We got up on Good Friday morning for breakfast on the Williams family front porch at their beach home in Kleinmond, a lovely seaside town on the Eastern Cape. We enjoyed the overcast view of the Indian Ocean from their porch.
We went to a Good Friday church service in the Reformed tradition and were surprised to find a bright, sunny day awaiting us as we left the service.
We stopped at a local cafe for coffee and the kids played a hand game I don't understand, but they find very entertaining. The two Williams girls had their twin cousins with them, and our kids were very glad to have all four kids to play with!
We went to an absolutely stunning beach near the Williams' house where we collected beautiful shells, sea plants and sand.
The Williams family has a tradition of making Good Friday "collages" to represent the tomb of Jesus. We loved joining in and creating our own sculptures out of beach and sea items. We said at home we'd have to try this with twigs, leaves and cornstalks.
Next up was a trip to one of two local rivers that empty into the sea. I didn't take my camera, but wish I had a photo of the beautiful stone mountains that rose up all around the river. The river water was cold and bracing. Asher, Barek and I decided to stay on the rocks by the river and soak up the sun in the cool of the autumn water. Everyone else headed upstream for a brisk swim. After experiencing the heat of India and Mauritius, it was strange to be in fall weather. The temperatures during our time in South Africa ranged in the 60s-70s.
Ettie, Michael and I pounded on the fresh Abalone that they had purchased from a local fisherman. Our family had never tasted Abalone before--we had only seen the beautiful shells.
The fisherman came back with loads of Rock Lobsters!
We breaded and fried the Abalone and boiled the lobster. The Abalone is an unusual treat even for locals.
The kids loved playing Finger Pool.
We sat the table on the front porch and had a feast!
In the morning, we had Hot Cross Buns, which I have always heard of, but never eaten. Apparently, they originated as a Catholic treat for Easter weekend.
We headed to Spier, a winery complex with a Cheetah reserve, located about an hour from Kleinmond. Charis, Barek, and Asher wanted to pet a cheetah, so we purchased them a special ticket and watched from a distance as they each knelt down by a cheetah and petted the fur that they said was "pretty soft".
All of the kids pose in front of some wine barrels. The winery gardens were lovely and we also strolled through an art gallery.
The photo above does not give justice to the lovely streets of Stellenbosch, a college town with beautiful residential areas, coffee shops--and the Afrikaans church above where Michael and Ettie were married and where Ettie's sister plays the organ.
We went to pick up Michael from his day of golfing and admired the golf course with its mountain views.
Back at home, the kids colored Easter eggs. I loved Emma's blue lips and matching egg!
The feasting continued! We had a "Braai" (rhymes with "eye"), which is a traditional South African barbecue. After grilling up every manner of chicken, pork and lamb in the cage-like contraption above, Michael grilled these sandwiches that Ettie had fixed which contained onion, tomato and grated cheese. We enjoyed the absolutely delicious meal as we sat around the fire and talked and talked--and told ghost stories, too. We were so happy to have met this wonderful family. We are looking forward to hosting them in the states!
We breaded and fried the Abalone and boiled the lobster. The Abalone is an unusual treat even for locals.
The kids loved playing Finger Pool.
We sat the table on the front porch and had a feast!
In the morning, we had Hot Cross Buns, which I have always heard of, but never eaten. Apparently, they originated as a Catholic treat for Easter weekend.
We headed to Spier, a winery complex with a Cheetah reserve, located about an hour from Kleinmond. Charis, Barek, and Asher wanted to pet a cheetah, so we purchased them a special ticket and watched from a distance as they each knelt down by a cheetah and petted the fur that they said was "pretty soft".
All of the kids pose in front of some wine barrels. The winery gardens were lovely and we also strolled through an art gallery.
The photo above does not give justice to the lovely streets of Stellenbosch, a college town with beautiful residential areas, coffee shops--and the Afrikaans church above where Michael and Ettie were married and where Ettie's sister plays the organ.
We went to pick up Michael from his day of golfing and admired the golf course with its mountain views.
Back at home, the kids colored Easter eggs. I loved Emma's blue lips and matching egg!
The feasting continued! We had a "Braai" (rhymes with "eye"), which is a traditional South African barbecue. After grilling up every manner of chicken, pork and lamb in the cage-like contraption above, Michael grilled these sandwiches that Ettie had fixed which contained onion, tomato and grated cheese. We enjoyed the absolutely delicious meal as we sat around the fire and talked and talked--and told ghost stories, too. We were so happy to have met this wonderful family. We are looking forward to hosting them in the states!
Here is a video of the kids petting a cheetah:
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