Daily Archives: June 24, 2010

South Africa / Sports / Travel — 1 Comment
24
Jun 10

Cape Town Day 3: Netherlands v. Cameroon @ Green Point Stadium

Thursday, June 24

Cape Town, RSA

After driving back to the city center, we parked at Claire’s Dad’s firm on Long Street.  While we were waiting for everyone who had tickets to the game to gather, the two of us headed to an English Pub, 3 Lions, just around the corner for a few pints while we watched the first halves of the Slovakia-Italy and Paraguay-New Zealand games.  After we all met up on Long Street, we walked the Fan Mile to the stadium, stopping halfway there at Lazari at the Cape Quarter for dinner, care of Malcolm.  After a fun dinner with good people and conversation, we walked the whole Fan Mile (a lot of Dutch fans!).  We want to note here that the Fan Mile in Cape Town is much longer than one mile.

Once we were in the stadium we found that we had amazing seats!  We were right at the yellow corner flag, and two rows up from the railing.  Where we sat wasn’t as loud as the Soccer City stadium, but we were right at the corner where two goals were scored – and the subsequent celebrations were had.  Once again we were rooting for the African team, but most people in attendance were pretty stoked that Netherlands won 2-1.  We enjoyed seeing Eto’o and Robben play.  Josh spilled beer (a full bottle) on our camera bag due to an exciting PK in our corner – luckily Jeannette had the camera out on her lap at the time, so no harm done – but the great seats only served to heighten excitement.  Josh had also practiced his vuvuzela skills and was one of the better blowers in our section.

We all met back up for some wine to sit and recap the game together.  Jeannette had started to feel a bit sick for the last couple days and by the end of this long day, her cold had come on quite strong.  Luckily one of the people we had just met for dinner, and again postgame, was a nice doctor.  She offered some advice, and prescriptions if desired.  Jeannette decided to hold out for a bit longer (bad idea) but did snag a box of kleenex that was gone by the end of trip, along with a second full box.

By the time we made it home, we were feeling peckish and still pretty riled up and excited about the game so we stayed up and ate snacks with Claire and her parents, Carol and Richard, before hitting the hay.

South Africa / Travel — 1 Comment
24
Jun 10

Cape Town Day 3: Camps Bay & More

Thursday, June 24

Cape Town, RSA

From Table Mountain, we drove to Camps Bay.  It is a gorgeous seaside resort spot.  We parked in a police station’s lot that was across the street from the building (on the beach) – we weren’t sure if we would have a ticket or a car when we returned, but it worked perfect!  We didn’t have to drive the strip over and over looking for a spot, we didn’t have to pay, and our car ended up being perfectly safe and secure.

We walked along the beach’s main road and finally found someone selling USA car flags! We’d been looking all over town, but so far had only been able to acquire a South Africa car flag.  People drive with them attached to their windows to show their national pride, or to show whichever team they are rooting for. We were super excited to finally find a USA one for our rental car.

We walked over to the Sandbar for lunch.  Peroni girls were out in full force, giving away Italy football paraphernalia for drinking Peroni.  From there we drove along the ocean to Hout Bay, turned around there, and drove back to Cape Town center.  Traffic was starting to get backed up and slow with people trying to get in to and out of the city before the Cape Town game started.

South Africa / Travel — Comments Off on Cape Town Day 3: Table Mountain
24
Jun 10

Cape Town Day 3: Table Mountain

Thursday, June 24

Cape Town, RSA

We said our goodbyes to Claire at breakfast, and then we drove to Table Mountain.   Once we were there, we were inundated by Dutch fans wearing all orange (bathrobes, full dress suits, wingtip shoes, wigs, and then “normal” orange clothing like shorts, shirts, ties, socks, flip flops, etc. as well).  There was also a Dutch hype safari-type vehicle driving up and down the public access route blaring their anthem and jingles, painted in all orange and covered in about 50 Dutch flags.  It was pretty funny.  It was nice to have entertainment while we waited in line.  We rode a rotating cable car up to the top and then we spent a few hours exploring the top of the mountain, seeing the views from all sides and trying to catch a glimpse of the Cape of Good Hope – this landmark held special significance to Josh in his formative years and he was very excited to see it for the first time.

Lion’s Head from Table Mountain:

Looking up (with some of Josh’s favorite African trees):

I see Dutch fans!:

Our cable car ride!

View from the top of Camps Bay:

Dassies!  One of our favorite South African animals!  We got to see these little guys sun themselves on the rocks in various Parks, but this was our first introduction.  Their other name is the rock hyrax.  The fun tidbit of trivia for the day is: the dassie’s closest known genetic relative is the elephant! How is that for fun?!

JFJ, with the Cape of Good Hope way out behind us:

Pretty, tiny bird:

Jeannette, figuring out Cape Town and what we’re looking at:

Beautiful views were found in 360:

Jeannette:

Deep crevasses:

Table Bay:

Jeannette, overlooking Table Bay:

Duncan Dock and the City Bowl:

Super fun, pagoda-like flora:

Walking back towards the Cableway terminus:

Our last views from the top of Table Mountain were of Signal Hill and Green Point Stadium:

Signal Hill, Table Bay, City Center and Suburbs:

South Africa / Travel — Comments Off on Cape Town Day 3: Breakfast in Vredehoek
24
Jun 10

Cape Town Day 3: Breakfast in Vredehoek

Thursday, June 24

Cape Town, RSA

We had big plans for our third day in Cape Town, and as such needed to break up the day’s post up into four smaller, more consumable posts.  We started our day off in Vredehoek for breakfast with Claire at a cool little cafe, the Sidewalk Cafe.  Vredehoek is a beautiful suburb of Cape Town with quaint houses right on the slopes of Table Mountain, just off to the side of the city center.  We had a delicious (and large!) breakfast before heading off to do Table Mountain.

Vredehoek, looking back to city center:

Vredehoek, with Lion’s Head in the Background:

Jeannette & Claire, after a yummy breakfast:

The Sidewalk Cafe, with Table Mountain National Park behind:

Sidewalk Cafe: