In the SPOT-light...Places in Johannesburg & Gauteng

A striking feature of Johannesburg’s northern suburbs is the density of trees, which, when viewed from a satellite image, resembles a rainforest. In actual fact, this region is considered to be one of the world’s largest ‘man-made’ forests and in many parts the pavement trees extend their branches right over the road, intertwining with neighbouring trees and forming ‘green’ tunnels. There is estimated to be around six million trees growing in urban gardens, city streets and parks within the region.

Names like Parktown North, Parkview, Parkwood and Greenside all conjure up images of lush green parks and leafy suburbs.  Historically, this area was mostly grassland with a few scattered trees and bushes confined to rocky ridges and streams. Early Afrikaner and European settlers brought seeds up from the Cape and planted mostly walnut, oak and acorn trees.

With the discovery of gold and the need for mining props and building timber, eucalyptus trees were planted alongside wetlands and other exotic trees such as planes, pepper trees and jacarandas, which flourished in gardens, pavements and parks.

The northern suburbs of Johannesburg make up an upmarket and vibrant area. Parktown, Saxonwold, Parkview, Parkwood, Rosebank and Melville were proclaimed in the early 1900’s, largely as a residential area for the wealthy mining and business magnates, wanting to move away from the inner city and industrial parts of the south and east.

Further to the north, places like Sandton, Rosebank and Rivonia were mostly untouched and consisted of several large low-intensity farms. The townships of Edenburg (now Rivonia) and Marlboro were proclaimed in 1903, followed by Parkmore in 1904. The region north of Rivonia, spanning from Midrand in the east to Roodepoort in the west, including places like Fourways, remained agricultural farmlands, plots and rolling grasslands up until the early 1990’s, after which massive and unprecedented residential and commercial development took place, which has only recently slowed in response to the global economic downturn in recent years.

Art, culture, shopping, wining and dining and entertainment dominate the northern suburbs and many places like Rosebank, Greenside, Parkhurst and Melville have developed street-side cafés, restaurants and art galleries. 4th Avenue in Parkhurst is a favourite among locals and visitors.

The larger shopping malls in the region include The Mall of Rosebank, The Zone @ Rosebank, Fourways Mall and Hyde Park Corner, not to mention the shopping metropolis of Sandton and Sandton City. There are also numerous smaller shopping complexes scattered throughout the suburbs to cater for the tastes of any visitor.

Restaurants cater for a diversity of tastes. A rich cultural culinary experience can be achieved when exploring the northern suburbs. You will find authentic Indian, French, Italian, Portuguese and many other restaurants.
Visitors looking for a place to stay have a wide range of guest houses, B&B's, guest lodges, boutique and other hotels to choose from.  

                           

 

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Ailsa Craig Guest House -Craighall park

Long-term luxury self-catering guest house: up to 18 people and exclusive small party venue. Ideal for corporate executive travellers and people moving home. A home away from home.

For more information visit: www.ailsacraigbb.co.za

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Hlala Panzi Guest House and Bed & Breakfast, Parkhurst

 

Hlala Panzi Guest House and Bed & Breakfast is centrally situated in the leafy suburb of Parkhurst, Northern Johannesburg. It is near Rosebank, Sandton, Hyde Park and is 20 minutes from the Johannesburg Central Business District and the SABC.Hlala Panzi is in walking distance from the trendy 4th Avenue in Parkhurst with its many antique and decor shops, pavement cafes and bistros.The guest house has spacious en-suite garden rooms that are nestled against a rocky outcrop, and open into a private courtyard. 

 

 

 

For more information visit:  www.hlalapanzi.co.za

 

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 Moemas Patisserie & Food Shop, Parktown North

 

 

Moema's Patisserie and Food Shop where our food is all about joy, beauty, quality and all the things that are important to us.

Based in Parktown North, we offer an exquisite range of foods, cakes, pastries, sweet and savoury tarts, steaming pies and delicious fresh salads, all made daily on the premises with only the best quality ingredients. Come and sit down for a delicious lunch or let us provide your event with some of our amazing foods. Whatever you need, we want to share our love of food with you.

Some comments:

 

We just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful dinner we experienced at your wonderful ‘Moemas ’ last week. Every course, every choice we made was simply delicious, interesting and beautifully presented – perfect in every way! Our guests couldn’t rave about it enough so thank you. We shall be letting all of our friends know where to book next!”- Les & John
 
“Lunch was divine! Every morsel was devoured!!! XXX” – Nicki Dadic

“The food was absolutely delicious, thanks! Everyone was very very happy!” – Miriam Altman
 
“The cake got delivered on time this morning and was eaten straight away. I unfortunately did not get to taste it, but there were many, many great compliments! Thanks again for your wonderful service and delicious cake!” – Yumnah

“We loved the fishcakes. We were really full for dessert, however brownies were the favourite?” – Elaine

“We had positive response to your food .One of our guests who is a connoisseur said that it was the best he had at such an occasion. I will be using your services again for a breakfast brunch for my birthday at my home. Thank you for making it a special occasion!” – Winkie Marais

“Thank you so much, I will definitely use your services going forward” – Cindy Inacio

“What a sucessfull night AGAIN!!!! Everybody can not stop talking about the delicious food! Thanks again for doing such a wonderfull job. I am sure it is not a job for you – but rather a “passion”. It is great to have such confidence in someone – as I know everytime – the food  will be wonderfull! I still have your boards and all white”bakkies”. If you don’t mind – I will drop them of on Thursday – as we are still enjoying some of the lovely Meze – dips! And the cake: you were right! It is the first time that I saw MEN taking a sample from their wive’s plate – tasting – and then dishing it up for themselves!!! Etienne said it was the best cake he has ever eaten!!! Thanks again – you are a “staatmaker” (in Afrikaans)” – Theresa Stols

“The cake was delicious and we loved it!” – Nadine Mutangana

“Absolutely divine!” – Neville Bowden

“Thank you – the function was superb and a great success! The catering and decor was out of this world, you would not perhaps want to part with your recipe for your roasted cashew and pecan nuts, would you? ” – Melanie Anderson

 ... Now also serving High Tea, and Dinner!

 

For more information visit www.moemas.co.za

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Cafe Duarte -Portuguese Bistro, Ferndale, Randburg

Former owner of Villa Algarve Portuguese Restaurant, Duarte Pereira, is now entertaining tastebuds with his new bistro, Cafe Duarte, based in Randburg, Johannesburg. This is where you can enjoy light Portuguese meals in a warm, casual ambiance or take home some freshly baked treats. Find them on the corner of Bram Fischer & George Drive, Ferndale. Tel: 082 909 6969.

 

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 Lion Park  -Malibongwe Drive, Honeydew

 

Come Enjoy a guided night drive with spotlights, Witness lions feeding on a kill!

 

 We have just launched an opportunity not to be missed. Walk with Cheetah. Come meet Shitana and company for a never to be forgotten walk with a full grown cheetah. The walk is an exciting experience on its own; however the main focus is always on education. Many facts can be learned about the lifestyles [...]

 

Alex Larenty gives Zien the lion a shampoo bath

 

While most cats notoriously hate water Zien the fussy lion is so particular about being clean he loves nothing more than getting lathered up with British big cat handler Alex Larenty. Alex has formed such a close bond with the lions in his care that he fearlessly grooms the top predators as if they were

 

TripAdvisor Popularity Index: ^#9 of 50 attractions in Johannesburg !

 

Fully licensed restaurant and bar also open. For more info visit: www.lionpark.com

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Body Stress Release , Midrand

 WHAT IS BODY STRESS RELEASE? 

Every day we are subjected to various types of stress. When these stresses reach overload level, the body is unable to adapt to them, and tensions becomes stores in physical structures. This may cause pain, stiffness, numbness or postural distortions. The compression of the nerves disturbs the body’s communication system and undermines its health functioning. Body Stress Release allows the body to restore muscle tone and return to its in-built ability to heal and maintain itself, and cope successfully with stresses of life.

 

 

 

 

 

For more information contact Kathy Heapy : www.bodystress.co.za

 

 

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The Colisseum Health Hydro, Bedfordview

The Colisseum Health Hydro is a Health and Beauty Spa in Bedfordview, Gauteng. We cater for all your health, beauty and well being requirements in a day spa environment: Day to day health and beauty treatments: massage treatments, reflexology, waxing, facial treatments, hand and foot treatments. Specialized health and beauty treatments: magic tan, lash extensions, make up. Spa packages: ideal for gifts, special occasions, or for treating yourself!

 

                                                             www.thecolisseum.co.za

  

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Great Sights Tours & Transfers, Johannesburg

Gloria Grotto: Owner of Great Sights

 

For more info visit: www.greatsights.co.za

 

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Colon Hydrotherapy

-Article from Health Synergy Detox & Wellness Centre, based in Illovo, Northern Johannesburg

 

Conditions that may benefit from colon hydrotherapy:

• Headaches

• Back aches

• Cellulite 

• Candida

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Irritability

Through the daily routines and diets of modern life, including many years of poor eating, stress, very little exercise, drinking, and indigestion; the colon or large intestine becomes the repository of accumulated toxins.
When this becomes too much for your colon to handle, it will no longer function like it’s supposed to, disabling the body’s purification system. In this way, undigested food impacts our colon and useless materials end up reentering our body’s blood stream, and depositing in our cells instead of passing on its way.
What is the result? We lose our lustre and struggle with reduced energy and vitality levels, often performing far below our potential and feeling sluggish and bloated with headaches and foggy thinking.

The practice of colon hydrotherapy involves the gentle bathing of the colon with warm filtered water, through the use of low-pressure water by gravity and conducted through the assistance of a nurse professionally trained in colon hydrotherapy. The individual is comfortably lying on the table, while the trained therapist inserts a small speculum into the rectum. Only pre- sterilized disposable hoses and speculum are used, ensuring utmost cleanliness, safety and no danger of contamination. The therapist then allows the water to flow in under gentle pressure, monitoring the temperature and water volume. The procedure lasts for approximately 30-40 minutes. Water and dislodged toxic wastes from the colon are then released through the hose in a closed system. A gentle manipulation or massage of the abdomen may be given before or during the session to help relax and assist in the elimination process.

Specifically, a colonic is used to accomplish the following:
1.It cleanses the colon: Toxic material is broken down so it can no longer harm your body or inhibit assimilation and elimination. Once imparted material is removed, your colon can begin to operate as it was meant to.
2.It exercises the colon muscles: The gentle filling and emptying of the colon improves peristaltic (muscular contraction) activity by which the colon naturally moves the material.
3.It re-shapes the colon: The gentle action of the water, coupled with the massage techniques of the colon therapist, helps to eliminate bulging pockets f waste and narrowed, spastic constrictions, finally enabling the colon to resume it’s natural state.
4.It stimulates reflex points: Every system and organ of the body is connected to the colon by reflex points. A colonic irrigation stimulates these points, thereby affecting the corresponding body parts in a beneficial ways (similar to reflexology).

• Arthritis
• Constipation
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Detoxing/ liver flush
• Fatigue and low energy
• Body odour
• Skin problems
• Bloating and indigestion
• Diarrhoea
• Insomnia
• Overweight
• Depression
• Circulation problems
• Premature aging
• Food allergies

 

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Colon Hydrotherapy

Is a colonic painful?
It rarely is. Usually, painful experiences are the result of resistance and tension. A professional colon Hydrotherapist is skilled at putting you at ease and minimizing any discomfort. While some people may experience mild diarrhoea- like cramps, most people experience no discomfort whatsoever.

Is it embarrassing to have a colonic?
No, you will fully maintain your personal dignity. You will be in a private room with only your therapist, who fully appreciates the sensitivity of the colonic procedure and will help you feel at ease. After the gentle insertion of a small tube into the rectum, you will be completely covered. The mess and odour sometimes present during an enema simply does not exist with a colonic.

Is there anything I should do to get ready for a colonic?
Since your abdomen will be massaged it is a good idea to eat or drink lightly in the 2 hours immediately preceding a colonic.

What can I expect afterwards?
Most likely, you will feel great! Probably you’ll feel lighter and enjoy a sense of well-being. As soon as the colonic is finished you can carry on with your daily routine. For some, the colonic may trigger several subsequent bowel movements for the next few hours, but there will not be any uncontrollable urgency or discomfort.

Are colonics dangerous in any way?
Being an essentially natural process, there is virtually no danger involved. Cleaning and sterilization of the equipment is done as normal procedure and clean linen is used for each colonic as well.

Won’t colonics wash away the good bacteria in my colon?
The truth is that the washing out of putrefied material in the large intestine, increases the good intestinal flora. Good bacteria can only breed in a clean environment which has been washed free of putrefaction and its accompanying harmful bacteria. Bacteria regenerate at a rate of 3 billion per second, therefore most of the good bacteria washed away regenerate very quickly in their natural media. It also stands to reason that valuable nutrients can better be absorbed in a clean environment than in a putrefied one.

How many treatments should I get?
Even though a person feels relief after the first session, it is necessary to take a series of Colonics to sufficiently soften and loosen the waste which is hard and deeply lodged in the colon, especially if your goal is to overcome a lifelong habit of constipation, to achieve high energy, good health, and to obtain long lasting results. Years of improper lifestyle and nutrition cannot possibly be reversed in only a few treatments. For best results, your colon Hydrotherapist will assist you in designing the right programme just for you, based on your health objectives and present condition.

 

For more information, contact Health Synergy, Detox & Wellness Centre, Illovo, Northern Johannesburg-Detox & Wellness Centre in Illovo, Northern Johannesburg.

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 Looking for information on where to stay, eat, be entertained etc in South Africa, and how to get there? Visit www.localspots.co.za or www.iguestandtraveller.co.za