Robben Island...Round 2

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As the title suggests we decided to try our luck again at the V & A Waterfront and see if we could get on the trip to Robben Island. So after sorting out the car, which involved a direct swap to Colissa Corsa (a male car this time with power steering, no rattling noises and an exhaust that's in tact!!!) we set off on our mission.

We parked the car and wandered over to the ticket office (anyone sensing deja vue here?), and merrily joined the queue. Then with a quick glance right we realised that today's tours were fully booked and yet again our plans had been scuppered.

Not to be deterred we returned to Colissa, paid for the 10 minutes of parking and set off back towards the motorway to see what we could find to do. The sign to the Rhodes Memorial had been beckoning for a while, so we decided to follow it...and what a great decision that was. Apparently Cecil Rhodes was a very famous English bloke who brought British rule to South Africa. He is very popiular in these parts, as the size of the memorial shows.

After accosting some poor man who was minding his own business and asking him to take a photo of us on the steps, we went in search of lunch. Hidden around the back of the memorial is a small restaurant...it looked a bit like any other until we sat down and saw the size of the puddings leaving the kitchen...Wow!!! We had the most fantastic sandwiches but made sure we left room for something sweet. It came in the shape of Lemon Meringue Pie for Lizzie and chocolate brownie with hot chocolate sauce for Hannah (see below).

Following a mammoth walk down the steps to walk off the calories we jumped back in the car and moved onto Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens. To say it was a haven of peace and tranquility would be a massive understatement. The smells and the sounds were breathtaking and we are now experts on the uses for Umgezisa and many other plant remedies. Lizzie even identified a Bird of Paradise plant before looking at the label underneath!!! As we finished our walk through the green wilderness, we found a nice cafe to have a rejuvinating drink in. We thought it would be good to try a local specialty so it was a pot of Rooibos tea for two. We walked out past the gift shop, which was in fact closed (so no postcards for us this time) and wended our merry way back to Kommetjie for an evening of chilling out and much chocolate eating!!!

P.S. Thanks for all the messages and comments that we are getting. It is so nice to hear from you all and still have some link with back home. Those of you who aren't leaving us messages...beware we know who you are and we will be naming and shaming. xxx

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Photos

Where's our memorial???
First the Rhodes Memorial......Next the Lizzie & Hannah Memorial...Then...we conquer the world!?

Looking down on the city...
View from Rhodes Memorial...pre-dessert!!!

Yum!!!
Yum, yum and triple yum!!!!!

Who's peaking?
Devil's Peak's peaking over Kirstenbosch.

Lizzie Worships
...the Goddess of the Nectar of the Gods!!!

Don't go chasing waterfalls...
...You will find one when you least expect it.

Pond Life...
Look Mummy B, a lily pond!

Colic? Malaria? Rheumatism? Insanity?
Take this. It works...apparently.

Bate discovery....all by herself!
Look Mummy B...look what we found!

Comments

[Kieran's fellow sports journo]

Have a nice trip ladies...... but, Hannah, I don't think I can put up with Kieran any further. I have to sit next to him for at least 10 hours most days and, to be frank, it's not healthy. Rambling on about Gosport, Southampton etc....to be honest I feel sorry for you! Come back soon, or I might be forced to take, what some people might call, unreasonable action! Again, have a nice trip!

[Shaun and Julia]

Hola from España
It sounds though you are having a good time and the photos are great, they add extra interest to your blog as we can see what you are talking about and where you have been, keep them coming! It's obviously a place full of history and very beautiful countryside from what you have said and what we have seen in the photos. You seem to be having quite an adventure down there - only a few thousand miles south of us! Take care Shaun and Julia

[Mum B]

I'm so proud!
My daughter is turning into some sort of naturalist (Or is it naturist, I can't quite remember!) Glad to hear you have been to the gardens, I had spotted them on the map and would have been making a bee-line for them myself. The photos really are great, I'm hoping you will be able to put together some sort of power point for the children when you return. Some shots of every day life would be interesting. Your Dad is in heaven as he has managed two days of fishing and actually caught something on both occasions...today it was sunburn and I suspect tomorrow might be sunstroke but he is happy.Hattie thanks you for your various messages. She has spent part of today with John and Louie and has returned home for a rest. I don't think much of these early morning starts...Lottie was on the 6.45 ferry this morning and that was before the dog walk, sorting Nannan out for the day and answering your Dad's text messages.It's a good job he doesn't go away too often!The good weather is set to continue here but the gardens are getting very dry and shrivelled. Dare I say it that we could do with some of your rain!I think it must be back to school tomorrow for you girls. Take it in your stride and enjoy learning about another existence. We are indeed very lucky but not always the better for our fortune! Much love and missing you (The house is STILL tidy) xxx

[Sam]

Hi Hans
Hi Hans. Glad to here you are having a fantastic time. Nick and I are off to see Stephanie for the weekend and because Auntie Hannah isn't here to look after them the dogs are coming with us and staying in kennels over night. I hope you feel guilty and think of them feeling all lonely and unloved for the night!!! Never mind, we will pick them up on Sunday morning and they will get to see their Stephanie which should make it up to them. Take care. LOL your Cous. xx