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Published: June 17th 2010
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Bush Fire festival in Swaziland was soooo AWESOME! Showed up with Justin and Hanan to the campground adjacent to the festival for 3 nights. The festival took place at a very special venue “House of Fire” in the country side of Swaziland. With a partially covered amphitheater stage made with custom art work sculptures built into the structure. Like nothing i"ve seen before so much time and love put into it. Behind the amphitheater area was a full festival stage with a field that held up to 10,000 people. The music was very unique world / African music. A bit different from music I am accustomed to. Some headliners were the Parlatones and Freshly Ground both of which played at the World Cup opening concert in Johannesburg last Thursday. Many local Swazi's attended, a strong South African crowd and many North Americans taking time off from their Peace core service to enjoy the music and people. Saturday was the busiest night with 3 dance floors going after the live music. While Sunday we awoke to rain and a leaky tent. The cold weather didn't slow down the music as many people braved the rain supporting the bands. We met many
great people and made life long memories during my short 4 days in Swaziland.
From Manzini Swaziland we caught a Kombi bus directly to Maputo the capital of Mozambique after a brief stop at the border for a mandatory visa. Maputo is a large semi modern city full of many cultures. A strong Christian and Muslim community live in the Portuguese speaking country. A big influence from South America at times it felt a little like Brasil. Maputo sits on the coast of the Indian ocean. Famous for its wild night life and giant prawns we filled 5 days in the capital exploring mostly by foot. Mozambique is also famous for its beautiful empty beaches, amazing diving and snorkeling, and swimming with the whale shark that frequents the coast line. Unfortunately we were unable to travel north out of the big city. We were on a time schedule to are next destination Kruger park, then to are camp in Rustenburg to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup which takes place every 4 years around the world.
Kruger park is a large wilderness area set aside by Paul Kruger for conservation. It is home to the
famous Big 5 animals. Lion, Leopard, Elephant, water buffalo, and Rhino. After saying good by to are nearly month long travel friend Hanan in Mozambique, Justin and I used Nelspruit as our base to explore Kruger. Staying at the Funky Monkey hostel and campground we met several Chileans who arrived for the world cup. For the first time I could really feel the spirit of the world cup with travelers from several nations making there way to South Africa. With only 3 days till the tournament begins Justin and I rented a car for 2 days made a camping reservation and started safari in Kruger. We immediately saw some elephants next to the road more focused on eating then all the cars taking photo's. Elephants are a very interesting mammal with a vegetarian diet, a great memory and very family oriented social patterns. Continuing with are self guided tour we were able to spot some crocodiles, hippos, impala, warthogs, giraffe, several bird species. The park is teeming with wildlife all living in a natural way. We arrived at the Skukuza camp ground within the park, set up our tent and hurried off to the night safari we booked with the
park. Within the first hour I saw the most incredible sight of a male lion sitting by the side of the road and then getting up and walking as we followed very closely. Lions are massive such a beautiful beast, this male had a long brown mane, and was not bothered at all by the safari truck or the loads of flash photos being taken. Lions are the coolest. Continuing with the guided night safari we soon saw a female lion and 2 cubs about 3 months old. They were sleeping by the road which is warm from the heat release from the asphalt. We were able to see one more a total of 5 lions within the 3 hour night drive, something I will never forget. We also were lucky enough to see six rhinos a few camiliens and a pack of laughing hyenas. A great time a true feeling of wild Africa an Africa with little influence from humans. After a special time viewing wildlife in their natural environment we returned the rental car and grabbed a kombi bus for the capital of South Africa Pretoria where we stayed with a friend we met at the Bush Fire
festival. Pretoria is a nice fairly clean and modern city. A sacred place for the Afrikaans people that have been here for a few hundred years. After one night in Pretoria and witnessing the soccer fans from around the world sporting their country's colors we took the short 2 hour ride to Rustenburg where the USA played England on the second day of the tournament. Arriving in Rustenburg we met up with Canadian Tim and Redman from the UK whom we met in Nelspruit. We set up in a nature reserve campground full of English and a minority of USA supporters. In Rustenburg we went to a Fan Fair set up to hold thousands of fans. The locals came out in the masses to support there South African team nicknamed Bafana Bafana meaning boy boy. The vuvuzelas and yellow Bafana bafana jersey's were in full force. The vuvuzela is the loud horn that many players don't like, but I think ads atmosphere to the crowd. During the game as many know, South Africa scored a great goal to open up the 2010 world cup. The crowd went nuts including me giving hugs and high fives to everyone in the fair
Maputo
sky line in background grounds. What a moment and hope for the home team that has its country completely behind them. South Africa has done a beautiful job getting ready for the world cup updated transportation, new stadiums, mass infrastructure upgrades. What I find best about the world cup is the happiness and friendly nature of all the people in South Africa. They are very proud and exited to show their country to the world. Day two of the world cup was the big opening match for my USA team. Planning on watching it at the campground on the projector and flat screen. I was fortunate enough to buy a ticket with only 3 hours before the match from a fellow camper, and I was off to the Royal Bafokeng stadium just outside Rustenburg. What an atmosphere thousands of USA and English fans in full form as they cheer on our countries. I had great seats on lower level near the corner post. As England scored the first goal I was not worried as I have full confidence in my stars and stripes team who managed to squeeze in a goal early in the second half. The game was left at 1-1 result I'll
take the tie as many English fans were very disappointed. In Rustenburg I used the next few days to watch all the matches so far, on the television in camp. On June 15th I went to my second match New Zealand v. Slovakia a day game that enabled me to tailgate, enjoy the stadium and enthusiastic fans. The game ended with a last minute goal by the Kiwi's who were happy with the draw. Yesterday morning Justin and I caught a ride from Canadian Tim back to Pretoria where we are now staying in a beautiful house near the stadium with one of Justin's friends and her family. Its very nice here, as we are treated as part of the family. Justin and I will spend a few days here before we decide are next destination. Tomorrow afternoon we go to Johannesburg's Ellis Park stadium to watch USA v Slovenia. Looking forward to my first time in J-burg and a needed victory by the US. I will attempt to get tickets to USA's last group match here in Pretoria v Algeria. I hope everybody is enjoying the world cup, its been such great atmosphere here in South Africa. A wonderful
celebration of the worlds people and cultures. Look for me in tomorrows game in J-burg. Go USA soccer!
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Great adventure
Hey Jeff; What an adventure your having! Wildlife and party life.the safari park sounds like a must do. the world cup party, thats for the young uns. unfortunetly world cup coverage in the US sucks. The world parties on with out us. guess the UK goal keeper in deep shit. Enjoy the party man, Dont rush home it's still the same.