Thulani in Gauteng - Day 1

DAY 1: THURSDAY 27th JANUARY 2011

Thulani has arrived safely in the Big Smoke of Johannesburg, or more specifically, Sandton, North of Johannesburg

There is much excitement in the Weaver household, as all 3 small Weavers want their time with Thulani.

Some history on Johannesburg:

Johannesburg is known as "The city of Gold" - or Egoli

Gold was discovered in Johannesburg in 1886, this triggered a mass migration of people from all over the world. Thus, Johannesburg is quite a melting pot of different cultures and nationalities.

The History of the gold -rush is evident around Johannesburg - driving on the high ways, one can see many of these mine dumps:

In the late '80's and early '90's, a lot of businesses moved out of Johannesburg, to Sandton, thus forming a new CBD. However - in recent years, the city has undergone a redevelopment programme, attracting both residents and businesses back into the CBD. I can't wait  for the end product - because what they have done thus far is making Jo'burg a beautiful city!

Thulani has arrived in Gauteng

Hi there
Just to let u know that Thulani has arrived safely, to much excitement in the Weaver household. He will even be going to nursery school tomorrow.
We promise to love him for a week before packing him off to Israel.
Photos to come :)
The Weavers x

Thulani leaves home

Thulani is about to embark on his great adventure!  He is just about ready to leave his home-town of Shelly Beach, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, where he has lived happily with Grant, Gill, Roxy and Paula Richardson, as well as 3 dogs and 2 cats.

Shelly Beach is one of a string of small coastal towns on the South Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal, collectively making up the “Hibiscus Coast”.  There are lots of lovely beaches in this area, so many tourists come here on holiday, especially in December.  Most of the tourists are South African, but we have some overseas visitors too.  The South coast of KZN has many sugar cane and banana farms, as well as macadamia nut plantations.

Visitors to the Hibiscus Coast love to swim in the warm Indian Ocean and laze on the beaches, especially in the Summer months, from early November to late March.  But that doesn’t mean the Winter months are boring; we get to see lots of whales in the Winter, as they pass our shores on their migratory journey between the Antarctic and their breeding grounds near to Mozambique.  We also have the annual Sardine Run in Winter, when millions of these small silver fish pass our shores, followed by thousands of dolphins, game fish and sea-gulls.  In Summer the mid-day temperature is usually in the upper 20s to mid-30s (celcius) and in Winter about 20 to 23 degrees Celcius.

The languages most spoken in this area of South Africa are English and Zulu, although you will also hear some Afrikaans and Xhosa.  South Africa has 11 official languages!  Kwa-Zulu Natal is also known as The Kingdom of the Zulu and has a monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini. 

Thulani has been raised in a typical South African home, where he has enjoyed many a “braai” (barbeque) and lazy days around the pool .....

Like his family, Thulani enjoys watching rugby on TV.  He is a proud supporter of the Sharks and the Springboks.

Gill, Jax, Paula and Roxy getting into the rugby spirit

Last week Thulani went to school with Paula:

Kelsey, Paula, Thulani, Yudhika and Kelly. (Thanks for taking the photo Mitchell!)

Today he got up close and personal with some wildlife at Lake Eland:

But now Thulani is ready for some new experiences, so he is hopping into a big padded envelope and embarking on the journey of a life-time, where he gets to meet many of you and experience all kinds of wonderful adventures. 

Hamba Kahle Thulani! (Go well Thulani!)

P.S In case you were wondering, Thulani’s name means Quietness, you’ll find he’s a very silent little fella!

Travel Plans for Thulani

Provisional itinerary for Thulani’s year long trip around the world.  The dates next to each family are the dates that we expect Thulani to leave that family – obviously various factors such as the postal service (or lack thereof!) will come into play, so the dates are an estimate.  We are hoping that Thulani will spend about a week with each family.  

Itinerary:

Thulani leaves home – Shelly Beach, South Africa                

Weaver family – Johannesburg, South Africa                          

Rachel Bitton – Israel (approx 1 mth, he’s going on holiday!) 

Crisp family – Adelaide, Australia                                                           

Rose Egan – Tasmania, Australia                                                           

Earley family – Brisbane, Australia                                             

Thomas family – Hong Kong                                                       

Daniel Downham – Thailand                                                       

Natalia Caminoa – Argentina                                                       

Beal family – Florida, USA                                                                        

Duren family – Ohio, USA                                                            

Shannon Fox - Pennsylvania, USA                                           

Cheryl McEwan – Vancouver, Canada                                      

Lori Lamb – Manitoba, Canada                            

Heidi Rose – Ontario, Canada                                                     

Tove Skjonsberg, Norway                                                             

Kronenberg family – Germany                                                     

Anna – Holland                                                                               

Paula Rainsborough  – France                                                   

Danby family – Dorset, UK                                                                       

Cheryl Docherty – Scotland                                                          

Williams family  – Isle of Man, UK                                                           

Shanahan family – Ireland                                                                       

Sarah Millward – Oman                                                                 

Dickason family – Pietermaritzburg, South Africa                    

Thulani arrives home!!                   

All about Thulani

Thulani (Too-lah-nee) is a small, fluffy, South African bear, measuring 14cm x10cm.  This bear has been bitten by the travel bug and his New Year's resolution for 2011 is to travel the world!  Big dreams for a little bear, but with your help we are hoping to make his dreams come true.  Thulani is looking for about 15 host families in countries sprinkled right across the globe. 

So, what does being a host family entail, you're wondering?  Well, that's the fun part!  We're hoping that Thulani will spend about a week with each family and that during that time the family will take him to an interesting place (or two!) in their area and take a picture of him there.  They'll need to fill in his diary, telling us a little about their area and what Thulani has seen and done there. The host family will need to email a photo (or two) of Thulani out and about in their area and a copy of the diary entries to Paula, so that she can update this blog.  Finally the host family will need to post Thulani to the next family on the list and cover the cost of the postage.

If this sounds like something you'd like to get involved in (and we really hope it does!) then please contact Paula at thulanitravels@hotmail.co.za and she can send you further details.  A final itinerary of Thulani's journey and his host families will be posted on this blog in the next couple of weeks.