The hour drive from Hermanus to Stellenbosch was gorgeous. Wish the bus had stopped about every 100 yards for a photo op. Instead, we arrived on schedule and split up to shop or visit museums or enjoy simply walking around. There has been precious little exercise on this tour. The market was a good place to wander around and haggle, and those who went elsewhere had a good morning. Then lunch, and back on the bus to travel to Cape Town.
As we were wending our way up the mountain, we watched the clouds gather over Table Mountain. You could almost predict this would happen. They cleared almost as soon as we left. Nevertheless, the views we had are almost indescribable. Cape Town is truly one of the prettiest cities in the world. I’ll let the photos tell what I cannot—as always, more await any of you in Provo or with the choir members when they return home. Digital cameras mean the 51 of us are shooting hundreds of photos every day!
No concert tonight, then the final push with concerts Friday and Saturday, and our last fireside Sunday. This tour has gone by very quickly, and has been a wonderful one. I’ll try to post one more time before our Long Trip Home, but make no guarantees. Some nights end too late to really be coherent, let alone edit photos of the day—and that’s when there’s Internet available. Final photos will be posted from Provo, if not before.
Drive to Table Mountain in Cape Town
Singers awaiting the tram ride to the top
Tram ride looking at Cape Town
Some Singers on top
A View of Cape Town
12 comments
Dear Singers-
Before this adventure ends we would like to add our thanks for the commentary and photographs. It seems like you have been gone longer than the calendar would attest but perhaps you feel that way even more than we do. What a spectacular place! What interesting stories you will have to tell. Thanks to all who made this experience possible and for the many talents you generously share.
Love to Josh, Nick and Chrissy from Mom and Dad
Dear Cari Sue–
We can’t wait to see you next week! Are you sure you want to come home? It looks like paradise. We have an idea. You stay there and we’ll join you! Thanks again for these beautiful photos and the outstanding and witty commentary.
Kiely… I had a nightmare that you didn’t want to come home! I love this blog and I am so happy for you to have this experience! I babysat Kora today and sent a pic home to brea so you will see it when you get there! love you tons
Laura your roomate (you have to come home at some point cause all your stuff is here!)
Dear Jared and fellow Singers,
We are so grateful for the warm and kind reception you have had from the people in South Africa, for the opportunities you’ve had to share your gifts, and for your once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We have lived for every bit of news and photos, and so appreciate the most entertaining travel-log. Our only regret is that we couldn’t all be there with you! We’ll be so anxious to hear all about it, and will be waiting your safe return. Love, Lloyd, Natalie, Benj and Nathan Oaks
If you are having trouble viewing the May 23rd entry, try this link.
Hi Lindsay! We’re so excited to see you soon – what an adventure you’ve been having!!! We’ve loved this blog – many thanks to the blogger who has kept us so well informed and the photos are wonderful. We love you and are thinking so much about you as you bid farewell to places and people that once seemed so far away and now will always be special to you. It’s going to be so great to hear your voice again. Love Mom and Dad and Bryce and the rest of your fans.
Congratulations on a wonderful tour. My time with BYU singers is long past–at least as a performer–but following your travels here and seeing these wonderful photos takes me back to my times traveling and performing on tour. Thank you for all this current edition of BYU Singers has done to promote good will and friendship throughout the whole world. These experiences will buoy you up and fill your lives with good memories for many years to come.
(RJS-Looking forward to dinner…:))
Lisa (and Jason) Baldwin
The tour looks like it has been a wonderful experience so far, thanks for sharing it with us here in the states. We are really missing our soon to be daughter-in-law, Ms. Charity Murdock. Have a wonderful last day, by the way the wardrobe looks great!
Love,
The Butterfield Family
We have really enjoyed reading about some of your adventures and seeing the great pictures. Thank you so much for making this website available. And Singers, you are such a talented group. We love to listen to your CD’s over and over. The kick-off concert was amazing and all we can say is that we are grateful our daughter Rachel has been able to be a part of this group. Thanks to everyone involved for your time and sacrifices to make this such a successful tour and year!
Love,
Tom & Beccy McCune
Thank you for all the wonderful updates throughout tour! The pictures are fantastic as well. Our family is so grateful that Dane could have this unforgetable experience. We pray for your safe journey home. Best wishes to all for much future success!
Thank you so much (mostly Sandefur, I think?) for letting us share this incredible tour with you vicariously via the blog! It’s a lot of work, but has meant so much to all of the families who are so far away! You are a beautiful group with a truly phenomenal sound and an even greater spirit, and the good that you have done won’t even begin to be measured in this life. Time was, BYU performing tours were limited to Program Bureau and dance groups, all of which were outstanding, and profoundly appealing to the foreign audiences they visited. But when a classical performing group—A Cappella Choir—was finally allowed to represent the Church and the school by touring Europe in 1967, it was a breakthrough event! It was a great privilege for me to be a member of that historic group, and now–to have my fifth and final BYU-attending child travel to South Africa with Singers just after her graduation is a rather touching full-circle finale for me. As your #1 “choir groupie” (I attended concerts from San Antonio to Santa Barbara to Provo this year) I want you all to know that I cherished every note, and they will echo in my heart forever. Now, travel back to us safely, and God be with you all, dear singers, and you, Dr. Staheli.
Love and kudos to all!
Patti King (Mother of Lisa King Hall)
Dear Singers,
It has been a joy to hear of all your travels in South Africa and see all the beautiful pictures. Following your travels these past few weeks has vividly renewed so many cherished memories – of my time in Singers, our 2005 tour, and of singing with so many of you (24 in all) in Singers, Concert Choir, Men’s Chorus, and even ward choir. I am certain that your music this year has had a profound positive impact on your audiences, particularly those in South Africa. I’m looking forward to the archival CD!!
I have been gone from BYU for 2 years now, but my experiences in the BYU Choirs bless my life every day. I hope you all have been/will be similarly blessed.
Thanks, Sandefur, for all your hard work in keeping up this blog!
Love,
Tom Anderson