Day 66 - Durban, South Africa

 Friday, our port of call was Durban, South Africa. It is the third largest city in South Africa and has a population or 3 1/2 million. Something I have never seen before is how the harbor pilot arrives and departs here. They come and go by helicopter and are lowered and lifts on a cable  Our excursion was "Coastal Discovery and High Tea". We saw some of Durban then headed north up the coast to the resort town of Umhlanga

All chairs and tables were moved and strapped down

lights on shore as we approached Durban

Crew members in full fire fighter equipment were on hand

Waiting for the arrival at 4AM.

The pilot was lower to the back Sea View deck. I did not actually see him come down as it was on the other side a  a shower by the pool. It happened so fast I did not have time to move 

Crew members watching him come down.

The pilot being escorted to the bridge.

The helicopter base was on the terminal building next to where we docked

Many ships in this habor

Sun rise is beginning

My bird identification app says thsi is a Red-footed Falcon

The pilot helicopter taking off again to go to another ship.

They had passion-fruit in the restaurant

Supplies being delivered to the dock to loading on the ship

We had to go through a face-to-face meeting with South African  immigration.

The wine Cellar-Master checking arriving wine.

Durban Millenium Tower

A vehicle carrier arrived after us.

Many automobiles in the lots around the harbor. 

Excursion  and shuttle buses lines up

Another  cruise ship - the MSC Orchestra was in port

Low tide revealed a sandbar in the harbor.

Pilot helicopter returning to base

Street markets.

The horse race track

Moses Mabhida stadium was  built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

View of the city from a viewpoint

We drove north up the cost. We saw the ocean with it's heavy surf

We went to  The Oyster Box for High Tea

Back to the ship

Getting ready to have the pilot picked up after we leave the harbor.

Helicopter getting ready to take off.

out of the habor

Sailing away from Durban.

fog setting in along the shoreline

getting ready for sunset.