Comprising a Life

The Bonsai, Travels and Haiku of Vaughn Banting

Durban South Africa

Durban lies on South Africa's eastern coast where its warmed by the currents of the Indian Ocean. Although its geography would suggest a more temperate climate Durban is a tropical wonderland boasting orchids and other deeply tropical vegetation.

It is home to the Zulus and all the history that that implies. Mock up Zulu villages and crocodile farms abound for the tourists and the land in some areas is deeply fissured, separating communities by miles that would otherwise lay side by side.

A Durban street

A front yard garden

View from bedroom window of home where I stayed. Notice the gorge separating me from the next houses.

Taken from the backyard of the family I stayed with

Better view of the gorge

It must feel strange to holler across to your neighbour who lives miles away.

A small irrigated truck farm

Tourist trap Zulu village

In a mock-up Zulu hut

Visiting a strip mall

Products seem geared mainly for tourist trade

Products offered were of a very limited nature

Crocodile farm, mainly a tourist trap

Indian Ocean, croc farm in foreground

Weaver birds

I think that may be Durban in the distance

A small bonsai collection of native species