Mandela Square & Monte Casino (Friday 09Nov12)

Today was my last day in Pretoria as tomorrow I fly to Victoria Falls for a few days. I have had an amazing week with Emilene and Kate who have been the best hosts in the world. I massive thank you to them both for everything they have done for me.

I was woken up to the smell of bacon and eggs this morning. The plan was to have a chilled girlie day. We got a bit of time getting ready and then we headed out to Sandton where I got to window shop in Sandton city and Nelson Mandela Square. Our first stop was the Seattle Coffee company because we were feeling a bit tired after not getting to bed until about two the night before. I was a bit like a magpie today but I managed not to buy anything so I did really well. Some of the jewellery I saw was fantastic. After a couple of hours we took a trip to Monte Casino where I managed to get away with buying Emilene and Kate their first Thai dinner (it is extremely hard with Emilene and Kate to get away with buying them anything). It was a lovely dinner and my way of saying thank you to them for having me. However, when we returned home they had brought me a tiger eye necklace I had been looking at from the stone store which was really lovely of them.

I am still surprised, driving around today, how many people try and sell toot at traffic lights (Emilene calls them robots). You have to avoid eye contact with them so that they don't start banging on the windows of your car. Emilene got really cross with one guy who tried to clean her window screen today. Needless to say he didn't get paid. I would get so irritated with that. Rush hour traffic is bad enough without people constantly wanting money from you at traffic lights. No wonder road rage is bad over here.

Anyway, I will miss Emilene and Kate's cosy flat and their company. But hopefully I can visit them again before heading down to Port Elizabeth in a few weeks time.

What I was woken up to. Diet starts tomorrow!

I have to say not the best statue of Mandela.

It was nice to see all the Christmas lights up.

This is me in front of a Christmas light Baobab Tree.

Kate and Emilene in front of a Christmas Tree Rhino.

Monte Casino here we come. Although no betting was done.

I've never been to a place like this before.

Outside Kai restaurant after Emilene and Kate's first Thai dinner.

Me outside Kai restaurant.

I got told off for taking pictures of the casino floor so I went and stood on the balcony to take a picture.