African Expedition #9

After Botswana, Easter was spent in Benoni, with the Willis clan and the wedding of cousin Gary to Lara, the primary reason for the trip to South Africa, at which Greg was one of the groomsmen. The wedding was held in Pretoria on Good Friday and all the retinue and guests stayed over, either at the reception venue or down the road at Bushman's Rock Hotel.

Bushmans Rock Hotel, Pretoria

The wedding went very well - the bride was beautiful, the minister was poignant but lighthearted, the venue was beautiful, as was the cake and the five bridesmaids, one of which was Gary's sister Kirsten.

The wedding chapel

Gary's brother Matthew was the MC, his best friend Brian and Lara best friend (Brian's wife) gave great speeches, to which Gary replied very aptly and funnily, on behalf of himself and his wife Lara .

Matt, Gra & Jan, Gary & Lara, Sue & Butch

Dinner was served and was delicious, as was dessert. The bouquet was caught by Kirsten, the garter retrieved off Lara by a blinfolded Gary and slung-shot into the eager throng of single males, and the cake was cut. Everbody danced the night away, a few too many shots being imbibed by the younger folk whilst the oldies swallowed the wine and beer.

 The music kept everybody going well past midnight when we all retired quite weary back to our respective hotels.

 The next day, sore heads emerged for a champagne breakfast before departing back to Benoni. 

Gary & Lara



Greg & Daydee



The next two day were spent with the cousins, eating, drinking, braai-ing and shopping, including the obligatory dinner at a steakhouse, a very strange Church service on Easter Sunday and the experience of an attempted robbery at neighbours whilst enjoying a barbecue/braai at Gary & Lara's house. It all happens in Benoni.

Groom Gary and Greg

Then Greg and Emily sadly departed back to Melbourne on Monday evening, their wonderful trip to Southern Africa at an end.