I spent the week in Johannesburg for business and luckily managed to fit in a bit of fun too. At the two work events, I got to interview some great SA personalities and have already compiled some content for the site I’ve spent the past year working on – so if you’re interested in what OKMALUMKOOLKAT, Maps Maponyane, Black Coffee, Teko Modise and others have to say….
In between work events and working at our office in Sandton, I managed to see some friends and experience some of Joburg’s great establishments, which I’m rather fond of.
Here are my 5 favourite Jozi findings:
The Maslow Sun Hotel
I spent my first night at this corporate hotel and it was the best hotel I’ve stayed at in a while. Every employee is friendly and the rooms are modern, clean and cosy. Arriving back in the evening to a turned down bed and folded toilet paper with Molton Brown toiletries is still a novelty for an ex-yachtie. The food and service was also superb.
The Mantra
I met up with some old friends from university days one evening at The Mantra for dinner at a lovely low-key Indian restaurant in Parktown North. I haven’t laughed (belly-aching laughs) like that in a while and it was so great to catch up with old friends where you can just pick up where you left off.
Trio
Before my second work event, I caught up with a friend I met and lived with in France many years ago. We’ve stayed in touch since then so it was lovely to meet up for a quick coffee at a great spot in Greenside called Trio. It has all the perks of a great coffee shop including great coffees, free wi-fi, gorgeous wooden benches and cute succulents with their roots submerged in water-filled glass vases.
The Yoga Republic
I attended a Bikhram yoga class at The Yoga Republic a year or so ago when I was in Joburg visiting friends. Luckily, I was able to go to another class one evening this week with my friends and hosts, Lou and Rob. It’s a great studio with friendly teachers and I left feeling cleansed and a little more ready for my yoga trip to Bali after the hour long 40 degree Bikhram Express session.
Harem
On my last night, I attended a work event at the night club, Harem. It was a great venue for the event and once my interviews were done and dusted, I had a bit of fun dancing to classic old school hip-hop tunes that took me back to my high school years and mingled with clients and new colleagues.
It was a great trip with a good balance of work and play. Needless to say I have spent the weekend napping on my couch, staying warm and catching up on life in rainy Cape Town. Until next time, Jozi…