We had booked our tickets for the infamous Robben Island, Nelson Mandela’s place of incarceration during the apartheid years, over a week ago, so popular is the Island and the hunger for understanding the madness that was apartheid.
After a quick breakfast, we headed for the docks. As usual, we arrived too early, so we had a coffee and watched seals in the dock area. Suddenly, they announced the bridge was to close, leaving us stranded on the wrong side. We legged it across and were soon queuing for the fast catamaran across to the Island.
We sat up top in the sun. Bad move! After just 5 minutes from port we were being freeze dried by the Atlantic ocean. We persevered, arriving at Robben Island like a couple of blocks of ice.
Once on dry land we soon warmed up and walked with about 50 others to the first stop of our tour, the infamous jail where the political prisoners were held. Our tour guide was an ex inmate who had supported the ANC. The tour was actually quite disappointing, as many of his stories were about his experiences in other jails.
We saw the cell in which Nelson was held for 18 years. He had a hard time, with a very slim mat and just three blankets to sleep on all year round. They were forced to endure 8 hours of hard labour a day, breaking lime stones. Nelson went partially blind during his experience.
The amazing thing, is that these ex political prisoners do not preach revenge or hatred. Just that we all learn from the experience and are able to forgive and reconciliate.
We returned to the mainland, but this time inside the boat.
When we reached the hotel, we chilled out around the pool deck. Unfortunately, a live band was playing badly just down the beach, so we had to endure three hours of that. It was so loud that even the iPod could not drown the noise.
We showered, changed and left for the airport. We checked into the BA lounge (from where l am typing this blog entry) and awaited our return to the UK, reading the very down beat news about the UK. Ho hum!!
Heathers picture (on the laptop) managed to lift our spirits, as did the wine and bubbly. We have enjoyed Africa, but six weeks has seemed like a long time. Maybe, its due to us getting towards the end of our year off. Traveling is great fun and not working is even better, but maybe, just maybe, you can have too much of a good thing…….. Or maybe not!!
We have certainly missed Heather.
New Zealand is next.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
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