Mom's Holiday Visit to Africa and Pranvera's Naturalization Ceremony

It has been an unbelievably busy past 2 months and summer is only half way over! First Dad arrived end of May for a 2 week visit of both Mozambique and South Africa (photos posted next blog). Then after I had a 1 week trip back to DC for work but also squeezing in some great visits with close friends I returned the day before Mom arrived for another two weeks. Then before that visit ended Pranvera took off to the Sates to finally receive her US Citizenship (last photos). Sadly Adi and I could not join but my dad and sister did along with many of our close friends in DC. An unbelievably long journey (5 years) to only be finally realized in a 4 minute ceremony. This now means that our family can not only enter South Africa to explore a more developed part of Africa but we can travel worldwide without the cost of visas and hassles of border crossing.

Visits with both parents were wonderful and offered quality time with their grandson. Great to see the reconnection and bonding as if no time has passed. I believe the uniqueness of Maputo and life in Africa intrigued them both and we certainly showed them the nicer side with great food, wonderful parties with friends and local adventures of sites seeing. But of course the big adventure was our visit to Kruger (did a 4 night stay with  both mom and dad but at different lodges). Since this was before her receiving a US passport Pranvera was unable to join. As you can see from the images below, the Rock Camp with mom was certainly over the top located on its own 4000 ha. reserve and rock-like huts camouflaged in the hill-side lodge overlooking Kruger and the world beyond. Our adventure was full of game drives, hikes, lounging at the camp, visiting an elephant sanctuary and eating 5 star meals in a beautifully designed Eco-lodge.

And we had the pleasure of celebrating my mom's birthday with home-made lasagne and wonderful wine.