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Cape Town Travel Blogs

Background: After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule.

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By funksmybrother
August 13th 2008

The Circle Is Complete

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

No, not the Circle of Life (although I am in Africa). I mean that I have finally come full circle and am back in Cape Town, not 10 minutes walk from where I was staying on July 1st. I've actually been here for a couple of days now and have to leave tomorrow. I've probably already said something similar, but I'll say it again - I'm not really looking forward to leaving Africa. In fact, I've never wanted to come home from a trip less than I do right now. I guess it's fortunate that I'm not going home quite yet [View Full Entry]

By aarandcos
August 13th 2008

Last Days of Africa

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

View of Cape Town
From the ferry heading to Robben Island

We've been on the road for the last week, so it's been a bit difficult to update (the backpacker hostels we've stayed at as we've driven through South Africa have been good, but the internet at the hostels wasn't fast enough for our needs). What else to say about South Africa except that what we have seen has been beautiful. Most of the Western Cape region that we've covered has seemed very much Southern California mixed in with a little New England charm with an Afrikaaner twist. The topography and scenery is amazing. We spent our first day here in [View Full Entry]

By Bev A
August 12th 2008

Africa 2007

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

My Tent
Behold! The tent I slept in for 3 weeks...

TOUR ITINERARY Nov. 14-15 - Fly from USA to Cape Town, South Africa Nov. 16 - Arrive Cape Town, South Africa, free time today, tour begins tomorrow morning Nov. 17 - 18 (Days 1-2 Orange River) Sitting between the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain, Cape Town is a picturesque starting point for the adventure ahead. Take a cultural tour of one of the city's townships and enjoy a traditional lunch before heading off into the wilds of Africa. Stop for the night by the wide waters of the Orange River. Photo: Cape Town Nov. 19 (Day 3 Fish River Canyon) The [View Full Entry]

By Lantka
August 12th 2008

History and Challenges in the Western Cape

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

City Hall
This is where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech after being released from prison.

Yesterday and today we learned about challenges facing learners in the Western Cape. We visited the University of the Western Cape as well as the Western Cape Teachers’ Institute. We also toured a variety of sites around Cape Town to gather a sense of Cape Town’s history including the District 6 Museum and the Rhodes Memorial. District 6 was a vibrant township in Cape Town until its residents were forcibly removed and the region was demolished by the apartheid government. The Rhodes Memorial was constructed in honor of Cecil Rhodes, the British entrepreneur who helped Britain g [View Full Entry]

By Leonie88
August 12th 2008

Wochenende

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

naturreserve
lena und ich beim picnic

hey.... mein we war eigentlich ziemlich cool obwohl ich ja arbeiten musste, aber da der kleine ja nicht da war durft iich immer bissle frueher gehen... ja jetzt wollten wir am samstag noch nen kaffee trinken gehen, dann war aber ab 5 auf einmal alles geschlossen weil woman's national day war! aber was des so genau ist hab ich auch noch nicht rausfinden koennen... naja dann wrs halt nix mit kaffee. sind dann aber abends noch ins kino in hancock gegangen weil irgendjemand unseren ferneseh geschrottet hat sodass wir weder dvds noch fernseh in unserem haus schauen koennen :( also ist [View Full Entry]

By Lantka
August 10th 2008

Weekend in Cape Town

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

View from Robben Island
A view of Cape Town from Robben Island.

This weekend we were given the opportunity to explore Cape Town. Most of us headed to Robben Island, the island prison which housed many of the political prisoners during apartheid - including Nelson Mandela. We toured the island learning about its history and visiting sites such as the limestone quarry where Nelson Mandela and other prisoners were forced to labor. We then headed to the cells where we were guided by a former political prisoner who explained what it was like to be imprisoned at Robben Island. He then led us to the cell where Mandela spent almost 20 years of [View Full Entry]

By KyleKGillis
August 10th 2008

If we couldnt laugh, we would go insane

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

Just when I thought my own shark week episode was about to air, I find out the wind was too strong AGAIN in False Bay and that they had to postpone, for the third time, our dive. At some point during the semester, I will go shark diving, and its not about just getting in a cage with sharks any more. It's a quest; it's a quest for fun! It's turned into more than just a day trip out at sea, it's become another mountain to climb, and every time it gets postponed the mountain gets bigger and bigger but one [View Full Entry]

By Wayne Faulconbridge
August 10th 2008

South Africa day 5

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

Table Mountain
View as we drove back to the hotel tonight (10th Aug)

Its Travel day 5 A few more pics below of hotel. Well what a day we been to Robben island today. Was really good. Sailing over (took 15mins) was very smooth. Boat was a twin hull catamaran. [View Full Entry]

By Leonie88
August 9th 2008

.....

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

ja jetzt bin ichhuet schon wieder im internet... aber ich weis grad sonst nicht wirklich was mit mir anzustellen.. ich durfte heute schon frueher gehen und samstags muesste ich eh nur bis um 4 arbeiten... weil mein haus gerade aus 7 kinder besteht, der rest ist uebers we weg und die die da sind bekommen besuch oder haben ne probe fuer so ne auffuehrung am mittwoch sodass ich vorher mit 3 kindern allein im haus war und mir irgennen film angeshcaut hab dr leider in afrikaans war sodass ich auch nicht weis umn was es wirklich ging :( naja ichhab dann [View Full Entry]

By cambrus
August 9th 2008

Cape Town

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

Table Mountain
Table Mountain peeking out of the clouds

It took 3 planes and a whole lot of delays, but I finally arrived in Cape Town, SA. Have had a busy but exhausting day. Arrived in Cape Town at 5AM this morning, managed to get to my hostel only to find out that the room would not be available until 1PM. Iwas really counting on that to catchup on my sleep... 5 hours of plane sleep in 2 days is just not cutting it for me!! But regardless of my sleep deprived state I still managed to go on a walking tour of Cape Town. Very interesting landscape. Cape Town [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town