Category: Africa

Nizamiye Mosque - Istanbul in Johannesburg

Nizamiye Mosque - "Where heart and mind meet" As one travels on the busy highway between Johannesburg and Pretoria, it is likely that one’s eye will be caught by a striking vision of domes and minarets, a sight one would be much more likely to see in Istanbul, Turkey than in Midrand, Johannesburg. It is […]

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Animal World at Emerald Resort

Animal World at Emerald Resort I much prefer animals to be in their natural habitats than in enclosures. The joy of seeing wild animals roaming freely on safari far exceeds that of seeing them in captivity and of course the animals are usually much happier. However not everyone can go on safari as it can […]

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Matjiesfontein – A small village with a huge history

Matjiesfontein The quaint Victorian village of Matjiesfontein whispers of a rich history filled with money, murders and ghosts. It was established in 1883/1884 by a Scotsman, James Douglas Logan, as a health resort where those with lung complaints could recuperate. Logan believed that the Karoo air had cured his own weak chest. Lampposts from London […]

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Kimberley - City of Diamonds

Kimberley - City of Diamonds Did you know that Kimberley in South Africa was the very first city in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the first cities in the world to have electric street lights? It actually had electric street lights before London. This “Strange but true” fact was imparted to us by our tour […]

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Days of the Dinosaur Exhibition in South Africa

Days of the Dinosaur Exhibition in South Africa When I first heard about dinosaurs coming to South Africa, I asked my son if he wanted to go and see them. Having just watched the Jurassic Park series, his first question was “Real ones?”.  No, my son, (un)fortunately not. But this is as close as you’re […]

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Holiday Inn Johannesburg Sunnyside Park Hotel - A Johannesburg Treasure

Review: Holiday Inn Johannesburg Sunnyside Park Hotel It is not often that one gets to spend the night at a national monument and historic treasure. I had the privilege of doing just that recently. Right on my doorstep, in the historic suburb of Parktown in Johannesburg, is a national monument and heritage site constructed as […]

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Rovos Rail - The Pride of Africa

Rovos Rail - The Pride of Africa “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson I sat at the window of my ultra-luxurious suite and watched Africa go by. As the landscape transformed from congested city […]

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Review: Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate

Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate Review If you are a golfer, or married to one as I am, then you may know that Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate is a golfer’s paradise. With three championship Gary Player golf courses consistently rated in the Top 20 Golf Courses in South Africa, it is easy […]

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Sparkling Waters Hotel and Spa Review & Magaliesberg Canopy Tour

Review: Sparkling Waters Hotel and Spa Magaliesberg Canopy Tour The beauty was spectacular. I was surrounded by 2400 million year old mountains. Thirty metres below me, a pebbled stream ran through the gorge, flanked by mini-waterfalls. The air was fresh and the sun was shining through the trees. Forest birds and animals peered at us […]

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