South Africa
March 2003

From left to right:
Matt, Karen, Nicky, Steve, Bez, Sophie, Bev, Jamie, Pam, Lee-Ann, and Stuart.

See all the photos here: page 1 | page 2 | page 3

Read the poem.

In March 2003, eight of us went to South Africa for two weeks:
Bez
Jamie
Karen
Lee-Ann
Matt
Nicky
Sophie
Stuart

For the first few days we stayed Pietermaritzburg and visited Lee-Ann's family:
Steve (Dad)
Bev (Mom)
Richard (Brother)
Pam (Family friend)
Colleen (Family friend)
Skunk One (Cat)

While in Pietermaritzburg we mostly hung out by the pool at Bev & Steve's house, swimming, sunbathing, eating, and drinking.

Then we stayed in a log cabin by the beach at Cape Vidal for 5 nights. We were joined by Steve, Bev, and Pam. Richard joined us for a couple of days at the beach also. During this time we mostly sunbathed, swam, snorkeled, ate, and drank. We did some some wildlife while in this area including:

Impala
Zebra
Elephant (seen by some but not all of us unfortunately)

After Cape Vidal we went to Umfolozi National Game Reserve for three nights.
We saw lots of wild animals such as:

Giraffe
Zebra
White Rhino
Black Rhino
Matt
Wildebeest
Impala
Kudu
Warthog
Jamie
Waterbuck
Porcupine
Buffalo
Hyena
Lion (it was a quick glimpse but we're pretty sure we saw it)

We spent the last three nights back in Pietermaritzburg where we did more hanging out by the pool at Bev & Steve's house!

On our last night in Pietermaritzburg I read out a poem to everyone:

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There once was a beautiful girl named Lee-Ann,
Who took 7 friends on a trip to her homeland.
They all needed the break,
And if Bez could stay awake,
They'd have loads of fun and get tanned.

They were welcomed to the home of Bev & Steve,
Whose amazing hospitality was beyond belief.
The gang thought they were cool,
Spent lots of time in their pool,
Though their neighbours will be glad when those Brits leave!

Stuart was the driver extraordinnaire,
While Lee-Ann took control of the conditioned air.
Lovely Karen was such a joy,
Specially when they shouted "oi oi!",
And singing songs about Nicky in tune to Pooh Bear.

They went for a walk out in the game park range,
The Zulu guide thought they were all very strange.
Matt got such a fright,
From anything moving in the night,
And Jamie thought it was all a refreshing change.

So now the holiday must come to an end.
Much love to ** Steve, Bev, Richard, Pam, & Colleen ** they do send.
With Africa in their hearts,
It's with sadness they do part,
Having had the time of their lives with amazing friends.

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We all had a fantastic trip and much thanks go to:
Lee-Ann and Bev for organising it.
Bev and Steve for your hospitality.
Pam for your laughter and bug-clearing expertise.
Richard for your mesmerising piano playing.
Everyone for making it a trip we'll never forget.

See all the photos: page 1 | page 2 | page 3

** If you have any holiday photos to go on these pages, please e-mail them to me. **