I have a few more pictures to share with you from my September 2012 visit to Gold Reef City, a gold mining themed amusement park in Johannesburg, South Africa. Check out some of my previous “Monday Geology Picture” posts for some more pictures from the park.
This week I’m sharing some pictures of trains. One of the things that I like about Gold Reef City is that there are trains (or train-like things? I’m not sure all of these pictures show true trains) throughout the park. The trains fit well with the park’s mining theme– I imagine that there were many trains among the mines of Johannesburg in the past. If anyone is a train buff and knows anything about these trains, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Another view of the little orange train.I think this maybe isn't a train? Anyone know what it is?A train... and a peacock! There are peacocks wandering throughout the park. They're lovely. Also, that's a rollercoaster in the background.My husband Jackie posing next to one of the trains.Another little train? Or train-like thing?Another train with peacocks.
I still have a few more pictures to share from Gold Reef City. Over the next couple of weeks, I want to share some pictures from the historical exhibits that will give some insight into what life was like for mine bosses and their workers during early Johannesburg mining days. Life wasn’t too great for many of the workers, but you’ll learn more about that next week. It’s a fascinating history.
Here is Part II of the views that I observed during a flight from Amsterdam to Cape Town back in September 2012. Part I is here. I believe that all of these shots were taken over Algeria. There are some stunning desert views. Although I grew up in relatively lush New England, I have always liked deserts. I think I first became enchanted by deserts when I was an exchange student and lived in Jordan for 5 months when I was 15 years old. My school in Jordan took me on visits to places such as Wadi Rum and Petra, and I quickly fell in love with the sands, rocks, animals, people, and historical ruins of the deserts there. Visiting the Jordanian deserts certainly helped inspire me to study geology.
I’ve never been to Algeria, but the desert views I observed while flying over Algeria are certainly enchanting. The young, volcanic Hoggar Mountains look particularly enticing. I hope that I can one day visit the deserts of Algeria. Has anyone been there?
Enjoy the desert views below. And, as always, feel free to point out interesting locations and geological features.
I still have some more views to share from this flight, so stay tuned for Part III!
Algeria #2.Algeria #3.Algeria #4.Algeria #5.Algeria #6.Algeria #7. Sand ripples.Algeria #8. Sings of man.Algeria #9. A lone fire.Algeria #10. Another view of the fire.Algeria #11. Sand, sand, sand.Algeria #12.Algeria #13.Algeria #14. Signs of salt.Algeria #15.Algeria #16.Algeria #17. Red, white, and blue desert hues.Algeria #18.Algeria #19. A winding wadi leading into the Hoggar Mountains.Algeria #20.Algeria #21.Algeria #22.Algeria #23.Algeria #24.Algeria #25.Algeria #26. Volcanic mountain tops.Algeria #27.Algeria #28.Algeria #29.Algeria #30.Algeria #31.Algeria #32.Algeria #33.Algeria #34.Algeria #35.Algeria #36.
The first ride that we went on was some sort of crazy rollercoaster where they lift you up and then drop you very fast. It’s one of the scariest rides in the park, apparently. I wasn’t too impressed with my husband as I thought we were just going on a normal rollercoaster. After I recovered from the scary ride, we did go on a couple of the easier rollercoasters and also a couple of fun water rides.There are all sorts of fun amusement park rides, and many of them have gold mining themes. There is also a wonderful Ferris Wheel. From the top, you can see large mine tailings that remind you of Johannesburg’s extensive gold mining history.
The scary ride that drops you suddenly. They have made this ride look like an old mine shaft.Thunder Mountain! Hang on... isn't that also at Disney?On the Thunder Mountain log ride at Gold Reef City.A steep part of the log ride.Another water ride. I like this one. You go down rapids in a giant spinning boat.One of the rollercoasters!A view of the Ferris Wheel.Some main tailings (in the distance) viewed from the top of the Ferris Wheel.More mine tailings (distance) viewed from the top of the Ferris Wheel.Downtown Johannesburg viewed from the top of the Ferris Wheel.
After passing through the mining-themed entrance, going on an underground mine tour, and watching a gold pouring demonstration at Gold Reef City (a gold mining themed amusement park in Johannesburg, South Africa), my husband and I decided to try the “Gold Panning” activity. I must admit, we were somewhat disappointed in this activity, which involved “panning” for some shiny metal (but not gold– it was very different in texture, density, etc.) in a fake stream filled with some quartz sand. My husband and I both work for a gold exploration company, so we have experience panning for real gold in the field. We found the Gold Reef City “Gold Panning” experience to be less-than-satisfying. But we took a picture of me “panning” anyway.
Stay tuned… there will be more pictures from Gold Reef City next week!
Here are some pictures of real gold panning in Alaska:
My husband Jackie panning for gold on the beach in Nome, Alaska, Summer 2012.Me, posing with a bag of heavy mineral concentrate (and gold!) on the Nome beach. That's an old gold mining dredge in the background. Nome, Alaska, Summer 2012.A gold pan with garnet-rich sand and little flakes of gold. Nome, Alaska, Summer 2012.
After flying from Nome to Anchorage and then from Anchorage to Seattle and then from Seattle to Amsterdam, my husband and I finally boarded our last flight home, which was from Amsterdam to Cape Town. The flight was long (11.5 hours!), but we were fortunate to observe plenty of amazing scenery along the way.
In this post I’m sharing some pictures that I took during this Amsterdam to Cape Town flight. I actually took so many great pictures during the flight that I’m going to share them in multiple posts. The pictures in this first post were taken over Europe before we flew over the Mediterranean and then over Africa. Please feel free to point out locations, geological features, and other interesting things in the pictures. Perhaps some people with strong Google Earth fu can help me pinpoint some of the locations. Enjoy!
Amsterdam to Cape Town #2.Amsterdam to Cape Town #3.Amsterdam to Cape Town #4.Amsterdam to Cape Town #5.Amsterdam to Cape Town #6.Amsterdam to Cape Town #7.Amsterdam to Cape Town #8.Amsterdam to Cape Town #9. Just stunning!Amsterdam to Cape Town #10.Amsterdam to Cape Town #11.Amsterdam to Cape Town #12.Amsterdam to Cape Town #13.Amsterdam to Cape Town #14.Amsterdam to Cape Town #15. Beautiful.Amsterdam to Cape Town #16. Occasionally, I remembered to take pictures of our location on the monitor.Amsterdam to Cape Town #17. A landslide feature for Dave?Amsterdam to Cape Town #18.Amsterdam to Cape Town #19. A Friday Fold for Callan?Amsterdam to Cape Town #20. Amsterdam to Cape Town #21. A stunning quarry / mine.Amsterdam to Cape Town #23. The sea!Amsterdam to Cape Town #24.Amsterdam to Cape Town #25.Amsterdam to Cape Town #26. A spikey, lovely island.Amsterdam to Cape Town #27.Amsterdam to Cape Town #28.
Most of the flight was dark, but there was a beautiful sunrise above the clouds when morning arrived.
I’m nearly done sharing all of my pictures from my trip to Alaska in July to September 2012. I just need to finish up two outstanding “Plane Views” posts and then share some pictures and information from a wonderful sea kayaking trip in Prince William Sound. However, I’m most likely going back to Alaska again in a few months, so there will probably be more about Alaska in the future here on Georneys.
On to the airplane pictures, though! After flying from Nome to Anchorage and then from Anchorage to Seattle, my husband and I took a flight from Seattle to Amsterdam. We flew overnight and were often above the clouds, so I didn’t take very many pictures. Also, we were flying business class and were actually able to sleep on the airplane! However, I did take a few pictures as the plane landed in Europe on a somewhat rainy day.
I have some really amazing pictures from our next flight from Amsterdam to Cape Town, so stay tuned for those!
Approaching Amsterdam.A rainy, choppy morning along the coast.Heading inland.Houses from above.A scenic river / canal.Another river view.One last view before landing.
Gold pouring demonstration? Sounds highly interesting! Those "This demonstration is not performed with real gold" signs were everywhere. I guess it would be very tempting to steal the gold otherwise!
After entering through the impressive entrance and going on the underground mine tour, my husband and I went to the gold pouring demonstration at Gold Reef City, a theme park in Johannesburg, South Africa that is situated on the site of an old gold mine. We visited the theme park back in September 2012.
The gold pouring demonstration doesn’t use real gold but is nevertheless impressive! Also, there is a real gold brick (I think– possibly it’s a fake brick) displayed on a table at the end of the demonstration. My husband tells me that in the old days they used to say that whoever could pick up the gold brick with just two fingers could take it home with them. I don’t think anyone was ever successful!
The gold price in September 2012. This sign is updated daily, I believe. The gold price has dropped significantly since last September.Another reminder.Demonstration #1.Demonstration #2.Demonstration #3.Demonstration #4.Hot hot hot!Hot and glowing.A real gold brick. I think. Possibly this is a fake brick.
That’s all for now. I’ll share some more pictures from Gold Reef City next week.
My husband Jackie and I during the underground mine tour.
For a few weeks, I’m sharing some pictures from a visit to Gold Reef City, a gold mining themed amusement park in Johannesburg, South Africa, back in September 2012. Last week I shared some pictures of the mining-themed entrance. This week I am sharing some pictures from the underground mine tour. The park is located on the site of an old gold mine. Now that water is no longer being pumped out of the mine in large quantities, most of the mine has flooded. However, the upper part of the mine is still accessible, and you can arrange to go on an underground tour with a guide. I highly recommend the tour. It’s fascinating to see the mine, and the guide that we had was extremely knowledgeable. My husband and I were the only people signed up for the early morning tour, so our guide spent extra time with us and even pointed out a few things that weren’t on the regular tour. Since my husband and I are in the gold mining industry ourselves, we certainly had plenty of questions. Our guide said that she appreciated our enthusiasm and said that, sadly, many of the schoolchildren who go on the tour are not very interested– they are much more interested in the rides and entertainment up top!
Without further ado, here are several pictures from the underground mine tour:
Early extent of the mine, 1916-1920. Mine goes to 975 meters depth.The mine just before its closure in 1977. Mine goes to 3,200 meters depth. The elevator down the mineshaft.We were quite excited to be headed down the mineshaft.Mining equipment. The walls are painted white to increase the effect of illumination.This box was used to store dynamite. It has a sloping top to prevent miners from accidentally putting lanterns on top of it. Another dynamite box.There is an underground pub behind this door. You can rent it out for functions. Fun!Old mining posters.
I blogged about the above mining posters previously.
Mining supports and a chute.Jackie checking out one of the old chutes.A simple device for counting.A collapsed part of the mining shaft.A rock drill.Rocks!Mining shaft with creepy mannequin man.Mine shaft supports.Closer view of the mine shaft surfaceInformational sign about the mine. We went to the red depth-- the mine used to go quite a bit deeper!Another view of the rockfaceOld informational sign.Another chute. That's travertine (carbonate rock) forming on the bottom.Another old informational mine sign. I have not idea what a "Tchisa Stick" is. Does anyone know?More signs.Even more signs.Headed back to the elevator.
Hope you enjoyed these pictures. Next week I’ll share some more pictures from Gold Reef City– from the gold brick pouring demonstration!
After flying from Nome to Anchorage back in September 2012, my husband and I spent a night in a hotel, had dinner with some colleagues, and then very early the next morning headed to the airport for our next flight to Seattle. Below are some pictures we took from the airplane. I believe that most of these shots were taken over British Columbia. Enjoy! And, as always, feel free to point out any interesting geological features or locations.
Anchorage to Seattle #1. Early morning light.Anchorage to Seattle #2.Anchorage to Seattle #3. A misty glacier.Anchorage to Seattle #4.Anchorage to Seattle #5.Anchorage to Seattle #6.Anchorage to Seattle #7.Anchorage to Seattle #8.Anchorage to Seattle #9.Anchorage to Seattle #10.Anchorage to Seattle #11.Anchorage to Seattle #12.Anchorage to Seattle #13.Anchorage to Seattle #14.Anchorage to Seattle #15.Anchorage to Seattle #16.Anchorage to Seattle #17.Anchorage to Seattle #18.Anchorage to Seattle #19.Anchorage to Seattle #20.Anchorage to Seattle #21.Anchorage to Seattle #22.Anchorage to Seattle #23.Anchorage to Seattle #24.Anchorage to Seattle #25.Anchorage to Seattle #26.
Now, I’d like to share some pictures taken during the return journey in September 2012, which was Nome –> Anchorage –> Seattle –> Amsterdam –> South Africa. This first post contains some pictures taken during the Nome to Anchorage flight. The visibility in Nome was actually fairly good on the day of our departure, so I managed to take some decent pictures of the Nome Harbor and such. Enjoy! Feel free to point out any interesting geological locations or features.
Nome to Anchorage #1. Waiting to take off at the Nome Airport.Nome to Anchorage #2.Nome to Anchorage #3. Flying over Nome.Nome to Anchorage #4. The Nome Harbor.Nome to Anchorage #5. Another view of the Nome Harbor.Nome to Anchorage #6. View of the harbor and some of the town.Nome to Anchorage #7. Some of the town.Nome to Anchorage #8. Another view of part of town.Nome to Anchorage #9. Reaching the edge of town. There are little gold dredges on the water.Nome to Anchorage #10.Nome to Anchorage #11.Nome to Anchorage #12.Nome to Anchorage #13.Nome to Anchorage #14.Nome to Anchorage #15. Gorgeous braided river.Nome to Anchorage #16.Nome to Anchorage #17.Nome to Anchorage #18.Nome to Anchorage #19.Nome to Anchorage #20.Nome to Anchorage #21.Nome to Anchorage #22.Nome to Anchorage #23. Descending to Anchorage.Nome to Anchorage #24. Landing in Anchorage.
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