Twitter is great for some things - like flagging some really awesome pics of some really crazy South African dudes from Cape Town ’slacklining’ on Table Mountain. I’ve never even heard of it before (cos clearly I live on the g-r-o-u-n-d!) - but it looks like it’s only for the certifiably insane … or those who live, breathe, eat and sleep adrenaline.

The photographer, Greg Beadle, has captured these step-by-step (no pun intented!) images admirably. I think I was actually holding my breath as I looked at them.

Here’s one just to give you a taste … now go and visit Cape Town Tourism’s blog to see the rest of these heart-in-your-mouth photos.

There’s a lot to be proud of as a rainbow nation. And as one that boasts 11 official languages. While English is kinda accepted as the official language, there are lots of people who would prefer to see at least 3 languages offered in schools - (me, for one!) - instead of just the regular fare of English and Afrikaans. How else will the sharp edges between the cultures begin to blur?

Saw this amazing, phonetic translation of the South African National Anthem (sung in FIVE of our languages) but again, it’s assuming that the reader is English. But definitely think it will help people get a better pronunciation of the languages they’re not fluent in.

What do you think?

A pronunciation guide to the South African national anthem

The Natal’s newspaper, The Mercury, first picked up & published the story that the traveller’s bible, Lonely Planet, has listed Durban as one of the top 10 family beach holiday cities in the world in its latest guide book which has just hit the bookstores in the USA last week.

Durban’s “Golden Mile” beachfront - Photo: Courtesy Graeme Williams, MediaclubSouthAfrica.com

Other global cities to crack the nod in this prestigious list are: Kauai in Hawaii, Cottlesloe in Australia, Karon Beach in Thailand, Portugal’s Tavira, Mexico’s Sayulita and Bali’s Sanur in the latest edition of Lonely Planet’s “Travel with Children”. Pretty impressive company to keep!

“Durban resembles a gigantic resort holiday paradise, raised for the sole purpose of entertaining families,” the Lonely Planet publication says of the city in its section on South Africa. “Lined with safe beaches watched over by lifeguards, the Golden Mile is great for swimming, snorkelling and water sports.”

Good for Durban. It’s a friendly city with a hot, tropical climate (don’t think Durbanites know what long pants and jerseys are!). It’s pouring money & resources into its new beach-front complex. It’s also going to have one of the best-looking new stadiums for the FIFA 2010 World cup, in my opinion.

I think many tourists bypass Durban in favour of her more famous & beautiful sister, Cape Town, and the loss is definitely theirs.

It’s got an awesome climate - you can enjoy a holiday there at any time of the year. It’s got miles of golden beaches and the sea’s actually WARM to swim in!

Ah-ha. Looks like the rest of the world may be waking up to one of our best kept secrets - and the beach paradise we are blessed with on our eastern shores.

I did know that this was one of the first FIFA 2010 World Cup Stadiums to be finished. But I hadn’t seen that many photos of it. It really is a spectacular stadium.

The pictures below were supposedly taken on the 25 July 2009. You can see these and more on Nelson Mandela Bay’s official Port Elizabeth 2010 FIFA World Cup site.

I think even if you haven’t get a football-watching bone in your body, you can’t help but be super impressed … and a little awed by these incredible architectural feats - and the awesome designers, technicians and labourers who made it all happen!

Good one, Port Elizabeth!

Viewed from the ocean, the new Nelson Mandela Bay 2010 World Cup Stadium looks like a magnificently-crafted space ship hovering just above the water.

This view is from across the city and shows the stadium at the shore’s edge.