Durban, South Africa

(I thought this might get your attention!)

Our excursion in Durban was excellent, both for our knowledgeable guides and for the destination, Phezulu Crocodile and Snake Park in nearby Bothas Hill.  There, we were guided through an impressive collection of natural habitat enclosures that dozens of Nile crocodiles call home…young ones, old ones, well behaved ones, and trouble-makers!

After the crocs there were the snakes, each in its secure glass compartment.  There were many, even several venomous ones.  An impressive collection even if I did expect to have scary dreams that night.

To calm our nerves, we were then led to a terrace for tea and scones, but the major attraction there was the view.   The Valley of 1000 Hills is a maze of valleys and hills formed over millions of years of river erosion.  We took photos, but none of them did that magnificent vista justice.

Next came a dance program performed by members of a local Zulu tribe.  It told the story of that culture’s courtship and marriage rituals, customs still held to this day.  Before a man can receive his beloved’s hand in marriage, he must present her family with cows, as many as eleven of them!  The future bride also has obligations to her groom’s family before she can be accepted by them.  The dance was colorful and incredibly energetic!

(Note the 1000 Hills in the back ground…and that the male dancer’s feet are well above the ground.)

I have to say that this was one of our most authentic days; we just loved it (in spite of the snakes!)