Day 10

Another warm and dry day, though with a few clouds, for our trip to the waterfront and Robben Island. We spent the morning exploring shops and restaurants, than boarded the 1 pm ferry for the island. It was one of the original ferries used to take political prisoners - the trip across the harbor was about 45 minutes and gave us a wonderful view of Cape Town. Upon arrival, we boarded a bus for a tour around the island, which explained its many uses over time - as a leper colony, a prison for troublemakers from other British colonies, a military outpost during WWII, and finally a political prison for South Africa during the years of apartheid rule. We were met at the prison complex by a former political prisoner, who told us how the prison operated, and how the prisoners were able to circumvent many of the rules designed to divide and silence them. Of particular interest was the cell occupied by Nelson Mandela for 18 years, and the rock quarry where Mandela and others toiled at chipping stones from the rock of the island. Our trip back across the harbor in the afternoon was a bit chillier - an indication of the wintry weather which will soon arrive!