The first Gold Rush in Johannesburg, known as the Witwatersrand Gold Rush, took place in 1886. Indeed, gold is the magic that pumped through the earth’s veins giving life to Johannesburg on land that was otherwise not suitable to attract and sustain a large human population. Primarily, Johannesburg is an unsuitable place for a city,… Continue reading New Gold Rush in Johannesburg!
Category: Johannesburg
The Escape Room Phenomenon hits South Africa
I’m always looking for new things to do and now I've found a great way to escape FROM Johannesburg IN Johannesburg. Escape rooms (also known as puzzle rooms) are already massively popular in many big cities around the world. Johannesburg, South Africa is no exception. Here's our list of Johannesburg's Escape Rooms. Which one will you… Continue reading The Escape Room Phenomenon hits South Africa
Johannesburg’s China Town: A Taste of Asia in Africa
Like many other big cities, Johannesburg has a China Town. Commissioner Street in the CBD was the original Chinese hub, but when the inner city deteriorated in the 1990's China Town relocated to a quiet suburb called Cyrildene in eastern Johannesburg. There are plenty of other places to buy asian foods and spices at shops dotted about Johannesburg,… Continue reading Johannesburg’s China Town: A Taste of Asia in Africa
Going Downtown in Johannesburg
In my last post, Hats for Twins, I mentioned a shopping trip and some interesting underwear that was on sale in Downtown Jozi. In any city, if you're prepared to get off the tourist trail with its well trodden attractions, you'll no doubt see all sorts of unusual and unexpected things. Johannesburg's Fashion District There was… Continue reading Going Downtown in Johannesburg
Random Johannesburg Roundup
It's silly season. The carol reel is looping in the shops, the Christmas biscuits in pretty tins have been shining on the shelves for weeks and everything has gone into warp speed with the end of the year looming. Contractors and government departments will imminently shut up shop for the long Christmas holiday. Sitting down to write… Continue reading Random Johannesburg Roundup
Honeydew Mazes: Johannesburg’s Best Kept Secret
Honeydew Mazes is one of Johannesburg's lesser known attractions. It's not well signposted and doesn't feature heavily in guidebooks. We joined forces with another family and went to see what it was all about. From roughly February until June there is a Maize Maze. It's October, so at the moment the Maize Maze looks like this. For… Continue reading Honeydew Mazes: Johannesburg’s Best Kept Secret
Hot Wheels in South Africa
There's always something left-of-centre to see when you are out and about on South Africa's roads. The reasons I don't have an endless reel of pictures to share with you are that a) it's not advisable to wave a smart phone or camera around for all to see when stuck in traffic and b) I'm… Continue reading Hot Wheels in South Africa
Fly Johannesburg to St. Helena
St Helena is an isolated island in the South Atlantic with a population of around 5000. It was first discovered by Portuguese explorers in 1502 and is infamously where Napoleon was exiled to and died. Historically it has been exclusively accessible by boat, but that's about to change with the successful landing of the first test flight… Continue reading Fly Johannesburg to St. Helena
High Altitude, Dry Altitude
Jo’burg is located up on a plateau, known as the Highveld, which is some 1753 metres or almost 6000 ft above sea level. Yes, we live about a mile high. One of the things you quickly notice is that the air up here is crackling and dry, particularly in the winter months when rain is… Continue reading High Altitude, Dry Altitude
Roughing it at Number 1 in Johannesburg
I previously told you about some of Johannesburg’s winning ways in the post: It would be a crime NOT to tell you. Now, I’ve stumbled across some MORE positive news about this thrumming city that we currently call home. Jozi has been ranked in the top spot, the numero uno big banana of cities to visit… Continue reading Roughing it at Number 1 in Johannesburg
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