South Africa Durban
The Sardines Arrive
Another great contribution from South African industry pro and travel writer Sean Ross.
KNZ Sardine Fever
It’s a real gamble setting a festival date to celebrate the expected arrival of a natural phenomenon, in this case the greatest shoal of fish on earth, many months in advance of their arrival. And even more so when this incredible mass of millions of sardines failed even to arrive at all in 2007 and 2006. So it was with great relief to the KwaZulu-Natal tourism authorities when the first shoals were spotted off the South Coast a day ahead of the June 13 launch of this increasingly popular Sardine Festival.
Annual Phenomenan
This migratory phenomenon is set in motion when millions and millions of small fish, a pilchard-type species, embark on a northwards journey along the country’s coast from their home base in the cold waters of the south-eastern Cape to as far north as the province’s capital of Durban, before peeling off seawards and into deeper waters. Why they travel this route still unclear, except probably that new territory is created as the cold winter waters from the Arctic pushes upwards into the warmer Indian Ocean waters.
Date: June 17th, 2008 |
1 comment
Durban’s a drug and Robyns your pusher
The Durban vs. Cape Town rivalry in South Africa is hotting up, with Robyn producing some slick Marxist video propaganda to lure people away from Cape Town with promises of exotic culture and boringly clement weather.
For people that don’t like too much sunshine, warm water and man eating sharks, I maintain that Cape Town is still the better option 
enjoy.
Date: November 30th, 2007 |
No Comments
Robyn goes Shark Diving!
So I arrive at work on a Tuesday afternoon after a hectic weekend, where Billy’s opened on a rare Sunday afternoon to host a Red bull function which featured an awesome South African duo called Goldfish, to the news that i was going diving with sharks the following Saturday! What, where and how??? Apparently there was an incentive for us waitresses… whoever sold the most Vodka Red bulls would win a shark dive… oh cool!
Saturday morning arrives and a group of us are off down the coast… the morning started a bit chilly and overcast! We arrive at Blue Wilderness, Rocky Bay and are quickly kitted up with wetsuit, flippers, goggle and snorkel. After a group shot and a short orientation from the lead diver, it as time to hit the beach. The rain started to come down at this point and the sea was looking very rough. We had a pretty rough but exciting 30 minutes boat ride to the dive site where the chum was dropped and within seconds we saw our first shark from the safety of the boat! While staring in disbelief into the open waters… we spotted a Southern Right Whale jumping in the distance!
Date: October 10th, 2007 |
1 comment
Gateway: Durban’s theatre of shopping
To carry on with the shopping theme, Durban is home to one of the biggest shopping retail outlets in Africa. With more than 280 stores and a wide variety of restaurants, entertainment and recreational activities this is not just any shopping centre! Situated in the ever-expanding Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre about 20 minutes outside Durban, there is something for everyone at Gateway.
Date: August 24th, 2007 |
No Comments
Fires and floods threaten many in South Africa
We have had a harsh week of weather, with icy temperatures and driving rain, causing a significant amount of flooding.
As usual the worst hit are the poorest of the poor, living in informal settlements without drainage. 49 townships are said to be affected and 38000 people.
“It was terrible. If four major storms hit consecutively, there is nothing one can do about it. The problem is that people settled in low-lying areas,” said Mayor Helen Zille.
As it was explained to me by my Geography teacher. the Cape Point area is actually an island and the large land area in-between is basically a low lying sand bank. So when heavy rain comes they always flood.
Date: August 1st, 2007 |
No Comments
The Surfing Hippo of KwaZulu/Natal
A curious story of a surfing hippo has been doing the rounds in South Africa recently. First spotted in the KNZ coastal resort town of Ballito, situated about 40km north of Durban, the vagrant hippo has been steadily making its way south from the area of the St Lucia wetlands in Maputaland, where the species is very common. Reminiscent of the early 20th century odyssey of Huberta, this travelling hippo has generated enormous local sympathy and interest.
Huberta
Huberta was born in the St Lucia wetland system in 1927, and a year later was on the move, migrating south on an epic 1600km journey that would take her all the way to the Eastern Cape. She was initially thought to be male, and was named Hubert, which was later changed when it was discovered she was female. Her journey took her three years during which time she became something of a local and international celebrity. She successfully evaded many attempts at capture before eventually making her way as far south as East London. There, although having been declared en-route to be Royal Game, and thus protected by the Crown, she was shot and killed by hunters. Her body was then reverently shipped to a taxidermist in London, after which she was returned to South Africa where she can still be seen at the Amathole Museum in King William’s Town.
Date: June 2nd, 2008 |
No Comments
Southafricanisms: The Bunny Chow
The bunny chow was created in Durban (Which has the largest population of Indians outside of Bradford India) in the 1940’s.
The term Bunny Chow is derived from two words, Bunny (relating to Bhanya, the Bunny Chow’s inventor) and Chow (South African slang word for food)
Bunny chow consists of a quarter, half, or full loaf of bread with it’s centre removed and filled with your choice of curry made using traditional recipes from Durban, including mutton, lamb, chicken and bean curries (however the original bunny chow was strictly vegetarian).
Date: November 27th, 2007 |
No Comments
The Brew Route: Durbans answer to the wine route?
The Zulu Kingdom now offers visitors a chance to experience the Brew Route, similar in many ways to the wine routes of the Western Cape.
The Route consists of 8 breweries, which range from SABMiller (second largest brewer in the world) to the family run Farmers Brauhaus in Hattingspruit, Dundee.
The route takes tourists through a large part of the province and is impossible to complete in one day, but there is excellent accommodation available throughout the route, especially in the Midlands.
Date: August 31st, 2007 |
No Comments
Bring on the beach
With winter behind us now, well in Durbs anyway, it’s time to focus on the outdoors and the beach. After tidal waves and a rush clean-up of the Durban beaches after the freak weather in April and May, this year’s Beach Festival was definitely no wash out!
The festival exceeded the expectations of the organizers by attracting more than 700 000 people (tourists and locals) and generating an impressive economic turnover of around R700 million. “We have once again pulled off a world class beach event this year proving that we are Africa’s premier sporting and events capital,” said Lindiwe Mahlangu, head of Durban Africa (Berea Mail).
During the 10 days of the festival there was a further economic injection of around R110 million in catering, hospitality, entertainment and fashion during the weekend of the Vodacom Durban July. Well I definitely know what I’m doing in July 2008!
Date: August 13th, 2007 |
No Comments
Robyn back from gallivanting around Africa…
I’m back, after what was the best life experience I could’ve ever asked for! Africa is a beautiful continent, with so much to see, experience and learn! One thing I did learn on my travels is how lucky I am to live in South Africa… this country is the best of two worlds, the first and third world, because there is no other place like South Africa in the rest of Africa.
My travels took me from Dar es Salaam, up to the Samburu Nature Reserve in the North of Kenya and back down through the Masai Mara, the Serengeti, through …
Date: July 24th, 2007 |
No Comments
