Nov. 21, 2017 Our first stop was Madrid, Spain. Lorena came to see us at our hotel. It was so good to see her!!! November 22nd we finally arrived in Johannesburg, SA. Left to right: Me, Henry (my husband), Victor (Henry’s brother), Kaitlyn. Back row: Zolita (Henry’s sister), and Jonathan (Zolita’s husband)

Johannesburg, SA The first week we stayed with Victor and his wife, Lorraine. They have two children, Amanda and Benjamin. This is Benjamin posing in their backyard. He is wearing his school uniform. This is a view from the upstairs of Victor and Lorraine’s back yard. Their pool was wonderful when it wasn’t raining

Johannesburg, SA This is the gate that allowed entrance to Victor and Lorraine’s home. Almost everyone lives behind high walls with automated gates for safety. What isn’t visible in the photo above – the electric wires on top of the walls. Some people have broken glass cemented on top of each section of the wall to further persuade intruders to stay out.

Johannesburg, SA This is what most houses have- a door with bars! We have screen doors…they have gated doors. When we tell them we don’t usually have bars on our windows or doors they are amazed! Still in Johannesburg….This is a view from Zolita and Jonathan’s back yard. They live in a “gated community” with a 24 hour guard that stays in the guard house in the background. Notice the electric fencing that makes you feel like you are in prison!

I really missed having a dryer I really missed having a dryer!!!!! All of the family have washers but do not see the need for a dryer! Hanging laundry is okay unless the weather decides to give you rain for 4 days in a row! My solution was the clothes line under the car port Victor loves to build and decided Kaitlyn needed her own room. The finished product was a beautiful 1 bedroom house with her own bathroom!! This picture was taken the first week we were in SA. The house was finished when we came back from Durban, SA.

Our Scenic Route : Johannesburg to Durban, South Africa I (Sarah) was driving and took the wrong road which took us many hours out of the way- but the view was so beautiful! This area is the Orange Free State. Notice the huge mountains in the background! I loved the mountains and I wasn’t driving so I could enjoy the view! The closer we came to Kwa-Zulu Natal (where Durban is located) the more hills we beheld!

More beautiful mountains! Awesome landscapes!

A small town on our scenic route (not sure which town) in the distance. This road was a two lane road, we drove on the left side of the road- the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. Notice the beautiful mountain in the back- ground. A van driving down the road in a residential area.

Ballito, South Africa We rented a 3 bedroom apartment in the Simbithi Eco Lodge, Ballito. A 45 minute drive from Durban, SA. This apartment had a balcony with a hot tub, and inside was a washer, dryer, and dishwasher! This is the master bedroom…notice the air-conditioner on the wall!!! We enjoyed our 16 days in this fully furnished apartment. Security was tight but the nature walks were wonderful!

A beautiful view from our balcony A beautiful view from our balcony. Simbithi Eco Lodge has many houses and apartments with nature trails everywhere. The dining room set is out on the balcony. There is a large curtain that can be lowered to keep the rain, wind or sun away while you enjoy your food.

This monkey was so cute. They played around the parked cars This monkey was so cute! They played around the parked cars. Sometimes they brought their babies to show off. Same monkey enjoying a stroll.

Ballito is a resort town right by the ocean. The apartments you see in the background are a few of the places for rent with ocean views. Beachfront view, beautiful sand, warm water. An ideal place to enjoy family, sun and the ocean!

Ballito beach The rocks were so smooth, the water salty and the weather warm! A perfect place to be!!!!