Rhyndinas in South Africa: Cape Town!

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!