Durban Awakens 9781367964778

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CITY & BEACH

Durban CBD facing West towards Umbilo on the left and Berea on the right. Embassy Building in the foreground (right). Aliwal Street down below. Photograph taken shortly before sunset from the top of John Ross House

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them. This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible” ~ Dalai Lama (14th)

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Moyo Pier, uShaka - South Beach. Photograph taken just before sunrise. This area of the beach is in front of uShaka Marine World. It’s a hive of activity in the morning with persons running and cycling on the promenade, and fishermen / surfers on the beach

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader” - John Quincy Adams

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Snake Park Pier, North Beach. Photograph taken at sunset. The Blue Waters Hotel is in the background and Suncoast Casino is to the right

“The most important question to ask on the job is not "What am I getting?" The most important question to ask is "What am I becoming?" - Jim Rohn

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Durban CBD facing West towards Umbilo (left) & Berea (right) "Many people think that the idea of - things happen for a reason, there's a reason why the people you meet come into your life, why they leave, etc. - it's easy to think that's sort of a cop out.

But here's the thing. You can decide what that reason is. And based on that reason, your life will change accordingly. So choose the reason wisely. You don't have to automatically accept the first reason that comes to mind. Think about it and pick and choose what reason will make your life even better moving forward" - Brian Kim

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Start of Aquellé Cycle Race, Moses Mabhida Stadium. The cyclists started shortly after sunrise on NMR Avenue and headed into the CBD before heading out of town along Ordinance Road (Bram Fischer)

"Trust your own instincts, live by your own values, do your own dreams, and quickly dismiss the chattering opinions of the critics around you" - Robin Sharma

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Umgeni River Mouth - a view of the North Bank taken shortly after sunrise from the main lookout point

"Success means fulfilling your own dreams, singing your own song, dancing your own dance, creating from your heart and enjoying the journey, trusting that whatever happens, it will be OK. Creating your own adventure!" - Elana Lindquist

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Moyo Pier - South Beach. My friend and fellow photographer Prakash and I took a stroll on the beach this particular morning at sunrise. North Pier (harbour entrance) is to the far right.

“Have you noticed how all dreams come with built-in challenges, and all challenges come with built-in dreams?" - The Universe

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On the promenade at South Beach near old XL Roadhouse. This is one of the exits from the promenade onto the beach

“If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies." - Albert Einstein

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Moyo Pier - uShaka Beach. Taken at sunrise and featured on18th Dec 2014 (centre / half page) in The Süddeutsche Zeitung, Germany’s largest subscription newspaper.

“Do not judge by appearances. A rich heart may be under a poor coat" - Scottish Proverb

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Durban Beachfront viewed from the new North Pier, standing towards the harbour entrance shortly after sunrise. Moses Mabhida Stadium is to the right

“When you really pay attention, everything is your teacher” - Ezra Bayda

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Moyo Pier - uShaka South Beach at sunrise. The old Vetchie’s Pier would have been a little to the right.

"When you have more than you need, build a longer table not a higher fence” ~ Unknown

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South Beach fishermen. The rowing boat of Durban Seine Netters usually beaches on this side (forefront) of Moyo Pier or the far side (right / background)

"Life is a great struggle. Face difficulties, trials, adversities and hardships bravely. Have full trust in God and repeat His Name always. Life is a great school in which every sorrow, every pain, every heartbreak has a precious lesson to teach. God's wisdom and love are behind everything. Trust Him and rest in peace" ~ Sri Swami Sivananda

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Moses Mabhida Stadium viewed at sunrise from the Kings Park Stadium side

"I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time... I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude" - Henry David Thoreau

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Underneath Moyo Pier at South Beach in front of uShaka

"In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you" - Source Unknown

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South Beach looking South towards Moyo Pier

"It's better to create something that others criticize than to create nothing and criticize others" ~ Ricky Gervais / Lecrae

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Jet-ski ready to launch on beach where the old Vetchie’s Pier used to stand - South Beach. It seems a good few ex-paddle ski fishermen now opt for a jet-ski ride (easier on the arms I guess)

“I like fishing. Not actual fishing - I like the peace and quiet of being at sea. It's different” ~ Rafael Nadal

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The pier at North Beach in front of Durban Surf Lifesaving. The promenade runs past this pier now to Umgeni River in the North and uShaka Marine World in the South; a lovely stretch to walk, run, skate-board or cycle on

"Don't water yourself down, because you'll be less palatable to yourself and cheating those who matter. Don't water yourself down, simply because someone can't handle you pure, undiluted and 100% proof" ~ Sunil Bali

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The new North Pier with the harbour entrance to the right. It’s not accessible to the general public unlike its predecessor from which you could fish or daydream (and park your car nearby)

“All that glisters is not gold" ~ William Shakespeare

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Moyo Pier looking North. Holiday Inn Garden Court and Moses Mabhida are seen faintly in the distance

"The sweetest of all sounds is that of the voice of the woman we love" ~ Jean de la Bruyere

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The waterfront is located at the entrance to the busiest port in Africa. The waterfront claims to be one of South Africa's most significant and exciting property developments and hopes to rapidly transform a previously run down precinct (Point) into a multi billion Rand property showcase

"Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life" - Nelson Mandela

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Swift waters at Moyo Pier. This photograph placed 2nd in a recent Sigma South Africa competition and featured in PSSA (Photographic Society SA) Image Magazine Feb 2016.

"The terrorists thought they would change my aims and stop my ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this: weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage were born" ~ Malala Yousafzai

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Underneath Moyo Pier

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us" - Albert Schweitzer

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New Point Waterfront

"Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better. Don't wish for fewer problems, wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenge, wish for more wisdom." - Earl Shoaff via Jim Rohn)

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Umgeni River Mouth - North Bank

“Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within” ~ Eckhart Tolle

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Moyo Pier before sunrise "Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other's’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.

“And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary" ~ Steve Jobs

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Standing at Umgeni River Mouth looking towards Durban North

"The period of greatest gain in knowledge and experience is the most difficult period in one's life." - Dalai Lama

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The new North Pier. A different view of the same area that is unfortunately closed to the public

"Great kings and emperors are reduced to dust. Scientists and philosophers disappear. Athletes and sportsmen come and go. Memory and intelligence fade away. Youth and beauty, fame and possessions, power and pelf disappear. Mountains crumble. O man, this world is illusory. Seek God and enjoy eternal bliss" ~ Sri Swami Sivananda

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South Beach looking at Moyo Pier

"For it is in giving that we receive" ~ St. Francis of Assisi

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Durban seine netters on South Beach. Photographers in Durban rightfully claim that their boat is “the most photographed boat in Durban”

“The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope” ~ John Buchan

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In front of Durban Paddle Ski Club - the new North Pier

“Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life - all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop both honesty and integrity” ~ Zig Ziglar

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Moyo uShaka on the pier with Moses Mabhida to the right. Photograph taken at night about one hour after sunset

“If as we see nightfall, we become capable of accepting love, let’s celebrate an alliance with our unbroken delusions. Who ever knew we would say goodbye to oblivion? Who ever knew we would accept hope?” ~ Mya Robarts

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Lauching at Durban Ski Boat Club, South Beach. Photograph taken at the Durban Ski Boat 2015 Couta Classic launch (day one) just after sunrise. Some of the Land Rovers went very far into the water and all emerged unscathed

“Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life - all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop both honesty and integrity” ~ Zig Ziglar

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Jumping off the pier at North Beach in front of Durban Surf. This photograph always reminds me of the words “live a life you will remember... because one day you will be gone”

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover” ~ Mark Twain

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The old whaling station / army and police training buildings, a few hundred mentres south of the harbour entrance . Bluff / Brighton Beach are in the background / to the right. The Indian Ocean is far left

“Evil prospers when good men do nothing” ~ John Philpot Curran

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Early morning Comrades runners leaving Durban heading towards Pietermaritzburg. Photograph taken at 45th Cutting, Sherwood

“Laughter is wine for the soul - laughter soft, or loud and deep, tinged through with seriousness - the hilarious declaration made by man that life is worth living” ~ Seán O' Casey

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Jacarandas in Moore Road, Glenwood outside the Manning Road Methodist Church

"Sunrise offered a very beautiful spectacle; the water was quite unruffled, but the motion communicated by the tides was so great that, although there was not a breath of air stirring, the sea heaved slowly with a grand and majestic motion" ~ George Grey

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Zion Church group in front of the old XL Road House on South Beach

"Hanging around the right people can do wonders for your life. There's so much that can rub off on you. It can be a positive attitude, motivation, ideas, synergy, meeting new people, opportunities. If life ever seems to become a bit dull, incorporating new people into your life can do wonders to jump start it once again" ~ Brian Kim

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DURBAN HARBOUR

Yacht Mole Pier with Royal Natal Yacht Club behind. Many a day and night were spent in my youth at this pier catching Springer, Rock Cod, Eels, Mullet and Rays. The sand bank to the right produced Stumpnose and Grunter

"Together with a culture of work, there must be a culture of leisure as gratification. To put it another way: people who work must take the time to relax, to be with their families, to enjoy themselves, read, listen to music, play a sport" ~ Pope Francis

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Standing on yacht mole pier looking to the CBD. Taken before sunrise using a 30 second exposure.

"We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and recenter ourselves. And we'll also have a lot more joy in living" ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

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Pigeon’s playground in front of Wilson’s Wharf looking over the yacht mole sandbank. This sand bank has always been home to cracker shrimp (mud prawn). The Grunter and Stumpnose enter as the water rises and feed on the shrimp

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning" ~ Albert Einstein

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Standing on the grass bank on the eastern side of Wilson’s Wharf. This is one of the places where some of us can think seriously of our youth spent having fun on the sand bank and how many years (or not) we have left to make good. This photograph appeared in the Independent on Saturday 26 Sept 2015 (left side cropped in this book)

"Son, don't let it slip away. My father took me in his arms, I heard him say, When you get older your wild heart will live for younger days. Think of me if ever you're afraid. He said, One day you'll leave this world behind - So live a life you will remember" ~ AVICII 'The Nights'

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Durban CBD edging Victoria Embankment slowly awakens for the new day. The pigeons seems to love flying over this stretch and then returning to the grass / tarmac behind camera

“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar: I love not man the less, but Nature more” ~ George Gordon Byron

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Bluff / South Pier in the distance with the harbour entrance in the top left corner taken from John Ross House on the Esplanade. The harbour is mostly inaccessible now to the general public

“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence” ~ Jim Watkins

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Another photograph of the main pier at Durban yacht mole to the left. Centre bank (sand bank) is to the far right. The Wilson’s Wharf / yacht mole sand bank is to the right / right rear. Featured in PSSA (Photographic Society SA) Image Magazine Feb 2016.

“Success without decency is a hollow victory" ~ Robin Sharma

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The sandbank between Royal Natal Yacht Club and Wilson’s Wharf, as well as the pigeons doing their favourite run, described in previous pages

“The voice of our original self is often muffled, overwhelmed, even strangled, by the voices of other people's expectations” ~ Julia Cameron

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I&J Dock Durban Harbour with the sugar terminal / Maydon Wharf behind

“Never give up. It's like breathing—once you quit, your flame dies letting total darkness extinguish every last gasp of hope. You can't do that. You must continue taking in even the shallowest of breaths, continue putting forth even the smallest of efforts to sustain your dreams. Don't ever, ever, ever give up.” ~ Richelle E. Goodrich

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Edge of Wilson’s Wharf looking towards Durban CBD and Royal Natal Yacht Club. Another long exposure photograph taken before sunrise

“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning" ~ J. B. Priestley

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Durban yacht mole looking towards John Ross House, Esplanade / Victoria Embankment

“If as we see nightfall, we become capable of accepting love, let’s celebrate an alliance with our unbroken delusions. Who ever knew we would say goodbye to oblivion? Who ever knew we would accept hope?” ~ Mya Robarts

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Fishing paddle ski on the sandbank between Wilson’s Wharf and yacht mole pier

"Don't give up, You're gonna see tomorrow. That you'll be on your feet again. Sometimes the world's gonna knock you over. But you will see who you are your friends. Come on, stand, up again. You're gonna run again. Your faith and patience will be your soldiers. The battles are inside your mind" - Lenny Kravitz

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Durban yacht mole looking towards North & South Pier with the CBD to the left. This photograph also appeared in the Independent on Saturday 26 Sept 2015

“We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and recenter ourselves. And we'll also have a lot more joy in living" ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

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