Our Travel Adventures

Gallery: Our Time in London

godt2009 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:06:00 GMT

Having a BLAST in London!

godt2009 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 05:33:00 GMT

Well, we arrived back in London on Wednesday morning after a 13 hour flight from Cape Town. Of course we couldn't go to sleep, so we spent some time at the Victoria and Albert museum and kicking around Kensington Park. Needless to say, we were ready for sleep that first night! We have been having a great time....here's a few of the things we've done so far:

A ride on the London Eye - amazing view of the city!
Watched two musicals (Hairspray and Chicago)
A tour of Buckingham Palace and the Mew (Royal Horses and Carriages)...I even got some Royal Snot on my jacket - from a horse...of course!
Westminster Abbey
Winston Churchill War Museum and Bunker - very cool!
Portobello Market at Notting Hill
Runs through Kennsington and Hyde Parks
Shopping/Touring of Leicester Square, Picadilly Circus, Covent Gardens and Regent Street
Many rides on the Tube...the girls are getting to be real pros!

Our plans for the next few days include:

Seeing the musical Wicked
A tour of Windsor Castle
A couple more museums (British, Tate Modern and possibly the Photograph's Gallery)
More shopping - you know, everything is so cheap in London - NOT!!
More runs and strolls through the parks and side streets - very fun just to head out and explore the different areas.

Check out the photos, as we've added some from our London Adventures. The time will go fast and before we know it, we'll be headed back to Gig Harbor - which will be great as well - it will be nice to be home!

Blessings to all!

Larry and 'his girls'.

Outrageous Mt. Camdeboo!!!!

godt2009 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:27:00 GMT

Well we arrived at Mt. Camdeboo after a two day drive, and were met by the staff with a hot cider welcome and Land Rover for 10 to whisk us away to our Manor House. The 9 of us (The Bilton's and Riandi's parents) were the only guests at the private game reserve. 59,000 acres and wildlife and staff to ourselves. We absolutely felt like royalty the 5 days we spent there. Our rooms were amazing with beautiful furniture, netting over the beds, heated floors and decadent bathrooms. Each day we were suprised by the staff several times. We enjoyed a morning game drive, and a sunset game drive everyday. The wildlife was spectacular, and each drive we were suprised by more unbelievable animals. We saw cheetahs, rhinos, giraffe, kudu, springbok, oryx, wart hogs, porcipines, jackals, water mongoose, zebras, ostrich, cape buffalo and beautiful flowers, birds and breathtaking scenery. Too many animals to mention them all. Our most amazing sunset drive was coming upon 2 cheetah who had just killed a kudu and were eating it 15 feet away from our Landrover! Outrageous! Did I mention the food?? Over the top!! After our morning game drive we would have a yummy brunch, tea and goodies at 3:00 and 7:30 dinner. It was all linen, crystal, silver and candles! Each night they suprised us with a different location for dinner. One night they lit 30 plus lanterns to light our path after our game drive, and the meal was served around a blazing fire. Our last night, they suprised us with serving our entire meal in the bush. They started setting up at 4:00 with tables, chairs, linen, and crystal with candles and lanterns and a fire. We had a traditional Brai (barbeque) and enjoyed ostrich skewers, lamb chops and kudu medallions. Not to mention the fantastic desserts and coffee and roobios tea!! The staff was amazing, and we had a Ranger/naturalist named Ettiene who was AMAZING as our game driver and shared so much about the conservation and particulars of all of the flora and fauna. We enjoyed lots of down time there as well, as the weather during the day was warm. Nights and mornings were chilly, but all of the game drives we were given hot water bottles and blankets and ponchos. We even had hot water bottles in our bed when they turned down the sheets. We are spoiled forever, and consider ourselves so amazingly blessed to get to experience God's awesome creation so up close and personal. We all definately want to go back!!! Who is coming with us??? It was a magical time, and we kept pinching one another!! South Africa is really gorgeous!

In South Africa!

godt2009 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:40:00 GMT

Well, we made it to South Africa on Monday the 6th. The Bilton's were patiently waiting for us at the airport - it was so good to see them again! Might I say, they are the most amazing hosts! We have been given the 5-star treatment...here's just a sampling of what we've done so far:

Tour of the wine country town of Stellenbosh with a wonderful breakfast at Riandi's mom's restaurant. It is in the botanical gardens at the university...amazing location!
Private tour of the Bilton winery with a special wine and chocolate tasting - fantastic!! We also got to go to "Finger Rock" which is high on the hill at the farm and is where Mia is buried - a very special place, with an amazing view of the farm, the mountains and the whole valley!
Tour of the Ernie Els winery and then a wonderful picnic at a nearby park
A day in Cape Town:

A trip to Table Mountain (we didn't make it to the top, as the wind was too strong) and Signal Hill with great views of the city.
A boat tour of Cape Town harbor
Exploring the waterfront stores

Two days at the Bilton's beach home (Langebaan - about 2 hrs north of Cape Town on the Atlantic coast)

Runs on the beach
Seashell collecting
Great food
Time to relax, read and just hang out together

An intense round of Cranium, with Caroline and Olivia just barely beating out Larry and Matthew.....there will be a re-match!
Celebrating Matthew's 29th birthday:

a wonderful breakfast of pancakes, bacon, fresh juice, coffee and 'words of life for Matthew' - so fun to do!!!
an amazing time at the Bilton's church (Every Nation Somerset West) - great worship, fellowship and teaching!

We (just the Godt's) are now in a small town called Franschhoek which is about an hour from the Bilton's. We are spending the night in a great B&B (La Fontaine) and will be touring the town and area tomorrow...it is much like Calistoga in Napa Valley.

On Tuesday morning we will be heading to Mount Camdeboo for 5 days at the private game reserve for rest, relaxation, game drives, a few photos :) and more rounds of board games! We will be stopping along the Indian Ocean beaches on our drive to and from Mount Camdeboo (it is about 8 hours one way). We will not have any cell or internet access while on the game reserve, so we won't be updating the blog until we return.

Talk to you when we get back 'connected'!!

Larry and 'his girls'!

Gallery: Our Time in South Africa

godt2009 — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:09:00 GMT

Praying for James, the assistant headmaster at Restore Academy

godt2009 — Mon, 6 Jul 2009 21:48:00 GMT

Several of us prayed for James and asked the Lord for words of encouragement for him. One of the things the Lord spoke about him was that he was a reconciler of people, that he is a man that would bring people together. He has a real heart for the broken and displaced. When we shared it all during our prayer time to him, he was overwhelmed. He told our group that it would be a day that would go down for him as one of the most important days of his life. He was teary when he shared the impact, and as you may or may not know, Ugandans do not sh alot of emotion. It was such a privilege to pray for him, and for the other teachers and all of the students. That by far was one of my favorite moments in Uganda. We take for granted that we have family and friends who speak life and encouragement to us all of the time. I learned that despite all of the hardships and incredible sadness that they have experienced, they are a people full of joy, hope, appreciation and the most gracious hosts. Lisa XOXOXOXOX

My favorite place in Uganda!!

godt2009 — Mon, 6 Jul 2009 21:25:00 GMT

I would have to say that my favorite place in Uganda was the orphanage or Restore Academy. I loved the orphanage because I got to snuggle on some pretty adorable kids. But, I also like the school because I got to hang out with kids my age, and well I was treated like a movie star! While at the school I got to teach the girls how to make friendship bracelets with myself, Olivia, Morgan, and Jenna! It was AMAZING!!! Ok well can't wait to see you guys! Bye Bye for now!

xoxox Caroline xoxox

Gallery: Our Time in Uganda

godt2009 — Sun, 5 Jul 2009 18:02:00 GMT

In Uganda

godt2009 — Sun, 5 Jul 2009 17:44:00 GMT

Well, our time in Uganda is just about coming to a close. Today we are in Kampala, and tomorrow we will fly out. I think I speak for the whole family when I say that Uganda has been so much more than we expected. We first arrived in Gulu, a bustling town in Northern Uganda. There is where we helped at Restore Academy which turned out to be completely life changing. As a team we were able to pray for all 10 teachers individually and all 165 students individually! An amazing experience. Our time in Gulu was short and busy, but we all feel like we made many life long friends along the way. We walked through the bustling outdoor market, played with young orphans, listened to 12 girls sing amazing worship songs, played volleyball and soccer at the school, and fit in time to get some delicious iced mochas. Our time there was unforgettable. After Gulu, we went to Paraa lodge where we took a boat safari and went on a game drive. We saw elephants, hippos, alligators, giraffes, a leopard, gazelles, baboons, and lots of birds. Caroline, Dad, and I (Olivia) got to sit on top of the jeep... we all felt like Indiana Jones! Today we are in Kampala, like I said earlier, and we are planning to go shopping today. We will be sure to fill you in later! Love and hugs to you all!