Journey End,

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 02:20:00 +0200

Brisbane ...

Cape Town, South Africa

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 02:20:00 +0200

Johannesburg, South Africa

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 02:20:00 +0200

Friday 6th March 2020 We arrived in Johannesburg at around 2pm after a uneventful flight with Kulula Airlines, a modest airline with a lime green livery. It did the job like most low cost budget airlines. It had the usual drinks and refreshments for sale, credit cards only accepted. I always thought Australia was the epitome of the credit card culture, but South Africa knocks spots off of it. Cape Town was a modern airport and although I often critique over security, it couldn’t be done here. Either they had the most modern equipment (doubtful) or it was pretty relaxed, a bit like the people. Boarding was by first in line rather than by seats or rows, but it worked well as no one is in any particular hurry to do much. Johannesburg was another very modern airport and after waiting seemingly an eternity for our luggage, we were on board the taxi and on our way. I did sit and wonder again about rules and regulations whilst in this taxi. We had gone to the ‘on airport taxi desk’, the guy told us where to go. The taxi we entered had a big sign on the door saying “Airport Approved Taxi’. Just before driving off, the what turned out to be magnetic sign was removed and placed on the front seat. A glance around showed no meter and I thought for the worst, welcome to Johannesburg. Although the driver was fast and pretty mute, we shouldn’t have worried, after a good 45 minute journey we arrived at Foxwoods House. The fare was 450 rand, much as expected and all was well. I think our driver however was just a regular guy earning some cash! Now Foxwood House was a sight to behold, I will try to describe it. It is well over 100 years old and comes with a main building and some converted stables and other out houses from days gone by. Most buildings, including ours are covered in what looks like Virginia Creeper adding to the quaintness. The interiors are something else, they are full of antiques, paintings and photographs. The woodwork and floors are all varnished and the rooms rather cluttered like an old couple might have their’s. The grounds are big and rambling. There are huge electric gates to the front of the property and the walls are topped with the usual deterrents that make you feel safe, but also make you also feel a little of the opposite. There is a huge shopping complex only 5 minutes walk and the neighbourhood is really beautiful, I think it is the rich part of town, All the properties are large and walled and similarly protected as ours. The huge trees that overhang the road also give a shady and summery feel. Frankly though, its hard to look past the need for all of the security. I personally would not be outside the electric gates and high walls at night! The shopping complex turned out to be very modern and had everything we will ever need. We even stopped and had a meal at one of the cafes as the time was getting on and we had little desire to leave the ‘complex’ after nightfall. Today will be a different matter, we are going to walk up to the Rosebank Area, where we can catch a sightseeing Hop On, Hop Off bus similar to that of Cape Town. We have just come back from breakfast this morning, which was nice and served to the table. By table, I mean a huge polished one and set for three. We met the other guest as we were finishing our breakfast. He was South African, Corona Virus absorbed and a little strange. We made conversation however and bid our farewells for the day. Saturday 7th March Johannesburg It was a fair walk to Rosebank and our destination for picking up the bus, but it was a nice one. The neighbourhood around our hotel was leafy and very clean, some houses even have a security guard in a little cabin outside on the drive, another reminder I suppose of what could be. Anyway, everyone was very friendly on our walk and many would raise their hands to bid a good morning. After leaving our ‘enclave’ we came to the main road where we turned right. The road was busy but had a pavement which would lead us straight to the shopping complex where we were heading. Although the pavements were uneven it was a pretty nice walk. Every corner seemed to have a hole being dug and evidenced by huge piles of deep red earth. The soil looks magnificent for and gardener. The road was flanked by either new constructions or typically out of town businesses, such as clinics, solicitors and office’s. Any perception or notion that the locals in Johannesburg were rude or unfriendly were put to rest, as nearly every person we passed acknowledged our presence with a nod or friendly smile. We came across the Rosebank Mall and it was huge. It was made up of the usual variety of upmarket outlets and stores, but had a fantastic restaurant precinct that really had a good vibe, we noted it for our return. We eventually found the office to buy tickets for the bus and were by around 1030 sitting in the front on the top deck. Including us, there were probably no more than eight for the first part of our bus journey. The weather was hot and we opted to sit under the covered part. We had earphones similar to those in Cape Town and settled back for the journey and commentary. This was the green route and the first of two seperate journeys provided. This one did the northern part of Jo’burg, the red route, the other. The first part of our journey meandered through the leafy streets, much where we were staying. It was explained, that these were the affluent suburbs of the city and many of the streets took the names from English towns and cities, we were actually travelling up Oxford Street at the time. Although the commentary did mention how well off the residence of the area were, it was noticeable that there was never any mention of the security, high fences, electric wire or razor wire. It was if, it didn’t exist. I also had to smile when we passed the house that Nelson Mandela lived for many years. It was explained that when he was released and went back to Soweto, too many people wanted to shake hands with him, so the government bought him a house (mansion) in the (leafy) Northern Suburbs of Jo’burg. Fair enough! We carried on past the Zoo Lake, where many spend their free time walking and picnicking and then on to the Jo’burg Zoo. This zoo is the place to view the Big 5 and reputedly has large enclosures (cages) to house all manner of creatures close to their natural habitat. I am afraid we have given up on zoo’s, I am not saying there is no place in the world for them and this one is not good, its just us. The bus then started to climb and to reach Constitution Hill and the start of the city. It was here we had to alight for the other bus which would go further south. Constitution Hill tells South Africa’s journey to democracy and is the sight of a former prison and military fort. Ironically it has housed over the years the likes of Nelson Mandela and other ANC leaders through to many people of status whether black or white over the years. There is the fort, the prisons, the tunnels and the ramparts to visit, we will do this tomorrow. We headed off on the other bus into Johannesburg City itself and I really didn’t know what to expect. The city was big, it was bustling and it was somewhat overpowering. It certainly didn’t invite you to get off the bus and have a look around. Every street corner seemed to have someone trying to sell something to make a buck, the traffic was horrendous and to be frank, it had a dirty feel to it. The journey through it though was interesting enough and its history certainly is. The city is only 150 years old and it was only built for the sake of the gold mines discovered here. It was apparently never believed that a city would flourish here, thus the hotchpotch of roads and buildings that had developed. The excuse for this planning disaster is, that nobody believed the gold would last and the miners would move on. When we talk about miners here, we mean white and rich mine owners. When we talk about mine workers here, we mean black and deep underground workers. Apparently Jo’burg is built on a maze of deep underground mining tunnels. The mantra extolled from the PA system on the bus continues to be that, Jo’burg is a rich city that attracts workers and people from all over the world to try and make their living or perhaps fortune here. What we indeed see is beggars, hustlers and undesirables intermingled with well healed both black and white citizens. When the narrator then tells us that Jo’burg is the fastest growing city in Africa after Lagos, of all places, the eyes do roll a little as its a comparison I wouldn’t highlight. As we drive further south and towards the township of Soweto (South Western Townships), the streets become as littered and dirty as any I have seen in India and the sightseeing experience becomes a little tarnished. Soweto is a place made famous for its residents such as Mandela, TuTu etc. and is now reaping the benefits of this fame and the will to improve its status. There is now a casino here, a theme park and a few museums, such as the Apartheid Museum. Soweto although is still more or less a slum for the workers that make the journey everyday into the city to try and make a living. The murder and general crime rate is high and it is still recommend if you want to visit, to get a guide! The bus stopped at the Casino Hotel, a gaudy hotel on the edge of a theme park which I wouldn’t be seen dead in. It was nevertheless full of some very well healed tourists clutching Prada Handbags and wearing Gucci refinery, everybody to their own. I can’t help but wonder if they ever where this, when and if, they visit the township. The bus made its way back to the city and on to Constitution Hill and the change over for our journey back. We passed through a much nicer part of the city called Braamfontein, this housed the theatre and student district and had a nicer feel to it looking like most other big cities. To get here we had to pass over a huge bridge spanning the goods yards of the main Johannesburg Railway Station. This was a sight to behold, there were literally hundreds of train carriages which apparently bring the workers to and from Soweto to the city everyday. We called into the Mall once more on or return and had a late, late lunch and a couple of beers before heading on our 40 minute walk back to hotel. it was a good day and insightful of life in this part of the world. Today we will have to decide what to head back to and explore more thoroughly. Sunday 8th March Johannesburg We took our normal walk to Rosebank and the bus stop, to take our trip out for the day. It was a wonderfully cool morning and we had no need to seek any shade, but still had to be wary of unsuspected holes in the pavement. We didn’t have to wait too long until our bus arrived. We had decided to visit the Apartheid Museum on the south side, so we had a fair journey in front of us, what with the bus change at Constitution Hill. Johannesburg hadn’t improved much for a Saturday, other than there were fewer cars clogging up the streets. Most of the pavement space was taken up with impromptu markets, where all of the wares were laid out on the ground. There was a kind of Harry Krishna event happening on one street corner, where a troupe of white men dressed in white sheets and sandals were giving it their all by chanting and dancing. The locals either ignored them or stared in disbelief. It was a sight I wouldn’t have expected to see here. We were soon heading south from the city and we had once again a view of the very deprived and dirty part of the city. An interesting fact was relayed to us over the last couple of days. Johannesburg is four times in area than that of Greater London. That is a big area, which measures approximately 100 kilometres by 80! We arrived at the Apartheid Museum via the over powering sight of the Casino Hotel and the adjoining amusement park. I really did have some trepidation about this place, after all a Museum is a Museum! I shouldn’t have worried, it turned out to be an amazing experience. Of coarse it was thought provoking as well as memory, after all we lived through all of this by courtesy of television newsreel. I of coarse also recall the collections and support given back in the day to the ANC by the Trade Union Movement of which I was proudly part of. Besides the normal photographs and newsreels of the day, there were things on display, such as signs warning that this was a white bus stop only, or a coloured seat only. Some of the newsreel by the Prime minister at the time, P Botha, were really quite horrific and unbelievable viewed now in 2020. The museum took us in time travel from what can only be described as ‘White Supremacy’ through to ‘Revolution’ and murders to arrive at Mandelas release and a new constitution. I think the narrative does concede that there is still some way to go and the museum borrows something I have seen at the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. It is the image of the darkness, of in this case Apartheid, leading towards the light of freedom and equality. It was very well done and well worth the visit. We bought something at the local shopping centre for tea last night and caught the end of the cricket on the television. Today is obviously packing day. We have used our bus ticket, so we will take it easy. Maybe a walk up to the Sunday Rooftop Market at Rosebank will pass the time and a Sunday lunch. Monday 9th March 2020 Johannesburg/Cape Town This morning we leave for Cape Town once more for just two nights before our flight home on Wednesday. It really is another gorgeous morning here, the days have not been too hot and the nights very pleasant. The coolness of the room also negates the need for the air conditioning. We did indeed walk up the road (once again) to Rosebank, we had already decided to have an easy Sunday afternoon, why not enjoy such a splendid setting. Sunday made the roads far less busy and crossing them became far less of a lottery. South Africans appear to be somewhat aggressive drivers and do not pay too much attention to pedestrians or indeed each other. We had a look around the rooftop Sunday market, which was was interesting and amazing to note what sells here. There was South African craft and animal carvings which I did expect, but there were stalls selling things like picnic blankets. We have noticed that picnicking is big here. When I say picnic, it usually involves a huge BBQ and lashings of wine and beer. South Africans appear to be big drinkers, there was even a bar at the market and that’s at 9 o’clock in the morning. The market was very colourful and reflected the vivid colours seen everywhere in African life, even in the flag. Native South African women also dress big and bold, Sundays seem to bring the best or worst in that type of attire. The typical women seems to have long braided hair in an assortment of colours, a bright top which will show her breasts in their almost entirety, a tight pair of trousers or skirt, supplemented with a pair of high strapped shoes. The men usually in a pair of light trousers, a blazer type jacket and usually a light coloured cap (like Andy Capp) on his head. Indeed they look very dapper! We spent the afternoon with a bottle of wine on the veranda after packing and reflected on our time in Johannesburg. The city and the southern parts were certainly as described. The city was busy, bustling and hustling. Walking around would have been uncomfortable and with not much to see and do. It was dirty, the roads were unkempt and everyone seemed out to make a rand. The further south you went, the dirtier it got and it certainly gave the worse areas of India a run for its money. The places we visited were interesting and the history is very interesting. Where we stayed in the northern parts, it was clean, leafy and safe. Some places looked as if they could do with a clean up, but in the main it was okay. Would we come back again to Jo’burg, probably not. It would certainly not be the place to go out and party, in-fact I would say you would be asking for trouble. If you worked here I am sure there are places outside of the city to visit that are very nice and I am also sure you would know the areas to avoid. Our flight is at 11.50, so breakfast is calling TBC....

Kalula flight

Our room

Gated entrance

The surrounding streets

Our balcony

Breakfast table

The rooms

Jo’burg

Downtown Jo’burg

Life in the City

Casino Hotel

Railway Yards

Constitution Hill

Apartied Museum

Apartied museum

Jo’burg Saturday morning

Market in Jo’burg

Sunday Market

Rosebank

Cape Town, South Africa

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 02:20:00 +0200

Singapore, Singapore

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 02:20:00 +0800

I am writing this on the aircraft and still a good 4 plus hours to Singapore. The trip until now has been so good. I have nothing to complain or moan about. Maybe I should kick back and just enjoy the experience. I think to myself, what a wonderful advert this is for Singapore Airlines. 25th February 2020, 2130 Singapore time. We arrived at terminal three Changi airport at around 8.30pm local time. It was a most uneventful but good flight. The ‘Singapore Girls’ as they are fondly called, were as pretty (sexist and I don’t care, because they are) and attentive as ever. The wine, beer or whatever was free flowing and the food was really nice. We are at present siting in the Silver Kriss Lounge waiting for our flight at 1.30 am. There are worse places to wait, but i can’t think of any better. There are many meals on offer, snacks and sweets. i really can’t bring myself to eat anymore, so I will have to be content with the ever flowing gin bottle. Debbie has given up on all that and is contenting herself with reading. Each to their own. Our flight to Cape Town is said to be around 13 hours via Johannesburg, I am really feeling as if most of that journey will be seen from behind closed eyelids however. A journey like this whilst sitting on the back deck at home, always seems more exciting than it turns out to be. We couldn’t have been looked after better, but the bed in the Parliament Hotel Cape Town is beckoning. To think, we actually were wondering we might make the cricket match between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town before we set off, but now it seems just a forlorn daydream. Another three hours here and a 13 hour flight ahead of us, is putting a big dent in that thought.

I havn’t looked closely at this photo, I do hope I look sober!!!

High over Brissy.

Brisbane below as we head to the west

Cheese and biscuits to hopefully soak up the wine!

Singapore Straits are still as busy as ever

Changi, as resplendent as ever

Brisbane

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 02:20:00 +1000

Wow, the Singapore Airline experience gets increasingly better. We are now on the aircraft on our way to Singapore and the wine keeps flowing (as you can probably tell) and there is no one that can tell me me, there is a better way to travel!