My Bucket List Trip

<div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O9aC87rA3xc/T70uffg2jxI/AAAAAAAAH0o/uLXtFVRI1Vw/s1600-h/bucket-list%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bucket-list" border="0" height="630" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xnE_gVFjBZM/T70ufxyK_AI/AAAAAAAAH0w/kAfTQEO1I-8/bucket-list_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bucket-list" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">This year is my husband’s 50th Birthday and also our 20th Wedding Anniversary – so much to celebrate! Because it’s Dave’s big year he wanted to take a Bucket List Trip – for my international readers a Bucket List is a list of things you want to do before you die; a once in a lifetime excursion! We have rarely traveled without our children and this trip is no exception. I have been planning it for months and months and so excited to share it with you.  Later this summer where are we off to……..AFRICA!!!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-abXLxl2uCg8/T70ugYN-e2I/AAAAAAAAH04/BWHLbLiJ024/s1600-h/cape-grace-hotel%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cape-grace-hotel" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-htVBN6pfipg/T70ug9NcdHI/AAAAAAAAH1A/6V3UMeD1KHY/cape-grace-hotel_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cape-grace-hotel" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">Our first stop will be gorgeous Cape Town, South Africa.  We will be staying at the beautiful Cape Grace Hotel on the Victoria and Alfred waterfront. This photo also shows the spectacular Table Mountain in the distance. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H6rROIF6UDI/T70uhcyLU4I/AAAAAAAAH1I/-dae3RzvzY4/s1600-h/Cape-Grace-Rest_-Tapestry%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cape-Grace-Rest_-Tapestry" border="0" height="904" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xkia2ru_Jhc/T70uiE8Bu0I/AAAAAAAAH1Q/Z4uUKfvlijI/Cape-Grace-Rest_-Tapestry_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cape-Grace-Rest_-Tapestry" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">You may be familiar with the Cape Grace Hotel. It’s been recently remodeled by the fabulous South African Designer, Kathi Weixelbaumer. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pBMrvGm34nw/T70uiW6wn5I/AAAAAAAAH1Y/soM92Om1Rh8/s1600-h/Cape%252520Grace%252520lobby2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cape Grace lobby2" border="0" height="412" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ylPgo6vRPm4/T70ukMBNF6I/AAAAAAAAH1g/vY_wf9Mmzks/Cape%252520Grace%252520lobby2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cape Grace lobby2" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">She used local hand painted fabrics created by the artists at African Sketchbook as wall coverings, drapes and upholstery to depict the story and history of Cape Town. You can read more about the beautiful Cape Grace Hotel and the décor <a href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2010/01/cape-towns-cape-guest.html"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>HERE</strong></span></a> in a wonderful post by Joni of Cote De Texas</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bu0aPZAo5sI/T70uk588XkI/AAAAAAAAH1o/Knl4frKYw3w/s1600-h/African%252520Sketchbook%252520VOC-Plates1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bu0aPZAo5sI/T70uk588XkI/AAAAAAAAH1w/XY-maKJ2l8E/s1600-h/African%252520Sketchbook%252520VOC-Plates1%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="African Sketchbook VOC-Plates1" border="0" height="679" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pdqWu1BY8lE/T70umXtuhnI/AAAAAAAAH10/KoMLVKzGgBA/African%252520Sketchbook%252520VOC-Plates1_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="African Sketchbook VOC-Plates1" width="454" /></a></div><div align="center">The fabrics are extraordinary.  Here is another room done by Kathi Weixelbaumer that highlights the beautiful fabrics.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7XUr9LoF4ok/T70um_SFIPI/AAAAAAAAH18/hJzqgoK0dVc/s1600-h/20may-003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="20may-003" border="0" height="904" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gEoJXzhMc8c/T70uovcidRI/AAAAAAAAH2E/VVYjmZYbQuk/20may-003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20may-003" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">I will be meeting with the African Sketchbook folks and we will be touring the wonderful factory/studio to see how all the fabrics come to life. You see each fabric is hand painted and is a perfect work of art!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ma_TxltCmH4/T70upPou8UI/AAAAAAAAH2M/8jjOarxlvsc/s1600-h/Cape-Town-Winelands%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cape-Town-Winelands" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xuKCKO6hpGM/T70upSxb2kI/AAAAAAAAH2U/y3_VsNvVN5k/Cape-Town-Winelands_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cape-Town-Winelands" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">We will take in all the sites of Cape Town and the surrounding wine country. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KzSkf-P_8Dc/T70up5TlhvI/AAAAAAAAH2c/g81qMiEi0Pc/s1600-h/robben_island_green-domed_mosque%25255B3%25255D.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KzSkf-P_8Dc/T70up5TlhvI/AAAAAAAAH2k/2M5GizvAx58/s1600-h/robben_island_green-domed_mosque%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="robben_island_green-domed_mosque" border="0" height="497" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gdpZxTlSPb4/T70urKwL3aI/AAAAAAAAH2o/huvMh2JHwgc/robben_island_green-domed_mosque_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="robben_island_green-domed_mosque" width="528" /></a></div><div align="center">And of course visit the Nelson Mandela Gateway and Robben Island Museum. What a great education for the kids.  Then we are on to Zambia!!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vv4-mzknsc0/T70urhXi-QI/AAAAAAAAH2w/JjK1yYVaQcY/s1600-h/Victoria-Falls2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Victoria-Falls2" border="0" height="449" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qTGET6-F90Q/T70ur-GjAEI/AAAAAAAAH24/ks3GBId6MH0/Victoria-Falls2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Victoria-Falls2" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">We will be visiting Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world. (and I thought Niagara Falls was big!)</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3H0aC3Ob8CA/T70utbgISTI/AAAAAAAAH3A/RVANXXt9Ob0/s1600-h/sussi-chuma-480x272a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sussi-chuma-480x272a" border="0" height="344" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xCMk_Oo8Hps/T70utpb56eI/AAAAAAAAH3I/ksMn_rp6n54/sussi-chuma-480x272a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sussi-chuma-480x272a" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">Then off the Sanctuary Sussi and Chuma Lodge along the edges of the Zambezi River. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sygqJa45Qj0/T70uvOXfEzI/AAAAAAAAH3Q/wIv4GrmnsL8/s1600-h/VFA-Sussi-Lodge-Eles%25255B5%25255D.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sygqJa45Qj0/T70uvOXfEzI/AAAAAAAAH3Y/LgwnVA6dc30/s1600-h/VFA-Sussi-Lodge-Eles%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="VFA-Sussi-Lodge-Eles" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T7PNJll-QuI/T70uwMTlfXI/AAAAAAAAH3c/FaU0smP6TN0/VFA-Sussi-Lodge-Eles_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="VFA-Sussi-Lodge-Eles" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">Apparently we shouldn’t  be surprised if a herd of elephants come up on our deck and drink out of our pool!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GZuBsXaqvvI/T70uwuKBQ6I/AAAAAAAAH3k/Gk-lyv07a6s/s1600-h/Sanctuary-Philanthropy-web-banner-1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sanctuary-Philanthropy-web-banner-1" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zeYbSXY7hyA/T70uxOlgWLI/AAAAAAAAH3s/uYE651yIG8s/Sanctuary-Philanthropy-web-banner-1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sanctuary-Philanthropy-web-banner-1" width="704" /></a></div><div align="center">We will also spend time at the Nakatindi Village and Community School. We can't wait to meet some of the local children.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QOnpflakn8g/T70uxv93NgI/AAAAAAAAH30/aTwx5jAN6Nc/s1600-h/zebrasrearing%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="zebrasrearing" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yifqkk2Yt-g/T70uy14OhcI/AAAAAAAAH38/Vsa0xu3bfPA/zebrasrearing_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="zebrasrearing" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Then we are headed back to South Africa and Kruger National Park to go on safari to see the big 5 - elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_P9YEAtKIqU/T70u0Gj4MAI/AAAAAAAAH4E/XwUQ9hmdRf4/s1600-h/201107-singita-ebony-lodge%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="201107-singita-ebony-lodge" border="0" height="508" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0cpeh1SEJtE/T70u02FJTzI/AAAAAAAAH4M/SCmJrUwN-uM/201107-singita-ebony-lodge_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="201107-singita-ebony-lodge" width="504" /></a></div><div align="center">We will be staying in Sabi Sands, the center of the Kruger National Park at the Singita Ebony Lodge. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KZ4wz0j87TU/T70u1bIvPMI/AAAAAAAAH4U/EuMTM6OZ2vY/s1600-h/Sabi%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sabi" border="0" height="342" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JscNtupGo2Y/T70u1hreqeI/AAAAAAAAH4c/fz6M8ZdKMc0/Sabi_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sabi" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">The lodge is lit entirely by gas lanterns, so you really get the “Out of Africa” experience.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OksMnaaNt9k/T70u2KrxJ_I/AAAAAAAAH4k/i0WYk0veqkA/s1600-h/signita%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="signita" border="0" height="426" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9vQtsdOr6ZM/T70u3Jy-LoI/AAAAAAAAH4s/IRYlJemg1Oc/signita_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="signita" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">The lodge looks spectacular. You can take your meals indoors in the “library” or</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v82ACSsVeGc/T70u3lgUR9I/AAAAAAAAH40/bocq3rTQT8s/s1600-h/Signita%252520EbonySuiteDeck%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Signita EbonySuiteDeck" border="0" height="426" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NjQY1BfJJIc/T70u32iO0jI/AAAAAAAAH48/WjLJXaNn6tg/Signita%252520EbonySuiteDeck_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Signita EbonySuiteDeck" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">on your private veranda over looking the River…</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ghvp_dXqqC0/T70u5Yx9FOI/AAAAAAAAH5E/RDgVrY4NR8Y/s1600-h/Signita%252520Boma%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Signita Boma" border="0" height="426" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KBW900V1XXQ/T70u5zS7ECI/AAAAAAAAH5M/Qh9lyIHHF2w/Signita%252520Boma_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Signita Boma" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">or outdoors in the “Boma”.  I’ll let you know which is best.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iRkCFI5jJBY/T70u7YrgHJI/AAAAAAAAH5U/6IQofSof0Cs/s1600-h/sabi%252520lion%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sabi lion" border="0" height="226" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2RRtj_UQlLE/T70u78kN7CI/AAAAAAAAH5c/LqvvsDkijVQ/sabi%252520lion_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sabi lion" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">Of course I am a bit of a worrier – the tiny planes to get there are freaking me out.  And what if the kids get malaria or are attacked by lions?  I know I’m thinking crazy thoughts, but you know how mothers can be.  </div><div align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I2ZBH4oMUp8/T70u8aZJVsI/AAAAAAAAH5k/nhUXUkX1I9A/s1600-h/sunset%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sunset" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kOCqKPsvj9Y/T70u97mqhnI/AAAAAAAAH5s/lMR8wh3uRhE/sunset_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sunset" width="604" /></a></div><div align="center">Still, we are all excited and looking forward to a life changing experience! We will have many evenings to celebrate Dave’s 50th and our 20th Wedding Anniversary.  I am sure I will find inspiration at every turn.  I will be sketching and writing notes the entire time.  I can’t wait to show you all my photos!  If any readers have been, I would love to hear about your experiences before we go!!<br /><br /></div><div align="center">(All content property of Willow Décor and not to be copied with out consent. All photos Google images)</div>

My Bucket List Trip

This year is my husband’s 50th Birthday and also our 20th Wedding Anniversary – so much to celebrate! Because it’s Dave’s big year he wanted...

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