Tuesday, November 27, 2012

A Few Recent Images of Jozi- Late Oct/Early Nov 2012

 
Just thought I would post a few photo's from the last couple weeks!
 
 
 
Love this piece of Graffiti in Newtown called The Fear instead of The Spear!

 
Piece by Chinese Artist Dal East on a new Action Cricket venue in Newtown/Fordsburg. I will do
A post on the whole venue when i have time this week!
 
 
 
I was lucky enough to go on a trial version of the new Open Top Jozi bus-
we will be doing a few walking tours for them once it gets going!
 
 
I Love this pic! This is Gordon and his biggest fan listening to Jazz in the Garden
of Dr Xuma's house in Sophiatown on Sunday. I will write a more detailed post on this tour...It was fab!
 


 


Friday, November 9, 2012

Pub Crawls in the Johannesburg Inner City!



For nearly the entire time I have been doing tours of the Inner City (4 years!), we (my company Past Experiences) has been talking about or rather threatening to launch a pub crawl and in the last few months we have launched 2!

They have been such a success (just ask the people that have joined us on them) and we have also subsequently organised a few private corporate groups and even a Hen party!

We have tried to cater for 2 budgets- if you have a bit more cash to part with then you can join our private bus crawl called "Phuza Inner City Style"which travels to a whole lot of pubs and drinking spots (historic and new) all over the Inner City. We launched this one with a really fun group of locals who definitely enjoyed many a drink while really getting to know the Inner City!



Our second pub crawl is called the "Braamies Meander"and is a walking tour of all the awesome bars and shebeens in the Braamfontein area! We loved this one and everyones favourite stop was definitely the Shebeen which we couldn't get people to leave as its patrons and owner were so friendly!



Hope you can join us on one soon!

Jo xx

November and December Tour Schedule

 

Past Experiences started doing shorter budget walking tours especially aimed at Johannesburg locals in
2009 and we have absolutely no intention of ever stopping these! We believe that Jozi is a place yet to be discovered by her own inhabitants just as much
as visitors from afar and so we will always be on hand to show you guys around at a budget friendly price.
 
We do this by scheduling a few public tours each month, here is the next few months tour schedule. Booking is
essential so please email us on past.experiences@hotmail.com or phone us on 011 678 3905
Also please note we do create
tailor-made private tours for locals, international tourists, corporate groups
and schools.



November

 10th November Public Art in the Park-A Tour of Pieter Roos Park (Saturday)

Pieter Roos Park, situated on the border of Parktown and Berea is
a Victorian gem that has long played a part in the lives of the Johannesburg
Inner City Public. Still an important space for the people of Hillbrow and its
surrounds this fantastic park has recently been integrated into the city’s
public art programme. This tour will introduce you to this fabulous bit of
green space and the wonderful art that it houses.
Time: 9h30 until 10h30
Price: R50 (Kids 12 and under R35- this is a fun one for
kids)
Meeting Point and Parking: Meeting Point, Cnr of Victora Ave and
Empire, parking available at corner of park and across the road at garage).
Meeting next to orange city parks sign.
To book or
for more details, please email us onpast.experiences@hotmail.com or phone us
011 678 3905

November 17tht- Jacaranda Amble- Melrose House Tour and Picnic (New and recommended)
Jozi people join us on a marvellous adventure to the Jacaranda
City via the Gautrain. The day will start when we meet at Rosebank Station,
from here we will travel to the historic Pretoria Station designed by Herbert
Baker. After a short stop we will take an amble to one of Pretoria’s most
beautiful heritage houses- Melrose House where an expert site guide will take
you on a tour of the gorgeous property. Built in 1886, it’s a fantastic example
of the transition from Victorian to Edwardian architecture.
We will then retire to the tranquil gardens for a yummy picnic
after which we will jump back on the train and head back to Joburg.
Time: 09h00 until 14h00 (times are estimates as we
are using public transport)
Price: R200 Includes a tour of Melrose House, entrance
to Museum and picnic lunch- roll, juice, crisps, muffin and fruit) (does not include Gautrain travel which is
R90 return plus R10 card)

Meeting: Rosebank Gautrain Station- downstairs at ticketing office
To book or
for more details, please email us on past.experiences@hotmail.com or phone us
011 678 3905

24th November-I Love Newtown Walk and a visit to the AMAZING Black Music Exhibition
(Saturday)

Join us
for a guided walk through Newtown- the cultural precinct of the Joburg inner
city. This fantastic tour will enlighten you about this beautiful and
vibe-filled area from its early days as a slum, to when it housed Joburg’s
biggest fruit and vegetable market. We will also look at present day Newtown
and its regeneration. The walk also includes visits to the Workers Museum (an
old workers compound and tribute to migrant labour).

The tour will end at the one of the best exhibitions we have seen in years, Museum
Africa’s “The International Exhibition of Black Music”. This is a totally
interactive look at the influence of “black music” as each person is assigned a
Samsung Smartphone and earphones which they use to really experience the
awesome music! The tour will end at the exhibition so that you can spend as
much time as you need looking around!

Price: R150-00 (kIds R100) (Includes tour and entrance
to exhibition)
Time: 10h00 until 12h00
Meeting and Parking: Sci-Bono Centre, Miriam Makeba Street.
Meeting outside Sci-Bono Coffee Shop
To book or
for more details, please email us on past.experiences@hotmail.com or phone us
011 678 3905

24th November- Gritty Newtown- Photography
Tour of Newtown’s Industrial Buildings and Graffiti (Saturday)

Our favourite images are always of the city, in all its beautiful
and gritty forms. This tour will focus on the West side of Newtown under the
highway, which has been home to many small factories and warehouses since the
early part of last century and is now becoming a popular area of regeneration.
Join resident photographer and guide Tania for a tour of this area
that will give you loads of time to capture the perfect shot. By joining this
tour and group I am sure you will see the city in a new and creative light.
This tour is starting relatively early so you can capture the
morning light!
On photographic tours you are given plenty of time in each area to
capture some awesome images.
Price: R100
Time: 08h45 until 10h45
Meeting and Parking: Sci-Bono Centre, Miriam Makeba Street.
Meeting outside Sci-Bono Coffee Shop
To book or
for more details, please email us onpast.experiences@hotmail.com or phone us
011 678 3905

25th November- Sophiatown Swing- Walking Tour of Sophiatown and a Jazz Listening
Session (Sunday)
(Still
to be finalised)

Sophiatown’s history makes it one of the most significant stories
in South Africa’s recent past. As one of the first sites of forced removals
under apartheid legislation Sophiatown is a place we will never forget. Famous
for its mix of people – political, literary, musical, social, criminal and
cultural “movers and shakers” – Sof’town provided a back-drop for perhaps the
most immortalized period in Johannesburg’s history. An emerging black urban culture and multiracial
groups created literary and artistic melting pots which influence us even
today.
Join Past Experiences and the Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre
for a walking tour through one of Johannesburg’s most renowned suburbs-
Sophiatown. The tour lead by a community
guide from the centre will show what Sophiatown was like before the forced
removals, what it became afterwards and what its future holds today!
The Tour will finish with a Jazz listening session at Dr Xumas
House- please bring a picnic and refreshments.
Time: 12h00 until 14h00 and jazz session afterwards
Price: R180 Includes a tour
of the area, entrance to Museum and Jazz listening session
Meeting and Parking: Outside Dr Xuma’s House (Cnr Toby and Edward
Street)
To book or
for more details, please email us on past.experiences@hotmail.com or phone us
011 678 3905

December

1st December- Spicy Fordsburg-Walking Tour (Saturday)
“We have a variety of people living here- from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Syria and now even
from other parts of Africa. The lovely thing about all this is that everyone brings
a bit of their culture, and it’s all blended and works well together here in
Fordsburg. We have what we call the “square”, which is the hub of commercial
activity. Here you will find different shops owned by people of different
nationalities. Fordsburg was always multilayered and very cosmopolitan, and in
that sense it hasn’t changed much. It’s a very mixed culture, and it makes you
see a different side to South Africa”.

Essop Bahana (The Joburg Book-Nechama Brodie (Ed)
Johannesburg is home to so many cultures and we want to help you
experience them all. Join Past Experiences for a relaxing Saturday Afternoon
walk and shopping tour. We will take in Fordsburg’s history and buildings. We
will then stop by the famous Fordsburg market where you can pick up beautiful
clothes, henna, incense and much more. The shops in Fordsburg can’t be beat and
we will then take them in- from delicious sweetmeats wrapped in beautiful
boxes, to fresh home made Indian snacks. The food is really to die for! Why not
buy a fresh coconut to sip while you walk round the area and don’t forget the
Hindu prayer shops- buy beautiful trinkets and holy statues. We will end off at
about 17h30 at one of Fordsburg’s best restaurants for a delicious early
dinner. You are then most welcome to walk around the market some more (it’s
open till late), have a traditional barbers shave, have your eye brows threaded
or make your way home. We cannot recommend this experience enough.
Price: R100
Time: 15h30 until 17h30
Meeting Spot: Train on Junction of Mint and Central Road,
Fordsburg
Parking: please arrive a few minutes before meeting time to find
parking in surrounding streets
Booking is essential. To book or for more info please email us on
past.experiences@hotmail.com or phone us on 011 678 3905.

December 8th- Jozi Inner City Fashion District Shopping Experience (Saturday)
One of our Original tours is back, just in time for some Christmas
shopping! Meet us at the Gautrain Park Station (either arrive via Train or park
your car), we will jump on board the Rea Vaya bus system and travel though the
city to Joburg’s Original Fashion District.
Here we will introduce you to the area’s history and regeneration
and take a look at African fabric (shweshwe to Wax prints). You will then be
given some time to enjoy the area, visit Fashion Capital, the wonderful
material shops, one of Jozi’s best bag shops, and a fab costume jewellery
store. You can also grab a snack or some tea at Fashion Capital before we board
the bus and head back to the station!
Price: R120 (includes tour and Rea Vaya bus travel)
Time: 09h15 (for 09h30) until about 12h00 (times are
estimates as we are using public transport)
Meeting Place: Gautrain Station, Park Station (Downstairs as you
exit the turnstiles)
To book or for more details, please email us on past.experiences@hotmail.com
or phone us 011 678 3905

December 8th Braamfontein Bar Meander (Saturday)
Our last tour was such a hit that we are doing it again! Braamfontein
has so many great bars all within walking distance of each other, so why not
join us for a late Saturday afternoon ramble and tour, taking in these watering
holes and focusing on Braamfontein’s regeneration and a bit of history. Stops
include historic bars and the vibiest Inner City shebeen. After the Meander you
can stay in Braamies for a bite to eat and then party the night away!
Price: R100
Time: 15h00 until 17h30
Meeting place: Great Dane- Cnr De Beer and Juta Street
Address and Parking: Streets surrounding Braamfontein.
Past Experiences does not endorse drinking and driving. We strongly recommend a
sober designated driver or the use of a taxi company.

For more info or to book, email us on past.experiences@hotmail.com
or phone us on 011 678 3905

December 9th -Troyeville/Maboneng Graffiti Walk (Sunday)
This tour focuses on the Street Art and Graffiti
in the Troyeville/ Maboneng Area. This walking tour will look at art by
numerous local and international artists who have contributed to this unique
industry in Joburg. Why not join us for a Sunday morning walk and then head
over to the Arts on Main market for a late breakfast, Ethiopian coffee or
cocktail.
Price: R100 (kids R50 and students with
student cards)
Time: 09h00 until 11h00
Parking on the surrounding streets, Meeting point
is Uncle Merv’s on the Corner of Fox and Kruger Street
To book or for more details, please email us on past.experiences@hotmail.com
or phone us 011 678 3905

December 15th-Capture Fordsburg-Photographic
Walk and Tour of Fordsburg

“Colourful, charming and exciting” are all words that could be
used to describe one of our favourite areas in Johannesburg! Known for its
vibrant Indian community, this area has an incredibly fascinating history and
is now home to people from all over the world, from Morroco to Pakistan! Join
resident guide and photographer Tania for a tour and photographic walk through
the area. On this experience you will learn about the areas you walk through
but you will also have a lot more time to take photographs! We want you to have
loads of time to be creative and capture the feel of the area!
We will end at the Oriental Plaza where you can pick up some
Christmas gifts and stay for a delicious early lunch at the Golden Peacock.
Please Note: This tour follows a different route to the Spicy
Fordsburg tour
Price: R100
Time: 09h00 until 11h00
Parking: Oriental Plaza (Bree Street, Johannesburg). Meet your
guide at the Golden Peacock in the Plaza.

Braamfontein gets a beach...yes you heard right...a beach!!



A few weeks ago I had my first visit to a beach in the Joburg City. This makes no sense as we are land locked and don't even have a water source or river, but I kid you not.

Picture this- a sandy beach, bright umbrellas, deck chairs, cocktails, a rooftop...and the Nelson Mandela Bridge in the Background.

I have to say I was unconvinced when I first heard about the concept of a beach in the city but after attending the launch...I am a believer in The Beach! Its awesome. The Beach is the creation of property developer and owner of the 70 Juta precinct Adam Levi.

If I can give you one piece of advice: get to The Beach ASAP! It is the perfect place to relax on a hot Jozi afternoon.

Here are the details:

The beach, in collaboration with Grolsch, will be open from 11h00 - 16h00 every Saturday. R150 gets you in for an afternoon of free beer and sun bathing.

Contact 
Play Braamfontein for more information and for corporate bookings on
info@playbraamfontein.co.