Last night for the Final Match of the first World Cup on the continent of Africa, we went to church and enjoyed a braai between the Closing Ceremony and the start of the match. There was a mixture of people – some for The Netherlands and others for Espana. I chose to cheer for Espana for the many different times I have been with the ship in Tenerife and more recently when I was in hospital in Spain in January and February plus we speak the same language. Many fouls and penalties but it was fun to watch and this brings a close to the most professional football/soccer I have watched on TV in my life!
Braai before World Cup Final Match at Northside
Last night before the World Cup – Espana vs The Netherlands – we enjoyed a braai (barbeque) at the church here in the same community of the Advance Team. They have been very hospitable to our team. Though since I don’t cook myself that often, I sought the advise of Phillip and Marcel who helped with the meat we brought for dinner.
Durban Harbour
A view of the harbour in Durban, South Africa – the days are normally sunny, but it was hazy on this day – but I love the reflection of the buildings in the water of the bay. Durban has a population of over 3.5 million people. As an advance team we are staying just north of the downtown / central business district of Durban.
Watching World Cup on Television
What can I say… we have joined millions around the world in watching the evening World Cup matches on television (8:30pm our time). There are eight matches played here in Durban in a beautiful new stadium just south of where we are staying. After the World Cup, we hope to visit the stadium and take the grand tour including a walk on the upper arc.
Advance Team & Russ Holmes
A photo of our South Africa Advance Team & Russ Holmes who leads the Procurement Team at the IOC in Texas (he is here on vacation as his wife is South African and he stayed to work on procurement contacts). We stopped to have coffee before I meeting with a possible ship chandler for the ship’s visit to South Africa.
iMfolozi Game Reserve – View in mirror
As the game reserve is set up that you can drive through yourself (the map at the entrance gate is very helpful), it was amazing to see the various animals crossing the road/path in your rearview mirror.
iMfolozi Game Reserve – Buffalos
Within ten minutes of driving into the iMfolozi Game Reserve as I was heading to the education centre, I saw these two buffalos enjoying a small water hole – there was also a warthog taking a drink.
iMfolozi Game Reserve Giraffe
This was the best close up sighting I had of the giraffes in the iMfolozi Game Reserve when I visited.
iMfolozi Game Reserve – Zebras
There were some amazing animals in the iMfolozi Game Reserve – I loved watching the zebras and am reminded that no two zebras have the same stripes. This is a story we share in children’s ministry in West Africa to share how each and every one of us is unique and special to God.
iMfolozi Game Reserve Rhino
On Saturday, I was able to visit iMfolozi Game Reserve in the state of KZN, South Africa. The game reserve is famous for the white rhino – I saw three in this general area – amazing animals just to watch.