Durban, In 500 Words or Less
Written: Feb 03 '09
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: The largest and busiest port city in Africa.
Cons: A seedy side
The Bottom Line: Durban, which gave us a different perspective of South Africa, is a nice place to visit.
|
|
|
| TheSmartTraveler's Full Review: Durban |
December 2008 we flew into this bustling port city called Durban, which is the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa's third-largest city, the largest and busiest port city on the continent, is home to over three million people. Our guide told us that Durban has always been a fairly crime-ridden city. He told us to be aware of pickpockets in the market areas and along the promenade and to be careful at night.
We drove along oceanfront road, which is also called the Golden Mile where we saw some huge colonial style structures and Art Deco buildings which reminded us of New York. It is actually three miles of beaches where we saw people swimming, surfing, and fishing in the warm Indian Ocean.
We stopped by the Durban Botanic Gardens where we saw orchids, rare cycads, and other wonderful greenery. We felt like we were in Sri Lanka in June with all of the bridal parties that were taking wedding pictures when we were there. We also visited the Indian District where many people of Durban's Indian community were selling spices, fabrics, and crafts. Durban was once home to Mahatma Gandhi who came here in the late 1890's, and also is home to the largest Indian population outside of India. We drove to Maydon Wharf which is situated along the south-western side of the harbor and near Victoria Embankment where there is the Sugar Terminal. We also stopped by the former home and sugar plantation of Sir Marshall Campbell. Our guide told us that many people came from India in the mid 1850's to work on the sugar plantations.
We enjoyed the African Art Center with its great collection of Zulu masks, statues, pottery, and textiles. Durban does have many nice galleries in the city. I did wind up buying a Zulu mask there that is on a wall in my house.
We also visited the Vasco Da Gama Clock in the Victoria Embankment area, which has a very significant place in the history of the city. The Da Gama Clock was a gift to the city from the Portuguese government. The initial discovery of the city of Durban was made by the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama, and the clock commemorates the occasion. We also enjoyed the Durban City Hall building built in 1910. It is one of the more popular tourist attractions in the city. There was also an area around the harbor where many working women were trying to get people's attention from 2nd floor windows.
It is an interesting city to visit and is a challenge to describe in Epinions 500 words or less Lean and Mean Review Challenge.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
TheSmartTraveler
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Member: John Isaacs
Location: Miami, Florida
Reviews written: 493
Trusted by: 178 members
About Me:
I get the shakes if I don't take at least 5 good trips a year.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.