Map World Cup 2010

June - July 2010
A 38-day adventure by Kristofor
  • 26footprints
  • 6countries
  • 38days
  • 110photos
  • 0videos
  • 43.0kkilometers
  • 41.1kkilometers
  • Day 1

    Start World Cup 2010 Trip

    June 7, 2010 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
  • Day 1

    Singapore (Transit)

    June 7, 2010 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    http://www.travelark.org/travel-blog-entry/tofo…

    We have just arrived in Changi Airport, Singapore on Leg 1 of our rather indirect marathon pilgrimage to Cape Town. Thats part 1 of 3 flights down.. 7.5 hours from Melbourne to Singapore.. 4.5 hours wait here... then 11 hours to Johannesburg.. 5 hours wait there... and a final 3 hours to Cape Town.
    Its evident the difference between First and Economy class is the enjoyment factor. Economy was plenty bearable but just not fun. Luckily there were plenty of vacant seats around so the three of us didnt have to bunch up.
    Watched Shutter Island and How to Train your Dragon to pass the time.
    Its all getting really exciting now... a day from now il be in paradise in Cape Town, with good times, adventures and world cup games to look forward to!
    This is a damn cool airport incidentally. Theres an indoor forest, and lounge showing Holland demolish Hungary 6-1!
    Feel free to keep in touch with me, with comments and messages, on this site, facebook and texts.
    Photos will probably start to appear over the next few days.
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  • Day 2

    Johannesberg

    June 8, 2010 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    http://www.travelark.org/travel-blog-entry/tofo…

    Well the second leg of the flight, from Singapore to Johannesburg was substantially more painful. Firstly though, it must be noted that Singapore airport is arguably the best around. We had a long 4.5 hours to kill between flights there and it was done easily.
    Free internet, free video games, lounges, bars, and other entertainment. Even fish in an indoor jungle you could pet!!
    The flight itself sucked when it finally rolled around. It was jam-packed, so there was no room to switch to a vacant couple seats for comfort. Not only was it packed, but packed full of cringable Australian fans... fortunatly it seems the majority left for Durban, not Cape Town.
    It took a total of about 5 seconds to get hassled by a local for money upon arrival. Some 'porter' insisted on taking us where we were already headed, and demanded money. We didnt oblige. Note to self, dont respond to anyone who offers any sort of assistance, ever.
    Fortunatley, we did not have to stay in Johannesburg for the initially anticipated 6 hours for a stopover. We successfully managed to reschedule our flight and only waited 2 hours.
    After a local beer, we were soon on our way to our final destination - Cape Town.
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  • Day 3

    Cape Town

    June 9, 2010 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 8 °C

    http://www.travelark.org/travel-blog-entry/tofo…

    Finally, after some 30 hours of travelling, we arrived at the place known as the 'Cradle of Man.' It is here that supposedly humans originated. What a breath-taking place it appears to be too. I've been here just a few hours, but the transit itself from Airport to my apartment was more than encouraging.

    Such a variety of poverty and wealth, beautiful and concerning areas.. and then huge mountains and cliff faces, shrouded by mist, surrounding the city.
    I've now been separated from Matt and Dave who were left by the airport shuttle at their hotel in the city center. I eventually was dropped far beyond that on the waterfront at Seapoint. This whole area is easily the nicest suburb/ area we drove through. My apartment is situated among other high-rise hotels before the beaches right on the waterfront.

    I have a few pictures iv managed to upload from my Nikon D90. The other half/ rest i have on my other camera back at the hotel, so i'll continue to post more up when and if i get the time.
    Whilst my apartment is clearly awesome, it lacks computers for internet use. Hence im at a small internet cafe down the road. Also, whilst this area is awesome, its seperated from the rest of town, and il have a fair bit of hiking/ cabbing to do.

    In any case, il leave it there for now. Im off to get groceries. Im utterly exhausted, and plan on having a cruisy evening. Just need to stay up to keep my biological clock under control. Tomorrow il be off on some adventure! who knows where!! :)
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  • Day 4

    Cape Point

    June 10, 2010 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    http://www.travelark.org/travel-blog-entry/tofo…

    After today, I think its a possibility that this is the most beautiful city i have ever laid eyes on. Its absolutely incredible. The day started ordinarily enough. Caught a cab to central Cape Town to meet up with Matt and Dave.
    We ambled about town, making a visit to Green Market Square, where there was several small stalls and stands (mostly selling World Cup Merchandise).
    World Cup Fever has certainly hit this town, the symbol of which is undoubtedly the HORNNNNNNNNN. There are horns going off everywhere, and i mean everywhere. Continuously, you cant go a second without hearing one, or seeing 10 people blowing them. They are literally just walking on main roads, across intersections, blowing horns

    Its chaos, but you cant help but smile and appreciate their enthusiasm.
    Irritating as it may be, I was left with two choices; 1. continue to (rightfully) resent what is clearly an irritating instrument, or 2. embrace it, and when you cant beat (or ignore) them, join them. I chose the latter, purchasing a giant horn painted with the colours of the south African flag.
    We then elected to hire a car for a few days with a few adventures in mind; Cape Point, Waterfront, and some wine regions.
    Today we would journey off to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. It was about a 2 hour journey along the coast, and wow, I quite simply have never seen as spectacular natural scenery. If the Great Ocean Road is good, this is 109045x better, give or take.
    Aside from a minor reversing incident by Dave... the drive went off without a hitch and was one of the best things iv experienced. We even stumbled across a wild Ox-like-thing (possibly a Zebu??) and some Osterich.
    Cape Point is the most southwestern tip of Africa, and made for some beautiful photos at sunset.
    Then i headed home, hit the gym and have now backed up all my photos onto my ipod.
    Tomorrow, im off to Robben Island first thing in the morning.
    Having such fun, and the whole aspect of World Cup excitement hasnt really set in yet... just a couple days til kick off!!
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  • Day 4

    Robben Island

    June 10, 2010 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    http://www.travelark.org/travel-blog-entry/tofo…

    Well, as if yesterday wasnt awesome enough, today was another inspiring and breathtaking day.
    It started off with an early trip to Robben Island via a ferry from the Waterfront.
    Seems the prices of cabs in this town are totally random... my trip to the Waterfront cost more than it did to travel double the distance to the city centre yesterday... odd.
    In any case, the ferry ride was great. The trip provided some fantastic views of Cape Town. It was icy up on top of the ferry, but worth it for the views.
    Robben Island itself was well worth the journey. We boarded buses for a guided tour of the Island. The tour guide was fantastic, providing a comprehensive account of the history, facts and significance of the island as a leper colony, barracks, and finally prison. The tour of the prison block itself was really powerful, especially as the tour guide for that part was himself, an ex-political prison who did 6 years there.

    I also met a couple of nice guys from India on this tour, one a Holland supporter, and one supporting Paraguay (understandable, given India wont be at the world cup any time soon).
    Subsequent to Robben Island I'd planned to accompany Matt and Dave to a winery, but it fell through.

    Plan B turned out to be a trip up table mountain with VJ and CJ.
    Table Mountain was incredible... we went up at 2pm and came down after sunset, just before 6. I could have spent even more time up there. The views from every angle are breathtaking. You could just take a photo at random, and it would be a stunner.
    Additionally awesome were these little mouse-mole critters I found up there... who werent shy on posing.
    After hours of walks on the mountain top, and some dinner and drinks with amazing views, we eventually headed down.
    I think to myself, after the last couple of days, how can things continue to be this exciting and enjoyable. Then I remind myself... the World Cup starts tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  • Day 7

    Durban, South Africa

    June 13, 2010 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    http://www.travelark.org/travel-blog-entry/tofo…

    After waiting so long for the World Cup, and travelling half way accross the world to watch Australia compete for it, it proved to be the most tragic anticlimax imaginable.
    Ironically, the 26 hours of being awake between our 2.30am pickup on Monday here and the time we got back Tuesday at 4.30am, were the worst 26 hours of the entire trip so far, for several reasons.
    Firstly, the cringable incompetence of the Fanatics tour group continued. I cant imagine why it was neccessary to collect us at 2.30am... some 18 hours before kick off...
    When they did so, we made our way almost to the airport before they realised they had to turn back and pick up other fans from a hotel even further away from the airport than we were, wasting a good 90minutes in the early hours of the morning

    Arrival at the Durban Fanatics HQ didnt bring any further happiness. Breakfast was terribly cooked/ smoking and took over an hour in line to get.
    95% of the Fanatics fans-base as well.. makes you want to have a shower just being associated with them... The Australian fans are loud, rude, obnoxious, horrifically unintelligent, naive, offensive, tacky and arrogant (without any justification). The fans are largely either 20-30 year old guys who offend anyone in their presence and lack any sort of dignity whatsoever (eg. walking and urinating simultaneously on their way out of the stadium), or 40-50 year old, overweight, angry, drunk, VB passionate dickheads with facepaint and yellow wigs...
    Matt and I met up with Nick & Co in Durban for drinks, and to watch the earlier games. That was fun, even though neither game was very exciting. Also met some cool locals which was good.
    The game itself was tragic to say the least.
    Both the managerial tactics, team strategy, effort, application and mental fortitude on the pitch was an utter disgrace at best.

    Starting with 0 strikers, and our best player up forward on his own, isolated and taken out of the game, was not prudent against Germany, who really gave Australia an utter masterclass. In addition to the fact that Cahill received a (harsh) straight red card, his world cup group stage is now over, and as a result, Australias world cup is likely over too.
    Over a year of waiting, and then an absolute shaming of epic magnitude to lose it all right off the bat, there was NOTHING positive to take from this game for Australia. Full credit to Germany too, who played some beautiful football.
    Then all that was left to do was drag myself back to Cape Town via painful bus and plane transport...
    What a terrible 24 hours.
    Henceforth im all for the Dutch and all for Holland.
    Next game, Italy Vs Paraguay.
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  • Day 11

    Inverdoon

    June 17, 2010 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 6 °C

    http://www.travelark.org/travel-blog-entry/tofo…

    Today was a trial run for the Kruger National Park adventure to come in a couple weeks. A 'mini-safari' at a place called Inverdoon.

    We started off at 5am, for a 3.5 hour drive out of Cape Town. One thing I was not prepared for, is the blistering cold! It was FREEZING on this drive. As we neared our destination it was evident that the mountain tops were covered in snow! Snow in Africa! Who would have thought? Apparently this area is the hottest in Africa during the summer, and the coldest in the winter. Lucky I bought my beanie along.

    The safari tour itself was pretty good. It went for about two and a half hours

    There was about 15 of us crammed into an off-road-safari-jeep. It was open windowed, with no glass. We were fortunate enough to see a variety of animal from Rhinos, Giraffe, Springbok, Zebra, Wilderbeast, Cheetah and Lions.

    The safari ride was followed by dinner and a trip home.

    The drive home itself was quite spectacular. Beautiful scenery of townships, endless mountain faces, many with snowy tips. It baffled me how so many of the ‘Fanatics’ slept the trip… missing out on some amazing views.

    I write this now exhausted from the gym, and ready to have a quiet night in.
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  • Day 13

    Rustenburg

    June 19, 2010 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 3 °C

    http://www.travelark.org/travel-blog-entry/tofo…

    For all their effort, improvement and endeavor against Ghana, Australia still now stand teetering precariously on the brink of elimination from this world cup.
    Australia is certainly making a habit out of being at the heart of World Cup Controversy. There was plenty of it 4 years ago in Germany, and here on African soil, for the second game running, luck didnt go Australia's way.

    It was to be another 24 hour shift for myself. We were picked up at our hotel @ 4am for the journey to Johannesburg, and onwards by bus to Rustenburg. It was again a painful ordeal for the most part... the tour group rife with disorganisation, ambiguity and that 'itl work itself out' attitude that continuously aches my soul
    s.
    Along the way, we made a stop off at 'Chameleon Trading Village' - a craft market and food stop off. It was far from spectacular. In fact, the merchants there were so grabby and pushy, i didnt even venture into the core of the market. All their stuff looked the same anyway. I was getting nervous as our 'itinerary' for the day was unplanned... and i wanted to make sure i watched the Holland vs. Japan game before hand.

    We eventually arrived at the stadium around 1.15pm... and was it ever in the middle of nowhere!!! Its easily the most remotely located stadium iv ever been to... amazing really. I was worried as there were no bars about to rely on watching the holland game..
    Upon entering the stadium, we found a big screen to watch it - 1-0 to the Netherlands, in a game that was much more about grinding out the desired result than a quality match

    Finally, it was time for kick off for the Australia game... The Stadium interior was actually kinda cool. Much smaller and more primitive than Cape Town and Durban, but kinda cool all the same.
    Australia started well enough, and as I willed Breciano to just work the keeper from the freekick, we were treated to so much more. Unable to control the awkward bouncing freekick, the keeper could only parry into the path of the onrushing Holman for 1-0... and what a rush it was. The crowd went wild - what an experience.

    However, soon enough joy turned to disbelief as another notch in Australian footballing dissapointment was to be handed out. Two defenders failed to clear what they should have on the right wing, the Ghana player centering the ball, and Kewell's effort to clear the subsequent shot was met with a red card.
    Whether or not it was a red card is up for debate

    . Having being 50metres from the incident, near the end where it occured, my first impression was penalty. The way he moved towards the ball to akwardly block it on the line smacked of a diliberate attempt to handle the ball away from goal.
    Having watched the replays, I'm not certain either way. All i can say is that it was VERY harsh. He has pushed his chest out with the intention of chesting it away, hands tucked reasonably in to his body. At that speed, hes just misjudged/ mispositioned himself, and the ball has made contact with his bicep/elbow. Of course, it wasnt intentional, but it was a handball. He was on the goal line. He did deny a clear goal. So tragically, the end result seems the only possible one.

    Gyan cooly slotted the penalty and relished in the oppertunity to dance right in front of the Australian fans. Cant blame him really.
    At this point, it felt like the end of the world

    ... how could Australia win from here... or even get a draw. Surprisingly, Australia dug in to provide a most admirable effort.
    Against an opponent backed by the whole of Africa, a man down, and backs against the wall, they did ever so well.
    Chipperfield came off the bench to really lift the side... a threat and a half up forward. Kennedy increasing our attacking prowess.
    Both teams had their chances, but it was Australia who were on top in the dying stages. One moment will stick with me forever. The ball was fed through to Wilshire, right in front of the Australian fans. He had a golden 1 on 1 chance to give us an incredible win, but slid the ball right into the onrushing keeper..

    Its also worth mentioning the continued DISGRACEFUL behaviour of Australian 'Fanatics' Fans at this world cup. Towards the end of the game, Kennedy was called for a foul, in a challenge on the keeper

    . The reaction of the fans from my corner was to launch about 10-15 beer bottles (many full) onto the field.... I was in the front row and on my feet pleading with the animals to stop... along with a few others. It caught the attention of the neighboring stands and BOOS were directed immensely towards our section...
    It was another utter EMBARESSMENT to be associated with Australian fans... They make me sick. Someone could easily have been seriously hurt... full bottles missing volunteers by metres.

    The game ended a draw, and whilst mathematically still in the cup, its now out of Australian hands.
    We must now hope either Ghana beats Germany, or Germany beats Ghana by 3-4goals...
    Of course theres also the small matter of beating an impressive Serbia. Progression now looks unlikely.
    Theres still hope, and at the very least i hope Australia continues its improvement against the Serbs in 6 days time
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