On the tour bus in Cape Town:
Today we visited Robben Island and toured Cape Town.
Robben Island, the former prison island where Nelson Mandela was held from 1964 to 1982, stands in Cape Town’s harbor. Our tour guide was Derrick Basson, a political prisoner held at Robben Island in the early 1990’s. Derrick spoke from the heart about his experience as a convict at the prison and the hardship of day to day life at Robben.
Leaving Cape Town harbor for Robben Island
Derrick Basson talking about life at Robben Island
A communal cell at Robben Island
Nelson Mandela’s cell at Robben Island
After the ferry boat ride back to Cape Town a quick lunch at Victoria Market.
Food vendors at Victoria Market
And after lunch we toured the Castle of Good Hope.
The Castle of Good Hope
Next, a visit to the brightly colored houses of the Bo-Kaap neighborhood.
Bo-Kaap
Tomorrow is a free day so we’re taking a tour of Cape Town Vineyards and we begin the two day trip home tomorrow night.
From the Vista Bar & Lounge of the One&Only hotel on the Waterfront:
We began the day with the aerial cable car ride into the clouds to the 1,600 meter peak of Table Mountain and were treated with the spectacular view overlooking Cape Town, Robben Island, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Table Mountain from the cable car station
The view from above the clouds on top of Table Mountain
Next it was on to Cape Peninsula for a tour of the Cape Point Ostrich Farm.
A resident of the Cape Point Ostrich Farm
Then we entered Table Mountain National Park and went to the Cape of Good Hope for lunch at Two Oceans Restaurant – and had the Seafood and Meat Antipasti with Warthog and Ostrich.
Seafood and Meat Antipasti at Two Oceans Restaurant
After lunch we rode the funicular railway to the Cape Point Lighthouse overlooking the Cape of Good Hope.
The Cape of Good Hope
Late in the afternoon we made our final stop on Cape Peninsula to see the African Penguins at Boulders Beach.
An African Penguin at Boulder Beach
After the bus ride back to Cape Town we’re ending the day with sundowners and tapas at the One&Only hotel.
Tomorrow we visit Robben Island and tour the Cape Town landmarks.
At the Fountains Hotel in Cape Town:
Another transition day. We left the Sandton Grand Court hotel in Johannesburg at 9 a.m. for the bus ride to the airport. The trip to Cape Town, on Mango flight 139, took around 2 hours. We met Angie, our Cape Town tour guide, and headed directly to the Victoria & Albert Waterfront for a late lunch at Salero Restaurante. Most of us chose the Ostrich Burger special.
The Ostrich Burger at Salero Restaurante
After lunch we made our way from the Waterfront to downtown to check in to our hotel.
Cape Town group check in
With free time before a late dinner we spent some time exploring the neigborhood.
Downtown Cape Town at night
We’ve got an early start tomorrow morning to go to Table Mountain.
Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town
On the road to Johannesburg:
After our two day safari adventure in Kruger National Park, we left the Mpumalanga province for the morning drive to Pretoria. On the way we stopped at Millys Take Away for Trout Pie and Venison Pie. Wow! Best road food ever.
In Pretoria we stopped for lunch at the Blue Crane Restaurant, then went to the Union Building to see the Nelson Mandela Statue.
The plains on the way from Mpumalanga
Selfie stick bus entertainment
Nelson Mandela statue at the Union Building in Pretoria
The Union Building in Pretoria
Onboard the bus to Shangana Village:
An early start for our second safari day in Kruger National Park. On the road at 5:30 a.m. we were able to catch the sunrise in the park and see wildlife at the best time of day. Today we saw a leopard, so we got The Big Five over our two day safari trip. Here’s a few photos from the day:
Elephants crossing the road in Kruger National Park
A giraffe in Kruger National Park
A zebra in Kruger National Park
And after our safari day we went to the Shangana cultural show and dinner.
Tonight’s appetizer: corn, peanuts, impala, and worm!
Dinner after the show at Shangana village
Tomorrow we had back to Johannesburg by way of Pretoria.
View from the balcony ...
Michael S. Liberman