My Trip to Zim

My parents' home from the gate

Back of the house from the tennis court. Yards are huge in Zim!

It's customary for young girls to hold a dish of soapy water for the adults to wash hands before a meal - serving men first

Meals are an important social component. You will always be offered tea (with goodies) or a meal when you visit.

Family is close knit in ZIm. Celebrating Mum's birthday. Uncle (standing on the left) gives an address.

Me in traditional dress, worn at special occasions (Mum's birthday dinner) - Christmas gift from Mum. Thanks!

Auntie and Uncles home, affectionately dubbed "The Castle" (you can see why) is always a stopover for family getting together

Lots of places for the kids to play!

My two daughters and their cousin always have a blast when they get together!

Family is such a joy! Me and my nephew and cousins (the guy is my cousin's hubby, but in Zim culture, he's my cousin now)

Me and my girls at The Castle

Family, family & more family and food!

Nothing eliminates stress like barking with your nephew!

More food!

My sister Nyasha's gorgeous spirit just shines through. In 3 weeks she & I didn't have ONE argument or anything even close. Can you say that about your siblings?

Happy to be home!

Zim is famous for soapstone sculptures. Hmm...what the heck is that supposed to be?

After Nyasha & I had exploded into uprorious cackles, Auntie finally solved the mystery - it's a man holding a GOURD! Who holds a gourd like that????

Downtown Harare

Sculpture in Harare

Westgate Mall

On Safari at Pamuzinda Lodge

Mom rented us the Royal Lodge

This was our fabulous hideout

Woo hoo!

December is rainy season so everything is lush and green

Pamuzinda Safari Lodge - awesome getaway an hour from Harare

Drummers announced every meal & chefs tended to our every need

Zim is below the equator so December is summer time. Flip flops, sun dresses and swimming pools!

Zebra

Lions growling. Yikes!

Let's go horse riding!

Vervet Monkey - the most common in Zimbabwe

Spike the Warthog likes to sleep nightly by the fire

Why - he's harmless! Not!

Warthog in the wild...by the lodge door

Eek! Rhino Skull

Zimbabwe Bird - The Fish Eagle

Giraffe

Baby elephants weight 130lb at birth. My baby weighed 7lb

Say ahhhh!

Adult African elephants live to be about 60

The Flame Lily is the national flower of Zimbabwe

Had to have a separate truck and driver for the luggage - thanks to Cousin Marshal for lending us his!

See why it needed its own car?

Breakfast at Wimpy

Marimba players seranade you at dinner at the Tribes Restaurant at the Emperor's Palace, Jo'burg

Giant Michelangelo "King David" Sculpture...huge...

KFC delivers...on bikes! Friendliest KFC staff IN THE WORLD are in the Sandton suburb.