If you have not traveled to Africa before, be ready for an overwhelming impact. It is truly a world apart.. Do not even try to picture or imagine what it will be like, because you will certainly not be able to seize the experience.
Large heaps of yellowish dirt which came from the mines when gold was brought to the surface over the years, is one of the first things you will see when approaching Johannesburg in Gauteng province. Another obvious landmark is the J.G. Strijdom Tower that forms an integral part of the Johannesburg skyline.
Johannesburg is where you will enter South Africa for a vacation and is also the place about 6 million people call home. Egoli, The City of Gold, is built on the richest gold reef ever disclosed. Most of the mines lie to the south and west of Johannesburg, some as deep as 3.5 kilometers (just more than 2 miles).
Johannesburg is a boisterous, brilliant, throbbing city and houses the Stock Exchange, being the Financial focus of the country. You will notice extremely rich people in Johannesburg in areas like Houghton where Nelson Mandela lives, but also thousands living in the most impoverished state imaginable. Definitely a city of extreme contrasts.
It is not a scenic city but that is scarcely evident because of its very busy social and arts scene. There are a number of theatres and 5 star hotels including the Sandton Sun and Towers in Sandton City, a very popular and powerful complex.
Vendors line the streets with their wares and flea markets can be spotted at regular intervals. Anything from fresh produce to African art to Chinese mass produced baubles can be bought here and it constitutes a crucial part of the "informal economy" and city life, just as the luxurious malls do.
Gold Reef City, which was reconstructed on the site of Crown Mines, a deserted mining company, captures the heart of the early gold era with theme parks, museums, bars and lodging and are one of the few places where you can attend a dance by miners in traditional dress in the Gold Mine Museum. You can also come here to see a genuine bar of gold being poured! Not a lot of people have that privilege. Unquestionably worth a visit with lots to do for just about everybody. Be sure to spend at least a day.
There are several large soccer stadiums scattered throughout Johannesburg as this is a very popular sport and the stadiums are being updated and new ones built in preparation for the Soccer World Cup in 2010 which will take place in South Africa.
Bruma Lake is like a little town consisting of restaurants, pubs and specialty shops in a setting surrounding a small lake with an impressive water feature and is nice for a leisurely visit. Maybe for a slower day, recovering from jetlag?
Johannesburg Zoo is worth a visit as well with a large selection of rare African animals, birds and reptiles. If your timing is right, you may be treated to a Saturday of Art in the Park where up and coming artists and established artists alike display their pieces in a wonderful outdoor setting. Original art is still very inexpensive and not that hard to find at all.
About an hour from the city one can find an art trail where you can visit unique art studios and can even join in the experience of an artist producing an incredible piece. Mixed in with the studios are very elegant tearooms with special homemade pastries and goodies, to enjoy a drink and rest the tired legs. In the same vicinity is Hartebeespoort Dam which is worth a visit as well.
People watching will no doubt fascinate you if you fail to find anything else to do in Johannesburg. Make sure you plan your vacation to visit some of the exquisite luxury resorts to be spoiled and pampered to make the most of your travels.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francina_Smit
Large heaps of yellowish dirt which came from the mines when gold was brought to the surface over the years, is one of the first things you will see when approaching Johannesburg in Gauteng province. Another obvious landmark is the J.G. Strijdom Tower that forms an integral part of the Johannesburg skyline.
Johannesburg is where you will enter South Africa for a vacation and is also the place about 6 million people call home. Egoli, The City of Gold, is built on the richest gold reef ever disclosed. Most of the mines lie to the south and west of Johannesburg, some as deep as 3.5 kilometers (just more than 2 miles).
Johannesburg is a boisterous, brilliant, throbbing city and houses the Stock Exchange, being the Financial focus of the country. You will notice extremely rich people in Johannesburg in areas like Houghton where Nelson Mandela lives, but also thousands living in the most impoverished state imaginable. Definitely a city of extreme contrasts.
It is not a scenic city but that is scarcely evident because of its very busy social and arts scene. There are a number of theatres and 5 star hotels including the Sandton Sun and Towers in Sandton City, a very popular and powerful complex.
Vendors line the streets with their wares and flea markets can be spotted at regular intervals. Anything from fresh produce to African art to Chinese mass produced baubles can be bought here and it constitutes a crucial part of the "informal economy" and city life, just as the luxurious malls do.
Gold Reef City, which was reconstructed on the site of Crown Mines, a deserted mining company, captures the heart of the early gold era with theme parks, museums, bars and lodging and are one of the few places where you can attend a dance by miners in traditional dress in the Gold Mine Museum. You can also come here to see a genuine bar of gold being poured! Not a lot of people have that privilege. Unquestionably worth a visit with lots to do for just about everybody. Be sure to spend at least a day.
There are several large soccer stadiums scattered throughout Johannesburg as this is a very popular sport and the stadiums are being updated and new ones built in preparation for the Soccer World Cup in 2010 which will take place in South Africa.
Bruma Lake is like a little town consisting of restaurants, pubs and specialty shops in a setting surrounding a small lake with an impressive water feature and is nice for a leisurely visit. Maybe for a slower day, recovering from jetlag?
Johannesburg Zoo is worth a visit as well with a large selection of rare African animals, birds and reptiles. If your timing is right, you may be treated to a Saturday of Art in the Park where up and coming artists and established artists alike display their pieces in a wonderful outdoor setting. Original art is still very inexpensive and not that hard to find at all.
About an hour from the city one can find an art trail where you can visit unique art studios and can even join in the experience of an artist producing an incredible piece. Mixed in with the studios are very elegant tearooms with special homemade pastries and goodies, to enjoy a drink and rest the tired legs. In the same vicinity is Hartebeespoort Dam which is worth a visit as well.
People watching will no doubt fascinate you if you fail to find anything else to do in Johannesburg. Make sure you plan your vacation to visit some of the exquisite luxury resorts to be spoiled and pampered to make the most of your travels.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francina_Smit
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