Joburg

Trip Start Jul 27, 2006
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Trip End Aug 17, 2006


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Flag of South Africa  ,
Monday, July 31, 2006

Flight was great, and the ride to the hotel in Johannesburg was easy. The hotel was lovely, though the city is not real safe, as I was constantly reminded. Touring the city was fascinating, particularly the visit into Soweto. Johannesburg is a spawling metropolis - the tour guide was rather disgruntled with the changes and didn't provide a pretty picture. I was able to see some of the nicer suburbs, but the city center was crowded, and except for a few monuments, there was nothing but congestion, crime, and litter. Went to a gold mine, and went down a bit to see the conditions, and also visited Soweto (a township southwest of Joburg) to see the famous location and the conditions. The poverty is amazing, as is the discrepancy between the gated and well-manicured houses just steps away from very very small and modest abodes. I was constantly told for my safety not to leave the hotel, and whenever I did, there was a guard with me. Pretoria, about an hour northeast of Joburg, is much cleaner and seemed safer. Before heading to Kruger, I visited a diamond mine just outside Pretoria - the engineering is amazing and I understand now why they're so expensive! After traveling through stunning terrain, we went on a scenic drive through Blyde River Canyon which led us to Kruger, in time for a sundowner.
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