Last year when I visited Johannesburg in July 2011 , it was extremely cold & when I got chance to re-visit in Feb 2012 , I was knowing it was very hot. I was not much so excited as I was last time. It was official meeting so there was no chance to skip the tour.
As there is no direct flight for Johannesburg from Delhi so same way like last time we booked our tickets by “Emirates” from Delhi – Dubai – Johannesburg.
Delhi Airport
Our Journey started on Feb 27th, 2012 at 4.00 AM from Terminal – 3 , Delhi Airport. We reached Dubai at 6.30 AM as per Dubai time. The gap of timings between the two flights was around two hours. So just to pass our time we explored some of the duty free shops at Dubai Airport, clicked picture and had our coffee before boarding the flight.
Coffee at Dubai Airport
We reached OR Tambo International Airport – Johannesburg at 4.00 PM as per South African time. After Immigration check we collected our luggage and came out of Airport. Our Pick was already arranged and as soon as we were out a smart lady was standing with placard to receive us. We waited there for half an hour for our other friends who were coming for the same meeting from other countries. Once they reached we left for Hotel – Misty Hills.
On the way to Hotel “Misty Hills”
Some of the details regarding Johannesburg is already mentioned in my earlier post hence not repeating the same.
Misty Hills
We reached Hotel Misty Hills by 6.00 PM as per local time .The hotel is situated at 25 kms from the OR Tambo Airport in the outskirts of Johannesburg spread over 60 acres surrounded by natural forest and grassland.
The view of the Hotel was mesmerising, breath taking landscapes & gardens are the main attraction of the Hotel.
It is having 209 rooms / suites , 03 outdoor swimming pool , two restaurants (summer house & Carnivore ) , fitness centre , Volley ball court , an outdoor giant chess board , 23 meeting rooms / banquet halls & business centre.
Old suitcases kept on the slabs over the reception of the hotel
We checked in our rooms which were designed in the shape of Huts with African furnishing. The ambience of the room was stunning. Everything in the room was just perfectly done. Rooms were decorated with bright coloured African fabrics, artwork & handmade furniture. Our next four days program was well placed on the side table.
Way to my Hut No. 38
Garib Mahesh ki Hut
The dinner for the same day was in Carnivore Restaurant, next two day’s dinner was hosted in Summer House & fourth and last dinner was again in Carnivore.
sunset
After having a shower and change, we left for Carnivore restaurant.
Carnivore Restaurant
On the way to the restaurant we passed through the “Hall of Kings” which gives the taste of African tradition. We clicked some of the unforgettable memories in our camera and proceeded towards the dining area.
Hall of Kings
King – Mahesh
Bach ke rahana ………..
Some of friends from other African countries were already there. We greeted each other and ordered our drinks by the time our other friends join us.
After drinks, we had to have our main course.Carnivore restaurant serves 15 different variety of meat like beef, pork, chickens, antelopes, kudos, zebra, giraffe, crocodile, lamb, Impala, ostrich…..some of the name I don’t even remember. For Vegetarians baked potato and salads are the only option in carnivore restaurant.
After drinks, waiter placed a hot empty iron plate in front of us and briefed that on all the tables had flag, once you are through and don’t want more meat put the flag down.
Oven for grilling the meat
After that they came with varieties of salads and sauces to compliment the different type of meats. They also explained which sauce is meant for which particular meat.
Carnivore Restaurant
Now after the explanation, time for serving the meat.At a time number of waiters came with swords holding different meats and cut your choice of meat directly on your plate. My other friends were enjoying meat but I had to be satisfied with baked potatoes. Once all were full we put the flag down and ordered deserts as per of our choice.
A big share of meat was finished by my friends
After our dinner we went to our rooms and our hectic day was ended with sound sleep.
Good night friends , rest in my next post.
Mahesh Ji,
Very nice description, photos also so good. Baked potatoes or mash potatoes, brokli , caul flower etc. not have any photos. next time like to see what veggie options available there. You look like king on chair.
Thanks
Dear Surender,
Thanks for going through the post and liking it , vegetarian food are limited but available in another restaurant inside the resort only.
In Carnivore restaurant only baked potato were available for the vegetarians. I had give more detail about the this restaurant as it was some thing new and different experience for me ” 15 different variety of meats “.
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Mahesh jee , Posing like statues you could have dressed like them also once. Food is terrific as a veggie.
Thanks Vishal for your suggestion :-)
Nice post, with tempting photographs and 15 diffient varieties of meat…meat of Zebra, Jiraffe, Crocodile…I really had no idea that people can eat them also…sound interesting…I tasted Deer once
True, for veggies this restaurants or most of the restaurants outside India will be a problem…
Thanks Amitava for your appreciation.
One of my colleague tasted crocodile , when we asked her about the taste she said the texture is like chicken & taste like fish.
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nice post.This hotel seems to be unique with lots of old culture and traditions sprinkled all over the place.Photographs are very good.
Thanks Ashok !
No doubt hotel was too good and it was surrounded by natural forest.
Can’t do without self-promotion, right? Or are we in the notion that people out there are dying for a dekho?
@ spell cheker – sorry not able to get you what exactly you want to convey.
good beginning…. hope u will show something around JB in next post.
Veg food is no problem in SA… even in JB there are some 15 Indian restaurants like Raj, Bombay Blue, Maharaja etc
First time I heard people eating crocodiles ?? quite hilarious or rather dangerous… But I understand paharis are mainly non-veg so it may not be a prob for u
Thanks SS ji , in my next posts I will cover some of the worth visiting places of Johannesburg.
I am different pahari :-) no non veg , no hard drinks. Food was never a problem for me.
Thanks for liking the post & leaving the comment.
Mahesh I belongs to Nangal Bhakra from Punjab. People from Amritsar, Jalandhar called us Pahari. But we think who lived in Hills like Bilaspur they are Pahari. But if you ask from residents of Bilaspur or Mandi they can show it is all maidan, people from Kullu or Manali are Pahari. In Himachal there is two cateregories in themself, Upperi Himachal and Nichla Himachal. Any idea to whom can say Pahari or resident not like to use this word.
@ Surinder – As per my knowledge, anyone who belongs to North hills ( Himalayan range ) are known as paharis. even Nepalis also come under paharis only
Mahesh Ji…..
Your have written this is very nicely along with good pictures.
Thanks for tale us about Johannesburg’s Hotel & Restaurant.
Dear Ritesh,
Thanks for your kind words. You can see the details regarding Johannesburg in my first post “Rhino & Lion Park Johannesburg ( South Africa) “
Mahesh,
The pictures show the earthy colors which are most prominent in South Africa. Being the land of the wild, it should offer tourists variety – in food, activities and the like. Now we know what to look for in restaurants like the ones you have mentioned, in our visit to Johannesburg!
Being a vegetarian and having traveled out of India, I have come to terms with the fact that options are less for us :) But, I have always admired and envied the plethora of options meat eaters have! There is a famous Mongolian restaurant in Germany (most cities in Germany to be precise) which serves about 18 varieties of meat – Deer, Camel, Kangaroo, Cow, Buffalo, Rabbit etc .
If not mouth-watering, these options are surely which made my jaws drop :)
Great post Mahesh. Keep more coming!
Cheers,
Archana,
Thanks for your encouraging words !
Once you are out of India , vegetarian options are limited but not a big issue at least rice & baked potatoes are available every where.
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Thanks !
The way in which you have described and enjoyed the day, its looking more like a personal rather than official trip. That’s because of Ghumakkari deep inside our bodies.
Thanks for going through the post & leaving the beautiful comment.
18 varieties of meat, Wah. Thank you for sharing pics and details about the hotels. Nuggets like these help us to build an image of a place, culture and what to expect if one is in JB.
The flag-down and hot-plate thing is also there in Barbecue Nation. It is a pretty cool place which serves you semi-cooked kebabs for non veg and Paneer, vegetables for Veg. There is a small electric angithi/fireplace which you can use and they would keep serving the Kebabas till the put the flag down. After that there is a regular buffet. For a weekday lunch, I guess it is INR 499 (includes a pint of beer or any other non alcoholic drink). Decent place to try.
Now on to Lion Park.
@ Deepender – Well said.
If I am not wrong , the price for weekdays lunch is Rs. 475/- + taxes in Barbecue Nation. I tried in shushat lok – Gurgaon.
Small typographic error , Nandan they serve 15 varieties of meat, 18 varieties of meat served somewhere in Germany mentioned by Archana.
Thanks for your comment.