Robben Island
Trip Start
Nov 07, 2007
1
46
Trip End
Ongoing
Cape Town, South Africa
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
On arrival at the island we boarded a coach and were then given a fascinating tour of the island, where we learnt about the history of the island by our very entertaining tour guide.
We reached the prison complex and on foot toured the prison that Mandela spent 18 years of his life in. Our guide round the prison was actually a prisoner himself, he was detained for sabotage and held in Robben Island for many years. The prison is a very bleak and desolate place and how the prisoners kept their spirits up is hard to imagine. He explained that conditions for everyone were very harsh, and it was only when the Red Cross put pressure on the apartheid government that they even got beds, up until then they had to sleep on the floor. Despite their treatment and the terrible conditions, they kept themselves going, and eventually won the sympathy and respect of their prison guards. We then saw Mandela's cell, it was tiny and I can see why he and the other inmates grew to love the garden situated just outside the main block of cells
The tour of Robben Island is excellent, a real highlight of the trip, although be warned that if you are in Cape Town and want to go, that you should phone them up and book the tour well in advance. When we went today there were no tickets until the following Thursday. Also if you suffer from sea sickness be prepared for an uncomfortable journey.
Sadly today is our last day in Cape Town, South Africa, and it is the end of our African adventures. Tonight we are just going to enjoy our last day in Africa, have a nice meal, plenty of wine and make our final souvenir purchases.
Dom
