April 3, 2023
We are in South Africa, the last continent that we will be visiting on this trip! This is my first time in South Africa and I can’t wait to explore. The view of Durban from the ship. just before sunrise was that of a modern city with a beautiful harbor.
Durban, nicknamed Durbs, is the third most populous city in South Africa. Durban forms part of the eThekwin Metropolitan Municipality with a population of about 3.5 million people. Durban is highly ethnically diverse city with large Zulu, White and Indian/Asian population
The Zulu tribe is the original inhabitants of South Africa and they were on the dock to entertain us as we came ashore.
My excursion for the day took me out of the city to the heart of the Natal Midlands where the magnificent Howick Falls are. Howick Falls is a fantastic display of power with over a 300 feet drop. The water is so powerful that it was creating a rainbow on the lake at the bottom. Known to the Zulu people as KwaNogqaza – Place of the Tall One – the falls were first seen by European adventurers in the early 19th century.
On our way to the falls we passed through the small town where Nelson Mandela made his last speech before he was arrested and the picture with the 50 green spikes memorializes the spot where he was arrested later that night. I will be going to Robben Island where he was imprisoned when I am in Cape Town. Our tour guide spoke of her lovingly of him and how he dramatically change like in South Africa.
After the falls we went to lunch at the Granny Mouse Country House where we were treated to a specular lunch including South African wine. After lunch I went out to capture a few pictures of the quaint cottages when suddenly the sky opened up and it was a full on monsoon. I ran for cover but was immediately drenched! It rained hard for over 20 minutes and the air smelled so good after the rained and we were treated to a beautiful rainbow.
Our last stop for the day was at Ardmore Ceramic studio where they create impressive African ceramics. The work is intense and very detailed and the results are incredible. The studio is located on the farm, Ardmore, in the Champagne Valley under the shadow of the Drakensberg Mountains. The landscape of rolling green hills and a babbling river along with the horses grazing was so peaceful and so unexpected. This is different Africa than what I have experience before!!!
I was out on deck as we were getting ready to leave port and spotted a ship that was lit in different colors and had 4 very large radars pointed skyward. I found out that is was a Chinese spy ship!! What a way to end a special day in South Africa.
Port Elizabeth is next and I will be going out on Safari….my happy place!!!!
Wow! So many pictures for me to love! First, a beautiful photo of my friend Mary. Then horses, rainbows and ceramic birds. Just curious…..have you bought many souvenirs on your trip?