Birthday Girl

Saturday July 9th and someone is turning 13!  Another gorgeous day in Umhlanga was on the horizon.  We had a little bit of a sleep in and then Lynn and Errol arrived at 10:30 for a day of adventure.  We followed them down to the Durban beachfront and parked at Mini Town- I didn't pop in to see if it was still there, but I can say that nothing has changed in this city.  The buildings are the same- in 26 years no buildings have gone up and none have come down.  The Blue Waters hotel still there, the Elangeni, Maharani all still there- the street names have all changed.  I cannot name the streets at all- but they have changed.  The old Natal Command has gone but the front walls still there.  Anyway we parked and started walking down the beachfront- there are many things that have changed- and so many that are still there- the rides, including the overhead ride are all still there.  The  new walkway along the beachfront is really lovely- all the way from UShaka to Durban North. We quickly found all the vendors so I could do some shopping- so many gorgeous things - but never a big enough suitcase.  After dragging Lynn and Errol (and Frank and the girls) along for a a while - I was done so we started the walk back.  There were a lot of people on the beachfront, but we felt perfectly safe. Back at the cars we headed to the Moses Mahbida stadium to grab some lunch before Delaney's birthday surprise.  There is a place called Cuba's there and we ordered a lunch- meanwhile all around us were literally 1000's of Zulu people- all lining up to buy tickets for a concert that we could hear in the distance.  We asked someone who it was and they said it was a few very traditional Zulus singers- this we had guessed as there were so many people in traditional dress milling around.
After our lunch we walked over to the Segway store for our 2:30 tour- Delaney was super excited.  We  signed in and then off to the training area and awaited our segways and guide.  After a quick training session- this seems easy- we were off.  What a rush segwaying all along the beachfront- we went all the way to the blue lagoon- which was packed with people having a Saturday afternoon braai.  We had so much fun our 1 hour literally flew by.  Back at the stadium and in the cars and back home.  Errol took us up into Durban North and past Ouma and Oupa's old house- so many memories - nit much has changed except of course the beautiful gardens are all gone :(. We took the scenic route back along La Lucia ridge to look at the multi million dollar houses- one we saw 55 William Campbell Drive was stunning and looking it up it last sold for R5,499,000- a mere $ 500,000- our dollar would go far here.  Back at the apartment we freshened up and dressed warm as it looked like a chilly night ahead.
Our Mozzi cab arrived on time and we were back to Durban to Growthpoint Kings Park for the rugby game.  We met up with Lynn and Errol's friends Henk and Belinda as they all braai in the parking lot before- we had some wors and chatted for a bit and then the rain came.  We ran into the stadium and to the merchandise store- got some lovely souvenirs and by then the rain had stopped.  Jug of beer in hand we found our seats.  Not to bad- at the field level, but very wet.  We sat and enjoyed some prepare action and then the main action started.  A good action packed game ensued.  At half time we went and got our "hot dogs"- boerewors on a bun- I am so full, so much food and all we do is eat and eat.  The Sharks were up at the half time and continued the winning streak to the end, beating the Cheetahs 26-10.  A great game all round- but seemed to go so quickly.  Errol had called the cab but he had such a hard time getting to us as the roads were all closed around the stadium- we think because the concert was going on too and chaos would have been par for the course if the roads were open.  We ended up having to walk back past the stadium- up to the old Umgeni road to get to him- but we did and were home in 20 minutes.  A quick night cap with the Austins and then off to bed- what a packed day- but so much fun.