Friday, April 24, 2015

Beautiful and Botanical

Beautiful and Botanical
Just recently, a few of us creatives visited the Durban Botanical Gardens.  It was a beautiful day and we had a hugely satisfying time snapping away at the photogenic surroundings.  What a privilege to visit this haven with like-minded Durbanites.
These large significant gardens were developed in 1849 as a station for growing trial agricultural crops and are the oldest surviving Botanical Gardens in Africa.
The plant life is breath-taking, and so many of the other elements of this, Durban’s well-run and oldest public institution are intriguing.
Here is some of what I saw:
This bright banana petal seems to be pointing the way…
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A large round pond in the centre was ablaze with lumo polka-dot green leaves and gentle spiky pink water-lilies
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This tender installation is a special artwork by Nicci Fourie featuring metal cut-out children holding hands.  They are walking in a spiral line,  representing a cochlea and illustrating the fact that children must be heard.
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The Orchid House is an exotic oasis brim full of bright green tropical foliage and colourful blooms
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The height and rhythm of a variety of different palm tree trunks caught my attention.
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We finished the day off at the well-supported tea garden.  The simple nostalgic tea and eats were served quickly and heartily.   If you are close to Durban, and it’s been a while since you’ve visited the Botanical Gardens, this weekend may be a good time to go back and enjoy some deep soul restoration.
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Events – Visit the Durban Botanical Gardens Event Page. The Gardens host a number of major musical events, the next one being Gangs of Ballet on Mother’s Day – the 10th of May.
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