I really need to start gearing up for my trip! I leave Sunday!! I’ve got most things I need and if I forgot anything at home, Rob can bring it tomorrow. I’m hoping its not too late to let the bank know I’m going abroad (so I can use my card). The biggest question though is: What am I going to do while I’m there?
The meeting we are attending it only one day. We are staying in Johannesburg at a hotel near nothing. They’ve arranged transportation to the Apartheid museum for the one day but to be honest, I’m really not interested in going there. I’m not a fan of museums and though I know it is a huge part of their history, I really have no interest in spending hours in a building dedicated to it. Anyway, here are some things I found online that I could do:
- The Lion Park – Uh, pet the lion cubs? Yes, please!
- Sandton City – Shopping! Though not the reason I’m going, it could be a good way to experience some culture and get some cool stuff. This shopping center is the upscale neighborhood.
- Gold Reef City – The Theme Park – sounds more kid-friendly though and I can ride roller-coasters in NJ.
- Soweto – It’s an old township (where all the Apartheid stuff happened). Apparently you can get biking tours of it and go to local restaurants and stuff. Sounds like a really cool way to experience the culture, but am I asking for a stomach bug by doing this? LOL. But I can’t seem to find a good website about it and I don’t want to just go without knowing!
Also, I don’t think my fellow travelers (another student and a professor) are very interested in doing some of these things. We will see though! Lots of internet surfing and I really can’t find much else to do while I’m there. I only have 2 days to fill up so I have to be picky what I decide to do!
5 Day Pledge Update:
Drink water like its my job: Only 38 ounces yesterday. Still not bad (for me).
Eat healthy, fresh foods: Check!
Exercise every day: I did a little yoga but I was disappointed I didn’t do more.
Do 1 relaxing thing each day: Yoga and reading.
Report my progress here: Check!
Plan for today:
- Work from home. No distractions!
- Go for a run (already dressed for it!)
- Work some more.
- Do a yoga DVD.
- Cook a healthy, delicious dinner.
- Cut down on computer time. (Hence the working from home, no wireless internet and the ethernet cable doesn’t reach my desk!!)
Well, its time for me to be off. I threw on my workout clothes first thing this morning. Though it’s a beautiful 60-some degrees outside, its like 90% humidity. Ah, the joys of Delaware. Besides, I don’t have the energy in the AM so I figured I would get dressed for it, eat breakfast and all that and run before lunch. Perfect plan! We hope….
What do you think I should do while in South Africa?
What do you like to do on vacation?
I’m not one of those to sit around (though if I were at a beach resort, I could manage but I would probably be playing in the water and not working on my tan). Also, since I’m going to a different country, I want to experience the culture, not just do all the touristy stuff. At the same time, I want to make sure I’m being safe. This is a lot easier when I have Rob the Hubby Body Guard with me!
Have you checked out the forums on Frommer’s, Fodor’s, or Trip Advisor? They can be an invaluable resource when traveling to a new place.
I didn’t think to check Frommer’s! Trip Advisor wasn’t very helpful. I found a good article on Wikipedia today (apparently they have a travel section). Thanks for the ideas!
~Ang
My favorite thing to do on hols is sit around, talking to locals. I’m not into “checking off boxes” of what to see — although there’s something to that. For example, as funny as it sounds the only real regret I have from Denver (where we were snowed/ fogged out of typical mountainy-stuff) was NOT GETTING TO SEE AN IKEA. I’m not joking. I’m over 800 mi from the closest one and I was RIGHT IN A CITY WITH ONE. Boo!
I’d probably hate it, too (I’m told they’re always crazy-busy and being small, I HATE crowds–I get stepped on and pushed a LOT). Still…
I prefer to look at outdoors phenomena and hang with locals. That’s my deal.
You probably already considered this, but can you expand your possibilities using the Gautrain? http://www.gautrain.co.za/
I would totally do the lion park because it sounds lovely! I always equate Africa with seeing animals like that, so it would certainly be on my list.
I did think about the train but some websites said there was still construction? Maybe that was old news though and they are done. I could:
Take the free shuttle to the airport -> Take the MetroRail to Sandton (YAY shopping!) -> From there I could go to Rosebank which is another shopping area with more local, artsy stuff.
Sadly, train won’t take me to the Lions. ::sigh::
The train goes to Pretoria also which is the capital and I heard there is pretty architecture there.
~Ang
Personally, I’d want to see the outside things that are different from home. When we traveled to Greece and Turkey, we did a lot of that. Though, in Greece, there are the ruins to see which was great. I didn’t enjoy the local Turkish atmosphere – lots of yelling (they barter for everything so there was lots of loud dialog) and so I was uncomfortable in most places…unless we were at a Turkish ruin!
Too bad MERALO isn’t active on SP any longer…she lives in Johannesburg! Her last post was last june… Can you search SP by location? Maybe find some suggestions from a local!
OHHHHH SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!! Even if you do absolutely NOTHING, you are still going to have an amazing time! (and I love the Rob is the bodyguard, Im sure you can kick booty too!)