June 2- 7 Cape Town, South Africa and Vicinity
I got here almost a week ago for some much needed rest, and to sort out gear, email, and the logistics for the rest of the trip. Two of the days, one on each end, were dedicated to just that, which gave me three days to have a look around… Tour day one featured a day loop down to Hout Bay, and then Cape Point, in Cape Peninsula National Park. I’ll let the pictures do most of the work here…
Latitude 34.24 Longitude 18.30!
Yes, Ostirch!
I had my running gear with me, so I took a nice long run – I liked the feeling I got running along the coast where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet… I was deep in thought when I came upon some baboons! I drove back up the east side of the cape, and back to town. This entire day was a treat for the eyes.
Next day was Sunday – I was going to find a church to visit, something I like to do in foreign lands, but I decided to go on a slightly different quest, still connected to my sprit and passion…
Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for (I think) 27 years. The main waterfront has a museum dedicated to the anti-apartheid struggle, so I started there. Here are several pictures of some of the posters that were (illegally at the time) distributed through the years. Also included are some photos of the photos they had up – I really liked how comfortable they were with me taking pictures. They clearly want people to know about this time in South Africa’s history.
This last photo captures the same feeling that I see in the famous US photo from Kent State… Very interesting museum.
Then we boarded a ferry for the short trip out to the island, in all about 120 people on the tour. Wow, they are still good at processing people here! In very short time, we were boarded onto four buses for a tour of the island itself, each bus with a very knowledgeable guide.
First prisoners, 1960′s
This was the hole in the quarry where the prisoners were able to talk freely, unbeknownst to the guards… it is said that this is where South Africa’s new government was formed…
…Then we entered the prison, and the mood shifts dramatically to somber… Our guide for this segment is a former political prisoner, who for about 30 minutes, shares his story about what life was like here. There were about 30 of us in this room.
Two white South African men on the tour, their wives by their side, each spoke-up and shared what it was like for them during the 80’s and early 90’s. They had two mandatory years of government service, which meant that they were charged with enforcing apartheid. This was a very moving time for everyone there, and I sense that those guys got a just a little closure on some feelings they have carried for some time…
Then we saw the famous courtyard, and Nelson Mandela’s cell…
Freedom!
Very interesting time here for me. I was following the news of the day with interest back then, and it was good to see these places. It seems to me we westerners don’t experience much African history or news…
Next day, I just moved around the area, talking pictures and shooting video – suddenly I saw a shop that rented surfboards… and that was it… Yesterday I got to surf in the Atlantic, in (for me) heavy surf, and this morning a much gentler day in the Indian Ocean…
On the conservation side of my work, I met with two groups here – more on that later!
I leave for Botswana in the morning… so here’ my last (for a while) sunset from Cape Town…
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