Picturesque sugarcane fields sadly are slowly being stripped to make way for new developments along the coastal and inland regions of Kwazulu Natal, as is the case when turning off the N3 to a hill in the Shongweni Valley where the Shongweni Farmers and Craft Market sits, overlooking the Kirk Falls.
I wore comfy walking shoes as this is a large market with loads to see. It is abuzz with locals and tourists, children having fun, and even fur babies coming to this market that caters to the entire family!
All things crafty greet one as you enter.
Local and a handful of traders from other African countries sell arts and crafts - wood, stone sculptures, and beaded work.
The artist will engrave the stonework on request.
African reed baskets, mats, hats, and decor on sale at various stalls. The air is quite fresh up that way, and this crafter is obviously feeling the cold.
Walking kept us warm!
Colourful knitted toys are sold by an elderly lady who was busily knitting her next creation in between selling!
The most stunning ceramics that is on sale at just one of the stalls.
Hand-painted decor
Wall Art
This one has seen better days - authentic vintage!
Note that we've been walking from stall to stall, from hall to hall, and I was super thankful for my comfy shoes.
These leather shoes are very stylish, but certainly not made for walking, and neither is this vintage dress.
Then there's the food, which I cannot walk you through now as it is way too much to process in one sitting; fresh produce, deli, artisanal baked goods, cheeses, smoked meats, homebrewed drinks, a large dining area, musicians performing on two stages, and fun activities for kids, plus a short nature trail.
The hunger pangs will have to be stilled next time!
It was a fun morning, I exceeded my modest goal of 7000 steps, but forgot to check again at the end of the day. We walked a LOT!
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