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Wild Coast Region, South Africa

June 24, 2013 by · Comments Off on Wild Coast Region, South Africa 

Wild Coast Region, South Africa, The Wild Coast is a section of the coast of the Eastern Cape, a province of South Africa. The region stretches from East London in the south to the border of KwaZulu-Natal in the north. It is the traditional home of the Xhosa people, and the birthplace of many prominent South Africans, including Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. The Wild Coast is crossed by the N2 National Road. The Wild Coast from the Great Kei River to the Mtamvuna River was part of the former homeland of the Transkei during the Apartheid era.

In 1986, a bombing occurred at Wild Coast Casino in Mbizana Local Municipality.

Many rivers empty into the sea along the Wild Coast. In the southern-most parts of the region, where the hills are lower, the rivers tend to be mature and are characterized by wide floodplains. But in the rugged north, where young rivers find their path to the sea blocked by massive cliffs, many, like Waterfall Bluff, leap over the rocky crags into the surf below.

Small sandy bays and long stretches of open beaches are often found near the mouths of large rivers, such as the Kei, Mthatha, Mbashe and Mzimvuba. There are also many smaller rivers which, owing to their protected sources in the coastal forests, have much less siltation than the larger rivers, which drain vast tracts of land where poor farming practices are in place. Estuaries, bays and headlands are plentiful, whilst rocky shores predominate, be they smooth wave-cut platforms with jagged and un-even surfaces or precipitous cliffs that plunge into the sea.

About half the coastline comprises indigenous forest and many forest species that were previously unknown to science have been discovered in places such as Umtamvuna and Mkambati. About 900 forest and grassland species from the Wild Coast region have been identified as having commercial, traditional or homeopathic value.

Hasselhoff Proposal Rejections

February 8, 2012 by · Comments Off on Hasselhoff Proposal Rejections 

Hasselhoff Proposal Rejections, The former Britain’s Got Talent judge and Baywatch star has made numerous attempts to get his Welsh girlfriend down the aisle, proposing in various locations including a tank surrounded by sharks and a romantic cliff-top.

While his marriage proposals will be soon be hitting double figures, the Hoff has not been deterred and decided to try again during the couple’s holiday in Australia.

Posting the now-trademark photo of himself on bended knee, he wrote on Twitter: ‘Tried it again on top of the Sydney harbour bridge!’

But while all his previous attempts have led to rejection, Hasselhoff hinted that his latest attempt might have ended in success.  He asked followers: ‘What do you think she said!?!?!’ before posting a picture of the pair passionately kissing, suggesting Hayley had finally been persuaded to say yes.

But the former shop assistant – who walked out on her job last year to follow the Hoff around the world – remained quiet regarding the proposal on her own Twitter account.

Roberts was instead preoccupied with suspicious-looking lumps on her leg, admitting she was too scared to sleep in case she had been bitten by a poisonous spider.

The 32-year-old has previously said she was in no rush to marry her 59-year-old lover, explaining she would reconsider ‘two years down the line.’

Hasselhoff has been married on two previous occasions, to Catherine Hickland from 1984 to 1989 and to Pamela Bach from 1989 to 2006.

World Cup

June 8, 2010 by · Comments Off on World Cup 

World Cup:When asked if the U.S. can win the World Cup, many American players have been circumspect. Some dodge the question. U.S. star Landon Donovan even did his best not to emulate Joe Namath in dismissing the possibility that the U.S. lift the cup. While this shows that our players are relatively self-aware and grounded, there is no easy answer to the question of whether the U.S. can win the World Cup: YES.

Now, I do not think that the U.S. will win the World Cup, and 50-1 betting odds U.S. are about to win the right (in 2002, were 200 to 1). Only seven countries have won, after all. But while the U.S. not a likely contender, should not go to this tournament with such a defeatist attitude. We can win this thing. This is the 30th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice, and the similarities between the periods are striking – a deep recession, a depressed nation a result of a mismanaged war pursued, and an oil crisis – thereby, are intended to win this thing!

More seriously, saying we can win it might seem preposterous, a victory might not be as miraculous as one might think. Here are some reasons for hope:

This is a tournament, not a league season, and crazy things can happen. Remember, Butler reached the NCAA basketball final this year – were a 40-1 shot. George Mason reached the final four years ago too. Well, that is basketball, but in 2002 the Greeks won the European championship, which is overall a more competitive tournament than the World Cup. Denmark won the European Cup in a similar manner in 1992. In fact, the potential unpredictability of the World Cup is greater because the teams are made up of players who do not usually play together. Some teams with great players just do not work well together, are not balanced, or never quite gel. That said, some teams gel perfectly and can be heated and pursue a career. Throw in a few lucky bounce or the referee’s decisions, and the boom that is within reach of the cup.

We have approached. In 2002, the U.S. Germany dominated the quarter-finals and were a hand out of the semifinals, where he would have faced a team of South Korea had called with. It would have been quite conceivable that the United States could have defeated South Korea, who are in the final against Brazil – which almost certainly would have lost, but who knows what can happen in 90 minutes. In addition, last year U.S. reached the final in the Confederations Cup, beat Spain 2-0 and were up in Brazil. U.S. can play with the best in the world and is capable of achieving an upset.

It is in Europe and cold. European teams tend to do wrong, when the tournament is not close to them. In 2002, the big teams like flies collapsed, what South Korea and Turkey in the semifinals. In 2006, the European clubs did well. In addition, it will be quite cold, since it is winter in South Africa. This should cause some trouble, curiously, the African teams, as well as parts of South America. In other words, when the World Cup is played outside Europe and South America, absurd things can happen.

The draw is relatively favorable. The top half of the World Cup draw – groups A, B, C, D – are weaker than the other four. The best teams in this half of the draw are: Argentina, England, Germany, Serbia and France. Compare that with Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain and Italy. With the exception of Argentina, the U.S. coincides quite well with the rest. If the U.S. made outside the group, played an injury-hampered Germany and Serbia. U.S. is expected to lose, but both teams play a physical style that the U.S. European can match up well. However, if the U.S. pass of the game, things get interesting. If U.S. were to prevent Argentina (Argentina win the group or falling apart under Diego Maradona) and whether the collapse of France, U.S. could reasonably well against rivals Mexico in the quarter-final – a game in the U.S. could be the favorite to win. The road to the semifinals could be through Serbia and Mexico. At that time, the U.S. are in the semis and who knows what can happen.

World Cup is more balanced. If only seven teams have won the World Cup, but much of this is due to the fact that world football for the 20th century was dominated mainly by Europe and some South American countries. That remains the case, but the talent is spread more widely now, and the best leagues now have players from all over the world – Africa, Asia and North America.

Finally, you have to believe you can. I do not think that the U.S. will? I would not bet on it, but not so preposterous that one should not maintain hope.

The World Cup continues, the elite teams that remain tend to start clicking on all cylinders, which means that the U.S., even if they are playing out of his head, probably going to lose at some point . But just as hope springs eternal every February when pitchers and catchers report to spring training in the week before the World Cup, hope to be emerging in the U.S.

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