corporate-wage-slave

BA sometimes tell me that a new service is coming up, maybe giving me a 24 hour start, but I pay for and book my own fare. I didn't really set out to go on inaugurals but I've done well over 20 of them now. I've noted some semi-sentimental reasons for returning to Durban after a long absence, this was a more insightful time for me than I've let on in the posts above.

As for safety, I think it's right to consider how to avoid problems but I don't think it should stop you - otherwise "they" would have won. What I would do is book somewhere central and nice in uMhlanga, that's fairly safe anyway, get the hotel to arrange the transfer even if it's over the odds, then keep an eye out for a taxi driver who is safe and reliable (which is most of them). The hotel can help with this too. Then go off on some trips with the driver to the Botanical Gardens, the Golden Mile etc, paying for a morning / afternoon of service rather than by kilometre. Don't do anything brash or silly, and keep yourself streetwise. Once you get a feel for a place then you'll be able to push boundaries a bit more. A lot of this could be applied to anywhere, actually.

squawk

Swanhunter

corporate-wage-slave

I have been pointed to these newspaper reports of the inaugural, the second of which includes a short video of the arriving aircraft.
https://mg.co.za/article/2018-10-31-...ban-and-london

https://www.iol.co.za/business-repor...ondon-17703044

And a rather better video here:

Swanhunter

littlefish

Great tips on Oysterbox and the Woolworth. I really must get across to KZN again!
I wonder if the noise/ambiance is a 788 thing, my father tries to avoid them now too though has only been CW in the 788. I find the 789s, albeit in Premium Economy with Dickie B, just fine. Roll on the A350s I suppose. Not had many non-F reports on the BA 789s
The direct DUR flight timings do look grim and over the Southern summer the 2 hour time difference does sometimes kick-in.

Globaliser

I can support all of this with another unsolicited report from a 788 flight on LHR-JNB, at similar departure and arrival times, describing pretty much all of this together with the added difficulty of getting to sleep immediately after dinner because it was too early to do so with a body clock set to London time.

7K sounds like a seat that's better in theory than in practice, at least for overnight flights.

corporate-wage-slave

I certainly did sit up reading these comments, not least because I vastly prefer the 787 over the 777. I sleep better on that aircraft than any other apart from the A380 (which is ultra smooth as well as quiet) and on a par with the A350.

7K on the 787-8 is the equivalent of 13K on the 787-9 cabin wise, in other words the final row, though that row 13 is further down the wing than row 7. I would normally try to get row 3 rather than row 7 but I must have flown in row 7 at some point and I don't recall any issue with it. I've certainly flown row 13 very frequently since 7K can be a crew seat on the 787-9 and I'm often too late to book 7A. I certainly agree that the timings to DUR are grog inducing, I prepared by getting up early in the days before departure, I skipped lunch altogether and didn't eat all of the CW meal.

npturner

Hi, New on here, but decided to register after reading many of the threads, this one being very interesting to me.

We are travelling direct to Durban next week on BA41, and looking forward to the experience having previously flown LHR - JNB many times on both 747 & A380 (WT+, CW & 1st), plus 787 on Virgin (Premium Economy & Upper).

My wife lived in both Umhlanga (and the smaller neighboring Umdloti) for many years, so we try to get back every 12-18 months to visit friends and family.
This time its quite special for us as we have a 6 month old baby, and the thought of driving from Joburg or having to change to Domestic terminal with him, plus the reduced baggage weight allowance, we were delighted to hear BA where starting the direct flights.
Funny thing is, we are still going to JNB for the day during the trip (on Comair Kulula) to visit some family, but its alot easiler when you just have hand baggage.

When I checked Avios availability is just wasn't worth using, and we managed to get 2 adult & 1 infant return flights in WT+, including 18 days medium size rental car for £1675 all in.
As per other comments on here, the flight times may not suit us, especially our little one, but our favorite breakfast cafe on the beach in Umdloti opens at 7am, so we can head there before getting in to our appartment (owners have allowed us an early checkin).

Will report back on my WT+ experience when we return.

corporate-wage-slave

That's an interesting first post npturner, thank you for contributing, I'm sure there will be other travellers who will be interested in what you have arranged. Welcome to Flyertalk and the BA forum, I hope it goes well for you next week and yes, please report back on your experiences. And any recommendations for uMhlanga (eating, things to do) I'm sure would be useful too.

npturner

Thanks, I can certainly give some insight into the local area. For my wife, uMhlanga has become extremely built up compared to how it was 10-15 years ago when she lived there, but for me its a vibrant town, with lots of places to eat and drink.

uMhlanga

There’s a few favourites that we like to visit when down there, here’s a brief outline;

Butcher Boys - A great local Steak house chain. Their Bacon, chili and cheese sauce is a must-try. By UK standards its priced very well, with a Fillet coming out at about £14-15, and a glass of decent wine around £3. If you so wish, you can sit outside and watch the rich crusing around in their Ferarris and Audi R8's.

Lord Prawn - Its in a tiny mall near the centre, and been around under the same ownership since the 80's. Its quite small and cozy, but food is good.

Mythos - Next to Buther Boys, its an authentic Greek Restaurant that opened last year. They do dancing and plate smashing one day a week (can't remember which now).

The George - (formally 'The George & Dragon'), it was my Father-in-laws local pub before he moved to Zambia. Its a typical Sports bar, but if you just want a simple beer and watch the world go by, its perfect. Food isn't too bad either.

Oyster Box - As people have previously said on here, great place, lovely views, and not too expensive to have Cocktails on the sun deck over loking the lighthouse.
They also do a curry buffet which we will be trying this time.

There is of course a lot of other places to go, many are new, and we haven’t tried them yet. We did have breakfast in Doppio Zero, which is located under the Pearls in the new complex. It was nice and service was good.

Gateway - The largest Shopping mall in the Southern hemisphere. Apart from all the normal designer shops, there’s a Cinema and lots of places to eat.

Umdloti

7km north of uMhlanga is this small coastal village. One road in, with a North and South Beach road. Its where we normally stay as its a little less hectic than uMhlanga, plus we have friends that live there. Worth a visit even if you are staying in the City.

The Bush Tavern - Although we only go every 1-2 years, I consider this as my local. It overlooks the ocean, has great live music on Fridays and during the weekend, and very cheap food (£4 for a Bunny Chow).

Bel Punto - Great Italian restaurant, with excellent sea food. The kitchen is open plan, and i'm always amused by the old Nonna (owner) walking (just about) around checking the food before it goes out. Its expensive even by UK standards, but always fully booked. They also have a 2nd restaurant up near the Spar shop which is a little cheaper (La Casa Nostra)

Java - As with the above, all in the same complex, overlooking the sea. Its our 'go-to' place for Breakfast.

Tasca Pizza - A little way down North beach road is this little beachside pizza take-away which has some small tables. Nothing fancy, but good food.

Sybaya Casino - Located between Umdloti and uMhlanga, its a huge Casino complex with restaurants. Last time we went it was vert smokey inside, but I think they have since banned smoking from the main area. Its ok if that floats your boat.

Other places

uShaka Marine World – Located near Durban Marina at the end of the Promenade. It’s a water park and sea world. Driving there is quite an experience as you drive right through downtown Durban…. Its pretty rough! Once you are at the parking its ok, and there’s also Curio shops and places to eat.

Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve - About 200km north or Durban (about 2.5hrs drive), this reserve is also one of the largest sancuries for the protection of Rhino.
We always stay in Mpila Camp in the southern 'iMfolozi' side, which is pretty basic, but due to the lack of fencing, you get to see many animals on your door step. The first time we stayed and had to chase Hyenas away from our Braai (BBQ) was a pretty intense experience!

Aliwal Shoal – About 30mins south of Durban, near Scottbugh is this great little Shark cage diving / Snorkelling place. I sent snorkelling with back tip sharks last year and it was great. Just remember to take sea sickness tablets. I don’t normally suffer, but its pretty choppy 5 miles out to sea.

Midland Meander – Just north of Pietermaritzburg on the N3 (about an hour inland from Durban), this area which is signed Nottingham Road is a lovely scenic drive with little gift shops and restaurants along the way.
Notable places to visit is the Rawdens Estate, a colonial thatched house in lovely grounds where you can get afternoon tea, and their own craft ales. Nearby is The Bierfassl, which is a German restaurant/pub with great food, including their signature Eisbin.

Also just outside Durban you have The 1000 hills, which overlooks spectacular hills. There are also dancing demonstrations by Zulus and village tours. Also nearby is the Shongweni Farmers market where you can get fresh food, craft beers and listen to live music. We plan to visit on this trip.

Globaliser

On the lunchtime menu, the Oyster Box also offers a bunny chow, if you feel like having something very originally Durban. IIRC, although the menu specifies a particular curry, they are very happy for you to choose any of the curries on the buffet to go into your bunny.

OT, but I'm glad that I'm not the only person who thinks that that ought strictly speaking to be the correct capitalisation of uMhlanga.

npturner

My wife makes the best bunny chow, so i'd go with something else :-)