Doug and Paisley in SWAZILAND: Sodwana Bay, South Africa

Thirteen of us escaped the frigid Mbabane winter this past weekend and dashed for the beach in Sodwana Bay, South Africa. It was a much needed respite from the cold and with such good company, scuba diving, and the final World Cup matches it was a great weekend. We all caravanned after work on Friday evening and arrived at Mseni Lodge just after 9:00pm. They were kind enough to keep the kitchen open for us, so we had a nice group dinner without having to do any work.

Due to our large numbers, we had two houses. Doug and I stayed with Stephanie, Michelle and Jenny in the 5-person house. The house was a two bedroom, but in order to squeeze another person in, they had positioned a single bed in the 'foyer' as you entered the front door and across from the bathroom. From the bed, one could open the fridge; however, you couldn't close the door. If it was a bedroom, it was a stretch. Jenny was gracious enough to claim this spot as her own.

Doug and I stayed in the double room

And here are a couple of more shots of the place, including the kitchen and bathroom

On Saturday morning, we had to be at the beach by 8:00am in order to prepare for our scuba diving adventures.

Sunrise from the balcony

We went diving in Sodwana Bay last December, but since the reef (named ‘2 Mile’) has multiple sites and is obviously 2 miles long, it takes a couple of trips to conquer the reef. We had enough divers to fill a boat, so it was really fun to be able to dive with all of our friends.

Erin (PAC Doctor), Tini (Economist), Jenny (Economist) and Stephanie (PAC Doctor)

'Kitting-up' as they say...or...getting ready (Erin, Garrett - Clinton Foundation, Tao - Computronics)

Getting into the wetsuit is the hardest part

Nick (Technoserve)

I'm sure I'm making some type of point, here...or just telling Doug what to do...

All ready (except Garrett, as he doesn't dive)

Dive boats

Loading the tractor to load the dive boats

Launching the boat

The diving was awesome over the course of the weekend. We saw a rare, leatherback turtle, an octopus, eel, swimming devil rays, and zillions of fish

After our Saturday morning dives, Doug, Shaun and Garrett rented surfboards. Doug surfed while Shaun and Garrett took a surf lesson

Shaun and Garrett posing as surfer dudes

Waiting for waves

Doug, riding the whitewater in

Getting out of the water

Posing with Little Lemmy. Doug is happiest when his car looks like this...

Garrett, waving his 'Big 5' towel - that cost $30 at the local super market. Ouch.

How an afternoon after the beach should be spent...reading and napping...

After another morning dive and surf session on Sunday, it was time to load up the cars and to make our way back to Swaziland in time for the World Cup Finals. Monkeys are very mischievous in Sodwana and Shaun accidentally left the rear, car door window open...which meant a little mischief for Lemmy. Here's the scene of the crime...