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Published: November 23rd 2009
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On arriving in Durban I soon settled into my dorm room and got chatting to various people in the hostel and made arrangements to spend the next day with Jean, a Dutch guy.
So Wednesday morning I got up and enjoyed the delectable breakfast on offer - muesli, plain yoghurt followed by marmalade on toast.... a fantastic change from fried eggs on toast! I then got my swimming stuff together and Jean and I headed out for the day with the intention of walking down to the beach and along the promenade and then visit the aquarium at uShaka Marine World.
Having reached the promenade it was clear that Durban is preparing itself for the 2010 World Cup and there were extensive renovation works going on. Having walked down onto the beach Jean started taking photos and I decided to wander down a pier and get a view looking back to the promenade. As I was walking along the start of the pier a guy from the opposite direction fell into step with me and welcomed me to South Africa. I looked at him and said thanks at which point he asked where we were from (Jean was following
about 5m behind) and so I told this guy I was English and Jean Dutch. The guy then told me that I didn't look English due to my dark tan he also told me that I was as dark as him - he as a local Indian guy. After some laughter he gave us some advice on where to go and visit in and around Durban and then wished us well and once again made a comment about how brown I am!
After a lengthy walk along the beach we ended up at the uShaka Marine World and decided it was time to stop for a drink before deciding what to do. So we went into a local restaurant for a drink and we were soon showed to a table. Unfortunately for the staff they thought we were there for lunch however having made it clear we only wanted a drink (it was only 11am and I was still full after my lunch) we ordered. We were then served our drinks and sat watching the beach and people surfing or attempting to surf. A waitress then approached the table with a bowl and introduced herself and then asked if
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Sharon this one is for you.... The new world cup stadium in Durban! she could wash our hands.... After taking awhile to register what she said we politely declined her offer and she wandered off. About 10 minutes later the same girl approached this time with a plate in hand and asked if she could paint our faces a confused look passed between Jean and I and once again we politely declined the offer. The next minute the waiter approached the table and provided us with small home-made bread rolls and various sauces and herbs to dip them into. Surprisingly when the bill came it was more than reasonable and the bread was complimentary which is always a bonus when travelling.
Jean and I then headed into uShaka and I convinced him that it was worthwhile buying a combined ticket for the aquarium and the water park... yes I know I never grow up. Anyway we headed into the aquarium. It is said that it is the 5th largest aquarium in the world which may be true however I have to admit that it is the most impressive aquarium I have ever been to. We wandered around the outside part of the park and watched them feeding the turtles and we then
headed inside. Unlike other aquariums whereby the fish are kept in small tanks the fish here were mainly collected into two different but huge tanks. There were then a few other smaller tanks housing the smaller fish and other marine life however it was the larger tanks that proved fascinating watching the sharks, rays and other tropical fish happily swimming around. We then moved on to watch the dolphin show which was good however as usual holds the tinge of sadness for these wild animals being holed up to perform tricks for the paying public.
We soon headed into the water park and had some fun on the slides. I will confess that I chickened out on the highest and longest slide but tried out everything else and had loads of fun. On leaving the park we arranged to head back to the hostel and meet up with Martin from Switzerland and go out for dinner. So having showered and changed the three of us headed out to a local Italian restaurant where we arrived just on time to grab one of the last tables. We had a great meal and then headed down to a local bar for
a few beers before heading back to the hostel.
The next morning, and Jean had no other plans, we decided to head down to the centre of town so we set off on foot and wandered down the Indian area and past the Madrassa Arcade and the Juma Mosque which is the largest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere. From there we wandered around the Workshop that is a mixture of shops and a food hall. From ther we wandered around the stalls outside and then walked to the KwaMuhle Museum. The museum was interesting as it was formerly the Bantu Administration headquarters and part of the museum detailed the buildings history where Durban's colonial authorities formulated the early racial segregation and was the blue print for the apartheid era. There was also a room dedicated to the apartheid era and additional rooms assigned to the American racial tensions and its subsequent breakdown and a room dedicated to infamous and influential Durban residents.
Having tried to organise my onward transport and failing miserably I was stuck in Durban until Sunday. So Friday morning I ended up heading out to the local Botanical Gardens with Paula, a girl that had
arrived in my dorm the previous day and hails from Durham. Durban was Paula first experience of South Africa on her own as theweek before she had arrived in Jo'berg and been met by an old friend and had then spent her time in St Lucia with another friend to say she was paranoid was an understatement. She did make me laugh though as we were leaving the hostel as she said that she felt safe going out with me as I had a “don't mess with me” look about me! I laughed and told her I would take it as a compliment whether it was meant that way or not. She assured me it was....
The weather was overcast but the bird life was out in force. The botanical gardens were small but pretty and are said to be the oldest in South Africa. From the gardens we walked back into Morningside, the area where the hostel is situated, and having walked around Paula and I stopped for a large but delicious late lunch.
Saturday morning and once again the weather was overcast. Having had a slow morning the hostel owner told me of a local market
and so I decided to head out and Paula decided to join me. As we got close to where we would have to walk up the hill for a 30min walk and a glance at the clouds the decision was soon made to head into town as it looked ready to rain. So I once again headed down towards the Madrassa Arcade with the intention of seeking out the famous Victoria Market. The streets were busy and we were blatantly the only white people to be seen and unfortunately for Paula she was feeling very twitchy despite my assurances we were fine. As we walked down a street a local shouted out “two foreigners” whilst following Paula which put me automatically on my guard and he repeated the same message in his own language (Indian I think) at which point I quickly crossed the road and changed direction. All was fine and we were still in a busy street however it was not worth taking chances. We continued on our way however by this point Paula was becoming very skittish and asked me to get her out of there at which point I headed down to the City Hall. Unfortunately
for Paula she was shaken and so we headed back to the hostel. After a quick stop off we headed back out and went for a long lunch and I also stopped by the second-hand book store and got some new books since I seem to be flying through them at the minute.
Sunday morning and having packed my bags it was a case of sitting and waiting for the bus to come and collect Paula, Keri (an American working in Botswana with the Peace Corps) and I and take us to Sani Lodge in the Southern Drakensberg.
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Jess
non-member comment
Thanks Auntie Andrea, he's just like the 2 Nemo's on my bed X