Attractions
The Holiday Express Train Ride Experience
We sent our contributor, Shelley Ferreira to experience a train trip with The Holiday Express to the Shongweni Market!
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My best memory of travelling on a train was when I took a trip from Durban to Cape Town with my family when I was just 11 years old. I remember being so excited, running from carriage to carriage with friends I had made on board. There was just something about trains that made the experience super exciting!
So you can imagine how ecstatic I was when being given the opportunity to catch The Holiday Express train to the Shongweni Market! I had also never been to the market, too – which I have no idea why!
Arriving at the Durban Station, we mingled a bit and relaxed with a good cup of coffee before we were told it was time to board the train. We picked our seats and got ready for the trip to begin. I was surprised at how comfy the chairs on the train were with proper recline seats!
As the train left, I immediately ran to the window to snap pictures like an excited little kid. I kept pointing to Nick everytime I saw something interesting!
When we arrived at Shongweni Station, we were transferred to the market via a bus. I was impressed with the size of the Shongweni Market, with so many stalls, a huge selection of food, decor and clothes. I was in pure heaven! I also noticed that a lot of people had brought their furballs with them, which made me think to take my little chihuahua with me next time.
We grabbed a bite to eat the market and walked around. Before we knew it, It was time to head back to the bus for our transfer back to the train. I was sad to be heading back home, but also couldn’t wait for the ride which was the most exciting part of the whole experience!
All in all, the train itself was an incredibly epic adventure! There’s even a bar on board, with snacks and beverages available. I’m so looking forward to the next one with The Holiday Express, that’s for sure!
SCOTTBURGH
We sent our second contributor, Candice Buckle to review the trip to Scottburgh on a Sunday morning. Here’s what she had to say:
On Sunday, mom and I went for our first travel adventure together, taking the Holiday Express train and heading south to Scottburgh. There’s nothing quite like hanging out with your mother. She’s basically you, just older and wiser and with a larger collection of stories.
As we boarded the train, parked in the eerie, speckled station, we were greeted by friendly staff who made the entire journey that much more pleasant. They made jokes, offered to relieve us of the burden of taking selfies, and showed us the way to hot chocolate and other decadent snacks. Against a background of jiving music, my mother and I sang along as we set off for our journey.
I listened the whole way there as my mom told me about her childhood, most of which took place in the areas we were passing. I also learnt that my great, great, great grandfather was the station master at Montclair station, which I thought was pretty cool. Although mom didn’t have a lot herself, she would hide her clothes from her less well-off friends when they came to visit, so they wouldn’t feel inadequate.
She told me how her best friend and her 5 siblings all drove around in a beat up Kombi, its floor devoured by rust so you could see the road beneath your feet as you drove. She thought car trips with them were such fun. I think my mother may be one of the most fascinating human beings on this planet because of the little details she finds fascinating herself. She’s also incredibly humble and of course, somewhat hilarious.
On route, we were reminded of just how destitute some parts of our country are. Not that we ever forgot, but sometimes it takes seeing it in person for it to hit home, us two now Umhlanga residents. We saw piles of colourful litter towering towards the sky, complementing the graffiti splattered on the walls. We saw people taking shelter under tents and plastic bags. It was both humbling and sad.
As we neared off to Scottburgh, the sand and seas stretched out on the left of us and we were amazed at the natural, untouched beauty of our coastline.
When we arrived, we decided to head straight for the beach. It was an overcast, breezy day, but I’ve always liked this weather for everything feels open and honest, with no guise-like sun to obscure the view. We ate seafood at John Dory’s, and then sat on the rocky shore and looked pensively into the ocean. We then hiked up the hill to the Blue Marlin hotel where we slurped on milk shakes before boarding the train once more.
The Holiday Express is an ideal family trip – whether it’s just you and your mom, or the whole family. It’s also perfect for couples looking for an unique date activity!
Follow The Holiday Express on Facebook to keep up to date on their next destinations:
www.facebook.com/theholidayexpresstrain
Author: Durbanite
Attractions
Splashy Fen 2025: An Inspiring Long Weekend of Music, Magic, and Memories in the Drakensberg
Splashy Fen Music Festival has officially wrapped, and by all accounts, the 2025 edition was the most magical one yet. From the moment the gates opened on Thursday, 17 April to the last note played on Sunday night, 8,000 festival-goers soaked up four glorious days of sunshine, music, and connection in the heart of the Southern Drakensberg.
After a few days of pre-festival rain, the weather turned just in time to welcome fans to South Africa’s friendliest music festival. The sunshine held strong throughout the weekend, setting the tone for what would become an unforgettable Easter celebration filled with laughter, dancing, and community.
A SOLD-OUT FESTIVAL FROM DAY ONE
By Thursday evening, over 5,500 happy campers had already made their way into the scenic Splashy Fen farm, with the festival officially reaching full capacity the day before the gates even opened. The 2025 edition was officially opened by Cllr. T.N. Jojozi, Deputy Mayor of the Harry Gwala District Municipality, who welcomed guests on behalf of the Harry Gwala Development Agency.
Thursday night kicked off with the first wave of live performances and set the tone for the weekend.
From there, the lineup only got hotter.
DAYS OF MUSIC AND MAGIC
Friday and Saturday were packed with showstopping performances across the multiple stages. Local heroes like Ard Matthews, Hot Water, Veranda Panda, and Prime Circle brought the heat, while the Main Stage turned electric with international artists including the UK’s Youngr, a surprise performance from Casey Lowery, Ireland’s Darren Kiely, and Canada’s Neon Dreams.
Mafikizolo delivered a legendary Saturday night set that brought thousands to their feet, and GoodLuck closed out the evening with a high-energy performance that had the whole crowd bouncing.
Away from the stages, festival-goers enjoyed the full Splashy experience: sunrise yoga, trail runs, live art, craft workshops, and plenty of family-friendly fun. The popular Kids Zone was buzzing with activity, and the Saturday afternoon Splashy Parade was a visual feast of stilt-walkers, dragons, fire breathers, and whimsical characters.
At the Corona River Stage, guests kicked back in the sun to chilled tunes by the water, while a bustling craft market and food court offered up everything from gourmet bites to handmade treasures.
A SUNDAY TO REMEMBER
Easter Sunday was pure joy. The day began with a peaceful morning service hosted by Red Frogs SA at the tranquil Treehouse Stage, followed by a fun-filled Easter egg hunt for the little ones—complete with games, giggles, and surprise eggs from the Easter Bunny herself.
Music lovers made their way to the Acoustic Stage for the much-loved Legends of the Fen showcase. Featuring iconic acts like Cinema, Perez, and more, the session reminded everyone why Splashy Fen holds such a special place in South Africa’s music history.
As the sun dipped behind the Drakensberg mountains, the Main Stage roared to life for one final night of performances, closing out the weekend with soaring vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and thunderous applause.
“Our legs are sore, our voices are gone, but our hearts? FULL,” read a Monday morning post from Splashy Fen’s official social media page. “Shoutout to every artist who brought the fire at Main Stage last night, and every fan who screamed every word. What a way to end #Splashy2025!”
THE BEST ONE YET
With four full days of world-class music, family-friendly fun, and community connection in one of the most beautiful festival locations in the world, Splashy Fen 2025 has earned its title as the best one yet.
For more information and to stay up to date on 2026 tickets and artist announcements, visit www.splashyfen.co.za or follow @splashyfenfest on Instagram and Facebook.
Author: Shelley
It’s fresh, bright and chockfull of surprises! It’s the 2025 East Coast Radio House & Garden Show, and we’re talking fresh spaces. bright living! A giant breath of fresh air will sweep through the Durban Exhibition Centre when the Show rolls out from Friday 28 June to Sunday 6 July.
fresh spaces. bright living is all about how to tweak or transform your home into one which brings you joy, and allows you to be you! Whether it’s little touches of stylish decor or large sweeps of bold colour and pattern, you’ll leave the Show bursting with new skills from the experts, bright ideas from different brands… and loads of goodies and parcels. Jump on board, the 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show promises to fill your head with creativity to create your own fresh spaces. bright living.
Calling all cooks and homemakers!
This year’s Test Kitchen is the kitchen of the future! Hirsch is at the helm and The Kitchen Studio is creating a space that’ll knock your socks off. Top celebrity chefs (surprises up our sleeve), fabulous personalities (guess who?), crazy cooks (laughter is the best medicine)… the line-up is as long as it is sensational! If cooking’s your happy place, the Hirsch kitchen is the only place to be.
The 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is going to be child’s play!
This is Durban’s true family show, and we’ve got you well covered for the first week of the school holidays! From littlelies to larger, this year’s kids zone has mushroomed into its own dedicated hall, and has way, way more of what they love! And parents, this one’s for you. Drop and shop – there’s now a super-safe, well supervised drop-off zone, so you can do your thing, while they do theirs. A dedicated Kids Zone in the Coast of Dreams, with a whacky wonderland of activities. Packed with fun, yet competitive, activities and challenges, teens can put their skills to the test! From the incredible Monster Manor to fairytale characters to face-painting, wrestling and bowling, the kids just won’t want to go home.
The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is always full of winners…
And why shouldn’t it be you? With competitions big and small, you could carry home anything from the coolest kitchen appliance to the hottest sound system, a tantalising voucher to something or somewhere sensational or bags full of your favourite products.
This season, the Show is shining a full spotlight on fresh spaces, bright living, both outdoors and in! Plants, landscaping and new tricks and tools for garden lovers; boys’ toys and bits and bobs for outdoor lovers; and goodies and gadgets for those who live to braai! Renovating, restoring or dreaming of adventure, the Show will take you where you want to go.
We can’t wait to see you there!
www.housegardenshow.co.za
Author: Shelley
The Supertech Torque Motoring Festival is set to return to Dezzi Raceway on April 19th and 20th, 2025.
This annual event, organized by the Supertech Group, promises a weekend filled with high-speed action, family-friendly activities, and entertainment.
Event Highlights:
- Hot Laps & Drifting: Experience the thrill of high-speed laps and drifting exhibitions.
- Custom Dip Experience: Showcases of vehicle customization and styling.
- BMW M Driving Experience Show: A display of BMW’s performance vehicles in action.
- Spin Show Extravaganza: Professional drivers performing precision stunts.
- Official BMW Merchandise Pop-Up Store: Exclusive merchandise available for purchase.
- Circuit Racing Action: Competitive racing events featuring various classes.
- Stunt Shows & Historic Feats: Daring performances and record attempts.
- Helicopter Flips: Aerial tours offering a unique perspective of the event.
- Torque Fashion Show & Concours: A blend of automotive excellence and fashion.
- Miniature Radio-Control Car Track: Interactive activities for all ages.
- M Lounge: An exclusive area for Supertech M & M Performance customers.
- VIP Hospitality Lounge: Premium services and amenities for VIP guests.
- Family Fun Time: Activities and entertainment suitable for families.
Ticket Information:
- General Access: R200 (Available Online)
- Kids (Under 10 Years): Free (Available Online)
- VIP Access: R1500 (Includes private viewing deck, seating, complimentary snacks, and beverages)
- Hot Laps: R300 (Available exclusively on the MySupertechWorld App)
- Drift Rides: R350 (Available exclusively on the MySupertechWorld App)
- Helicopter Flips: R750 (Available exclusively on the MySupertechWorld App)
Daily Schedule:
Saturday, April 19th:
- 09:00 AM – 09:45 AM: Circuit Racing – Session 1
- 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Hot Laps
- 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Drifting Show
- 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Drift Rides
- 01:00 PM – 01:45 PM: Spinning Show
- 02:00 PM – 02:45 PM: Stunt Show – SA Record Attempt
- 03:00 PM – 03:45 PM: Circuit Racing – Session 2
- 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM: Auction
- 04:00 PM – 04:30 PM: Fashion Show
- 04:45 PM – 05:00 PM: M Car Convoy Parade Lap
Sunday, April 20th:
- 09:00 AM – 09:45 AM: Circuit Racing – Session 1
- 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Hot Laps
- 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Drifting Show
- 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Drift Rides
- 01:00 PM – 01:45 PM: Spinning Show
- 02:00 PM – 02:45 PM: Stunt Show – SA Record Attempt
- 03:00 PM – 03:45 PM: Circuit Racing – Session 2
- 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM: Fashion Show
Additional Information:
To enhance the festival experience, attendees are encouraged to download the MySupertechWorld App, which offers exclusive access to certain tickets and up-to-date event information. The festival is designed to cater to all ages, making it an ideal outing for families, car enthusiasts, and those seeking a weekend of excitement.
For more details and ticket purchases, visit the official Supertech Group website or follow their social media channels for the latest updates.
Don’t miss out on this premier motoring event that brings together speed, style, and entertainment in one exhilarating festival.
Author: Shelley
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