View from the Top of Africa

The Carlton Centre... it brings back so many memories from my childhood. My dad used to work there and it was always a treat to go visit! My mom also worked there at some stage, when it was the office block to be in. They used to go to the bar at the top for drinks after work. My dad was there when the building was bombed by the ANC. We were also once treated by my dad to the fanciest dinner ever at the Three Ships before it closed down.

The other day I took a friend out for a different day. On the to-do list was the Top of Africa - the 50th floor of the Carlton Centre. So, off we went into the centre of Joburg one Saturday afternoon. Driving into the underground parkade, memories came flooding back... it has a steep driveway down into (what feels like) the centre of the Earth - this was always my favourite part of visiting my dad!

After quite a bit of walking around the shopping centre on the ground floor trying to find the lift to the top, we paid our small entrance fee and caught the lift to the top. We were also hit up for money by the security guard, but that's just par for the course...

We stepped out of the lift and walked towards the light... the view was breathtaking! We could see for miles, all sides of my city. There was Sandton, the stadiums, the mine dumps, the Nelson Mandela Birdge, the old IBM building, Ghandi Sqaure, the airport.... pretty much everything! They have photos and architects renderings on the walls and also some information about the Indian community (though how that fits in, I'm not sure)

It wasn't very busy either, so we had plenty of space and could take our time. I suppose the CBD issue puts people off - though it really shouldn't! I can imagine the sunsets must be awesome from up there!

So do yourself a favour, visit the Top of Africa and while you're in the CBD, enjoy a drive around looking at all the old buildings.

Cedar Farm

I’m not a parent but I do have friends who are. So I get to go to kids parties, as a spectator, once in a while.

It suits me just fine! I get to watch their kids eat loads of sugar, run around like headless chickens and just go mad. And then I get to say goodbye and go home to my quiet house, and sit with my very calm cat.

On Sunday, I went to my bff’s son’s party at Cedar Farm, on Cedar Ave. what a fun place!! They have a big property and lots of cute farmyard animals. There is a thatched area where they have a bar (that you stock) and tables and chairs. There’s a sand pit, jungle gym and they can put up a jumping castle. So perfect for kids and (very tired) parents! The staff were great and friendly and seemed to have everything well organised.

The animals were the highlight for me! They had three baby bunnies (SOOOOO cute!) and a batch of baby piggys (stinky, but also SOOOO cute!!). There were also two ducks, a very loud cock, a pony, a sheep and some grown up bunnies and piggys.

So if you’re looking for a kids venue – though I reckon it would work for grown-ups too – this is a great place to go!

http://www.cedarfarm.co.za/