A beautiful walk in the Fields of Cosmos at Delta Park last Sunday morning. Lots of people walking, running, out with their dogs. It was a respite in the chaos of Fear we are living in. It was our last walk in the Cosmos before South Africans locked down into their homes. 21 days – … Read more
Joburg is full of surprising and innovative spaces to visit – and its fun to discover something new. Victoria Yards is one of my favourite recent discoveries. It’s a sprawling 30,000 m2 urban farm- like space of refurbished buildings, now galleries, studios and workshops for artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs. The architectural character of the original … Read more
You remember Max our puppy? It took nearly 2 years after Alfie my 14 year old Golden Retriever died, for me to think of a new dog, but Max popped into my life unexpectedly after his owner had a severe allergic reaction to him. Rob’s niece phoned and asked “was interested in taking him? ” … Read more
Just wondering if you’ve heard of The Secret Jozi Chef? He’s Paul Maciel, creator of Pronto Restaurant, now creator of The Cookery in his delightful secret kitchen garden space under Pronto restaurant in Craighall Park. Paul decided to follow his passion for writing and teaching about food, so sold Pronto to give his full attention … Read more
We love our pool at Amanzi, as have so many guests over the last 15 years. But in the last year it’s really been looking tired. The time to upgrade has happened. In for a penny, in for a pound, as the saying goes. So we chopped out the old paving, and gritted our teeth … Read more
MABONENG Maboneng, meaning “Place of light” in Sotho, has just been recognized as one of the coolest suburbs IN THE WORLD, named so by Forbes business magazine, beating Manhattan in New York and Soho in London! Its a space that was a whole lot of abandoned warehouses and offices, including the offices of a former … Read more
There are many excellent hospitals within 10 km from Amanzi Guest House with superb doctors and surgeons at these hospitals. Due to the weakness of the South African Rand, Medical care and procedures are less expensive than the UK and USA and certainly most of Africa. Over the years many overseas guests have all claimed … Read more
It’s the long weekend, and on a spur of the moment decision Rob and I decide to check out Gerakaris Family Winery down the road (its the white washed converted farm building in the grounds of Colourful Splendour Garden Nursery, next to Delta Cafe – about a kilometer from Amanzi. I have seen the Winery … Read more
Rob and I have been meaning to do one of the organized walks in The Wilds for months, and finally, today was it. The Wilds is often referred to as Joburg’s “forgotten park”, and because of its proximity to Hillbrow, has been avoided for many years as being too dangerous to walk in. A few … Read more
Tofo, a Mozambique village of warm sea, white sands, coconuts, periperi cashews and fresh fish, also smiling relaxed people. Tofo is known for it curved beach, and is protected by the Ponta da Barra peninsula. Would you say no to an invitation to spend a week in a cottage on the beach? My storyteller friend … Read more