Day 5 South Africa - Cape Town Robben Island and V & A Waterfront

Up at 7, gone by 8. We headed out by taxi today towards the V & A Waterfront (Victoria and Albert) to the Robben Island ticket office. We found out yesterday, that all tickets were sold out until the end of August, but we were advised to stand in a cancellation line. Forty-five minutes of waiting in line paid off!

The process of getting us loaded on the ferry to Robben Island wasn’t all that smooth and efficient, but eventually we began the 45 minute trip across the ocean. I sat on the very top deck for the view (naturally!) but it was so breezy and cool, I had to put both my hoody and windbreaker on. I’m not as tough as I thought!

When we arrived there, we were loaded onto buses and toured around the facility. The island was much bigger than I thought and there were lots of staff and administrative buildings. Robben Island had also been used as a leper colony and we passed by the graveyard of many who died there.

After viewing the grounds with the bus, we were delivered to a former political prisoner for a tour through some of the penitentiary’s cells.

Each cell had a photo and the name of the prisoner who resided there, and some had a recording of the voice of that prisoner telling his story.

The cells were stark and dreary. But more remarkable were the stories of how the prisoners were treated, the work at the stone quarries, the censorship of letters and visitors, the isolation, and the incredible racial discrimination and apartheid policies.

The government hid what was going on from not only the world, but South Africans as well. Many of the prisoners were very well educated and the strong supported the weak. They had a saying, “Each one teach one” and somehow they communicated with each other.

Our guide showed us a pile of stones started by the most famous prisoner of all, Nelson Mandela, which grew to a large pile as other prisoners each placed one stone atop the pile.

We saw his cell of course. The walls of the entryway at the pier are filled with photos and quotes from Mr. Mandela as well as many others. The respect and love shown to him by his people and others around the world was very moving.

The tour lasted about 2 hours, then it was time to head back on the ferry to the mainland.

Our little group of 5 stopped at a bakery /restaurant for a bite to eat and a nice visit, then we went our separate ways. Donna and I explored the Waterfront. My favorite spot was the Red Shed Craft Workshop, a cooperative of people with wonderful African crafts. Some of the proceeds went to various charities and many of the items were made by women with HIV, or disabled people. I found a bead shop with hand-made beads there and I was in heaven!

The V & A Waterfront is a picturesque area and the fabulous sculptures and art were fun to look at, even if we didn’t buy.

When we were exhausted, we hopped in a taxi and grabbed a quick bite at a small restaurant across the street from the hotel. I need a good night’s sleep!

Day 4 South Africa - Hout Bay, Penguins & Cape Point

Up at 7, brekie at 7:30, van at 8. We have a nice small group – 7 plus our guide and driver. We headed down the scenic west coast of the Cape towards Hout Bay. There, a boat was waiting to take us to Duiker Island to see a large colony of seals.

It was a 45 minute round trip and I found myself needing my hoody and wind breaker while on the water. Hout Bay is quite protected, but once we left it’s shelter, the front of the boat heaved up and down considerably. If it had been a longer trip, I would have had to relocate to avoid seasickness.

Duiker Island is also known as Seal Island and there were hundreds of them sunning themselves on the rocks. The water was fairly shallow near the island and I worried a little when I could see the ocean floor. The captain was quite experienced however and he had obviously done this trip many times.

We stopped for a coffee break and I wandered off to look at the market as I had no need of coffee. We crossed the peninsula and headed to The Boulders. After a short walk, we arrived at the area where African Penguins nest and live. They are also known as the Jackass Penguin because of the sounds they make, although I didn't hear any similarity.

People walk on a boardwalk above where the penguins walk undisturbed. They are about 2 feet tall and they've got to be the cutest animal on the planet! I was thrilled when I saw a few and I stopped to take photos. One couple was walking along and made quite a production when they came to a small branch sticking out. The one climbed over it while the over one walked around. At the end of the boardwalk, there were hundreds of them!

They were swimming, sleeping, nesting, making nests, standing, talking, and hanging around each other. I could have stayed there for hours! What a ball I had photographing them! On the way back to the vehicle, I purchased a bead and wire penguin at one of the market tables set up along the way.

We continued down the east side of the picturesque coastline enroute to Cape Point. Cape Point is thought to be where the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean meet, although there is no discernible meeting point of the waters. In fact, the restaurant where we had our noon meal was called The Two Oceans and we had a wonderful table right out on the terrace.

After a wonderful relaxing lunch, we got our tickets for the funicular which took us up to the lighthouse at the top. It was a further climb to get to the lighthouse and a real workout on the warm day. But I wasn’t about to come all that way and not go the distance! From the lighthouse you could see the Cape Point. We didn’t nearly have enough time to explore the area but c’est la vie!

Our next stop was nearby, the Cape of Good Hope.

It is not, in fact, the most southerly part of the African continent. But is is the most southwesterly point and marks the place where a ship begins to head more eastward then southward. It was an all-too-quick-stop as well. But I got to take my shoes off and dip my toes in the ocean water!

Shortly after that we saw a wild ostrich and stopped to take his photograph. Baboons are also often seen in that part of the country and we saw a sign warning us “Do Not Feed The Baboons”. Apparently they can get quite vicious when food is concerned.

The drive back to Cape Town seemed like a long one due to lots of Sunday traffic and no planned stops. Before getting back to our hotel, we saw some of the city sights and stopped at an historic area called Waal Street. We couldn't proceed as far along as we had hoped due to the filming of a movie, the second one we had seen since coming here! The buildings were picturesque and it was also a very expensive part of town to live in.

After a short rest in our room, we piled into a large taxi and headed to a dinner theater. The food was good and the play was about the history of Cape Town. Because I sat closest to the stage, I was unwillingly drawn into the ‘action’ towards the end. No photos, please!
It’s been a terrific day!