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Published: June 25th 2010
We got up a little earlier than usual (6:30) today to make full use of our last 4 hours with our car. We drove down the coast to the Cape of Good Hope to see Cape Point, the spot where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean meet. The drive is beautiful for starters because you have to drive around Table Mountain and through the back side of the city. I can’t get over how much green there is here, and the trees are super tall. Then, once you reach the coast, you drive by (or through) one small town after another, almost like you are driving in southern France, very cool. Along the way, we stopped a few times to take some photos of the sunrise.
We arrived at the Table Mountain National Park, which is where Cape Point is, around 8:45 and started walking around. I think we were the second ones there, so we basically had the place to ourselves...ourselves and some baboons!!! On the side of the road, we stumbled upon a group of 10 baboons with 2 tiny baboon babies. Very cool!! And once you get on the paths, they have signs warning us about baboons.
They say you are supposed to lock your doors because the first thing they do when they approach a car is to try to get it.
Along the paths, there are some cool cliff-lookout points that when you look straight down, you stare at the ocean waves crashing into the coast. It was a bit foggy when we got there, but by the time we left, it was completely clear and sunny. We took a path around one of the 2 lighthouses to get as far as we could to the tip of the peninsula. And in true Rob fashion, when the path didn’t allow tourists to go far enough, I hopped over the fence and went even further. Hehe
We were on a tight schedule because the car had to be back by noon in downtown Cape Town, and Cape Point is about 1 hour 15 mins out, and we also wanted to stop by a penguin “reserve” if you will. I was told that in 1984, 2 penguins washed up on Boulder Beach. Over the years, with the help of the government, they built an area to protect the penguins. The last count was at about
3000 penguins. It’s a neat place, because as you walk the path, penguins walk along side you, or you can see them sleeping in their little “huts”, or swimming in the ocean, etc... Afterwards, we drove back into town and arrived at the car rental place at 12:00 on the nose, so it was a perfect morning.
We took a nap in the afternoon to be fresh for the Cameroon - Holland game. We walked over to the stadium 3 hours before game time, and I never saw any indication of problems entering the stadium like I read prior to arriving. Green Point Stadium is beautiful, brand new, might be the prettiest one I have ever been to in all my World Cup travels. Our seats were awesome: on the side by the corner flag, about as far out as the penalty spot, second bowl, row 1.
The game started kind of slow, both teams not doing much, but it eventually picked up the pace here and there. Holland went up 1-0 via van Persie just before halftime. In the second half, Cameroon came out a little stronger but could not put anything together in the final end
of the field. Eventually, on a rebound, Cameroon shot the ball that hit a Dutch player’s hand...penalty!!!!! Janel was super excited because it meant her favourite player, Samuel Eto’o, would get a shot at it...and he did. Eto’o scored to tie it up, very cool moment. Cameroon pressed some more but opened themselves up at the back, allowing Robben to do his magic and create a second goal for Holland...final score: 2-1.
Even though we lost, we were thrilled to see Eto’o play and score. We met a few Cameroonians before the game and we were interviewed by a Cameroon TV reporter who wanted to know why we were still supporting Cameroon even though they were already eliminated. Outside the stadium but past the security check, there were lots of activities going on like games, music, dancing and the best soccer ball-juggler I have ever seen in my life. In all my World Cup travels they have master jugglers here and there...but this guy was insane. I will have to video tape him when we come back here for the semi-final. Oh, and I played a soccer game on PS3 against a local and we tied 2-2...nice graphics and
game play.
Today, we are off to visit Robben Island, site of the prison where Nelson Mandela spent the majority of his time in jail. Afterwards, we will watch the Brazil - Portugal game on a big green at the Waterfront. Since we will now follow Holland, it is crucial that Brazil not lose this game. If we win or tie, all is set for Brazil to meet up with Holland in the quarterfinal, which we have a ticket for. Yesterday was a good day too because Italy was eliminated...so embarrassing. Our next game will be Holland vs Slovakia in the Round of 16 match in Durban. We were hoping to see Italy and have them eliminated at our game, but you can’t have everything go your way.
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Chelsea
non-member comment
Looks like a breath taking view! Was the water really calm or was it kinda crazy since it is where the two oceans meet?