Wednesday Walk Challenge - Durban Botanic GardenssteemCreated with Sketch.

in #wednesdaywalk5 years ago (edited)

The city fathers are hard at work together with NGO's to revive the inner city of Durban which has become a temporary home for refugees from across the South African borders.
Sadly many of them have turned to drugs to dull the agony of homelessness and the drug lords and pimps of course encourage this habit. There are certain parts of the city where many will not venture into; much like many other cities across the world!

World class tourist attractions are just a couple of minutes away from all of this; with Ushaka Marine World being the most popular; all Lily's Cottage holiday guests make that their first stop.
I would however like to take you on a walk through a tranquil haven just a stone's throw away from the busy city centre.

The fifteen hectares Durban Botanic Gardens was first established in 1849, making it one of Africa's oldest surviving botanic gardens and also one of the oldest institutions being managed by the Ethekwini Municipality.

Plant conservation and plant-based education being at the top of their agenda, this is very popular with scholar of all ages; from school level through to university students, amateurs and professionals alike.
Music at the Lake concerts are held here regularly; it also is a popular photo shoot venue. Perfect for leisurely picnics as well, being blissfully cool under the massive trees; a great escape from the intense heat and humidity of the beaches during the months of January and February especially when Durban is at its hottest!

This is an oasis for many species of birds as well.
We did not see them, but apparently Pink-backed Pelicans established the southern-most recorded breeding colony right here at Botanic Gardens a couple of years ago.
Egyptian Geese are very tame and came along begging for food that we bought at the park's Visitor's Centre.

Weird and wonderful plants and trees have been nurtured for many years with some heritage trees being over a hundred years old!
I did not get to that section of the park during this walk so did not see the old Jacaranda Tree that was planted in 1885, neither the old Lychee tree; both forming part of the stately centenary collection.

The impressive Cannonball Tree was fortunately bearing its fruit when we visited - the fruit is spherical with a woody shell and a diameter of up to 25 centimeters, therefore the name. They were massive and really looked as threatening as cannons!

A closer view of the cannons; I'm sure if one of those hits one you would know all about it!

Yet another giant, an 81 year old Ficus Annulata boasting an enormous trunk with a couple of gigantic off-shoots.

This park has a large collection of Bromeliads, Cycads, Orchids and Palms, with the Orchid garden a real little paradise.
The Orchid House comprises over 8000 plants in more than 75 natural and man made genera grown in a large shade house.


What is it about the sound of water trickling that has such a calming affect?

Nothing better than a cup of freshly brewed gourmet coffee and a muffin to end off our walk through the Durban Botanic Gardens.

This has been my contribution to @tattoodjay's #wednesdaywalk, hope you enjoyed walking through the tranquil Durban Botanic Gardens with me!

!steemitworldmap -29.848019 lat 31.008259 long Durban Botanic Gardens, South Africa d3scr

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I have to admit the first shot had me intrigued never seen a tree like that would have to be dangerous to be under if one Of those cannonballs fell

Such a beautiful garden what a contrast it must be from the area the refugees are

Thanks fir showing us around the gardens and all the beauty of nature

Thanks for joining Wednesday Walk :)

They are massive, we did not walk too close to that tree;) Thanks for this tag, you're getting more and more of us walking and actually taking in what goes on around us:)

From your photos they do look massive and I don’t think I would get to close it under them either

I am glad to see so many walks from around the world each week it’s like a virtual world tour for me 😎

I have never seen anything like that Cannonball tree. It appears to be a beautiful Park/Garden.

I've only seen that tree in this park, and you're right, it's a beautiful place indeed!

What a wonderful walk @lizelle have not been here in a number of years, perhaps one day I will pluck up the courage to get through traffic to visit again one day.

Old trees are always intriguing, nice photography. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this while the rain quietly falls outside, cooler weather for all to enjoy.

It really is worth the trip Joan! I think because I worked on the Esplanade traffic doesn't fase me but if you go on a Sunday there's no traffic.

Sunday we walk the dogs, their day out to park or beach, will have to pluck up the courage to face the demons on the roads one day. I used to commute up to New Germany to work, Durban for business meeting, really had enough of the crazy driving, avoid it at all cost.

Oh my that is quite a drive, we avoid traffic like the plague these days! One thing I don't miss about work!

a lovely walk!

if one of those hits you would know all about it!

hehe. are they edible?

Apparently they are but they're not eaten by humans as the fruit has a foul smell 🤨
A very interesting article about this quirky tree can be read here - http://scribol.com/environment/plants/the-dangerous-and-dreadful-smells-of-the-cannonball-tree/

haha, understand! thank you, really intresting tree.

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