summing up, in Dad's words

With lots of hugs and few tears, they left today.

Matt and I plan to go back to Canada at the end of the (northern hemisphere's) summer, so until then ... a brief summary of my parent's South African experience:

"Anjulia and I have been in South Africa for three weeks and will depart shortly------ Anjulia is going home to brace the fore-casted storm and I am journeying on to meet Anice in Accra, Ghana.

Since leaving Ottawa at -25 degrees C, we have had no problems enjoying and adjusting to the average 35 degrees C temperature.

Anjulia and I have shopped the local supermarket; travelled along the Garden Route in Matthew's SUV; rode a side-car of a motorcycle to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point; seen the most southern part of Africa, Cape Agulhas, where the Indian and the Atlantic Ocean meet; sped along the 120 km/hr limit highway in a Harley; strolled in the enchanting Kirtenbosch Botanical Garden; eaten some wonderful seafood and local specialties; visited a school where the students played the African drums; walked through two townships to witness the living conditions after the Apartheid rule; met so many interesting people; rode the nostalgic train from Mossel Bay to George; taken the ferry boat to visit Nelson Mandela's prison cell on Robbin Island; fetched the chance to ride the cable car to the top of the Table Mountain for the spectacular sunset view; sky-dived from a twin-engine plane at 10,000 feet above (at least Anjulia and Fiona did it while Bonnie, Matthew and I were denied by the strong gusts of wind); explored Kruger National Park to find the Big Five (rhinos, leopard, elephants, lions and buffalos)................and so much more.

In the meantime, we have heard personal accounts and experiences of the ugly rule of Apartheid, witnessed the sub-standard living quarters, read and seen the sad state of the HIV/AIDS conditions, talked about the economics and the politics of this young Republic, experienced some daily social hardships of the less privileged, felt the struggle of a developing nation, with hope.

In these short three weeks, we have only experienced some tiny bits of this warm exciting land. We saw the beautiful as well as the ugly sides of South Africa.

Bonnie and Matthew, with their resourcefulness and stamina, have been excellent guides and hosts. We are so happy to see them since Xmas of 2005 in Canada.

At the same time, I managed to break their table in the balcony, to break out in swelling of the feet and hands resulting in visiting the doctor twice and also my favourite place: the pharmacy, with prescriptions. Otherwise, we both are in very good health."

Until then, a warm South African farewell.

Kam @ Capetown