Photo of the Week (26th September to 2 October 2011)



Graffiti in Newtown

 I have chosen this image as I love the Graffiti in Newtown, it is like walking through an art gallery. It is just so stunning and I chose this one as I love the skull. Our guide Tania did a Public Art Tour that included this over the weekend.

Training the Southpoint Cool Kids

Owning the Westcliff Hotel

In the last few weeks we have trained 8 Southpoint students to help us with our tours. Southpoint own over 20 buildings in the Braamfontein District of the inner city, majority of which are student housing.

They have thousands of students in the area, which has really changed (for the better) the vibe and feel of Braamfontein. They also own bars, restaurants, a hotel and venues in the area.

We decided to train some students as we needed help with bigger events and corporate groups. Their role is to look after guests and help the guides out on the day.

Southpoint recommended 8 students to us, who are absolutely top notch varsity students. Responsible and with a huge amount of energy, enthusiasm and personality...they are the perfect fit for Past Experiences!




Lunch after our corporate event



If anyone is looking for students to help with events etc, let us know...these guys are awesome!



Awesome Pre- Jozi Pride Event happening this week

Travelstart Blog Post: A Sensory Overload in Fordsburg, Johannesburg

I wrote a post on Travelstart about Fordsburg recently. I think its pretty fun so please check it out:

Travelstart Blog Post: A Sensory Overload in Fordsburg, Johannesburg

Image by Tania

Photo of the week (19th to the 25th September 2011)

A view of Newtown looking into the city, including the Diamond Building.

This weeks photo is of Newtown. I just love the Diamond Building and the Banner of Hope Artwork (the twisted SA Flag) . I great and a little different view of the city!

Event: JOBURG FLASH! 1 hour flash tours of the Inner City and Fundraiser

JOBURG FLASH! 1 hour flash tours of the inner city, our new website launch and Greenhouse Project, Joubert Park Fundraiser....yay!


Past Experiences LOVES the Jozi Inner City!

And we would like to get as many people as possible into the city on Saturday the 24th September (Heritage Day) experiencing and using their inner city!

We have organised a morning of fun tours aimed at locals (budget friendly) to get you out and about and into the inner city! We are also launching our new fab and interactive website. We decided that the best way to launch our website was to involve you the public who have been so awesome over the last 2,5 years and to give back to the city we love.

We are going to do this by donating R10 of every ticket sold to the wonderful inner city Greenhouse Project that is based in Joubert Park!

Tours on the day!

We will be doing 4 1 hour tours on the day!

They are perfect for those who love the city or for those who have not ventured into the city for decades.

All the tours are 1 hour and the idea is for you to come on one or as many of these tours as possible! Each tour will focus on a particular area or theme or person.

At 9h30-10h30 you can choose between 2 tours:


Mandela's Joburg (Guide: Jo)

... A look at the Joburg that Mandela would have experienced in the 1950's. We will also make a stop at his newly refurbished offices. A really fab experience!

or

A Mini Public Art Tour of Newtown (Guide: Tania)

This area has some of the most stunning art in the inner city and on this tour we will look at what the area has to offer.

At 11h00-12h00 you can choose between 2 tours:

Old Chinatown (Guide: Jo)

Join us on a mini tour of Joburg's original Chinatown. See some public art, learn about the history and bring some cash as we will be making a stop at the best Chinese Supermarket around.

or

Diagonal Street-A Real African City (Guide: Tania)

Come and explore one of the most unique area's in Jozi. Diagonal Street is home to a largely Indian Community but is also a traditional African area. Come learn more about its history!

Date: 24th September 2011 (Heritage Day...wooohoo!)

Time: 9h30 until 12h00

Price: Each tour is R40 (R10 goes to the Greenhouse Project)

Meeting Point: Market Theatre Parking Lot

For more details email us on past.experiences@hotmail.com or phone on 011 678 3905

We will also be doing a collection of any gardening equipment/ gardening stuff that you dont want or need for the project!

More details on the project:

"IN the heart of the inner city is a green project that combines community involvement and education with environmentally friendly building principles - all in a small corner of Joubert Park in Johannesburg."

The project has three main focus areas:

•To demonstrate development practices which will sustain people and the environment;

•To support organisations working to improve the urban environment, particularly community-based organisations (CBOs); and

•To disseminate information that will enable individuals to improve the quality of life in their community in a sustainable manner.

Read more: http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?

Upcoming Event: I Love Braamies -Walking Tour of Braamfontein (17th September 2011)

If you have visited Braamfontein lately, you will know how absolutely fantastic it is looking. From its stunning new hotel and student accommodation, to its fantastic new restaurants, galleries, shops and the 70 Juta district.


Join us this Saturday the 17th, for a relaxed but concise walking tour looking at the history, present and future of this special inner city area.

The Tour will begin with tea/ coffee at the Grove of the Lamunu Hotel, from their we will discover and learn about the area. The tour will end at the stunning new Neighbourhood Goods Market where you can have a delicious breakfast (yum!), browse the stalls or even have a refreshing beer!

The perfect way to spend a Saturday morning in your city.

Cameras welcome.

Info:

Date: 17th September 2011

Time: Meet at 8h30 and end at 10h00

Meeting Place: The Grove at the Lamunu Hotel (GPS coordinates: 26.19375, 28.0364) (Corner of Juta and Melle Street)

Price: R50 (includes tea or coffee at the beginning of the tour)


Parking: Public Parking on the Corner of Melle and Juta


For more details or to book phone 011 678 3905 or email us

on past.experiences@hotmail.com

Photo of the week (5th-11th September 2011)

A Young Nelson Mandela- Photo of an image at Liliesleaf Farm
Photo by Justin Du Piesanie (My other half)

This weeks "Photo of the Week" is one taken at one of my top sites- Liliesleaf Farm. I absolutely love Liliesleaf and the period of history it portrays. I also think that Nelson Mandela was extremely stylish when he was younger! So my photo of the week is a "photo of a photo"!

Fab Image!

Dialogue in the Dark: Sci-Bono, Newtown’s New Must “See” Exhibition

If you are looking for something interesting and fun to do in Jozi, you have to get down to Sci-Bono in Newtown for "Dialogue in the Dark". It is awesome.

Read my review on Travelstart:

Dialogue in the Dark on Travelstart

Event: Creative Jozi-Public Art Walking Tour of the Joburg Inner City

Saturday 10th September 2011

9h300 till 11h30 (times are estimates)


Price: R90

Join Past Experiences for a leisurely walking tour of the inner city. This fantastic tour will focus on the wonderful array of public art that can be found in the Joburg CBD. Public Art is so great as it is art created for public space- as opposed to art created for an private or public art gallery. Public art is for everyone and can be seen anytime. Joburg has awesome public art- both old and new and on this tour we are going to see as much of it as possible. We will also look at the history, present and rejuvenation of the inner city as we journey through town.

A great idea would be to join us on the walk and then go to the new "Neighbourhood Goods Market" Opening in Braamfontein on the 10th for lunch and a walk around...a fab way to spend a Saturday in the City! Yay


Meeting and parking : Miriam Makeba Street Newtown- Market Theatre Parking (map can be provided)

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

Dont forget to follow this blog, Twitter: PastExperiences and Facebook: Past Experiences

Photo of the Week (29th August to 4 September 2011)

Bungee Jumping at the Orlando Cooloing Towers, Soweto

I know I am posting this a day late but I have had a busy few days. This weeks photo of the week was taken by the Orlando Towers Team when I took my boyfriend Bungee Jumping for his birthday a few months ago.

The pic is of my boyfriend Justin during his jump and I love the angle and view of the tower. Loads of fun! The towers were the old cooling towers of the Orlando Power Station. Its a great afternoon out as the site has a great bar and you can just take a look at the towers or take part in the adrenalin activities!

Fab Joburg Links

Just thought I would do a quick post on some great Jozi links that you should take a look at:


http://mrbaggins1.livejournal.com//- some great pics and info on Jozi!

http://todoinjoburg.co.za/ -Stylish site with great posts!

http://blog.tyme.co.za/?p=1169- Cool photo blog

http://joburgexpat.blogspot.com/- looking at Joburg through an expats eyes

http://www.jhblive.com/- an old favourite!

http://thereluctantjoziblogger.blogspot.com/ -another cool Jozi Blog…my boyfriend Justin’s.

http://www.travelstart.co.za/index.jsp- great Travel website

http://www.jozikids.co.za/index.html -another old favourite..but totally worth a look!

http://jhbgp.blogspot.com/- some nice pics

http://tinsel-contemporary-sa-jewellery.blogspot.com/- best jewellery in Jozi!!!

http://urbanjoburg.blogspot.com/  -very cool blog

http://tobethinkingaloud.blogspot.com/ -Fab photo blog

http://urbanrebirth.blogspot.com/ -My friend Brian’s blog

http://philosophyandmadeleines.blogspot.com/ -Fab food blog!