The Robben Island tour today was most interesting. It is quite a desolate and windy place, and the island seems to echo its sad past. Comprehensive tour of the Island by bus and then a guided tour of the prison conducted by an ex inmate (political detainee) during the apartheid era. Many of the previous prisoners (those who have not already died from the damage done to their throats, lungs and eyes from working in the limestone quarry) now live on the island. The leper cemetery was very sad to behold.
The most notable inhabitant was Nelson Mandela who spent almost 17 years in this infamous place.
His cell was about 2.5 metres square. The german shepherd guard dogs were housed in kennels larger than the cells !
The Waterfront area in Cape Town is quite busy and vibrant. There are many Security staff located around the area, and it is quite safe to walk around. Over Easter there has been live bands playing in an amphitheatre, and street music. The quantity and quality of restaurants is astonishing, and the food and wine quite cheap by Australian standards. Our home kitchen seems a long way away.
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