| The road through the Free State can be boring. Such wide open spaces where you can sometimes see the day after tomorrow. |
| That's of course until you get to the hilly part of the Natal Midlands (Foot-in-Mouth area).The roads are in general very nice to travel on. Three lanes to cater for all the heavy duty transport vehicles and for people who don't know how to drive. Speed is limited to 120Km/h though most people average 140Km/h with some idiots been known to do in excess of 200Km/h.Sometimes they do get caught! |
| And of course, space is needed for breakdowns which is a very frequent occurance on South African roads. Fancy cars are being "obtained" which cannot be maintained which of course eventually leads to a breakdown. If you feel the need to see Mercedes and BMW cars on the side of the road with hoods open, South Africa is the place to be! |
| Zero-Tolerance : Whatever that means in Kwa-Zulu Natal!They're everywhere. Amazing that all these resources can't be harnassed to educate the driver. And believe me, there's lots that need plenty education! |
| The beachfront will probably never change. Same as all the previous years with Rickshaw's all over the place. Don't take pictures of these guys though - even when they offer, you'll pay! (that's why I don't have any pics of them). There are plenty so-called carguards around who will keep an eye on your vehicle for a tip. Police are everywhere with a station right on the beachfront itself. This does not deter the hordes of beggars though with parents using their little kids to do the work. Watch out for these though! |
| Hawkers, hawkers everywhere! Walk down the "Golden Mile" and thats' all you'll see. If you're visiting from another country (outside of Africa that is), take cash with. There is plenty African related statues, relics, masks etc. to be had. Don't buy from the first hawker either. Take a walk, you'll probably find the same for cheaper further down. Bargain with price to get a better deal. And watch your wallet! |
| And this is where I start getting upset. In spite of heavy spotfines for littering, this is what it generally looks like on your way to the actual beach.This specific spot is about a Hundred and Fifty meters away from the "copshop". Where does this come from and why is there no-one to clean it up? Talk about creating jobs, is that what they mean by it? Can't people / visitors / locals whatever not think for themselves, or are we tending towards the general African attitude of "we do what we want". Where's the pride? |
| The beach is safe to walk on. The sea is a different story though. Click on the picture to get the larger version and see if you can spot any white holiday makers. You'll find two. This is not called the Indian Ocean for nothing. If you really feel like swimming, rather visit one of the nearby beaches.The picture was taken just before the December break. During the holidays you will not see the sea but a mass of black bobbing up and down. |
| Another perfect example of this "can't give a damn" attitude. Mostly Indian and Black families picnic in the parks overlooking the beachfront. Kids carted in by bus on school tours are the other culprits. There is a dustbin dammit! Use it! |
| And once you've seen what you want to see on the beachfront, time to visit the varied eating establishments at the harbor entrance. Prices are the norm (no real ripp-off artists here). We were lucky this day as we saw a whole bunch of dolphins swimming past. Sorry, my other camera wasn't with. And yes, that is my draught standing closest to the camera! |
| Big ones, small ones, you'll see them all pass by. And don't worry too much about the weather. Hope you enjoyed this quickie to Durban. |
Additional photos: Looking down, City of Durban 1 & 2, Sunrise 1 & 2, The beachfront 1 & 2.
