Alter This

South Africa {part one}!

In one word...South Africa was AMAZING!  I would have to say it is the most incredible place i have ever visited.  Flying there however, was not incredible - more than 28 hours of travel all told - but i would do it again tomorrow ....well maybe not tomorrow - but I have been invited back again next October and I can't wait!

I arrived very early in the morning  - we enjoyed a few hours of my arrival at the most beautiful spa I have ever visited.  Ingaadi, surrounded by plush Olive trees and nestled in the heart of tranquil African savannah oasis.  The experience of this serene sanctuary made for a truly unique spa surrounded with its natural backdrop of African beauty!

View just outside of our massages....

The next day we prepared for our classes with some of the other teachers

Jerry {from bobunny}, Brent and Jen {from Making Memories}, Mona and Carol {from Bazzill Basics} and Marah and myself {Creative Imaginations}

Our signs that we were asked to make ...love the Oceana line by Christine Adolph!

Amazing store that we taught at Scrapbooking Aquila!

some of the sweet women in one of our classes.

The store is located at a mall that overlooks this golf course! Wow! Some days there were more animals than golfers...

Both Marah and myself had the most fabulous time teaching 10 classes and make and takes! We are grateful to all who attended and to Scrapbooking Aquila for inviting us! We both look forward to next year!

After we were finished teaching we spent some time shopping and then headed off to a four day African safari at Zebula!

Shopping in South Africa was so fun! I loved all handmade wares.  I must confess I brought home another suitcase. :)

Loved all the beadwork

Loved this shot...:)

I purchased the small drums for the assistants and 2 giraffe's for me! :)

side of the road shopping!

more side of the road shopping....

handcarved purses....incredible works of art!

but my favorite part of visiting South Africa was the people!  This beautiful lady and her son "paul" touched my heart! She had some beautiful handmade items in her booth to purchase!

a cobbler on the side of the road working hard.

I just love how the mom's hold their babies! Heartwarming. :)

I realize this post is too long already...i will be back  to post photos from our safari in Zebula! Stayed tuned for part two of South Africa!

But of course, I must post a few photos of the assistants and another quote!

Brody singing....

Braeden {love this photo}

Brody {love his elf ears...he wears them like this}

QOTD:  "He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help."

See you next year....

God Bless!

cheryl

 

Cruisin'....

I cannot believe in only a matter of days we will be saying goodbye to 2010!  These last few months have flown by! Seems as though we just said hello to Fall and today as I write this blog post I am watching the snow fall outside.

Since my last post I have spent the later half of October, November and the first part of December traveling extensively.  Looking back on where I have been is a bit overwhelming.    I am still editing alot of my photos but wanted to share a few of my favorites so far!

My first trip in October, Stephen and I spent a relaxing wonderful week on a cruise visiting Haiti, Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Cozumel.  While at sea, I spent my time teaching classes and hanging out with a wonderful group of women.

This was Stephen's first cruise and my fourth - and he loved it as much as I had hoped!   He has already agreed to accompany me again, and he won't have to wait too long - I am teaching on another cruise with Croptopia Getaways, this time to the Western Carribean next October! We will be visiting one of my  favorite islands, Roatan, Honduras!

Here are a few favorite photos from the cruise! 

Haiti {view from our cabana}

yikes almost didn't go in the water {i said almost}

Then on to Jamaica!

Jamaica - Dunn's River Falls!

Beautiful Coyaba Gardens

I love you Steve for always making me smile

and for being so patient while i took so many photos in the gardens...

 
nearly 300 of them....

and even this one....which clearly shows your patience. :)

and for buying me a camera to make me happy and to capture the peacock that followed us around Jamaica .

We spent some time with the locals...loved his donkey and flowers were gorgeous

and who can forget our rainforest visit to Carl "the spiceman"

and Cayman Islands

Our favorite island on this trip was Cayman even though the weather didn't cooperate as much as we liked, we still had a great time!

where we spent a bit of time at the beachfront bar enjoying a beverage or two while we waited out the rain.

Went for a walk on seven mile beach where steve found me this...

a "heart" shape rock {I have a collection from steve and the boys}

 

Our last stop was Cozumel so we decided to get up really early to see the sunrise...one of my favorite things to do!

Just Beautiful!

Last stop Cozumel!

we spent the day at a resort on the water

perfect view...:)

Leaving Cozumel....{if you look close you can see the beautiful tanzanite ring steve gave me}

Steve bought a package of photos from our time on the ship, but this is my favorite - an impromptu photo taken by a couple on our last day.

Great memories from our trip...tomorrow i will post some photos from my time in South Africa!

I leave you with a quote and snapshot of the assistants!

Blessings,

Cheryl

QOTD: "One day is worth a thousand tomorrows....~ Benjamin Franklin