her cellmate….yet she had such a sweet and gentle spirit.  We fell in love. 

BEFORE….
AFTER…….

Bella:  “Don’t worry Gracie…I’ll always protect you.”


The Giant and The Little One.



It looks like they’re friends, huh?  They’ve been fighting like crazy though.  I have hope that it’ll pass and they’ll really love each other one day.