Simply SA

Hi - I've just joined this group and, as I live in Cape Town, I've really no problem to "love where you live" ;-) I hope to share some of this beautiful city with you and also to introduce some of my other SA favorites such as Port St Johns. Have a look at the scenery ... what's not to love about it?

Poenskop

“Addo Elephant National Park is home to an astonishing variety of wildlife, ecosystems and adventures discovers Alison Westwood.”
The latest edition of Getaway Magazine features an interesting article (and some great photos!) of the Addo Elephant National Park.  [...]

Ever got tired of the usual, humdrum hotel options and wished for something unusual & extraordinary on vacation? The options have run amok and now you have the choice to spend your nights in a drainpipe, a school, underwater, in a luxury treehouse and much more… Harlingen is located at the Wadden Sea in the Netherlands [...]

Cape Town offers the foreign traveller good value for money and, according to Frommers, “is regularly heralded as one of the most beautiful (cities) on earth” due to its unique scenery. Whether you are into sophistication or slumming it, searching for adventure or tranquility, Cape Town is sure to be a pleasant surprise. [...]

By: Robert Murgatroyd
Life is about choices. No? The choice you make on where you ll spend next New Year s Eve is up to you. You could make the choice to stay at home and watch Ryan Seacrest on television or actually be at one of those parties you re watching. If you re into [...]

The Guardian, BBC News and others have reported the latest bizarre Jackson project. Michael Jackson’s brother plans slavery theme park guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 17 February 2009 Marlon Jackson is involved in a controversial development to turn a former slave port into a luxury resort that will house [...]

If you’ve been to South Beach in Miami, you’ve probably walked past the famous Versace mansion on Ocean Drive. If you’re not sure whether or not you’ve seen it, just look for a really big mansion with an observatory on its roof, nestled between the cafes, restaurants and hotels of Ocean Drive. You’ll know you’re [...]

It drives me crazy to hear people write Bangkok off as a city full of nothing more than girly bars and market stalls hawking designer bag rip offs. Now, if pole dancing and faux Prada is your scene, I am not denying that they can both be found aplenty in the City of Angels. [...]

Istanbul is the jewel of Turkey, the land of exceptional cultural and natural treasures, country of contrasts and contradictions, history filled with epic episodes. If you already had a chance to visit this beautiful city, probably you’re waiting for the day to go back. If you still haven’t, treat yourself with a trip to this amazing city, the crossroad of modern Europe and mystic Asia. [...]

Durban, also known as eThekwini in Zulu, is the gateway to the Drakensberg and Zululand and one of the most dynamic South African cities. This multicultural metropolis combines culture, entertainment and nature with a sub-tropical climate and rich heritage which ensures that its reputation as a prime holiday destination and the top beach resort in South Africa remains unrivalled.

The Palace

There are a number of popular beaches and the Golden Mile, which extends from Rutherford Street to Playfair Road at North Beach, boasts theme parks, nightspots, entertainment centres and pavilions. Attractions include Waterworld with its landscaped gardens, swimming pools and chutes, Funworld which has a variety of rides for both adults and children and Mini Town which displays replicas of local landmark buildings and is adjacent to the Fitzsimmons Snake Park. To the south is the very popular uShaka Marine World which features dolphins, sharks and stingrays, seals, penguins and a varied selection of marine life including colourful corals and anemones. The Natal Sharks Board is the only shark research centre worldwide and is well worth a visit. Educational material including a shark dissection is presented and replicas of various species are on display.

Durban Ice offers various extravaganzas during the holiday season and there is a paint ball arena on Tara Road as well as bowling alleys at the Pavilion and Gateway. The latter also offers an amusement arcade, go-carts, mini-golf and a science centre. Hiking trails are available at many of the nearby parks and nature reserves and helicopter flips over the city, various boat cruises and a trip with the Umgeni Steam Railway ensure that visitors don't get bored. Numerous tours are also available, including an eleven-day itinerary which offers game reserve accommodations and visits to the battlefields at Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift as well as the annual Zulu Kings Reed Dance at Nongoma in the heart of Zululand.

The Jumma Musjid, which is sometimes called the Grey Street Mosque and dates from the 1880’s, is the largest mosque in the southern hemisphere. Durban also has a number of Hindu temples and a visit to the Hare Krishna Temple at Chatsworth is recommended. The Mariannhill Monastery just outside Durban was built in 1882 by Trappist monks and boasts carved wooden interiors, frescoes and sculptures. It is also home to St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

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