It is almost time to go to South Africa!

(TOM) OK, almost completely packed. More than ready to go. We'll be updating this regularly (both Miranda and I will be posting), so sign up if you want to get updates sent to you.

The list of our planned activities:

- One week at Zulu Nyala Private Game Reserve. Between morning and evening drives, we will take a walking safari through St. Lucia Reserve across the forested dunes to the Indian Ocean (yes, the guide will be armed), go whale watching during the peak time for one of the largest whale migrations in the world, feed baby African cats at the Cheetah Rehabilitation Center, spend a day doing game drives at one of two neighboring game reserves (either Hluhluwe or Phinda).

- Sawubona! ("Hello" in Zulu). Five days in the small village of Impendle, living in a creche with our host family, the Shezi Family. We will split our time between helping establish and keep up sustenance farms, and working with the children in the village school. Miranda is donating her laptop, loaded with Encarta and some educational programs. She will spend a lot of time teaching the people there how to use it (Massive thanks to Mark for helping get it ready for this environment!).

- Then to Cape Town. We have a few things on our list here including climbing Lions Head peak, going to Robben Island where Mandela was prisoner, a trip to the Cape, a day of neighborhood shopping, and a day doing some cage diving with the famous South African great white sharks (Yes, Michelle, I'll bring my St. Christopher!).

I still can't really believe we're about to do this.