World Cup Cape Town 2010. 10th-25th June 2010

We had been planning this trip to South Africa for the FIFA World cup since 2006 on our last visit there and was very excited about returning for this amazing event. Originally we had planned to follow England around South Africa (thank goodness for the birth of my son!!), but when he came along in 2008 decided to ditch the idea and still go, but stay in one destination, this being Cape Town.

                                                                          

View from our balcony

After emailing lots of Hotels and Apartments for prices in May 2009 (many of whom would not commit until the World Cup draw was made in November of that year), we finally booked a lovely two bedroom apartment via the Owners Direct website. We wanted to have accommodation booked before booking the flights which didn't go on sale until July. The apartment was a lovely loft apartment in the centre of Cape Town in Adderley Terraces on Adderley Street with secure parking.

(Our Pool - not that we could use it. Too cold!!!!)

We have always flown to south Africa with KLM in the past and always found them cheapest, and we knew we were going to be paying well over the odds of what we had ever paid before. We ended up booking direct with British Airways, after checking out all the web sites such as Expedia, Travel Supermarket, Skyscanner and Kayak.  We tried them all (after 20 years in the travel industry, I knew who to try.) KLM were charging silly money and it shows as on our return flight, there were loads of dutch who found British Airways cheaper to fly back to Holland via Heathrow than direct from Cape Town to Holland with KLM.  The nearer our holiday got, the more hype and from December 2009 when British Airways Cabin crew threatened to strike, we were worried and as dates got announced we started to panic and it did take all the enjoyment out of looking forward to this holiday and of course the hype of the world cup. When the dates were announced, we were happy but slightly nervous as the last date was the 9th June and we were travelling on the 10th.  Have to say though, BA were excellent on every level, we travelled with our son who was eighteen months old and had never flown before BA made it all so easy. We got to board first at London and Cape Town and we had already previously booked bulkhead seats with a bassinet.  The only problem we found (which was no body's fault) was that as our son could not fit in a bassinet, was offered a seat which gets strapped onto the pull down tray.  Great until there is a little turbulence and the 'fasten seat belt' signs come on, then we had to take him out and the seat had to be taken down (not a problem except he was asleep), so we decided to ditch the seat on the return flight, but still the crew and (cabin and ground) were very helpful and could not do enough to make the flight more comfortable for us.

Jubilani Ball (V and A Waterfront)

The day we arrived (11th June) was the opening Ceremony for the Fifa World Cup in Johannesburg. We had tickets to go to the evening game at Greenpoint Stadium which was France v Uruguay.  The stadium was amazing there was a fan zone once you got past security so that if you wanted some entertainment before going into the game there was plenty. There was a stage which had dancers, Emirates tent, plenty of food and drink Outlets, Fifa Shop and lots more to see and do. It did nearly kill me getting to our seat though as we were on the third tier up and six flights of stairs to climb, then once we were there, another flight of stairs to get to our seat, but it was definitely worth it.  Although have to say the actual game was boring, but the stadium and atmosphere were amazing.

France v Uruguay (Greenpoint Stadium)

On the day we arrived in Cape Town (11th June), it was lovely and sunny and warm, little did we know to enjoy it while we could.  The very next day, the rain came down and poured for three days, so we just had a shopping and eating day at the waterfront until the England v Algeria game.

No trip to Cape Town is complete without a trip to see the penguins at Boulders Beach. Boulders is about an hours drive from Cape Town and is in a lovely setting. We did actually have about an hour without rain on this particular day, I am glad to say, but it does get very busy and people to tend to try and shove you out of the way to get photos.  It is worth mentioning if you drive to Boulders to stop off at Muizenberg which is on the way, as there is a lovely beach here with bright coloured beach huts.

Penguins at Boulders Beach

    

Muizenberg

When South Africa were awarded the World Cup, the media started a witch campaign (especially in the UK) and especially in the lead up to the world cup starting every day was a different story about how South Africa should never had got it, 'they can't handle it', 'it will be a disaster', 'there is too much crime' and the list goes on.  Well having been to South Africa a few times previously, we knew what to expect and what you can and cannot and have to say that South Africa did themselves proud.  It was all so well organised and the FIFA Fan fests were excellent and had plenty of big screens, lots of bars and food outlets as well as craft stalls, stages and entertainment tents. We spent quite a lot of time in the fan fests as there were three games on a day for the first week or so. There was even a grandstand so when it rained at least you could go undercover.

Zakumi

Italy v Paraguay (Greenpoint Stadium)

Greenpoint Stadium

The Italy v Paraguay game had a better atmosphere than the France v Uruguay game and it was buzzing.

While we were in Cape Town, we noticed lots of brightly painted zebras scattered around and these are part of the 'Not all is Black and white Zebra Campaign' and World for all Foundation. 

England fans invade Camps Bay

 

England Fans invade V and A Waterfront Cape Town

 We have been to South Africa and Cape Town many times before and been to most of the attractions at least once, such as Robben Island (well worth a visit), Table Mountain, Boulders Beach, Cape Point and most of the other 'must see and do' of Cape Town. However, this time we had a toddler with us so had to find things to do that he would enjoy.

  I did find a website that had 101 things to do with kids very useful for ideas. We had planned to go up Table Mountain on the first clear sunny day we had, but when we got there changed our minds as the queues were unbelievable, so decided to give it a miss.

Instead we headed up Signal Hill which we had never done before and were pleasantly surprised. Everyday at 12 noon the 'noon gun' is fired from Signal Hill. The views over Robben Island and Cape Town were magnificent and I still do not know why we had never been up there before.

View from Siganl Hill

We had also never been to the South African Museum, is situated in the Gardens (along with the Planetarium), so decided to pay a visit.  I would recommend this and my son loved it. There are different exhibitions on throughout the year, there was a wildlife photography exhibition, African Dinosaur, The representational taxonomies of disease, among others.  The walk through the gardens is lovely (when it's not raining) and the squirrels are very tame and there are loads of them.

Squirrels in the Gardens

For a really good shopping trip, we headed out to Century City, which is about half an hour from Cape Town, which is as it says on the tin (a city). We had been here before and there are loads of shops from designer to high street, food courts and restaurants and luxury apartments. Most gifts and souvenirs that we bought were cheaper here than in the shops at the V and A waterfront.

Next on our list of child friendly activities was Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm  and Drakenstein Lion Park which we all enjoyed very much. They have a shop  (Le Bonheur) selling very expensive Croc skin bags, croc pate and other delightful souvenirs, there is also a licensed cafe overlooking a lake with amazing views and you can do Bass fishing.

View from Le Bonheur Croc Farm

Snowy the Albino Crocodile

                                                                                  

Drakenstein Lion Sanctuary

That evening, we had a meal at Gordon Ramsay's Maze restaurant situated in The One and Only Hotel at Cape Town Waterfront and I have to say the food and service were amazing. The restaurant was not too posh that you felt out of place and there was a good choice of food and it was very child friendly. After the first course, our waiter brought my son a box over which said 'Kids only' on it which you could colour in and inside the box there was play dough, things to colour in and crayons and it definitely kept him occupied between courses. After we had paid the bill (which was very reasonable considering!), the waiter came over with lollipops in a holder that were covered in nougat, then a plate of mini brownies and a box of macaroons to take home and all I can say is that if you get chance then go as it is worth every penny. 
Talking of restaurants and especially child friendly, we went to Spur at the Waterfront a few times as it had a great atmosphere, and the staff do a dance and get everybody clapping and going.  It is a steak restaurant and the portions are very generous (and the desserts are yummy!!!!).  Previous to going to Gordon Ramsay's Maze (which only opened about 18 months ago) our favourite place to eat was City Grill at the waterfront. They have very tasty dishes and as well as selling steaks and fish, they South Africa dishes such as Kudu, Ostrich, springbok and Venison among many other dishes.  City Grill is still one of our favourites, but Maze has just taken over slightly with the service (it was the chocolate brownies that did it!!!!)



Next to be ticked off was Hermanus.  We have been to Hermanus which is famous for whale watching, but the best time of year for that is end of July until September and although we knew we probably would not see any, Hermanus is a lovely town to visit.

Hermanus

The next day we went to Bloubergstrand Beach and then onto the Cape Town Ostrich Farm at Durbanville.

Boubergstrand is about twenty minutes drive from Cape Town and this is where you will get the best views of Table Mountain and an amazing beach. Bloubergstrand is a surfers paradise and there are golf courses nearby and restaurants.

Bloubergstrand Beach

After having a very nice breakfast at the News Cafe in Bloubergstrand, we headed on to the West Coast Ostrich Ranch (in the guide we had it was called Cape Town ostrich ranch), which is in Durbanville and has Table Mountain as a back drop. We had a lovely sunny day on the day we came here and as well as tours, cafe and shops, there was a child's play area with a large sand pit which my son loved.  In fact he loved it so much and found a playmate that he then didn't want to come on the tour that that we had booked and paid for. (We had to wait about an hour before somebody was available to take us on a tour.) The tour was good and you can sit on an Ostrich and have your picture taken with Table Mountain in the background, but I though the Ostrich farm we went to on a previous visit to South Africa was better. This was at Oudtshoorn when we visited Knysna.

West Coast Ostrich Ranch

One of the 'in' places to see and be seen is Camps Bay. Camps Bay is only minutes away from Cape Town and has beautiful beaches, and lots of shops, bars and restaurants and is knows as a 'posers paradise'. One of the stories that we heard while in South Africa that the most expensive rented property (rented by a fan(s)) and not officials or players was in Camps Bay and was rented for 1Million Rand for the month of the world cup (approx £100,000). It is beautiful and in a great location, you can even have a massage on the beach. We have been to Camps Bay loads of times and the my son loved the beach.

Camps Bay Beach

Misty Cliffs (Chapmans Peak Drive)

Chapmans Peak Drive

Cape Point

Wheel Of Excellence at Waterfront

If you hire a car while in South Africa and have the chance you must drive over 'Chapmans Peak Drive'. which is a scenic route from Noordhoek to Hout Bay. The last time we were in Cape Town the road was closed as it does when it is windy. You will see the most beautiful views ever while driving through some beautiful little towns. You do have to pay on the toll bridge which is about R300. We drove over Chapman's Peak drive on our way to Cape Point which is also a must see day out. At Cape Point there is now 'The Flying Dutchman' funicular railway which you can ride to the top where the Lighthouse is if you don't fancy the steps. There are lots of wild baboons and ostrich's and as cute as the baboons are god help you if they see you eating food as they can be very vicious and people do still eat in front of them even though there are warning signs everywhere telling you 'do not feed the baboons' and 'don't eat in front on them' as they will attack you for your food. Cape Point is about one and half to two hours drive from Cape Town depending on the route you take. It gets very busy especially at the bottom where the 'Cape of Good Hope' is and there are always lots of tour buses so would recommend stopping off here early or on your way down. We discovered lots of little paths that you drive down in a car that take you cave hideouts and secluded beaches that the tour buses cannot do as they are not wide enough.

 

Stellenbosch and Spier was next on our list of things to do.
Spier is in the heart of the wine lands and is a huge wine farm which as well as being a farm also has an eagle and Cheetah sanctuary as well as shops, restaurants and a spa. It is in beautiful surroundings and is well worth a visit although I am not sure about the cheetah having a enough space, but that is only my opinion.

On our second to last day, we booked on to the City sightseeing red bus tour around Cape Town. There are two tours that you can take either round the city or a Blue mini peninsular tour which goes to Kirstenbosch Gardens, among others. We decided to just book on to the Cape Town Tour, which takes about two hours (if you stay on the bus) and goes to all the main attractions like the Waterfront, Sea Point, Camps Bay and Two Oceans aquarium as well as many others. But you can hop on and off all day if you choose.
It was very good and well worth the money especially if you have a nice day which we did so sat upstairs outside.

This day was Thursday the 24th June 2010 when Holland were playing Cameroon and there was definitely a 'Dutch Presence' and the atmosphere was fantastic.  We actually had the privilege of going to this game which was a very good game.

This is my first world cup and even though England did terrible, we had a fantastic time and when I got home I even missed the sound of the vu vu zelas. We met the most amazing people from all over the world and the South Africans really know how to host a great party.  We still love South Africa and there are still many places that we have not been to.  We definitely want to drive the Garden route from Cape Town and discover all the places along the route.