Luxury in Cape Town
on Rob Wootton (Zambia), 07/Mar/2011 16:49, 34 days ago
After a few days in Cape Town I easily understood why many others rate this city so highly with its coastline, beaches, history, food, shopping and a mountain than looms over you every way you turn. Admittedly, on this trip I did see some of the best bits and only caught a glimpse of the townships and rundown neighbourhoods. On the first touristy day there I caught the ferry to Robben Island to visit the maximum security prison that has since become a museum. It was fascinating to first learn about the broad history of the island (leper colony to World War II outpost to prison during apartheid) which has involved numerous different nations. And then to be given a tour around the prison itself by a former inmate– revealing the cells, conditions, and the segregation between different types and colours of prisoner. I longed for more time to explore the island and talk to the inmate; instead of being rushed back to the ferry. In complete contrast we spent the evening in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens listening to a South African dance/jazz duo called Goldfish. The concert was held on a slope with Table Mountain behind us and the centre of Cape Town in front, surrounded by mainly white Cape Townians enjoying a picnic and drinks, and swaying to the music.The following day I puffed and panted, (and rested) climbing over large slabs of rock as we took a couple of hours to walk up Table Mountain. The effort certainly demonstrated the point that more exercise is needed when I get back to Maz. The scenery during the walk was wonderful and the panoramic views of Cape Town were even better at the top– Robben Island in the distance, the city centre and harbour, other parts of the mountain and the long, tempting coastline. We took the easy route down, a few minutes in the cable car.The rest of the time in Cape Town was a magical blur of great food (see a later blog entry), drinking good wine and making new friends. On leaving the city it felt like I had barely touched the surface of what can be seen here. I need to come back for Cape Point, the District 6 museum, a different route up the Mountain and more time to enjoy some good food.