Syllable in the City blogger, Martha van Zyl took us up on a City Escape in her hometown of Johannesburg, and more specifically Montecasino, recently – and oh the adventure she had!
ON STAYING AT CITY LODGE HOTEL FOURWAYS
“Our room was on the third floor, and when we stepped out on the balcony we could not only see Montecasino, the highway and Pineslopes, but also the crystal clear pool. It looked so inviting!”
And when it was time for a quick power nap after a deliciously filling meal at the Hard Rock Café, Martha was delighted by what awaited her:
“[H]ow tempting does this bed look (especially when all you want to do is nap!)?”
TIME FOR ADVENTURE
The next day Martha and her best friend ventured forth to explore what Montecasino had to offer.
“[O]ff we went to Montecasino, which offers so much more than slots and tables. There is a variety or restaurants, a theatre, a comedy club, a ten-pin bowling alley, a games arcade, a movie complex, a great indie bookshop and shops that had everything from sweets, clothes, pranks, shoes and crystals! It was such a beautiful day though, that we were more interested in the outdoor features.”
They quickly found the amazing “Flight of Fantasy” show being staged in the amphitheatre in the Bird Park.
“The presenters and the acts were really entertaining; the adults probably enjoyed it as much as the kids did – I know I did!”
“After the show we walked through the rest of the park – it is huge! We saw all kinds of animals: snakes, lizards, lemurs, meerkats, spiders, frogs, tortoises, and birds of every shape, size, and colour! After a bit of window shopping, we got to see the city from a different angle.”
ON TO EVEN HIGHER HEIGHTS
Martha and her friend took their adventure to whole new heights by climbing into the Hyundai Balloon.
“You probably have seen the balloon in Johannesburg. In fact, there are two that I know of – this one and another in Sandton. The helium balloon is tethered to an underground cable, which is released slowly via a sophisticated engine and coil system. “Balloon rides last approximately 15 minutes and offer breathtaking panoramic views of Johannesburg, Sandton, Northcliff Hill and the Magaliesburg.”
I’m not entirely sure of how high we went up, but it was fantastic! The wind up there is quite something, and even though the operator told us we were free to move around once we were up, we mostly stayed where we were for the sake of balance.”
After such an adventurous day, Martha and her friend enjoyed the rest of their stay by relaxing with long baths and ending off their stay with a great breakfast at the hotel.
We’re so glad that Martha took us up on this City Escape! She really embraced the idea and ventured forth into a city she was so used to, experiencing it a new with a whole new look.
“I’d like to again thank the Hotel Group and their agencies for organising this experience. The stay, the exploration, the food… it was an unforgettable day!”
Interested in more from Martha?
Find her on Instagram
Here’s her Facebook Page
Follow her on Pinterest or Twitter
Visit her website and her original blog post