O'Conner Promenade - Umhlanga, South Africa

Also known as Umhlanga Promenade, is a narrow but well designed path, that runs along the Umhlanga Beach (Indian Ocean). Stretching from Durban View Road - on the south - and ending, passed Breakers Resort just before the Hawaan Forest - on the north.

This is really a beautiful path to take, especially in the early morning. Most of the promenade is

shaded by canopying trees and green shrubs that perfectly suit the ocean setting. Although it is quite a narrow path, this has not stopped joggers, cyclists, walkers and sight seeing pedestrians such as myself from frequenting this promenade.

The path takes you past The Lighthouse, the Beverly Hill Hotel, of course the beautiful 'Whale bone Pier, also known as Umhlanga Pier, and the many other beautiful hotels and resorts. Oh and yes there are also beverage stands where you can stop for a cup of tea/coffee and snacks.

The best of all for me is to be able to walk the path whilst enjoying watching the most glorious sun rise - breath taking I tell you...breath taking! Of course also taking in the fresh morning smell whilst listening to the sound of waves of the Indian Ocean crashing against the rocks and sand... A must visit if you haven't already done so. 

Sun Rising over the Ocean

My absolute favorite thing to do is, watch the Sun Rising.  This has got to be the most glorious and amazing happening on earth.

From darkness, comes at first, a orange glow, almost as if it is being born from the ocean (horizon), then gradually the glow becomes stronger and richer. In this deep strong orange glow in the horizon - out comes a tiny bright orange ball, which then grows bigger and bigger - glowing even more every second - surrounding itself with different shades of yellows and orange. (Looking like a egg yoke at first).  Before you know it... - before your eyes stands the most beautiful breath taking beauty.  

Just looking at this beautiful, divine happening leaves one in absolute ore!  Just imagine...this is the 'birth of a new day' and this happens every single day, whether you watching or not, whether you are aware of it or not.

Mother Nature and Her creation, WOW!

Durban Beach Front Promenade

Firstly, DURBAN is really a beautiful coastal city, situated on the east side of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, and is known for its African, Indian and colonial influences. 

Now, the ‘DURBAN BEACH FRONT PROMENADE’ is a definite ‘Must See’ for all tourists visiting Durban.  The Promenade approximately 7km (walking) in length, stretches in an interestingly winding but fairly flat way, from Durban’s famous ‘Blue Lagoon’, on the north side of the city to the ‘Ushaka Marine World’, on the south side of the city. 

The users of the promenade: Cyclists, joggers, speed walkers and sightseeing type of walkers, such as myself, including toddlers to grandmas and grandpas. 

There is so much of beauty to take in…from the most glorious sunrises creating a sparkling shimmer over the Indian Ocean, the beautiful blue skies, the sand castles, the greenery and the joyful energy of just being there soaking up ‘mother nature’s love’, just keeps me in awe.

There are approximately seven piers that come of the eastern side of the promenade – from the piers looking inward, one can enjoy some stunning views of the City of Durban, the Bluff and Harbour Masters tower on the southern side and a view of Durban’s ‘Moses Mabhida Stadium’ on the northern side. 

Always a vibrantly entertaining feeling present, you will find many restaurants, take-outs, food stalls, coffee shops etc. As well as the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment center, the Sunken Gardens – which has a historical background that goes way back to the 2^nd world war, swimming pools, kids entertainment area, as well as ‘cable cars’ where one can enjoy the view from a higher position, and lots more.

Welcome to Durban!

www.naturetravels.site

Glorious Sunrise over the Indian Ocean

Isn't Mother Nature just Beautiful...

Can never get enough of watching the sunrise, no matter how many times..still alway so special, so magnificent, so glorious, so spectacular! "A Divine experience for sure!"



Durban Beach, South Africa

Oribi Gorge - A day trip - 2.01.2017

Oribi Gorge - KwaZulu Natal - South Africa

Oribi Gorge is a canyon in southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, just west of Port Shepstone, which itself is 120 km south of Durban. 

The gorge is approximately 400 metres (1,300 ft) deep, and almost 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) wide at its widest.

Erosion by the two rivers have carved out nearly 30 kilometres of spectacular kloofs and crags, covered with subtropical vegetation. 

In the gorge, the dense forest on the sandstone slopes is home to various small mammals, while the large leguaans excavate their burrows along the riverbanks.

At the base of the cliffs of both gorges the basement rocks are part of the Kaapvaal Craton, which are over 1000 million years old. 

The cliffs themselves are formed from sandstone deposited about 365 million years ago. Downstream from the gorges, a large surface mine producing cement from a limestone deposit. 

The road through Oribi Gorge was built by Italian prisoners of war.

Oribi Gorge derives its name from the oribi, a small antelope that lives in the gorges.

They offer Abseiling  as well as Zip line across the top of the gorge.

Info courtesy of  Google :)