Entertainment

The Ultimate Relationship Test: River Rafting with Liquid Adventures

Published

10 years ago

20 April 2016

Tee

River rafting. The words have always excited me but I have never been brave enough to take the plunge. The idea of going down a river, over water falls, rocks, rapids and beating currents is quite unnerving but when a river rafting expedition of a lifetime presented itself I had to push myself out of my comfort zone and give it a go! Liquid Adventures run by Graeme, is situated on the Umkomaas River at the Hella Hella Outdoor Adventure Centre which is just outside Richmond (approx. 1 ½ hours from Durban.) You can make a day of your adventure or if you prefer, an entire weekend. They can accommodate groups as well as individuals for birthdays, corporate team buildings, bulls or hens parties (for the adventurous ladies out there!), which can include ½ day trips, full day trips. But that’s not all, a lamb-on-the-spit, paintball and even mountain biking can be arranged. The Umko (as we fondly call it) boasts grade 3 rapids which step-up to grade 4 if there has been sufficient rain.

With this knowledge on hand off our awesome-foursome set (me with my long sleeve top, sunblock, takkies, cozzie and towel… like the very unprofessional paddler I was!)

On arrival we were met by Tarryn – the photographer for the day. She was very cool, calm and collected which immediately calmed my nerves. If Tarryn isn’t worried, how hard can this actually be… right? Once kitted with helmets and life jackets, (safety comes first) we piled into the Liquid Adventure bakkie and headed down to the river for a safety induction on what to do and what not to do in our inflatable 2 man canoe.

There was no turning back now.

Just my luck, everyone else had done this before which left me feeling a bit daft, but no sooner were we paddling off towards our first obstacle of the day, a waterfall (A WATERFALL?!) No fear though, Graeme was with us every step of the way (phew!) demonstrating with his team the best way to approach going over the waterfall and thereafter one by one, each pair set off to conquer! This was how each obstacle was approached hereon after. I think Graeme could probably smell the fear on me and so kindly offered to take me down the waterfall himself. He made it seem so easy and it was then that I realised, “Hey, this isn’t so bad, it’s actually quite fun!” and so, with regained confidence I rejoined my partner (and fiancé).

I really liked the fact that there were guides with us along the way who were such a big help when we lost our groove, the river can be a dangerous place and you have to be careful at all times. I also enjoyed the orderly fashion which everyone went down the river – one by one – and that there were plenty of stops between paddling to have a rest, catch up with the group and have some refreshments.

With the drought we are all experiencing at the moment, the water level was a bit low and as such there were quite a lot of rocks to contend with. This had us stretching, bouncing and generally doing moves… not quite like Jagger. But at the end of the day we were laughing at ourselves and reminiscing on our awesome adventure which included rock jumping (for those brave enough) as well as zip-lining.

My favourite part has got to be the incredible views and the ice cold Savannah Dry at the end! I also have a new respect for every paddler out there!

Half a day later, my fiancé and I did it, we made it down the river without killing each other! We weathered the rocky bits, encouraged each other through the rough currents and worked together as a team. It is safe to say that we have been put through the ultimate relationship test and can officially get married now!

Our mates Taryn and Lyle joined us on this adventure and as they had done river rafting before, I asked for a comment on their experience, this is what Lyle had to say:

“Having experienced river rafting before, I had a fair idea of what I was getting into when accepting the invite to raft the Umkomaas. That said, there was still a level of trepidation when you’re unloading the rafts and getting all your gear together before hitting the water. One of the highlights of this type of rafting is that you are not ‘ferried’ down the river by a guide (as is the case with a lot of river rafting tours). Two seater Croc inflatables are your craft and you’re left to steer, paddle and decide your lines. This adds to the adrenaline as if you come off, it will be entirely your own fault. For those who are now thinking this sounds bit too much, never fear! You disembark at each graded rapid to review the conditions and the guides give you suggestions on the best lines. If you are not comfortable then you can choose to either be taken down by one of the guides or to skip the rapid entirely. Overall I really enjoyed the trip. The rafting was still a lot of fun, even with the lower water levels. The guides were more than competent and we were kept sated with regular biltong and juice stops. The midway stop, where one can rock jump and foofy slide, is a good alternative activity. I would certainly recommend trying this out and will probably be on the water again sooner rather than later.”

Thank you to Graeme and team for the fantastic day out and to Tarryn Groberlar for the photies! We look forward to seeing again soon!

Contact info.

Website: www.liquidadventures.info

Cell: +27 (0)824945660

Email: info@liquidadventures.info

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Liquid-Adventures-353134388126853

Author: Tee

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Entertainment

A Celebration of Love – KZN Philharmonic

Published

2 weeks ago

7 February 2026

Carla Wynne

Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra at a magical afternoon concert set in the tranquil surrounds of St Agnes Church, Kloof.

“A Celebration of Love” conducted by Chad Hendricks, brings together lush orchestral music with romantic favourites, and two outstanding soloists, Njabulo Nzuza and Andile Ndlela for an uplifting Valentine’s experience.

The concert includes music by Mozart, Dvorák, and Tchaikovsky, alongside well-loved classics such as Moon River, Can’t Help Falling in Love, Make You Feel My Love, Beneath Your Beautiful, and South African favourites.

Food stalls will be available offering pizza, mocktails, and sweet & savoury love boxes, creating a relaxed and festive Valentine’s afternoon.

Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends, or simply your love of beautiful music, this concert promises an elegant and heartfelt afternoon.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, 14 February
Time: 16h30
Venue: St Agnes Church, 53 Abelia Road, Kloof
Tickets: from R100 & available via Quicket

Make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable with live music, romance, and the magic of the Orchestra.

Stand a chance to WIN two tickets to the Valentines Day Concert – A Celebration of Love with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra valued at R300 -> ENTER HERE <-

Author: Carla Wynne

Just a 30something plant mom, nature enthusiast and happy wife, adventuring through Durbs and life!🌻🌿🤍✨

Attractions

Familie Fest 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

5 February 2026

mrjoelmagic

Familie Fest 2026 Brings Live Music and Family Fun to Hillcrest

Everything You Need to Know About Familie Fest 2026

Familie Fest arrives in Hillcrest for a full weekend of live music, family-friendly entertainment and relaxed festival energy, taking place on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May 2026 at NU Driving Range.

Designed as an all-ages outdoor music festival, Familie Fest brings together South African artists, open space, activities for kids and adults, and a format that allows families and friend groups to spend the entire day together without feeling rushed.

Event Details

Date: Friday 29 & Saturday 30 May 2026
Venue: NU Driving Range Fields, Hillcrest
Time: From 10am daily
Age Restriction: All ages
Bar Area: Over 18s only

Tickets available via:
• Familie Fest Website
• Webtickets
• Utickets

Ticket Pricing

• Kids under 4: Free
• Kids 4–12: From R129
• Teens 13–17: From R145
• Adults: From R199 to R245

Group Ticket Specials

• Buy 5 tickets, get 1 free: R1,250
• Buy 9 tickets, get 1 free: R2,100

Group tickets are limited and valid for adults or kids.

Camping add-ons are available separately and include access to a secure camp zone with toilets, showers, lighting and security.

Line-up (More to Be Announced)

The initial line-up includes a mix of established and popular South African acts:

• Francois van Coke
• Kurt Darren
• Van Pletzen
• Veranda Panda
• Appel

Friday features acoustic-focused sessions, while Saturday hosts the main acts. Additional artists will be announced closer to the event.

What to Expect

Familie Fest is structured as a full-day festival rather than an evening-only concert, with gates opening at 10am and activities running throughout the day and into the evening.

Across the festival grounds, attendees can expect:
• Live music performances
• A dedicated kids zone
• Arts and crafts activities
• Food and drink vendors
• Potjie competitions
• Access to the driving range
• Putt putt, go-karts and paintball
• Optional secure camping facilities

The layout allows families to spread out, relax and move between music, activities and rest areas at their own pace.

What You Can and Can’t Bring

Allowed:
Umbrellas, camp chairs, blankets, gazebos, bags, towels, baby gear.

Not Allowed:
Cooler boxes, outside food and drink, weapons, fireworks, sound systems, pets, sports or play equipment, bikes or braais.

Camp Zone Only:
Cooler boxes, food and drink, and braais are permitted within the designated camping area.

Why Familie Fest Works

Familie Fest positions itself as a genuinely inclusive festival, catering to families with young children, teens, and adults who want to enjoy live music without the pressure of a late-night-only format. With space to move, activities beyond the main stage, and a line-up that appeals across age groups, it offers a different kind of festival experience for the KZN calendar.

For families looking to introduce kids to live music, groups planning a social weekend, or anyone wanting an outdoor festival that runs at a comfortable pace, Familie Fest ticks all the right boxes.

Author: mrjoelmagic

Art

BUMP & GRIND this Valentines!

Published

3 weeks ago

26 January 2026

Carla Wynne

Durban comedy favourites Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert-McIlroy return to The Rhumbelow Theatre, in Umbilo this Valentines weekend with their new musical comedy – BUMP & GRIND, a high-energy musical sketch comedy that delivers a riotous mix of song, dance, quick-fire character comedy and heart.

Expect new characters, old favourites, and a soundtrack packed with thumping hits as McIlroy and Bobbert once again deliver their trademark blend of side-splitting humour, larger-than-life personalities, and musical mayhem!

Back by popular demand are Bruce and Charmaine as unforgettable Elvis impersonators, Dot and Max settling into the chaos of retirement village life, and everyone’s favourite philosopher of the people, Dr Veejay, offering his “words of wisdom.” Add in a host of hilarious new faces, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for Valentines fun!

Directed and choreographed by the sensational Daisy Spencer, Bump and Grind promises to keep audiences on their feet — or rolling in the aisles — with laughter, music, and McIlroy & Bobbert’s unbeatable comic chemistry.

Venue: The Rhumbelow Theatre, Umbilo
Dates: Friday 13 & Saturday 14 Feb – 7:30pm (doors open 6pm) | Sunday 15 Feb 2026 – 2pm (doors open 12.30pm)
Tickets: From R180pp
Bookings: Webtickets

Other Info to Note: