With just one week left in Cape Town we still had a few must see things to do but as many of you will know the weather in Cape Town isn’t very predictable so when the day dawned clear and still we took the opportunity to go up Table Mountain.
The magnificent, flat-topped Table Mountain, Cape Town
We didn’t hike up the mountain but before you accuse us of being lazy, it was just because time was short and we had to make the most of it. So we booked our tickets online (a R10 saving), packed a cooler with drinks and snacks and set off for the cable station.
Looking up at Table Mountain from the lower cable station
A quick snap of the view as the cable car revolves on the way up
Another quick pic of the Cape Town City Bowl
Looking down on the beautiful Camp's Bay and Clifton beaches 3000ft below
Bakoven suburb below the Twelve Apostles on the Atlantic Seaboard
Hout Bay and in the distance Kommetjie with it's lighthouse
Spectacular view of Lion's Head, Signal Hill, Robben Island, Green Point Stadium, Cape Town Harbour and the City Bowl
Self timer = my weird pose
Jumping for joy over Cape Town
It was such a wonderful day and the views were so breathtaking from the top that we spent several hours taking it all in. However this meant we wouldn’t make the Robben Island tour. So after descending via the cable car we drove up to Signal Hill for one of the other great views in Cape Town and a great vantage point to admire the new Green Point Stadium that was still in construction when I left Cape Town some 16 months prior.
Green Point Stadium viewed from Signal Hill, Cape Town
The following day, while a little windy was clear and sunny so we headed off to the Waterfront where we would catch the ferry to Robben Island for a tour of the prison where Mandela spent much of his life. It is quite a pricy tour costing R200 per person and with some quick calculations on the ferry ride across I couldn’t help but think this was a real cash cow. Estimating:
400 people x R200 ea x 4 ferries/day x 7 days/week = R2.24 million per week
Even with the oil price and salaries this seemed like a lot but I was willing to see how the tour was before condemning the operation.
A great view back towards Cape Town and the mountain from the ferry
one of the stops on the bus tour around the island
This view is great but was spoiled by the litter on the side of the road as we drove around the Island. Surely they could organise a volunteer group who can’t afford the cost to collect the litter and as payment let them visit the prison that they would otherwise not be able to afford.
The limestone quarry where the inmates' eyes were irreparably damaged by the glare from the rocks
This was a second disappointment as, several years before, I had done the same tour and we had been allowed to walk around the quarry and experience just how harsh the glare of the sun off the white rock is that damaged the prisoners eyes for so many years. However, now, because of people stealing rocks as souvenirs they don’t allow you off the buses, what a shame. On top of that the quarry looks overgrown with shrubs and weeds, diminishing the effect of the glare and in my opinion detracting from the purpose of showing this as one of the attractions. Surely with some of the proceeds from the ticket sales they could construct elevated pathways so people could still get the full effect of the World Heritage Site without the ability to steal rocks. I’m just saying.
Our guide, an ex political prisoner on Robben Island
This was the redeeming feature of the whole tour. The insight and genuineness of the tour guides who spent several years locked up in the Robben Island Prison is apparent and touching. It really made the experience real.
Nelson Mandela's tiny prison cell on Robben Island
The long walk to freedom the prisoners made when leaving the prison
Although we are glad we got to see Robben Island, we had lively debate afterwards as we discussed how we felt about the experience and whether we were short-changed. It’s a pity that in the end we walked away feeling that we weren’t as moved as we hoped we would be. You go to a place like Robben Island Prison to experience a harsh reality, and it should evoke emotion and make you think… rather than dwelling on things that you think could have been done better to portray things as they were.
Hi Rory,
I think you’re being a little harsh! The cost of the tour (R200 or 20 euros) which includes the Ferry trip, a bus ride and the tour guide is a giveaway.
It costs 17 pounds to visit the tower of London (no ferry, no tour) and R170 for a cable car up table mountain. To be practical, the boat that took you across probably cost in the region of R50 – 100m (which has to be costed in) as well as the upkeep – they’ve had endless mechanical problems. These are risks from which you would expect at least a 20 – 30% return on investment.
Its unfortunate that the standard of the island is poor – this is probably because of the poor management (there have been a lot of issues about this as well). The Litter and similar problems are unacceptable!
Your experience will never be the same when you re-visit the island as it was the first time. At the end of the day, for less that the cost of a meal, you were able to show off one of the most famous prison cells in the world! Thats got to count for something.
Cheers
Paul
Looking at some of those photos, I can’t believe that’s where I live! And can’t believe you voluntarily left here! Although it must be said that your adventures have made for some fantastic reading and viewing entertainment.
I must make a plan to hike Table Mountain again (the proper way, not some touristy Cable Car way!
) Glad you had a good trip home boychie and that Margaurita got to see what’s so special about Africa.
…..Photo by Deon Gurling..Thousands of cycling enthusiasts from around the world converged on Cape Town today for the Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour the worlds largest individually-timed road race. This years event was while his teammate and defending champion Malcolm Lange finished second in his final professional race…Cape Town was buzzing with bicycles long before the sun came up. ..The 109km route takes cyclists from Adderley Street in Cape Town out toward and back along the peninsula to the finish.