Above: Mimi and me at the airport
One of the biggest privileges and blessings in life is to be part of making someone else's life-time dream come true. It is even more awesome when you hardly know that person.
I met Mimi in cyberspace in 2005 - during the 'Maxdog' era. She ran a blog called 'Loving for a Living'. We hit it off like old friends and have continued to support one another over the past 9 years. Mimi's dream has always been to visit my home country,SOUTH AFRICA and two weeks ago, we met at the airport for the very first time ever.
The past two weeks, although hectic, have been remarkable. It's as if God himself has put his hand of blessing on this adventure - providing experiences that will last a life-time for both of us. I'm not even going to attempt to explain it all, but rather to put up a few bumper blogposts of pictures which will record this amazing event.
So let's begin...
MIMI GETS SETTLED...
Special treats for the dogs - all the way from Michigan.
Meeting family and friends
DAY 2:
A visit to Montecasino Bird gardens for the show 'Flight of Fantasy' and an opportunity to meet some colourful characters.
DAY 3:
Our next stop was the famous 'Elephant Sanctuary' at Hartebeespoort Dam where one is able to interact with the elephants one-on-one
Receiving an elephant-education talk
Mimi feeding the elephant
Receiving a special 'Kiss'
Me: Walking 'hand-in-trunk'
DAY 5:
A visit to the 'geode' and precious rocks store
A visit to the theatre to see 'A handful of keys'
---xXx--
MIMI GETS SETTLED...
DAY 2:
DAY 3:
Me: Walking 'hand-in-trunk'
Mimi, Robyn and I
Our next stop was Hartebeespoort Dam Cable-way and a view over the Magaliesberg mountains:
DAY 4:
On the first Monday we took a trip to the Lion Park - just outside Johannesburg with friends:
DAY 5:
A visit to the 'geode' and precious rocks store
---xXx--
My special thanks to Mimi's family and friends for encouraging her to take this courageous adventure - crossing the seas (a 16-hour journey), to an unknown country - in an act of trust, to meet someone she had only met in cyberspace. (me)
And to my sweet friend Mimi; may God bless you abundantly as you take home all these special memories.
With all my love
Look out for my next blogpost (soon!) where I will share 'Part 2' - our trip to the KRUGER NATIONAL PARK and the beautiful IMBALI SAFARI LODGE.
9 comments:
Mimi (and you) are so lucky! What an amazing adventure you took her on. Those big cat pictures are my favorite! Can't wait for the next installment.
Cindy
So pleased it all went so wonderfully well. And those lion cubs are just gorgeous!
Cheers, Gail.
How wonderful for you and Mimi to finally meet in person and then share such an amazing holiday in SA!
I loved seeing your pictures (especially the lion cubs - so cute. I wish you could send me one) and am looking forward to your next post.
I wanted this to happen as much as you and Mimi did! And when I heard it was going to happen--I was so excited.
What a dream come true for both of you.
And I have never met either of you- but we have always been connected by heart strings- haven't we?
Oh how I have wished I could have been there too!
The photos are absolutely magnificent.. and each one of those photos will help store the memorys in both your hearts
love
tweedles
My dear friend, What an incredible adventure for Mimi and how blessed that she was able to meet you-a true blessing. I loved all the photos but especially like the lions. You my friend, are loved by so many because of the love you give to others. I've been having a hard time finding enough time to blog, but please know it is not because I am not here. You cross my thoughts whenever I'm with Avril-which is now once a week due to bible studies. Sending you hugs from cool Colorado(we are having a rain storm right now).
xxxoooNoreen
Oh wow Maxmom. that looked great. Such great hosts you and and your family were. Better watch out, you may get more visitors now. Time to open a B&B?
What a chance of a lifetime for both of you but especially for Miss Mimi! We can't stop smiling at all of the fabulous photos!
Love ya lots♥
Mitch and Molly
Caryl, what a lovely post, and amazing, amazing photos of such special moments! Once again you've taken someone like me to a place I'll probably never get to visit. You truly are a gift and blessing to all of us who have 'met' you via cyberspace. You inspire people like me with your beautiful words, kindness, friendship and so many other things, and we are all better for it.
And we are here again, looking at these beautiful photos again.
LOVE
TWEEDLES
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