A refreshing trip to Pretoria

by Skhumbuzo Hadebe (South Africa)

Making a local connection South Africa

Having a busy life in Durban most of my time, I decided to take short left and make a trip to Pretoria for a holiday. Despite Pretoria being in the same country as Durban but it was very refreshing to experience it and to visit interesting places such as the Union Buildings and UNISA Campus. I spent the 3 days at Pretoria and it was very refreshing as I explored the wonderful side of the capital city of South Africa. I booked at a hotel in Arcadia and spent most my time during the day travelling around Pretoria and looking at the wonderful and historical buildings. Being at a capital city was so refreshing to the point that I had a story to tell of how people engage with each other and the reception I received. I took a flight from King Shaka International Airport and arrived at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. From OR Tambo International Airport, I took a Gautrain which travelled from Johannesburg to Pretoria in 35 minutes which was such a great experience for me as well. My flight landed at OR Tambo international airport at 09:00 and by 09:45 I was in a Gautrain to Pretoria. That was very convenient and fast for me. It also saves me a lot of time plus it was really cheap to take a Gautrain. The Gautrain went pass on Marlboro, Midrand, Centurion and it arrived in Pretoria. I got to view amazing places as the train moves along these places. I noticed how wonderful Gauteng is especially when you have boarded on a train and not stuck on traffic using motor vehicles. The Gautrain was very good looking and a classy one. I felt like I was still in a flight yet I was in a train. It got comfortable sits with good cushion and wonderful interior. As the train moves in the railway line, I noticed that it has its own railway, different from the one used by Metrorail trains which makes the trip to be wonderful and full of happiness. Due to the fact that there was no flight from Durban to Pretoria direct, I had to take the flight to OR Tambo and takes Gautrain from there to Pretoria. Upon arriving at the Pretoria station, I met the kind people who assisted me in getting the meter taxi which will take me to my destination which is the hotel I booked at. The driver there at the Pretoria station was very kind and friendly which made me to relax more. I told the driver of my destination and he kindly took me there at a very reasonable fees. I was fascinated at how low the fees of a cab costs in Pretoria. I booked at Premier Hotel in Arcadia and I must say, the view is breathtaking. The way the hotel is built attracts you when you are outside and when you get inside, you are welcomed by the wonderful staff members and a very good looking interior design. The hotel was what I saw on the internet when I searched for a place to stay over these days while I was at Pretoria. It was so beautiful, the reception area and the receptionist which attended me was very kind as well. I slept at Queen size bed and enjoyed their delicious mouth watering meal. The hotel is at Stanza Bopape street and it is only 1,2 kilometre from the Union Buildings. The Premier Hotelf had an outdoor pool of which I spent my day swimming in it and enjoying some breeze of Pretoria. What also fascinated me was that it is 4-star Premier Hotel Pretoria. It has a dining terrace overlooking the hotel garden. I spent some time sitting in the dining area viewing this beautiful place. The stylishly decorated rooms were so wonderful as they featured warm tones, soft lighting and elegant. There was Free WiFi as well which saved my data. After I had rested, the following day, I took a walk to the Union Buildings and was so overwhelmed to see people there chilling out and taking pictures at the statue of former President Nelson Mandela. I truly enjoyed Pretoria.