Well, our first match of the tournament and I suppose it was fitting to see the defending champions in action.
Getting to the stadium was quite easy: we drove 10 minutes to Century City, a massive shopping centre/theme park/commercial centre/housing site, then shuttled to the nearby station to catch the train into Cape Town CBD. All no fuss and free apart for a nominal car park charge.
My wife Wendy and I opted to do the 2,4 km Fan Walk which put us into the spirit. Reached the stadium just in time for a couple of extra gates to be opened so we got into the stadium quite quickly - and just in time to beat the rain and a totally unexpected hail storm!
My son Jay and his wife Margaret and their two girls were already in the stadium and had to duck for cover until the storm quickly passed over. Lucky in one way because we bumped into them as a result so were able to chat while we were waiting.
There's lots of people on hand to help the public get around, and signposting is pretty good.
Our seats were high up directly behind the goal where the game's two goals were scored. The stadium is brilliant and we had a good view of the whole match.
Surprised at the relatively slow pace of the game. If Paraguay's keeper hadn't flapped and missed, Italy could have been in trouble. The vuvuzelas are a pain - literally and figuratively - and apart from one person who had a particularly deep-throated example sitting a couple of rows behind, the noise didn't bother me too much - it did for Wendy, though - but it does eliminate any crowd oooohs and aaaahs and songs and banter while creating its own atmosphere. Given the choice, rather do without the drone…
Getting back home was just as straightforward and we got to bed thinking Cape Town has done itself proud. Can't wait for Friday's England v Algeria game - the atmosphere should be electric.
Come on England!
Picture copyright of Mike Monk