Richard's Bay, South Africa

We arrived after two days at sea – one of which was rainy, rocky and really windy, and the second which was beautiful, sunny and calm!
Richard's Bay is one of South Africa's largest harbors, and is situated on the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The terminal here is the largest coal export facility in the world. Our ship's tour took us through the newly built town of Richard's Bay into the outlying countryside. We saw field after field of planted Eucalyptus trees for miles around. The farther we got from the city, the more traditionally the countryside became – round homes with thatched and metal roofs. We visited Dumazulu Village, which is home to over 50 Zulu residents forming part of a 'living museum'. We were first welcomed by the locals by teaching us some native chants. Our guide invited us to meet the medicine man, learn about basket weaving, spear and shield making, bead work, pot making and traditional Zulu dancing. As is custom, the unmarried women go topless,. We learned that a groom must bring 11 cows to the bride's parents before marriage – a (costly) custom still held to today. It was really an amazing cultural experience! We returned to the ship and hoped a shuttle bus back to a shopping center in the city. It was a busy and huge place. A couple of white women we spoke to expressed their fears about South Africa and it's future – extremely high crime, no jobs and poor education. I know we'll learn more in the next few days about this fascinating country!