If you’ve been following us on social media at you will have noticed the sheer torrent of posts and pictures coming out of one very special and one very beautiful country – SOUTH AFRICA!
That’s because we’re back.
But for how long? Well lets just come and say it, (*inhale*) BACK FOR GOOD (*exhale, with giddy grin.*) Most of our family and friends don’t believe us so we’re hoping that at least some of you will.
That’s right, after nearly three years of semi-nomadic living we are happy to say that we are very much looking forward to setting Cape Town up as our home base and travelling out from here.
Photo’s from Graaff Reinet and Nieu Bethesda
Why now?
Well there are a few reasons but I think the greatest of these is that we are on the verge of adding a third traveller to our family (who is in just 14 days time.) Again, if you’ve been following us on Instagram, you’ll probably also have picked that up – from pictures like these.
Bump shots from all around Malaysia
Also, it’s Cape Town and there’s no better city in the world. (If you live here, or if you’ve been here, you’ll know what we mean.)
We did actually initially plan to have #BabyMac in Kuala Lumpur (*waves hello to Malaysia*) but after South Africa changed their requirements for bringing children into the country we decided to cut our contract short and head home. This turned out to be a massive blessing in disguise. And immediately after (barring a very stressful and unfortunate experience with Qatar Airways) touching down in SA, our family showered us with hugs, kisses, Vida E Coffee’s and belly rubs. We knew we were in the right place.
Welcome party at Cape Town International Airport. Image credit: Mercia McShane
We haven’t taken it easy either. In just three short weeks we’ve managed to get over our jet lag, successfully unpack all our things (just waiting on the rest of our shipping to arrive from Malaysia,) Lauren was given an incredible baby shower (two actually,) we’ve road tripped to Graaff Reinet for the first National South African Instameet (where we met the most incredible people,) we’ve done a mini peninsula tour, eaten at lucky fish in Kalk Bay, wandered around the Waterfront, ticked off the Red Bus Tour of Cape Town(!) seen family, friends, eaten LOTS of meat, drank lots of good coffee (at least I have) and done a bunch of other things too.
We actually couldn’t be happier.
Making friends on board the Red Bus in Cape Town
Our number one agenda now is preparing for our son’s birth and buying back all the stuff we sold so that we could travel. Like a car. Which is proving to be a hassle. Anyone have a car they’re willing to sell us that doesn’t cost a billion Rand? We’re looking for a capable one, one that can road trip and not break down in Beaufort West and leave us haggling for accommodation among the truck drivers.
What are we going to do now?
Well I think I already mentioned above that we’re not going to stop travelling. We’ve got far to many family traveller friends to think that having a baby = no more travelling. But we will slow down a wee bit. Not because of #BabyMac, but because of other things, like the fact that we’re starting a Digital Media Agency, which will offer (amongst other things) blog and social media training, web development services, content creation and much much more. If you are in need of any of these services or even training in starting a blog or running social media for business, email us about our upcoming workshops and rates.
We are not going to stop blogging.
This is our first love and after winning various prizes (like this one), stopping would be silly. I think there may be slight shift in topic, although Travel will remain the focus. But we’re going to add a Family Travel section because whether we like it or not ( though we do like it) in a few weeks that’s exactly what we will be: family travel bloggers. But both Lauren and I intend to do short solo travels for work purposes.
Looking down on Muizenberg Beach from Boyes Drive. Photo Taken with my trusty One Plus 1
I think that’s probably everything (apart from the regular humdrum) that’s been going on in our lives. I should probably get back to practising my nursery rhymes because i’ve only got a very short time in which to master at least one (proving more difficult than it sounds.)
PS, we’re serious about the car. If you know anyone selling or if you know of any good deals – please let us know 🙂
Awh man – as you guys arrive back we are about to set off – I feel like we could have planned this better and done some sort of handover 🙂 Literally just sold my car today 🙂
Congrats on #BabyMac – sure he/she will be a goodlooking addition to the team. I cannot wait to see the Instagrams to follow #toocute
Now that you are back in CT (maybe before you have your hands full and before we jet off in exactly 34 days) we would love to meet up with you guys in person. Adam and I have been following your blog for ages and you kind of inspired us to head off on our own adventure. We wanted to come to Graaff Reinet but literally just got back from Mauritius a few days earlier. Let us know if you have any time at all in your busy schedules 🙂
Noooooooo! We def’s could have planned this better. Eish!
We’d love to meet up too. Things are definitely insane at the moment with all the prep that this little guy is demanding, but lets try arrange something please. We’d love to hear all about Mauritius and your plans. My email is vaughanmcshane@gmail.com but if you don’t get in touch soon I’ll come stalk you on Facebook. Or Something! 😀
Have an awesome day and thanks for you kind words Brigid, you guys rock.
Congratulations in advance guys. You are so blessed to have each other and I hope that Baby Mac comes into this weird crazy world healthy and happy as well as brings you a whole ton of joy.
Good luck on this new wonderful adventure, you have experienced so many amazing things together, this is going to be the most exciting by far.
Lots of Love and Blessings
Maryann
Thanks Maryann! Where have you been? What are you up to? Still living in BKK? I haven’t heard much from you on FB but maybe that’s because FB isn’t showing me much from you?? We’re very excited to meet him!
Please don’t stop blogging!!
Never! Lol. Thanks guys!