Cape Town

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After Mashatu we flew from Joburg to Cape Town where 8 of us had rented a villa with spectacular ocean and mountain views.Each of the five days was packed full of touring this beautiful, historic part of South Africa.
The home security was not as obvious as Joburg and we had no worries about walking around at night.

We had both read Nelson Mandela's book "Long Road to Freedom," .... everyone should! so really wanted to see Robben Island where he was incarcerated for most of the 27 years he spent in various prisons.

Our guide had spent 5 years there following the Soweto riots and was able to give us many insights into prison life.

Our next leg took us back to Joburg for just one day - where Jonathan & Gaye took us to the Apartheid museum and on a tour of Soweto, the black township with such a troubled history. They were wonderful hosts who made us feel completely at home during our stay.

We always enjoy reading your comments on our blogs.

Next and last - Paris!

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Photos

Camps Bay villa
brother Garry admiring the view of Table Mountain and the 12 apostles behind our villa as the "tablecloth" moves in

Gerry
Marlene's brother Gerry admiring the view of the Atlantic from the front of the villa

table mountain
fabulous views over Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain - with brother in law Tim

the table
off in the distance - taken from the wine district of Stellenbosch

wine tourists
we took a full day escorted van tour of the Stellenbosch wine region and sampled some fabulous wines

Muratie cellars
a fabulous winery to wind up our tour - so much history and atmosphere!

kudu burger
just like a venison burger...!

smiling in the rain
our trip to the Cape included a boat trip to see a colony of Cape seals - in the pouring rain - Tim & Marlene didn't mind

seal colony
you can smell them from 100m

Cape penguin
trying to keep her chick warm on this chilly day

Cape Point
the most south westerly point of the African continent - here the early explorers "turned the corner" and made for the riches of the orient

rogue baboon
approaching the Cape there were many baboon warnings - they will open car doors and get in with you, grab food and maybe go - maybe not - this big boy was eyeing our door...the tracking collar indicates he is a troublemaker...there are paid attendants who follow these baboons and try to keep them out of trouble!

Good Hope
we hired a driver and van to take us to the Cape

protea
the flower of South Africa - many varieties - all beautiful - seen in Stellenbosch Gardens in Cape Town

Robben Island
our guide was a former political prisoner - arrested in the riots of the 1970's - spent 3 years here - with Mandela and many others

Apartheid Museum
we wished we had more time to spend in this very comprehensive and very moving museum

martyrs
there were many touching tributes to those killed in the ant-apartheid movement. An appropriate quote..."This is where apartheid belongs, in a museum."

Wandie's
after the Aparthid museum Jonathan took us on an extensive tour of Soweto (the black township with a troubled past) and this neighbourhood eatery

Soweto
one of the street markets set up in Soweto

Comments

[John Logan]

South Africa
Hi there I tried to send you a private message, but it failed for some reason. Oh well, I was especially pleased to view these blogs (and the previous ones) as we hope to do the same trip in the future. Great photos and it sound like great fun as well. Keep up the good work. All the best, Joan and John (Hamilton and Logan)

[Lara]

Enjoying the updates from Africa
I am so enjoying the blogs from the wedding and your adventures in Africa - looks like such a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience!

[Lin Mutiger]

Cape Town
Wow didnt you just love the winery, they usually give you a tray of wine. Thank goodness the local police dont park outside. Wonderful place. Neat seeing you retread the tracks we made. I loved Cape Town. LIN

[Penelope Jayne]

WOW
Have really been enjoying you traval blogs. Especially your jungle tour with all the wild animals. Sure no dust on you two/ We are jealoius and envious. Time to get your asses back to Sauble Beach. Two school principals, I better due a spell check Gary ands Susan

[Garry & Jan]

Great Blog
Enjoyed the shots from Cape Town stay - how did you do the intro panorama?