Arrival In Cape Town.....

Mike & Chris at the spectacular Dubai International Airport

So, after 21 hours on Emirates Airlines we finally completed our long journey to Cape Town International Airport. After a day-long layover in Dubai, we boarded the final leg of the trip, Flight 770 to the western cape of South Africa.

Chris, myself and Mike outside the main terminal at Cape Town.

Travel weary, and in need of a shower we picked up our rental car and headed for our delightful hotel at the Victoria & Albert Waterfront District in Cape Town. After much-needed showers and snacks we settled down in the hotel function room to watch USA-England.
A room full of Australians greeted us, and yours truly, be-decked in England gear, settled down to what should have been a comfortable opening win for the three lions. And then it happened..... Robert Green was the starting goalkeeper! Really???? I mean, REALLY???? David James, the experienced England goalkeeper was on the bench, and Joe Hart, the in-form England goalkeeper was left in the stands. "Oh poop," I muttered to myself as the anthems played.....
England scored early (note the outstanding ball played in by the much-maligned Aston Villa forward Emile Heskey) and the thoughts of "why is Green playing" were on the back-burner....
As the game progressed I really couldn't see where the USA was going to get back into the game. Altidore had the best chance to level the game but failed to connect with his header, and I truly couldn't imagine my adopted country getting a better opportunity. But, then good old RG took the pressure off and simply let a routine "bobbler" slip out of his grasp, and it was honors even....... wow!
As the game wore on you really couldn't see either team breaking the deadlock, although Emile blew perhaps the best chance when clean through. Hearts in mouth each time the ball went near the bumbling England 'keeper didn't exactly help the nerves, but I suppose 1-1 could be seen as a "positive" result for both teams.......
After the match we spent a short time in a fantastic local restaurant and wine bar and have now retired to a night of good sleep. Tomorrow we head for Cape Point and Boulder's Beach........