Beautiful and Botanical

Recently, a few of us creatives visited the Durban Botanical Gardens.  It was a beautiful day and we had a hugely satisfying time snapping away at the photogenic surroundings.  What a privilege to visit this haven with like-minded Durbanites.
These large significant gardens were developed in 1849 as a station for growing trial agricultural crops and are the oldest surviving Botanical Gardens in Africa.
The plant life is breath-taking, and so many of the other elements of this, Durban’s well-run and oldest public institution are intriguing.
Here is some of what I saw:
This bright banana petal seems to be pointing the way…

A large round pond in the centre was ablaze with lumo polka-dot green leaves and gentle spiky pink water-lilies

This tender installation is a special artwork by Nicci Fourie featuring metal cut-out children holding hands.  They are walking in a spiral line,  representing a cochlea and illustrating the fact that children must be heard.

The Orchid House is an exotic oasis brim full of bright green tropical foliage and colourful blooms

The height and rhythm of a variety of different palm tree trunks caught my attention.

We finished the day off at the well-supported tea garden.  The simple nostalgic tea and eats were served quickly and heartily.   If you are close to Durban, and it’s been a while since you’ve visited the Botanical Gardens, this weekend may be a good time to go back and enjoy some deep soul restoration.
Events – Visit the Durban Botanical Gardens Event Page. The Gardens host a number of major musical events, the next one being Gangs of Ballet on Mother’s Day – the 10th of May.

Lola's Lovely Coffee Cafe

Our latest Creative Council Meeting was held at this vibey fairly new spot.

 

Lolas' website has a lovely statement  about their ethos - . 

"The heart of a coffee shop

lies in the people you find there, 

but it's soul lies in the coffee they pour."

The Stadium

The Moses Mabhida Stadium has becom a truly beloved part of Durban.  Not only has it added interest to our skyline, thereby giving a subject to many artists, photographers and crafters, but it is a real meeting place.  Besides hosting the monthly iheart market, and other events like The Top Gear Festival, it's a great place to just visit.  Recently we've had 2 sets of friends from overseas, and we enjoyed the stadium with both of them. 

The structure of MMS is so graceful and full of rhythm. The repetition of so many elements in and around the building creates a pleasing visusal melody.

Its a great place to view the city of Durban - From the layers of train track lines to the curves of gentle historic buildings, finishing off with the serene sea.  (It was beautifully calm on the days we were there!)

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A trip to the top of the stadium is a must -  There are 2 ways to get there - by car or on foot.

If you choose the Skycar, you can buy your tickets at the ticket office before gliding up to the stadium's zenith.  

 

If you want to walk to the top, you'll have to get some tickets too, to enjoy the view - step by step! 

The Morning Trade

Last week Sunday dawned the first day of a brand new market in Durban - The Morning Trade.  An artisan trade market - packed full of delicious food and a hungry Durban Community.

 

Zak and Tonic in the Rooftop Garden

This week I visited the Zak and Tonic Pop up Shop in the Priority Zone Rooftop Garden. 

Rivertown - Beset Durban

The  Beset Durban Archiwalks are one of the best things to happen in Durban lately, as they are opening up interesting parts of our city.  Many of us are going places we have never been before and are seeing familiar places with new and appreciative eyes.

Rivertown Beerhall Exhibitions

The Rivertown Beerhall was built in 1914, and it re-opened again earlier today - a century later! 

 

The atmosphere was vibrant as people crowded the freshened space to view the exhibitions, coinciding with UIA2014, the International Architectural Conference being hosted here in Durban.  

Beset Durban - Living Blocks

The aim of Beset Durban  is to get us onto the streets of our city - and they are succeeding in an interesting and exciting way! 

 

Marilyn's Tea House

The Kloof SPCA is housed in the 42ha Glenholme nature reserve.  It is so worth a visit to see the genteel surroundings of this vibrant charity.   Not only do they serve the community by taking care of their beloved pets, but they provide a haven for thrift shoppers and visitors. 

Marilyn's Tea Shop serves refreshments from character-filled old home on the grounds, which also houses the SPCA's Antiques and Collectibles Shop - Memory Lane.

The Grand White Dinner - Durban

The Grand White Dinner has taken place in 4 cities in South Africa this year, and we were so excited to attend the last one for 2014 in Durban this past weekend.

Beset Durban - Florida Road Archiwalk

200 on Florida - Victorian Home of Spiga

Beset Durban is a community-focused group of people who organise walks in Durban.  They have taken aspects of the word beset (set upon, surround, attack from all sides) in making it their goal to get Durbanites back onto the streets of their own city. 

Hollis House

Mitchell Park's Nellie the Elephant

I had Ostrich Steak from Woolies for dinner last night.  If things had gone a little differently, it may have been locally sourced.  Mitchell Park, Durban started out as an Ostrich Farm in 1910.  It wasn't profitable, and so it became a zoo with some large animals - even lions and leopards! Today the largest animals housed in this local mini zoo are Giant Tortoises.

Durban Digital Day

What a great event.  I was delighted to be at this 'annual digital, tech & online conference, networking hub and big day out in KZN.'

Scan Art - Scanography

Scan Art Durban, curated by Heather Pattenden launches today, hot on the heels of artSPACE Durban's 10th birthday celebration week. 

Wood - Carpet Hooks

Marquee Maximus - Interpret Durban 4

Interpret Durban 4 or ID4 was big news here this last weekend.  Over the past few weeks, artitists have been working on photogaphy, video and T-shirt design submissions.   It was big news for me personally, as I submitted a work for the art exhibition and was chuffed to be awarded 3rd prize in the Open Art section.

Sketches of Durban Harbour and its Surrounds

Have you heard of Cathcart William Methven before?  I've  just learnt that he was an amazing chap.  These delightful sketches of Durban and its Harbour are only one of his many achievements.

 

The envelope that houses these postcard reproductions states that he was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and  Engineer in Chief of the Natal Harbour Board. 

Interpret Durban

I am passionate about my home city Durban, and fascinated with the creative talent that we have here too.   

So last night was a very good evening to experience both.  Streetscene Alternative Tours hosted an Interpret Durban T-shirt Competition at the Colomba Coffee Factory in Durban.

Marshall's Place, Mahatma Gandhi, Mzinyathi Falls and more...

Saturday was an incredible day for me as I joined Streetscene Tours to do a tour of Kwa Mashu [Marshall's Place] just outside Durban.The first stop was Elephant House, the oldest house in Durban!

Next stop was Kwa Mashu - I never realsied what a significant place it is.  I thoroughly enjoyed being up close and personal with the Township and it's residents. We visited all sorts of places like the Gandhi Museum,

The Markets of Warwick

Last week we went on a tour of the Markets of Warwick.
It was an incredible experience.  It opened up an area of inner city Durban to me.

 

Refreshing and Inspiring

My daughters and I had a special time on Saturday morning as we coffee'd and shopped in Davenport - an older vibey suburb of Durban.The atmosphere is great. We started at Bean Green with arguably the best coffee in Durbs at the moment!