A Fluffy Tale - The Parent's Visit to SA

Enough bitching for today. I am actually capable of alot more bitching (well-known fact) but I'll ease off for now. So it is time for some light-hearted and fluffy input that does not require too much energy. Easy browsing and reading material.

Parents Visit to South Africa
After a 10 day manic for my brother's wedding, my parents came back to South Africa with me and stayed with me for about three months. It was indeed a long time for a holiday. My poor parents though. They didn't enjoy their stay in Bloemfontein all that much though. And it is no fault of theirs at all. My hectic work schedules and travels (literated in later stories) prevented me from spending too much time with them. Despite having given them my used-10-year-old white Toyota Corolla 1.3GL (remember those?) to use for mobility reason, their daily routine only covered supermarket and home. They did not feel comfortable driving in this foreign townwith the crime stigma of South Africa etched in their minds. It did not help either that the granny-flat I stayed in was a 1-bedroom flat. The space constraints would drive any couple up those white walls. And with three people living in this tiny place (I slept on the couch), it became too claustrophobic for anyone's liking.

I admit. It was a nightmare for me. I had to find my "House of Coffee" escape route every night. I think for those 3 months, it was the only time my house actually smelt fresh. We all know why....

Apart from that minor inconvenience, their presence was a blessing for me. It was an absolute luxury being able to return from that dust-filled factory I work in, to a maintained-home with dinner waiting for me. I did not have to worry about having to clean the floors every two days (again, open-plan kitchen), tidying up my home and cooking. It was all done for me. Well, I had a maid then as well who came twice a week. But with my parents living with me, it was an immaculate home every day. That... I really couldn't complain.

Boarding Passes - KL-JNB

Mum, Dad & Me

(Don't know what happened to the SIN-KL Boarding Passes)

At least I managed squeeze out some time to do abit of sightseeing with them now and again.

Here are some of the moments -

LION PARK
- Just off Johannesburg

(From Top Left Clockwise)

• Sleep Beckons for the King
• Sleeping Lioness
• Fat Ass Ostrich
• And I have no idea what that was all about

PERSONAL FAVOURITE SHOTS
- The Lion Cubs







(From Top Left Clockwise)

• My Favourite Shot : SLEEPING CUBS
• Another Favourite Shot : GORGEOUS CUB PAW
• A PLAYFUL CUB : It thought that my jean was a plaything, cupped my leg as well, OUCH!
• Cub Shots 1-4
  

MONTE CASINO - BIRD PARK



(From Top Left Clockwise)

• Parrot Pecking Dad's Ear
• The 'Manja' Parrot
• Humping Turtles
  

GOLDEN GATE - Protea Chalet


(From Top Left Clockwise)

• #54 : The chalet we stayed in
• Room with not much of a view
• Mountain View 1 at Protea Chalet
• Mountain View 2 at Protea Chalet

VIEW TO DRAKKENSBURG


(From Top Left Clockwise)

• Road View 1
• Road View 2
• HUGE St. Bernard spotted at Caterpillar & Fish Restaurant

DRAKKENSBURG

(From Top Left Clockwise)

• The 3-storey chalet we stayed in
• Quick peek at the inside
• Chalet with a view!
• View shot 2
• View shot 3
• Oops! Peek-a-boo *see no evil*

My parents completed their trip with visits to Cape Town and Victoria Falls - including a Safari tour. Those were organised tours which I didn't join them for. There were alot more photos taken but using my traditional Canon E05 camera. It was a shame that I didn't have alot more moments with my parents. But I'm sure they did enjoy their Cape Town tour which included the wine route, ostrich farm and I can't remember what else.

My family has seen more of South Africa that I have. I organised a similar tour, as I did for my parents, when they came to spend their honeymoon here in SA. The photos above should give a pretty good sneak preview of South Africa. But there's alot more to cover. I will complete my own tour soon.... someday. And when I do, I am sure that I will have a much better entry than this one.

Watch this space......