It’s the letter “E” today (05-09-2014) on the KZN Hub. My photo is “Ebb Tide” taken at Moyo Pier, uShaka Beach – Durban South Africa.
Ebb Tide – the period between high tide and low tide during which water flows away from the shore. The receding or outgoing tide. The period between high water and the succeeding low water.
Canon 6D, 24-105mm, F9, 20 sec, ISO 100
Last night Timol left me at home all alone. I had prior knowledge of this so I visited a local store for some supplies before arriving home. I was out of Famous Grouse so had to make do with red wine. Here is what went down.
The “basic” recipe is here and my photos are shown below.
Visit Potjiekosworld and read about our South African culture “When the first Dutch settlers arrived in the Cape, they brought with them their ways of cooking food in heavy cast iron pots, which hung from the kitchen hearth above the fire.
Long before the arrival of the early settlers in the Cape, the Bantu people who were migrating into South Africa, learned the use of the cast iron cooking pot from Arab traders and later the Portuguese colonists.
These cast iron pots were able to retain heat well and only a few coals were needed to keep the food simmering for hours. They were used to cook tender roasts and stews, allowing steam to circulate inside instead of escaping through the lid.
The ingredients were relatively simple, a fatty piece of meat, a few potatoes and some vegetables were all that was needed to cook a delightful meal.” Read more here.
My step-by-step mutton curry potjie recipe is here.
I set about cooking a mutton & vegetable potjie this past weekend. The images below, in order of ingredients added, tell their own story.
This is value-for-money type cooking as the “tougher” type meats are ideal.
Cooking is slow and sociable as persons present can gather around the pot, which is usually outside, and tell stories / sip on a glass of wine / beer.
Visit Potjiekosworld and read about our South African culture.
Here is a taster from them: “When the first Dutch settlers arrived in the Cape, they brought with them their ways of cooking food in heavy cast iron pots, which hung from the kitchen hearth above the fire.
Long before the arrival of the early settlers in the Cape, the Bantu people who were migrating into South Africa, learned the use of the cast iron cooking pot from Arab traders and later the Portuguese colonists.
These cast iron pots were able to retain heat well and only a few coals were needed to keep the food simmering for hours.
They were used to cook tender roasts and stews, allowing steam to circulate inside instead of escaping through the lid.
The ingredients were relatively simple, a fatty piece of meat, a few potatoes and some vegetables were all that was needed to cook a delightful meal.”
Read more here.
This morning, before our motorcycle ride, I said to my friend “I really feel like a big juicy & tasty beef burger”.
We went looking and I can now share a quick bit of valuable information about where to find the best & biggest beef burger in Durban (B&BBB).
I really fell compelled to share as I nearly fell off my chair today (shouting “wow!” a number of times) when the waitress brought the B&BBB (value for money) to our table.
It had colour, it was fresh (meat & other ingredients) and it tasted superb (I didn’t even have to add the usual chilli sauce). My friend and a couple of other patrons were hugely impressed with what they saw. The word “whopper” was used.
After eating the B&BBB, I went home for a lovely 2 hour power-nap; content knowing that breakfast lunch and dinner were now all taken care of in one foul swoop.
Although I only have a number of low quality Blackberry photos to get my point across; I believe they are of sufficient quality for you to be the judge.
I have photos of two major & well-known food outlets (Wimpy & Spur whose online photos look so lovely), as well as a contender from North Durban in Umhlanga: The George.
The George doesn’t seem to have a nice website with photos, but I’m sure the owner will soon let me know if there is one.
Not included in the “best & biggest beef burger in Durban” competition are Mc Donalds, Steers, Beach Bums (a very strong contender, if not 2nd place) and a few other joints.
You be the judge and be sure to let me know your verdict!
This post about my visit to Delhi was inspired by another blog “Shankar Market, Old Delhi and the Weekend” – click, visit and see some more lovely photos with great colours.
Also see “Where the guys gives roses” by the same author.
I ventured out the office today shortly after midday to experiment a little and get some fresh air.
Here are some photos I took in Kloof.
This post is followed by “Another mini-expedition in Kloof, Durban”.
Whilst reading THE CULTUREUR this afternoon, I came across the post SPIRITUAL CHAOS ON THE HARIDWAR GHATS ALONG THE GANGES RIVER.
I immediately thought of Varansi (calm and chaos) and this inspired me to pull out some photos I recorded there during my last trip to India in 2011/2012.
I first went to India in 2009/10: see related blog here and some other photos here.
I have inserted my photos above, below and in between the comment by Wikipedia that enlightens us as follows “Varanasi (Hindustani pronunciation: [ʋaːˈraːɳəsi] (listen)), also commonly known as Benares, Banaras (Banāras [bəˈnaːrəs] (listen)) or Kashi (Kāśī [ˈkaːʃi] (listen)), is a city on the banks of the Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, 320 kilometres (200 mi) southeast of the state capital Lucknow.
It is regarded as a holy city by Hindus and Jains, and holiest of the seven most sacred Hindu cities (Sapta Puri), of its ancient historic, cultural and religious heritage. Hindus believe that death at Varanasi can bring salvation.
Body being transported to a ghat for cremation
It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the oldest in India.
Unfortunately many of its temples were subject to plundering and destruction by Mohammad Ghauri in the 12th century. The temples and religious institutions seen now in the city are mostly of the 18th century vintage.
The Kashi Naresh (Maharaja of Kashi) is the chief cultural patron of Varanasi and an essential part of all religious celebrations.
The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the River Ganges and the river’s religious importance.
The city has been a cultural and religious centre in North India for several thousand years and is one of the world’s most important religious centres with a history which transcends and unites most of the major world religions.
The Benares Gharanaform of the Indian classical music developed in Varanasi, and many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians resided or reside in Varanasi. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath located near Varanasi.
Varanasi is today considered to be the spiritual capital of India.Here scholarly books have been written.
Ramcharitmanas was composed by Tulsidas here while there is the temple Tulsi Manas Mandir that is famous here.
In addition to this, the largest residential University of Asia, Benares Hindu University is located here.
People often refer to Varanasi as “the city of temples”, “the holy city of India”, “the religious capital of India”, “the city of lights”, “the city of learning”, and “the oldest living city on earth.”
Ghats in Varanasi are an integral complimentary to the concept of divinity represented in physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements.
All the ghats are locations on “the divine cosmic road,” indicative of “its manifest transcendental dimension.” Varanasi has at least 84 ghats.
Steps in the ghats (ghats are embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions) lead to the banks of River Ganges, including the Dashashwamedh Ghat, the Manikarnika Ghat, the Panchganga Ghat and the Harishchandra Ghat (where Hindus cremate their dead).
Many ghats are associated with legends and several are now privately owned.Many of the ghats were built when the city was under Maratha control.
Marathas, Shindes (Scindias), Holkars, Bhonsles, and Peshwas stand out as patrons of present-day Varanasi.
Most of the ghats are bathing ghats, while others are used as cremation sites.
Flash not allowed at cremation ghat and my settings were off
Morning boat ride on the Ganges across the ghats is a popular visitors attraction. The miles and miles of ghats makes for the lovely river front with multitude of shrines, temples and palaces built “tier on tier above the water’s edge”.
The Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main and probably the oldest ghat of Varansi located on the Ganges, close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
It is believed that the god Brahma created it to welcome Shiva and he also sacrificed ten horses during Dasa -Ashwamedha yajna performed here.
Above the ghat and close to it, there are also temples dedicated to Sulatankesvara, Brahmesvara, Varahesvara, Abhaya Vinayaka, Ganga (the Ganges), and Bandi Devi which are part of important pilgrimage journeys.
A group of priests perform “Agni Pooja” (Worship to Fire) daily in the evening at this ghat as a dedication to Shiva, Ganga, Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire), and the whole universe.
Special aartis are held on Tuesdays and on religious festivals. The Manikarnika Ghat is the Mahasmasana (meaning: “great cremation ground”) and is the primary site for Hindu cremation in the city. Adjoining the ghat, there are raised platforms that are used for death anniversary rituals.
Flash not allowed at cremation ghat and my settings were off
It is said that an ear-ring (Manikarnika) of Shiva or his wife Sati fell here. According to a myth related to the Tarakesvara Temple, a Shiva temple at the ghat, Shiva whispers the Taraka mantra (“Prayer of the crossing”) in the ear of the dead.
Fourth-century Gupta period inscriptions mention this ghat. However, the current ghat as a permanent river side embankment was built in the 1302 and has been renovated at least thrice.”
I also found out that kite flying (or fighting) was important in Varanasi ; but even more so in Jaipur where the youngsters and adults ran around madly after fallen kites.
Emergency repairs
Fun in the afternoon
Rooftops were a hive of activity
She “shared” her puppies with me (rooftop of Suraj Guest House; the owner’s daughter)
Suraj Guest House is a good bet when looking for somewhere to stay
The owner was very helpful and accommodating – visit Suraj website here
No post about Varanasi would be complete if Ganga Fuji Restaurant was not mentioned. The owner Kailash asks that you design a “country of origin” poster for his wall
Lovely non-oily food and great entertainment
Some uninformed person called the food bland. The owner cooks exactly what you ask for i.e. freaking hot spicy or mild like a cucumber
Free entertainment
Bhai on drums!
Ganga Fuji was recommended by the owner of Suraj: good contacts usually recommend good contacts
Impromptu hair appointment
Roadside food stall
Outskirts of Varanasi – Chinese Buddhist temple at Sarnath
Sarnath is where Buddha gave his first sermon.
It was a lovely break from the hustle and bustle of Varanasi, but we will leave all of that for another day & post.
Some related posts you may be interested in:
Durga Puja, the Worship of the Hindu Goddess Durga, Returns to Calcutta, India (part 1)
A must watch documentary filmed at Varanasi:
On 3 November 2012 we were sure we could smell Turkey.
The plan was: a little stop in the UK on a farm, two weddings and then off to Istanbul.
On 16 November I disclosed that the visit to Turkey was “cold” and would just have to wait.
Despite this “setback”, Timol and I still had lots of fun in the few days on land and in air.
A little snack at Durban International Airport (King Shaka) was in order before we left.
I hadn’t been to Mugg & Bean in a while and was pleasantly surprised by what was served up and at a fair price.
I initially wasn’t going to eat but was soon tucking into everyone meals.
Didn’t have too much to eat as I was hoping to taste the yummy food on Emirates.
We were loaded up not too long after the air-hostesses who speak a multitude of languages.
I made sure that the meals were being loaded by Sky Chefs before I took my seat.
Up into the air we flew; bound for Dubai then the UK.
A good meal with some red wine helped settle us into the evening.
The selection of movies was vast and I had enough leg-room.
I watched three movies in a row before I got all “movied-out”.
Flying from Durban to India via Dubai on Emirates is OK, but the flight from Dubai to the UK (BHX) on this trip was a bit too long at 7 hours 50 min (Durban to Dubai is 8 hours 40 min). That’s over 16 hours of flying in a row.
I would rather fly direct next time thank you.
In the next post we will have a peep at the farm outside Birmingham where we stayed for one night.
And when I really get energetic, I will show some pics of London and the food inside Harrods.
Andrew Harvard Photography 