Chicken or Beef

Hi bloggers...

Sadly, the Soccer World Cup is in its twilight phase. What a tournament we've hosted!?!

All South Africans big and small should give themselves a pat on the back for showcasing our country in such a truely spectacular fashion.

So now that it's on to the final - where will you be watching? - I certainly know who I'm rooting for. 

Here are some of the picture highlights from the tournament - view our World Cup galleries -  and then send in your own gees images as we've extended our monthly competition until the close of the tournament which means you still have a chance to enter - mail us at pics@gotravel24.com

Peta Activists decided to show their patriotic colours in support of ending cruelty toward animals culled for fur

A first attempt at blowing a Vuvazela

Some die-hard Argentina fans

Thousands more die-hard fans

AND my favourite world cup moment - a Visa tour of the Cape Town stadium pitch.

Hey people...

Sounds of the Vuvuzela are doing the Mexican wave around the 24.com office building in anticipation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup kick off later today. If you haven't found your gees yet then... uhmm well there's just no hope for you.

The world is watching and we're ready. Just in case you haven't mapped out your route yet take a look at this Match day 101 - there's some useful info about park and ride or park and walk facilities.

Right, have fun, be safe and blow your vuvuzela hearts out.

Good luck Bafana Bafana - from the GoTravel24 editorial team Bryan, Simon and Selene.

Hey Bloggers

So there I was coffee-cup-flask in hand and my bright-yellow Bafana Bafana fan t-shirt challenging the cold Cape Town morning dullness. As I unlocked my car in my crap-I-hate-traffic fluster, I noticed a man shuffling down the street. Probably in his late forties, making his way towards the train station, ready to hit yet another day at the grindstone. He may or may not have passed by many times before. But on this particular Friday morning our eyes met, no not in that kind of way, his drifted to my t-shirt, we stared at each other for a split second and then both of us smiled a knowing smile. Okay, so he doesn’t know I have a back-up Dutch t-shirt…

The point is – Soccer World Cup fever is infectious in a yummy, unashamed exuberant way – justifying all loony, vuvuzela-blowing childlike behavior without any concern of reprisal. I was fortunate enough to be in the Netherlands, Germany and France (still can’t believe Zizu) during the 2006 Soccer World Cup – what an amazing show of unity, patriotism or whatever you want to call it. When France made it to the final I can recall how the entire Champs Elysees came to a standstill as fans took to the street in a pride parade of note. Everybody just went mad. 

Okay so it’s either odd or apt that Australia was the first team to arrive in SA for the upcoming tournament. The fact that five-time champs Brazil are here has already added a Sumba to my step and as the rest of the teams trickle in I find myself comparing the two vibes.

In the last week or so I’ve seen an explosion of flags from all the great soccer-playing nations, even some from the not-so-great ones too.

Sadly, I think we’re slightly low down on the fanaticism barometer and need to turn it up a notch – not because Fifa stands to make lots of money, nor because stadiums will be amuck with football hotties and their wags in tow – but because of that common denominator that sport so fluidly provides as you smile and connect with people who you very well might miss under normal circumstances.

Don your team’s jersey, stalk your favourite player for his autograph, buy a flag, vuvuzela or ticket if can – but make sure you’re ready for the month-long party that’s about to explode on our streets.

Here's to football fever...

Selene

Seriously though, we're looking for a GoTravel24 Intern – duration 1 year - take a look at the advert below and then submit your cv:

What’s the next best thing to being on holiday permanently?

Working at GoTravel24.com, the travel gateway of 24.com. If you’re looking to become a published journo with online mileage gained through Africa’s largest media company then the GoTravel24 internship might just be for you.

You’re a techno-savvy, self-starter whose passion for travel takes on Garmin proportions, you’re also in the process of perfecting that feature writing voice to be versatile and totally original. You’re able to roll with the punches and when you’re not out experiencing all that SA’s tourism industry has to offer you’re able to buckle down and churn out engaging research-based features that gives our readers itchy feet. You have a voice and you’re not afraid to use it as you share your advice and experience with our growing online community - all the while charming our readers into contributing and sharing with their fellow travellers.

Job Outputs

• Assist the GoTravel24 team in producing engaging web2 content

• You understand the meaning of ‘a picture speaks a thousand words’

• Being pedantic about site’s appearance and quality of content is second nature

Skills and Competencies

• Your travel knowledge would make the Discovery Channel proud

• You’re so organized a rubix cube is no challenge for you

• You’re as adaptable as the web and plugged into the latest trends

• Cooking under pressure is your forte’

• You’re well-versed and able to tackle even the dullest task with enthusiasm, making it totally relatable.

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant tertiary education with a journalism or related degree

• You know who Larry Page and Sergey Brin are and literally eat, sleep and breathe all things related to the Internet

Hey Bloggers...

Ever been stuck on a stationary plane? Take a look at this rolling account of one passengers frustration... worth a Friday Morning chuckle thanks to twitter...

#SAA flight to JHB running 5mins late from PE - must be the mist? Oh I'm in PE, no mist. about 2 hours ago via web

•  Tx #SAA. Arrived early at ORT, now waiting for the walkway to be plugged in; oops. 18 minutes ago

• #SAA still waiting at ORT. Will someone plug in the walkway so we can get off SA404? Please #brandfail 16 minutes ago via txt
• #SAA cabin crew member, please bring me a single malt while i wait for support crew to open this tincan... 15 minutes ago via txt
• SA404 ho hum the service is kak; 13 mins and counting; door still closed... How to win clients & piss people off. 13 minutes ago via txt
• #SAA ~ oops; your ground support staff on a break at ORT still? not to worry, i've got lots of time... 11 minutes ago via txt
• SA404 anyone out there? We are the plane parked against the domestic arrivals area; i'm waving at the window, seat 14d... 9 minutes ago via txt
• #SAA SA404 lovely; remind me why taxpayers pay their salaries? Oh yes to provide a reliable service~not 8 minutes ago via txt
• #SAA SA404 now blaming ACSA @ ORT. i don't give a toss. You both work for the taxpayer, get it done, now 20mins in the tincan 6 minutes ago via txt
• #SAA SA404 oh look no bridge, diverted to stairs & a bus... Another delay. Lets see if the works.. 3 minutes ago via txt
•  #SAA SA404. Bus nice & tightly packed, tried to reverse into another bus, missed. Time to chuckle 1 minute ago via txt

Check him out on twitter for the rest of the stream ... Http://twitter.com/angelo2711/ and if you're not following us already http://twitter.com/GoTravel24/ <--- to be the first to know about our great promo deals.

Safe travelling and tweeting

Selene

Hi Bloggers....

No official death toll has been given in the Afriqiyah Airways plane crash which listed 93 passengers and 11 crew members on board its flight 8U771 from Johannesburg to Libya. Officials are still trying to establish what caused the crash-landing at Tripoli airport. Click here for the latest reports on news24.

Cape Town Tourism reports that Afriqiyah Airways is a Libyan airline that started flying from Johannesburg to Heathrow via Tripoli last year and has been very popular amongst South Africans and Britons alike. We'd like to join them in offering our heartfelt condolences to family of the passengers and staff on board, as well as to the airline company.

Thanks

Selene

Hey Bloggers...

Cape Town is icy cold this morning, what's your part of the world like?

Something that should make the evenings a bit warmer and more inviting is Kleine Zalze's Four Seasons campaign.

Kleine Zalze's looking for its third season of wine ambassadors . As with the first two seasons of this campaign, the brand ambassadors will receive complimentary wine for winter and will be encouraged to host, for example, wine tastings or dinner parties for family and friends, and most importantly, to give Kleine Zalze feedback on exactly what they and their guests enjoyed and thought of the Kleine Zalze wines.

The Four Seasons campaign runs from January 2010 until December 2010. The next batch of brand ambassadors will be selected from online applicants recruited via www.fortheloveofwine.co.za. Go check it out.

Fresh from Indaba 2010 - Welcome Awards Top Tourist Attraction named:

The historic Vergelegen Wine Estate has won the tourism attraction category in the annual SA Tourism Welcome Awards. The awards are an initiative of South African Tourism, in association with the Tourism Grading Council and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. They were introduced five years ago to recognise service excellence and to highlight businesses and services that provide an authentic South African experience. The awards are made in nine categories, ranging from parks to restaurants, plus a consumers’ choice award.

Here are the rest of the category winners for the 2009/10 Welcome Awards:

Hi everybody...

So it's 37 days until the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup - and with just over a month to go before it's open sesame for beautiful tournament, soccer fever is most definitely setting in.

Fans are post twitpics of the soccer jerseys in anticipation along with flaunting the ticket purchases they've made for the different legs of the tournament.

Got my #USA #Soccer #jersey! Ready for the #world #cup - posted @Og_Ignite

But it's not positivity all round it seems as this incredibly ridiculous article posted on the UK's Daily Star reveals: WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA 2010: QUAKE FEARS 

Low-fare airline kulula.com has come to our defense though - warning English football fans travelling to the country that they have more to worry about than earthquakes.

They've sent a representative known as Zumo – the white Zulu – to inform Londoners about other ‘dangers’ to be aware of in South Africa, including the Tokoloshe, the potentially dehydrating effects of drinking cheep beer, severe sunburn and wild animals running amok in the city streets.

The engagement of Zumo complemented the placement of a public service advertisement in the same ‘news’ paper, a direct response to one of its reporters for inciting fear in the minds of countless soccer fans planning to head to South Africa for the ‘you know what’.

“We felt it was important to help out those who purchase this publication and fans travelling to South Africa for the ‘you know what’ to be adequately prepared because local sunburns hurt almost as much as being gored by a rampaging urban rhino,” says Heidi Brauer, kulula’s Executive Manager for Marketing. 

A local film crew was able to capture some photos of Zumo delivering his message to the people of England.  The footage can be viewed at www.zumowarnings.co.za.

Thankfully we know how to laugh at ourselves.

But if you're looking for some genuine feel-good-2010-WC inspiration take a look at the comments beneath our Stadium poll - and cast your vote while you're at it.

Hi everybody...

So it's 37 days until the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup - and with just over a month to go before it's open sesame for beautiful tournament, soccer fever is most definitely setting in.

Fans are post twitpics of the soccer jerseys in anticipation along with flaunting the ticket purchases they've made for the different legs of the tournament.

Got my #USA #Soccer #jersey! Ready for the #world #cup - posted @Og_Ignite

But it's not positivity all round it seems as this incredibly ridiculous article posted on the UK's Daily Star reveals: WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA 2010: QUAKE FEARS 

Low-fare airline kulula.com has come to our defense though - warning English football fans travelling to the country that they have more to worry about than earthquakes.

They've sent a representative known as Zumo – the white Zulu – to inform Londoners about other ‘dangers’ to be aware of in South Africa, including the Tokoloshe, the potentially dehydrating effects of drinking cheep beer, severe sunburn and wild animals running amok in the city streets.

The engagement of Zumo complemented the placement of a public service advertisement in the same ‘news’ paper, a direct response to one of its reporters for inciting fear in the minds of countless soccer fans planning to head to South Africa for the ‘you know what’.

“We felt it was important to help out those who purchase this publication and fans travelling to South Africa for the ‘you know what’ to be adequately prepared because local sunburns hurt almost as much as being gored by a rampaging urban rhino,” says Heidi Brauer, kulula’s Executive Manager for Marketing. 

A local film crew was able to capture some photos of Zumo delivering his message to the people of England.  The footage can be viewed at www.zumowarnings.co.za.

Thankfully we know how to laugh at ourselves.

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Give winter the Mauritius treatment Hi everybody... Last-minute never looked this good, especially as Winter begins to extend its rather icy grip. But nobody said you have to shiver in silence. Consider the fact that less than three-hours away you have a tropical paradise just begging you to take some time out. These last-minute Mauritius special deals are just the excuse you've been looking for to start planning that mid-year break. Contact our call centre on 021 921 0225 to secure your dream holiday. - Follow us on twitter @GoTravel24 - Send to a friend Last-minute Mauritius Special - Save up to 25% Click here for more discounted deals From R8 689 per person - includes: • Return flights on British Airways • All pre-payable airport taxes and fuel levies (approximate taxes of R1723.00) • Return airport transfers • 7-nights accommodation • Daily breakfast and dinner • Various non-motorized water sports Normal Price R11 490 per person per night To book, phone our call centre on (011) 921 0225 Our Top Deals Chill out at Lion Sands River Lodge from R5 336 per person per night. Be a Grand Daddy in Cape Town from R2 545 per person sharing Book a week-long Mauritius package from R9 000 per person sharing Enjoy the city of Jozi from R1 317 per person per night. 24.com: Legal notices | Advertise on 24.com | Sitemap | Contact Us Unsubscribe link © 2010 24.com. All rights reserved.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and be the first to know about our special deals.

Give winter the Mauritius treatment Hi everybody... Last-minute never looked this good, especially as Winter begins to extend its rather icy grip. But nobody said you have to shiver in silence. Consider the fact that less than three-hours away you have a tropical paradise just begging you to take some time out. These last-minute Mauritius special deals are just the excuse you've been looking for to start planning that mid-year break. Contact our call centre on 021 921 0225 to secure your dream holiday. - Follow us on twitter @GoTravel24 - Send to a friend Last-minute Mauritius Special - Save up to 25% Click here for more discounted deals From R8 689 per person per night - includes: • Return flights on British Airways • All pre-payable airport taxes and fuel levies (approximate taxes of R1723.00) • Return airport transfers • 7-nights accommodation • Daily breakfast and dinner • Various non-motorized water sports Normal Price R11 490 per person per night To book, phone our call centre on (011) 921 0225 Our Top Deals Chill out at Lion Sands River Lodge from R5 336 per person per night. Be a Grand Daddy in Cape Town from R2 545 per person sharing Book a week-long Mauritius package from R9 000 per person sharing Enjoy the city of Jozi from R1 317 per person per night. 24.com: Legal notices | Advertise on 24.com | Sitemap | Contact Us Unsubscribe link © 2010 24.com. All rights reserved.

Hey bloggers...

My week got off to a flying start on Monday as I found myself sitting in the jump seat of a 7am BA flight to Johannesburg.

Hey bloggers...

My week got off to a flying start on Monday as I found myself sitting in the jump seat of a 7am BA flight to Johannesburg.

Hey bloggers...

Yesterday I latched on to the Cape Town leg of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup stadium road show and got my first taste of the Cape Town Stadium - for those of you who haven't been to any of the two trial matches hosted to test its readiness - they're good to go as far as I can tell. Even FIFA secretary General Jerome Valcke described it as perfect with its rye grass pitch being the precedent other stadiums should aspire to.

It was boggling just standing on the empty bleachers, I can just imagine when it's packed to capacity (68 000) for the opening match between France and Uruguay on June 11.

For those of you who are hoping to catch a live match in the Mother City - sorry - it's all sold out. This means you'll have to make a plan to visit one of the other eight hosting cities during the World Cup or catch a live screening at one of the Fan Park events being hosted by the City. The  Bellville Velodrome has been pegged as an ideal location to host fans who don't have tickets with transport arrangements also being put in place.

Keep an eye on our dedicated 2010 Soccer World Cup fan page -  for the latest updates on events.

And just in case you’re still lagging in the Soccer Fever department – why not wrap your head around a fact a day for the next 100 days as SA gets ready to host the tournament to beat all tournaments!

Happy Travelling

Selene

Hey bloggers...

Yesterday I latched on to the Cape Town leg of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup stadium road show and got my first taste of the Cape Town Stadium - for those of you who haven't been to any of the two trial matches hosted to test its readiness - they're good to go as far as I can tell. Even FIFA secretary General Jerome Valcke described it as perfect with its rye grass pitch being the precedent other stadiums should aspire to.

It was boggling just standing on the empty bleachers, I can just imagine when it's packed to capacity (68 000) for the opening match between France and Uruguay on June 11.

For those of you who are hoping to catch a live match in the Mother City - sorry - it's all sold out. This means you'll have to make a plan to visit one of the other eight hosting cities during the World Cup or catch a live screening at one of the Fan Park events being hosted by the City. The  Bellville Velodrome has been pegged as an ideal location to host fans who don't have tickets with transport arrangements also being put in place.

Keep an eye on our dedicated 2010 Soccer World Cup fan page -  for the latest updates on events.

And just in case you’re still lagging in the Soccer Fever department – why not wrap your head around a fact a day for the next 100 days as SA gets ready to host the tournament to beat all tournaments!

Happy Travelling

Selene