UKUTULA

Ukutula is a lion sanctuary that is owned by fellow witnesses. Although, they have many animals they specialized in taking care of lions. This was our first real encounter with animals in Africa and it became my favorite of them all. Once you see the pics you'll know why. This is the closest you'll be able to get to these animals this side of Paradise.

This giraffe crossed right in front of us

Giraffe's are very shy, so they seek cover right away

This lion cub is a couple months old

Look at this face

The cheetah's are privately owned, that's why they're behind the fence

We all got to pet them.
FYI their tongue is like really rough sandpaper

I dreamed of doing this in Paradise. Jehovah has granted me
a taste of what that's going to be like. THANK YOU JEHOVAH!!!

Most of these lion cubs didn't make a fuss but, others...

fought back. I wasn't scared. YEAH RIGHT!!! All I have to say
is they ganged up on me. MONTONEROS!!!

Those month old teeth are really sharp!

This little cub just wanted to sleep

One of the best experiences in my life! Jehovah wants us to
enjoy his creation and I can't wait to fully do so in Paradise.

That's the Daddy Lion and one of his several blondes

Look at them chompers

1+ year old male lion

He wasn't very happy with some kids that were running back
and forth. That's one scary cat when he charges!

One of the blondes nursing a new born, not necessarily hers. But the other lionesses are cool with that.

After playing with the lion cubs and seeing the daddy lion we went on a walk with the lions. The lions you get to play with are 6 months or younger. After the 6 months they separate them and start to train them to go on walks with people. It takes a 2-4 months to train them before they go out with the people. Some are too stubborn and not trainable so they never get to go out on walks. 

The first thing they tell us on the walk is that although these are young lions, 1 year or less, they are still wild animals. They will hunt you if you separate from the group, if you turn your back to them and if you're smaller than them, so always stay together in a group. Where have we heard that before?

Then we were told that because they are wild animals and they're roaming free, if they see something they want to explore they will go after it. They will hunt if they see the opportunity, so again, always stay together in your group.

Although the lions would wonder off they always came back
to the trainers. They had treats, dead chicks.

Excellent climber getting a treat

Knowing they were busy getting treats we took a chance and turned our backs for a pic

Look at them claws!!! That's serious climbing gear.

Some bros. we met from New Orleans

You guys coming or what?

They love them chicken nuggets

You have to give thanks before you eat

After we spent some time with the lions we wanted to have real African cuisine. We wanted to try some game meat. We were recommended a restaurant named Carnivore. The name says it all. We tried venison, kudu, eland, impala and crocodile. The favorite, crocodile. It taste like pork chops. Like Richard's famous pork chops. They were delicious! Can you tell we miss your cooking Richard?

SOUTH AFRICA BETHEL

Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa. A typical large city. Overcrowded, dirty and not necessarily a tourist destination. The difference that this big city has to most big cities, the Watchtower Branch. A large printing and translation branch. 

Countries S.Africa branch prints for

This branch prints for the majority of the African continent except for a few countries on the north of the continent. They have so much work they’re expanding to put in a new printing press and a new residence building to house all the workers. 

Alex & Teena Ruff friends from our Fiji assignment 

To our surprise, in waiting for our tour to start we see one of our friends from Australia. We worked together in Fiji and now they’ve been here almost 2 years helping on the expansion. I also got see some friends from when I was in Nicaragua 15 years ago. What a coinquidink!

We found it interesting that there’s a group of about 30 brothers and sisters from Spain who are permanent bethelites here. They applied back home and were told they were not taking anyone but to apply to the South African branch because they needed help. They did and now they’re bethelites in S. Africa. It all comes down to really wanting to reach your goals!

Buses of delegates

Next to a stack of what the printing
industry calls Watchtower paper.

When they want the best printing paper
they order Watchtower paper.

What a great a comment!

Here's Leti with the sister that made the comment

Our tour guide

It's really neat to see these everywhere

We were put into contact with some friends here in Jo’burg thru a brother in Cape Town that used to live here. They made arrangements to pick us up at the branch and took us to a famous Braai. That’s South African for BBQ. But being that were in S. Africa, we didn't have tri-tip or carne asada we had game meat. We had Springbok a type of antelope/deer. Thats as best as I can describe it. It was interesting to say the least. But we met some very nice brothers and sisters whom we have become friends with. 

BOULDERS & CAPE OF GOOD HOPE

Rain on the forecast. The goal is to see some penguins visit the southernmost point in Africa and go wine tasting. Hopefully the penguins aren’t afraid of a little rain. They weren’t.

We really enjoyed watching this little penguin. As you can see it's missing a foot, it only has a stump. Who know's what happened to it but, that didn't stop it from going down to the water and going for a swim. Nothing can stop you if you really want it!

Little swimming birds in tuxedos

A bus of delegates arrived and everyone wanted their pic

It was really windy!!!

Can you see the surfers?

This beach is for windsurfers

Trying to do our time some how.
How many hours should we count for this?

Is she trying to tell me something?

When we arrived at the Cape of Good Hope we kept seeing beware of Baboons signs. We we’re hoping to get to see them, from a safe distance of course. The place is very scenic great pics but that’s about it. We found a little beach where Leti got sand from. Part of her collection of beach sands of the world. We left a little advertising for the campaign and then…

Our first wildlife sighting in Africa.

I just looked up and saw these two Baboons about 200’ away from us. I have to admit, I got a little scared. Specially if you are constantly reminded by signs that they can get aggressive and dangerous. We kept our distance and so did they but, my camera went into overdrive.

Everyone wanted a pic of the baboon

All he wanted was to take in the scenery

One of the first shanty towns we saw. There's nothing around here but the cape of good hope. So this must be where all the workers and artisans that sell their goods outside of the park, live.

We didn't realize that we still had quite a drive to the winelands. We arrived just before they started closing so we got to visit one winery that was recommended by some brothers. Very nice!

We enjoyed Cape Town very much. The sites were amazing the town was nice and the brothers were friendly. We hope we get to come back to this beautiful city.