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Durban / Fri Mar 8

 Today we're docked in Durban, South Africa. It's the third largest city in Africa and the busiest seaport in the country. There are beautiful beaches making it a vacation destination for many. Mahatma Gandhi was resident here from 1893 - 1914.

 Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natale and is home to many Zulu people. They live in an area called Valley of a Thousand Hills which is where we went on tour today. We went to the Phezulu Village to learn about Zulu culture and traditions. 

 When we arrived we were greeted with a welcome dance.
 
Before going to the Zulu village area we went to a crocodile and snake park. The photo below is of 'Junior.' He was caught in the Okavango Swamps in Botswana in the 1960's when he was about 50 years old then came to live in the Phezulu Park in 1988. He died in August 2012 at about 109 years old. He was almost 15 feet long and weighed just over 1300 pounds.
Junior



Ball Python

Black Mamba
Green Mamba

Banded Cobra
Puff Adder
Then we went to learn about the Zulu marriage customs and how the male courts the female and has to give a minimum of 11 cows for her dowry. Fortune tellers are involved and everyone in the village attends the wedding. 

The Fortune Tellers
Courting the Female



Meet my new Zulu friends!
 
The Valley of a Thousand Hills was beautiful to see. 
 
As we were leaving a group of school children arrived. So cute!
Below are a few other photos of our day including a Zulu hut and pictures of Durban's downtown area and a suburban mall.
Mall located in the Durban suburbs
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