Hola The critics have been silenced! The 2010 Africa World Cup has exceeded everyone's expectations – it's the best in the last 20 years. On the 11th June I gathered with a group of friends to watch the opening ceremony. A month later, exhausted and rather over emotional, who would have guessed that Spain would have won and South Africa would have proudly taken the football world by storm? Over the weekend of the semis, around 300,000 football fans from all corners of the world flocked to the Mother City. The location of Cape Town's stadium proved to be one of the best. On match days side-walk café's, restaurants and pubs were bursting at the seams, revelers flowing out onto the fan-walk. After matches, Minstrels blew their trumpets and the sounds of vuvuzelas echoed long into the night. Never have I been a part of such an electrifying atmosphere. Football ruled! Then at the last minute, I found myself travelling to the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth where I watched England play Slovenia.  Wild Dog news: The pack of 11 wild dogs has denned on Joubert Island in the Selinda Reserve, Botswana. With 2 Wild Dog trips set for this November, the news of the den is fantastic. A coup for the reserve, dog dens are a very rare occurrence. The pups are still in their den and viewing is being strictly controlled. Please read my new BLOG page for the latest up-dates on the puppy's progress or look to join me in November on WILD DOG MONTH. Gorilla news: The 34 strong Nshongi Gorilla group in the Rushaga section of Bwindi has split! News of the split was confirmed this week by the guides. Watch my BLOG for up-dates. The Nyakagazi group in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have crossed over into the DRC! Adios 
|
Okay, so England were back on the High Street before month end, but to experience such fanaticism, an endless sea of red and white and to be amongst some of the most die-hard supporters was just fantastic. Along the way, we stayed at two of my regular Garden Route haunts, The Palms in Wilderness and Hog Hollow Country Lodge just outside of Plettenberg Bay. Look out for both soon to be featured in my new "Garden Route Escapes". The World Cup has marked South Africa's emergence onto the world stage and for all the right reasons. This truly is a magical country with so much to offer - it's worth the visit! As they say here..."local is lekka!" Congrats to Spain who for the first time in history, lost their opening game but went on to take the crown. Sadly for all, its back to the daily grind ….but in our hearts, the games will live on forever… 
* All pictures copyright Lisa Marsden |
||||||||||||
