Finally in South Africa!

Well, after three eight hour flights, Brisbane-Singapore-Abu Dahbi-Johannesburg, I arrived safe and sound and actually well rested at about 9am. Patrick from Mbizi Backpackers Lodge(highly recommended) was there to meet me at the airport. There were also four other people from Great Britain being met at the same time, Peter, Pat, Paul and Jean. So six of us and lugage all piled into Patrick's small car and headed for Mbizi. It's a great place to stay, a little out of the way; but very nice, clean and safe...which is important in Johannesburg.
After getting settled in, the five of us decided to wander over to the local shopping centre. It wasn't far; but not recommended to do alone. We bought a few food items and some alcohol. The staff at the supermarket was extremely helpful, especially Rose who helped me immensley with my cell phone problems...thanks again dear.

The next morning we had signed up for the one day tour of the city including Soweto, and the Apartheid Museum. The tour was excellent, we had a great guide and driver, full of information and interesting side notes. We went for lunch at a local restaurant at an out of the way location. The buffet style lunch was excellent as were the people who seemed to really appreciate the fact that we came to visit them. From there, we went to see the only street in the world where two Nobel Peace prize winners live...Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu...very interesting. The tour of the Soweto shanty town and Nelson Mandela's early home was also very interesting.
Next we headed for the Apartheid Museum. We arrived at about 2:30 pm and were just about to enter when the power went out. Apparently this is quite common in South Africa as I was to find out later in my journey. They did no expect it to come back on any time soon, so that part was cancelled. The tour company was very accomodating and took us to a few other lest touristy sites, which was a very nice bonus, and agreed to pick us up the next morning to take us to the Museum. The Apartheid Museum is amazing! It took me two and a half hours to go through...the first time! It was information overload to say the least. (Unfortunately there are no photos allowed from inside, so you'll just have to take my word for it.)
Upon completion of the tour, I stopped at the Thanda Cafe for a coffee. That's when I met Sithulile. My lucky day. Unfortunately, the tour bus was leaving in about 30 minutes, so we only had limited time to visit. We did exchange email addresses and phone numbers.
The next day, Brian(another guest of Mbizi) and I decided to go to the Gold Reef Amusement Park. It's all part of the Gold Reef Casino complex, which actually includes the Apartheid Museum. Apparently, when the Gold Reef wanted the land for the casino complex, the city insisted that they build the Museum too. A great deal for both I think. The Park was a mini Disneyworld with several high intensity rides including the Anaconda, a roller coaster where you hang below the track...EXCELLENT! We went on that a few times for sure! I got a chaance to have coffee again with Sithulile, also known as Thulie (pr. Toolie). I told her I was going to Capetown for the week and she said that she was also going, so we decided to try to get together there.
Capetown was like night and day from Johannesburg. Well, except for the power outages, then they were both in the dark. I have no idea how they will host the World Cup in 2010. Travel tip for the World Cup...only buy tickets to "day" games, cus even football in the dark can't be exciting!