24 hours in Durban

I was in South Africa in July and had very little time to see and do everything there is in this wonderful country. I decided this trip to focus on the big cities so of course I would spend time in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Once the itinerary began to unfold, I realized it only left me 24 hours for Durban a city on the Eastern portion of the country closer to the Indian Ocean. Was it really worth it to go all that way for 24 hours? I decided to chance it since I was unsure when I would be able to return to South Africa and because it would help me know whether to visit the city again next visit. It was a great decision.

 

We chose a hotel close to North Beach and were able to walk down to the water shortly after our morning flight from Johannesburg. The flight was a little over an hour and very reasonable on South African Airways. I used my hotel points since we were there such a short time and to save. We stayed at the Hilton Durban, a nice hotel connected to the convention center. This is great because there is an ATM in the building next door, the staff is very friendly and you are just a few blocks from North Beach.

After spending several weeks in Johannesburg, during their winter months, the warmth of Durban was a very welcome change. The oceanfront is beautiful and you will find great cafes to sit and have a drink and food as you look out on the water. We took in the sites of surfers, swimmers and others enjoying the beach from our table at a local waterfront bar.

We then walked down the beach past more hotels and even a little park where a dance group was practicing. Our goal was to find a reasonable spa to have massages before our flight the next day. The Spa at Suncoast Hotel and Towers was amazing. The hotel is part of a larger entertainment complex with movies, casinos and restaurants. The spa with its large picture windows with views of the sea makes you feel as though you are having a seaside massage, allowing you to completely escape during your treatment.

For food, Durban is a seafood lovers dream. Also with the largest population of people of Indian descent outside India you are sure to find excellent Indian options. And let’s not forget that Kwazulu Natal ( the province where Durban is located) is the center of Zulu culture within South Africa. The choices for food throughout the city are abundant.

No trip to Durban would be complete without visiting Ushaka Marine World. Everyone ( and I mean everyone) suggested we visit it during our stay and it is the city’s main highlight. For dinner, we ate at the Cargo Hold. This restaurant has an open glass shark tank so you  feel as though you are eating underwater during your meal. It is a pricer meal option in Durban but worth the extra Rand. We had a wonderful bottle of white wine, shared a salad, lovely fish entrees and dessert for around $30 US per person. It is not to be missed.

Another great seafood choice is the New Cafe Fish Restaurant and Bar. Located in the Victoria Embankment next to yachts and the marina, you can enjoy an amazing lunch or dinner. We had lunch here before our flight and enjoyed our last bit of Kingklip ( a local fish) before heading back to the US. Great service and a great meal.

If you are headed to South Africa, do not forget to include Durban in your itinerary. It has a different feel than the other major cities with an emphasis on Zulu culture and the warmth of a beach city. I know I look forward to seeing more and spending more time there in the future.

 

Here is a brief video highlight of Durban

 

Spa- Suncoast Hotel and Towers

9th floor , The Towers
(031)314-7900
suncoastspa1@southernsun.com

 

The Cargo Hold Restaurant

Ushaka Marine World
1 Bell Street
http://www.ushakamarineworld.co.za/Dining-Out/dining-out.php

The New Cafe Fish

31 Yacht Mole
Victoria Embankment
(031) 305-5062

Music of Carnaval - Bahia, Brazil 2009

Always wondered what Carnaval looked like? Here and see music and images from Carnaval in Salvador, Brazil 2009.

You Are Home Again

 

I signed up to host a basketball clinic in Ghana, in the Eastern Volta Region for 3 weeks.  I picked Ghana because I have known of so many people traveling to Ghana and they have all had such good things to say about their journey. Also because they speak English and there is a rich history of the slave trade and colonialism.

 

My volunteer site was an orphanage/school/church community.  The people were extremely nice and helpful.  I had a room, and 3 meals delivered to me daily.  Stuff like fufu, pounded corn, coco yam leaves, tilapia or tuna soup, fried plantains, and yams. Since it was their raining season, it took a bit longer than I anticipated to build the basketball court.  So, I spent the first two weeks working with the school to improve their teaching techniques, lesson plans, and assessment.  In the rural areas, there are not professionally trained teachers, most are mere high school graduates.  So, they were very receptive to my input.  I also taught the orphans games to play.  They LOVE dodgeball. Once the basketball court was built (cement, rocks, water, tree trunks, wood, and paint), I taught the orphans how to play the game.  I ran various drills on dribbling, catching, passing, shooting, and defense.  For many, not using their feet to make a basket presented a huge challenge, but overall they were excited to learn the game and adopted the techniques well.  It was imperative to get the girls involved, as gender inequalities are still prevalent in this area. 

 

Aside from my volunteer experiences, I had a chance to explore the rich culture of Ghanians.  I visited Cape Coast.  I went to Cape Coast castle and Elmina castle.  To walk on the floors where my ancestors were held captive, beaten, and sold was an experience. Humbling. Grounding. Solidifying.  Horrific.  Informative.  Course Changing.  I saw male and female dungeons, the door of no return, the water they were taken to and everything in the castle. A must do and see in Ghana.  I also went to a place called Kankun National Park. It has tons of plants and animals in the rainforest.  I walked across the longest canopy walk in the world, some places, over 100 feet high, through the trees. It was amazing.  I also went to a local soccer game in Cape Coast.  Another memorable experience was going to the monkey sanctuary to feed the monkeys.  The monkeys ate the bananas right off my hands.  So cool!  Wili falls was another spectacular attraction - the longest waterfall in West Africa.

 

In summary, my trip to Ghana was very memorable and life changing.  The motherland is so beautiful.  My words will not compliment my experiences.  You have to go for yourself! 

 

Check out my website at: www.togethereachachievesmore.org for more information on sports in rural areas.

 

Blessings,

Davi Afi (traditional name given to woman born on Friday)

a DIAMOND in the WHARF

Ok, so how about some laid back non-bourgeoisie dining? I can use a bit of that being that I come from the laid back/Mom and Pop’s restaurant business.

Just when I thought seafood couldn’t get better than seafood with my Dad during his time on Earth. Well, I may have stumbled across something fairly close. This place is special, a true diamond in the (whar)rough - Cameron’s Seafood Market.

Finding Cameron’s Seafood Market was by pure chance and it surprised me because I consider the DC Metro area my second home and for the most part I know where to find some good eats. So, I was driving on Route 5, headed to Scotland, MD, where I was partaking in a two-week Arts Residency. Suddenly my coworker and I had a taste for food. “Something less fattening and non-fried,” my fellow coworker said. Now, on Route 5, you have many fast food options such as Wendy’s, McDonalds, Bojangles, etc. Not an option for us. Then as we passed Iverson Mall, we spotted seafood…Cameron’s Seafood!

Pulling into the driveway, my taste buds began to do fan kicks and flips. I was an instant ball of excitement and just knew we struck it big (ok my excitement - word to the wise - maybe it’s my southern superstitions but whenever you see a pick up truck parked next to a seafood market, and it’s owned by the market, chances are they get fresh catch from the fisherman’s wharf on a daily basis - so you’re in for an appetizing meal!).

Cameron’s hit the spot! My coworker and I shared the stuff salmon platter, which is 2 salmon steaks stuffed with crabmeat, and the broiled scallop dinner. Now the packaging wasn’t fancy, Styrofoam plates and plastic ware, but it was not about the look…it was all about the food! Oh and did I mention the stuffed salmon platter was only $10.99!!! We chose to continue this laid back journey by chowing down inside the car. With our bellies full and a slight need for a nap, we continued our journey to Scotland, MD. After a meal like that, I hope I prayed I had energy to teach.

If you’re looking for some real seafood from the neighborhood…make sure you find a Cameron’s Seafood Market near you. Do a google or yahoo search. There are tons in the D.C., Maryland, and Philadelphia area.

Cameron’s Seafood Market

3919 Branch Avenue

Temple Hills, MD 20748

301.316.2000

Images of Robben Island

Interested in learning more about the prison where Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid heroes spent their prison terms. After 30+ years as a maximum security prison for political prisoners, Robben Island has been transformed into a place to tell the personal stories of inmates who spent time on the island off the coast of Cape Town.

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