In Cape Town the new international Green Point Stadium is currently under construction but it should be finished by December this year. In the shadow of the Table Mountain and just a stone throw away from the ocean this stadium will have a gross seating capacity of 70000 and will host matches up to the semi finals.

Durban is also building the new King Senzangakhona Stadium with a seating capacity of 70000 for the world cup. The stadium will have a magnificent arch about 100 meter over the middle of the field which can be reached by cable car. Group matches, round of 16 and semi finals will be played here.

The Eastern Cape city of Port Elizabeth is using the opportunity of the World Cup to build a complete new Nelson Mandela stadium with a seating capacity of 48000. This will be the venue for Group matches quarter final, and the fourth and third places.

Having been without a football stadium up to this point the province of Mpumalanga is using the opportunity to build an international soccer stadium in Nelspruit, the Mbombela Stadium , seating capacity 46000. Since Neslpruit lies near the Kruger National Park in beautiful scenic surroundings the speciality of this stadium are the 18 giraffe resembling roof supports. Group matches will be played here
The Limpopo Province is also building a new stadium in Polokwane, the Peter Mokaba Stadion with a seating capacity of 46000 which also will be a venue for group matches.

A lot of sceptics thought, or still think that South Africa will have a problem with this international event due to i.e. first of all the crime rate, since the country is at present one of the most crime ridden countries of the world or because there is not enough accommodation for the fans, or that the stadiums will not be finished in time or that the transportation infrastructure is not able to cope with the expected visitors.

For a lot of people the money is wasted and should rather be spent on things that would solve the poverty problems that are still very present in large parts of the population but these people should perhaps talk to someone that benefited from the thousands of job opportunities that the event created, like a construction worker on one of the stadium construction sites.

Apart fromthe fact that the preparations going on all over the country should be proof enough for the sceptics that South Africa is very well able to cope with the event, and if they have not accepted the fact by now then they will after a successful World Cup in a little more than 400 days.

To be continued by: The preparation for the World Cup

Make photocopies of all your important papers and keep your passport, plane ticket and other important documents in a safe place.

Don’t go around showing off your valuables or your thick wallet. Try to carry as little cash with you as possible, travellers cheques can save you a lot of trouble. Always carry your cell phone with you with the local emergency numbers and don’t hesitate to call for help if the situation demands it.

Don’t walk around at night in dark and lonely areas and do keep away from lonely beaches if you are not sure that they are perfectly safe. And by the way…that is an assurance that you will very seldom get.
When parking your car do it on a guarded parking lot. It may cost a few rand but at least you can be relatively sure that the car is still in place when you return.

Planing your visit or vacation you have most probably done your homework and learnt as much about South Africa and its people as possible, especially the places you intend visiting. So I would recommend that you just keep your own safety in mind the whole time, act accordingly and you will have a memorable stay

So the government is increasing the police force and is investing in security issues but there is one thing that the South African government cannot do: it cannot put a policeman next to each tourist to ensure his or her safety. So there are a few rules that you as the tourist must keep in mind as well and then the chances are very good that you have the perfect holiday and get home safe and sound.

First of all things to keep in mind while travelling by car:

The normal tourist destinations are mostly safe during the daytime but keep away from isolated spots if you are on your own. Certain areas are known as high risk areas…be sure to get to know them before you reach your destination. Don’t go into the townships on your own. T

here are enough guided tours offered. Always make sure that you drive with doors and windows of your car closed. Plan your route beforehand and don’t drive at night in desolate areas. Don’t stop by the wayside if you see somebody in apparent distress, it might be a trick. Don’t stop but call the police! But if your car is hijacked keep calm and hand over anything that is asked for. Avoid eye contact and don’t start to argue.
To be continued with general safety tips

There are plenty of smaller animals as well like lizzards, snakes tortoises and dassies. A visit to the Ostrich farm opposite the entrance to the Cape of Good Hope might be a treat as well. So enjoy the wildlife but please don’t feed the animals, especially the Chacma Baboons! The have lived in this area for about a million years so basically you are the invaders.

They might be nice and funny to watch but they do tend to be a nuisance as well since the like to eat the same things we do and they are curious as hell, getting slightly aggressive if they don’t get what they want.

Hiking, mountain biking, diving and surfing are some of the activities that the adventure loving tourist can do in this part of the TMNP Buffelsbaai and Bordjiesdrif Beaches offering ideal facilities for swimming and whale watching. With a fishing permit the chances are good that you might have something fresh to grill over the open fire in the evening. There are enough braai and picnic spots all over the park. But please be careful with open fires and don’t grill at places not specially pointed out by signs.

Standing at Cape Point, looking out over the ocean might just be a great view for some of the tourists , but knowing the history of the Cape Peninsula it will surely be a moment to where one starts thinking about the stories the rocks would tell if they could speak. Would they tell the story of the sailors that battled the stormy weather while rounding the Cape back in 1488 on the ship of Bartholomew Dias, which is the reason that it is also called “ the Cape of Storms”.

Or would they tell you about the San and the Khoikhoi that were the original inhabitants of the region way back before the Europeans first sighted the land. Or would they tell you about the Lusitania which was wrecked in 1911 because the light of the upper lighthouse was hidden by mist.

Cape Point has a lot to offer. Take a ride in ”the flying Dutchman” a funicular which offers the easy way up to the viewing post on top. The view can be enjoyed while eating at the Two Oceans Restaurant, which is worthwhile even if it is not the cheapest. Take a walk to the new lighthouse which is not as high up as the first one but still offered a few difficulties while being built for obvious reasons.

Or visit “Antonies Gat” the cave near the beach at Buffelsbaai in which the great spiritual leader Lalu Abdul lived after having escaped from prison and which still is a place of worship for the Muslims.
to be continued

After such an quiet evening the next day can start, early in the morning Whether you decide to hire a mountain bike, hike or do it the easy way by car, all of these options have their own special flair but don’t forget to take your picnic basket. The way through the Silvermine Reserve leads you over the mountain with several viewing spots along the way from which you can enjoy the panorama of the Cape Peninsula like the view from False Bay to Cape Point where the two oceans meet.

On the North side a visit to the Silvermine reservoir which was part of the cities water supply back in 18988 should be part of the tour. The sandstone cave system is also worth exploring. And if you are an adrenaline junkie you can go rock climbing down to Muizenberg. A dip in the ocean at one of the beautiful beaches and visiting the fishing village of Kalkbaai browsing through the numerous antique stores is a perfect way to end the day

The most comfortable way to reach the top of the mountain is by cable car. The trip takes approximately 10 minutes and on the way up the car turns around 360°, offering the visitor a splendid view of Capetown.

For he more adventurous there are more than 300 trails going up the mountain, from easy walks to real rock climbing. Platteklip Gorge which is the popular direct ascent up the centre of the main table(aprox 3 hours) Maclear’s Beacon Trail, Pipe Track and Skeleton George Trail to mention just a few. However, if you do decide to climb the mountain , please take the normal precautions. Make sure that you got a map of the mountain with you. Tell someone where you are going, dress properly and weatherproof, take your handy with you and take something to eat and to drink on the trail. Remember that the weather can change quickly.

BALLOON FESTIVAL

The Philippines are not only for rest-searching and nature lovers a great aim, but also a fantastic place for hot-air balloon journeys. Every year you can take part in Clark Field on Pampanga in the Philippine Hot-Air Balloon Festival. This is one of the biggest Hot-Air Balloon Festivals of Asia and the sight of these colourful balls which fill the sky, will take away to you the breath.

PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL

Also from the 12th to the 13th of February 2010 there is again the possibility for all which are crazy for flying to take part in this festival. Everything what can fly rises from the US Air Force Base “Clark Air Base” in the air: Ultraeasily airplanes, stunt pilots, helicopters, zeppelins, paraglider, engine dragons, parachutists and Kite’s. Name givers of the spectacular event are the colorful hot-air balloons.

HOT-AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

During the years before it was always an event of the superlatives with participants from all over the world and more than 100,000 spectators who looked the spectacle on the 60 km northwesterly from Manila situated military airport on Luzon in the province of Pampagna.

pampanga-HOT-AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

Not only for the spectators it leaves a dreamlike impression to observe the coloured activity in the sky, but also the participants will never forget the sight of the wonderful Philippine sceneries any more, the friendliness of the inhabitants which wave to you from the fields.

pampanga

The Bo-Kaap definitely invites you to take a quiet stroll through narrow cobble stone streets, lined by the typical quaint little colourful houses which are characteristic of the neighbourhood. Have a look in the Bo-Kaap museum which is the oldest original house in the area. Here you can delve into the history of the Cape Malay Muslim Community and it might inspire you to visit one of the mosques or kramats along the way . And if you get tired and hungry from the sightseeing just step into one of the restaurants where the food is still served in the traditional way, sitting on the floor and eating with your hands. The cuisine of the Malay people is delicious and had a great influence on the cooking in the Cape, even in South Africa.

I you should be in Capetown on the second of January and you see a parade of men, women and children in colourful suits with hats and umbrellas marching in the direction of Green Point stadium while singing and dancing, you are witnessing the annual “coon parade” of the Cape Malays. It wont take your feet long to start tapping to the rhythm….the enthusiasm that you see is contagious.