It's full moon

I can't resist taking a shot of the full moon rising up over Durban from the sea. So beautiful last night.

Durban View Guesthouse - backpacker/student options

Right here at Durban View Gay Guesthouse we are now offering a backpacking/student option in The Bunk Room - it's for under 25s only and the room is tastefully furnished but, unlike our other rooms, does not have en-suite shower facilities. Our under 25 backpacking guests have the use of our outside shower, made famous by local model Tyrone Nell seen in the photo here.

The backpacking option is therefore a no frills option and at R325 per person sharing a room is cost effective but also gives  our younger guests the comfort of the guesthouse, the pub, the roof-top jacuzzi and sundeck and of course we are exclusively gay, and the rate includes breakfast. Book Now here.

In the photo guesthouse co-owner Dave puts the finishing touches to the room. The idea was to put the upmarket gay guesthouse within the reach of younger guys on a tighter budget. Dave and Llewellyn have stayed at various backpackers overseas and they are now offering a luxury option at a backpacker price to suit students and youngsters travelling. A strict under 25 policy will apply.

Backpacker/student accommodation options now available at Durban's exclusively gay guesthouse - Durban View Guesthouse.

New Transport Website at last

Everyone in the tourism industry is delighted that Durban has launched a new Public Transport website in time for the World Cup Football event.

If you follow the link here you will be able to find bus routes and time-tables helping you get around the city.

We have also been hard at work at the Guesthouse and have put in a Guest computer with free internet access (in addition to the free wi-fi we have throughout the house) and on the desktop you are able to click on our Google Map and find restaurants, pubs and tourist info within 100 metres of the Guesthouse as well as directions to other places of interest and nearby shopping centres.

In addition we have installed a telephone for guest use with free calls to book a taxi or one of our favourite restaurants.

In the photo above Guesthouse co-owner Llewellyn checks out the Google Africa map showing Durban View Guesthouse.

Guesthouse hot pics

I am sure I promised you some hot pics of model Tyrone Nell from his recent photo shoot for Spartacus International at the Guesthouse. Well here they are am I am proud to say I got to take them myself. Thanks Tyrone for making yourself available and for adding plenty of excitement to the Guesthouse last Saturday.

The photos also show off a bit of the Guesthouse with scenes shot around the pool, the rooftop jacuzzi, the outside shower and the patio deck off the Pool room and Rainbow room. These were recent building additions we made to the Guesthouse. Dave

9th Anniversary

It's our friends Ian and Claude's 9th Anniversary so we celebrated with them having Indonesian dinner out. In the photos are from top and left to right, Ian and Claude, then Dave, Llewellyn, Claude and Ian.

Of course we drank far too much wine and are having a struggle today @#%$. Congrats guys and thanks for sharing your special night with us.

House photos

The photo shoot with Tyrone Nell in the house this weekend gave us the opportunity to take some photos of the Guesthouse and some of the decor changes and improvements we have been busy with. In the photo above we have pimped up the pub a little for the FIFA 2010 World Cup football taking place in Durban and other centres in South Africa in June... Dave (left), Llewellyn (right).

The lounge/sitting room of the Guesthouse with one of the new South African indigenous Nguni cow hides on the floor.

The new breakfast tables with Nguni cow beaded wire-work.

Dave (guesthouse co-owner) tidies up the bar.

Llewellyn checks out the new guest computer downstairs. This suplements our free wireless internet in the house, particularly for those who don't travel with a laptop. We have created handy links on the desktop and have also created a google map which shows the gay bars, beaches and hot-spots in Durban.

Spartacus Photo Shoot

We were very privileged to be asked by Spartacus to do a shoot for the cover of their International Hotel and Guesthouse Gay Guide so local boy Tyrone Nell joined us and some friends arond the pool and bar at Durban View Guesthouse for some photos.

In the pics are (from top) Guesthouse co-owner Llewellyn, myself (Dave) and Donovan; Tyrone on the stairs to the Pool and bar terrace; Ryan and Donovan with Llewellyn at the bar; and last photo Dave and Tyrone review the pics of the shoot. Watch this space for some more of the hot pics I will post soon... especially the shower shots...!

Easter in Durban

Guests from around the world and South Africa, enjoying the company at the Guesthouse the past few days.

In the photos are (top) Brian from London, Duraid from Lebanon and Phillip, a regular guest from Johannesburg.

Protesting that he hasn't yet had his morning shower in the second photo is Eduard from Barcelona who has been wizzing around South Africa on a holiday trip. In the third photo around the Guesthouse Pub are Duraid from Lebanon, Jose from Mexico, Phillip from Jhb, Guesthouse co-owner Llewellyn and Eduard from Barcelona.

In the last photo are Roger and Leif from the Netherlands on their second visit to Durban and our Guesthouse. Welcome back guys.. hope you all had an awesome time with us.

4 Things to Do in Durban

We are often asked for recommendations as to what to see or do in and around Durban. Of course the best way to get around is in your own vehicle and we would recommend that you hire a car as South Africa has big wide open spaces and not the public transport network that will get you to the places you want to go. Options are:

1. DURBAN STADIUM CABLE CAR OR SWING

The latest muti-billion rand project completed in Durban is the 2010 Fifa World Cup Football Stadium - the most impressive in South Africa.

A unique feature of the Moses Mabhida Stadium is the high arch - one can catch the funicular cable car to the top of the arch, walk up the stairs to the top or take a breath-taking swing from one of the crossbeams across the whole stadium, or simply stroll along the beachfront promenade to the Stadium and back.

2. HARBOUR CRUISE: Brunch, Champagne Sunsets, Dinner Cruise

Join the Allen Gardiner Harbour cruise around the calm waters of Durban Harbour during which freshly-prepared fine foods are served and a fully stocked bar is open - one of the better ways to see Durban from the other side. Check out the full details on their website at: Allen Gardiner Harbour Cruise Restaurant.

3. uSHAKA MARINE WORLD

A must see in Durban is the uSHAKA shopping and aquarium complex on the beachfront at the harbour entrance - the beginning of our Waterfront development under construction at the moment. The uShaka Marine World features a full size shipwreck on the land with the Aquarium and shark tank built inside and under the huge ship. A good place to eat is the Cargo Hold restaurant in the ship which features a double story window with the sharks swimming around checking what gourmet seafoods you are eating.

Walking tour of the City

4. CITY WALKING TOURS

A walking tour of the city is an option for those interested in the history and origin of this city which has also been known as the "Last Outpost of the Britich Empire". Various architectural styles are evident and depending on whether the Oriental walkabout or the Historical walkabout is chosen, a tour of the Juma Musjid Mosque or the City Hall, Natural Science Museum and Durban Art Gallery are options. Guesthouse Co-Owner Dave also had an office in the City Hall when he served as Deputy Mayor of the City from 1994-1995 overseeing the changeover of government. The walking tours should be booked and are run by Vincent Thadebe on 0027-31-3044934 or cell 082 672 1191.

Swing across Durban's new Stadium

It's great to have new things to do in Durban and the "Big Rush Big Swing" across the Moses Mabhida World Cup Football Stadium is a must... just down the road from our Guesthouse.

This is the world's only Stadium swing and the largest swing of any kind anywhere.

You can jump into the void 106 metres above the World Cup Football pitch and swing out in a huge 220 m arc under the iconic arch.

All equipment and instruction is provided by their qualified staff and you can Book Online at R595 per person. Check out their website at BIG RUSH.

Lunch around the harbour

Dave hired a harbour cruise boat on Friday and entertained clients whilst celebrating his legal firm's 26th Birthday.

In the top photo are guesthouse partner Llewellyn and friend Matt on board the "Jolly Roger" and in the second photo guests Charles and colleague Josef joined us for drinks at the Guesthouse.

Durban shaping up - QM2 arrives

Durban is shaping up in time for the World Cup in June. The Queen Mary 2 arrived in the harbour this morning for a quick visit and I shot around taking some photos.

The grass around the World Cup Stadium - the Moses Mabhida Stadium - is growing nicely as the surrounding landscaping is greening Durban, one of South Africa's greenest cities.

The posters on the street lamp-poles proclaim Durban as South Africa's warmest city for the World Cup, and that is true. Being a coastal city with the warm Indian Ocean, Durban's winter temperature is in the 15c - 22c range whilst football fans in Johannesburg and Cape Town arelikely to be in cold 10c weather during the World Cup.

We still have some Guesthouse space, particularly around the Brazil vs Portugal game, so bookings can still be made online or by email to durbanstadiumview@gmail.com.

Hot boyz in Durban

Here's Christiaan in Durban for a cruise on board the Sinfonia seen with myself (Dave,middle) and guesthouse co-owner Llewellyn (right) having a drink in the Guesthouse Pub.

In from the Polish cold

Welcome to our Guests Gerhard and Jacques (pink left!) who have been cruising on the Sinfonia's Rainbow cruise this weekend, as well as Guests from Poland Roman and Valdi, seen here with Guesthouse co-owner Llewellyn (right).

In the smaller photo Valdi who is presently working and living in Dublin, Ireland, comes from the city of Bielsko-Biala in Poland and they are soaking up the glorius sunshine in Durban before heading back to the cold. Guesthouse co-owner Dave is also in the photo with Valdi.

Durban boyz at CT Pride 2010

We managed to snatch a weekend away for Cape Town's 2010 Pride and took part in the march from the gay village to the city centre and back on Saturday.

Here I am in the top photo (centre) with two local boyz in the parade, in the second photo the hot boyz from Bronx (see Youtube video clip) carried the rainbow flag and in the bottom photo Llewellyn (Guesthouse co-owner) shows the view from The Decks where we stayed in Sea Point.

The speeches at Pride decried the recent trend elsewhere in Africa to tighten anti-gay laws with action against gay and lesbians.

Cruising in Durban

Our Guesthouse is a great starting-off or stop-off venue if you're booked on one of the cruises which leave Durban harbour for the Mocambique coast.

Here's Johan, Christof, Emile, Llewellyn (Guesthouse co-owner) and Riaan who had a party second-to-none the night before the cruise... we actually felt sorry for them getting on to the boat after a night of revellry with us!!

I am sure neighbours could also hear the pounding of the piano from the talented guests who were raising the roof after a few (!@) drinks. Amazing voices!

I hope the cruise was awesome too guys; come visit soon. Dave

30 years together

Meet the Cape Town bois who came to visit the Guesthouse this weekend.

Philip (top left) celebrated his 50th birthday at the Guesthouse whetting his appetite for a 5 day cruise on the Sinfonia followed by another 2 nights back at the Guesthouse.

Philip and Max (top back) have been together 30 years, which means when they met they were 20 and 27 years old respectively - great going guys, it's an inspiration to us all.

Also in the photos are Cornelius and Enzo, from Cape Town as well who co-incidentally were also off on the same Sinfonia cruise along with other 2 other guests. So it was great for them all to meet here beforehand and get to know each other.

In the 2nd photo is Guesthouse co-owner Llewellyn (middle) sharing a toast with the guests at the Guesthouse Pub which we have recently decorated with some 2010 souvrenirs for the World Cup Football which gets going in South Africa in 100 days.

We also enjoyed a fantastic celebration dinner out at Harvey's Durban's top and famous restaurant just up the road from the Guesthouse.