An African Christmas

Celebrating Christmas in Africa at Gold Reef City, a Johannesburg theme park, on December 23rd

Today is Christmas Day around the world. Here in Johannesburg, we have a head start on much of the world, Christmas came here nine hours before most of our family in Utah and 8 hours before our family members in Texas and Arkansas. It's weird for Christmas to come in the heat of the summer, temperatures in the 90's, and on one of the longest days of the year!

On Wednesday the 23rd, we decided to spend a day at Gold Reef City (think Six Flags), a very clean and beautiful, mostly roller coaster, theme park less than a half-hour from our flat on the site of an old gold mining operation. We were among the very few over 50 on a hot, crowded day, where most of our time was spent in long lines (queues) awaiting the "thrill" rides (45 minutes to an hour in line for each 3-5 minute ride), but the queues were nicely shaded and there was a nice, soft breeze. Most of the people in the park were between the ages of 5 and 18, all on their summer vacation from school.

We started with the log ride and were quickly fully drenched for the rest of the day. The Runaway Train and Raging Rapids added to the wetness, but it was very refreshing! We rode on several fun roller coasters and finished the day on the Big Wheel, a Ferris wheel that overlooks the park and the city skyline.

The Jozi Express roller coaster may have been our favorite, but all the rides we went on were great!

A "selfie" from the top of the Ferris wheel

The view of the  City of Johannesburg skyline and Jozi Express as seen from the top of the Ferris wheel at Gold Reef City

The queues at South Africa's very first Krispy Kreme doughnut store at Rosebank Mall were finally short enough, after it had been open for almost a month, that we grabbed a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts for the week leading up to Christmas. A fun, familiar taste from home!

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Christmas Eve day, we stopped into Woolie's (Woolworth's) to get some groceries and found Father Christmas wandering through the store passing out chocolates from his orange bag.

 Our Christmas Card display in our apartment: