Reunited at Last!

FYI...I wrote the following post on the way to Margate and haven't been near WIFI since!  Sorry...we are still alive and are spending our last full day in SA at a Waffle House that has WIFI!!! And the best waffles in the world!!!  I will try to post our last couple of days at the airport tomorrow before we leave...thanks for following:)

We took off to Wartburg in the craziest storm ever!  I wish we could send some of that rain to Cali cuz I’m pretty sure it would have solved the drought!  It was a four hour drive through the country…just b u tiful! Warburg is a small town in the country an hour from Durban.  Paul and Yvonne Roberts (who Dave baptized while on his mission) live in the greenest area, full of farms of all sorts, but mostly lined with rows and rows of sugar cane.  Paul works at a nearby sugar factory that makes the most amazing pancake syrup…they sent us home with a huge bottle (oh yeah)!  They have the most lovely home and yard and we were super comfortable.  Pauls father, who is ninety years old, lives with them.  He is a hoot!  They also have a large bird living with them…he is an African Grey and his name is Charlie.  We all loved Charlie but Charlie did not love us!  He is obsessed with Yvonne…who wouldn’t be!?  Jake can actually say “Charlie bit me” in the cutest accent and it is true!

 Yvonne is an amazing cook…we were treated to the most delicious meals of our journey.  My kids are ruined for life!  They took us to a butterfly house that was really fun.  It was full of not only butterflies, but also had monkeys, birds, fish, turtles and lots of other cool stuff.  Loved it!  Later that day we hiked down to some amazing waterfalls…it was quite an adventure.  The trail was steep, muddy, rocky and slippery from the rain the day before.  It was also crazy gorgeous and jungle-like with vines hanging down and tropical flowers all over the place.  WOW!  We almost died like a thousand times…but we didn’t. The falls and views were totally worth the near death experience!  That night they treated us to a lovely braii (bbq)…the spread was incredible!!! Brooke turned twelve that day...what a birthday treat for her.

Paul is the bishop of the Pietermaritzberg Ward…the city is about forty minutes away and their ward boundaries are huge!  Quite a sacrifice to do home and visiting teaching, not to mention just traveling to church on Sunday.  They are stellar members with amazing testimonies!  The ward was friendly and we met some really cool peeps.  The members here take a lot of crap from people…they are my heroes!  After church, one of the members named Karel Van Der Westhuizen, invited us to dinner at his B and B.  It was another insane meal!  The South African people know how to cook and entertain!  The missionaries (both from Utah) came as well and we had the best time chatting and eating and listening to beautiful piano playing by our host…unforgettable Sabbath day.

Ahhhhh...it's been a serious party since we arrived in Wartburg.  The Roberts have been feeding and entertaining us like crazy.  They are really the best people on the earth and it is with heavy hearts that we leave them this morning to head to Margate (where Dave's mission companion lives...he's a party animal so we will be busy there too).  I really don't know how much time I'm going to have the rest of the journey so this may be the last post...so we will go out with a bang (WARNING….this post is three pages long…read with caution)!  

I know I am overusing the exclamation point on this post, but this last week has just been the highlight of our time in Africa!  It has been such an education…we have learned so much about the people and culture and have had such an amazing time.  It is the sweetest experience to be reunited with the Roberts…they are the salt of the earth and we love them to pieces.  I am writing this post on our way to Margate with views of the Indian Ocean to my left.  S0 cool!  The air outside is warm and thick…super humid.  We are ready for another adventure with Jean Pierre and Gina Oehlerking and family.  I hope to post once more before our trip is done…thanks for reading and all the fun comments!  We miss you all and look forward to coming home…but not just yetJ  Cheers!  Robynn

Enjoying Malva Pudding with Paul and Yvonne - the best dessert in the whole world!

Our laundry!

The Roberts' back porch. This is where we visited, ate Malva Pudding and had a lekker braai!

Jake and Grandpa Roberts shared a real love of polished rocks.

Paul and Yvonne treated us to a fun visit to the Butterfly museum in Pietermaritzburg.

Ben enjoying some ginger beer!

Ginger Beer - we had to try every variety we could find!

For Brooke's twelfth birthday, Paul and Yvonne took us to a really fun hike near their home. They are surrounded by miles and miles of sugarcane fields, spread over flat lands as well as over hillsides. There are also gorges all around which lead to some pretty spectacular hikes.  This trail got a bit dicey in some areas, but it was worth the effort!  A beautiful waterfall and watery pool in a very secluded spot.  Just another fond memory of our time with Paul and Yvonne!

Dave and Paul preparing for the braai of all braais!

And here it is - the braai of all braais!

The kids digging in!

Our Sunday afternoon with Karl Van der Westhuizen, Paul, Yvonne, and the missionaries.  Lots of music and fun conversation.  Karl is also a painter, and painted those pictures above the fireplace.

Robynn, Yvonne and Charley working their magic in the kitchen!