Off to South Beach

View from BSM veranda of the Indian Ocean
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Thursday - 0700: Ate breakfast and said my farewells to my friends at 1322. Baboo said that he would show me around Durban when I get there. At 10:30, Monique drove me to the airport for my 11:30 flight to Durban. I flew Mango Air which is a a low-cost airline. The 1 hour and 15 minute flight from Jo'Burg to Durban was only R222 or $31. Check in was fast, but the trip was not. Due to weather, the flight was delayed for 4 hours because of bad weather in Cape Town so the plane was stuck in George until it could make its connection in Cape Town. Lucky for me there was a McGinty's in the terminal. I tired a new SA beer called Hansa Marzen Gold which is a German style beer with a nice amber color. I tried to make good use of the time by prioritizing my Durban things to do list. Time is going to be a factor becuase I want to do so much and I am in Durban for only 5 day. Current list of Durban things to do:

View from my room at BSM in Amanzimtoti
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- Safari at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi

- Lesotho/Sani Pass

- Netal Shark Board

- Drakensburg Mountains

2:20 - We finally take off with not much of an apology from Mango Air (free drinks). I will check other airlines for the trip to Cape Town. I have seen Kahlula and 1Stop at the airport in addition to SAA. Arrive in Durban at 4:30---wasted much of the day. I called Romy from from Blue Sky Mining (BSM) Backpackers and she picked me up at the airport and was at BSM by 5:45. What a change in scenery and climate (sunny and 80 F). BSM is an old house on the Indian Ocean. Views of the beach from my room, nice back garden and pool. Romy made a great Spaghetti Bolognese dinner and met two guys from Germany. They are a team that is here to run an ultra marathon called the Comrades. It is 50 miles up and down steep hills from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Tomorrow I plan to work on my blog and class and see what I can do with the time I have left. I am leaving for Cape Town on Tuesday.