My ride on the Gautrain

My first time on the Gautrain was quite an experience. I caught the train with my mom, sister and little daughter. 

Gautrain Platform

The Stations are user friendly and there is always someone to assist you if you get lost or not sure what to do. 

Once you have out money on your Gautrain Card, you swipe and walk to the Platform where you will catch the train. Throughout your trip, there is always information on where you going, where the train is stopping and if you swopping over to the train to the OR Tambo International Airport.

My trip started at the Gautrain Hatfield Station.

Once the train arrived the excitement was incredible.

We boarded the train and took our seats and off we go.

Inside the Gautrain

We stopped by Pretoria, Centurion, Midrand, Marlboro and my stop was Sandton.Once we stopped in Sandton, you go up the escalators and exit the station. 

Midrand Station

Nelson Mandela is not even a 5minute walk from the station. There are several taxi services outside which offer assistance and transport in and around Sandton.

If you visit the Gauteng area make sure to catch the train, its a definite must.

Visit their website: www.gautrain.co.za

7 World Heritage Sites

Did you know South Africa is home to 7 World Heritage Sites?

Here they are:

Cradle of Humankind, Johannesburg, Gauteng

1. The Cradle of Humankind 

The discovery of early human activity dating back 3 million years ago. The most popular      cave is Sterkfontein where over 500 fossils and over 9000 stone tools artifacts were     discovered. 

Australopithecus sediba was discovered two years ago.

2. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park 

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal

It is now known as the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. The Park was declared a World     Heritage Site on the 1st of December 1999. The Wetlands is home to the largest Hippo      population and over 1000 crocodiles. the Wetlands has a very special visitor during   November, the Leatherback Turtle and the Loggerhead Turtle uses the protected beaches to lay their eggs.

The Leatherback Turtle

3. Robben Island 

Robben Island, Cape Town, Western Cape

Famously known as the prison where President Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years. The   Prison was used for many reasons such as training and defence station in World War II     (1939-1945) and a hospital for people with leprosy, and the mentally and chronically ill    (1846-1931).Political and common-law  prisoners were kept on the Island during this time. 

Nelson Mandela

4.Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park

Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, KwaZulu-Natal

SA-Venues describes it in perfect detail:

"The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandstone ramparts. Rolling high altitude grasslands, the pristine steep sided river valleys and rocky gorges also contribute to the beauty of this world heritage site."

Visit their site: http://www.sa-venues.com/game-reserves/kzn_drakensberg.htm

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, Limpopo

5. Mapungbwe Museum, Limpopo

 The two main sites, Mapungubwe and K2, were proclaimed National Monuments in the early 1980’s. Boundaries are being set for the creation of a cross-border peace Park, named Mapungubwe National Park, this is also now a World Heritage Site.

6. Cape Floral Kingdom

Cape Floral Kingdom

The famous Fynbos region is found here. It is one of the richest areas for plants in the World. It is home to 20% of the continent's flora.

 7. Vredefort Dome

This is the biggest meteorite impact that geologists have yet found on Earth and it is nearly twice as big as the impact that killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. It is also the oldest impact crater that has been found on Earth. It is mainly for these reasons that it has been made a World Heritage Site. 

Vredefort Dome, Free State

Source: 

Cradle image: http://johannesburg.jozibeartours.co.za/images/mar.jpg

Cradle info: http://www.southafrica.info/travel/cultural/sterkfontein.htm

Skull: http://www.savingwater.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Australopithecus_sediba.jpg

St Lucia: http://www.south-africa-tours.com/images/st-lucia2.jpg

Leatherback Turtle: http://www.wildlifeextra.com/images/leatherback-underwater.JPG

Robben Island: http://www.robben-island.org.za/

Nelson image: http://members.shaw.ca/mklerck/robbenisland/madibajail.jpg

Robben Island: http://www.flintstours.co.za/images/robbenisl.jpg

Drakensberg image: http://www.nature-reserve.co.za/images/1ukhahlamba001.jpeg

Mapungubwe: http://reservedlife.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/62290_resized_mapungubwe_entrance.jpg

Cape flowers: http://www.safarinow.com/files/images/travel-guide/Cape%20Floral%20Region/300%20wide/CF-Watsonias.jpg

Vredefort Dome image: http://news.cheapflighthouse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/vredefort.jpg

Vredefort Dome: http://www.vredefortdome.org/index.html

Soweto Outdoor Adventures

What a ride!!!

Soweto Outdoor Adventures is new and upcoming. Experience Soweto on Quad Bike, he took us for a spin now. Really fun!!!

Contact Kgomotso : www.sowetooutdooradventures.co.za

Gold Reef City : Thrill Rides

Probably one of my favourite places to go. I absolutely love going the rides.... Am I scared? Definitely! Do I regret it once they harness me in? oh hell yes! Will I do it again? Everyday.

The rides are insane. You get the "slower" children friendly rides then you get the ones who make grown men scream. 

I would say the scariest ride is the Tower of Terror..... Travel to the top where the cart stops for awhile and then you get the 90° drop.... Its scary - trust me. If you haven't done it before then wait you waiting for??? Rated on the Gold Reef City website with a Fear factor of 10.

Tower of Terror

 You also get the Anaconda, which is very similiar to the Cobra at Ratanga Junction. The Anaconda is also quite extreme but not as bad as the Tower of Terror. Rated on the Gold Reef City website with a Fear factor of 9....

Anaconda to the right

The two mentioned above are Thrill Rides, you need to buy an armband to ride on them. 

If you arent into the EXTREME rides then go for the exciting but calmer ones. 

Gold Reef City is perfect for families and small children.