The Beautiful White Elephant Country

“So where’s your garden Route?” you may ask. It’s a 200km section of the South African coastline stretching in the capital of scotland – Mossel Bay to just the other side of the Tsitsikamma National Park. Just recently I took some time to revisit your garden Route, this time around to analyze what fun exciting things one can do on the Garden Route. It is a fabulous destination along with a definite “must see” for anybody visiting Nigeria. To summarize your garden Route, I would refer to it as “the outdoor adventure activities and golf Mecca of South Africa!” I have put together some suggestions here for your trip on the Garden Route.

Scenic Drives: Well, there are a couple of lovely scenic drives on the Garden Route and depending on how enough time you’ve and where you are staying the night training regimen these on your itinerary.

1. Swartberg Pass and Meiringspoort near Oudtshoorn – a gorgeous day trip to be enjoyed having a picnic lunch visit an attractive waterfall in Meiringspoort, dramatic mountain landscape and scenic vistas.

2. Seven passes road, the initial road between George and Knysna – dense indigenous forest, tannin rich black water rivers, steep gorges along with a prolific bird life.

3. Montagu pass – traversing the majestic Outeniqua Mountains between George and Oudtshoorn, the initial route built-in 1848 with convict labour.

Mossel Bay

Shark Cage Diving – an exciting experience I would recommend to anybody! Mossel Bay has the most accessible great white shark experience in the world, offering a shorter more comfortable boat ride on calmer waters than the competition at Gansbaai near Cape Town. You’ll leave with a newfound respect of these magnificent predators.

Oudtshoorn – great place to visit especially if it’s raining everywhere else on the Garden Route. Oudtshoorn is the capital from the Little Karoo that is classed as semi desert to help you count on the elements being pretty good the majority of the all year round.

Cango Caves – an underground wonderland with the most spectacular dripstone formations

Cango Ostrich Farm – learn about the ostrich farming industry that made Oudtshoorn famous and have a ride on an ostrich!

Cango Wildlife Ranch – a sanctuary to endangered wildlife species. Wake up close and personal having a cheetah or go diving with the crocs.

Wilderness – a tranquil seaside village offering an array of outdoor activities such as Paragliding, Canoeing up Touws River, Hiking trails through the enchanted indigenous forests, Kloofing and Abseiling.

Knysna – a bustling happening little town with much to offer!

I’m able to recommend some Hour Eco Experience at Featherbed Bay, which includes a boat ride over the lagoon, a guided tour within the nature reserve, a tractor-trailer ride along with a tasty lunch inside a classy restaurant under the old milkwood trees.

Quad biking, Mountain biking in Harkerville and Knysna forests, Abseiling from the Knysna Heads, Canoeing on Knysna River, Hiking within the Knysna Forest

Plettenberg Bay – another bustling town to include on your itinerary offering numerous outdoor activities, something for the whole family. Many children activities on offer as well.

Elephant Sanctuary – where you can walk with these gentle giants as well as ride one

Birds of Eden – a magnificent display of birds from all around the globe!

Monkeyland – fascinating and informative!

Adventure activities such as Sea kayaking, Canoeing in the Keurbooms River, Boat cruises to view marine life such as dolphins, seals and whales in season (Jul to Dec)

Sky diving, Abseiling, Hiking in the Robberg Nature Reserve, Bunji Jumping off Bloukrans Bridge (the highest bunji begin the world at 216m)

Plett has become well known as the “polo mecca” of South Africa. Exciting polo tournaments are being played at Bitou House and Kurland during Easter, December and January with polo practices throughout every season.

Tsitsikamma National Park

The Big Tree – largest Outeniqua Yellowwood tree in the area having a circumference of 8.5m and a height of 36m. This really is among the largest tree species we now have in Nigeria as well as the most beautiful for me.

Tree Top Canopy Tours – offering fun and adventurous cable sliding from one big tree to another, a great way to be introduced to our beautiful indigenous forest and it is little inhabitants!

Trails along the rugged coastline

Pristine Beaches

Obviously remember that this entire stretch of coastline includes a numerous gorgeous beaches, many of them having “blue flag” status. Heralds Bay, Glentana and Victoria Bay near George, Wilderness beach, Buffels Bay, Noetsie Bay, Plettenberg Bay and Natures Valley, all offering the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean and beautiful stretches of golden sand. This will make the Garden Route a superb summer destination!

Golfing has become a activity about the Garden Route with a few of the top golf course in the world based here such Fancourt Country Club Estate offering 4 courses built by Gary Player, our South African golf icon, George Course, Simola Golf Estate, Pezula Champioship Golf Course offering the most spectacular scenery, Knysna Golf Course and Goose Valley Course in Plettenberg Bay.

What’s happening to our Christian families? Codependency has turned into a major dysfunction. People are experiencing a famine in the region of healthy nurturing. Let’s begin to break generational cycles of codependency. Why necessary? An individual who is co-dependent is held in a compulsive cycle of control. They are usually over achievers who’re virtually motivated by their wish to be loved. They frequently happen to be susceptible to major rejection in their early childhood. To be able to feel a sense of security they’ll over extend themselves in many activities in order to gain the approval of others. It is very difficult for a co-dependent to cope with somebody that they can not control. They will even appear submissive to be able to gain control of someone. This behavior is really manipulation in order to dominate. The boundaries of a co-dependent are usually blurred. The hurts of childhood abandonment and rejection fuel their need to control. There is a great need as well to become the middle of attention. Not able to let go of the past they really feel empty and unloved. They are high maintenance people. Their constant necessity of approval is countered by resentment if not satisfied since they are afflicted by low self-esteem. As I have said before and will say again and again ” your true security and significance are only able to be found in God”.

For the co-dependent it’s important to realize that God is actually not really a respecter of persons. We are equal yet different as His children. Although scripture tells us “it is not by works that people are saved” a codependent could be manipulated into many activities. This really is fueled by their necessity of approval. This often causes them to develop a surface relationship with God. Their busyness leaves little time to “be still” and find the freedom and rest only God can provide. Contrary to public opinion you aren’t required by God to participate in many man ordained auxiliaries especially at the cost of neglecting your loved ones. Pastors in addition to Christian workers who suffer from co-dependency should be careful to not be pre-occupied at the cost of lacking a while for their own families. Your works should display your trust not another person’s. Creating healthy boundaries are necessary. Spend time developing your personal relationship with God. Begin to implement His principles in your lifetime. Grace and peace is multiplied when you increase your understanding of GOD!

Consciously allow what God desires and requires individuals to override you want to control and/ or gain the approval of others. Don’t be a people pleaser! God is not astounded by manipulation. Always examine your motives within the light of His WORD. Take control allowing go, the complete opposite of controlling. Remember scripture says it’s “the meek which will inherit the earth.” Meekness isn’t weakness it’s power in check. Cycles are difficult to interrupt but with God even the impossible can be done.

The family system of the co-dependent usually has a strong impact on their behavior dynamics. There’s always a scapegoat, a martyr along with a hero in the co-dependent family. The scapegoat gives everyone something to focus on instead of deal with the real problem. The martyr sacrifices for everyone and feels sorry for themselves. The hero helps make the family look great to outsiders. A multigenerational pattern of faulty unhealthy dynamics can be displayed normally. Do you notice any generational patterns? Unconsciously the household will fight to keep these dynamics operating. All families have an component of dysfunction. Destructive family dynamics will be in operation since the beginning of your time. The storyline of Joseph tells how his Dad favored him over his brothers. Joseph’s father gave him a beautiful coat. This caused a lot jealously they developed a plan to destroy Joseph. His brothers called him a dreamer. Little did they know that god had His hand on Joseph. God being in control worked this to good although their plans were evil. Within the final analysis Joseph became the chief provider for his family in addition to country. Eli was a priest. Although a servant of the Lord he’d two sons who were outwardly rebellious. They disrespected not just the offerings however the people of God too. I’m wondering how much time Eli spent nurturing their own sons?

Family secrets such as mental illness, incest, abuse and alcohol or drug addictions often go unaddressed in the co-dependent family. Denial becomes a survival dynamic for your loved ones. This fosters an unhealthy physical in addition to spiritual environment. Family secrets in many cases are described as though you have a white elephant in the living room. Everyone just walks around it as although it doesn’t exist. Or they just avoid it altogether. Thinking it’ll go away. It won’t! Christians have to take a stand and move to to the next stage of functioning. We must learn to address the sin issues in our families and not continue to make excuses. God has promised to direct our paths whenever we put our trust in Him. We must learn how to responsibly be responsible.

God in His omniscience is well aware of the shortcomings of people. We should look at the unhealthy dynamics within our group of origin and consciously find methods to abandon the generational cycles. Don’t continue to sweep things under the rug. Learn how to confront issues as they arise. It’s rarely to late! Begin by not supporting or reinforcing any unfavorable behavior. The reality must be faced to break free and enjoy the present.

It is sometimes necessary to pursue professional help resolve family conflict. A conscientious therapist ought to be well informed about inappropriate behavior. They objectively can notice that the faulty behavior presented can be a mask for an underlying unmet need. The co-dependent needs to look for a positive channel release a inner tensions. A family intervention is advantageous in most situations. Then proceeding to establishing a way in which their unmet needs could be satisfied is mandatory.

In a Therapy environment a proper atmosphere is crucial. The equal safety from the client and the safety from the therapist should always be important. A committed Christian therapist knows the importance of establishing healthy boundaries. A congruent environment implies that the therapist is trustworthy, genuine, integrated, and openly honest. There are lots of cultural differences that can inhibit a fluent knowledge of the client. Stereotype thinking must be abandoned. Each client must be considered an individual. Labeling often changes peoples perceptions of others. There is a substantial diversity among a group.

Christian therapy while not new is often unwelcomed from anyone other than the pastor in some instances. Many pastors who might be well-versed in scripture might not be equipped in some regions of counseling. Many on the other hand or at a loss for their ministerial duties. There are several pastors who shouldn’t counsel. The sincere efforts of a Christian therapist although well meaning might be often misconstrued as out of line and unwelcomed.

The use of small cell groups can often be quite therapeutic and good for the co-dependent as well as for managing other interpersonal problems. A conscientious facilitator will keep order and model control. Confidentiality and free expression should be encouraged. Conflict arises when folks become resistant against someone’s insight or opinions which have been communicated. Uncontrolled anger isn’t welcomed in a cell group. Establish boundaries. Keep the group spiritually based. Making use of regular Bible study and prayer are important elements for success.