Last week Andrew had business in Cape Town, so I decided to
join him. I had heard so many amazing things about Cape Town that I was worried
I might feel let down. But not a chance, Cape Town is amazing.
From the breathtaking scenery to the relaxed beach
lifestyle, Cape Town is so different from Jo’burg and Pretoria. For one thing
you can actually walk around…in the city…pretty much anywhere. So it’s really
set up for tourists…and locals, too.
I arrived last Wednesday afternoon (Andrew came the next
day), so I hung out with a new friend who happened to be there on business as
well.
On Thursday morning, I took a little city bus tour to get my
bearings. The highlight was Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Aside from
seeing lots of plants I know and love in California, the gardens feature an
amazing display of proteas as well as a 100 year old Gardenia…which is
enormous. Apparently Table Mountain, the 3000-foot high mountain that defines
the Cape Town skyline, is where all geraniums got their start. Now, I’m not a
huge fan of geraniums. However…they do grow quite well here…and are hardy. So
I’m starting to change my mind. Those of you who come for a visit will see a
few in our newly landscaped yard!
In the afternoon, I went to Robben Island where Mandela and other political prisoners were kept during
apartheid. It’s all of 30 minutes from the harbor, so Cape Town is easily seen
from the prison. Mandela described seeing Cape Town every day as he left his
cell to do hard labor as the promise of hope. I can see how you would have to
think that in order to survive the conditions under which he lived. However,
seeing it every day probably would have depressed me, too, to say the least.
For part of the tour (the actual prison) a former prisoner
leads the way. It was amazing to hear his memories of 8 years there. Unlike
Mandela he was not in isolation; he shared a room with 60 other men. They had a
total of 3 toilets and 3 showers and were given a specific time to use them. If
they missed their time, they were not allowed to eat for the rest of the day.
And as if being there was not inhumane enough, prisoners were divided into 2
racial groups: black and colored/Asian. Black men were given less to eat and
only allowed to wear shorts and t-shirts. No shoes, no coats. Think of the
weather in winter in San Francisco. It sounds very similar to a Cape Town
winter. And no shoes to go working in a limestone quarry…during the heat of
summer…or anytime for that matter.
Friday, I just walked around town and waited for Andrew to
be done with his meetings. And then Saturday, we spent the entire day driving
to and from Cape Point. This is truly a spectacular drive. We went to an
African penguin reserve, saw wild baboons along the road and hiked around the
lighthouse at Cape Point…where you can see both the Atlantic and the Indian
Oceans at once.
Oh and we enjoyed some incredible meals all weekend long.
Anyway…enough of my babbling….on with the pictures. It was
very difficult to choose which ones to post…so hope you enjoy!
Cape Point
Baboons are quite the menace here. They break into homes and raid liquor cabinets!
Boulders penguin reserve
Hout Bay
Cape Town
View of Cape Town from Robben Island
Protea
Mandela's cell
