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Why you MUST visit South Africa
319 days
by ClareAppleyard
in South Africa
It’s the question that gets me every single time.
“Is it safe to visit South Africa?”
Inevitably, my blood starts to boil as I brace for the next hammer blow, “Because you know, from what I’ve heard it’s very dangerous and they’ve told me not to visit”.
Who are the ominipresent “they”?
Have they ever been to South Africa?
Have they ever travelled through the many parts of our countryside?
Have they taken the time to educate themselves on our nation, or are they just regurgitating snippets that they’ve heard on the news, found on the web or overheard from some disillusioned, white, ex-South African who emigrated because “the country is going to the dogs under that black government”?
[Please, excuse my frankness, but those are often the people trash-talking South Africa]
But, despite the resounding success that was the 2010 World Cup, despite 19 years of freedom for all, despite everything, people are still reticent to visit South Africa because they deem it too dangerous, too risky, too threatening.
In my work with American tour groups, I find that the travellers have inevitably been warned (by well-meaning relatives and neighbors), not to book that package tour to South Africa, yet the groups all thoroughly enjoy South Africa and would “highly recommend it”. In the advent of travel bloggers, more and more bloggers are visiting South Africa and I have yet to hear a bad word spoken against South Africa.
Disappointingly though, despite all the positive experiences we hear about, negative media about South Africa still abounds.
Enough! It’s our job as responsible South Africans to change that.
So, I polled a variety of travel bloggers who have visited South Africa for their Top 2 reasons on Why You Should Must Visit South Africa. There were some common themes that surfaced together with some touching, heart-felt responses. Let’s hear what some of our favourite bloggers had to say….
Diverse & Spectacular Scenery
Not surprisingly, this rated highly on many blogger’s lists. Keith Jenkins of Velvet Escape highlights the “jagged snow-capped peaks of the Drakensberg to expansive savannah and rugged coastlines” as an example of the natural beauty that South Africa has to offer. Africa lover Sandy Salle (Hills of Africa) echoes this sentiment as she celebrates South Africa “for its spectacular wine lands, unspoiled beaches, as well as Cape Town, which compares to a mini San Francisco!”.
A spectacular portion of the False Bay coastline, Cape Town
Perhaps one of the most enthusiastic votes for this category came from Wandering Earl who notes “From large, vibrant cities to beautiful coastal communities, from mesmerizing wine regions to tiny towns in the middle of nowhere, and everything in between, every region of South Africa feels as if it is an entirely different country in itself.”. Nothing quite beats an African sunset either for amazing colours against wide open skies. Check out Craig Zabranksy’s amazing gallery of South African sunsets, and see for yourself.
A spectacular birds-eye view over part of the Central Drakensberg.
The “Big 5” Safari Experience
Many visitors to South Africa come solely for the purpose of visiting the Kruger Park to spot wild animals in their natural habitat. “Seeing all these amazing animals in their natural environment while enjoying the beautiful landscape” was a personal highlight for Earth Xplorer J.D. Andrews and “viewing the “Big 5” (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant & rhino) in person was a remarkable experience” for Landloper Matt Long. Jen Pollack Bianco and Cailin O’Neil both share this common sentiment, after their visits to South Africa included a safari expedition.
A Leopard, the only one of the Big 5 that eluded me for 30 years.
Sandy Salle highly recommends visiting some of our many monkey and elephant sanctuaries, all of which offer guided sightseeing tours, allowing you to get within meters of the animals. Don’t discount our offshore wildlife either, home to whales, dolphins and Great White Sharks, all off which can be spotted along many parts of our coastline.
A ring-tailed lemur takes advantage of breakfast at the Monkeyland Sanctuary, Eastern Cape.
Delicious Food and Drink
There was no shortage of enthusiastic comments regarding the variety of top class South African cuisine. Some bloggers, like The Travel Tart, raved about particular South African dishes, quipping “There’s nothing like stuffing your face with a half-loaf of bread packed with tasty curry” (known as a Bunny Chow). Cailin O’Neil was particularly smitten with our local game meats, particular “springbok and kudu” and shares our fondness for a “braai” – the Afrikaans word for a barbeque. Cape Town in particular offers a huge diversity in cuisines and, if Indian food is your flavour, head to Durban where you’ll find some of the best curries outside of the subcontinent.
Delicious tikka chicken street food on sale in Fordsburg, Johannesburg
South Africa is well known for its world-class wines, something that Keith Jenkins is particularly passionate about. The Stellenbosch & Franschoek regions in the Western Cape are home to many award-winning wine-farms, so be sure to add this destination to your itinerary. And, if you prefer your tipple a little sweeter, be sure to sample Amarula, a cream-liqueur made from the fruit of the Marula tree. It’s exceptionally delicious, very South African and very, very addictive as Craig Zabransky discovered when he attended the World Cup in South Africa in 2010!
“It will change your life”
At a first glance, I thought The Explorateur’s comment about a visit to South Africa being a life-changing experience was a little bit of a cliché. But, as I received more and more responses along similar lines, I began to realize that she had a point. The Explorateur is well known in South Africa, and she found the “real” South Africa when she chose to break out of the “safety” of her hotel and took a tour through Soweto, a local African township. From meeting a tour guide who was imprisoned during the Apartheid era, to being musically serenaded by school children in tattered clothing, The Explorateur discovered that when you look beyond the surface of South Africa, “you’ll gain a whole new perspective on yourself and what’s important”.
Children playing in Alexandra township, Johannesburg
Kirsten Alana recalls shared a similar experience, “I remember standing on Vilakazi Street in Soweto and thinking that if two Nobel Peace Prize winners could come from one such humble street, surely nothing was stopping me from changing the world.”
South Africans have long been recognized as some of the most hospitable people in the world, a fact graciously acknowledged by both Keith and J.D. If volunteering is close to your heart, you’d do well to pay attention to Sandy who notes, ”South Africa’s volunteer opportunities are some of the most humbling and rewarding experiences to be had and allow families, individuals, groups and couples to immerse themselves in the local culture, whilst providing locals with the gift of upliftment”.
8115 Vilakazi Street, Soweto, previously home to Nelson Mandela.
Perhaps the last word in this section should go to Matt Long, who, like many bloggers, discovered that South Africa really does get under your skin. He says, “Before I first visited South Africa I was warned that the ‘bug’ would grab hold and not let go. Everyone tells me that I’ll love every location I visit, so I didn’t think a lot about it. This time was different though and by the end of my adventures in South Africa, I had indeed caught that mysterious bug. South Africa enjoys a unique mix of qualities including staggering beauty, a rich culture and people so kind your teeth hurt. These and many more factors coalesce and truly do become more than the sum of their parts. A special magic is created that doesn’t just ensure a great trip, but changes at a molecular level turn any trip into a personally transformational experience. Before you accuse me of extreme bouts of hyperbolic imagery, just wait. Visit South Africa for yourself and then, and only then, can you tell me that I’m wrong.”
Are you ready to book your trip to South Africa now?
Sincere thanks must go to all the travel bloggers who shared their heartfelt thoughts on South Africa. Please, keep spreading the positive news on our amazing country.
The Wild Horses of Kaapsche Hoop
1198 days
Tucked away in a corner of the old Eastern Transvaal is the hamlet of Kaapsche Hoop. Comprising little more than a sandy, rutted main road, lined with period houses and quaint shops, the town has become well known for the large number of wild horses that roam freely in the area.
We knew very little of the town prior to my partner entering the 2012 Kaapsche Hoop marathon. Advertising for the marathon announced the opportunity to “run with the wild horses”, but we had very little knowledge of the area, let alone the famous wild horses.
Keep an eye open for the wild horses on the Kaapsche Hoop road
Wild horses at the side of the Kaapsche Hoop road
The day of the marathon dawned cold and misty and as we walked the “high street” towards the dreaded race porta-potties, a group of horses emerged from the mist and drifted towards us. Seemingly tame, a few approached me, sniffed my hands cautiously and allowed me to pat them. For the non-runners (like myself), this was really our only interaction with the horses, but for the runners, a forest detour on the race route was an opportunity to watch in awe as the wild horses galloped alongside them, a “magical experience”, as Davina reports.
Modern and ancient transport sit side by side in Kaapsche Hoop
The day after the race, we headed back to Kaapsche Hoop to get closer to these wild horses. Theories as to how the horses originate abound. Some suggest that when the area’s gold rush petered out, prospectors simply left their horses behind and moved on. Other theories range from horses left behind after the South African War (or the Boer War to us locals) in the early 1900’s to horses abandoned after the local police station shut down. Whichever story is true, these wild horses are the only herd in South Africa and are fiercely protected by the locals.
A young wild horse, on the look out for fresh grass
The current herd is estimated to number up to 200 horses and have full run of the town. We discovered a table of hungry visitors at a local pancake restaurant having to guard their breakfast from the foraging equines. You normally might lose your meal to a bird, a dog or even a monkey in Africa, but a horse? That’s a different story altogether!
A breakfast loving horse at the Koek ‘n Pan, Kaapsche Hoop
We took a stroll through some of the open fields behind the local houses and discovered a group of about 8 horses, grazing contentedly. Some of them came up to us, clearly looking for some easy treats, so Davina headed off to the car to pick up a bag of apples.
A group of wild horses, all sedate before we tempted them with apples
Big mistake.
Apparently they’re wild horses for a reason. No sooner had one horse sampled an apple, they were all clamouring around us to get a bite. Suddenly, they were showing signs of aggression, attacking each other to get to the bag and nipping at us (I have a rather nasty blue bruise on my arm from an impatient horse). We narrowly avoided getting kicked as one horse suddenly turned heel on us, so, tossing the last two apples into the field, we dashed back to the car as fast as we could, thankful that no hooves connected with our jaws!
Scenery and wild horses in Mpumulanga
It was only as we popped into a local store to fortify ourselves with a drink that we saw a “Don’t feed the horses” sign *sigh* …we should have known better. Next time you’re on your way to the Kruger Park or Mpumulanga, stop off at Kaapsche Hoop and meet the wild horses, but leave the apples and sugar lumps at home!
“Next time, we want more apples. And sugar cubes, k?”
Jo’burg turns to Snowburg – not your typical winter’s day
4288 days
People frequently have incorrect, preconceived ideas about Johannesburg and South Africa. One is that we have lions roaming the streets; another is that if you go into downtown Johannesburg you’re likely not to make it out alive; another is that South Africa is always hot and sunny.
I really don’t wish to burst your bubble, but that last one could not be further from the truth today. Yes, it’s winter (we’re in the Southern Hemisphere remember? Something I continually have to remind my American friends about) and yes, it’s cold – but yesterday it snowed. Snow. Fluffy, white, freezing stuff in Johannesburg!
And the snow starts to fall….
We’re not just talking about a few flakes here and there, we’re talking about persistent snowfall for a good hour or so – enough to make snow angels, snowmen, throw snowballs with and for our puppies to have the time of their lives in.
Our puppy Gypsy gets to grips with snow for the first time ever
All around Johannesburg people were pulling over at the roadsides, whipping out cameras and clicking photographs. Cashiers from supermarkets were outside the shops shrieking with joy; children were let out of class early and in downtown Johannesburg, immigrant Africans were dashing out to cars and having their photos taken next to the snowy windscreens.
A sight rarely seen in Johannesburg!
We were lucky in our part of Johannesburg, we received more snow than most, but alas, it had melted within the hour, leaving only damp lawns and muddy footprints as evidence. For that hour though, it was wonderful to be able to feel like a kid again – full of wonder and amazement at the beauty of snow and excited about being alive!
Good job there were no flowers in our baskets…
Our snowy street in Johannesburg
Our garden turned into a winter wonderland
Next time you’re travelling to South Africa, don’t just assume that it’s going to be sunny and hot. Check the weather forecast as you might just need to bring your ski gear along!
Madame Zingara’s: The best night out in Johannesburg
2347 days
They came from Russia, the Ukraine and Khayelitsha. Acrobats, drag queens and skipping skeletons. Whether you’re looking for some risqué humour or jaw-dropping acrobatics, Madame Zingara’s has it all.
Started in Cape Town in 2001, Madame Zingara’s was a whimsical restaurant that firmly established itself as a local favourite. Tragically, the restaurant burnt down 5 years later and, in 2007, re-launched as a Madame Zingara’s Theatre of Dreams. Hosted in the very first Spiegel tent to hit African shores, and propped up by 1000 bevelled mirrors, Madame Zingara’s is pulling in hundreds of people each night – 420 to be exact – to eat, drink and be merry.
We joined the excited guests on Friday night, after having had to book two months in advance. My partner Davina had no idea what she was in for and my impression of what the evening would hold swung somewhere between Cirque du Soleil and a dinner cabaret show. We’d heard that dressing up for Madame Zingara’s was de rigeur, so I’d dutifully visited China Mall and topped up on beads, boas and basher hats (sparkly, of course).
- Madame Zingara’s whimsical world
Our visual senses were overwhelmed at every turn – flashing hearts, swinging tea-cups, giant lollypops and gilded carriages greeted us as we entered the lobby. Inside the tent, we were shown to our table and offered complimentary vodka, mint and lime cocktails. With a full house booked, thankfully the service worked like clockwork and in a flash our Mediterranean-inspired mezze platter and espresso-cup starter of butternut soup was served to warm us up.
The El Milagro show opened with a compere who welcomed “old faces, new faces and old faces with new faces”, setting the tone for an evening of humour. A pair of acrobats set the tone, swinging from the tent’s centerpiece chandelier with nary a safety harness in sight. In between the Russian gymnasts, the Ukrainian chair balancer and South Africa’s biggest Dream Girls trio, we feasted on butternut ravioli (heart-shaped, natch), a lamb shank that literally melted in my mouth and a trio of granadilla (passion-fruit) pannacotta, chocolate mousse and raspberry sponge.
- Left: The Mediterranean mezze. Right Top: Butternut ravioli. Right bottom: A trio of desserts
The glittering MC of the evening came close to stealing the show. Cathy Specific is South Africa’s “First Lady of Flight” and, with her two Trolley Dollies (Molly and Holly) kept the audience in stiches for most of the night. Sadly, there was a table behind us who couldn’t appreciate a “cock in a frock” and Cathy’s tale of reporting a “bumper lashing” at the local police station flew over many people’s heads (“Only the gay audience members got that”, observed Cathy).
- The leading ladies at the Theatre of Dreams. Top: Dream Girls. Bottom: Cathy Specific (centre) with her Trolly Dollies, Molly (left) & Holly (right).
The evening ended with a wonderful display by talented local artists. There was the gymnast who had us gasping as she rolled down from the roof of the tent, stopped from falling by only two broad ribbons and the skipping skeletons, three local lads from a Cape Town township who knew their way around skipping ropes like no-one we’d ever seen before. The stage was then cleared for the audience to take to the floor and dance the night away, which we did with much enthusiasm.
- Scenes from the show (taken very clandestinely)
If you’re still debating whether or not to treat yourself to a night with the Madame (with ticket prices from R410 – R495 you may be thinking twice about booking) let me give you three words of advice – just do it. But you’d better be quick. At the end of August the Madame packs up her mirror tent and heads back to Cape Town, so phone them now and you might just get to party with the cast in August.
Leggings and lycra – a musical flashback to the 80’s
0445 days
by Clare Appleyard
in South Africa
Let me set the record straight before we start. I’m not a spontaneous kind of person – I like a good plan. The better and more comprehensive the plan is, the more comfortable I am with it.
So, when one evening my partner comes across an advertisement for an 80’s music concert in Durban (and we live in Johannesburg), I’d be the last person you’d expect to suggest travelling 600km’s for one night. But I did. You see, in my mind, 80’s music rocks. Having grown up listening to Wham, Duran Duran, Yazoo and much more, a significant portion of my music collection is dedicated to this unforgettable era. Unfortunately, some of the fashions were far more forgettable.
- The Working Girl outfit comes back for one last hurrah
Thus, it was a Saturday a few weeks back where Davina and I piled into my car mid-Saturday morning (she had run a half-marathon at 6am that morning) and bombed it down to Durban’s King’s Park Stadium for the biggest 80’s reunion concert you can imagine. With a line-up including Nik Kershaw, Howard Jones, Go West, The Village People, Marc Almond and Rick Astley, we knew we were going to have our fluorescent socks blown off.
- Cassette tapes: Far more versatile than they were in 1984.
Unfortunately, it turns out that the seats I’d carefully selected were the nose-bleed seats. Worse still, the acoustics were awful. We had no idea what the artists were saying, and we could just about hear the words to sing along to Nik Kershaw’s (one of my 80’s favourites) “Wouldn’t It Be Good”. By the time the third artist took to the stage, management had realized that the poor souls in the stands couldn’t hear a thing and they let us down on to the field. With great joy we found ourselves right next to the VIP zone and just 20m from the stage.
Without a doubt, one of the best parts of the concert was seeing the great outfits that people dressed up in. There was big hair, leg-warmers, fluorescent lycra, Village People characters, a Star Trooper and even Cyndi Lauper and Tina Turner made an appearance.
- The 80′s heroes came out in their droves
Each artist took to the stage for approximately 30 minutes, although old favourites like Midge Ure (the lead singer of Ultravox) got a bit of extra air-time – he treated us to classics like “Vienna”, “Dancing with tears in my eyes” and even sang Visage’s “Fade to grey”, a track that he originally penned for them. Most artists sang original 80’s songs, but a few recent covers were thrown in when Go West pelted out Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire” and Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley treated the crowd to his rendition of The Killer’s “Somebody told me”.
- Howard Jones encourages the crowd to get to know him well
Marc Almond was suitably flamboyant with his pink pashmina, and when the opening strains of “Tainted Love” filled the stadium, the crowd went wild. The Village People delighted with their popular track “YMCA” (what else?!) but it was Rick Astley, the last act of the night, who surprisingly showed the most character.
- The pink pashmina had clearly gotten hold of Marc Almond’s heart
“Who bought my first album?” yelled Rick to the crowd. “Thank you very much! You’ve put my daughter through school, bought me a lovely house in London and bought my mum a house too”. Swearing at regular intervals and stopping the music to have beer brought on to stage for the entire band, he had the crowd enthralled. When he left the stage without singing “Never Gonna Give You Up”, you just knew there had to be an encore. Not disappointing, Rick came back onto stage, having swopped his striped shirt and jacket (not a tie in sight) for a Sharks rugby jersey, he pelted out his classic 1987 hit.
- The Village People doing what they do best – standing to attention
Happy and exhausted, we left the stadium at 10:30pm for a solid night’s sleep before the long drive back to Johannesburg the next day. Was it worth a 10 hour, 1200km round trip? Absolutely – long live 80’s music!
P.S. If you’re in the UK and love 80′s music, check out the 80′s Rewind Festivals happening later this year in Scotland (July) and England (August).
How to ride an ostrich in South Africa
1490 days
by Clare Appleyard
in South Africa
The town of Outshoorn, in South Africa’s Klein (Little) Karoo, is famed for two things – the Cango Caves and ostrich farming. Why farm ostriches you may ask?
Ostrich meat is popular game meat in South Africa, available in most major supermarkets. It’s lean, high in protein and quite tasty and tender. Ostrich leather is great for shoes, handbags and belts and those huge feathers make fabulous feather dusters.
With a brain smaller than it's eye, Ollie wasn't the smartest bird around.
But apart from the practical uses to ostrich, there’s some fun to be had in Outshoorn learning to ride an ostrich. Ostrich races are fairly common on ostrich farms in the Outshoorn area, but be warned, it’s not as easy as the professionals make it look!
On a trip to the Cango Ostrich farm, we decided to try our hand at riding an ostrich, and realized that we were going to need a bit more help than we originally thought. Jacobus, our tour guide, had given us a demonstration before hand on how to “drive” an ostrich. How did he demonstrate the turns and stops? By using an ostrich feather duster of course.
The basic principle is that the neck of your ostrich is your control level – to turn left, push it to the left; to turn right, push it to the right. And to slow down? Why, you have only pull back on the neck as if it’s a brake lever.
After this basic driving lesson, we were guided out to the racing coop where our ostrich awaited us. The riding ostriches wore a basic cloth covering on their backs, hardly enough to cushion either the ostrich or the rider. Before mounting the ostrich, it was led into a pen, with a hood over it’s head, sadly making it look like it was being led to an execution.
Like a lamb to the slaughter, a visitor to South Africa saddles up
Once safely in the pen, I mounted the ostrich as if it were a horse, but instead of having stirrups to put our feet in, I had to cross our legs at the front of the bird, holding on as tightly as possible. Each of the giant wings served as a rein, one left, one right and, we were assured that leaning back in the non-existent saddle would keep you stable and upright. Suddenly, with a quick flick of Jacobus’ hand, the executioner’s hood was removed and I was off.
It turns out that an ostrich can run pretty fast. Being carried along at such speed was quite exhilarating, and I was beginning to feel pretty proud of myself for staying on for so long. The sense of achievement wore off however when I realized that on either side of the ostrich there was a handler making sure that I didn’t take a tumble.
Although the ride was short and sweet, it was great fun and will definitely serve as a quick, and inexpensive (R69 for the entire ostrich tour) adrenalin shot. If you find yourself in the Outshoorn area whilst travelling South Africa, be sure to stop off at a local ostrich farm to see for yourself.
Sadly, the touted "Ostrich massage" is little more than a feeding frenzy.
Why I love Photowalking
6507 days
by Clare Appleyard
in South Africa
Early in 2011, thanks to the power of social media, I was introduced to a group on Facebook called the “Joburg Photowalkers”. The group was started by a couple of Johannesburg-based photography lovers who wanted to share their passion for photography and Johannesburg with other like-minded people.
The concept is simple – at regular intervals (normally at least weekly), a “Photowalk” venue is suggested and a meeting time and place is set. All that’s left for you to do is arrive at the required meeting point, at the correct time, with your camera (and, if necessary, tripod) in tow. Having been on a number of photowalks in the past year, I’ve enjoyed myself immensely on each one and have learnt a great deal in the process. Here’s why I love photowalking so much:
1. You’re surrounded by willing teachers
Photography is a game in which there is always something to learn. For a hack like myself, who has never taken lessons, the photowalks are an invaluable opportunity to gather hints and tips from photographers more experienced than myself. Whether it’s the advantage of increasing your ISO setting at night, or adjusting the white balance to capture the true colour of a flower, there is always a willing teacher to help you improve your photography.
A simple increase in ISO from 100 (top) to 400 (bottom) yields amazing results.
2. Borrowing and experimenting with other people’s equipment
Very few photographers own all the equipment they’d like to. You’re always yearning for an additional lens or gadget that will enhance your photography. Photowalking allows you to chat to the person who has the lens you crave (in my case a Canon 10-22mm wide angle lens) and on my last photowalk I was thrilled to discover my good friend Karen was willing to lend me hers to shoot a few shots of the Sandton skyline. It gave a completely different perspective to what I could achieve with my own equipment.
Downtown Sandton: the joy of a borrowed wide-angle lens (thanks Karen!)
3. Discover parts of the city you didn’t know existed
No matter how long you’ve lived in a city for, there will still be parts of it that you have not yet explored or possibly don’t even know existed. We’re still discovering new parts of Johannesburg, and some of that has to be attributed to the photowalks. From 5 star Sandton hotels to the back roads of the townships, you’ll gain a new awareness of the diversity of Johannesburg.
Giant graffiti under Johannesburg's M1 bridge
4. Access to places that are usually off-limits
All too often you’ll look at a photograph and wonder how the photographer got permission to access the top of that building or to go beyond that security perimeter. One of the great things about being a photowalker is that on many of the walks, we have organized access to locations that you’d never be able to access as a solo photographer. We’ve accessed buildings ranging from historical, derelict buildings like the Old Johannesburg General Hospital to penthouse suites in the luxury Michelangelo and Radisson Hotels. Each location provides an opportunity to shoot scenes normally out of reach.
Abandoned and derelict staff quarters, Old Johannesburg General Hospital
5. Safety in numbers
If you’ve ever read up on Johannesburg, you’ll have heard the horror stories. Muggings, rapes, murders, hi-jackings…the list of horrors is endless. Except, it’s not really that bad. We live a pretty normal life in Johannesburg and know that what the media reports and what you read on the internet is nowhere close to a true reflection of life in the city. That said though, there are instances where you need to use common sense. Walking through Hillbrow flashing a DSLR and telephoto lens, or hanging around under the M1 bridge at night might not be your smartest move, but with the Photowalkers, you’re frequently in a group of 20 + photographers and often with a pre-arranged security guard, so safety is never something you need to worry about.
Never fear, there's always a strapping man near with the Photowalkers
6. A chance to socialize
Human beings are inherently social and you can never overlook the importance of socializing “on the job”, so to speak. Joburg Photowalkers come from all walks of life – you’ll meet dyed-in-the-wool Johannesburgers, visiting out-of-towners, expat wives, professional photographers and on-location volunteers, to name but a few of our kin. With such a diverse, and large array of members, you never know what lifelong friends and business connections you might meet when you choose to walk the streets of Johannesburg with us.
Namrata and Karen - photowalks are as much about socialising as they are about taking photographs.
For more information on the Joburg Photowalkers, or to join our merry little group, please visit the Facebook Page. If you’re interested in starting a Photowalking group in your own town or city, I’d recommend contacting one of our founders, via the Facebook Page, and enquiring as to how to best go about it.
Sun City: Is it really worth the effort?
3550 days
Sun City, is, as marketers would have us believe, Africa’s Kingdom of Pleasure. Having visited on numerous occasions, I wouldn’t have listed another stay as high on my priority list. However, when my travel club asked me to host a weekend getaway there for our club members, I wasn’t going to say no. After all, we were saving approximately 50% off the normal hotel price.
Sun City established its popularity in the early 80’s, when gambling and topless revue shows were illegal within the borders of South Africa. This ban didn’t deter entrepreneur and hotelier Sol Kerzner, who built his palatial holiday resort and casino within the boundaries of one of apartheid South Africa’s former “homelands”, where the South African government had no jurisdiction.
The Entertainment Centre, home to slot machines, restaurants, fast food, kids entertainment and the Superbowl.
Fast forward 32 years and the gambling ban in South Africa has been lifted. Now, you can visit up to five casinos in Johannesburg in one night. Would Sun City still have appeal I wondered? It did start life as a gambling destination, and given that you can now gamble across in Johannesburg, would locals still willingly travel 2.5 hours to Sun City?
It turns out that they would. They arrive in droves for the weekend, via cars, coaches and taxis. Yes, Sun City still seems to reign as the Kingdom of Pleasure.
On reflection, it’s not actually hard to see why. Now focusing primarily on family fun rather than just gambling, Sun City offers a wide variety of activities for both adults and children. With a choice of five accommodation options, from the Cabanas and Vacation Club targeted at families and children, to the luxurious Palace where you can rub shoulders with the rich and famous, finding the right place to stay is the least of your worries.
Of all the activities and entertainment on offer, the Valley of the Waves is by far the most popular. South Africa’s most extensive waterpark provides free entry to any Sun City residents and the queues start early! Strangely popular is the massive wave pool and the sirens that warn of impending waves are met with whoops and shrieks from swimmers of all ages.
The Palace provides an imposing backdrop for the wave pool at the Valley of Waves
The Temple of Courage is not for the faint-hearted – I refuse to ride it more than once per visit! Ladies, loose bikini tops are not advisable as you could end up topless with the force of the water down the chute. Gentlemen, cross your legs, otherwise…
Taking the plunge at the Temple of Courage
Sun City is also home to two world-class golf courses, the Gary Player course and the Lost City course, both exceptionally popular (and, a touch pricey). The Sun City Entertainment Centre houses a cinema, a teenage, a fast food court, a number of restaurants and the “Superbowl”, an uber-venue for visiting musical artists.
The 18th hole at the Gary Player golf course, home to the Million Dollar Challenge
Right next to Sun City you’ll find the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, my personal favourite reserve in South Africa. Home to the Big Five (elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo and lions), you can take guided game drives during the day or at night, from within Sun City. Or, you can head on through the Bakubung Gate in your own car and try your luck at spotting an elusive leopard or cheetah. We took an organized night drive (R410 pp), in the hope of finally seeing leopard, but alas, all we saw were a few rhino.
If you're lucky, your night game ranger might find you a chameleon
Sun City is large, ostentatious and, at times, borderline kitsch, but you can’t help but stare in amazement at the architecture for the Palace or the Bridge of Time, that leads from the Entertainment Centre to the Valley Of Waves.
A giant leopard sits guard over the Bridge of Time
Be warned though, Sun City is not for the budget traveller. Most activities and foodstuffs are over-priced – you can pay R90 to watch somebody zipline or R100 for a tour of the Palace hotel – so make sure you budget accordingly. At the end of the day though, I have to admit that yes, we did have a good time and yes, we’d probably do it all over again!
“I don’t want to move to South Africa!”
0687 days
by Clare Appleyard
in South Africa
Guest Post by Bing, Storyofbing.com
It was on a chilly September afternoon in Auckland, New Zealand when the hubby called home and told me we were moving to Johannesburg.
I was taking a nap and thought I had a bad dream. When I woke up and realized it wasn’t a dream, I had a panic attack.
We were moving to South Africa. Oh No! If you Google intensively, you would conclude, like I did, that the country is all about murders, rape and Aids.
It was a depressing time for us.
At one point, after I’ve had my 3rd tearful session, the hubby finally suggested that we reject the posting and move back to Singapore instead. I slept on that and miraculously felt calmer knowing we had an option. To go or not to go?
We decided to come to South Africa in the end.
I figured, if the country had 50million people living there, it couldn’t be THAT bad a place. Right?
World class arrivals hall at OR Tambo Airport
Soccer City in Johannesburg, venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final
Time flies. That was 8 months ago.
In the past 8 months, I have met some of the nicest people in my life. I’ve learnt to say Hello to everyone I pass on the street because they said it to me first. I’ve learnt that people would do kind deeds for me and only expect “lots of love and kisses”.
I’ve learnt to appreciate the rich history, culture, music and art that is everywhere in this country. And I’ve been surprised by the magnificent seas and majestic mountains that it has to offer.
Table Mountain & Lion's Head, Cape Town
I’ve loved the opportunity to come close to animals in safaris. And eaten some of the most exotic food in my life. And that’s coming from an Asian person!
Regal impalas at the Kruger National Park
Safari meat pate on supermarket shelves
I’ve seen luxury that was beyond my imagination. Malls that are so big, I’ve gotten lost in them. Skyscrapers and giant highways fill the city.
The city of Johannesburg
At the other end of the city, there’s poverty that breaks my heart.
Princess Crossing squatter camp, Johannesburg (also known as "informal settlements", or "slums" to our American readers)
This is a country that has everything in one place. Yet crime is all the media reports on. That, and the World Cup last year. It’s a place that has so much to offer, but it lacks a developed communications infrastructure that is affordable so that the South Africans can tell the world how wonderful their country is. Or perhaps they are just having too good a time at home to bother with what the rest of the world thinks.
Sundowner drinks at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
There is crime and one must be vigilant. There are places that I’m scared to go to. There are people I meet that I am wary of. I take good care of my belongings. I lock our doors at home. I take a deep breath and remind myself not to live in fear. And then, I get out there and enjoy South Africa.
Bing is a proudly Singaporean blogger and photographer. Married to the love of her life, she follows her husband to the countries that he gets posted to. Having lived in New Zealand and now South Africa, Bing fills her time writing her blog on travel, lifestyle, cooking, love, learnings and photography. Bing describes her blog as her “Memory vault, daily journal and family legacy”, fitting for a blog nominated as a “Best Lifestyle Blog Finalist 2010 & 201″ in the Singapore Blog Awards. Visit StoryOfBing.com for more and follow Bing on Twitter.
A bunny chow-down in Durban
3694 days
by Clare Appleyard
in South Africa
If you’re looking for a good Indian curry in South Africa, there is no better place to start than Durban, the second largest city in the country. Durban is home to the largest Indian community outside of Asia, thanks to some early migrant labour in the 19th century. Having found it difficult to attract local Zulu labourers to work the sugar cane fields and coal mines, the British colonists resorted to imported Indian labour, giving rise to the largest grouping of people of Indian descent born outside of India.
Naturally, this makes Durban a great place to eat an authentic Indian curry.
One of the most famous forms of curry in Durban is known as the “Bunny Chow”. No, it doesn’t contain a bunny (or a rabbit for that matter), but chowing down on one is something you can’t miss in Durban.
Nobody quite seems to know how or where the “Bunny” originated, and one interpretation of the name is that, by eating it with your hands, you are imitating the way a rabbit eats. Of course, you’re free to eat yours with a knife and fork, but where’s the fun in that?
What exactly is a “Bunny Chow” then?
Quite simply a Bunny Chow comprises a portion of a loaf of bread (seemingly always white bread) hollowed out and filled with a generous dollop of curry. Available in ¼ loaf, ½ loaf or, for the extremely ravenous, a full loaf portion, a Bunny Chow is guaranteed to satisfy your starch and curry cravings. Easily considered a form of street food in South Africa, the Bunny Chow is most often served wrapped in blank newsprint paper, similar to English Fish & Chips.
Bunnies come with a variety of fillings, most commonly mutton, chicken or vegetarian but at the occasional up-market restaurant or take-away joint, you may even find a prawn Bunny on the menu.
If there's not enough starch in the bread and potatoes in the curry, you could always add chips to your Bunny order.
So, how do you chow a Bunny?
When you un-wrap your Bunny, you’ll find a steaming mass of curry, topped with a lump of bread – the same lump that was hollowed out of the loaf to make space for the curry. Best eaten with your fingers, start with the lump of bread on top, making sure to dip it into the delicious curry gravy underneath. Then, pick up your loaf and start to chow! Nibbling your way around the edges of the loaf is the best place to start and you’d do well to make sure you’ve got a plate on your lap and a serviette to hand – it’s going to get messy!
Eating a Bunny is guaranteed to be a messy affair
Be warned though, those Bunnies can be hot! With Durban curry powders such as “Hellfire” and “Mother-In-Law Exterminator”, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got some cooling beverages close by!
You think you can handle hot?
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- If there’s not enough starch in the bread and potatoes in the curry, you could always add chips to your Bunny order.
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- Eating a Bunny is guaranteed to be a messy affair
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- You think you can handle hot?
