Coastal Cape Town

Yip,

here 2 weeks already after spending 2 weeks chilling out in Durban(Durbs to locals). We hit the casinos and Greyville racetrack for a type of Derby Day where all the oversized hats presented themselves to the judges to see which one could get the "most outlandish award".

Aftering renting a car, we drove the final stretch of coastline in comfort and the security that we no longer had to depend on the erratic bus timetables or the drivers whims for pulling off at the roadside to purchase some pineapple or mangoes whilst flying past the most scenic locations as if they didn't exist.

Stopped off at Port St. Johns, Jeffreys Bay(also known as J Bay,big spot for would be surfers) and went through Knysna. All the stretches of the South African coastline and indeed some inland parts have a very clever marketing program to induce the traveller to visit so the above towns were in districts like 'The Wild Coast, The Hibiscus Coast, Winelands', etc.

Arriving in Cape Town, we stayed for the last time in a dorm with some novice backpackers who were alerted to the fact that South Africa's pre-eminent export is the security situation so these young travellers were very much on their guard.

Cricket and rugby pervades all aspects of life here for the minority community while soccer is more a game for the locals.Currently the Rugby Tri-Nations Championship is being played and South Africa are doing well for a change so there is increased hype.

Heidi has been to the large Victoria & Alfred Mall at the scenic Waterfront and movies so much in the past few weeks that I think she might have broken some Guinness World record and I can safely say, I'll be taken right back there after this bout updating the blog.

So, we've completed this leg of the journey. It only took us 8 months and we covered 20 countries and countless, I mean countless miles on all manner of transport...that reminds me, we should do a least favorites, most favorites section to indicate our preferences.We've gotten to know more about the peoples of these regions, more than any book could describe or TV show, we've learned a lot about ourselves, our weaknesses and strengths but above all, we've had a blast and we hope to write another blog for the next leg of the journey.

Thats it for now though...photos of the wedding to follow and thanks to all the erstwhile faithful readers of the blog who have kept the commentary sections busy.

Marc & Heidi Drummond
(Marc & Heidi O Droma)

A Funny Thing Happened on the Beach the Other Day

Who would have though that as we were all seated near the bar at the Bamboozi Beach Lodge in Tofo, Mozambique getting to know each other that so much would have transpired from just one simple question?

"We are married but we've never had a wedding," was the reply that I that gave.

For months, especially while travelling through Arab countries like Yemen and Iran, to make travelling simpler, I have referred to Marc as my husband and he has referred to me as his wife. It had been going on for so long that we did feel married. As for the African wedding… we just hadn’t found the perfect place.

But, all that was about to change with Meghann’s question...(and the encouragement of a few shots of tequila!)

"Why not get married here?"…and the crowded table turned to Marc.

"Okay BUT only if it's official," was his only reply.

Usually picking a wedding date can be a big decision for an engaged couple…for us finding someone who knew the date was the challenge.

The boys were sitting at one table next to the girls at the other near the bar at Bamboozi at around 10pm making it remarkably easy for the stag and hen parties to begin immediately.

And, what happened in the next 24 hours was truly magic…

The next morning the wedding was still a go as people frantically asked “Are you still gonna do it? Is it still on?” I enjoyed breakfast in Tofu town with our new friends and picking flowers with Amy (New York bridesmaid) and Meghann (New York bridesmaid).

Brian, an Anglo-Irish ex-pat even went to the closest town of Ihambane, 20 kilometres away to see if he could be ordained a minister over the Internet the next morning and perform the ceremony, but since we were under the 24-hour mark, there wasn’t time. Luckily, Papa Luis, a Pastor at the local village and a cook at Bamboozi, was willing and able to perform the nuptials at 4pm the next day.

Marc luckily managed to secure the Honeymoon Hut, a rondavel type chalet with shower and toilet en suite (no, I didn’t just suggest a wedding to get an indoor toilet and a bed). Although he tried to keep it secret, he still managed to doze off for a couple of hours mid-morning as he had a bit of a hangover, not to mention the fact that he’d been lying on hard ground in our tent for the last week. He rested up in the Honeymoon Suite and landed down on the beach at around 1pm.

By 2pm he was showering and shaving and donning his finest clothes…red swim shorts and an orange short sleeved dress shirt and even managed to go for a swim in a paddling pool beneath the A frames.

By 3pm the girls and I went off to get ready. Everyone wore their cleanest clothes and I put on a clean white shirt (what luck that it was clean and still white), a white wrap from Eritrea, and Martina’s (Irish Maid of Honour) colourful silk wrap. Meghna (Californian Bamboozi Bar Girl) styled my hair with a few bobby pins, a string of Ihla de Mozambique beads, and a silver clip. Kjersti (Colorado bridesmaid) did my make up and Alicia (New York bridesmaid) dressed me up with her shell earrings.

By 4pm we were transformed. And, it was just in time as Papa Luis had arrived and the guests and the boys were all ready on the beach. Each one of the girls grabbed a bunch of flowers from our collection of town flowers, Marc’s coconut bouquet, and the flower bouquet that Jennifer brought from Ihambane.

The whales were playing offshore and I was calmed by Martina and by the surf and the sea. The sun was setting to the west and the light was perfect for a sunset wedding (…it’s dark by about 5:30 during the winter in the southern hemisphere).

We walked down the steep slope to the beach that was decorated with palms. Eric (Toronto guitarist) was strumming the Wedding March, Gene (Kiwi cameraman and groomsman) had gathered a large crowd of witnesses, and Marc and Papa Luis were ready and waiting.

Our hands were tied with the red scarf from Martina’s bouquet and Papa Luis went behind us so we faced the crowd. The ceremony began in Potangan (local language) so Papa Luis needed the help of John (beach boy and newly appointed translator). John’s eyes grew bigger and brighter as Papa Luis spoke. He was filled with enthusiasm even though his translation was pretty brief. As Papa Luis went on and on with the ceremony Marc kept interrupting with “Can I kiss her now?”

We knelt in the sand while Papa Luis blessed our marriage and made it official (Yes, Dave it was official!). We exchanged rings and were presented with matching shell bracelets (from our fab wedding party) and shell necklaces from Papa Luis and the local boys.

As soon as we were announced married John (translator) started singing Happy Birthday (great comic relief) and Marc finally got his kiss. As we kissed we were showered with rice.

Then Jennifer and (her daughter) Daphne sung “The Briar and the Rose” and there wasn't a dry eye on the beach.

The bridesmaids and Martina read special messages (typed below) that the wedding party had collected during the day. It was also a teary moment.

We took a few photos on the beach (including the one where the Rhodesian Ridgeback took a dump in the shot) and made our way up to the bar and Chantal (Banboozi) popped a bottle of champagne.

Pepyn (Dutch Best Man) made a toast and we said a few words to thank everyone. At just that moment, the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” from the Meet Joe Black soundtrack played. Remember when I mentioned magic? Well this was definitely one of those moments, as we never told anyone that that was the song that we were planning for our wedding. Ironically it played again later just after we cut the cake.

All- You -Can Eat Pizza was on the Bamboozi menu for a Wednesday night - I couldn't have planned that one better if I tried!

Craig (Bamboozi Chef) and the kitchen staff made a great cake for us. We had the plastic bride and groom ornament that I had been carrying in my sewing kit since Christmas 2003 after buying it together in Mexico.

Later there was more champagne and the cake cutting and Juha (Dutch Groomsman/Best Man #2) made another toast.

Almost 24 hours after it's inception, it was time to throw the bouquet. Chantal snagged the flowers and it was time for us to go… but not before Gene honoured us with the Haka (a traditional Maori warrior dance). We slipped away but the party went on…and on…and on…

It was the magic of the moment and the spirit and enthusiasm of many people that really made things work with such ease. Kjersti and Alicia took the lead on planning the ceremony with the help of the entire wedding party, Pepyn and Juha kept Marc calm, Gene gathered the guests, Martina kept me calm, Meghann, Amy and Jennifer gathered the flowers, the beach boys set up the location, and all the girls dressed me up. Happily that left Marc and I to enjoy each other and to enjoy the day.

Everyone at Bamboozi (guests and staff) contributed their talents to help our wedding go off without at hitch. We are overwhelmed by the love and energy of all of the romantic, adventurous souls and the perfect location in Tofu, Mozambique where everything came together for our unforgettable, magical wedding day.

Love and thanks to you all!
Marc and Heidi Drummond


Author’s Note –
Why have we waited so long to get this great news on the Blog you ask? Well, we’re in Durban, South Africa now and we have really just crashed after our long journey – we’re watching TV, going to the mall, catching up on a few movies, going to the mall, watching TV, sleeping lots, and staying in our pyjamas as long as possible…

But don’t worry, we will get out of our coma soon and will have lots for you too see. Ron and Pete (South African friends) document the big day with our video camera but we haven’t watched the footage yet (tired and broken video camera). We also need to get the photos off our camera (Oops! forgot the USB cable in Derry). We are also looking forward to getting together when we are back to Ireland, Canada, and America and share the footage and photos of our big day with everyone. For now, enjoy the text and look for the photos that we will post soon!!!!




Wedding Messages
Bamboozi Beach Lodge
Tofo, Mozambique
Wednesday, July 27, 2004

Sun, moon and stars of Africa will shine for you forever.
Safari ndjema (un-jair-mah) - Good journey.
Whenever you hear waves crashing, you should remember this perfect day.
There is no remedy for love but to love more.
May the sun shine on your face, the wind toward your back and the rain fall gently upon your feet.
Love, passion, impulsive, forgiveness, prosperity, clarity like an African starry night.
May peace, love and joy accompany you on your journey.
May you keep having fun with each other and carpe diem.
That whenever there is water you will swim in it; whenever there is wind you will sail through it, whenever there is fire you will see by it, and whenever there is earth you will walk on it.
I wish you a kick ass honeymoon.
I wish you all the best!
Have a lovely day!
May your children inherit your wild spirits and beautiful hearts.
Happy travels in your wedding and life together.
I wish you both have the best lives together and live in harmony.
Love and prosperity in your spontaneous lives.
Bleibe lustig, bleibe frohi wie der Mops im Haferklo. Good luck!
May you always make each other laugh.
Happiness, humour, tolerance; let these be central elements in your whole life!
Vous souhaitous le bonheur et prosperite pour votre vie future…cet peut-etre de beaux enfants.
May your union continue to be an inspiration for what should be.
Love and understanding in your journey towards the future!