1st trip to the Indian Ocean

The day after Christmas we flew 1 hour to Durban, South Africa, for our first family trip to the Indian Ocean.  

We rented an apartment on the beach with a gorgeous view and spent time relaxing together. 

Adalyn has been to the beach before and loved it so we were hoping for the same with Grant.




















 He had such a huge smile when I put his feet in the water and even enjoyed taste testing the sand.

 

The Indian Ocean (at least in the Durban area) has huge waves of warm water so luckily our apartment overlooked tidal pools so the waves were broken up enough that you could swim and not worry about the strong tide pulling you back.  The tidal pools also offered the opportunity to explore sea creatures, though Adalyn only wanted to take home rocks.

During our vacation, we spent most of our time at the beach but also enjoyed the apartment complex’s pool.  

The back of the complex overlooked a nature reserve so there were monkeys all over.  

We were advised to keep our windows and doors shut at all times as the monkeys were quite keen on entering and scavenging for food. 

Monkey and her baby tucked in the front on our balcony.

Mark and I also had the opportunity to snorkel with sharks.  I found a company about an hour away farther south that had a snorkel and dive program with black tip sharks.  Luckily these sharks only eat fish and crustaceans so there was no need to be afraid.  After a safety briefing from our marine biologists our group of 10 (Mark and I went on separate days due to the kids), went to the beach to help get the rubber fishing boat out to sea.  Once fully in the ocean, the skipper fired up the motor and we went full throttle over the waves.  I am glad I took some motion sickness medicine and wore a pressure point bracelet as the amount of people getting sick from the constant rocking was almost comical.  Then again the lack of safety of this take off also made me laugh as it would never be allowed in the US (too many law suits I assume).

On the way out to the reef where the sharks hang out we saw dolphins jumping.  With our wet suits on and snorkels ready to go, we each slide off the boat and into the water.  Or course this was after first looking down to make sure we were not going to land on any sharks.  Seeing their fins out of the water made me timid at first, but I was all ready for the adventure and went in anyways.  The company had a log that you could hold onto or you could swim around on your own.  Honestly the sea sickness was better if you swam around and did not have a constant to hold onto.  For an hour we enjoyed swimming among the sharks and jelly fish.  Sadly I found out the hard way that I am hyper allergic to jelly fish and after being stung on the ear I broke out in a rash from my ear to my feet that itched like poison ivy.  But on the positive note, it was majestic to be able to swim with the sharks, they would come within inches of you and one brushed along Mark’s legs.  We were advised not to touch them and had to keep our hands near our body.  I was never scarred or concerned during our hour swim, just thrilled to have the opportunity to get that close to such beautiful creatures.

One day Mark and Adalyn ventured to the water park for the morning and that afternoon Grant and I joined them at the aquarium.  Both were quite nice and provided hours of entertainment.   

We also visited a few other beaches and shopping areas.  We walked to dinner almost every evening, stopping at the beach for a few pictures each time and appreciated the quality of seafood we found. 

 I am glad to have checked the Indian Ocean off my list of things to do while in South Africa.  I was surprised at how warm the water was and how early people start congregating at the beach, 6am and several families already marked their spot.  I hope we get to visit the Indian Ocean again as the sound of the waves were quite loud providing for restful nights and perfect mornings to wake to. 

A lesson in generosity

I never thought I would learn so much from Joyce, the wonderful woman who works in our home, but yet again she has reminded me of another valuable lesson.

Joyce, her husband, 2 daughters, 2 nephews and 1 grandson joined us for a Christmas dinner.
2 of her sons were not able to join us as they were visiting family a few hours away.  

Picture this.  You live in a small home of approximately 500 square feet with 1 bathroom, no actual bedrooms as they are all curtained off, with 7 other family members who you share beds with, all while trying to survive on a salary of $350 per month.  If I were this person and someone gave me something, you bet I would be hoarding it and keeping it to my family, but not Joyce.

Anything that I give Joyce she shares, anything.  The true epitome of a Christian she is always thinking of others, helping out others, and putting herself last.  For her birthday last year, I took her out to lunch, bought her some new shoes and made her family dinner.  I tried to make enough food for Joyce to bring home and feed her family of 8, but what I did not realize is that Joyce would be sharing this dinner.  Joyce told me the next day that she had all her neighbors and friends over for dinner and shared what I had brought.  I just figured that with them eating spoiled food and having limited funds she would try to make some of the food last for 2 meals.  But not Joyce, who is kind beyond measure and wanting to share what others have given her.

Despite her limited income, Joyce gives to her church.  She states she cannot always give money, but will give food she has made or items she has brought home from our house such as flour and bread to give to her church as a way of tithing.  It amazed me that someone who has so very little, will still strive to give back but Joyce makes a point to do so every week.  Joyce is deeply devoted to her church and never misses a Sunday, even if we offer to pay her to work extra, she will pass it up so she can praise God with her family.

When Mark went back to the US for the World Series it was an unexpected trip, and a fast one, so I did not have time to order any items online or have him pick up much at the store for us.  Instead I had him go through the clothes and shoes we left behind and bring back what I thought we would no longer use upon moving back to the US.  Mark managed to bring back 11 pairs of shoes, over 30 sweaters and shirts and a few skirts.  The following morning I gave Joyce the items and she was excited.  I figured she would share them among her family but once again, Joyce said she would bring most of them to her church to share with others.

At Christmas time our first year here, my friend Martha and I went shopping for Joyce's family and bought everyone in the family a new outfit.  Joyce was so excited upon seeing the gifts that she started crying.  I figured that since she was so excited about one outfit, she would be overjoyed and want all the clothes Mark brought back from the US.  When you have a generous heart such as Joyce's, it is others you think of and it does not occur to you that one needs such an abundance of items.

Joyce has taught me to put others first, even when you have very little, there is always something to be shared.  Her giving attitude has made me look at myself and our family to see what we can do.  I tend to hoard and save and although I give to our church back home, I have not been as generous as I could be towards others.  Though Joyce I am doing better at sharing God's blessings in my life and I am more grateful for what we do have, not taking them for granted as I often did.  With the spirit of Christmas still on my mind I am trying to have a more giving heart this year because of Joyce.  Without her knowing it, Joyce has been a wonderful life coach and fantastic teacher.  It is people like her that truly make a difference in this world.