Look what I found in Duty Free at OR Tambo...

One of the coolest recollections that I have of my childhood, is this:

If you are part of my generation, then you probably know what I mean.

This was the original "chocolate-egg-containing-a-toy" - the forerunner and inspiration for all of the copycat chocolate eggs that you can pick up at Woolies today.

Aside from the ultra cool toys that were packed inside, the chocolate itself was incredible - after all it is made by the Ferrero company - makers of the legendary Ferrero Rocher.

In recent years however, it became increasingly difficult to find the Kinder Surprise in any South African shops.

It was gradually replaced by a product called Kinder Joy - something which is now available at any major retailer.

Behold:

Kinder Joy, great as it is, is not quite the same thing. 

While the shape is the same, and the toys inside are still pretty cool, it somehow just misses the mark for me.

Imagine my surprise then, when on a recent visit to Duty Free at OR Tambo International Airport, I spotted the original Kinder Surprise in all its glory!

Not quite believing my eyes, I purchased a pack of 3 (for R45... ouch!).

Turns out the ouch was worthwhile - the chocolate is still superb and the toys are still super cool :)

When I asked the lady behind the counter why we cannot find these in local shops, yet we can get them in Duty Free, she just shrugged and smiled suspiciously...

Hmmm... I might just decide to find out more... watch this space :)

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Did you know that you can collect your World Cup tickets at OR Tambo International Airport...?

I was cringing at the prospect of heading into Sandon this week to collect my World Cup tickets... Apparently the queues there have been the stuff of nightmares.

Then yesterday I heard a useful tip, that there is an un-documented FIFA ticket collection point at the OR Tambo International Airport!
Not entirely convinced, I called the airport last night and they confirmed that this is in fact true.

So I headed over to the airport this morning, and in all of about 10 minutes I was on my way out, smile on face and tickets in hand!
So if you want to save yourself a bit of "Sandton stress", head to OR Tambo International Airport and go to International Arrivals (the huge circular area with the giant soccer ball hanging overhead).
Then get in the lift and go up to level 2. As you exit the lift, you will see the FIFA ticketing signs on the opposite side of the level.
If you purchased your tickets with a credit card, or if you have the barcoded card which came with the application form, all you have to do is scan your card and your tickets are printed straight away.

Now aren't you glad you read this before you wasted a day queueing in Sandton? :)

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Google Streetview is alive and well in Johannesburg... even on cellphones!

Almost everyone has heard about Google Streetview by now - and if you haven't, it is Google's way of peeping into backyards all over the world :)

Basically Google sent out a whole lot of Google vehicles with special 360-degree roof-mounted cameras, to take photos of roads and highways in various areas of the world. 

As far as I know they started off in the USA of course, and then moved onto Europe.

More recently, and in time for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, Google invaded South Africa with the result that most of Johannesburg is now available to view using Google Maps.

I tried out the Google Maps mobile app, and the results were spectacular. 

No matter which road I chose in JHB, whether a major highway or a tiny back road, Streetview popped up in all it's glory, revealing Johannesburgers going about their daily lives while Google stealthily went about their way, imaging every piece of road in the city that they could access.

Interestingly, all vehicle number plates are blurred out, as is all vehicle branding, as far I could see anyway.

In the spirit of the World Cup, I took these cellphone screenshots of Google spying on Soccer City...

...and these near OR Tambo International Airport (that's the new Gautrain track overhead).

Did you notice the shadow in the last pic? It clearly shows the upright camera atop the Google vehicle.

Can you imagine the amount of work / logistics / effort that went into this? 

Google just continues to amaze... what's next I wonder?

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Gautrain gets going from tomorrow!!

Along with the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, the Gautrain too, is finally here.

After many years of construction, highway diversions, roadworks, traffic disruptions but most of all, blood, sweat and tears, the Gautrain is about to become a reality in the lives of those who commute in and around Johannesburg and Pretoria.

As of tomorrow morning, you can catch a ride on the Gautrain from OR Tambo International Airport to Sandton, for R100... now is that affordable?

Actually, I cannot really say - there are more than enough other blogs, sites and news sites that seem to think that this is an OUTRAGEOUS price to pay and that London's tube fare is cheaper and blah blah blah fishpaste whatever...

So I won't lengthen that debate here, but rather I will say WELL DONE to all the men and women who have made this awesome project a reality.

Doom-mongers, pessimists, death-predictors and negative-heads, you can all say whatever you like about the Gautrain - a lot of people seemed to suddenly develop a lot of very important opinions around the Gautrain in recent weeks and months.

Say what you like - it's still an amazing feat that has been achieved here, and in years to come the Gautrain will become a huge asset for Johannesburg and Pretoria.

It is way overdue and I don't think I am alone in believing that it's benefits will far outweigh anything that the critics can throw at it.

I can't wait to catch a ride on it!!

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