Durban summer in winter

In Durban it's hard to believe it's winter, and us locals get spoilt enjoying summer weather all year. It's Comrades Marathon today but I am stuck inside studying... after so many years I decided to write my Notarial exam so will give you some more pics on this later.  In the meantime enjoy the eye candy here. Dave

JC le Roux Sparkling Wine Tasting

When I'm in Stellenbosch where my son Mark is studying, I love to go to the JC le Roux wine farm for a sparkling wine tasting.

They have also paired their wines with a selection of nougat which is outstanding, so we have decided to have a little sparkling wine tasting of our own at the Guesthouse.

In the poster Llewellyn shows off some of the now wide range forming part of the sparkling wines produced by the wine estate.

At JC le Roux, passion and prowess are evident in every facet of the winemaking process. The grapes are whole bunch pressed and only the curvee, the finest quality, free-running juice, is used for JC le Roux Cap Classiques.

We have created a Facebook event for the Wine Tasting evening and you can indicate your attendance by clicking on the link here. The tasting charge is R50 per person and there are limited spaces.

Hot Footballers for World Cup

With the World Cup coming to Durban in just over two weeks fans are excited not just to see their favourite footballers in action on the field but many hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the sexier players. We have compiled a photo-selection of some of the hotter bodz which could keep Durban  bois eagerly awaiting their arrival.

In the photos are from top to bottom and left to right - Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) and next pic with Armani jeans,  David Albelda (Spain), Iker Cassilas (Spain), Roque Santa-Cruz (Paraguay), Vincenzo Montella (Italy) and again Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal). WOW!

Durban lights up the World

Durban's main street is ablaze with lights for the World Cup event. Traditionally only Christmas lights have ever spanned our main street, so it was a treat to see the World Cup countries flags down the length of the street.

You can see more on our World Cup blog here.

The boys from Cape Town

Hats off to the boys from Cape Town who exhibited (ha ha, no pun) at the Indaba Tourism Show this week. The Show ended with a Pink Party at the Guesthouse and as you can see from the pics we all had a load of fun.

I can't remember all of the names, but will pick out some and send a link to the email addresses we collected. So if you guys are reading this and want to add a name and a link, just leave a comment or email me at durbanview@gmail.com and I will do.

So thanks Jason for organising. In the pics I see Louis, Petra, Llewellyn, Jason, 3rd pic - myself, Llewellyn and Claude, Brian and Deon, Brian and Jason at the Cape Town stand at Indaba and in the last pic friends with Jason of Tulbach. Dave

Durban Indaba shows the world

South Africa's Tourism Indaba (Zulu for "Meeting" or "gathering") is Africa's largest travel show and has been held for the past 12 years by popular demand in Durban.

Today we became tourists in our own country and visited the show to see what Africa has to offer the world. The Indaba attracts over 12 000 delegates representing the tourism industry world-wide who come to see the showcase of Southern African and Indian Ocean islands travel opportunties.

In the photos (from top) Durban Stadium View Guesthouse co-owner Dave on the 1st floor of the South African Airways stand at the Indaba show, a photo of the Durban Moses Mabhida Stadium forming part of the Art exhibition at Indaba, Guesthouse co-owner Llewellyn at the Indaba entrance, a footballer sculpture in wire, beads and lights representing the FIFA World Cup event, also represented widely at the show, and Coenie, with Llewellyn, guest and representing (gay town) Greyton and Lambert's Bay. In the last photo, Dave  blasts a vuvuzela, the local form of trumpet used to herald and make noise at soccer events locally.

Mr Underwear 2010

Meet Gerhard Venter. he is the new Mr Underwear 2010 chosen at this year's Pink Lourie festival in Knysna.

Durban View Guesthouse sponsored a weekend in Durban for 2 to the winner so we hope to see Gerhard here in Durban at the Guesthouse sometime soon.

Congratulations and good luck Gerhard.

Winter dawn in Durban

The sun has risen and it's another glorious winter morning in Durban. For those not from Durban it is almost hard to believe it is winter; we went to the beach yesterday and tanned coming home a little pink. This is not the case for the rest of South Africa though - it is already quite cold inland and whereas we have a dry winter, it is usually raining and cold this time of the year in Cape Town.

Durban Tourism Indaba 8th - 11th May

May is tourism month in Durban - Africa's biggest tourism showcase to the world.

According to the organisers "this year’s INDABA is going to be an incredible event where product-owners get to showcase their products to the international media in a big way AND where the media will get all the inside info on SA’s hot new attractions, establishments and experiences."

Approximately 12 000 trade and media representatives will be in Durban and hotel groups, Safari lodges, tour operators and representatives from every facet of the hospitality and tourism industry will be showcasing the best we have on offer for the international tourist.

We will be hosting some of those representatives at the Guesthouse and are looking forward to meeting them all and being part of this important event on the South African tourism calendar.

Garden Studio gets an uplift

With the FIFA 2010 World Cup almost upon us we have been busy at the Guesthouse with some upgrades to the rooms and facilities.

The photos show the Garden Studio and the new decor, the kitchen, the en-suite shower and the large spacious interior. We have just hung new curtains, added furniture and soft furnishings and repainted. Guests are sure to be comfortable.

Breakfast in the Guesthouse is included with our Garden Studio rates, but guests there also have a mini-kitchen so can also make meals, warm goodies up in the microwave or store coldstuffs in the fridge. This is especially handy for those spending more than a few days with us.

The Studio can also accommodate an extra bed for an additional guest or couple. The rates are R560 single, R860 double and R245 per additional Guest.

Fun at The Lounge

The weekend at The Lounge saw the crowning of Mr Gay Boy 2010 (second from top in the photos), although he didn't want to wear the crown as it would mess with his hair. Congratulations Ben, the crowd were loving you.

In the other photos, guesthouse co-owners Llewellyn and Dave enjoy a drink at The Lounge with Sanhip Singh and guests Renier and Dewalt from Pretoria.

New King Shaka Airport opens

Wow, what an exciting weekend for Durban!! We made international aviation history as the only airport to have completed re-located to a brand new airport 35kms north of the city. Both airports were up and running simultaneously, with staff at both ends having to oversee the big switchover. 

We were there on Friday 30th April to see the last plane land at the Durban International Airport - open since 1955 and closed for the last time at 10pm.

Then this morning, Sat 1 May heralded the opening of the brand new 3x larger King Shaka International airport designed to cater for the huge A380 Airbus and the droves of international tourists who are discovering the gem of Durban on the sunny east coast of South Africa.

In the photos from top, how the morning paper covered the planeload of dignitaries who were first to land at the new airport. then the pics of the awesome new airport I took today, and in the smaller pics Dave (that's me) hamming it up at the deserted check-in counters and baggage belt at the closing airport after the last flight had departed on Friday night.

Mr Gay Boy 2010 @ The Lounge

Durban View Guesthouse have sponsored some cash prizes at the Mr Gay Boy event which takes place at our only gay bar, The Lounge, tonight at 9pm, 226 Mathews Meyiwa Rd, Morningside, just down the road from us.

Here is the facebook link to the event.

And if you are not a member of our Gay Durban Facebook group please click onthis link here and join the group. It's the best way to keep updated regularly on Gay Durban and Durban View events and happenings.

The old and the new

In the photo above Dave, Llewellyn and Dave's daughter Kate-Lynn, take off from the old Durban airport which closed on Friday and arrive at the new King Shaka International Airport which opened on the 1st May.