Blogs from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Africa - page 6

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Durban August 26th 2011

10 bed dorm Tekweni Backbackers Lodge Durban

Thursday 4 August: Ester and me arrived at 7.35 am at O.R.Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. There we got picked up by someone from Mbizi Backpackers Lodge in Boksburg. When we arrived at the hostel we were shocked. The hostel was surrounded by high fences like all the other houses in the neighbourhood. This is because Johannesburg is one of the world’s most dangerous cities. We went inside the hostel and dropped our bags in our room. A black lady showed us around and after that we walked with our driver to an ATM to pay him. We walked back to the hostel and met a German guy, called Christof, who was staying in the hostel too. We had toast with Nutella and tea for breakfast and decided to go to the Apartheid Museum in Soweto ... read more

ISTANBUL

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Durban » The Bluff May 25th 2011

mj nad

ANY SOUTH AFRICANS TRAVELLED TO ISTANBUL LATELY???... read more

Africa Wk 5 & 6 - Sharks, Zebras & Hippos

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Durban April 22nd 2011

Hippos!

robyn johnny

Day 29, Thursday, March 24th, we set out for our next destination on the Wild Coast, Mdumbi. We could not get into the Mdumbi backpackers that our friend Shavonne recommended so we stayed at the nearby at Mncbine cottages. The place is usually used as a surf camp but it was empty at the time so we had the place to ourselves. The owner had told us we would just be without electricity since the generator was being fixed. But he assured us everything else was working including the gas- generated refrigeration, stove and hot water. Plus he told us they had plenty of candles and lanterns for light. It sounded rustic and romantic so we thought why not. We had a lovely orange rondoval and nice big kitchen and dining area. We were up on ... read more

Durban

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Durban » Morningside April 1st 2011

The Skate Park

trd0201

Today I flew from Joburg down to Durban! Leaving a mild Joburg, walking out of King Shaka airport in Durban was a great surprise as it was very hot and humid! I took the airport shuttle from the airport into Durban, and it dropped me off at Tekweni Backpackers, which is just off Florida Road (Durbans main resturant/bar area). After a short while id started talking to a bunch of English people who were on a placement in Durban, And they suggested i come to a beach party/festival with them the next day (saturday). The Festival was great, awesome DJ's, just the queues where pretty large.....After a few hours of being at the festival, a few of us went to watch the Sharks match. They were playing the stormers and it wasnt the greatest of games ... read more

Rural South Africa

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Durban March 9th 2011

sugar cane fields

steveandlinda

Hi everyone, Yesterday I went out to rural South AFrica around the Durban area. Here is the home of the Zulu. It was a great day and we saw lots of sugar cane fields and then a creche that social work students work at when they are on their practicum. So here are some pictures from that trip. Steve just e-mailed to say he has arrived in England and is now waiting for his flight to Addis. Linda... read more

House of woman who grows herbs for medicinal purposes

Live from Durban

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Durban March 8th 2011

My cottage

steveandlinda

Hello everyone, I am writing from Durban. A beautiful city on the coast where it is hot and humid. Before i begin my travel blog I have to apologize to the black crows that I referred to in blog # 1. The screechy birds are not crows but hawdedas. They are big birds with long pointed beaks. So, apologies to the crows of this world. I arrived in Durban on Saturday. My flight was at 10:05 and my taxi didn't arrive to pick me up until 8:50! I don't know how we made it to the airport because we had to go across Jo'burg and I think the shuttle got me there in record time. I arrived at 9:40am and just made the plane. Durban is very hot and humid unlike Jo'burg that is dry and ... read more

On our way to Mauritius

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Durban » Morningside February 9th 2011

B&B in Montevideo

Sutravelling

Well!!! It’s now 6th February and I haven’t written anything for days – just too busy! Will now try and do a quick update – Scott has been doing lists so we wouldn’t forget. Montevideo was great – very much more European than Brazil had been. In the morning we got the courtesy bus to a shopping mall where we re-stocked on gin and tonic and red wine – had a wander round and saw many of the passengers doing the same thing. After we had taken shopping back we then caught the bus to Independence Square and strolled the streets of the Old Town and visited the market. Also went to a huge market like building which was filled with all different restaurants cooking their meat and fish on huge barbeques – it was fab!! ... read more

Week 1 - Durban briefing

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Durban January 16th 2011

Monash South Africa

Saint Mish

So week 1 of orientation and getting to know Durban is over. Tomorrow morning my co-volunteer and I head inland 2hrs to start our placement at Woza Moya. The last week has been really interesting and very busy, but I'm looking forward to actually starting the placement. So what have I been doing the last week. Well I arrived at the Monash South Africa campus on the Saturday afternoon. There are 10 of us students involved in the placement. There are seven girls from Monash Australia and three people from the South African campus. These three are a mixed group. Stephanie is from Germany, Nasreen is from Tanzania and Simba (our sole gentleman) is originally from Zimbabwe, but currently lives in Botswana. When I arrived, three of the Aussie girls were there along with Simba. We ... read more

Walks in the bush...

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Durban January 2nd 2011

ThembaThemba

The last few weeks have been something special. The entire trip has been something special- something amazing. I cannot explain the complex feelings and thoughts that are created when you are on, say, a Monday in the dry deserts of Namibia and then on Wednesday you are enjoying the cool breezes in Cape Town. We have spent about a month in Camperdown. This is my home in South Africa. Home number two. I would say 60% of my memories of South Africa are from this area. Is it a cluster of bustling madness like Joburg? No way. Is it the hipster streets of Cape Town, with waves crashing in the distance? No. But it is home number two. Christmas was not so much of a traditional Christmas celebration, but we spent it in good company and ... read more

Balito Bay

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal » Durban December 12th 2010

Me & Sam

VaNessasEpicAdventures

Balito Bay is a beautiful place. A real beach paradise with the beach lifestyle, small town size, and big city vibrancy. I loved it there. Once Sam decided she was going to extend her trip in South Africa and was given an opportunity to work in Balito I instantly wanted to go down with her for a bit and help her get settled in. I think it was about 7 years ago that our family went there and we just had the most amazing time so having the chance to go again was not something I could pass by. Chris and Nan offered to let us stay in their flat out there which is right on the beach and absolutely beautiful! We flew down to Balito on Monday afternoon. Sam and I were not a hundred ... read more

Brief history of South Africa

After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjug...more history

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