“The real voyage of discovery … consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” —Marcel Proust

Travel is a luxury that I have learned to indulge in whenever possible.

After being in the pandemic prison for far too long, when any chance of travel comes up, I am sure to jump on the plane regardless of its destination.

So I was ecstatic to fly to South Africa last week, courtesy of an invite from the Durban Tourism Board. As part of the Philippine delegation tasked to promote this spectacular city, I got to experience the Durban July races and other incredible attractions!

I dropped everything for this spontaneous trip to Durban with my favorite travel buddy Pepper Teehankee. We flew via the new Clark International Airport; the new terminal is beautifully designed and so world-class.

The hour-and-a-half drive to Clark, Pampanga, was worth the trip for the convenience of easy check-in and boarding: there were no lines and it was all very spacious.

Buddy Cunanan and Jong Serrano joined us at the airport, and we soon met up with Yvette Fernandez, who flew in from Manila. Our Emirates flight left on time and the service was quite favorable.

Both Pepper and Buddy were with me three years ago on this same media trip just days after my African-inspired 25th wedding anniversary celebration.

Outrageous ensemble

This time around, I was more prepared for the Durban July Experience at Greyville Racecourse. For my extraordinarily outrageous ensemble, I hand-carried my ostrich-feathered headdress by Ken Samudio to match my feathery gown by Cherry Veric and cape by Ditta Sandico. To add more drama, I wore a high-fashion gold choker by Ann Ong that was a definite head-turner.

Thanks to Pepper’s good friend and columnist of Sunday Times, we made it once again to A-Listers with Craig Jacobs, a lifestyle column in South Africa’s leading newspaper.

It was great to represent the Philippines at the biggest horse-racing and fashion event in Durban. Craig featured the local designers whose collection showcased this year’s theme, “Show Me the Honey.”

We joined around 35,000 punters and fashionistas who attended the races and enjoyed the different marquees. Durban City pulled out all the stops to make Hollywoodbets’ Durban July a fun-filled, relaxed and safe experience.

Prior to the main affair, the city hosted the launch of the R5-million record stake horse-racing event at the newly opened five-star Radisson Blu Durban Hotel in Umhlanga.

Economic returns

Addressing the media, eThekwini Mayor Councilor Mxolisi Kaunda said: “We are excited to host the July experience this year at a physical venue. We are even more excited about the economic spinoffs that this event is going to bring to the city. Guests are expected to spend R145 million, with the gross domestic product (GDP) in economic activity projected to be R362 million. An estimated 740 people within the tourism and hospitality as well as related value chains industry will get employment because of this event.’’

With South Africa’s recent announcement of their more relaxed COVID-19 measures, experts in the sector forecast that over 1 million tourists will visit Durban during the winter season and that they will directly spend R1.45 billion, with the GDP contribution being R3.6 billion. The season will result in employment of over 7,000 people.

Mayor Kaunda said that with the economic spinoffs expected, Durban is indeed “bouncing back.” The Philippine delegates were able to meet the mayor and we all commended him on the safety measures in place, and how smoothly the event was running. We even shared that Yvette, Pepper and I won in one of the races!

Safari game drive

A few days before the Durban July event, the group enjoyed the outdoor attractions of Durban and its surroundings. After our pleasant safari game drive at Tala Game Reserve, we drove up to Didima Resort in the Drakensberg mountain range. Maloti-Drakensberg Park, renowned for its spectacular natural landscape, is a Unesco World Heritage Site, one of South Africa’s eight attractions.

Riding quad bikes for the first time, we trekked the breathtaking Drakensberg mountains and after that adrenaline rush, we did a relaxing horseback ride. I could see why the stunning landscape was an inspiration for “The Lord of the Rings” author J.R.R. Tolkien for the Misty Mountains of Middle Earth. For me, the horse ride was part of my equine therapy experience with extra attraction of the amazing landscape.

Unlike Pepper who is an avid foodie, I am not much into specialty dishes. But I did enjoy “bunny chow,” Durban’s culinary delight. This hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with various veg and nonveg curries is a local favorite at holes-in-the-wall, and no visitor to the city should leave without trying it out. Be warned though, it’s a messy delight that’s best eaten with hands and on the hood of a car.

Retail therapy

It was also extra special to have dinner at The Oyster Box, one of the most beautiful hotels in the world. Our Pinay friend who lives in Durban, Grace Molina, hosted us, and we shared our pandemic stories over some delicious food.

Durban offers more than just beautiful beaches, flavorful and unique cuisines, and adrenaline-pumping activities. They even have stunning retail therapy. After all, what’s travel abroad without shopping!

North of Durban, Gateway Shopping Mall is one of the 50 largest malls in the world and claims to be the biggest mall in the Southern Hemisphere. With 18 movie theaters, over 400 stores, an arcade, a theme park and a water park, the mall has food options and entertainment for everyone.

For local products and spices, visit Victoria Street Market. I was so happy to travel home with Pepper, who shared his extra luggage allowance and carried three of my five hand-carries.

On our last day, we enjoyed a sunset cruise on board The Spirit of the South from Durban Harbor. Thank you to Captain Terence for a fitting sundowner cruise to end our über-memorable visit to Durban! I will never forget this experience!

Follow @seaprincess888 on Instagram; visit visitdurban.travel.