| South Africa | |||
| Johannesburg to Hazyview | |||
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After an overnight flight from London the Best of South Africa tour began with a quick orientation tour of Johannesburg before going on to drive past the Union Buildings as we headed for a stop at the Voortrekker Monument en route to our first overnight stay. The next morning we headed for Pilgrims' Rest and God's Window and stayed overnight in Perry's Bridge Hollow, near Hazyview. |
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South African Airways A340 pushback at London's Heathrow for one of two South African overnight flights to Johannesburg - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow |
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Johannesburg Town Hall was designed by Alfred Hollins in 1913 - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow |
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Departing Johannesburg for for Pretoria (left); South African motorway between Johannesburg and Pretoria (right) - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow |
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The Voortrekker Monument commemorating the Great Trek which was a reaction against the policy of the British colonial authority in South Africa. The four meter high bronze statue honours the role of the women and children during the Great Trek - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow |
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The cenotaph with the words Ons Vir Jou Suid Afrika (Us, for Thee, South Africa) taken from the then South African national anthem, die Stem (the Voice). Part of die Stem is incorporated into the new national anthem - Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow |
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| The Wagon Laager consists of 64 low relief exact replica wagons used in the Great Trek (left). The South African Air Force Memorial (above) viewed from the top of the Voortrekker Monument - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| The official seat of the government of the the Republic of South Africa in Gauteng. The Union Buildings were completed in 1913 on Meintjies Kop overlooking the city of Pretoria - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| A bridge (left) carrying the tracks of the Gautrain - pronounced How Train - which runs every ten minutes between O R Tambo International Airport and Sandton. Centurion Junction on the eight lane N1 motorway looking back towards Johannesburg and Krugersdorp (above) - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| Toll plaza (left) on N4 motorway between Pretoria and Middelburg. Like in the United States, the wide central reservation obviates the need for a crash barrier (right) - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| Grey skies and mist on the high veld - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| Jock's Country Stalls at Lyndenburg with a bakkie (pick-up truck) parked alongside Bokkie's Meat Market - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| Museum Town of Pilgrims' Rest which features in several films including Jock of the High Veld - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| Fine collection of vintage vehicles including a Sentinel steam lorry in the Central Garage at Pilgrims' Rest - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| Hawkers taking a break while we enjoy highly recommended pancakes - in the restaurant at Pilgrims' Rest - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| Heading for God's Window from Pilgrims' Rest - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| No view over the valley at God's Window - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| This was as good as it got - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| Elephant Whispers en route for Hazyview and a stopover at Perry's Bridge Hollow - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| Captive zebra and ostrich roam a field adjacent to the hotel at Perry's Bridge Hollow - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| Perry's Bridge Hollow with the road to Sabie - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
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| Hazyview living up to its name but the mist soon cleared an we spotted our first giraffe en route to Sabi Sand - PHOTOs Malcolm McCrow | |||
| Back to South Africa | |||