The Walker Family Visits SA

  
       These past two and a half weeks, I had the amazing blessing of touring the Garden Route with my parents and my older brother Nathan who came to South Africa to see what all the fuss was about. After a grueling two days of traveling from Seattle and Santa Barbara, respectively, they arrived safely in Cape Town, where Nate and I had arranged to meet them after taking the 7-hour bus ride from George.
       As a family, we spent a long weekend touring the Cape, wine tasting, visiting with a wonderful missionary family from our home church in Seattle, seeing the African penguins at Boulder's beach, seeing the view from the Cape of Good Hope, taking the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, and much more. It's a spectacular city, unlike any other, and it left quite an impression on the Walker family.
       From there, driver Nate, navigator Nathan, and tour-guide Kristen directed the party east, past Hermanus and Cape Agulhas (the Southern Most tip in Africa), to the small city of George that has been home to the Life Academy students for the past four months. It was the perfect base from which we could explore the entire garden route. Some of the highlights were the two days of safaris at Schotia game reserve and Addo Elephant reserve, surfing the waves at Jeffery's Bay, kayaking and hiking through the eden-like jungle near Wilderness and picnicking at the waterfall at the top, a trip over the Outeniqua mountain passes for spectacular views, and watching the sunset over the Knysna Heads. It was truly an unforgettable few weeks, and an absolute blessing to have my family be a part of this wonderful, African experience.
       Below are just a few pictures of our travels!

Wendy and Kristen overlooking the Knysna Heads at dusk

Walker family at the Ebb and Flow waterfalls in Wilderness, after a breathtaking hike and kayak trip through the western cape jungle.

Hippos outside the lodge at Schotia Game Park. The "yawn" of this female hippo, contrary to popular belief, is not a sign of fatigue, but rather a warning to us onlookers: "This mouth full of powerful teeth is what I have for you if you get any closer."

The Walker family in the Safari Land Cruiser with our game driver, George.

Wildlife crossing the road in front of our truck.

 Nathan taking a photo of the lioness resting beside out safari truck.

 A close encounter with the mother lioness of the pride. She seemed completely unconcerned by the fact that she was blocking the road, and we were in no hurry to challenge her.

 Nate and Nathan watching an elephant graze in Addo Elephant Sanctuary.

 The surfers take on Jeffery's Bay, the second best waves in the world

 Nathan catches a wave

 Walking back along the beach after a successful afternoon of surfing.

 The Walker family overlooking Plettenburg bay, about half-way between Port Elizabeth and George.

Nathan and Dad explore the rocky coastline.

Nathan overlooking the Little Karoo on our way over the Outeniqua Mountains towards the small, quaint town of Prince Albert. The dirt mountain road wound its way through one of the most breathtaking passes any of us had seen.

 Kristen and Wendy watching for Whales in Hermanus.