I know many of you will remember the 70's show "Gilligan's Island", kind of a comedic version of the ABC hit "Lost". The Burwells recently had a two-week adventure, sponsored and planned by our own Troy "Babe" Burwell, and at times it did feel a bit out of control and not what we expected, perhaps akin to what Gilligan sometimes felt. 95% of the trip was great. Please don't ask about the other 5%. Family members who attended have already been asked to sign an NDA on that one.
Our great, big adventure started in Nairobi, Kenya, where we visited church and family friend Sheila. Next, we were on to South Africa to see my sister Jennifer and her wonderful South African husband Graham. Finally, we came back to Nairobi and headed to a beach resort on the Kenyan coast.
As a gift to Troy, for planning our trip and for being a great dad, I have composed a song to celebrate the trip. As you read the lyrics, try to sing it to the tune of the theme song of "Gilligan's Island". (As a refresher on this song, check out www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfR7qxtgCgY )
Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale
A tale of many sights
It started from the A-T-L
on the first of 8 long flights.
The dad was a very excited man
the mom was...not so sure
6 passengers took off in May
on a 16 day tour, a 16 day tour
Flight 1 to Paris--8 hours long
with movies, shows and naps
And then 8 more to Nairobi
so long, but no mishaps!
Finally the fam set ground on this Africa foreign land
With Superfun Dad
the Mama too
the high school grad and her pics
the funny one
the cheerleader and her gorgeous sis
Hello, Africa!
So this is the tale of the Burwell fam
They're here for a long, long time
They'll hang with Sheila and her cows
giraffes and four wheel rides, giraffes and four wheel rides.
Sheila and her driver too
will do their very best
To keep the Burwells entertained
It is quite a Jambo test.
The next leg of the trip, my friends
Flight number 3
Johannesberg, South Africa
Jen and Graham to see.
With Superfun Dad
the Mama too
the high school grad and her pics
the funny one
the cheerleader and her gorgeous sis
More of Africa!
We're introduced to Indian food
Then drive a long, long way
headed to the Kruger
for an African sa-far-ray, an African sa-far-ray!
A great big house greets us there
and even bigger beasts.
Ku-du, bush buck, and zebras
We feed them delicious treats.
Each day we head out in two cars
And drive and drive and drive.
Pull out those bi-nocs cause we see
the famous Big 5, the famous Big 5.
Kruger favorites must include
the porch and relaxed moods,
Time to spend with Graham and Jen,
And scrumptious African foods.
Finally it's time for
flight number four
Joberg back to Nairobi
And Sheila's here for more.
We Jambo Jet to Diani
And stay at a fancy place
two perfect days of beach and rest
and monkeys in our space! Yes, monkeys in our face!
Flight six and seven and eight are hard
We fly and fly and fly.
We all just want to get back home
To our Johns Creek paradise.
With Superfun Dad
the Mama too
the high school grad and her pics
the funny one
the cheerleader and her gorgeous sis
Goodbye, Africa!
Thanks, Babe, for creating this adventure for us! We all whined and complained at various points along the way, but you helped us make lifelong family memories! We love you.
But please, next time, can we do like 3 or 4 flights instead of 8?!