Fire Truck drives through Africa to Durban

This time in 2010 South Africa and Durban was in the grips of Word Cup fever. The opening game in Durban was Germany vs Australia and we had 7 Germans and 7 Australians in the guesthouse - including some guys who drove here from Bieleveld Germany in a landrover and a Fire Engine to get here in time for their team's first game which they won.

And yesterday Germany beat Portugal 4-0 in their Group G game in Brasil.

Here's a link to all of the fixtures and results.

In fact I started my World Cup blog specifically to capture the spirit of the World Cup, then after the event decided to keep it on as my personal blog about life here in Durban. Here's a glimpse of what I posted about the previous World Cup Germany games, as well as the story of the fire engine through Africa arriving here at the Guesthouse.

2014 World Cup Brasil - Germany 4 Portugal 0

Hot Germans back to Durban

Not the hottest bod in the world, but Germany's footballer Podolski has everything to be proud of with Germany's (4) win tonight over Argentina (0) in the World Cup quarter-finals in South Africa.

This brings Germany to Durban, for the semi-final next week. We had a house-load of proud German fans at our Guesthouse here in Durban for the opening game against Australia and they will be back for some more fun in the sun hopeful of making it to the finals.

Durban Orange again

Durban is awash with colour again today as the OranjeFans return to give Netherlands their support in the round 16 clash with Slovakia. It also looks like Durban locals are supporting Netherlands and orange is the popular colour of the day. In the photos are (3rd from top) our Guests Darren, Janelle, Gareth, and Jenny, and Ishmar, whilst in the other photos I managed to catch some of the fans on their way to the Stadium. You can spot me in the top and 2nd photo with the Netherlands flag I painted on my cheek.

Football feast in Durban Brasil (0) Portugal (0)

It's a feast of football, incredible fans and outfits, vibrant colours and fun in the streets of Durban. In the photos Llewellyn (Portugal) and I (Brasil) pose with fans in the street and at the Stadium Nelson (left, from Perth but Portuguese) joined us with his partner Les and stayed for a few nights at the Gueshtouse.

Llewellyn poses outside Durban's new Moses Mabhida Stadium just down the road from our Guesthouse after the Brasil/Portugal game last night on  Friday.See more pics on our World Cup Blog.

Durban turns Orange

One might almost have been mistaken that there was a huge drag show taking place, but Durban turned orange with fans from the Netherlands with bright, fabulous, and original outfits ahead of the Netherlands vs Japan game which Netherlands won 1-0 today.

The Durban beachfront was abuzz with activity as the well organised OranjeFans sang and danced "Durban is vir ons 'Ole!'". The Guesthouse has been busy and we have been hosting fans from opposing teams each game.

World Cup Fun

Having fun during the World Cup in Durban, Dave was hopeful of a Bafana Bafana win, but the 0 - Uruguay 3 was a disappointment. The pictures of the Stadium were taken by our Swiss Guest Chris from Berne. And Llewellyn enjoys a Strawberry Daquiri on the Pier at Moyo restaurant, uShaka.

Durban World Cup fun

Meet Noble, from Vancouver,  (left) who joined us for a few days at the Guesthouse and has seen the various nationalities coming for the World Cup Football passing through the Guesthouse. We have been documenting the World Cup news and created a special blog for the World Cup and our international visitors ... check out the amazing pics and stories here.

From Germany to Durban by Jeep to the Guesthouse

We are privileged to meet at the Guesthouse trans-Africa traveller Armin Hollensteiner who made the journey from his hometown, Bielefeld in Germany, by jeep to Durban for the World Cup opening game Germany vs Australia today.

Travelling 21 000 kms through Europe, the middle east and Africa, Armin was joined in Dar-es-Salaam by Marcus and the travellers arrived in Durban yesterday making it a 3-month 13th Mar - 13th June journey. Armin has created a blog to document the journey and you can view it here.

In the top photo are Armin and myself (Dave) outside the Guesthouse with the reliable jeep that averaged 11 ls per 100kms. In the 2nd photo Marcus and Armin pose with their mascot Lohmann, the 3rd photo shows Armin's personalised numberplate with BI for his home town Bielefeld, ZA for South Africa (Zuid Afrika) and 2010 for the FIFA 2010 World Cup Football event. The 4th photo shows the route Armin travelled across Africa to get to Durban.

Wow, congratulations guys, what a journey and accomplishment!

Durban abuzz for Germany vs Australia tonight

The Durban beachfront outside the World Cup Stadium is alive with Ozzie Socceroos and Germans eager to watch their team beat the other tonight. It was a glorious sunny day and the surfers were out as well as the fans.

In the photos guest Rudi shows which team he is supporting whilst my family and friends also took a stroll down the beach promenade to get a feel of the action.

Opening World Cup game today

One would be mistaken in thinking our SA National Football team, Bafana Bafana, were not the world favourites to win today as they take on Mexico in the opening game of the World Cup.

I have never seen so many yellow shirts in South Africa on one day... everyone - uniting the nation - are showing their colours for Bafana Bafana and South African flags are everywhere.

Fridays have been the days South Africans and schoolchildren have been allowed to show their support by wearing a Bafana shirt to school or work. In the photos from top to bottom are images painted on a garden wall just up the road from the Guesthouse showing Bafana Bafana in action, a handwritten message  in wet concrete, my office staff gearing up for the opening game today, and a self-pic of myself in my car on the way to work - full time lawyer, inbetween running the Guesthouse with my partner Llewellyn, who also has his own SpecSavers Optometry practices by day.

World Cup Welcome

Welcoming the world to Durban are Guesthouse co-owners Dave and Llewellyn on the rooftop of the house with views of the new FIFA World Cup Football Stadium in the background.

The past few weeks have been busy ones at the Guesthouse recovering furniture, painting, choosing new furniture and curtains for some of the rooms, putting desks and safes in every room and pimping up the Pub for the visitors from around the world due for the World Cup Football event.

We will be welcoming guests from Australia, Germany, Portugal, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand, United States, England, Netherlands, South Africa, and Switzerland.  

We hope you have a really awesome time in Durban guys. And don't forget to visit Durban's one and only Gay Club, The Lounge at 226 Mathews Meyiwa (previously named Stamford Hill) Road, or give us a shout on +27-837033329 if you want to pop in at the Guesthouse to say hi.

Durban lights up the World

Durban's main street is ablaze with lights for the World Cup event. Traditionally only Christmas lights have ever spanned our main street, so it was a treat to see the World Cup countries flags down the length of the street.

You can see more on our World Cup blog here.