Compact Travels - Exploring Places Like Never Before...

After my first two exciting days in Johannesburg, I was looking forward to Day 3 of my FUNDI trip as I was scheduled to visit some of the most exciting places that one should see when in Johannesburg. Our day started with one of the most scenic drives to GOLD REEF CITY which is also popularly known as a CITY WITHOUT LIMITS as in this unique complex

you have a casino, an amusement park and if you want to be part of the fun and adventure all day long and late into the night you could even stay at one of the hotel properties within the GOLD REEF CITY. To reach the GOLD REEF CITY we had to take the road which leads to Bloemfontein, the judicial capital of South Africa and at the Booysens exit you have to take a detour to reach one of the most interesting places and well worth a visit around Johannesburg.

Since we are on the subject of Gold and Gold mines let me tell you the interesting history of Johannesburg and why it is known as the city of Gold. In 1885 this region which was known as Witwatersrand or the Ridge of White Waters was virtually an uninhabited ridge- a watershed 1800 metres above sea level from which streams running north found its way into the Indian Ocean and in the southern side emptied into the Atlantic Ocean. Once it was identified that there were Gold Mines in and around this area, within a span of a decade, Johannesburg grew to become the most populous city in southern Africa and in no time it was known as the city of gold and instant riches. Soon you had people migrating not only from different parts of South Africa but also from neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and as the gold rush period came to an end, it lead to many miners becoming unemployed and hence this eventually lead to a place with one of the highest unemployment rates and led to a city which has a very high crime rate. Although in my previous article, I have emphasized that even today Johannesburg is like one of many cosmopolitan cities of the world like New York, London or Mumbai and most of the city is safe barring a few areas.

Coming back to our trip, at GOLD REEF CITY you will find one of Africa's greatest theme park which is built around an authentic 19th Century gold mine and for those who want to see how the miners used to explore gold, it is worth taking the underground tour. Once in Gold Reef City, you can book your tour at mine 20 and it costs approximately R45,00 per person and even children over 6 years can take this trip and go back in time.

First you have to gear up for the trip by wearing one of the colourful helmets along with an outfit which the miners used to wear to go several levels below the ground to explore gold. Then a lift takes you down under and your tour begins. As in the mine it used to be pitch dark in the 19th century, and to give you a feel of how miners used to work, you walk through areas with a torch to help you find your way. There are scheduled tours normally twice a day and professional miners take you around and besides taking you several levels below ground level, they take you back in time narrating to you the history of miners and how they used to go about exploring gold.

As South Africa has 11 official languages, it would have been difficult for persons to communicate with each other, so before working in the mine, all the miners had to learn a common “miners” language which would be comprehended by one and all. The tour which lasted around 40 odd minutes took us through the entire process of how mining is carried out and the risks taken to mine gold. No wonder we pay such a price for gold. (For those interested in knowing how gold is mined you can read the separate box which is an extract of the commentary given as part of the mining tour). After the tour ends, we are taken to show how a gold bar is made and this turned out to be the most interesting part of the tour especially for those who visit the gold mine to take back a souvenir or two. One of the most priced collections is undoubtedly the 1 oz KRUGERRAND which is indeed a collector's item and it comes to you after creating a real big hole in your pocket. There are other interesting souvenirs that you could get as well but nothing to beat the KRUGERRAND. Those interested in doing a bit of window shopping before the BIG PURCHASE can visit www.goldreefcity-mint.co.za and carry the extra couple of thousand dollars to bring back a collection of gold souvenirs.

After experiencing darkness in the mines and thereafter the glitz of gold in the souvenir shops, it was back to reality and to see the other interesting sight of GOLD REEF CITY - the amusement park, a must for kids and kids at heart.

There are as many as 31 thrill rides you could choose from and for the strong hearted, it is worth taking a ride in the TOWER OF TERROR a real terror ride where you are taken extremely slowly right on top of the tower in a carriage and then literally thrown down the tower in a matter of few microseconds. I would highly recommend the trip for those who want to have a preview of high altitude falls before venturing out for a bungee jumping ride. Then there is the Anaconda roller coaster, the river rapids as well as a 55metre giant wheel

HAVE A BALL AT THE AMUSEMENT PARK AT GOLD REEF CITY
Rides ranging from the thrill- a-second Golden Loop to the Swinging Coco Pan to the more sedate fun train and the Magical dragon land for the smaller children, Gold Reef city has succeeded in providing something for the entire family.

There are also robotic shows, clowns, bands, tribal dancing displays, magicians, can-can girls, strolling minstrels, gumboot dancers and even a mini farm. To give you the flavour of South Africa just as you enter the Gold Reef City complex is the most colourful presentation of tribal dancers thumping their feet and shaking their bellies to some of the most liveliest of music which is simply breathtaking.

There is loads of stuff to do at GOLD REEF CITY and we were glad to find out that we would be making yet another trip later in the night to experience the bustling city at night at the CASINO HOTEL where we would not only enjoy some exotic cuisine at the “Back of the Moon” restaurant at the Gold Reef City Casino Hotel but also witness one of the longest running musical plays in South Africa -

the African Footprint which was being performed at the Globe Theatre located within the same complex. The "Back of the Moon" is a restaurant which creates a fusion of the romantic past with the exciting present. Based on the theme of a Sophiatown shebeen or pub in the turbulent fifties, you can experience great cuisine and at the same time rub shoulders with great musicians from Africa.

The restaurant has live entertainment and for those who want to get cosy, they can enjoy intimate dinners or personalized celebrations for a group of 20 to 30. Normally there is a minimum cover charge of 65 South African Rands per person and if you want live entertainment you can pay another 13 to 15 Rands per head. After enjoying a sumptuous meal you can either try your luck at the casino or see a play at the Globe Theatre just as we did. We were extremely lucky to witness African Footprint - an explosive stampede of song and dance with an interesting ensemble of Euro African music. African Footprint first premiered in May 2000, has played to over 500 capacity packed houses and is one of the most successful musicals in South Africa.

There is a bit of history and significance associated with Richard Loring's musical as the first public performance was a part of the Global Broadcast of South Africa's millennium celebrations from Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned during the apartheid era.

And talking about apartheid a visit to Johannesburg and more specifically to Gold Reef City is incomplete without visiting the Apartheid Museum which is located on the Gold Reef Road very close to Gold Reef City. To know more about Apartheid Museum, Soweto and Nelson Mandela's house you would have to read the next issue of Opportunities Today.