It was very exciting to finally see the continent of Africa having traveled across the vast Indian Ocean for weeks. As close as Madagascar looks to Africa on a map, we sailed for two days to reach Durban and through some of the more active seas we had encountered so far. But Serenity is a beautiful ship and handles these types of seas with ease.

Durban South Africa was our first port of call and is the third largest city in South Africa and the largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, KawZulu meaning “Place of the Zulu .”

After the ship was cleared by Immigration, all the passengers and crew filed off and entered the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal to present their passports. When cleared and our passports were stamped, we returned to the ship and were free to get on and off at will, taking excursions or the free shuttle to a nearby shopping area by the beach where you can walk along the Golden Mile.

Meredith and I had a game plan for Durban–shopping, where we knew the prices were going to be more than reasonable. We opted for a City Tour, taking in the street life and a quick stop at Victoria Street Market (our target) where we were planning on getting a private driver the next day to take us back here. More on that below.

There is a bit of a paradox of this city–everything you read about the Downtown of Durban says it is not a safe place for walking.

Even our tour guide and private driver, who were both born and raised in Durban, were telling us the same thing when we said we were going to walk the streets and many shopping districts–“Do not walk around on your own.” Yet everyone we met, talked to, sat in bars with, shopped in their stores, were friendly and kind. Yet our driver held steady to this advice. I’m still not convinced but maybe it’s like looking out over these beautiful beaches and contemplating a swim when a local tugs at you and says–“You’re not going in these waters with them Great Whites….”

On our tour the first day we went up into the hills to an area known as Morningside which is an affluent superb of Durban.

Adjacent is another upscale area known as Musgrave, where you will find some gorgeous homes, Deco Apartment buildings, restaurants, shops and gorgeous views. From up on the hilltops you can look down along the coast and see the stadium, the golf course, temples and the Indian Ocean on the horizon.

It was quite beautiful up there. We also walked a botanical garden to stretch our legs– and not our stomachs for a change– taking in the many species of trees and plants that get you thinking of digging up everything in your yard and making it look as beautiful as the gardens we have visited along this cruise.

After the first day tour was over, we walked across the street to a local brewery called Robson’s where we sat at the bar and I had a locally brewed Pale Ale while Meredith sipped on a Cider and we chatted with the bar tender and the locals. I bought three 16 oz cans of their locally brewed beers and the tab came up to $12 for five drinks. I’m moving here– Sorry Theresa & Kaylee…..

And then there was the shopping. The next morning after breakfast we packed up a lot of single US dollars, our credit cards and a couple of empty backpacks for the loot and headed off the ship. We met a couple of drivers outside and one of the drivers took us to Victoria Street Market, with instructions. He was to pick us up there after two hours. He was such a nice guy, telling us a bit about the streets and commerce areas as he drove us through downtown and warned us once again–Do not go off on your own and that he would be back to pick us up. After he dropped us off I asked what I owed him for the ride and he said we could pay him when we got back to port. You begin to question the irony of the dangerous side of Durban, for we had a guaranteed driver, who we had not yet paid, who would be back to pick us up. Needless to say, he was there when we were finished, our bags full, out feet tired and our senses filled with fond memories of Durban. One could say we went swimming and there were no Great Whites in these waters.

Well that ends Durban. Next stop, Port Elizabeth along the southern coast and two days sail. With Serenity waiting for harbor clearance, I stood out on the balcony with my Pale Ale in hand looking out over the port, where the sun was setting over the hills of Morningside, turning the sky orange, as seen in this jaw-dropping, unedited image below.

But all that pales in comparison to the dress……