Sasha In South Africa

"So, where are the guys with the guns?"

May be your first thought on arriving in Johannesburg. Whilst Joburg has a fearsome reputation and people like speaking about how many times they've been killed there, in reality it's not too frightening. For most people the closest sign of the potential violence are the bricked up walls hiding beautiful residential houses, with electric fences and razor wire above them and a sign indicating "armed response". 

Johannesburg represents the spirit of South Africa, and in some ways a visit to the country is not complete without an introduction to the city. It is the capital of Gauteng province and the largest city in the country; and is endearingly known to locals as Joburg, Jozi or Egoli (place of Gold). Indeed, mine dumps are never far away, rubbing shoulders with the fruits of its labour - shiny modern skyscrapers intermingled with 19th century architecture, Indian bazaars & African muti shops (where traditional healers dispense advice & traditional medicine). 

Johannesburg is the largest city in the world not situated on a lake, navigable river or by the coast (the only reason that it was born was because of gold). It is home to Africa's tallest building, the Carlton Centre...

Top 10 things to do in Johannesburg

1. Visit "Mrs Ples" and "Little Foot", at the Sterkfontein Caves at the Cradle of Humanity, Maropeng.

2. Pet the lion cubs at the Rhino & Lion Park and visit the Elephant Sanctuary near the Hartebeespoort  Dam. 

3. our of Soweto (cycle, drive or walk) , including seeing the Hector Petersen memorial and museum, sampling a grilled sheep's head, locally known as a "smiley", bungee jumping from the Orlando Towers and eating at Wandie’s restaurant in Dube. . The Hector Pieterson museum focuses solely on the 1976 Soweto uprising, when police opened fire on school children and killed many, including the 12-year-old Hector Petersen.

4. The Apartheid Museum which you enter through either the whites or the non-whites entrance. 

5. View the city from the top of the Carlton Centre or via a Helicopter trip.

6. Gold Reef City amusement park, which is built on an old gold mine, with one of the rides dropping you from the top below ground level down into the shaft. 

7. Shopping or theatre. Shopping at Sandton, 44 Stanley, the Design Quarter, Rosebank Rooftop Market (open Sundays) or 4th Avenue (Parkhurst) . Theatre at the People's theatre (011-403-1563) or the Johannesburg Youth theatre (011-484-1584) or the Ubunye theatre at Emperor's Palace (011-928-1937.

8. Play a round of golf at Houghton Golf Club OR break in your hiking boots at the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve OR Watch a game of rugby at Ellis Park OR watch cricket at the Wanderers Cricket Ground OR watch football at Soccer City, South Africa's largest stadium. 

9. Walk through the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens on the West Rand.

10. Hot Air Ballooning at the Hartbeespoort Dam.

 Some of my clicks in Johannesburg:

 

Getting to and from Johannesburg

By air

OR Tambo International Airport (previously known as "Johannesburg International" and also previously known as "Jan Smuts") is South Africa's major hub, with frequent flights from overseas and within South Africa to all major cities.

By bus

Translux, Greyhound, Intercape and the Baz Bus connect Johannesburg to the major South African cities.

By car

Johannesburg is connected via the N1 national road to Cape Town and Pretoria. Johannesburg is connected via the N3 to Durban. If you rent a car in Johannesburg, then watch out for hijackings.

By train

The train station offers connections to Durban, and Cape Town.

 

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Sasha ... in New York City

A small vacation to the New York City

So here is my recap of NYC as it was my first trip ever to the big apple. I am pretty sure that i covered almost every square foot of NYC and my knees can feel it! I ended up taking over 100 pics, so here are the highlights:

Times Square In New York City 

Times Square is basically a huge tourist attraction and it makes me feel like I am in downtown Tokyo with all of the bright light signs. It is a pretty cool site to sit back and look at from the outside.

Shopping In NYC

As you can probably guess…I did some shopping while i was up there. NYC has to be every woman’s dream. 

Fifth Avenue & 57th Street

The heart of Manhattan retail spans Fifth Avenue from the upper 40s to 57th Street and across. Tiffany & Co., which has long reigned supreme, sits a stone’s throw from NIKETOWN and the huge Louis Vuitton flagship at the corner of 57th Street and Fifth Avenue. In addition, a good number of mainstream retailers, such as Banana Republic, have flagships along Fifth, shifting the breadth of higher-end shopping to Madison Avenue north of 59th Street. You will find a number of big-name, big-ticket designers radiating from the crossroads, including Versace, Chanel, Dior, and Cartier. You’ll also find big-name jewelers here, as well as grand old department stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, and Saks Fifth Avenue—all Fifth Avenue mainstays that must at least be browsed, even if your budget won’t allow for more than longing glances.

 

 

SoHo 

Soho in New York City is the  most unique shopping area of the world. With everything from art stands on the street to high-end boutiques, SoHo is certain to exceed everybodys' expectations

 

 

 

Madison Avenue Shopping

Madison Avenue in NYC is home to some of the most extravagant shops in the entire world. Passing through Midtown, the Upper East Side, Spanish Harlem, and Harlem, Madison Ave has become a shopping haven for NY tourists as well as local New Yorkers

 

 

 

New York City Sights

One of the things I love about visiting new places is seeing new things. As you go throughout New York City, there is some incredible architecture that you just don’t get to see anywhere else,  Plus…there are some other famous places that you hear about all of the time but then get to see in person

Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

Flat Iron Building

Glass Apple Store Across from Central Park

 

Trump Building (40 Wall Street)

 Fuller Building

Central Park 

the Statue of Liberty

 

10 Best Restaurants In The New York City

 10. Scarpetta:

Address:
355 West 14th Street, (at 9th Avenue), New York
Tel No – (212) 691-0555
Italian food is favorite food of many people. So if you are looking for a perfect place where you can find the best Italian food then Scarpetta is the best place . It was ranked as the best Italian restaurant of New York City due to its delicious food and comforting environment.

9. Le Cirque Restaurant:

Address:
151 East 58th Street, New York
Tel No – (212) 644-0202

It is wonderful historic place where you will find a perfect and dazzling French cuisine. This restaurant is also a very good place for small parties or banquets.

8. Per Se:

Address:
10 Columbus Circle # 6-REST, New York
Tel No – (212) 823-9335

Per Se is another award winning 3 star restaurant. This restaurant offers you the specialty in American and French cuisine. It is also one of the best restaurant in the world and was ranked among the top 50 last year.

7. Le Bernardin:

Address:
155 West 51st Street, New York
Tel No – (212) 554-1515

Le Bernardin is a home of sea foods. Under the leadership of Eric Ripert this restaurant offers you the best and delicious sea food that you will never forget. The variety and quality food makes this restaurant one of the best in New York City.

6. Blue water grill:

Address:
31 Union Square West, New York
Tel No – (212) 675-9500

A perfect dining, a Bar and delicious and diversified food makes Blue Water Grill one of the best restaurants of New York. Pay a visit here and I am sure that you will wish to come again.

5. Nobu New York:

Address:
40 West 57th St # B, New York
Tel No – (212) 757-3000

The best restaurant with Japanese cuisine, if you want to eat sushi or shrimp than this is the perfect place for these dishes. Nobu restaurant is also one of the most popular restaurants around the globe and it was ranked 54 among the world’s best restaurants.

4. Bouley:

Address:
163 Duane Street
New York, NY 10013, United States
Tel No – (212) 964-2525

David Bouley along with his staff welcomes you in his restaurant Bouley. Critically praised by the critics, this restaurant offers you a great variety of dishes and also provides you an entertaining environment which doubles the joy of the food.

3. Jean Georges:

Address:
1 Central Park West, New York,
Tel No – (212) 299-3900 ‎

Jean Georges is a 4 star restaurant located at the Trump international hotel. It is also one the best restaurant in New York City. The restaurant offers you all the type and traditional cuisine under the leadership of experienced chefs.

2. Daniel Restaurant:

Address:
60 East 65th Street
New York, NY 10065, United States
Tel No – (212) 288-0033

The perfect restaurant with perfect food, Daniel restaurant was ranked 50 among the best restaurant in the world. This place is a perfect house for French cuisine though it is little bit expensive. But it is one of the best restaurants in New York City.

1. Aureole:

Address:
135 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036, United States
Tel No – (212) 319-1660

Aureole restaurant is the most famous restaurant of New York City. If you are in a search of delicious food then this restaurant is the best in business. You will find all the tasty and marvelous dishes under one roof.