NaynTobes Blog

Walking in Kruger

2009-01-30T18:44:00-08:00

Hiking in Kruger from Tobin Rogers on Vimeo.

Our recent trip to Africa concluded at Kruger National Park. What better way to end a holiday than a few days spotting wildlife? This morning we headed out on a hike in the park… in the wild. It’s pretty exhilarating knowing there could be a lion or leopard around the next rock or tree. You hope that they aren’t hungry if they are there, and you begin to think that if it’s your time to go, what better story to tell in Heaven. Unfortunately (yet fortunately) we didn’t see anything that made our hearts drop from fear. We did however enjoy an experience we won’t soon forget. What a beautiful place.

Africa & Paris Images on TobinRogers.com

2009-01-30T01:00:00-08:00

After a couple weeks of selecting and editing images from the recent Africa trip, I’ve uploaded some of my favorites to TobinRogers.com. I’ve also uploaded many of these to Red Bubble. It’s an online community where artists can sell their art. When you go to my site, many of the new images have a rollover that say that you can purchase that image from Red Bubble, and it links you directly to that image. I thought I’d give it a whirl. So enjoy the pics. Send me comments or feedback. I look forward to hearing what you all think.

America

2009-01-22T02:12:00-08:00

No matter your thoughts on Obama, it’s a good time to be proud of your country. Shivers run through me, filling my heart and mind with hope and excitement for the years to come. I believe in Obama and am proud to have had the opportunity to vote for him. My cousin Sadie forwarded this video to me. It’s a nice composition.

A Tough Return

2009-01-17T19:55:59-08:00

Four years ago we made our way to Africa to spend four weeks there. At that time, we felt it wasn’t too short of a trip, but also not too long. We felt fulfilled with our time there. This trip is different. Returning after six weeks I’ve realized just how short the trip was. I didn’t feel the need to get back to the states, and now being here I’m saddened that I’m not there. My time in Africa this trip was more than fulfilling, but it’s lead me to wonder just how fulfilled I am in the states. It’s hard to get back into the thought process of working to pay the bills, rather than working because of the satisfaction of what I’m doing. It seems as though everything in my life is exceptional, except for the current emptiness inside of me when I think about what I’m doing for work. I do enjoy the work that I do, I’m just not getting the sense of pride with it. Being in Africa and seeing the need that so many people have, I realize my need to help. How I go about that, we’ll see in time. For now, as usual, I’ll go back to my Mac and plug away on another job.

Africa . . . A place of beauty and wonder . . . I’ve fallen in love.

Home Sweet Home Again

2009-01-15T18:36:59-08:00

After 44 hours in transit, I arrived back in the US. It’s a very love-hate feeling inside of me right now. I already miss Africa and even more so Lynnee. She extended her stay to help Hugh and Evelyn prepare for their permanent return to the US. There’s lots to be done there and Nay saw the need to stay. Leaving her was tough, but I’m glad she has the flexibility right now to be there for them. She returns now on the 24th of January. Mom and Julie returned to the states with me (different airlines). We had a few moments in the airport to ponder the past weeks’ experiences.

The trip home was long, yet enjoyable. Made a good friend, Melissa, who I hope to shoot surfing with in the future down in Jeffrey’s Bay, S.A. The flights were a bit frustrating as both legs I was surrounded by nincompoops. Fortunately the free alcohol I learned about helped me drown them out.

In coming days, I should be able to post more pictures. I’ve been editing as I go, but have more to narrow down and enhancements to be made. Soon I’ll have a new page on TobinRogers.com with my ultimate favorites.

Here’s a self portrait with Mom and Julie’s plane in the background in Johannesburg.

The Swazi Kids

2009-01-02T17:02:59-08:00

The last few days have been a little slower than the past few weeks. It’s nice for Nay and I to have a bit of a break from all this action, but I’m sure Mom and Julie are ready to pick it up a bit. We’ve had the pleasure of meeting a group of about 75 kids in Siteki. All of them have very little and we’re very happy to have Christmas come this year with some toys and juice. Julie’s 1st grade class and mom brought over a bunch of toys from the states to give out to the children. It went very well and there were smiles all around. It’s amazing what will light up their faces. Below are some pics. Tomorrow we’re heading to Hlane park to do a sunset drive through the lion enclosure. Sunday we head to Piggs Peak and get into some more touristy adventures.

Mom and the Siteki Kids.

The suitcase of toys.

Anxious, but very patient kids.

Julie and the kids.

The Boys! This might be one of my favorite photos. There’s a story in those faces.

Lynnee in the bakkie.

Julie demonstrating the slinky.

Our friend and helper Tsetsebele. She’s a pro at riding in the bed of the bakkie.

Mike & Susie Leave, Cathy & Julie Arrive

2008-12-29T08:33:00-08:00

Well we’ve been in Africa for about half of our adventure. Two days ago we picked up Mom and Julie who will be travelling with us for the second half. Yesterday we dropped Mike and Susie off at the bus to Josie (which we’ve learned is what the locals call Johannesburg). They’re probably sitting in the airport in Paris as I write this. We had a couple of wonderful days visiting Sudwala Caves and Kruger. It was a pleasure to see mom and Julie light up when they saw their first elephants, zebra, lions, etc in the wild. This week we will be helping Hugh & Evelyn with more organization of the house in preparation for their final departure from Africa. Sunday we head to Pigs Peak where there is a bit of Nazarene history to learn about.

Below are more pictures for you to view. I’ve counted recently a small collection of roughly 1200 images that have been edited down to show off the trip. So by the end of our six weeks, we should have a good long slideshow for those who are interested.

Glass maker at Ngwenya Glass in Swaziland.

Downtown Siteki.

Dropping off a truck load of clothes and food to Mpaka Refugee Camp.

King Kong formation at Sudwala Caves.

Julie’s first Vervet Monkey spotting in Kruger.

Why did the Chameleon cross the road??? Truth is, he probably didn’t make it all the way across. We didn’t go back to find out.

Elephants in Kruger (Mom and Julie’s first close up Ellies).

Giraffe in Kruger.

Steinbok in Kruger.

A Lion spotting on our guided safari sunset drive in Kruger.

Merry Christmas From The Kindom of Swaziland

2008-12-25T20:47:01-08:00

We had a lovely Christmas today here in Swaziland. The morning started off with the famous Mike & Susie omlets, followed by a church service down at Hugh’s church. After church we were able to deliver a large Christmas gift to the people at a local refugee camp. Hugh’s church pulled together more than a truckload of food and clothes and it was wonderful to see the smiles. What better way to spend Christmas than giving to those who really truly need. Today was full of games here at the house and a great Christmas dinner and dessert. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas as well! Here are a few more pics of the past few days.

Kids at Mpaka Refugee camp on Sunday after church.

More kids at Mpaka.

Mike frolicking along a hike we took.

Susie & Lynnee on our hike at Mabuda Farms.

Elephants at Hlane.

A croc and hippos at Hlane.

Lynnee and I at God’s Window.

Lynnee sitting at our pool on the edge of the world, close to God’s Window.

God’s Window

2008-12-19T15:07:02-08:00

Today was our visit to God’s Window. Lynnee says this is the place that the man throws the bottle off the edge of the earth in the movie “The God’s Must Be Crazy”. Quite a spectacular view. I’ve sure tested myself with all of these high cliff experiences this trip. I’m a long way from resolving my fear of heights though. Tomorrow we head back through Kruger on our return to Swaziland.

Our first lion encounter in Kruger. We searched high and low for cheetah and leopard, but no success even with reports of sightings.

Giraffe on the side of the road.

Sunset in Kruger.

Lunch at Skakuza Camp in Kruger.

Mozambique Today . . . Kruger Tomorrow

2008-12-15T19:04:00-08:00

Today Hugh took us into Mozambique to show us around the old stomping grounds. He showed us also the prison in which he was kept way back when. The country is very poor. It was quite an interesting adventure. Tomorrow the six of us leave bright and early to start our explorations in Kruger. Bring on the Big 5!!! Hopefully my next post will include a pic of a lion, leopard, or cheetah. We’ll have two days there before heading off to God’s Window. Below are a few more raw pics from recent days.

Lynnee and I giving our best hippo impression in St Lucia. Those are hippo bumps behind us.

Lynnee scoping out wildlife

Batik print

Swazi Candles Candlemaker