We got back from our vacation to Alaska just over a week ago. It was incredible! We went on a seven day cruise through some of the southern Alaskan islands, with one final stop in Victoria, Canada. I'd like to share some of my photos from the week.
The cruise itself was a fairly typical cruise (except for the outdoor movie theater and zero, cheesy steel drum music...which both made it better than typical), but it was great. I know a lot of people aren't fans of cruises, but if you want to see a lot in a short time, I think they're excellent. And it's definitely nice that all your food is paid for in one shot. (Also, hello 30-whole. I think my whole family will start this soon because we need some serious purging and cleansing.)
We went whale watching in Juneau (pictures to come later) but this was the only killer whale we saw in the whole trip. That fin - see it? I KNOW it was a killer whale. :)
The locals' catch.
We spent one day in Juneau at the beginning of the week. It was lovely! The day started out rainy and misty, but turned in a glorious summer day!
He's so handsome. :)
Juneau was charming. I loved how the mountains surrounded the port and the clouds became an umbrella over everything.
Naturally...
Part two - which includes whales and salmon and glaciers - coming soon! xo
Chocolate covered marshmallow eggs. I don't know if we have these in the States...they're not anything exotic, just a marshmallow coated in chocolate...but they are SO GOOD. I honestly could eat a whole box. And even if this kind of thing does exist in the US, Woolworths does not and Woolies' ones are the best. (It's not normal for them to have Hello Kitty on the packaging, just FYI.)
Fresh fruit juice, fruits, veggies, and free range everything. Sugar is just not added so much here, nor are GMO's as common as in the US. I know you can get organic, free-range food in the States, but it's still fairly expensive right? Here, fresh is just the way it is.
Typical/generic African "things". I know this is cliche and very American, but I don't care. I love African prints. I love seeing women carry massive amounts of stuff on their heads. I love hearing music like (this). African culture truly is one that is raw, vibrant, and infectious.
Painting our house before we moved in.
About to turn our first TV on, for the first time. I know, silly, newly married things.
Planting flowers in our garden.
Our first home. South Africa is where my husband and I met. It's where we got to know each other, began to build a friendship and a life, and where we had our first home. It's nothing big: a small cottage with a living room, a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and small garden. But it's been perfect. We've bought a few things that were big purchases for us, but a lot of our stuff has been second hand. It's been so much to paint our house, rearrange furniture, cook together, and just start off our life in this little cottage. I know one day we may look back and wonder how we lived in such a small place (especially when kids come along), but I will truly always cherish our time here.
On Monday, I started sharing my things I'm going to miss about SA list. As our days of living here are dwindling, I'm trying to soak in all my favourites about this country. Here are a few more:
One of my favorites - a Zazu bird, as I call it.
Whether you can see them or not, there are hippos in the background:)
Living near the bush. I've lived in South Africa for three and half years and have never been able to get over being able to see elephants, lions, hippos, giraffes, rhinos, etc. in the wild! (I mean, this, this, this, and this are only the posts from my most recent trips to the bush.) It's absolutely breathtaking. Going to the bush will always be at the top of my to-do list whenever we come back and visit.
Continuing with the wild life theme, I am certainty going to miss hadida birds. (Yes, I know, it sounds like la-tee-da. That's part of the fun.) I know most South Africans would probably love to never see a hadida again - they are loud, obnoxious, and everywhere. But that's exactly why I'll miss them: so unique and so South African!
I know this is the Invictus trailor, but I think the accents in it are pretty decent.
The accent. Although I do really enjoy the South African accent (especially on my husband), it's not even the accent as much as "proper speaking" that I'm going to miss. South Africans say phrases like, "It's a pleasure" (in response to a "thank you") and "You musn't worry" and "That is absolutely divine!" (as in, that dessert is so delicious). Oh and of course, there's "Shame". I never quite understood exactly how to use this. I did pick up its use in this context:
Person A: "My cousin's brother's girlfriend's sister got eaten by a lion last week while
camping in the bush." (I have never heard of this happening, just FYI.)
Person B: "Oh shame! That's awful!"
Makes enough sense, right? Well here's the other way I have heard this word used:
Person A: (Opens the door to let her friend into her home, while holding her brand new
baby who is adorable.)
Person B: (Looking at said baby): Oh shame! He precious!
Doesn't make any sense, does it? But alas, I will miss these delightful language anomalies!
South Africa is so wonderful. Maybe next time we come visit, you'll join us? :)
A while back, we went with a group of friends to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal for a long weekend. You may be thinking, "No, not more safari pictures." Sorry, yes, these are more safari pictures BUT: a) this was not a normal safari experience and b) we're moving in less than three weeks. Miami won't provide us with any African safaris, so I have to take advantage of this while I can.
We camped (like, proper tents with poles and zips) in the game reserve, in a little sectioned that was quarantined with some light fencing. That was it. Just beyond the fence could have been a lion, an elephant, or a zebra (which we did see right outside our camp) at any point. And the camp was next to a river that was home to a number of hippos which we did see. It was so very cool to be that "in nature"...and a little scary.
This was our view at the camp site.
Our tents.
Our kitchen and "dining room".
The bathroom.
Our shower. And here's how it worked...
This thing is called a donkey. The red barrel is filled with water and a fire is started underneath the barrel to heat the water. Turn the tap and fill a bucket with the heated water.
Then take the bucket with heated water, lower the bucket in the above picture, and fill said bucket with heated water. Raise the above bucket back up to the top of the "shower" and turn the tap. Enjoy!
Despite the less than usual living conditions, we had such a fun weekend hanging out, seeing the wildlife, listening to stories from the park's lead conservationist (including the one where they found leopard tracks in their garden), and relaxing in the bush. Here a few more of some of my favourite photos, if you'd like to see.
