A world within a ‘city’
GET ROYAL TREATMENT AT THE PALACE OF THE LOST CITY IN THE PILANESBERG It’s more than value for your money, it’s an experience that will leave you lost for words.
ustenburg is my home. I was born and bred in this small town, which is slowly growing out of being regarded as small, although most people who have never really experienced it see it as rural.
Nonetheless, being born in the popular township of Rustenburg in Tlhabane means I’m in the proximity of the gorgeous Sun City resort; a world within a city.
So you probably think I often visit this beauty, but I don’t. Most people from the North West don’t, ignoring the splendour just a quick drive away.
But recently I took a drive from Johannesburg to Sun City, and passing through the semi-rural Phokeng and Ledig I understood the common misconception that exists about Bokone Bophirima (North West) province.
I eventually arrived at the gigantic gates of Sun City and suddenly Rustenburg looked different. To be precise, I had forgotten I was still in this town.
Driving through Sun City trying to get to The Palace of the Lost City, a magnificent hotel within a majestic space, I passed some of the resort’s jewels: the Cascades, the Cabanas and the big animal statues that look real at first glance, from crocodiles to the elephants at the first traffic circle. Truly artful, I thought to my amazed self.
Finally, I arrived at The Palace. I wondered if it would indeed resemble a palace and I was pleasantly surprised: It did.
I have never been to a “palace” in my entire life, except in my dreams, but this surpassed the image I had in my mind.
The Palace of the Lost City is the epitome of what a classic castle looks like.
Because I had so much beauty to take in, I stood in front of that enormous building for a few minutes to let it sink in that my dreams were restrictive and my scepticism shameful.
Heading for the reception area, I walked past a fountain comprising life-size statues of sable antelope heads spouting water from their long horns.
The ceiling of the reception area had trees and a variety of animals painted on it and cement poles moulded into the shapes of trees and animals.
Walking into the welcoming area, which is a floor above one