The MacIlwaines and Redding on Safari

The MacIlwaine and Redding families have just returned from their safari in Kenya. They sent us some amazing photos of their time. I can't believe the amount of wonderful things they experienced. I have attached a pic of them with their guide and one of my personal favorites - their Hot Air Balloon experience.

International Air show

For those in the Cape Town Area, just a note - International Airshow at AFB Ysterplaat public days starts tomorrow at 06:00AM.Entrance Tickets at: AFB Ysterplaat - Adults R50, children under 12 & pensioners R30. Pre-paid tickets at: NSRI & Cape Tourism Offices - adults R50, children under 12 & pensioners R40. Entrance gates: Koeberg Road & Ratanga Junction. Find out more at www.aadexpo.co.za

World Cup 2010 Soccer

The Local Organising Committee for the 2010 has anounced that tickets will go on sale in February 2009. So it would seem the wait is almost over soccer fans.

It's expected that 3 million tickets will go on sale and they have promised to make them affordable for South Africans. There are going to be different price catagories and the matches in greater demand will obviously be more expensive. Prices start from about $20 going up to a wopping $900.

The 3 million tickets are only for South Africans and constitutes about 15% of all the tickets for the 2010.

Now if you are lucky enough to have been involved in the building of the stadium (ag shame) or helped with the whole infrastructure you might get one of the 120 000 free tickets that FIFA is giving away.

Wondering where you can get your hands on some of the 3 million tickets - from FIFA's website of course http://www.fifa.com/ or certain outlets around the country(what does this actually mean, I ask myself??). International guest - they haven't mentioned how they are going to do your tickets sales yet, sorry. But I am sure this info will be released in due course.

Oh and I found this article on the tickets on FIFA's site as well for those who are really interested..
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/ticketing/index.html

Shamwari in the spot light

TravelHub released an article regarding Shamwari Game Reserve this week. Apparently there is a Shamwari documentary called "Shamwari: A wild Life" written, filmed and produced by Lyndal Davies which is being released onto Animal Planet, not only in SA but Europe and Africa as well.
It's about the people of Shamwari who live and work there and includes some great footage of lion translocations, rhino captures and even the birth of a baby giraffe. What a boost for Shamwari and SA!!

Animal Planet viewing times and dates:
UK: Weekdays at 20h00 (UK time) from September 15Italy: Thursdays at 22h00 and 22h30 (European time) from October 9Europe: Weekdays at 19h00 from September 29Middle East: Weekdays at 19h00 (Middle East time) from September 29Africa and SA: Weekdays at 19h00 (Central African time) from September 29
I got these from the TravelHub article - so thanks Natalie Thomson

Surfing Elandsbay on the West Coast

Glassy conditions in the late afternoon on Saturday and a fair swell left me very satisfied, surfing Elandsbay. Again a perfect sunset while sitting in the line up. I am always amazed at the trains that pass and how long they are. I have counted in the past and there are 280 trucks filled to the brim with iron ore on its way to Saldanha from Sishen. Water was a little dirty as the river is coming down. The water was a little chilly as well, but the surf made up for it.

Spring in the winelands

After a really bad weather spell in Cape Town and the West Coast over the weekend, yesterday was our first really good spring day. On tour in the winelands we enjoyed brilliant spring sunshine and a glass of Pierre Jourdan, Cap Classique. Wine tasting in the sun followed by lunch was the only way to go. John, Paula, Peter and Lorelei from the US enjoying our wine and sun in Franschoek.

Seems everyone was watching the surf!

I took this picture on Tuesday and it seems that everyone was watching the surf around Cape Town very closely after the storm over the weekend. This was taken near Cape Point while on a tour, really sorry that I was not in the water.

More Cape Storm Pics

I had to add these too. Elsa Hoffmann really took these, they are not fake, a hoax or superimposed. She got really drenched, but has a few awesome pics to show for it.

This is the Cape Doctor at it's worst. Really hope the stadium gets finished before 2010 :0)

Cape Storms

By now I am sure you have all heard about the terrible weather we have been experiencing here in Cape Town and all of the Western Cape. Many of the informal settlements in the area have been affected, not to mention the restaurants that have had to close their doors. One of them is Polana, a gorgeous restaurant situated on the Kalkbay Harbour. Perfect for enjoying sundowners, while watching the Cape waves splash up against the windows. However, with the waves the size that they have been, they have been totally waterlogged and many regulars will have to go and find a new watering hole *excuse the pun*.

Sad to say this situation makes for fab photo opportunities and my wonderful friend Elsa Hoffmann captured this shot last night - I just had to share it.

The weather seems to be getting a bit better now but experts say that this is the worse storm in about 20 years. Strange that the Cape is known by the name Cape of Storms - coincidence?

That said, Fish Hoek has suddenly become a great left hand break for surfers and they are out in their droves. I am sure if Brent didn't have to work he would be right there with them :0)