The temple closed on Satuday, 29 January, for two weeks. We have taken this opportunity to visit some sites and want to share some pictures with you. On Tuesday, 1 February, we went to the Montecasino Bird Gardens. They had many types of birds and other animals there. Here are two of the most interesting birds.
On Thursday, 3 February, we went to the Hartebeesport Dam on the way to Pilanesberg, a game preserve. Here are the falls just below the dam. They had a chart up showing what diseases are of no, low, medium or high risk that may be in the water.
Here is the group who went with us. In the back, Brother Lewin, dad, and Brother Hickman In the front are Brother and Sister Smith, Mom, Sister Hickman, and Brother and Sister Rakotovao. Sister Lewin took the picture.
Here is a Rhino wihch was right along the side of the road.
There were two of them and the other one had moved on. We also saw a herd of elephants. Here they are in the trees.
We also saw wildebeests, elands (antelope), deer, warthogs, girrafs, and some very pretty birds.
On Friday, 4 February, we went to the Voortrekker Monument. These were pioneers, not unlike our own, who came from Cape Town north into Africa. Many of the cities and towns were started by them. The also were attacked by several African nagtive tribes - something our pioneers didn't have to worry about. Of course, there were the indians. There are two pioneers out front of the monument.
From there, we went to the Sammy Marks Museum. He was an Jewish emigrant from Russia who started many businesses. Most of his kids were disinherited because they did not marry Jewish. This is us having lunch in the Rose Garden.
On Saturday, 5 February, We wnet to the Cradle of Human Life. We first stopped at the Sterkfontier Caves, were they have several remains of supposedly pre-human bones. However, we did not go in as there were places we would have had to crawl. We went from there to the Maropeng Visitor's Center. They had cronicled the supposed timeline of the earth from today back billions of years. They had a boat ride which went through the four basic elements - earth, air, fire and water. They also had some intersting displays.
Here are mom and Sister Hickman comeing out of the Visitior's Center. A lady asked Borther Smith what a church group was doing here. He talked with her and gave her some pass along cards. Shaorn and I gave her a Book of Mormon. Her friend wouldn't take one. Who knows where it might lead.
On Monday, 7 February, we went to Lesedi, which means light. It is a place where four tribes have built example of the homes they lived in. They had a chief in each village sight and we had to shout an African word to be let in. Here is a Zulu warior with the ladies.
Here are mom and Sister Rakotovao with their favorite friend.
It has been very inetersting to visit these sights and we have learned a lot. We have many more pictures which you wiull have to wait and see later.
We love you all and appreciatre your support!
Mom and Dad
