THE TOURISTIN: Three
words that characterize Durban?
Fred Felton: Paradise,
Friendlly and Cosmopolitan.
THE TOURISTIN: How do you
get around Durban?
Fred
Felton: There are many ways to get around Durban here are some of
them:
-By Car – there are many roads and highways in Durban
-Walking – Many people walk around the city of Durban.
-By Bike – Durban has an integrated cycle network with
dedicated cycle lanes in certain areas
-By Minibus – South Africa has a huge minibus lifestyle
and you can get around anywhere for a small amount of money.
-By Mynah Bus – Durban has a Bus system and the Mynah Bus
is one of the more popular bus systems that people take.
- The People Mover – Durban has also introduced a better
quality bus that operates around the main nodes including the beachfront and
city centre. It operates at regular times and also does not cost much.
- Uber Durban – The popular Uber App is also available in
Durban and you can get around anywhere just by requesting an Uber Taxi with the
app. Find them on Twitter.
- By Taxi – Durban also has many taxis and you can get
around anywhere.
- The Airport Shuttle – a reliable shuttle at a good price
that can get you to and from the airport.
THE TOURISTIN: What is
the best kept secret about Durban?
Fred
Felton: The people of Durban.
Durban has some of the friendliest people and they are willing to stop and help
you out if you need help or advice. You might even find yourself getting
invited to a braai which is a social gathering where people meet and eat. It’s
a bit like a barbeque.
THE TOURISTIN: What is
your favourite borough/suburb/area in Durban and why?
Fred
Felton: Tough question as there are so many wonderful suburbs. I
would have to say Glenwood as the people are friendly, everyone greets you and
the suburb is also home to many coffee shops, artists and wonderful parks.
Coming in a close second would be Umhlanga which is north of Durban and has a
wonderful beach lifestyle.
THE TOURISTIN: The best
place for a hot chocolate or coffee in Durban?
Fred
Felton: You ask very tough questions. So many options for that
one in Durban. For a hot chocolate I would suggest Mugg & Bean at Suncoast
which has a lovely view of the golden mile, the beach and the sea.
Durban has a big coffee shop lifestyle so for a good café
I would recommend Moyo’s On The Pier at uShaka which has a wonderful view of
the sea. You could also try Bean Green in Helen Joseph Road in Glenwood. They
make a great coffee and have won awards for their blend.
THE TOURISTIN: What is
one restaurant we must try out while in Durban?
Fred
Felton: St
Clements. This is a wonderful restaurant and if you time your visit correctly I
would suggest you go by on a Monday night as they have free shows from 6 pm
which you can watch. Shows can be anything from theatre to book launches to
talks to poetry. I would recommend you try the noodles at St Clements. They
also have a wide variety of other tasty foods. Booking is recommended if you
come to the shows. Address: 191 Musgrave Road, Musgrave, Durban.
THE TOURISTIN: Where
would we meet you on weekends?
Fred
Felton: You would
most likely meet me on the Golden Mile which is a huge walking and cycling area
along the beachfront. Durban is known for the wonderful weather and the lovely
beaches. Make sure to take advantage of them. The Golden Mile is also superb
for skating, rollerblading and you can even hire a Segway to take a tour. Along
the Golden Mile you find many wonderful coffee shops and restaurants. Look out
for Afro’s Chicken and Circus Circus. The Golden Mile is also home to a
wonderful free skate park.
THE TOURISTIN: Do you
have a favourite museum/gallery we all have to visit when in Durban?
Fred
Felton: For a museum Durban has a huge one in the centre of town.
The Durban Natural Science Museum is in Anton Lembede Street. They also have
tours. If you go up the stairs at the museum you will find the
Durban Art Gallery. Worth a visit. Below the museum is a lovely Library. The
biggest one in Durban. Step outside the building and you can also marvel at the
architecture. Durban also has some of the best Art-Deco Buildings so if you
love architecture take a stroll and you will probably find one.
If you like Maritime
Museums and strolling around old ships you can visit the Natal Maritime Museum
along Victoria Embankment near the Bat Centre.
Also worth a visit. An art
gallery worth viewing is the KZNSA which is at 166 Bulwer Road in the Glenwood
Area. They have a lovely gallery and after you check it out stop by their
wonderful coffee shop. On the way out visit their Shop. It features wonderful
goods from local artists.
THE TOURISTIN: What are some of your
favourite places to shop for A) groceries and B) clothes?
Fred
Felton: Durban and South Africa has a huge Mall Culture so will you find big
shopping malls everywhere. If you are a Mall Lover I would suggest either
Gateway in uMhlanga, one of the biggest shopping malls in the Southern
Hemisphere. You can also try The Pavilion near Westville. For a quieter
mall I would suggest Westwood Mall in Westville or La Lucia Mall in La Lucia.
If
on the other hand you are a bargain hunter then I would suggest you try one of
the many markets in Durban. A great one is the I Heart Market which happens once
a month. Moses Mabhida Stadium, Imbizo Lawns. 9 am
– 2 pm.
Essenwood
Market happens each Saturday morning at Essenwood Park in the Musgrave area.
You
can also check out the latest market in Durban – The Morning Trade. A bustling
market full of fresh food and loads of goodies. Happens each Sunday from 8 am
– 1 pm. 8 Morrison Street.
THE TOURISTIN: What souvenir shall we bring
back from Durban?
Fred
Felton: I would suggest you get a small glass bottle and fill it with some of
our beach sand and maybe some stones and shells from the beach and take that
home with you. There’s a saying in Durban that if you go to the beach no matter
how much you clean yourself at home you will never get all of that sand out of
you. I think that is Durban’s way of keeping a little bit of itself in
each of us.
THE TOURISTIN: Thanks so very much Fred, and all the very best to you.
Would you like to meet more people from all over the world. Check out the eyewitness series on THE TOURISTIN.
Would you like to meet more people from all over the world. Check out the eyewitness series on THE TOURISTIN.
From Berlin with love