By Refilwe Kekana
Travelling with a toddler means packing more than you think you’ll need and accepting that your carefully made plans might change at any moment. Our KwaZulu-Natal getaway was no exception. With Umhlanga as our base, we explored Durban, spent time on the beach and headed towards Ballito for lunch. There were ocean views, good food and a few toddler tantrums along the way.
I had been looking forward to a coastal break with my daughter, Khai, and my nephew. What I hadn’t expected was how much fun I would have following her lead. An aquarium visit became a singalong, and a planned lunch turned into an afternoon of arcade games.
Touching down in Durban
At King Shaka International Airport, we collected the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ Cruiser that would take us around during our stay.
Anyone who has travelled with a toddler knows it can feel as though you have packed half your house. Thankfully, the boot had plenty of room for our luggage and Khai’s extras.
The FJ Cruiser was comfortable and spacious. We collected it with a full tank and only needed to refuel at the end of the trip. My one complaint? The windows weren’t tinted.
Our apartment at Ridgeside Residence in Umhlanga Ridge was beautiful, with a clean, contemporary feel and space to settle in comfortably.
Then there was the ocean view. That was the reminder I needed that we were away from home and could switch off. After freshening up, we headed to RocoMamas for dinner, then returned for some much-needed rest.
Baby Shark comes to life at uShaka
The next morning, we headed to uShaka Marine World. The aquarium quickly became one of Khai’s highlights.
The moment she saw the sharks, she started singing Baby Shark. Watching her break into song was almost as entertaining as watching what was swimming behind the glass. The sharks she knew from a song were right in front of her, and she couldn’t contain her excitement.
Then she spotted a fish that looked like Dory from Finding Nemo. Another familiar face, another excited toddler moment. I found myself paying as much attention to her reactions as to the exhibits.
Afterwards, we went to 9th Avenue Marina at Durban’s yacht mole for lunch before returning to the apartment. That evening, we ordered takeaways and stayed in. With a toddler along, a quiet evening can be exactly what everyone needs.
TSandcastles and a change of plans
The following morning, my nephew dropped Khai and me off at the beach. We built sandcastles, chased waves and enjoyed the ocean.
Honestly, I felt like a little girl myself. For a while, I forgot about the itinerary and simply played in the sand with my baby.
Eventually, we walked to a nearby ice cream spot. Because, obviously, no beach day is complete without ice cream.
Next was Oceans Mall, where we planned to have lunch at Spur. But near the entrance, we spotted The Magic Company. Khai was having none of this “let’s stick to the plan” business. Once she saw the games, lunch had to wait.
A quick stop became a proper play session. We played games, laughed and lost track of time.
Leaving was another story. Khai cried, threw a tantrum and made it clear she wasn’t done. After some negotiation and a little mommy strength, I managed to get her out. We finally reached Spur for a very late lunch.
Back at the apartment, my nephew soon headed out to Rockets. And because I’m just a girl in her 30s who also wanted to live a little, I had a tiny bit of FOMO.
Still, I wouldn’t have changed my decision to bring Khai. We watched cartoons, finished our leftovers and called it a night.
Prawn curry and sea views near Ballito
TThe next day, we headed to Two Shrimps Dining at Canelands Beach Club & Spa. The deck, pool and ocean view made it easy to settle in for a leisurely lunch. The staff were friendly and accommodating, especially with Khai. Her bolognese went down well, always a win when feeding a toddler on holiday.
I had been craving curry and seafood. Thankfully, the prawn curry gave me both. It was packed with flavour, while my nephew enjoyed his prawns so much he couldn’t stop complimenting the chef. The chocolate brownie with ice cream was delicious too.
Taking the little moments home
The following morning, it was time to fly home. I remember Khai’s Baby Shark performance, her excitement at spotting Dory and our fun on the beach. Even the arcade tantrum has become part of our holiday memories, although I wasn’t amused at the time.
Taking my baby along reminded me how much fun there is in the things adults so often hurry past.
