For years South Africans have been talking, dreaming and arguing about 2010: a fantastical date which seemed so far in the future that I felt like a kid waiting for a massive birthday party I feared may never arrive.
And now? It's February 2010; the teams have been drawn, two million tickets sold, and in just a couple of months Bafana Bafana will kick off against Mexico in the opening match at Soccer City.
Time to get those last details sorted. Here's some advice on "what to do if ... " so you can put any niggly concerns to bed, come on over, grab a vuvuzela, and join in the first FIFA World Cup™ to be played in Africa.
What to do if ...
.. you haven't got tickets for a match you want to see.
The first few rounds of ticket sales have come and gone but it's not too late to see your team live in action. You can still apply for tickets on the FIFA website, just don't be conned by unofficial sites, there have been quite a few scams floating around in cyberspace.
Another great option is the Fan Parks, which will be set up in all of South Africa's 9 host cities. The atmosphere should be electric, with excitement levels rivaling that of any World Cup stadium. Between matches shown on giant screens, local bands and international artists will keep the crowd cheering, so take along a few refreshments and make a day of it.
If you don't feel up to a throng of blasting vuvuzelas; head for a big screen at a local bar, restaurant or sports club.
... you haven't booked accommodation.
Best you get cracking! Tourist hubs like Cape Town have plenty of accommodation options ranging from luxurious Cape Town villas to hotels and guest houses in all the city's many hotspots.
However, if you're watching matches in laid-back little Rustenburg, it would probably be best to set your sites further afield: Sun City, the fantastic Pilanesberg Game Reserve and Johannesburg are all a few hours drive away.
... your hotel is far from the stadium.
If you've already booked accommodation, you'll probably find your World Cup package includes access to a shuttle service between the hotel and the stadium. Otherwise you can make use of the park-and-ride service by driving to the park point and catching an official stadium shuttle.
... you're watching matches in different host cities around South Africa.
The quickest and easiest is obviously to fly, but it'll be pricey. There will be more flights than usual over the World Cup period (more often and more expensive), and South Africa's national carrier SAA plans to operate 24 hours a day.
To give you an idea of times, it's more or less a 2-hour flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg, 2 hours from Cape Town to Durban, and about an hour from Johannesburg to Durban.
You're visiting a beautiful country with excellent roads, so renting a car is a good option. However, bear in mind that South Africa is five times the size of Great Britain, and the roads will be pretty busy so if you're doing a long distance like Cape Town to Durban (a 17-hour drive) plan to take a couple of days, making scenic stops along the way - our coast is well worth seeing!
... you're worried about safety.
There has been a lot of negative press about the level of crime in South Africa, but don't let that put you off coming over - it's going to be great!
South Africa has spent billions of rands on a comprehensive security plan, and has a good safety record at the approximately 140 international sporting events held here over the past few years.
An additional 41 000 police officers have been recruited and specially trained, so there will be a strong police presence not only at the stadiums but also at hotels, Fan Parks and other tourist venues. Of course, as with anywhere else in the world, it's important to stay aware of what's going on around you, not carry valuables openly, and avoid deserted areas especially after dark.
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