Johannesburg

Days 1-3

Our first view of South Africa on approach to Jo'burg airport.

We arrived at Johannesburg airport after a 14+ hour flight.  Very tired, but happy to have arrived..., only to be hit with one of the longest customs queue ever !  Took around 90 minutes to get through.  Not happy !

Could not believe how long these queues were - and no APEC queue !

Once outside, we got our bags quickly , found a taxi that could take all of us, and made our way to our Airbnb house.

The house was great, the hosts were great, even the digs, Milo and Coco, were friendly.  Like an oasis. Very modern.

Our first full day was a real eye opener.  We learned how to use the local train system - Gautrain.  Once  you know how, it is very easy and relatively cheap way to get to the centre of town.

We caught the Hop on Hop off bus, best way to see the city.  A few mandatory stops, including the Apartheid Museum, Newtown (lunch) and Constitution Hill (old jail).  The next day we caught the same bus but did a tour of Soweto.  Another real eye opened.  4-5 million people live in Soweto !

Hop on Hop off bus - great way to see a city !

And did you know that Soweto stands for a South Western Township ?  Formed early in the 20th century as a place to send the native tribal people from the shanty towns that were beginning to take shape in / near Jo'burg.

Picture of poor part of Soweto.  Blurry, taken on the run...

Day 4 - Saturday  - we decided to catch a bus to Malelane (Kruger) instead of using a car / driver.  We saved a cnsderable amount for money, BUT

BIG MISTAKE - we weren't to know, but just cause it is labelled a luxury bus does not mean that the ticket and queues are luxury and ordered !  Before we got on the bus we had to queue up and the queue was not moving and our bus was about to leave so we got very stressed.  Eventually we pushed our way to the front and got through to the bus.  At least we could pick our seats...

It was a 6 1/2 hour bus trip, pretty comfortable (car would have been 4 1/2 hours).  However, the next issue arose when we arrived at Malelane.  The bus dropped us off at the local Service Station, and we had lunch at Nando's.  Problem was that there was no available transport to our lodge.  No taxis, no Uber. No nothing.  So, eventually we voted to walk the 2.3 kms. With our heavy suitcases. BIG PROBLEM, as it was 42 degrees in the shade, and a very sunny day !  Bloody hot !  After about 1.2 kms, a local lady with a pickup truck stopped and said : you look like you need a lift !

42+ degree heat.  Have we learned a lesson ?

Yes please ! We all yelled at once !

Local lady saved us from the heat !