Durban, South Africa

Durban is the third most populous city in South Africa with 3.4 million people. A main seaport of South Africa and ethnically diverse area with Zulu, White and Indian/Asian people. Durban has a natural harbor, Durban Harbor, which is the busiest port in South Africa and is the 4th busiest in the Southern Hemisphere. With temperatures year-round of 65-85 degrees, it is a popular place to live. Zulu is the first language spoken in Durban followed by Afrikaans and then English.

We had planned a cultural tour here including the Hare Krishna Temple. Unfortunately, most places were closed, and the tour was changed a few times because it was Easter Sunday. We had our favorite cook, Brian, make us matzo brie which he has mastered! Needless to say we also had lots of chocolate in every form and filling!

Although this area, often referred to as Little India due to the number of people that immigrated here from India, is not Christian, the holiday was celebrated in most places. Some people went to the Marketplaces to walk around but we decided after leaving the ship for a short time to stay aboard, sit in lounge chairs on the promenade deck and catchup on the blog.

This was somewhat successful although we did find plenty of other distractions and people to chat with (between meals), including Dottie (a cruise director we know from our trip last year) who came on board for her transition, taking over for Ray. Ray has been a great cruise director, a straight shooter, funny, interesting, and very helpful with Shabbat and Passover events.

New cruise director, new chef (Farid went on vacation home to France), new matre de (Sasa went home to Serbia and Ana joined us just in time for Passover transition), new waitress (Marina went on vacation home to Serbia), new steward- our 5th room steward due to changes in personnel and new musicians and Entertainment that change often … even the doctor changed. I knew we have been here a long time when we are here longer than the crew!Read more