THe whole trip is all about today really, the world cup match that we set on going so long ago is finally upon us. Met a couple of German guys at our accom in the morning during breakfast. They checked the night before and they were going to the match today as well! Had a chat over breakfast with them and they were pretty chatty.

Running low on cash and the guesthouse didn't accept any other form of payment other than cash, and not just cash, it had to be in Rands, so our USD was a little useless at this point. We checked with Nochacha and was informed that Musgrave Center just nearby had money changers. And so we went there to get our USD changed. The rate was ok but they charged some commision so it sorta sucks. We changed all of our 400USD and I calculated that it will be just enough to pay for our guesthouse for Durban and Jo'burg only. At least we don't have to worry about paying our accom for now.

We went back and paid up in advance. Tong decided we should do something healthy and suggested playing beach soccer! Which was totally fine with me! We knew exactly where to go for it ;-)

We reached the south beach and sure enough, there were people playing beach soccer around. There was even an organised one by the world cup people. And so Tong and me went to check it out on how to go about playing in it. They guys in charged told us we just need 5 people and then give them a name for our team and we are in the queue. It wasn't difficult to get team mates for ourselves at all. A few South Africans approached us and there we are, Team Japan! They thought we were Japanese I realised as later at night, one of them found me and asked if a Japanese phone belonged to me!

Back to the beach soccer. We had to wait for 3 more matches before our turn and so we borrowed a ball from one of the South African guy and practiced around. I noticed that a team of Brazilian, I think so, were winning all the way but then again, the other teams weren't good lah, like part time play play only one. Then one very outspoken South African came by and joined us and volunteered to be the keeper. He was totally determined to win this thing man, kept urging us on and shouting instructions during the practice. I just played along with him lah..haha.

Finally it was our turn and we got the bips from the outgoing team and put it on. I was made striker, thank goodness!!, as I was totally shagged out after 4, 5 minutes! Chiong too hard already and the sand was pretty deep and made it really tiring to run around. It was extremely fun! Its always fun to play soccer with people from different countries. The first time I played like this was in Italy and it was really fun as well back then. Tong was also pretty tired out I think, so we fell out after that match and went back to wash up! By the way, the match ended with us losing 3-1 to the Brazilians. My stats: 3 shots on target and 1 assist. I had a superb volley(those times when you connect really well that kind you know) near the end of the match which forced an amazing save from their keeper..tmd!

Back in our room, we washed up and holed up in our room for a while thinking what else to do before going for our match. Earlier in Musgrave center, a salesgirl in Quiksilver told me about a road with shops selling clothes and all. So we went over to this street with the help of the GPS. But when we reached there, there was totally no such streetname around. After looking around for a while, we realised that the name of the street was changed! boliao! How we knew was that a street name sign showed the old name cancelled! And the new name below it! wtf!?!

Anyway we checked out the shops but nothing too fancy, in the end we bought Havianas slippers. Tong bought an Italian and Spanish design one which I got the Spanish one. I got a large Spanish Flag while we were driving as well. There were a lot of people walking along the roads and selling German and Spanish flags! Quoted me 100 Rands but I got it down to 50! This one is really like stock market crash man, started 100Rands in the morning and 50 in the afternoon and falling to 30 at night just before the match!

We went to Ushaka Marine World for dinner as there was a buffet offer but was told it starts only at 6. A little too late and we were starving. So we settled in another restaurant in there. Food just just ok, the steak was a little off though, probably 'cause we had such good steaks since we've arrive in SA.

After dinner we walked along the south beach, with my Spanish flag, yellow vuvuzela, and spanish jacket and Havianas, thru the Fan Fest Park on our way to the stadium. The atmosphere was getting increasingly high as fans and supporters alike streamed into the park. All were decked in Spanish and German colours and made the whole place looked really cool! Met a pretty girl Natasha here, a Durban girl but resides in London now, and chatted for a while and had a picture together. Then we proceeded towards the Stadium once again and along the way, I bought a Spanish coloured hat and Tong got a scarf. I'm almost in total Spanish mode by now.

We had to pass by this casino on the way and Tong went to use the toilet in there while I walked around. There were alot of people getting their faces painted here I realised. I had to do it! 10Rands for each side of the face only..why not! After getting my face painted, I gave the guy, a free lancer, a 100 Rand bill but he only had 70Rands change. So I pondered for a while and decided to give one lucky fan a free flag on his cheek. Found a Spanish guy in the end and gave him a free flag! He thanked me quite a bit before we exchanged a handshake. There I was, in complete Spanish mode! Tong took quite a while, while hanging around waiting for him, a group of Indian girls came by and ask if I was Spanish 'cause they wanted to take photo with a Spanish guy. LOLz. I told them I'm not and they jokingly sighed but took photo with me anyways. Funnily they were decked in both German and Spanish colours. Wonder which side they really supported.

TOng finally came back out and we were on our final leg of our journey to the Magnificent Moses Mabihda Stadium. We wanted to take photos with the stadium outside the stadium and got a German fan to help us take. While taking, her daughters fooled around behind us, damn funny! The atmosphere was really great! Fans having fun and talking to each other and all.

We then appraoched the entrance and whipped out our tickets. Got in the the stadium was unbelievably huge and very well designed. The seats were pretty spacious and we were in the midst of a lot of Spanish fans, perfecto! We got ourselves a beer each and settled down to watch the German and Spanish team warming up. Its so damn cool to watch these amazing players in real life you know. The they were playing Shakira World Cup song, Waka Waka before the match and it was really catchy! Tong and me swore that we will find this song as well as the coca cola song, Wavin the Flag, when we get back.

After a while, a couple came and sat beside me and after a short chat, I found out that they were from Barcelona and throughout the match she was enthusiactically telling about the Spanish players and how proud she was of her Barca players and how so many of them are in the Spanish squad and how happy she was that Villa is gonna join Barca next season! She taught me how to do the Spanish cheers and songs too! Damn fun lah!

From kickoff to half time, everyone was cheering and enjoying the Spanish domination of the match. And of course, the vuvuzelas went off from the start and never ended. The interesting thing is, there are times when the whole stadium will blow the vuvuzelas in unison in a repeating manner. Its really amazing when this times occurred as the vuvuzela sounds are at its loudest and almost every fan with a vuvu in their hands are involved. I blew the vuvu until my mouth hurts man. LOLz.

Finally in the 2nd half, Puyol scored and the stadium erupted! The Spanish are really "siao kias"! They jump and shout and celebrate like there's no tomorrow like that. But its great that this kinda fellas are around, its them that make the place much more lively and vibrant! After the final whistle, the Spanish fan's celebration went into overdrive! The whole lot of them gathered at the lower deck and kept singing and jumping and hugging each other! Outside the stadium, a bunch of spanish fans were bainging their drum and fans crowded around them singing and dancing away! I squeezed in a went wild for a while with them! So exciting!

We then made our way out of the stadium and all the way back to our car. Along the way, fans were still chanting and singing and celebrating. High! Passed by the Fan Fest again and saw Natasha again amidst the crowd. Chatted again about Spain's victory and exchanged a hug before parting.

Finally fulfilled our destiny. Back to our guesthose! Met the deject Germans back home and they weren't looking too glad seeing us in Spanish colours. LOLz!!