Summer Splashes
Just because you aren’t going to the coast these holidays doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the summer sun with the sand beneath your feet, a swim, and a drink in hand under a beach umbrella.
Sizzling summer days are best enjoyed by the poolside. Whether you’re spending the day with family at a water park, swim training for that summer body, or simply want to go to a beach party with friends, Johannesburg has it all.
Family Fun
With all there is to do at Wild Waters in Boksburg, it’s ideal for a summer family outing. The water park has a wave pool, a 500 m long supertube, three speed slides, and a raging rapids river ride, which is best experienced on tubes. Younger children can splash around in the baby pool, while teens play volleyball in the sand area. While mom relaxes or reads in the shade of a thatched gazebo, dad can challenge the kids to a round of putt-putt.
For lunch, pack a picnic basket, let dad show off his braaing skills or – if you’re not worrying about your waistline – buy fast food and snacks from the canteen. Although you can’t bring glassware or alcohol to Wild Waters, the cash bar sells beers and ciders.
Opening times: Saturdays and Sundays 10h00 to 17h00. Mondays – Fridays for private events of at least 80 people.
Cost: R70 (2 to 7 years old), R130 (8 years +), R80 (seniors). Body boards and tubes are supplied upon entrance.
Address: Jan Smuts Avenue, Boksburg.
Call: +27 11 826 6736
Website: www.wildwatersboksburg.co.za
Email: wildwaters@mweb.co.za
Luxury
Take an invigorating swim in the infinity pool at the Southern Sun Hyde Park Hotel and dry off in the sunshine on the loungers. They offer panoramic views of Johannesburg’s green north-western suburbs through the glass balustrades. At sundown, the sun melts into the pool’s water, but is soon replaced by the city lights.
The Island Bar has a selection of unusual cocktails, imported whiskeys, craft beers and ciders. For a unique combination, try the elderflower and basil spritz or the signature Hyde Park Momo – it contains raspberry puree, that’s all I’m saying! Snack on something from the sushi and tempura bar or stay for dinner at the adjoining Luce Italian restaurant.Welcome the weekend each Friday night on the al fresco, wooden deck dance floor as you dance to the tunes of the resident DJ and share a jug of your favourite cocktail with friends.
Opening times: Daily from 07h00 to 23h00
Cost: Free for restaurant and bar patrons.
Address: 1stRoad, Hyde Park, Sandton.
Call: +27 11 341 8080
Website: www.tsogosunhotels.com/hotels/hyde-park-sandton/
Email: sshydepark.reservations@tsogosun.com
Young at Heart
The Beach is just that: a rooftop beach in the heart of Johannesburg. The golden sand, beach umbrellas and deck chairs make you forget that you’re really hundreds of kilometres away from the ocean. The venue may only be 15m2, but there’s enough space to sun bathe or dance under the gaze of the new Nelson Mandela mural by American street artist Fairey Shepard.
You’ll receive a welcome cocktail, but I recommend trying their signature Aqua Marine – orange peel infused Bacardi Rum, Gordon’s Gin, cranberry bitters and soda water, which is served in a Ziploc bag complete with an edible goldfish made from grapefruit – to keep with the beach theme.
While The Beach doesn’t serve food, Neighbourgoods artisanal market is across the road on Juta Street. Go there first to indulge in seafood paella, Balkan burgers and vegetarian quiches, as well as homemade pastries and cakes.
Opening times: Saturdays from 12h00 to 19h00, Monday – Friday for private functions.
Cost: R50 for ladies, R100 for gents.
Address: 6 De Beer Street, Braamfontein.
Call: +27 11 403 0413
Website:www.playbraamfontein.co.za/the-beach/
Email: venues@playbraamfontein.co.za
Peace and Quiet
Despite the lively city bustle outside, calm reigns once you step inside the four-star Mapungubwe Hotel in central Johannesburg. A wooden deck necklaces the swimming pool, which is located on the ground floor in the centre of the hotel grounds and surrounded by the building.Entrance is free as long as you buy something to eat or drink from the bar or Twist restaurant. I suggest you taste the Twist Crush, which is spiced rum churned with muddled lime, peach extracts, fresh pineapple juice and mint. Dig into the daily food specials by the poolside – they make awesome burgers, by the way – as you read under the umbrellas. Most of the hotel’s guests are businesspeople, so the pool doesn’t get too busy, even during peak season or on a weekend, which makes it the perfect place to relax.
Opening times: Daily from 10h00 to 18h00
Cost: Free for restaurant and bar patrons.
Address: 50-54 Marshall Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg.
Call: +27 11 429 2600
Website: www.mapungubwehotel.co.za
Email: gm.mapungubwe@faircity.co.za
Swimmers
Why not visit the oldest public swimming pool in Johannesburg this summer? Ellis Park swimming pool was opened in 1904 along with the kiddies’ pool. It’s one of two Olympic-size public swimming pools in the city – the other is Newclare – making it one of the largest as well. It remains popular and welcomes between 2,000 and 4,000 swimmers each month. If you’re a swimmer, trying to get fit for summer, want to join the underwater hockey club, or have children who are learning to swim, then be sure to buy season tickets for discounts.
After all that exercise you may want to eat burgers and slap chips from the Take a Break tuck shop. It sells cold drinks and hot beverages and just about any type of candy under the sun.
Opening times: Weekdays: 07h00 to 19h00, Saturdays: 07h00 to 17h00 and Sundays/public holidays: 09h00 – 17h00
Cost: R12 for adults, R8 for children, free for senior citizens. Season tickets (September to March or March to August): R278 (adults) and R135 (children)
Address: Corner North Park Lane and Erin Street, New Doornfontein, Johannesburg.
Call: +27 11402 5565
Email:ellisparkswimmingpool@webmail.co.za
<Sidebar> Plenty of Public Pools
The City of Johannesburg maintains 53 public swimming pools across seven regions. To find the one nearest to you, type “swimming pools” in the www.joburg.org.za search box.
0 comments :
Post a Comment