Champagne Valley

February 28, 2014

No, this is not Ireland. Or New Zealand. Or British Columbia. 

Welcome to the Drakensberg in the summer. Compared to our first visit to the Berg, it doesn't even look like the same place (or the same continent for that matter!). The sun-burnt grass and dry straw earth have been exchanged for a massive blanket of lush greenery covering every corner of the Berg. 

Our first visit to the Berg included more of the northern parts of this famous mountain range (in the Royal Natal National Park), while this visit we decided to head to the Central Berg area, otherwise known as Champagne Valley (within the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park). Within the valley are three main peaks: Monk's Cowl, Champagne Castle and Cathkin Peak. This trip we opted for a more relaxing adventure (as opposed to a three-day hike); we stayed in a gorgeous resort right at the foot of the mountains and spent our weekend doing a short half-day hike (to the "Sphinx"), driving around the Midlands Meander in the Natal Midlands, and zip-lining through the tree-tops on a canopy tour. As expected, the Berg did not disappoint!

It felt like a scene from Lord of the Rings.

Even M couldn't resist taking pictures of the scenery.

Can you see the Sphinx?

Heading back towards the valley. 

The view from our room.

Relaxing at the Champagne Castle Hotel.

I'm not the biggest fan of baboons, but they are cheeky little suckers. You gotta give them that.

Heading into the Blue Grotto forest to fly through the trees and learn all kinds of interesting facts.

Interesting Canopy Tour Fact 1: each zip is called a "slide". This tour has 12 slides in total.

Interesting Canopy Tour Fact 2: The longest slide is 170m.

Interesting Canopy Tour Fact 3: The Blue Grotto forest is home to over 150 species of birds (including the uncommon Bush Blackcap- we did not see it, but apparently it lives in there somewhere).

Interesting Canopy Tour Fact 4: The highest slide is 60m. We were told this is the highest canopy tour slide in all of Africa.

Interesting Canopy Tour Fact 5: The Blue Grotto forest is over 10 000 years old. The platforms for the slides "hug" the trees but do not damage or puncture them. 

 M and I together with the rest of our tour group.

Gorgeous sunny day in the mountains.

Random cool mural in Champagne Valley. 

Going for Gold

February 23, 2014

One of the downfalls of being an expat is that sometimes it makes it harder to celebrate your home country's successes. When the 2014 Olympics were happening in Russia, South Africans barely blinked an eye. And really, can you blame them, given that there was not even one South African in the winter games? 

While we don't have a TV here, we did manage to keep in touch with how Canada was doing throughout the two weeks of the olympics by catching an event a friend's house (mens moguls) and watching the day-after highlights online. But, that just wouldn't cut it when it came to the gold medal hockey game. And so, a system was fashioned with the assistance of my parents in Nova Scotia. It involved Google+, a thick telephone book, and a fair amount of squinting. The result was totally worth it: cheering along for every one of the three goals Canada scored against Sweden, and celebrating the victory virtually with my family. 

Given that the game was on at 2pm here, it meant it was 5am in Alberta. Naturally though, that didn't stop anyone from getting up, going to the pub, and having a beer and some chicken wings while Canada worked their way to the top of the podium. And of course it was all perfectly legal, as Canada changed the liquor laws in order to allow bars to open early and serve alcohol for the game. That's one way to go about it, eh?

Team Canada in Joburg cheering along with Nova Scotia.

Thanks for helping us be a part of this moment in Canada's history, Dad!

Now that's commitment. Not bad, Alberta, not bad.

Paris or Parys?

February 16, 2014

Parys is the Afrikaans word for Paris; and well, I can tell you, it is really nothing like the real Paris (I'm told there is even an Eiffel Tower somewhere in the town, but I still don't think that would change my mind).  That being said, Parys does have a few redeeming features. 

At less than an hour from Johannesburg, it makes a lovely escape from the city. The quaint little town is a popular spot for Joburgers (yes, that really is what they are called) to visit on a Sunday afternoon for lunch on the river and to browse a few of the antique shops. 

But, the main claim to fame of Parys is the world's largest meteorite impact site. That's right, Vredefort measures about 200km in diameter, and is the oldest (2,000,000,000 years old) and largest in the world. Hence, it is now considered a Unesco World Heritage Site. 

I must admit that it sounds cooler than it actually was. But, standing on the rim of the "crater" did lend itself to great views of the valley and surrounding area. Not to mention the fact that we got to go on a very quirky and random "4x4 safari" up the steep ridge to the viewing point. I'm always up for a random adventure (shocking, I know). 

And so, on this Valentine's Day weekend, I dedicate this post to my husband, M, for enduring these experiences in the name of amusing his wife. Love you to the end of the world's largest meteorite impact site and back. 

4x4ing to see the view of the world's largest meteorite impact site.

 Learning all about the "meteorite".

"You see, way over there?"

View of the meteorite impact site.

 Cool bridge in the town of Parys. Not quite the Arc de Triomphe.

 Golden sunflower fields on the way back to Joburg.

Braai Culture

February 9, 2014

A sunny day. A cold beverage. Crackling coals. The smell of meat on the grill. Sharing a few laughs with family and friends. These are all part of a good braai, and just some of the many reasons why South Africans take their braai so seriously.

We've been fortunate to have been invited for braais on several occasions over the past eleven months, so now, it was our turn. And while we still have many a-braai to host, this one was particularly meaningful as our guests were a big part of us coming to South Africa in the first place. Thanks for letting us test our braai skills on you and helping us put our garden to good use!

Gauteng: New Home of the Whopper

February 1, 2014

How long would you wait for a Whopper?

Last year Burger King opened its doors in Cape Town. And now, it is in Johannesburg. Three locations opened all on the same day, and while we only drove past this one (Rivonia Road), I imagine the queues were the same at all locations. We didn't go in, but I was memorized by how many people there were (there were cops directing traffic at the intersection and a bouncer controlling the waiting customers...). How could I not stop for a photo of half of Johannesburg waiting in their paper crowns for a Whopper?

South Africa does have its share of foreign franchises, but given black economic empowerment requirements in order to open/run a business here, the big multi-national giants have to structure themselves a little differently and play by different rules if they want a piece of the South African pie. For an organization like Burger King for example, Burger King is actually the minority partner in a joint venture with a South African organization, and the joint venture required approval by the South African Reserve Bank in order for the arangement to go ahead (given that royalties would be leaving the country). But hey, if all of this didn't stop McDonald's, why would it stop the King?

I Was Shot in Joburg

January 26, 2014

Okay, I'll admit it. Probably a bit of a misleading title, but it's the name of a very cool organization that I wanted to share. The website of "I was shot in Joburg" states the purpose of the organization as "...providing a platform for former street children to learn skills and generate income". The concept is simple: teach street kids to use a camera, have them take some interesting images, and then turn them into cool art. Now these kids have not only a marketable skill and a way to earn income, but they also have some new found confidence from creating something they can be proud of. The photos are of some really unique places, scenes and artwork in the inner city neighbourhoods of Johannesburg, and show a side of the city that is not always easily seen or noticed.

M and I bought a couple of the canvas images of funky graffiti scenes in the city. I am told these do not exist in the streets of Joburg anymore as they were either painted over or vandalized. Shame. I like that we have them on our wall though; they are too cool to be forgotten. And, I love that this supports such an inspiring cause.

Sub Urban State

January 25, 2014

At the risk of turning this blog into a "Jozi Yearbook" of sorts, here are a few pictures from a recent hipster rooftop party we experienced (because you don't just attend Sub Urban State, you experience it). One of the main draws for me was that the event was located in downtown Jozi on a rooftop (of what appeared to be an old industrial building of sorts), and offered stunning views of the city in all directions as the sun set. We relished the fact that it was January, we were outside, and enjoying the end of another 28°C day. Cheers to that!

Summer evening on the roof. Yes, a storm was on its way, but that always makes for the best-looking skies.

Enjoying mojitos on the roof.

"I Love Your Work" is one of the many public art displays in the city. It was done by the artist Clarke in February 2012. I don't know much else about it, but I know it's often photographed and has become recognizably "Joburg" (not quite the Eiffel Tower, but you get the idea). 

Jozi skyline and Sub Urban life co-existing.