Blogs from Gauteng, South Africa, Africa - page 84

Well the flight over was a really cool experience. As I requested I was given a window seat; infact I was the only person in economy apart from another guy infront who had a seat to themselves. It seems everyone was bunched together tightly squeezed except us. Being served 2 meals, coke was on tap and the leg room bareable my journey to South Africa went without hitch. Arriving at the airport was met with some impact. Realising that 90% of people are coloured, the whole airport staff where black... something I have never really been around. I've been here for a couple of days now. Security seems to be the main issue. Everywhere you go there are gates, electric fences, security, huge dogs and a sence of terror. Everythings been pretty much low key since ... read more

After following Tom on another 6 hour drive, going through a pass over the mountains again and dodging the speed cameras, we arrived in Giant’s Castle. The scenery was awesome and the hutted camp a delight. We had 2 self catering chalets with mountain views from the decks. Sarah and Tom had been shopping (big time) and had brought loads of food for the braais. It was cooler in the mountains than it had been in either Jo’burg or the Kruger, but we could still sit outside on the deck and listen to the river in the valley below. We were amazed when we woke the first morning because all the clouds had gone and we could now see the full extent of the berg - a sheer rock face shooting up into the sky from ... read more

Hi all! Well, we've been having a fabulous time here in joburg, despite the razor wire and ak47s. We have had the most marvelous christmas with pauls family, countless family dinners, bbq (braai)s, lunches, breakfasts, golf, even the eventful trip to the mall was pleasant. I do like joburg, but for the people. Today we visited a friend of Mary-Anne's (pauls step aunt i think) who lives in a gated community. It has a lake in the middle and ducks and wild life, there is no razor wire or electric fences. Half the people don't even lock their doors. I think that if I were to live in joburg I'd like to live in a place like that. We were going to leave for mozambique tomorrow, but we have been offered a ride with a friend ... read more

This blog is to record our Christmas holiday in South Africa for family and friends (mainly Andrew and Lara who will not be able to see our photos any other way as they are on their own travels in Asia and whose own blog is providing us with hours of amusement). We set off from Heathrow on 21st December and, once we were trapped on the plane with no way of contacting the outside world, we were told that we would be detouring to Milan to refuel (legacy of the Buncefield oil terminal fire). This additional stop added 1.5 hrs to our journey, but we had no way of warning Sarah that we would late arriving. It also meant that we didn't get any food until almost midnight! Sarah and Tom were patiently waiting at Jo'burg ... read more

After a late night out was picked up from my tour guide at the hotel to go to the Lion Park which is situated in Gauteng Province about an hour away. Picked up another family with a couple of kids and were one of the first visitors to arrive at the park that morning. The park stretches over 500 acres and is home to more than 70 lions. It is also home to many other wildlife such as ostriches, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, coyotes, springboks and giraffes. We drove off through the park, the land stretching out as far as the eye could see, trying to see if we could spot any of these animals. We first encountered an ostrich, next we passed a couple of grazing zebras. It always amazes me that each zebra has its ... read more