My previous post covering the Golden Mile along the beaches in Durban was on Addington Beach.
Immediately after Addington Beach, you get quite a long stretch, which is known as the Golden Mile Beach.
We wanted to go there last weekend to take some photos. But it was extremely crowded.
Over and above the fact that we couldn't find parking in the area, I didn't feel safe getting out with a camera under those circumstances.
The parking wasn't really the main problem though...we were there to get a nice walk in while taking photos anyway...but the safety factor was a problem for me.
It is sad to say, but with my youngest daughter being involved in photography she received some information, warning her to be cautious.
Apparently, there is currently a syndicate operating, particularly targeting photographers. They would contact photographers and act as potential customers. They would be "interested" in a nice outdoor photoshoot...such as in a park or some nice outdoor area.
An appointment would be made, but when you as the photographer arrive, you walk straight into an ambush.
Everything would look "normal" until you've got all your equipment out. Then suddenly, more (armed) people would appear from out of nowhere. You get robbed of all your equipment and camera/s and they speed off in a getaway vehicle, leaving you behind with nothing.
Being aware of this and knowing that there will obviously be a market for photographic equipment and cameras on the black market, there is no sense in being reckless or taking any chances.
So, going into a crowded area (with a camera) leaves you with zero control of who is coming close to you. And these guys are so fast, even in crowded areas, by the time you try to chase them, they are into a vehicle, or the stolen stuff has already changed hands...
So, crowded areas...is a big NO-NO!
On Golden Mile Beach, there is a huge fun park, various restaurants, a big sports bar, and various forms of entertainment. I believe that is why that area is normally very crowded.
So we did the next best thing and went on to the next beach, which is the Durban Beach Front, and also the start of Durban's North Beach, which stretches over quite a large area...basically all the way up to the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World.
But for today (and tomorrow) I want to focus on the Durban Beach Front area itself, as there is plenty to see (and do).
For today, I want to focus more on the beach, and the activities on and around the beach.
I took this photo as we approached the beach, coming from the car. The "grass" in the foreground is artificial grass. We were actually standing on the roof of a restaurant here, with the promenade passing in front of the restaurant below us.
Standing at the edge of the roof, at the railing, I took this photo, looking out over the promenade, the beach, and one of the piers.
In the next photo, we are looking back, down south, where the promenade is clearly visible below us, with another pier in the background.
That is the first of three piers (the second one also being visible) which are actually on the Golden Mile Beach.
Just behind us, is this area where the skateboard enthusiasts can give expression to their passion.
I was just in time to catch this guy in action...
Perfectly executed, he landed back on his board again...and casually skated back towards his friends...
The same guy and one of his friends, enjoying the "outer limits" of the course...
Some more guys, just having fun, with the Bluff in the background at the entrance to the harbor.
Tomorrow, I'll share some more photos, also on the Durban Beach Front, but showing the park with some nice scenes and some of the buildings across the road.
So, with that, I'll call it a day for this post.
Thank you for reading my post. I do appreciate it!