Paris1972-Versailles2003

Loong ago back in 1998 I came here and then a long pause until 2012 , after several trips, the last was in 2015. Just touching base on my waterholes around the world and the friends gathered that are still on board! This is my hommage to these folks and my visits there. Of course, I have other posts on specific areas over the years too. South Africa is a vast land but my interaction have been in Sandton area ,and is just superb it seems very nice architecture and lively. Therefore, let me tell you about curiosities of Sandton, South Africa, part I !! Hope you enjoy the post as I The country has gone thru a metamorphosis and its looking very bright with growth potential even if as every where else there are economic problems. I was there always on business trips , so not much touristic side trips. Once in the country, the car was the main mode as I was driven around, so it look easy, and as I am a road warrior this was heavens.  I did spent several periods running from a few days to a couple of weeks at a time, and many new friends who treated me as if known for years. I was able to go into the country to meet customers right in their homes out in the country, very good roads, and gorgeous scenery. My early photos were taken with my blackberry phone, so not uptimum but ease of use when on business trips. I arrive and was pick up by the transport folks of the hotel where I was staying, the Sitatunga Transfers folks were always very dependable, and the lodging was done at their property near Sandton at Sitatunga Guest Lodge. Webpage here: Sitatunga villas and transfer The airport at Johannesburg  OR Tambo is very nice with all conveniences and had easy in and out there all the time.   Official OR Tambo airport The resto Vasllis Mediterranean that seems now closed in Sandton.  When we did go out we had fun at Fournos Bakery in Fourways Mall , Sandton, great burgers, sausages, and drinks while looking out in the terrace over a shopping mall and passerbyers. Official Fournos Fourways I ,also was able to try the Gautrain underground station in Sandton, and direct to OR Tambo international airport, The hotel was the nice City Lodge Fourways near the montecasino complex . This is a nice hotel first time in it and love it. Great restaurant area, with pool overlooking the city road at Witkoppen road. Webpage: https://citylodgehotels.com/hotels/120/city-lodge-hotel-fourways Next day locals took me for lunch at the nice Le Soufflé,  Corner Forrest, Sunset road , Pineslopes Mall, Sandton. At the Pineslopes Shopping Centre, a French style restaurant where I had my duck confit and more of that Black Label beers . Le Soufflé had an easy atmosphere for a leisurely breakfast, a relaxing lunch and/or a informal dinner. The restaurant offers the most diverse menu of French Provençale  food in South Africa. The food is excellent and the waiters are very attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. Good atmosphère. I was taken here and darn was good and we ate at the terrace as in Paris ! The experience was great however, they needed to closed down and was told correct they have teamed up with the folks of  Junipa’s Bistro at Hobart Centre in Bryanston, and again later was updated by locals this place, also closed down.  So the economy has got to them, the chefs owners were at Le Soufflé for 10 years. Anyway, I put it here for the memories that is the them of the post anyway. In the evening, another wonderful anecdote as I met a contact friend Paul from the now defunct VT travel forum  and as he had a car, I rode looking for this place I have heard call the Beer House,1 Sunset Ave cnr Witkoppen, Pineslopes Boulevard, Sandton. After some trying as the friend was from Pretoria, we finally found the place ::) This is a pub with live music, 99 different beers and great menu in a resto laden road off the Witkoppen road as well but need to come by the Fourways Crossing mall side to get here.  We had a great time until very late; and a wonderful house burger and t bone steak with different beers but I stuck with the new found nice one Carling  Black Label. Just great company, happy lively place, good music and the place is loaded with likes establishements on the same side. However, this place has also closed down! so sad… The owner ran out of his lease and could not renew, heard was looking for a new location but no confirmation yet. For now, another down memory lane forever !!! I have read they openned in Cape Town but cannot confirm.  It was time for me to say goodbye to the springboks once again, and another nice visit of many more memories to last. The flight back was flawless, to Paris CDG T2E and then change easy to T2F for the last leg back to Nantes Atlantique where my car was waiting for the trip back home. It was a very nice trip with nice moments with nice people. There will always be hope for a next time! Hope you enjoy this bit of the amazing South Africa at Sandton! The tourist office of South AFrica on cities here: Official South Africa tourism The tourist office of Gauteng, the region of Sandton, and Foursways: Tourist office of Gauteng on Johannesburg And there you go , a brief tour of a wonderful section of South Africa. There is a lot more with a lot more time, I have done some see my other posts. Hope it helps you enjoy them as well. And me to be back, I will be back… Again, hope you enjoy this post on curiosities of Sandton, South Africa, part I !! as I. And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!