All this week we’ve been talking about the 2010 FIFA World Cup and also the City of Durban, South Africa. So let’s finish off with a combination of both.

Early on in my adventures in South Africa, I had a chance to visit the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. It was built especially for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. With all the investment South Africa has made in building stadiums, I had to wonder, “what will happen to the stadiums after the World Cup is over?” Fortunately Durban asked that question before they started building the stadium.

In addition to using it for sporting events, the stadium has restaurants, shops and a fitness center along a pedestrian mall at it’s base. It also has a SkyCar that takes you to the top of the stadium, offering a great panoramic view. Take a look in this YouTube video:

If you’d rather get your exercise, you can opt-out of the SkyCar and visitors can walk to the top of the stadium. And not for the feint-hearted, you can leap from stadium’s edge and swing underneath the arch.

Prices are reasonable for the SkyCar, at only 50 Rand (less than $10). Not a bad price for a view of the City of Durban and the Indian Ocean. To see some of the photos I took from the top of the stadium (and around the stadium grounds), click here to visit my Facebook Fan Page Photo Album for Moses Mabhida Stadium.

I’d rank it as a must-see attraction if you’re traveling to Durban. (Unless it’s during the World Cup – FIFA has closed the SkyCar until July 12th. Weird, huh?)

Do you have a favorite World Cup Stadium? Share by commenting.

Stay Tuned: I’ll be taking a break from adventures in South Africa next week and traveling further north to Zambia for a week-long special on travel to Victoria Falls. Be sure to check back for stunning scenery, adrenaline-fueled adventures and one of the most hospitable guest lodges in Livingstone. Become a fan on facebook to stay in touch.

I’ll see you out there…! From waaaay up there.

It’s Finally Here!!!

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is in full swing. There’s still plenty of time to celebrate both abroad and at home. Here’s your guide to having the most lekker World Cup Celebration.

1. First, read about The Importance of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to South Africa. For the country of South Africa, the World Cup is more than just a bunch of soccer matches, but holds the potential to skyrocket South Africa’s reputation throughout the world and provide prosperity for the developing nation. This is the reason why the whole world needs to rally behind this wonderful country.
2. Get yourself some awesome South African Music. Especially for World Cup, you’ll need to download: Waka Waka, Wavin’ Flag and Diski Dance.
3. Speaking of the Diski Dance, you better learn it… It’s a dance created especially to celebrate soccer. Children and adults across the country have been learning it and dancing it for months. The details can be found here.
4. Practice your Vuvuzela for when Bafana Bafana (the nickname of the SA Football Team), scores a goal. Don’t have a vuvuzela? Then use your own noisemaker. And because the vuvuzela has been widely criticized, here’s my opinion on Why I Support the Vuvuzela.
5. Wear your Bafana Bafana Jersey. Every Friday is Football Friday in South Africa. This means everyone in the country displays their patriotism by wearing the official South African Football Team Jersey. Can’t find one at your local sports store? Than wear anything yellow and green.
6. Host your party with Amarula. While Castle Lager is probably more appropriate for a sporting event, Amarula is just plain magic.
7. Going to watch a few matches in South Africa? Then check out the 1 Thing You Should Do while you’re in your host city.

Who are you rooting for in the World Cup? Comment with your team’s pick! Follow adventureswithben.com on facebook too.

I’ll see you out there…! Go Bafana Bafana

That’s the question I ask the locals every time I enter a new city, wherever I am in the world. On many of my trips, I’m only in a city long enough to see one thing. If I leave without checking out the “it” place to go, I’m always regretting it.

So if you happen to be making your way to South Africa over the next few weeks to see the 2010 FIFA World Cup, don’t leave your host city until visiting the one thing you should see…

Cape Town – Green Point Stadium

Travel to the top of Table Mountain. You can take a cable car, or hike it. You’ll be rewarded with an amazing view of the city. If it’s cloudy, make a trip to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for dining, shopping and entertainment. Chances are, you may be spending more than 1 day in this city. For more ideas check out two and a half days in Cape Town.

Port Elizabeth – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

If there’s one thing I need to do in South Africa to see and do it all, it’s the Garden Route. Use Port Elizabeth (or P.E. as it’s often referred), as a starting off point to travel along the N2 Highway for spectacular vistas long Plettenberg Bay and the Indian Ocean. Here’s a great guide to your trip.

Bloemfontein – Free State Stadium

For a bit of a history lesson in Bloemfontein, check out the Anglo-Boer War Museum. Haven’t been there myself, but I’ve often wanted to understand more about South Africa’s roots. It’s the must-see in all the guidebooks, plus the price is right too, less than $2.00!

Durban – Moses Mabhida Stadium

Durban offers a wide variety of activities. Known for it’s beaches and surfing, it’s also not too far away from national parks with Big Five game viewing. You’ll need to sample Indian Cuisine while you’re here. But the one thing you should see is one of the signature attractions in the city: uShaka Marine World. If you have the opportunity and transportation, a trip to the Drakensberg Mountains is probably a better option.

Johannesburg – Soccer City

Sure the stadium is located in Soweto, but to see this city properly, you must go on a tour through a Soweto township, see the Hector Peterson Memorial, Mandela’s house and the two towers. Ask your local hotel reception for a recommended tour operator in your area.

Johannesburg – Ellis Park

Now that you’ve seen Soweto, get a closer understanding of what Apartheid was at the museum that bears it’s name. Budget at least 2 hours to comprehend it all.

Pretoria – Loftus Versfeld Stadium

Sure Pretoria has lots to see and do, but I’d rather spend my time  returning to Johannesburg and catching up on what I missed. For a chance to see animals (if you can’t make it to a game reserve), visit the Lion Park. You can play with lion cubs, spot the adults from your car and more.

Polokwane – Peter Mokaba Stadium

Hands down, you need to walk with lions. You’ll remember this forever. The Lion Walk is located at the Protea Hotel The Ranch. They also make an absolutely divine Crepe Suzette in their restaurant Basil’s. You can read about my experience with the lions here.

Rustenberg – Royal Bafokeng Stadium

Rustenberg is nearby to one of South Africa’s National Parks, Pilanesberg. Smaller than Kruger National Park, I’ve had great animal sightings perhaps because of it’s size. Rent a car and drive around the park looking for the Big Five. Here’s one adventure (out of many), I had in the park.

Nelspruit – Mbombela Stadium

Kruger National Park. It’s the signature attraction for the country. The size of Israel, hundreds of elephants, lions, rhinos, hippos and everything else in between call this park home. You’re close enough to the Malelane gate for a day trip, but this park truly requires a few days.

Do you have any favorite attractions near the stadiums I may have missed? Share by commenting.

There’s a fantastic country for you to explore out there. So what are you waiting for?

Ayoba!

I’ll see you out there…!

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Starts today. After six years of preparation, South Africa is finally realizing a dream come true. In honor of the start of the month-long competition, adventureswithben.com is dancing – The Diski!

So what is it?

The Diski Dance is a specially-crafted choreographed dance about soccer that is spreading across the country of South Africa. It’s intended to get everyone excited about the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The world “Diski” itself, refers to the soccer ball. The dance moves are inspired by soccer kicks and chest bumps with some South African flair. Classes have been conducted in schools across the nation and of course, while I was there I had the opportunity to learn.

The Official Video

Here’s the South African Tourism Official Diski Dance video:

It’s got a catchy tune by Alun Richards appropriately named “Diski Dance”. You can buy it from iTunes (and for more South African World Cup music selections, check out one of my earlier posts).

My Attempt

Since I was in the country for 42 days and spent many a lonely night in my hotel room. I practiced my Diski Dance. So it is with great pleasure that I present to you, “Ben’s, I’m All Alone in my Hotel Room and this was the best Diski Dance Video I Could Create” YouTube Video:

After rehearsing, I thought of the best idea. Considering that I would be traveling throughout South Africa, “wouldn’t it be great if I filmed myself dancing the Diski Dance all around the country at it’s most prominent landmarks?”

Dancing Around the Country

I did a quick online search to see what already exists and saw that my idea was already brought to life by Matt Harding from Where the Hell is Matt. He’s one of the adventurers I’ve previously written about here. So with my creative flame extinguished, I proudly present someone who quite honestly did better than what I could have done,

If you want to learn the Diski Dance, here are the instructions:

What do you think of my Diski Dance? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment. When you’re done, become a fan on my Facebook Fan Page here!