Durban - Much like watching people getting on to rickshaws and seeing their smiles, I couldn’t help staring at the people on the tour buses - where were they from, what did they think of Durban?
It was a strange experience sitting on the other side - inside the bus to be exact - and being the ones watched as we went on a City Bus Tour.
We’ve all seen the bright double-decker buses around the city, tourists leaning over the railing with cameras in hand, from the best seats.
Photographer Gcina Ndwalane and I caught the bus earlier this week and, despite having been around the city thousands of times, it was a different experience seeing it through the eyes of a tourist.
The tour runs twice a day, seven days a week, for a three-hour tour, and operates from the tourist office at the Old Pavilion Site, Bay of Plenty on North Beach (where the Sunday fleamarket is held).
Paying the R100 fare, we scrambled quickly to the upper level deck and grabbed seats in the sun. Admittedly, we were racing against pensioners, but what is it about buses that brings out the child in you, racing to the back when going on excursions?
Tour guide Mandy Biyela had a warm welcome for everyone on board, and although there were only about 15 of us, during peak seasons the bus is filled to capacity.
uShaka
We headed towards uShaka, with Biyela talking on a loudspeaker.
“We are driving on the Golden Mile, which gets its name from the golden sands of the Indian Ocean. Here the beaches have always been the epicentre of outdoor fun in the city. On our right we have hotels and self-catering units and restaurants,” she said.
Biyela pointed out the Rachel Finlayson pool that is at present being upgraded for the Commonwealth Games to be held in the city in 2022.
“We also have the craft and curio traders at the beach, and others sell spiced mangoes in the summer, and spicy pineapples all year round.”
One of the sights that some tourists found unusual were the traders who carry and sell empty plastic containers.
“These are sold to beachgoers who want to take some of the water back to their homes. Locals believe that if you sprinkle your yard with the water from the sea it will keep evil spirits away. They also use it for therapeutic purposes,” she explained.
We then moved into the Point neighbourhood, and Biyela pointed out the pre-colonial architecture of a pub, and how the new buildings have incorporated a Victorian-era look.
On our way out, we stopped at the plaque on the Transnet building commemorating South Africa’s first public railway line, built in 1860 which ran from the Point Docks to Market Square.
It was interesting to see the run down buildings next to new and modern buildings.
We drove past the harbour area and then proceeded into the centre via Margaret Mncadi Avenue (Victoria Embankment).
The loudspeaker elicited a few looks from the pedestrians, and a few waves.
We had a half-hour refreshment break at City View shopping centre, and then proceeded towards the Berea.
At the viewpoint stop in Innes Road, the passengers got out to take photographs from the ridge down to the sea, including Moses Mabhida stadium which looked glorious basking in the sun.
As we passed by Dr John L Dube House (formerly King’s House), Biyela quipped: “Many people think that because this is the president’s house, they expect to see Nkandla, but this is not Nkandla.”
With the tour nearing its close, we drove down Florida Road, offering a glimpse of one of the best social spots.
Jeanette Hundhammer, from Germany, said she had heard about the bus tour and decided to do it.
“It’s very good, I enjoyed it,” she said.
Angela Thistlethwaite from Glenwood said she had lived in Durban for 40 years and this was the first time she had been on the tour.
“It was lovely, I enjoyed seeing things from a different angle, Durban is beautiful,” she said.
And with that, our tour was done.
For more information call 031 322 4209.
Arthi Sanpath, Independent on Saturday