April 7, 2023
We docked in the port of Cape Town early in the morning and as I watched the docking process I was so sad because I really wanted to be home with my friends. This was the day of Norm’s Celebration of Life and I wanted to share that with my friends but that was not to be. I walked the deck for hours with my thoughts waiting for the day to begin.
Cape town is the second –most populous city in South Africa, and the largest land area of the western Cape. It is known for it harbor and well known landmarks as table mountain (visible from the ship) and Cape Point. It is also know for apartheid that Nelson Mandela and many others fought to end.
It was rainy and cold and my tour for the day had been delayed due to weather so I watch the small band that was playing on dock along with the restocking of the ship. There were 42 trucks with containers to bring everything from toilet paper to bananas to the ship. There were dogs sniffing everything to make sure there were no bombs or drugs tucked into the goods. I had not thought about how much stuff it takes for almost 4,000 people.
Finally at 10:00 I headed out to Robben Island. Since 1960 Robben Island has been synonymous with the political struggle against apartheid in South Africa, holding prisoners such as Nelson Mandela and poet, Dennis Brutus, during its incredible history. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on the island for 18 of the 27 years of his imprisonment before the fall of apartheid and introduction of full, multi-racial democracy.
The island had a tortured past before it was used in the 60’s for political prisoners. Beginning at the end of the 17th century, Robben Island has been used for the incarceration of political prisoners. The Dutch settlers were the first to use Robben Island as a prison. The island’s first prisoner was probably Autshumato in the mid-17th century.
It was raining when we took the bus tour around the island so no pictures of the lime mine where Nelson and the other leader toiled for 10 hours a day. The island itself is beautiful!!!
We got off the bus at the maximum security prison and the guide at this point had been a political prisoner for over 6 years and told us about his commitment to change that landed his in prison. His continuing passion for change after years of torture made me wonder if there is anything that I would be willing to give my life for or to even endure prison or torture. I don’t have that answer! The wooden rack in the picture is the rack that they would strap a prisoner to when they lashed them and would then pour salt water over the wounds.
The pictures of the small jail cell with a bucket in the corner and the mat on the floor were Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in solitary confinement.
As the rain softly fell we walked the path back to the dock that the prisoners walked when they were finally released. Yes, really intense!! When I got off the boat I saw the decorated Rhino’s and they made me smile.
That evening Lola, Sybille, Carole Ann and I headed out on a tour called City lights of Cape Town. To say it did not meet expectation is an understatement!! The tour started after sunset (the sunset pic was taken before the tour) so when the guide talked about imaging a beautiful sunset we could not stop laughing. Light shedding (aka blackouts) was happening so most of the areas we drove through we dark. The tour guide started laughing and so did we! We did get to walk on the dark beach and take a few pictures. Although the tour was unsuccessful the time spent with my friends laughing together is a great memory that I will cherish!!
Adventuring is hard and not every day can be a “best day ever” but you can find moments that you can treasure.
Another day to explore Cape Town tomorrow!!
You’re living proof that no moment of travel is ever unsuccessful. You enter the world with your positive attitude, and everything is an adventure. I admire you so much. Love you!
Steph