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.

Responsible Traveller Magazine

Responsible Traveller  is a travel publication showcasing responsible tourism destinations in Southern Africa.

Tessa Buhrman. the Durban based editor says that the magazine aims to inform, educate, entertain as well as inspire its readers to make informed decisions, manage their impact on the environment and to ‘be the difference’

 

The most recent issue published last week deals with topics like ‘how can luxury travel be responsible?’ and success stories in Rhino Conservation. 
Freshly Found Durban was invited to submit an article on the Beset Durban Walks, which we have featured before on this blog:

"We are also encouraged to ‘get off our couches, beach towels and coffee shop chairs’and explore our own cities. What better way to be a responsible traveller… no carbon footprint and great opportunities to interact with, and experience local cuisine and culture" Read the 'Durban Walks' article on page 86
If you love travel,  have a conscience and want to make a difference - subscribe to this FREE delightful magazine

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!)

A

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. 

Msundusi Museum - Pietermaritzburg

The Msundusi Museum in central Pietermaritzburg is well worth a visit.  It is housed in the beautiful redbrick building that was once the old Longmarket Girls School.  

 

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.

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.

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.

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,

Round and Round

We have lived in Durban for around 15 years now, and it has taken us this long to visit the Roma Revolving Restaurant. We had a few family milestones to celebrate - so we thought we would give it a try. I have never been to a revolving restaurant before. We really enjoyed ourselves. The secret was to arrive just before the sun set

Comrades Marathon

Yesterday, we had about 10 000 people run almost past our home in the Comrades Marathon - [the worlds oldest and largest Ultramarathon] We live on a peninsula in a hilly area, so we become totally neighbourhood-locked for the duration of the race in our area. Many people in the community take their breakfast and chairs to the roadside and encourage the runners along.

Durban Art Deco Society

My home city, Durban has an Art Deco Society - You can visit their web sight and take a virtual tour of Art Deco Durban.