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27th-28th June, Johnnesburg and Cape Town, Chill explosion, whats his wet stuff falling from the sky, and a touch of history.
We packed in the early daylight hours and waited for an airport shuttle that never showed outside Banana before sharing lift with MExican to the airport where we flew back to Johannesburg. Thankfully we decided to stay at a lodge near the irport which meant we didn't have to have an expensive long winded taxi to our lodgings for a change! We dropped our stuff off and showered before asking the hostel owner how to get to Gold Reef and he suggested the train. Now if you have ever read a guide book to South Africa they say (especially in J'burg) "DO NOT TAKE THE BLOODY TRAIN!" But led by Silver who was feeling extremely confident about taking the train (probably because he looks African!) we made our way to the station. Every look I received there felt like they were saying either "what the hell are you doing riding the train" or "you're going to get robbed!" I did feel a little out of place probably the only place in South Africa that I did actually. There was no information boards or signs designating which trains were going where. In the end we talked to an illegal Zimbabwean immigrant who told us the train was every hour and he didn't know if it was going to go to Soccer City! Eventually we decided it wasn't the smartest idea and we got a taxi to Gold Reef City CAsino which was where the park and ride for the game was and it was opposite the the apartheid museum in Johannesburg.
The apartheid museum to me looked a little understated considering it's significance in the history of South Africa. It was almost dwarfed by a neighbouring theme park. It's stand out feature was definately the seven pillars outside the main building which are meant to represent the seen values of SOuth Africa's first official fully democratic government, these values are: democracy, equality, reconciliation, diversity, responsibility, respect and freedom You can feel the history represented in the information, demonstrations, and pictures of the museum. The visit was somewhat inspiring, so much so that Silver was asking us what we thought he needed to do to get his own museum!
After the visit to the stadium we went to the casino, not to gamble, but to cheer on the English against ze Germans. Everywhere waqs packed and due to our train station mess up we were running late, so late that as we found spot to watch the game Klose netted for Germany. The ensuing 70 or so minutes were excruciating! Although that first half ws one of the most exciting 45 minutes t the world cup and if the 2nd goal by Frank Lampard would have stood who knows whatwould have happened. AFter the gme we were feeling rather dejected to the point where we chatted about making a premature exit from South Africa (so glad we didn't!). Stilldetermined to enjoy our noght game at Soccer City that evening we went to board the park and ride only to be told that as of tonight they were charging fans for Fifas free park and ride system (T.I.A!). They obviously thought they weren't making enough out of the fans already! We begrudgingly queued and paid nd got on the bus and went to the game. The game was a lively affair always was going to be with the Argentian fans! The game was a good spectacle with MExico putting up a spirit performance against a formidible Argentina frontlines. We were flying a MExican flag for the game but in trith the Argentinans outclassed them and punished them for silly mistakes and ran away with the game. I was happy however that Man Utds new signing HErnandez looked sharp! We managed to meet upwith Slovenian Tina at half time as she was volutnerring inside the staium for the gamewhich was cool!
We left the game exhausted and we eventually rolled up to our hostel via a taxi ride late and we went straight to bed s the following morning we were flying to Cape Town...!!!!
Another early morning start and another early morning flight. The trip to the airport was easy and we went to check in. We travel without hand luggage as it's earlier but we usually take a food bag on the plane if we hve nything left from our shop t pur last destination. We take it in turns to carry the bag and it was my duty to carry the bag onto the plane this morning. AT check in I was stopped as apparently there was a knife in the bag. SO I was instructed to open the bag which I duly did. What I found was that Silver's much loved chilli sauce's lid had come loose and now the entire contents of the bag was covered in the sauce and the inside of the bag was covered. We retrieved the stray butter knife which was the problem went and cleaned off the bag so it was suitbale to fly ang got on the plne and off we went. You'll be happy to know we still ate all the food that was covered in chilli sauce, most of it was in wrappers or containers so all was fine, it was just a bloody big clean up!
We disembarked the plane then got a taxi to what we thought was our hostel. I turned out that the taxi driver despite our instructions took us to the other Ashanti lodge which was a pain, especially as we had just ordered breakfast when ou lift to the other lodge arrived. When we arrived at our accommodation for the next 4 or 5 days we weren't dissapointed. We were a 5 minute walk from the stadium, the hostel was immaculate and new. The place was pretty quiet, offered a breakfast and lunch menu, and was a 10 minute walk from a busy commericail area in Caoe Town known as the waterfront! We got free internet on arrival, a free water, and a free Crunchie chocolte bar which Silver managed to spill down his tshirt which he realised once walking down the street exploring. Cape Town is a lovely place and an obvious place for tourist to come on holiday. It felt the most European out of the big cities we visited, and it had a real world cup spirit about the place. That evening we crashed in the lounge and watched the gmes before sleep!
Dc Scott Silver!x
- comments
Martin (Dan's Dad) Enjoyed the read Dan. Keep it up. Cape Town certain sounds worth a visit. Take care D x
Di (Dan's Mum) Glad this hostel was a little more comfortable than some of the ones you've visited. Cape Town has gone on my itinerary as a place I''d like to visit. Keep up the good work as loving the blogs. x mum