Thanks David Baird

Reader Alan Thom wrote in with this to say:

David touched my heart and memories of Durban is so many ways. [See David’s article on the watering holes of his youth. Ed.]

I was 6 years old when my Dad was transferred to Durban.  That was 1967.

Even today when I do my annual tour through KZN, visiting yet another battle field and the South Coast, no trip is complete without a visit to the beach front…… that golden mile!

I blame my mom for not ensuring that I was at least 17 years old when 1969 came along.  But that is a story for another day.

Arriving from the cold and wet Cape Town, Durban was a kid’s paradise.  My first view of the entertainment setup next to the old aquarium, was just awe-inspiring.  The heat, the evening humidity and the sights and sounds.

Hearing Neil Diamond’s Crackling Rose play and seeing the circular bright red neon Coke sign against a building, looking towards Addington………..even today brings tears of happiness.

I was so privileged to have drunk Root Beer at the Coogy opposite the old aquarium, seeing the first Wimpy go up there.  The dodge-em cars, the boats, paddling pools and the Mexican Hat.

There is so much more tell but alas, the memory fades and things all disappear.  My last thoughts returned to a trip to Durban in 1982 for a break after completing a 3 month border duty.

I had saved up R50.00.  So my friend and I decided to go to Durban to come to grips with what we saw and experienced……

We tried staying at the Maharani Hotel first but they were too expensive.  It would cost us R31.95 per day, B&B.  So we settled for the Elangeni..…at an affordable R29.95 a day, B&B.

 

It was magic……..

Thx Durban!