The Africa Thread (Arsenal related........kind of!!)

[red & wite army]

Its great for a holiday, its completely different when you live there. Even if you live in the best neighborhoods you still have to deal with the crime a lot.


Exactly, I couldn't have put it in better words.


It will be interesting to see what happens during the world cup, because unless you stay alert 24/7 and in a large group, you will be in danger. The government is also not very good at dealing with the problem, so tourists will probably be encouraged to only visit a limited number of designated areas.


Thats right. I believe they will have to set aside specific 'Yes Go' areas as apposed to 'No Go' areas, because there are more areas a tourist shouldn't go to, then they should go to.


On the other hand is there any weight in the news that wc2010 will be taken away from SA? I heard that they haven't even begun to build half of the stadiums, and how will people travel between cities? JHB to PTA is easy enough, but to get anywhere else they will need to fly.

I'm not sure really, I don't watch the local news - its too depressing and scary, but I haven't seen any work yet, only the deconstruction of existing stadiums.

[Rick B]

I don't understand why this is a trip to Zimbabwe and not South Africa(too lazy to read the thread). I used to live in SA for 8 years, and as red&white said - while its great for a holiday, its completely different when you live there. Even if you live in the best neighborhoods you still have to deal with the crime a lot.

It will be interesting to see what happens during the world cup, because unless you stay alert 24/7 and in a large group, you will be in danger. The government is also not very good at dealing with the problem, so tourists will probably be encouraged to only visit a limited number of designated areas.

On the other hand is there any weight in the news that wc2010 will be taken away from SA? I heard that they haven't even begun to build half of the stadiums, and how will people travel between cities? JHB to PTA is easy enough, but to get anywhere else they will need to fly.



It's mainly a trip to Zim as I own a house there and have lived there. I know Zim far better than SA. As I am the one organising it...............!!

I believe even if you stay alert you will be in danger. It will be very difficult to stay away from crime. I think this is something FIFA are trying to gloss over, but unless they take serious precautions it will come back to bite them in the ass.

I am going to run trips myself for the WC and they will be at the game parks in Zim and then 4 games in the North East stadiums. I will be making sure people simply know it is too dangerous to go wondering outside the accomadions that we will be driving between. The problem is most Westerners are used to just walking about and exploring. You can't do that in SA.

[Rick B]

Is the crime far less in Zimbabwe? Other then the farm killings and serios financial problems I haven't actually heard much positive news from the country, so I'm interested to hear news.

ANYWAYS, that is South Africa, and NOT Zimbabwe - I hope I haven't scared people off Africa, I just wanted to give a different perspective.;)

Yes, the crime is far far less. Crime wise there is something like 2 or 3 murders in Zim per week. Nothing like SA at all. There is petty mugging and theft if you arn't careful, but if you are sensible it's absolutly fine. It's no different to some American and English cities. Unfortunatly in SA you can take as many precautions as possible and it is still not guarranteed you will be safe.

Your different perspective is welcome, if you fancy joining us in Vic Falls for a couple of days I can give you the dates we are there?

[red & wite army]

I've looked over your itinerary site, and it looks like a fantastic trip you have planned. As much as I'd like to meet you guys, who I've been sharing my Arsenal thoughts with for years, I very much doubt I'll be able to meet up with you - mainly down to school reasons. But come December, I'm finished school and its over to The Grove for me!

Rick, another thing, whats your view on Prague? I've been wanting to visit there for years, and many people rate it as a favourite of theirs. I very much want to visit it, or I'll just go when we next play Sparta Prague...which may be a bit of a waiting game.

[topcatcole]

I've looked over your itinerary site, and it looks like a fantastic trip you have planned. As much as I'd like to meet you guys, who I've been sharing my Arsenal thoughts with for years, I very much doubt I'll be able to meet up with you - mainly down to school reasons. But come December, I'm finished school and its over to The Grove for me!

Rick, another thing, whats your view on Prague? I've been wanting to visit there for years, and many people rate it as a favourite of theirs. I very much want to visit it, or I'll just go when we next play Sparta Prague...which may be a bit of a waiting game. I'm not Rick, but when I went to Prague, it was fantastic. Very nice city, lots to do. The restaurants a re still recovering from the communist years, but there is some local cuisine (lots of venison) that is excellent. We stayed over by the Sparta Prague stadium which allows you to take a short, beautiful walk (it is through a park that comes out on the bluffs overlooking the river and cith center) or a tram to the city center.

Great place. Can't wait to go back.

[Rick B]

I've looked over your itinerary site, and it looks like a fantastic trip you have planned. As much as I'd like to meet you guys, who I've been sharing my Arsenal thoughts with for years, I very much doubt I'll be able to meet up with you - mainly down to school reasons. But come December, I'm finished school and its over to The Grove for me!

Rick, another thing, whats your view on Prague? I've been wanting to visit there for years, and many people rate it as a favourite of theirs. I very much want to visit it, or I'll just go when we next play Sparta Prague...which may be a bit of a waiting game.

Thats why I said Vic Falls..........!!! We are there on a weekend during the schools hols!! June 9th - 11th. Completly up to you if you want to.

Prague is a nice city as topcat said. I personally prefer Budapest, but thats because I saw Prague before there were so many tourists. But it still has some amazing places. It's very relaxed and has great food and drink.

[red & wite army]

Thanks Rick, I'm going to take a look into it, but my school follows a different cirriculam to most in the country, and our holidays are often timed differently. I'll PM you if anything materialises on my behalf.

Sounds good about Prague topcat and Rick.

I'm looking forward to seeing pics of this trip though Rick, I can just imagine - A group of people standing in the dusty bush of Africa...all sporting bright red and white home kits!:p

[n4100]

Thats why I said Vic Falls..........!!! We are there on a weekend during the schools hols!! June 9th - 11th. Completly up to you if you want to.

Prague is a nice city as topcat said. I personally prefer Budapest, but thats because I saw Prague before there were so many tourists. But it still has some amazing places. It's very relaxed and has great food and drink.

I second the Budapest over Prague feeling.

[Bluto11]

I second the Budapest over Prague feeling.
hmmm, Chicago to Budpest. round trip and 4 nights in a hotel for under $1000 in October. hmm.......

[topcatcole]

hmmm, Chicago to Budpest. round trip and 4 nights in a hotel for under $1000 in October. hmm....... Do it. The original question, I might point out, was about Prague only!

I third the Budapest over Prague (and I really like Prague a lot !! :D)

[Rick B]

hmmm, Chicago to Budpest. round trip and 4 nights in a hotel for under $1000 in October. hmm.......

My personal opinion..................buy the ticket to London instead, go for a week - try and catch 2 games and spend the week in Prague. You will find that flights to london are cheaper and you can generally get a return from London to Prague for about £100............that way you get to see a game and spend the week in Prague and from there can travel about the Czech Republic. Also if you change your mind about Prague you are in London and are able to go and fly to anywhere in Europe really easily.

[antifan]

October is CL time. Get the flight to London, and pray for an away game. That's what i do!

[Frankgarrison]

Personally, I hope we have a CL match somewhere around there. I'd like to do one domestic and one away CL match late October/early November. That's the hope anyway.

[goonermaui]

My wife is somewhat of a travel addict and spent a month in Africa just over a year ago.
She was in the East.....Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania.
Amongst the many reserves that she visited, she achieved a lifetime goal of spending time with Gorillas in the wild.
Almost every guide that she met had an Arsenal crest on display somewhere
(shorts/shirt/keyring/vehicle etc) :)

She has not visited any of the places that you're going to, and is looking forward to your blogs.
(She also has your wiki page on the 'favorites' list.)
It'll work out pretty good for me too...

[shouting from living room]
"Are you on that ******* Arsenal football forum again !!" :mad:
[timid reply from office]
"Yes dear...just checking on Rick and Judy's progress" :o

"oooooh let me know how they're doing"

So ....THANKS R&J !! ...........and safe journey !!

[Rick B]

My wife is somewhat of a travel addict and spent a month in Africa just over a year ago.
She was in the East.....Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania.
Amongst the many reserves that she visited, she achieved a lifetime goal of spending time with Gorillas in the wild.
Almost every guide that she met had an Arsenal crest on display somewhere
(shorts/shirt/keyring/vehicle etc)

She has not visited any of the places that you're going to, and is looking forward to your blogs.
(She also has your wiki page on the 'favorites' list.)
It'll work out pretty good for me too...

[shouting from living room]
"Are you on that ******* Arsenal football forum again !!" :mad:
[timid reply from office]
"Yes dear...just checking on Rick and Judy's progress" :o

"oooooh let me know how they're doing"

So ....THANKS R&J !! ...........and safe journey !!


Well we will have Internet access in Harare, Bulawayo, Vic Falls, Chobe, Namibia, on the way to Mana Pools and then back in Harare so we should be able to do a bit of a blogg. Might be fun actually telling everyone what happens. For this board we could probably just title it "Billy in Africa!!" :D

[CRASH 4 ARSENAL]

October is CL time. Get the flight to London, and pray for an away game. That's what i do!

That is what I want to do this year.

How is getting away CL tickets? Doable for those of us hanging out around here I suppose.

[Rick B]

That is what I want to do this year.

How is getting away CL tickets? Doable for those of us hanging out around here I suppose.

Read the ticket thread!! :p

[red & wite army]

That is what I want to do this year.

How is getting away CL tickets? Doable for those of us hanging out around here I suppose.

I also really wouldn't mind doing something similar - I've got December to February off, so I'll definitely get to London at least. I can't believe I still haven't been to the Grove!

[CRASH 4 ARSENAL]

Read the ticket thread!! :p

:o We've gotten a bit away from the Africa topic haven't we?

[red & wite army]

:o We've gotten a bit away from the Africa topic haven't we?

True that - sorry, I forgot what topic I was even writing in anymore, I was just replying to the posts above.:o