Henry J. Neils’
Travelogue of 1959 Great World Cruise
Henry J. Neils was a businessman from Minneapolis. He wrote a daily diary of his voyage on the 1959 Great World cruise. Presumably, the 30 faded typewritten sheets had been duplicated for distribution to his employees.
The transcribed document now forms 25 pages of the Timeline, accessible from links on the January, February, March and April 1959 month pages. This was the first special feature to be added to the Timeline as it entered its 2nd year of being on-line.
Henry's quoted text throughout the site start with this indicator: H.J.N.…
Henry J Neils’ Travelogue 17 February 1959
Johannesburg
H.J.N.…
Temperature: Cool and Clear
Altitude: 5,795feet
Population: 1,030,000.
200,000 White - Balance Non-White.
This City is the size of Minneapolis and St. Paul put together. It is spread out far and
wide, surrounded by mountains of dumps from the gold mines. It is a bustling City, built on
gold. It is the commercial centre of South Africa. and its Stock Exchange plays the same
role as New York.
The business buildings under construction and recently completed, show a modern trend in design. The residential section has beautiful homes and gardens.
A few hours in Johannesburg leaves a lot unseen. but we have to hurry on to Pretoria, the capital of South Africa, to view the government buildings and exquisite flower gardens there.
[Image: 1955 Cook's Tours brochure]
H.J.N.…
But before reaching the City we stop at Voortrechers’ Monument. (Voortrecher means pioneer). It's an imposing structure
on a high hill, built of granite slabs with hand-chiselled, rounded faces. They were set by one man over a period of years.
Models on the inside wall depict the history of the pioneers from Holland, the hardships they encountered, the battles they fought against the natives, the treacherous murder of the whites and the ultimate conquest of the territory.
Their homes were covered wagons, similar to the ones used in early days in the U.S.A., when the migration started to the West.
H.J.N.…
We also visited the zoo and Kruger's home which is now a museum. You must admire this pioneer in Africa and what he did
for the country, and sympathise with him in exile in his old age.
Back to our train and an overnight ride to Nelspruit, then to Kruger Park where we drove from 6.00am till noon and saw game animals of all kinds. This was a real treat for a hunter.
Another night and two days on the train, and we arrive in Durban and board the Caronia at about 10.00pm. What a wonderful feeling to be back to our home afloat with all it's conveniences.
Never was a bath more welcome after nine days on a train through endless miles of Africa.