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Durban, a harbour city, lies in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. It is the ancestral home of the Zulu people. The first European to have set sight on the bay on which Durban was to develop was Vasco De Gama, on his sea voyage to India in 1497.
The weather
The city is blessed with a moderate, sub-tropical climate. So it never gets very cold but can be quite uncomfortably hot in summer, when the humidity is high and the temperature reaches the 30’s.
The architecture
Durban’s architecture exemplifies the city’s diverse cultural influences. The sites of cultural and historical interest have Asian, Zulu, English Colonial, Afrikaans, Victorian, Edwardian, Union, Berea, Oriental influences, making the city a treasure house of architectural styles.
The beaches
Soaking up the sun on one of Durban's beautiful beaches is a popular pastime for many of the city’s visitors. The beaches are characterised by soft, golden sand, palm trees and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The main beaches are shark netted and patrolled from sunrise to sunset by trained lifeguards.
The Parks
Durban has more than 50 nature reserves, parks and specialised gardens. They are maintained by the City's Parks Department which has 4 500 hectares of parkland and undeveloped open space under its control. The most renowned garden in the city is the Botanic Gardens, a rich 20 ha park located at the foot of the Berea, and minutes from the city centre.
Game and Nature Parks
Durban and its surrounding areas boast a number of small to medium-sized nature reserves. At first these appear to be simply green islands in the urban landscape, but some of the larger reserves such as Silverglen and Stainbank offer surprising accessibility to African wildlife within the city limits.
Arts and Crafts
The flea Markets in Durban are renowned for their wonderfully colorful but reasonably priced fabrics, beautifully made and unique arts and crafts. African crafts are done in both traditional materials, as well as alternative materials like plastic shopping bags. The colourful sights and smell of what these vendors have to offer will give you a taste of how the African culture was, as well as how it is slowly evolving to incorporate modern culture.
Entertainment
Durban is a city whose purpose is to provide entertainment. After a long day on the beach, you can choose from a wide variety of theatres, clubs, restaurants and shops.
For a uniquely South African bar experience, visit a shebeen with a friend. In the fifties, Black people where prohibited from selling liquor. To work around that, a few enterprising individuals started selling liquor from their homes. The people in the neighborhood would arrive,sit and chat with friends while sipping a brew. Unlike regular guests though, the visitors were expected to pay for their drinks. Today, the shebeens located in trading areas strive to recreate that cozy atmosphere of having a drink at the friend’s house.
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