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Did I hear correctly that those god awful plastic horns are now being allowed for the World Cup?? If so, it's going to be a huge disappointment when it comes to watching the games. I normally try to watch as many games as possible(If i don't go) on TV, but if those things are blowing the whole time then I'll be inclined to pick a few games and give the rest a miss. As will a lot of people I'm sure.
And if you thought they were loud at the rugby, they will be worse at the football.
Wow. It really sounds like the World Cup next year might turn into a logistical nightmare.
I read a good article about how much money was wasted building new stadiums in Japan/South Korea back in 2002. Most, if not all, are empty all the time. Huge waste of money.
I think the logistics of getting around SA is one of the big issues facing visitors, if Ireland (he says wishfully) qualify and end up playing games in Cape Town, Jo'Burg & Durban for example (I haven't check the schedule to see if that's possible) you're looking at a 2 hour flight from CPT to JHB or a 13/14 hour drive and Durban is further, I looked into driving up earlier in the year and it's 1,700 KMs!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
I also hold the same fears for the future of the stadiums
The PE stadium does look great but it's likely to be a bit of a white elephant for a couple of years, there's no major local soccer side in PE and the rugby franchise isn't expected to join the expanding super 14 for another 2 years. The new stadium in Cape Town looks likely to have a similar fate unless they can persuade Western Province Rugby to move out of Newlands, the 2 local soccer sides are mainly based in Athlone Stadium in the cape flats, which is where they draw most of their support from. I can't see both of them moving to play in front of 5-10 thousand people in an 80+ thousand seater stadium except for when the Sowetto Giants of Chiefs and Pirates come to town.
In Durban they've built the new stadium right next to Kings Park which is the home of the Sharks and like cape Town KZN Rugby have no intention of moving in the short term. PSL side Golden Arrows will probably play there but they do not generate massive crowds.
So I expect the Cape Town & Durban Stadiums will get a few outings a year but the one in PE is a waste as it stands.
Talking to people who were out for the Lions rugby the feedback on logistics wasn't good. Ditto what the media reported about the Confed Cup wasn't particularly positive.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
Up until 6 months ago I was definitely going to go whether Ireland were there or not, but I'm having second thoughts at this stage if the worst happens and we don't qualify I can't see me going.
ORA
I would still advise coming, it's a great place to visit and I think people will be genuinely surprsied by how organised things are.
If Ireland don't qualify it's easier in a lot of ways because you can plan a schedule to suit you and take in games along the way, I would suggest a flight in to JHB, catch a couple of games there, go and see the Kruger park & the Apartheid Museum, then come down to Cape Town, take in some games here and see the Mountain, Winelands, Robben Island, etc.. then fly back to Europe form CPT, or obviously the other way around.
I think the Lions trip was planned to suit the Boks thus there was a test in Durban, then a midweek game in Cape Town and the 2nd test in Gauteng, thats roughly a 3,000 kms round trip in 6/7 days. The idea was not to allow the Lions time on the High Veldt to accclimatise before the second test.
I've been before endabob1, and I loved it. Would go back in ordinary circumstances in a heartbeat.Quote:
Originally Posted by endabob1
But if they alternatives are pay through the nose to a Ray Treacy type tour company to get a relatively central hotel, or stay hours away from the host venues then I'd rather watch on TV at home and visit again on my own time. Agree re Ireland not qualifying, I've no real desire to go anywhere near Jo'burg or Pretoria unless I had to.
We'll see how it pans out with Ireland over the next few months. Here's hoping 3 points on Saturday keeps the momentum going.
As you've been before I'll let you off!
I should be on a commission from the SA Tourist Board, but I get f--ked off by the amount of negativity (especially in UK papers) from people who haven't been and are looking for excuses to condem 2010 to failure before it starts.
There are some problems, there is a crime issue but it's nothing like as serious as you would think by reading the UK press. Crime is a problem locally, but like all big cities (and I'm sorry if this sounds harsh) it's primarily in poor areas, especially where there are drug &/or gang problems. In general tourist areas are very safe and speaking for Cape Town I think it's safer than a lot of European cities & Asian cities I have visited.
Transport is an issue because of the size of the country but also locally you don't have the same level of infrastructure you get in Europe, that said taxi's are plentiful & relatively inexpensive (to those of you coming with Euros) and there are improvements being made, Cape Town (and Jo'Burg) are getting a Rapid Bus Transit system with seperate bus lanes to speed up public transport. The thing is you're not in Europe or the first worlld, it will be different than Germany or Japan or France or the US or Italy, but different does not mean worse.
endabob , I am less concerned with security as I think the governement will flood the place with police/army to make sure nobody has a bad experience security wise I am more concerned with infrastructure like hotels, bars restaurents. Will they be able to cope with the expected numbers. Budgets are likely to be stretched as it is and if there are a poor selection or not very many restaurents/bars etc the prices wil get jacked up accordingly (Even more than a usual WC)Quote:
Originally Posted by endabob1
This is true, they are employing thousands of "special constable" types and seriously I would be astounded if there are any more than the usual petty theft's you get at any big eventsQuote:
Originally Posted by Newryrep
JHB (Pretoria), Durban & Cape Town will be fine for infrastructure, there are concerns for the smaller cites especially Polokwane & Bloem where hotel beds especially will be at a premium. for PE a lot of people will stay along the Garden Route (England have already booked the Pezula golf resort in Knysna http://www.pezula.com/ ).Quote:
Originally Posted by Newryrep
Already I have heard stories of places charging extortinate amounts for rooms during the WC but I was talking to a guest house owner who said most places are just looking at it as a "second season", in SA the holiday Season is Dec/Jan when Schools get summer holidays and most people take their holidays. June/July is winter and thus normally very quiet here so while I'm sure there will be a certain amount of greed there will also be a lot of places just happy for the business especially if there is a quiet Christmas this year.
As for Bars/restaraunts my experience of Jhb/Durbs is pretty limited but Cape Town has loads, there is seriously no shortage of either, don't worry about that......
www.dining-out.co.za
www.eatout.co.za
www.wininganddining.co.za
Will give you an idea of the quantity & variety
endabob, what is your overall impression of Joburg and Durban? I've tickets for a game in each place, and - depending on what you read - beds in these places will either be very expensive premium business hotels or will be in areas of town that are a bit risky after dar (and some of the games are evenings) - incidently what sort of time will it get dark at night in June/July in SA?
Edmundo
I've only been to JHB on business (actually I just passed through really on route to Pretoria) so I'm not the most reliable source but Jhb is a big city used to coping with large numbers for events. I think it's probably right that the better hotels will be expensive and in better ares, but honestly as long as you are sensible and get taxi's around you should be fine, most of Gauteng's nightlife revolves around secure malls, complex's etc..
Durban is a more relaxed place than JHB from my experiences Durban will be a better spot, it's got a lot of hotels along the beach front and while these wont be cheap, like JHB (and Cape Town) there should be ample accomodation, my advice is just to get in early. With all the information on the web it's pretty easy to research using tripadvisor etc..
If you're doing JHB & KZN (and you haven't been before) you should look at going to one of the game parks between games, these are bloody expensive but it's a fantastic experience and it would be a shame to come to Africa and not do it.
Also if you're going to JHB & KZN you should try to get to Cape Town aswell to give you a full view of SA, have you booked flights yet?
Sorry just checked the dark early question, I was In Pretoria in June and it was dark by 6, sunset about 5:30, there’s no such thing as dusk here, the sun drops from bright sunshine to dark in no time! Would imagine Durban is similar although I've only been in summer
Cool, thanks for the info, yeah I have flights to and from JHB booked, I've games in JHB, Durban, Pretoria, Nelspruit X2, and Port Elizabeth. If I can nip across to Cape Town for a couple of days I will, but if not I can go back another time in December / Jan.
I have a day spare between the two Nelspruit matches and plan on going to the Kruger then.
http://www.flysaa.com/fares/nav/en/e...port_info.html
"South African Airways (SAA) will move its Durban airport operations to the new King Shaka International Airport in La Mercy, scheduled to be ready in time for the 2010 World Cup......"
Internal flights are not too bad with kulula.com because they allow cancellations and changes for small fees.
C.T. to Port Elizabeth on the morning of a match day is around €95 with them.
https://www.kulula-air.com/
Good article in today's Irish Times which includes some tips on transport between venues:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...259892219.html
Intresting article eaststand. They reckon the murder rate will be down from 18,000 as there will be more policing. Hope so!
You can drive from Cape Town to PE.Quote:
Originally Posted by finbarrk
Can you find anything from Jo'burg to Cape Town at a reasonable price? ~€500 on sky scanner and ZAR4,000 on Kulula.
The B&B owners and the airlines are out to ripoff fans.
The internet makes it very easy to compare May 2010 prices with June 2010. It is a disgrace. We've been lucky with world Cups as this is the first time the prices have been hiked. Athens did it for the Olympics and had their lowest hotel occupancy rates for years.
Ah, they also say you should be ok as long as you're travelling on your own and don't get to know anyone over there!! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by finbarrk
Quote:
Originally Posted by Irish Times
I've said it before and I'll say it again the crime rate is high in the poorest areas, this sounds harsh but it's true the world over. There are massive gang and drug problems in the townships and the murder rate is astronomical. In 99% of the areas you visit as a tourist yo uwill be unaffected by anything more than the type of petty crime you would get in Dublin or London.Quote:
Originally Posted by eaststand85
Car Jacking is notorious around Joburg though, keep doors locked & windows up at all times and be alert at traffic lights (robots in SA!) don't leave handbags/cameras etc.. on the seat because they smash & grab.