Skip the queues, chaos and stress of shopping for the perfect mothers present and opt to spend meaningful time with your mother instead.
Here’s a guide to Mother’s Day experiences in and around KZN for inspiration:
A day at the nursery
Vibrant flowers stand out among the various shades of green at Driefontein Garden Centre, an oasis of colour in the middle of The Litchi Orchard, in Salt Rock. The reputable nursery with its knowledgeable staff offers an array of garden features and its signature plants include wide varieties of bougainvillea, hibiscus and roses. It is a tropical haven and a treasure to explore. For mothers with green fingers, a morning of milling about a nursery loading trolleys with their favorite plants sound like the ideal treat.
End it all off with lunch at the Delish Sisters Cafe, another gem nestled in the Litchi Orchard. From pecan crusted french toast to chai infused rolled oats, their menu boasts unique breakfast options that stray away from the standard eggs on toast. For their lunchtime harvest table, they offer a smorgasbord of fresh, wholesome dishes using seasonal ingredients.
Opening hours are: 8.30am to 11am from Tuesday to Sunday for breakfast and 12pm to 3pm for their harvest table lunch. Thereafter, from 3pm to 4pm they are open for tea, coffee and even a sweet treat from the delish cake fridge. Contact 0328150413 or 0835832943 for more information.
The Holiday Express Train Sunday 13 May to Scottburgh
Who doesn’t enjoy the rhythmic rattling of a train in motion and the blur of passing scenery as you head to an exciting destination. Treat mom to a memorable train ride that the whole family will enjoy too., The Holiday Express takes passengers to seaside towns boasting breathtaking views this Mother’s day. The train departs from the Premier Business Lounge, on Sunday, May 13 from Durban Station at 9.00am, and will return from Scottburgh before 5.00pm. To make the day even more special, have a cosy beach picnic with a packed basket filled with Mom’s favourite treats. Prices range from R280 per person and R230 per for children and pensioners. Visit theholidayexpress.co.za for details on bookings.
Botha's Hill Arts, Crafts Mother's Day Market
The Bothas Hill Food and Craft Market, situated on Old Main Road in Bothas Hill, offers a range of quirky stalls selling all sorts of goods. From vegan delights and sushi bars to kiddies play areas, pony rides and face painting, there’s sure to be something for entire family. To celebrate Mother’s day, bring along a hand drawn picture of you and your mom and claim a free gift for her. For more details, visit www.facebook.com/bothashillmarket/.
High Tea
Operating from an old school ‘Berea-style’ house, turned restaurant, Antique cafe is located in a conservatory between two listed buildings in Windemere. The charming restaurant has exposed beams, chandeliers, mismatched wooden tables and chairs and vintage objects which contribute to a warm and cosy vibe. On a sunny day, you can opt to sit under the trees in the pretty courtyard. For R190 per person, you can celebrate mother’s day with a delicious high tea spread of savoury and sweet treats, including their iconic bee sting cake. Visit http://www.antiquecafe.co.za/ for details on bookings.
Salsa dancing
Although mother’s day is on the Sunday, a Thursday evening dance class with RedSalsa is the perfect way to get the celebrations started. Dancing is a fun way to let loose and get fit at the same time. They run classes once weekly - every Thursday evening at Zack's Windermere, Morningside. The duration of one course is eight weeks covering two classes per evening - one of them is Salsa from 6.30pm and the other is Kizomba or Bachata from 7.30pm. The cost of the entire course R800, including the 2 classes per evening. For more information on Durban Red Salsa, phone 076-356-5380.