Temporarily Out of Service

Just a quick note. We have moved from our apartment to a cottage at a new location, but the internet is out there. Once it is back up and running I will post about the zoo, the african market, the new apartment and a few other things. Hope everyone is doing good and we can't wait to have internet again so we can be in contact!!!

Soccer City - FNB Stadium

On our way home from Gold Reef City and the Apartheid Museum, we took a detour to drive by Soccer City Stadium (FNB Stadium). This is where the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final was played. There was another stadium here before that underwent a major upgrade to what you see below specifically for the world cup. This is also the site where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison.

Below is a picture of the South African Football Association headquarters (SAFA House).

After such a busy Saturday, we went home to get some sleep and prepare ourselves for our Sunday Adventures to the Joburg Zoo and African Market at Rosebank Mall.

Apartheid Museum

After the theme park, we walked across the parking lot and visited the Apartheid Museum. Michael had already visited the museum with his co-workers, but was really interested to see what he had missed before. Photos were not allowed inside so the ones we have are from outside before we entered the main portion of the museum.

Jayce was wore out from the park and slept through most of the museum, which allowed us to really be able to enjoy it.

This video is a view of the city from the museum.

When you first walk up to the museum entrance, you are supposed to enter through the door that relates to your race (whites or non-whites). It gives you a feeling like you are going back in time and experiencing how so many lived before.  The first portion of the museum was about the life and times of Nelson Mandela. And then the other half was about the Apartheid. And ended with the election of Nelson Mandela.   It was definitely a great museum and very enlightening.

Gold Reef City

On Saturday, we went to Gold Reef City Theme Park. It is a theme park that has been built on top of a gold mine that is no longer in operation.  They do offer tours of the abandoned gold mine, but Jayce was too young to take in it so we were unable to go see it.  But none the less, we had a great time at the theme park itself.  It cost us about $35 for us all to get in.  They had several larger roller coasters, a kids area, several restaurants, stages for live performances, and a small zoo area.

The first thing we did when we got to the park was ride the train to see all the park had to offer.  On one occasion during the ride we had to stop abruptly so that the conductor could chase a peacock and her two babies off of the tracks!

Jayce really enjoyed the kids area!!! Michael took him on the carousel.

Then I took him on the Balloon Wheel (Ferris wheel)!!!

We walked through the zoo area and Jayce got up close and personal with the horses!

We couldn't get too close to this one because he bites!!!

We then strolled through an area that had been designed to look like an old mining city. Here they had several restaurants, a bar, and a hotel. They also had areas designed for destination-like weddings. For example, they had a small chapel and a garden chapel near this mock city.

There were peacocks everywhere!

While in the mining city, we stopped to grab a bite to eat at a restaurant. Michael had a mushroom burger, I had a pizza, and we both had a beer. All together it cost us $12. We were really surprised to find that they were not overcharging for meals like they do at many theme parks in the states. The pizza I had was $5 and I had to get a box to go because I was unable to finish it! Jayce also had lunch while we were sitting there and then some juice!!!

While sitting at the restaurant, we saw more peacocks that were brave and walked up to your table wanting food.  This one was travelling with her babies...wonder if it is the same one from the train tracks!

After lunch, we went to a mining museum they had on the property, and when we came out of there we were able to watch this live performance. They played traditional African music and sang and danced.

Before we left the park, I had to have some ice cream!!!!!

The Weekend of Jan. 14th & 15th

We were so excited for this past weekend to get here because we were finally going to be able to get out and do some touristy things!

 First thing Saturday morning we got up and went to Gold Reef City Theme Park.  After the theme park, we walked across the parking lot and visited the Apartheid Museum.  And on our drive home, we made a detour and went to see the staduim that was built for the 2010 World Cup. 

On Sunday, we went to the Joburg Zoo in the morning. And then to an African Market at the Rosebank Mall. 

After such a busy weekend, we all slept like rocks!!! We took so many pictures that I will be breaking down each location into their own blog post so that I can show more pictures! Check back soon to see those!!!

Driving in Joburg

Since we rented a car, I (Jenna) have been the one driving us around because the car is a standard. But pretty soon Michael will be enrolling in Jenna's Driving Academy!!!! That should be pretty interesting! Driving in Joburg is different from the states because you drive from the right side of the car on the left side of the road. It has taken some time to get used to that, but the thing that still gets me is the blinker. The blinker is located on the right side of the steering wheel and the wipers on the left, and sometimes when we go to change lanes I turn the wipers on instead of the blinker!!! I take Michael to work and pick him up in the evenings so that I have use of the car during the day. It is a about a 10 minute trip one way. Here is a map to show the route we take.

We took a video of part of the trip from the apartment to the court, but the internet connection is slow and not allowing me to post it. Maybe another day!

Here are a few pictures from the out skirts of Joburg towards Soweto.

This is one of the roundabouts leading to our current apartment.

This is the road to our apartment.

First Few Days in SA

For our first 4 nights in South Africa, we stayed at the Reef Hotel in the city centre.

(These pics are from Google we didn't take any.)

Thursday Jan. 5th:  After we had a some sleep our first night here, Michael had to get up and head to the court! He asked a fellow clerk to pick him up that morning.  Jayce and I hung out at the hotel just waiting for Michael's return. He and I both were a little under the weather with allergies. 

When Michael did return, he had another clerk waiting down stairs who drove us to Rent-A-Wreck. Check out our new wheels!!! P.S. the fancy hub caps are zip tied on!!!! For security purposes you know!!!!

That night we had dinner with the clerk who drove us. I didn't catch the name of the restaurant, but Michael had lamb curry and I had vegetable curry.

Now that we had some wheels, we were able to check into some places to live. Friday, we spent time contacting people, found a grocery store, and then found dinner...a bucket of chicken from KFC!

He doesn't go any where, but he tries.

Saturday January 7th: We found a temporary apartment that is a one bedroom with a table and kitchenette and a bathroom. We will stay in that apartment until Feb. 1st when they have a little larger one available.

Bedroom & Table

Bathroom

Out our front door.

Table & Kitchenette

Out our patio door.

Closet & TV (located at the foot of the bed.)

Since we had already booked an additional night at the hotel, we moved most of our stuff to the apartment and then went out to dinner. We ate at Dros.