Sunday, March 25, 2012

A Road Trip to Red Lake with the Mares'


Soon after accepting a post with the Red Lake Family Health Team, mom, dad, and I got planning a road trip to northern Ontario. Never before I or anyone from my family has been as far north in the province, so our imaginations were running wild when discussing what we were expecting to see on this journey. Moose, beavers, and northern lights were the top three hopes to capture with photography. Snow and cold was expected during our northern drive, so when we were experiencing sunny and warm conditions it made us smile from ear to ear.







Downtown, Red Lake
(in the distance you can see the 'ice road' on the lake)




Our journey from Guelph to Red Lake

View Guelph to Red Lake, Ontario in a larger map


The Big Nickle, Sudbury, Ontario




















Bushplane Museum, Sault St Marie, Ontario
































After a 13 hour drive from Guelph, we stopped for a sleep in Wawa, Ontario.
















We saw 2 deers just outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario, but still no moose.
















Kakabeka Falls, Ontario



















































...and after approximately 28 hours of driving, we arrived to Red Lake, Ontario

















The 'ice road' on Red Lake

















The Giant Colon - March is colon cancer awareness month !!!


















During our journey, as Murphy's law suggests, we did not see moose nor beavers. But the northern lights did come out for us the last night mom and dad stayed with me, as they were planning to drive home the very next day. One lucky night, only a 30 minute show. What a spectacular nature show!



















Mom and Dad hit the road nice and early on Wednesday morning. The house, where I am staying currently, became silent and empty. And it stayed this way for an entire week. Next week I start work, and looking forward to meeting the staff at RLFHT.

Cheers for now,
R :-)

Sunday, March 18, 2012

DnR's final days in Cape Town - November 23-28, 2011




Cape Town for the final days


Once back in Cape Town, we were ready to relax and enjoy our last few days in this magical city. In the back of my conscience I was preparing for my departure and having to say good-bye to many people within a few days now. I preferred to be resting and doing little, however, I also wanted to visit dear friends. Dan and I stayed at the backpackers where my South African adventures began back in May, at the Green Eli in Observatory. It was the first place I stayed and now, it was also my last. The owner had been a dear friend to me, witnessing a few rugby games together. We thanked him for the help with the car rental and explained our amazing trip along the SA coast.

To meet with everyone, we suggested sharing a few meals out. My favourite Ethiopen place with Heidi, Dan experienced Masala on Long St. with my colleagues, and of course the Royale Eatery, to share a few.

















On our spare days we visited the Zapiro exhibit presenting his work on Madiba, District 6 museum, and by chance we made it to Charly's bakery (completely unplanned snack for us). Some of these places I have waited 6 months to visit.



























































Lastly, Thursday and Friday was spent conquering 2 very important activities left on our list of things to do:

1) a wine tour and
2) shark-cage diving



To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to visiting with sharks (even when surfing I wish to see none), but "When in Rome" as Dan always says. So, to get it done and over with, Thursday morning at 8am, we were off to Gransbaai to see some great white sharks! Blogging about it retrospectively, I still can't believe that I went through with this. So here are the pictures to prove it all.












































































As the sun was setting on our drive home, it presented us with some breathtaking scenery.







View Shark diving at Gans Bay, Western Cape, South Africa in a larger map








Firday's Wine tour

On a warm and sunny day, once again, at a 7 am start, we were picked up just outside the Eli for our day long wine tour. I imagined that we would visit 3, but I think by the end of the day we managed to visit 4 or 5 wineries. All delicious, but my favorite has to be Fareview :-)

Enjoy these very last images from South Africa!

























View Wine tour, Western Cape, South Africa in a larger map







November 27, 2011 - Dan's turn to fly home; however, A lesson on flying home at midnight will explain why I would be flying a day later. Never a dull moment for Renata :-)

We have come to the end of DnR's journey through South Africa. South Africa (and to all my dear friends), Thank you for a wonderful experience, and see you soon, I will promise you that !

R :-)