Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Africa: Johannesburg, South Africa...

Here are some pictures from my first several days in Africa.

We left DFW on October 2nd and landed in Johannesburg around noon on October 4th. We spent Thursday, October 5th touring the city and shopping before flying to Pietersburg (Polokwane) on Friday morning to begin our safari.

(Don't forget to hold your mouse over each picture to view my commentary!)

My very first sunset in the southern hemisphere...

Thinking of Mimi...

View from the lobby of our hotel:  The Continental Palazzo Johannesburg Montecasino...

View of the hotel grounds from balcony...

Driving through downtown Joburg...

'Non White Shop' - Visual reminders of apartheid are still omnipresent despite the passing of more than a decade...

50th floor of the Carlton Center - the tallest building in Johannesburg...

Birds eye view of Joburg...

Birds eye view of Joburg...

Birds eye view of Joburg...

The shopping mall located within the Carlton Center...

Crown Mine, Joberg:  We were touring the very first level of the mine (from the surface).  Considering how deep the mine goes into the earth, we weren't very deep at all (a mere 1,000 feet down or so).  This map really puts that point into perspective!

The lobby of the Sandton Hotel...

Looking out over Sandton, just north of Joburg...

Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton Center...

Jewish prom at Sandton Sun and Towers Intercontinental Hotel, Johannesburg...

It was like the Oscars:  red carpet, people lining the way up to the ballroom, lights and cameras - absolutely amazing display of wealth!

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