Photo of the Day (6.22.10)

by Stephen Greenwood on
No matter how remote your current location, it’s a pretty safe bet that you’ve seen some trace of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa over the past 10 days. This humbling shot comes from travel photographer Austin Mann – taken at the Spain v. Switzerland game at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium is capable of seating nearly 63,000 fans and features a support arch similar to that of England’s Wembley Stadium. For a virtual look around Durban from the stadium, check out Durban’s official host city page.

Do you have stories or pictures from the games in South Africa or from your own hometown? Tips for those traveling to the World Cup? Share them with us & submit pictures to the Gadling Flickr Pool!

World Cup 2010: is Johannesburg ready?

by Sean McLachlan on

With the World Cup barely two weeks away, Johannesburg has shifted into high gear to get ready.

The city’s 2010 FIFA World Cup page proudly proclaims that a huge amount of effort and money has been spent on cleaning up the city and improving infrastructure. It has spent 1.2 billion rand ($151 million) to revamp Soccer City, a giant stadium where the opening ceremony and final game will be held. Billions have also gone into other stadiums and city infrastructure.

But a report by Business Day newspaper has found the city still hasn’t finished fixing roads between the main venues, the airport, and the hotel district. It’s an open question whether these will be done in time to deal with the huge increase in traffic once the World cup gets started. Another problem is transportation for the fans. The special transport set up between the airport and the fan park won’t run at night, forcing people to use public transport.

At least fans will be going to a place that was named the city with the lowest cost of living in a 2009 survey, and if they don’t find the savings being passed onto them, they can always get away from the crowds and visit Mozambique like many South Africans are doing this year.

Daily Pampering: The only way to do the World Cup

by Tom Johansmeyer on


True fanaticism isn’t cheap. Cars, cigars and treats from bars – you can spend an absolute fortune satisfying your itch for a particular vice. Though the fans are few but fierce in the United States, soccer draws addicts around the world, and the upcoming World Cup in South Africa is sure to attract a committed crowd. If you want to put yourself in the middle of the action, don’t settle for a second-class experience. Envelope your World Cup experience in luxury, and it will be the sort of trip that you’ll use to judge the others you take for the rest of your life.

Cox & Kings has put together some itineraries that fuse exclusivity and high luxury. “Follow Team USA” includes both soccer and safari components and can be booked through late March. You’ll pick up guaranteed tickets for U.S. matches and also be able to roam through world-renowned safari camps. If you’re going to head all the way out to South Africa, you’ll want to make the most of your trip.

Each of the three “Follow Team USA” all-inclusive World Cup VIP packages runs between June 9 and June 24, 2010. All three include tickets to all three Team USA matches and bonus matches, including opener between South Africa and Mexico. You’ll enjoy the action from VIP business seats as a guest of the Los Angeles Futbol Club Foundation. Additionally, safaris are available, ranging from three nights to five. Prices range from $24,355 to $29,060 per person, depending on safari options and how late into the World Cup you plan to stay around (you can get tickets to the finals, if you can handle the tab).

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Play sports with the locals – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

When you travel abroad, it can be hard to meet locals, especially if you don’t know the language. But if you play a sport — soccer, swimming, football, even ultimate frisbee — then you have a head start.

Before you go, search the internet for a tournament or scheduled practice. Chances are you’ll find a welcoming crowd, whether you’re traveling to Bogata, Prague, or Morocco. Join a friendly game of soccer. Show up for a master’s swim practice. Find a frisbee tournament in the town you’re visiting. Almost every large city internationally has a Hash House Harriers club. Jumping in will give you a workout — and an instant link to local culture.

RELATED: Road trip tip: “Frolf” away the fidgets

A polo match fit for an elephant

by Amy Chen on

Before the Olympics wrap up on Feb. 28, it’s only fitting that we pause to admire athletes from every walk of life. Take, for example, the competitors in the 9th annual King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament (March 22-28) held at Thailand’s Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa.

Apparently there’s actually a World Elephant Polo Association for the sport, which is prevalent in places such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Some rules from the association’s website:

  • Elephants are swapped at half time to balance out any advantage
  • No elephants may lie down in front of the goal
  • An elephant may not pick up the ball with its trunk during play
  • Stepping on the ball is prohibited

For the polo tournament, the Anantara Golden Triangle resort has put together a special spectator package. With nightly rates starting at $493 per room per night, you’ll get accommodations, breakfast, lunch, and transfers to and from the polo match. It’s not cheap, but this hotel isn’t exactly roughing it. Guests staying four nights or more will also receive a free round-trip transfer from Chiang Rai to the resort.

If going to Thailand for an elephant polo match this year isn’t likely, there are some options closer to home: New York City has bike polo and Barbados hosts a Segway polo championships this year. (Random trivia: Steve Wozniak of Apple fame is reportedly not only a fan but a masterful Segway polo player.)