TIPS: SOUTH AFRICA

THERE ARE AT LEAST 10 THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH AFRICA. 2010

GO ON SAFARI

VISITING A TOWNSHIP (SUBURB)

GOING DOWN A GOLD MINE

CLIMB TABLE MOUNTAIN

A TOUR OF THE WINE ROUTE

VISIT THE PALACE SUN CITY

VISIT ROBBEN ISLAND

ATTEND AN AFRICAN JAZZ CONCERT

SHOPPING IN SANDTON

TASTE THE BRAAI (TYPE OF BARBECUE)

GO TO LION’S PARK

STROLL/PLAY AT MONTECASINO

KNOWING THE CRADLE OF HUMANITY (CRADLE OF HUMANKIND)

ACCULTURATE AT THE APARTHEID MUSEUM, AND THE MANDELA MUSEUM

ENJOY HARTBEESPOORT DAM

STROLL IN THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY

TRAVEL BY TRAIN FROM PRETORIA TO CAPE TOWN

ENJOY THE WORLD CUP

IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE YELLOW FEVER VACCINE AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE THE TRIP, AND CARRY THE CERTIFICATE;

ALSO TAKE MEDICINE AGAINST MALARIA;

AT THE TIME OF THE WORLD CUP, JUNE AND JULY, BRING WARM CLOTHES, BECAUSE IT IS COLD, REACHING ZERO DEGREES AND SNOWING IN SOME PLACES;

SAFE TO DRINK WATER FROM TAPS, ALTHOUGH IT IS RECOMMENDED TO AVOID;

PROVINCES

GAUTENG – WHERE IS JOHANNESBURB (JOBURG).

THE APARTHEID MUSEUM TELLS THE STORY OF AN APARTHEID LEGACY THROUGH PHOTOS, FILMS, ARTIFACTS. THE PILLARS: DEMOCRACY, EQUALITY, CONCILIATION, DIVERSITY, RESPONSIBILITY, RESPECT, FREEDOM

A TOUR OF SOWETO (ABOUT 2 MILLION INHABITANTS SHOULD INCLUDE VILAKAZI STREET, THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD THAT HAD 2 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNING RESIDENTS, FORMER PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA AND ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU.

THE HECTOR PETERSON MEMORIAL (THE FIRST CHILD KILLED DURING THE 1976 STUDENT PROTEST, THRILLS THE VISITOR. WANDIES WILL SHOW THE VISITOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN CUISINE.

THE CRADLE OF HUMANITY, IN STERKFONTEIN, IS A WORLD OF INHERITANCES, WHERE OUR ANCESTORS WALKED 3 MILLION YEARS AGO, AND ONE CAN SEE THE OLDEST FOSSIL EVER DISCOVERED, THE LITTLE FOOT, AND MANY THINGS THAT THRILL AND MAKE US THINK ABOUT WHO WE ARE. IN THE SHOP OF THE SITE YOU CAN BUY THE HUMOR RING, RING THAT CHANGES COLOR ACCORDING TO THE STATE OF MIND. NEARBY, MAROPENG, ANOTHER IMPORTANT SITE THAT TELLS THE STORY OF THE FORMATION OF THE WORLD.

PRETORIA – THE CAPITAL, OFFERS WALKS, TREE-LINED STREETS WITH PAU BRASIL AND FLOWERS THAT BEAUTIFY THE LANDSCAPE

NORH-WEST

SUN CITY (HOME TO THE FAMOUS HOTEL THE PALACE – WHICH WAS THE ONLY 6 STAR FOR A LONG TIME – A MUST-SEE) IS A HOTEL COMPLEX, AND A LUXURIOUS RESORT WITH CASINO. THERE STAYED THE MOST FAMOUS VISITORS, IN A LUXURIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL SUITE, MICHAEL JACKSON AMONG THEM.

HARTBEESPOORT DAM – DAM LESS THAN 1 HOUR FROM PRETORIA, WITH HUGE ARTIFICIAL LAKE AND AMUSEMENT SPOTS. NEARBY, ABOUT 15 MINUTES IS THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY, WITH A REAL LESSON ABOUT THESE ANIMALS, PHOTO SHOOT AND EVEN WALKS ON YOUR BACK OR HAND IN HAND WITH THE TROBAS OF THESE INCREDIBLE AND OBEDIENT ANIMALS.

MADIKWE GAME RESERVE – NEAR BOTSWANA, IT IS THE LARGEST RESERVE IN SOUTH AFRICA, WHERE YOU CAN GO ON SAFARI AND MEET THE BIG BIG FIVE: LION, BUFFALO, LEOPARD, ELEPHANT AND RHINOCEROS. IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS, UNIQUE EXPERIENCE.

LIMPOPO

ELEPHANT VALLEY, FRUIT VALLEY, ACCESS POINT TO KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

MPUMALANGA

THE SOUTHERN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – THE REGION BETWEEN SATARA AND CROCODILE BRIDGE HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AND BEST AREA FOR SAFARI

THE BLYDE RIVER CANYON NATURE RESERVE – IS THE THIRD LARGEST GREEN CANYON IN THE WORLD

FREE-STATE

BLOEMFONTEIN – CAPITAL OF THE PROVINCE, AND LEGAL CAPITAL OF THE COUNTRY. FAMOUS FOR THE ROCKY CHAINS AND BEAUTIFUL NATURAL PARKS. ALI IS HOME TO THE BLOEMFONTEIN CELTICS FOOTBALL

DIAMOND FIELDS – IN THE KIMBERLEY IS THE LARGEST DIAMOND COMPANY IN THE WORLD, IN THE BIG HOLE, EXCAVATED BY MAN AND THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD, WITH 500 METERS WIDE AND 240 DEEP. THERE IS ALSO THE MINE MUSEUM.

WESTERN CAPE

TABLE MOUNTAIN – CAPE’S MOST FAMOUS HISTORICAL LANDMARK, AND A CABLE CAR RIDE LEADS TO THE PEAK OF 1086 METERS, PROVIDING A VIEW OF THE CITY, CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL IN THE WORLD, SIMILAR TO RIO DE JANEIRO IN MANY WAYS. WHEN IT IS VERY WINDY IT IS CLOSED FOR SAFETY. YOU CAN ALSO SEE ROBBIN ISLAND, THE ALCATRAZ OF SOUTH AFRICA

ROBBEN ISLAND – IT WAS A PRISON IN THE PAST, IN THE RECENT PAST IT RECEIVED SOUTH AFRICANS FROM THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE, AMONG THEM, NELSON MANDELA, A PRISONER FOR 27 YEARS

VICTORIA & ALFRED WATERFRONT – BEAUTIFUL PIER THAT BRINGS TOGETHER HUGE VARIETY OF BISTRÖS, CAFES, RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, HOTELS, AND BEAUTIFUL SHOPPING CENTER. SUITABLE TO CELEBRATE THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF GANDAIA (EVERY FRIDAY)

WINE ROUTE – FOR WINEMAKERS, JUST 45 MINUTES FROM THE CAPE, AMONG THE MOUNTAINS, IS THE WINELLANDS VALLEY REGION. IN THIS REGION THE VISITOR FINDS GRACEFUL RURAL PROPERTIES, AND CELLARS WHERE YOU CAN TRY WINES AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD.

EASTERN CAPE – PORTH ELIZABETH AND COSTA DEL SOL – HAS 40 KILOMETERS OF BEACHES, OFFERING WARM WATER, CALM SEA AND PLEASANT BREEZE, WHICH FROM TIME TO TIME TURNS INTO WIND.

JEFFREY’S BAY – SOUTH AFRICAN CAPITAL OF SURFING, MEETING POINT FOR SURFERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

NELSON MANDELA MUSEUM – OPENED ON FEBRUARY 11, 2000, THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF MANDELA’S RELEASE. IT IS WHERE NELSON MANDELA WAS BORN, IN QUNTU

BUNGEE-JUMPING – HIGHEST IN THE WORLD, ON THE BLAAWKRANS BRIDGE ON THE STORMS RIVER, BUNGEE-JAMP IS ACTIVITY FOR THE MOST DARING, ‘THE SEARCH FOR ADRENALINE, WITH FREE FALL IF 180 METERS, REACHING 193 KILOMETERS PER HOUR, TAKING ABOUT 7 SECONDS.

KWAZULU CHRISTMAS

IT IS KNOWN AS THE KINGDOM OF THE ZULUS, WHERE THE TOURIST CAN VISIT CULTURAL MUSEUMS THAT PRESENT THE LOCAL HISTORY. NEAR ONDINI, WHERE THERE IS RECONSTRUCTION OF THE KINGDOM OF CETSHWAYO, THE ZULU KING. IN DURBAN, CITY OF FOOTBALL, WHERE SEVERAL PLAYERS ARE BORN, IS AMAZULU, FOOTBALL CLUB

WHALES – JUNE AND NOVEMBER IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE WHALES, AND BREEDING TAKES PLACE IN JULY-AUGUST.

TIPS

MANDELA SQUARE:

GIRARDELIS – NICE ATMOSPHERE, GOOD LOCATION IN MANDELA SQUARE. LOOK FOR THE MANAGER COLLINS WHO LOVES FOOTBALL AND GIVES SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE BRAZUCAS;

CAFÉ DE LA SALUTE UNIQUE RESTAURANT WITH SMOKING ROOM

PIATTO – YOU WILL LOVE THE KEBAB, AND THE LINGUINE GAMBERI (WITH SHRIMP).

THE BUTCHERY SHOP & GRILL – QUALITY MEAT PRODUCED BY THEMSELVES, WHERE YOU CAN BUY MEAT FOR BARBECUES AND TAKE HOME, GREAT ENVIRONMENT. 011 784-8676. MANDELA SQUARE OPPOSITE TO GIRARDELLIS

LEKOGKWA (TYPICAL SOUTH AFRICAN, WITH SHOW DURING THE MEAL). SPECIALTY: CROCODILE CARAPCCIO

INSIDE SANDTON MALL:

PAPPAS – GREEK, WITH A MOUTH-WATERING TAIL. THE MANAGER IS A CHELSEA FAN AND LOVES FOOTBALL. BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF MANDELA SQUARE FROM ABOVE;

THAI-

PIGALLI – PORTUGUESE AND INTERNATIONAL FOOD, ONE OF THE BEST ENVIRONMENTS FOR A GOOD EVENING MEAL. REGULARS DRESS WELL. THE MANAGER, JOHNNY IS ATTENTIVE AND LOVES BRAZILIANS, THE OWNER IS PORTUGUESE AND GIVES SPECIAL ATTENTION. THE COD IS FANTASTIC, IT TAKES ABOUT 45 MINUTES TO GET READY (BUT IT’S WORTH IT), AND THE HOUSE DISH IS PIGALLE PLATTER, WITH PRAWNS, CRAYFISH, AND ORDERED WITH HALF A PORTION OF SQUID (YOU PAY FOR OUTSIDE);

AT THE INTER-CONTINENTAL HOTEL: VILAMOURA. MOST SOPHISTICATED OF ALL, LUXURIOUS ATMOSPHERE AND EXCELLENT DISHES. ON WEEKENDS THERE IS USUALLY A PARTY WITH THE PRESENCE OF PERSONALITIES AND MODELS, WITH GOOD MUSIC TO DANCE. THE OWNER, GREG, A MANCHESTER UNITED FAN, LOVES FOOTBALL, AND GOES TO THE TABLES FOR GOOD CHAT. 011 884-0360;

IN EDENVALE: BRASILIAN GRILL, CHURRASCO ‘A BRASILEIRA, UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE PARANAENSE RICARDO PEREIRA, FOR YEARS RESIDING IN SOUTH AFRICA, OFFERING BEAUTIFUL BUFFET, INCLUDING BEANS, RICE, FRIED BANANA AND OTHER INGREDIENTS OF OURS, ACCOMPANIED BY THE FAMOUS CAIPIRINHA. “AT NIGHT, A COUPLE DANCES AND THEN THE FLOOR IS OPEN TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DANCE. 17TH AVENUE – EDENVALE. 011 454-0302

ROTATION – ALSO IN EDENVALE, OWNED BY NON-BRAZILIANS, WHO ADOPTED A SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THE BRAZILIAN ROTATION, BUT SERVED DIFFERENTLY, BUT GOOD. VARIED ENTRIES, BUT A SPECIAL ONE: PAULISTA. DANCE FLOOR. 011 455-1093

IN THE CENTER: GRAMADOELAS RESTAURANT, INSIDE THE MARKET THEATRE (GOOD PLACE FOR THOSE WHO LIKE PLAYS), NEAR THE CRAFT FAIR, AND THE MUSEUM OF AFRICA. BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTATION, AFRICAN FOOD, AND INTERNATIONAL, THERE IS A FAIRLY VARIED BUFFET (FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TIME FOR THE THEATER). MIRIAM MAKEBA, MAMA AFRICA, SANG THERE AND HAS BEAUTIFUL POSTER. 011 838-6960

THE MEAT & CO. – MELROSE ARCH (JOBURG’S MOST MODERN PLACE FOR SHOPPING AND FOOD SHOPPING) IS RUN BY NICK VENDEIRO, A GOOD PORTUGUESE WHO WILL CHOOSE THE REQUEST OF THE SPECIAL CUSTOMERS HIMSELF. THE RIB WITH SAUCE ‘A PROTUGUESA ALMOST CAN NOT GET TO THE END, DELICIOUS. IN THE WINTER THEY PUT SOME BLANKETS ON THE BACKS OF THE CUSTOMERS AND LIGHT HEATERS NEAR THE TABLES. BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE SQUARE. 011 684-1776. BRANCH IN MONTECASINO.

EMPEROR’S PALACE – CASINO AND RESTAURANTS, GRAND, RELATIVELY CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT, FAR FROM SANDTON.

LA RUSTICA – ITALIAN COUSINE. CLOSE TO THE VICTORY THEATRE. 103 HOUGHTON DRIVE. 011 728-2092.

DOPPIO ZERO – ROSEBANK AND SEVERAL BRANCHES, GOOD FOR BREAKFAST AND DINNER, GOOD ATMOSPHERE. 011 447-9538.

GIOVANNI PANE VINO – SIMPLE HOUSE OF GOOD FOOD, ONLY ONE THAT REMAINS OPEN AFTER 22HOO, SERVING PIZZA ONLY. THE OTHER RESTAURANTS CLOSE THE KITCHEN ‘AT TEN, WITHOUT CRYING. THE OWNER, GIOVANNI, IS ITALIAN, A FOOTBALL FAN AND HAS A FLAG THAT ASKS CELEBRITIES TO SIGN. 60 RIVONIA ROAD. 011 883-3849

MICHELANGELO – RESTAURANT AND BAR IN A LUXURIOUS HOTEL OF THE SAME NAME, UNIQUE THAT WORKS 24 HOURS, BEING SPECIAL DISHES AFTER 22:00 UNTIL 8. SMOKING ROOM, Indeed.

TORTELLINO DORO – ITALIAN PASTA AND DELICATESSEN SHOP – SPECTACULAR, BEST QUALITY PASTA, SPECIALTIES (TRY THE ARTICHOKE LAZANHA – RECOMMENDED BY THE OWNER). IT SELLS THE MOST DIVERSE PRODUCTS TO TAKE HOME. OAKLANDS JOHANNESBURG. 011 483-1249. UNMISSABLE, EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE.

MASTRANTONIO – ITALIAN OF THE BEST QUALITY, WHOSE OWNER, THE GOOD PAOLO, LOVES FOOTBALL, LAZIO FAN. IN THE SHOPPING OF RIVONIA.

SELEPEPE – ITALIAN WITH AN OUTSTANDING GNOQUE IN RIVONIA

GREEN PEPPER – AT THE NEW SHOPING ON RIVONIA ROAD (LEFT SIDE). THE FILLET ON DE BONE IS UNIQUE. IN ADDITION TO THIS REASTAURANTES THERE ARE OTHERS IN THE MALL AREA

IN DURBAN: OLIVE & OIL; OIL: INTERNATIONAL CUISINE, GOOD ATMOSPHERE, GREEK OWNER, NICKOS, FOOTBALL LOVER. 031 561-2618.

RIO DOURO FISHERIES – WAREHOUSE WITH MOST OF THE INGREDIENTS FOR BRAZILIAN AND PORTUGUESE CUISINE. NEAR RACECOURSE.155 MAIN STREET, ROSETTENVILLE, SOUTHDALE. 011 683-3617.

UMOJA (SPIRIT OF TOGHETERNESS) – AN UNMISSABLE, EXCITING SHOW! THE HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH MUSIC, MAINLY THROUGH DRUMS. AT THE VICTORY THEATRE, 170 RAMDS.

TWO VENUES: THE GRAND AND TEAZERS

IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO LEAVE VALUABLES AND BELONGINGS IN HOTEL ROOMS, AS THERE ARE MANY CASES OF THEFT AND ROBBERY, INCLUDING OF A BRAZILIAN IN THE HOTEL WHERE THE BAFANA BAFANA TEAM IS STAYING. THE ECONOMIC GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR IS LARGE, AND THE PROXIMITY OF THE WORLD CUP HAS INCREASED PRICES.

THE HAND IS ENGLISH, INVERTED, WITH DRIVERS CROSSING RIGHT WITH RIGHT, INCLUDING OBEYING THE HAND WALKING ON THE SIDEWALKS. WE RECOMMEND THE INTERNAL DRIVER’S LICENSE, TAKEN IN 1 DAY AT THE DMV. THERE ARE SPARROWS EVERYWHERE AND IT IS RECOMMENDED TO OBEY THE SPEED.

IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO GO OUT LATE AT NIGHT, ESPECIALLY GOING TO UNFAMILIAR LOCATIONS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO DANGEROUS SUBURBS AND SLAMS.

THE PEOPLE ARE NICE, FRIENDLY AND LOVE BRAZILIANS.

EURO-AFRICANS ARE RUGBY LOVERS, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE INCREASINGLY FALLING IN LOVE WITH FOOTBALL, INDIAN AFRICANS FERVENTLY FOLLOW CRICKET BUT ARE ALSO GETTING INVOLVED WITH FOOT BALL, AND THE ORIGINAL AFRICANS ARE PASSIONATE FOOTBALL FANS, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE ALREADY MAKING VICTORIOUS INROADS INTO OTHER SPORTS.

TRAVEL PLAN

IT IS ADVISABLE TO BUY THE APSSAGE IN ADVANCE. FROM RIO CAN ONLY TRAVEL THROUGH SÃO PAULO USING TAM, AND SOUT AFRICA AIRWAIS TO SOUTH AFRICA. THE VÖOS REGUALRES DEPART FROM SAMPA ‘AT 18:00 (CHANGES A LITTLE IN DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME). AT THE TIME OF THE CUP INCLUDED SOME VÖOS ‘A 01H00 IN THE MORNING, WHICH HAD GOOD ACCEPTANCE AND FACILITATES THE REST AND CONSEGQUENTE ARRIVAL MORE RESTED. IT IS RECOMMENDED TO TAKE AN EARLY TRIP FROM RIO, ABOUT 10 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING, TO AVOID LOSING THE CONNECTION, AS WELL AS ON THE WAY BACK YOU SHOULD GIVE AN INTERVAL OF AT LEAST 3 HOURS BETWEEN THE ARRIVAL IN SÃO PAULO AND DEPARTURE FOR RIO, BECAUSE IT IS NECESSARY TO INSPECT THE LUGGAGE IN SAMPA, AND USUAL QUEUES AT CHECK IN. THE SOUTH AFRICA GATES IN SÃO PAULO OPEN AT 2:30 P.M., BUT ONE SHOULD GET IN LINE ABOUT 12:30 P.M. FOR FASTER AND SAFER SERVICE.

THE 6:00 P.M. VÖO ARRIVES IN JOHANNESBURG ‘AT 007:30 THE NEXT MORNING, AND THERE ARE USUALLY QUEUES AT IMMIGRATION.

IT IS SUGGESTED TO USE THE AISLE SEAT TO FACILITATE THE EXIT OF THE PLANE AND ARRIVE EARLIER ‘THE PASSPORT CHECK. FUNDAMENTAL TO HAVE THE YELLOW FEVER VACCINE CERTIFICATE ‘BY HAND, COSTS ABOUT 100 US DOLLARS TAKEN AT THE AIRPORTTAXIS FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, BUT THERE IS ÖNIBUS SERVICE AND SHOULD BE READY SOON THE METRO SERVICE. IT IS A FAIRLY LARGE DISTANCE, AS USUAL EVERYWHERE THE TRIP TO DOWNTOWN, THE BEST NEIGHBORHOODS, AND SANDTON

TRAVEL PLAN USED SUCCESSFULLY BY MORE EXPERIENCED TRAVELERS

DAY 1 – SAO PAULO/JOHANNESBURG/CAPE TOWN

DAY 2 – CAPE TOWN

DAY 3 – CAPE TOWN

DAY 4 – CAPE TOWN/stellenbosh

DAY 5 – CAPE TOWN/PENINSULA

DAY 6 – CAPE TOWN/Sun City

DAY 7 – SUN CITY

8th DAY – SUN CITY/PRETORIA/JOHANNESBURG

DAY 9 – JOHANNESBURG/KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

10TH DAY – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

DAY 11 – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK/JOHANNESBURG

DAY 12 – JOHANNESBURG

DAY 13 – JOHANNESBURG

14TH DAY – JOHANNESBURG/SÃO PAULO/RIO

MAY THOSE OF EVIL NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE WORLD CUP SO AS NOT TO HINDER THOSE OF GOOD, LOVERS OF PEACE, WHICH CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY SPORT, FOOTBALL IN PARTICULAR. DO NOT TARNISH THIS SOCIAL AND SPORTING SPECTACLE, AN OLD DREAM OF THE BRAZILIAN JOÃO HAVELANGE.

POSTED IN 10 – REPOST 2023

IT IS SPRING TIME IN BRAZIL!

P.S. -HAVE A NICE TIME, MY GOOD FRIEND AND LAWYER DR. CLAUDIO BOLLO, THE BEST!

A CHAMPION!!

BY JUCELE

JULIO LEAL

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