Discovering Durban

By
Aruna Rathod
Feature Writer 
Travel, Food & Lifestyle

With its gorgeous coastline of sun-kissed beaches and a subtropical climate, Durban is one of Africa’s busiest ports, known for its urban lifestyle and scenic diversity.

The flight was in turbulence. It was a windy afternoon as the plane neared Durban, South Africa. I craned my neck from my aisle seat to watch what Durban had to offer. A majestic ocean spread out, and as the plane rocked a bit and descended, I could see the frothing waves meeting Durban’s sandy beaches. I liked the look of this city.

The new King Shaka International Airport in Durban is about 30 km from the city centre, and the highways, flanked by sugarcane fields, make for a pleasant drive. People living in Durban swear by the city and its laid-back lifestyle and fantastic beaches. Once home to Mahatma Gandhi, Durban is the biggest city in KwaZulu-Natal on the country’s eastern coast, South Africa’s third-largest city, and home to the largest Indian population outside India. Indian customs and traditions dominate certain pockets of the city.

Action Galore

Durban offers plenty of action: an amazing beachfront called the Golden Mile, warm, safe waters for swimming, a waterfront with restaurants, boat rides, a shark museum, parks, botanic gardens, and plenty of glitzy malls.

A drive through the old city is interesting, and the vast Jumma Masjid stands out with its minarets. It is the largest mosque in the southern hemisphere, and it is surrounded by the Indian quarter, creating an interesting intercultural dialogue.

St. Victoria Street, located opposite the masjid, is busy, as it houses the meat and seafood market. St. Victoria Market is housed in a building, but the street market is colourful, with hawkers selling fresh vegetables and fruit. The indoor Indian market offers an interesting array of African and Indian shops selling colourful African handicrafts, beaded jewellery, Indian masalas, African costumes, and more. You could spend almost half a day here, browsing through various shops and picking up souvenirs from Durban. Wooden masks of animals and tribes, African hats, beaded jewellery, animal-print garments- it’s all there. You could even pick up tribal garments, headgear, feathers, fur, etc. Indian shops have puja items, Ganpati idols, incense, torans, and Indian food stuff; you name it, they have it.

After lunch, take a drive along Addington Beach, part of the Golden Mile. If the sea and its creatures fascinate you, take time out to visit the uShaka Marine World; it has dolphin shows, 32 tanks, and Africa’s highest waterslide. The weather is cool in August as the season shifts from winter to fall. Some parts of the Golden Mile beach have interesting shopping kiosks, set up neatly and selling authentic African ware.

The Stadium

As you drive away from the beachfront, you can spot a stunning structure on the horizon. This is the Moses Mabhida Stadium, a destination in itself, even if you are not going to watch a match!

Take a SkyCar ride up the stadium arch in two minutes for a nominal cost. Step out onto the platform and enjoy the amazing view. If you are up for it, take the Adventure Walk up 500 steps to the 106m-high arch.

For a rush of adrenaline, take the Big Rush Big Swing, officially named the world’s tallest swing by the Guinness Book of Records since 2011. It lets you take a thrilling leap, swinging out into a massive 220m arc as you soar into the centre of the stadium.

You can also take a stadium tour to explore the state-of-the-art change rooms or step onto the pitch for a world-class stadium experience. You can also discover the suites where the rich and famous are entertained. After the action and a workout, relax at the People’s Park Cafe for a sumptuous meal, and enjoy the deck too.

For those interested in South African history, visit the Kwa Muhle Museum; for those who want to learn about Africa’s flora and fauna, the Botanic Gardens are a good bet.

Soak In The Atmosphere

In the evening, a drive to Innes Road is a must for a fantastic view of Durban, with the blue ocean as the backdrop. Many tourists take photos here. The Cube is a large structure installed in 2009 as part of South African Tourism’s (SAT) domestic marketing campaign. It’s the best spot to photograph the stadium with the sea in the background.

Head down Florida Road, a lively street, to get a feel for Durban’s eating-out scene. Flanked by hip restaurants, this road is popular with youngsters, who step out for a drink or two, and families who want an evening out with a barbecue dinner.

Beaches And Waterfronts

Set aside a morning or evening to visit Umdloti Beach, about 20 minutes from the city. It is a serene, secluded beach with a tidal pool (a rock formation that creates a natural pool for swimmers). Sunbathe, swim, or enjoy the sunrise and sunset at this beautiful beach.

If you want some action or a sumptuous meal after the serene beach, a visit to Wilson’s Wharf is a must. With its buzzing waterfront, it offers plenty of activities. A little away from the port, the wharf has a shopping mall and plenty of restaurants with sit-outs serving beer, seafood, oysters, and squid. A half-hour boat ride can take you to the Isle of Capri, where you can see whales and dolphins. Or you could take a spin on the African Princess to enjoy the sea.

Night Attractions

Driving around with locals is a good bet, as they can navigate you well. To avoid any mishaps, it’s best to chalk out where you want to go and stick to your route in Durban. The Sun Coast casino has a lot of action at night. Besides the gambling tables, cafes and restaurants serve some super specialties.

A drive to the My Diner is a good bet too, weather permitting. Have a hot chocolate or coffee and enjoy the Indian Ocean at night.

Not to be missed is the famous South African Braai (barbecued meat) that most restaurants offer at night. Mugg & Bean is the place for coffee and snacks.

Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright