Brazil vs Portugal Fri 25 June

The proof of the pudding is in the eating and I made my way yesterday to the FIFA ticket office to collect my tickets I bought online some time ago.

The crucial part of the visit was waiting long enough as the queues in the early days when the ticket office opened were hectic. Yesterday was a breeze and I walked right up to the counter and my tickets were instantly printed out.

So here they are. We are going to see Brazil vs Portugal. I have already bought my Brazil t.shirt!!

Durban lights up the World

Durban's main street is ablaze with lights for the World Cup event. Traditionally only Christmas lights have ever spanned our main street, so it was a treat to see the World Cup countries flags down the length of the street.

Football hotbodz for World Cup

With the World Cup coming to Durban in just over two weeks fans are excited not just to see their favourite footballers in action on the field but many hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the sexier players. We have compiled a photo-selection of some of the hotter bodz which could keep Durban girls and guys eagerly awaiting their arrival.

In the photos are from top to bottom and left to right - Ruud van Nustelrooy (Nethrlands), Roque Santa- Cruz (Paraguay), Cesc Fabregas, left and right (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) and next pic with Armani jeans,  David Albelda (Spain), Iker Cassilas (Spain), Roque Santa-Cruz (Paraguay), Vincenzo Montella (Italy) and again Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal). WOW!

Soccer fever.. less than 30 days

It's less than 30 days to the World Cup event and around us shops, cars, houses, people.. are sporting world and South African flags.

The wedding shop window display - top pics - are really awesome and the pics don't really do justice to the real display. Well done guys. GO FIFA GO!! I still have to collect my tickets to the Portugal vs Brazil game.. avoiding the queues, and last night I made contact with a guy involved with FIFA who may have some Australia vs Germany tickets available. Anyone want to buy some?

Africa's largest "Indaba" travel show in Durban

South Africa's Tourism Indaba (Zulu for "Meeting" or "gathering") is Africa's largest travel show and has been held for the past 12 years by popular demand in Durban.

Today we became tourists in our own country and visited the show to see what Africa has to offer the world. The Indaba attracts over 12 000 delegates representing the tourism industry world-wide who come to see the showcase of Southern African and Indian Ocean islands travel opportunties.

In the photos (from top) Durban Stadium View Guesthouse co-owner Dave on the 1st floor of the South African Airways stand at the Indaba show, a photo of the Durban Moses Mabhida Stadium forming part of the Art exhibition at Indaba, Guesthouse co-owner Llewellyn at the Indaba entrance, a footballer sculpture in wire, beads and lights representing the FIFA World Cup event, also represented widely at the show, and Dave blasts a vuvuzela, the local form of trumpet used to herald and make noise at soccer events locally.

New King Shaka Airport Durban

Here are some more images of Durban's new King Shaka International Airport most of our guests for the World Cup will be seeing soon.

Durban dawn

The sun has risen and it's another glorious winter morning in Durban. For those not from Durban it is almost hard to believe it is winter; we went to the beach yesterday and tanned coming home a little pink. This is not the case for the rest of South Africa though - it is already quite cold inland and whereas we have a dry winter, it is usually raining and cold this time of the year in Cape Town.

Guesthouse Studio gets an uplift

With the FIFA 2010 World Cup almost upon us we have been busy at the Guesthouse with some upgrades to the rooms and facilities.

The photos show the Garden Studio and the new decor, the kitchen, the en-suite shower and the large spacious interior. We have just hung new curtains, added furniture and soft furnishings and repainted. Guests are sure to be comfortable.

Breakfast in the Guesthouse is included with our Garden Studio rates, but guests there also have a mini-kitchen so can also make meals, warm goodies up in the microwave or store coldstuffs in the fridge. This is especially handy for those spending more than a few days with us.

The Studio can also accommodate an extra bed for an additional guest or couple. The rates are R1950 per night (for 3 guests).

King Shaka International Airport - opened 1 May 2010

Wow, what an exciting weekend for Durban!! We made international aviation history as the only airport to have completed re-located to a brand new airport 35kms north of the city. Both airports were up and running simultaneously, with staff at both ends having to oversee the big switchover. 

We were there on Friday 30th April to see the last plane land at the Durban International Airport - open since 1955 and closed for the last time at 10pm.

Then this morning, Sat 1 May heralded the opening of the brand new 3x larger King Shaka International airport designed to cater for the huge A380 Airbus and the droves of international tourists who are discovering the gem of Durban on the sunny east coast of South Africa.

In the photos from top, how the morning paper covered the planeload of dignitaries who were first to land at the new airport. then the pics of the awesome new airport I took today, and in the smaller pics Dave (that's me) hamming it up at the deserted check-in counters and baggage belt at the closing airport after the last flight had departed on Friday night.