A New Chapter in my Life

June 2010 was the start of a new chapter in my life.

After the pretty much fairy tale meeting and relationship with Shirlene for 2 years, we decided to change the amazing relationship for marriage. Living 7500km apart was not an option anymore, and as I have already made the decision to move to Costa Rica, it was logical to get married in San José.

With lots of help from friends and family, all the arrangements was made, and on the 25th of June the wedding took place at the lovely offices of the lawyer who married us (a very close friend of Shirlene), Don Arnoldo.
Afterwards, the small group of family and friends moved to "BBQ Los Anonos" a superb restaurant venue in Escazu for a dinner/reception.

The following morning Shir and myself left for our short honeymoon to our most special beach location on the south Pacific - Playa Ballena - (Whale beach). It is a bit dismal to have only a weekend honeymoon, but she has her business to run, and I have to get back to mine in SA.
BUT......we will be having our real honeymoon next year....two weeks in Cuba.

As always, look at the wedding pics in the Picasa show.

La Boda

Hasta luego

Welcome again,

As promised, an update of what is happening to me.

I just returned from my December holiday in Costa Rica and it really was the most amazing holiday of my life. From the flight there to the return home, just pure pleasure!

I left SA on Dec. 15 flying Delta airlines via Atlanta. Knowing that I had a full day (8 am to 7 pm) waiting for my connection to Costa Rica, I made contact through Birdingpal.com with Darlene Moore in Atlanta, and she agreed to take me birding for a few hours.

This turned out as the most wonderful start for my trip, and I would like to thank Darlene right now! We met on arrival at the airport and she took me some 20 miles south of there to a very nice wetland area. Very successful birding, I ended up with 42 lifers for the few hours.

Then on to San José, capital of Costa Rica where Shirlene was waiting for me at the airport.

What a delight! it's been two months odd since Buenos Aires.

From there to the hotel to sleep, after 41 hours of flights and birding.

The next day I was showed around SJ and took a day-trip to Cartago area (the old capital).

The 19th we left for Arenal volcano and later the pacific coast. Shir planned this trip after I told her the main points I would like to see, and she really did a fantastic job, the itinerary was PERFECT!!

After Arenal we drove to Guanacaste province, more specific Liberia, where Shir's mom lives, and also where she is opening the restaurant - Jicaro café. I designed the logo for it, and I am acquiring a small share in the business.

Staying at a small hotel in Brasalito on the pacific coast, we went on a afternoon cruise on "Manta Ray" - a nice big catamaran. This was lovely, and I had a chance to snorkel in the pacific! On returning to land, we had a real manta ray playing close to the boat!

We returned to SJ on the 24th, early enough to pick up some essentials, and then the Christmas dinner at Kata's house (Shir's sister), and as EVERYTHING else, it was to perfection. The 25th was recovery time and some more.

We were picked up by Alex for the "real" birding part of the trip in Sarapiqui, in the Caribbian slope (north-eastern lowlands). Birding with Alex was part of the original planning way back in May, when I planned the July trip (read more below). This was again a super time to say the least!

Alex returned us to SJ on the 30th and after some more good times with family and new friends, I flew back on Shir's birthday, the 1st of Jan...sorry about that mi amor.

All I can say now.....what a country! - ¡estoy impresionado!

I wish you all the best for 2009

Hasta luego

D

Enjoy the slideshow, click on it for more options.

Buenos Aires! meeting Shirlene in Tango Town!!

Bienvenido a Buenos Aires!  -  Welcome to Buenos Aires!

Buenos Aires - what a place to be!! 

And eventually Shirlene and myself met!

We decided to meet in Buenos Aires, it is about half-way 

between Costa Rica and South Africa, and it sounded nice, 

exotic and romantic! We spent a week doing our own thing, 

and what a week it was!!!!!

For those who don't know, Shirlene is from Costa Rica and 

we have been in constant contact for about six months. 

I was to meet her in real life when I was visiting Costa Rica 

in July past. The trip then turned out a mega disaster, 

and I returned home after being stranded in Brazil for 

two days. 

But that is history and we certainly made up for that 

during the week in BA!!

Enjoy the slideshow below, or if you want a better view, 

click it, and mess around by yourself!

Easter weekend visit to Ithala

The long weekend I had the opportunity to visit Ithala game reserve in KwaZulu/Natal. Last time I was there was way back in 1995, and what a pleasant surprise. I had more time to explore this time around and although nearly winter, the birding was quite good - even picked up a new lifer!
Some spectacular scenic views and very good game viewing. Must go back there in summer.

Digiscoping

Here's just a few digiscope shots. This is pretty new to me and I'm still exploring... I will post some pics and info on the equipment soon, and also the microscope bit - now that is fascinating, but I still have to build up a better lighting setup. In the meantime, I include one shot of a butterfly (papilio demodocus) egg with the larva eyes/hairs clearly visible - it measured just on 1 mm!

Quick trip to Botswana

Had some time recently to drive up to Botswana - just a quick drive from Pretoria, going round the south of the Okavango delta, up to the Caprivi, then east to Kasane, and back to Pretoria.

A lot of driving in a very short time, but still a nice break!

Dewald's personal blog

My blogspace was created to show who I am and what I do, and sometimes what I don't do! It also shows what I can do, but I'll try not to show too much about what I can't do!!