I’ve been in South Africa for a week and so far I’m impressed! Every hostel I’ve stayed at has been fantastic, the locals have been super friendly, and it’s a really beautiful place with lots to explore.
I arrived with pretty much zero knowledge on what there is to do here besides traipse around the country to watch World Cup matches. I had been volunteering in Haiti and before that in Indonesia with dubious internet connections and not a lot of time to myself so I left all of the planning up to my friends who I met up with the day after I arrived. The first thing on our agenda was to fly to Port Elizabeth, rent a car and drive back down to Cape Town on the Garden Route in time for our first game on June 11th.
It was a good plan and even better because I didn’t have to organize a thing. My friends sorted everything right down to the hostel bookings and car hire. Hiring a car is the way to go and we made a few stops along the way along the Garden Route. Some were dubious like an underwhelming stop in Nature’s Valley for a dodgy pub meal, and some were surprising like the drive to Oudtshorn where I wanted to ride an ostrich. Video coming soon!
My friends are short on time and long on things they want to do so I’m travelling a lot faster than I normally would but it’s actually turned out to be fine. I’m happy to have three nights in Cape Town though, even though our days will be filled to the brim. I’m not sure I would want to keep at this pace for much longer but so far, so good.
I met up with these same two friends for the Beijing Olympics and that trip was a boozefest with almost no sleep. I was worried this one would be the same but so far we’re acting all respectable and stuff. I almost don’t recognise us! I’m sure things will kick off a bit when the World Cup gets going but I’m liking this new us while it lasts.
That’s it from me for now. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we’re hiking up Table Mountain so I’m off to bed early. The excitement is building here and I can’t wait for the football!
not that i think u meant it that way but i just realized your ebook cover is a bit racist. There’s the white hand helping the black hands. It’s a bit “white man’s burden.” the taller white hand will come down and volunteer to help out the black kids…
just saying some people might look at it that way.
Gosh it’s good to hear that someone else is likewise crazy enough to put “riding an ostrich” on their must-do list for South Africa! Indeed, 5 years ago, at the tender age of 60 I backpacked solo for 6 weeks across South Africa and Mozambique.
I took public minivans/buses throughout, and Port Elizabeth was among my favorites, and of course that ostrich ride at Oudtshorn (not for the faint-hearted, yes?).
Other highlights included a homestay in Soweto, a 4 nt. camping safari in Kruger National Park (Pres. Paul Kruger was one of my ancestors) where – on a morning “walk” (yikes!) – we stumbled upon an entire pride of lions that had just killed a wildebeest, a night safari (at a private reserve near Port Elizabeth), + Swaziland, Lesotho, St. Lucia, Zululand, and of course the most wondrous gem of all – Capetown.
All (rather haphazardly) documented (incl. my own pic of that ostrich!) here:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/globalgirl/south_africa/tpod.html
We’re jealous! The World Cup is certainly on my bucket list. I can’t wait for the England vs. USA game.
What games are you planning on attending (if any)?
I also noticed the white hand when your ebook came out, but thought you put so much hard work in I wouldn’t say anything…..
Hi. I have a question what do you think the world championships in football in Africa? Will they be safe because we know the capital of RPA is a very dangerous city, what do you think about all this? Best regards from Poland
It’s really great that you are there, watching the games live and all those wonderful events.
You would probably return having taken hundreds of photos. As I checked the official FIFA website, the countdown shows only hours left before the first game between South Africa and Mexico.
It’s awesome to be in South Africa at the moment
Since Colombia did no make it to the WC.. again !! I will be supporting Spain all the way but it’s time to believe also on the USMNT.
It must have been nice to have your friends do all the planning. I’d have to agree that the drinking will likely kick into high gear once the world cup starts. When the party starts, how can you not join in? As I sit at home watching some of the World Cup, I’ll be wishing I was there experiencing it in person too. One day when I have more time and money I will try to make it to a World Cup.
@nomadicmatt Maybe I should have made the hands purple and green but my photoshop skills didn’t allow it. I’m sure someone would have found that offensive as well, though. I used a stock photo so what can I say? Can’t please everyone and I’m not about to start trying. Until I see a race of orange people, I’m not going to worry about it.
@GIFads The atmosphere in Cape Town tonight was electric. Big concerts in Jo Burg and other spots as well. Everyone here is so excited! I’ll be at the France v Uruguay game tomorrow night and I’m pretty pumped.
@escort What’s USMNT? I think I might go for The Netherlands although I’m with my Aussie friends so will go for them too. Aren’t Spain favourites?
@globalgranny I love it! Glad to hear I’m not the only ostrich rider wannabe! Thanks for the tips, as well.
@jetpacker I have France v Uruguay tomorrow, Australia v Germany, Nigeria v South Korea, Brazil v Portugal and the round of 16 game in Durban.
@zabawy Are you asking about Jo Burg? Not sure about safety but it does have a bad rap. My friends are there now and haven’t had any problems. I think the police are out in crazy numbers for this event so, if it’s going to be safe at any point, now is the time.
That’s awesome to hear Kirsty, I have a cousin who works in South Africa, hes a mechanical engineer down there, and also has the privilege to watch a few of the World Cup matches. You guys are so lucky!
Kirsty – I hear the US is trying to get the World Cup in the next few years. We’ll see what happens. Maybe I’ll be able to go then. In the meantime, have a blast!
Just thought I’d add something else for ya Kirsty, I was wondering… what are your thoughts on the Vuvuzelas in the world cup? There’s been so much talk about them recently!
you could have not picked a better time to go to South Africa! I’m guessing everybody must be super happy and excited with the world cup being hosted there
Good to see you are having a blast, sounds like you are having no problem finding digs?
South Africa does have such bad press, my experience based on a trip where my visit included JoBurg, Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Swaziland and Durban is just be sensible, as you would be in the UK, don’t go walking anywhere on your own at night and keep to well known areas. Out of all the places I visted Durban was by far the worse but I didn’t have any hassle from anyone, don’t stress and just go there and enjoy
Kirsty it’s fabulous how you go on one adventure after another! I’ve been following some of the matches. It’s amazing how worked up the fans get. I don’t think the U.S. is quite as rabid about their sports, at least not that I’ve experienced. I’ve never been able to figure out why soccer (football) hasn’t caught on here in a big way. A lot of people play it, but professionally, it’s just not as big here as it is in most other countries.
I hope you continue to have a great time. Post some pictures!!!
I thought with the world cup going on there might be alot of trouble and aggression from fans but the feedback looks amazing, everyones having a good time and taking it easy. What is the atmosphere like?
Table top mountain is amazing
Wow, wish I had made it to the world cup, I have been watching it religiously on tv though. Hopefully I will get to the next one in Brazil.
Hope you have a blast, let us know what the atmosphere in South Africa is like, I imagine its incredible.
Reading your blog keeps me going
Cheers
That’s great to be in South Africa, You can watch world cup. Enjoy the trip!!
Awesome! What a trip!! Take it to the limit
It is first World Cup in Africa, priceless moments.
Is SOuth Africa still a budget destination?
I remember a friend telling me that you could go out for a nice dinner and a bottle of wine for under $10 – can’t think of anywhere in the World where you could have that!
@komodo I first heard the vuvuzelas when I went into a pub in Port Elizabeth with a South Africa pre-World Cup game on TV. I couldn’t work out what all the buzzing was and it annoyed me. But at the stadium it’s not as bad… except when people blow it right near your ears. I like them and think they’re a great way to show support for Bafana Bafana but when they’re at every single game, you lose out on the singing fans that football is famous for.
@baby england kit I hear the UK press was slamming South Africa from the start but I haven’t had a single issue. I know from experience that the press exaggerate everything but, in the case of this country, I came in a bit more wary than any other place I’ve ever travelled to. I know that the crime exists here but it seems like staying smart, you can avoid it. It does mean that I am a prisoner in the hostel after a certain hour if I’m by myself or if it’s a game day and I can’t get a cab which is annoying.
@steve Not sure if you know this but US fans bought the most tickets to this World Cup. It’s gaining in popularity, for sure. Same in Canada though… soccer is the most popular sport to play but then it falls off the face of the earth.
@port vila hotels It’s an awful lot cheaper than the UK, lets put it that way. Three people can have a nice meal and drinks for around 20 quid. I haven’t been drinking wine but it seems cheap, at least in the bottle shops. Steak is delicious and affordable. I’ve seen them cost anywhere from 7 to 11 pounds for a meal in a decent place.
That’s great to be in South Africa, You can watch world cup. Enjoy the trip!!