January 17 Cape Town, South Africa

Today we caught the boat to Robben Island. This is where the political prisoners during the Apartheid where held. Mandela was here for 18 years of his 27 year term in prison. On the 45 minute boat trip out I saw what I think were dolphins swimming past and lots of seal just floating with flippers up! There was even a whale! All the trips I have paid to see a whale and nothing... and here it was included!

The bus tour around the island and the tour of the prison were done by ex prisoners of the island. They did a great job of the tour telling us some personal stories. Then a tour of the prison itself. So difficult to imagine just what life, if you can say that, would have been like for these guys! They seem to have moved on with their lives... amazing people!


January 16 Cape Town, South Africa

After a 20 minute walk to the city centre we bought Hop on Hop off tickets. We had to walk through through the Green market square. This is full of stalls that are selling African things. All very nice but it it is the same as what we have already seen. This market used to be the place where the farmers brought their produce to sell to the boats!

This bus took us to the bottom of Table Mountain. So nice to get up it after watching it for 2 days. It has been closed due to 'gale force' winds. The wind has been 40 km/h with gusts to 60! Huge but last night I am sure the gusts were much higher!

The gondola holds about 30 people and turns as it goes up the mountain. Amazing views! Very busy at the top, lots of people around. So head off on one of the 'trails'. Actually they are concrete sidewalks.

There was a dazzie, and rodent of some sort. Tailless, sunning himself. The views from the top are amazing as well. I went for a 20 minute walk to MacClear's Beacon, the highest point on the mountain. Great walk. You can tell it can be windy as no trees, just low bushes. At one place there were some slough type reeds but in the low spots... but no water. It has been very dry. All great.

Back to the main area and had lunch at cafeteria.

Back down the mountain and onto the bus. We stopped at the harbour front. We did the harbour cruise. Only 30 minutes but nice. Lots of seals and they were resting in the large tires along the docks. The tires are used as bumpers for the boats.

Dinner at a seafood restaurant. Spending big time! lol I had mixed seafood platter with hake, calamari and mussels. $17. Excellent!
Too late to catch the bus back so taxi!


January 15 Cape Town, South Africa

An earlier start today! About 9! We don't want to rush anything.
We walked a couple of blocks to the District 6 Museum. This is a museum dedicated to the people of this area of the city that were force-ably moved to another area about 25/30 km away because they were of non-white race and the government decided that it should be a white only area. The community was made up of many different races which lived very well side by side and together.

Churches and mosques next to each other, teams and band of all colours! Shocking that the government decided to separate them to new areas of similar race....breaking up the community. It was very well done. The museum is staffed by people who lived there. The guy at the front was in a band and made a movie interviewing several people. Another lady lived there and her family would have been separated as her father was black and her mother was not!

Then another short walk to the Castle. At first thought it was a fort, as many fort like things - moat, large gate and many rooms including an arsenal and barracks, but there were some very fancy rooms as well. We arrived just in time to see the 'key ceremony' which is the getting of the key from the Governor and opening the front gate. The ceremony included the setting off of a small 1/2 pound cannon ( that is the shot size). Very interesting, the local cannon club does the presentation!

Then a short walk through the flower market and then into the Slave Lodge. This building was build in the 1600s and was used as housing for slaves waiting for auction. The slaves were African, Indonesian, Sri Lankin, and Malaysian. We basically got kicked out at 5 pm. But that is ok.... bit of an overload on museums todays. We walked through the Company's Garden and then headed back to apartment. Along the way we found this great little restaurant that had an eclectic interior and funky dressed staff. The owner loved to chat as well. The food was excellent! A short walk back and down for the night!


January 14 Cape Town, South Africa

Walked into the city center and caught a walking tour of Bo Kaap. This is an area where many Malaysian people live. Well known as the houses are very colorfully painted! All different colours. Very nice. The Malays were here as slaves to help build up the area as a stopping/restocking place for the sea traders.

We had lunch in a restaurant in the Green Market Square. This is the location of the first fresh produce markets. Local farmers would sell the produce to the ships! While having lunch, about 1 1/2 hours, we were entertained by a jazz group, lead by Joe (everyone seems to know Joe), acrobats, horn band and a break dancer! They seem to have a program.

We then did the Historical Walking tour. These are free tours that are offered... and the guides are great, working for tips only! The walking tour stopped at the Anglican church where Bishop Desmond Tutu will give the service 1 time a month. Apparently he is seen often just walking down the street.

We did go by a great street food market! Definitely have to come back to this area. We stopped at the Court house where people were classified by race during Apartheid. Shocking that a pencil in the hair was a test to see what race you were... white if pencil fell out! They have an example of white and non-white benches out front as a reminder of segregation!

Then on to the Company's Gardens. That is what they are called! These are gardens first established by the Dutch East India Trading Company. Very nice. The park is full of pigeons which will land on your arm and apparently the best looked after citizens of Cape Town... the squirrels. WE did not see any squirrels.. I guess it was after lunch and they were having naps!

We walked around the Parliament buildings and then over the the Supreme Court/Parade area where Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 and where he made is first speech as a free man. The grounds are huge and apparently the place was packed!

A short stop and grocery store and back to apartment. Relax for the evening.
Although we have been warned by the guides that we have to be careful when out, we have not had any problems, but then we have not been out walking around after dark. Amazing as the streets are very very quiet after dark! Not much going on anywhere! It is a beautiful city!