Durban - places of interest and shopping possibilities
The holiday paradise Durban or Thekwini, as many of the locals call it, is a definite must for anyone visiting South Africa. Being the third largest city of the country as well as the largest port city it hosts a mixture of cultures, which is in my eyes one of the main attractions.
Durban’s beachfront is lined by hotels and apartments, which offer five star accommodation to the tourist. The culinary mixture available in the restaurants, which is influenced by the Indian, African and European culture, leaves no wish unfulfilled, although it would come close to a sin leaving Durban, without having eaten a chow, while sitting on the beach and watching the surfers.
The bunnies, as they are called by the students and surfers are loaves of bread, filled with a variety of fillings and they are the quickest way to eat a tasty meal, without going into a restaurant.
Apart from having a huge influence on the culinary enjoyments,that Durban has to offer, the indian influence is all evident, because Durban has the biggest indian population outside of India. A fact, that might be unknown to many, is that even Ghandi lived in Durban for a while. The indian market, which is located within walking distance from the beachfront, is one of Durbans main attractions filled with the spicy smell of India.
Apart from the normal tourist attractions like the oceanarium, Sea World, on the beach front, the snake park, a lot of interesting museums, art centres and the botanical garden, Durban has a lot more to offer to those, interested in a little bit more. Don’t believe, just because you´ve seen the colorful dressed Zulus pulling their rikschas along the beachfront or because you´ve seen the Zulu dancers in the thousand hills, dancing in front of their kraal, that you know Durban. Do yourself the favour and ask the locals what they would recommend. You will end up visiting the small temples and mosques just a few meters away from the tourist bustle, you will get to know the multi shops, where the african traditional medicine is sold and you will get to know and love the Durbanite, the poeple that made the city to what it is.
