Lerato returns to her Sunnyside shared flat while I take a taxi to Mamelodi where I live. On arriving home, I dial Bolaji again for a proper briefing of the cost of the Durban trip.

"I beg, give me proper lowdown in rand and cents. This is not a small matter."

"Booking early for hotel rooms is important at this time of the year. People rush to the coasts with lots of cash. A hustler like you will be smart to get your budgeting right. But there are hotels and holiday houses for all classes of tourists."

"Do you think ten thousand rand will be enough for us?"

"For how long?"

"A week or so." Any estimate above ten thousand will make me reduce the number of days.

"Umm...more or less. Ten thousand should help to some extent, especially when you cut cost. Things are generally overpriced during the festive periods, but you'll learn to avoid expensive stuff."

"Thank you, man. I'll go through again."

"Keep cool and enjoy your stay there."

Chatting with Bolaji clears all doubts that I can go with Lerato. In fact, it crosses my mind to take a trip to Durban this November, just to get familiar before the actual trip. I can learn how things are priced and, more importantly, I'll check out the places to avoid. This experimental trip shouldn't cost me more than a thousand rand since I'll be alone.

Friday evening, November 24, 2017, I grab my travelling bag and head to the Bossman station to take a night bus from Pretoria to Durban. Little do I know that my first trip to the place will be an eye-opening one.