Durban

Stopping off in Durban was a trip down memory lane.  For eleven years, (1972-83) we lived in Westville, a suburb in the hills just west of the city.  The inner city has changed dramatically since those days and, unfortunately, not for the best as it's virtually a no-go area now due to crime and decay.  However, we were happy to find that this is far from the case with the outlying suburbs, many of which have grown enormously with beautiful homes, malls, parks and developments. 

Durban is a subtropical city on the east coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal and is South Africa's busiest port.  The population of it and surrounding suburbs is now over 3.5 million.  I can't remember what it was in our day but nothing of that magnitude.

Moses Mabhida Stadium (photo pinched from web)

The World Cup soccer which took place in South Africa in 2010 created a very positive influence on Durban with its enormous Moses Mabhida Stadium (I still haven't found out who he is/was) and a major revamp of the waterfront beaches incorporating the Ushaka Marine World (very impressive).






Despite having being advised not to bother stopping here, we chose to do so primarily as it was the closest marina where we could safely leave Calypso while visiting our friends for Christmas.  In addition, Paul had wanted to meet up with some of the chaps who he was with during his Round Table days way back when and although many of the folk we knew have either moved away or passed on, there were still a couple around whom we wanted to see again.  

Our first social activity was a get-together of the old Round Table group and their wives.  We were collected by Peter and Lilian Benson, who we haven't seen in a month of Sundays (like 30-odd years!) and it was as though we'd seen them just a year ago.  We spent a wonderful evening chatting, getting to know old friends and new, answering questions and telling tales of our adventures. Wish we could meet up more often and make this a regular event.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera.

Peter and Lilian drove us around our old neighbourhood and many of the new ones.  There has been massive developments over the intervening years.  We had thought the area would have stagnated a bit but far from it.  Our old house looked pretty much the same but now with a huge wall built all around it which is, I guess, a sign of the times.  Our upper neighbour's house was looking a bit sad though and the lower one was also hidden behind huge walls.

 

Next we met up with Joe, an old friend who has since remarried and has now got a 5-year old son!  We spent a pleasant evening with them visiting a restaurant in a very imposing shopping mall out in the northern suburbs reminiscing about old times.  Great to catch up.









 

The following day, an old work colleague of mine and his partner, Cliff and Angie, who we'd also not seen for longer than I care to remember, came to the marina to collect us.  They took us to the marine world for a fabulous lunch overlooking the southern beaches.  This region had just been scrub bush in our day but now sports many new and exclusive residences.  They are keen campers, birders, photographers and all things nature, so we could relate well together.  It was such fun catching up with them as well.

Our own dive centre? Nope, pity.

Looking north towards the stadium