So so very glad the rain departed, at least for this one day, so the ferries were able to take us out to Robben Island, just 4 miles out from the city. It had a beautiful view today back towards Table mtn and the city.
It is not only the place where Mandela was held for most of his imprisonment, but also has been a dumping ground for the unwanted since the early days of the Portugese, Dutch and English settlers. It has been used to isolate lepers, the insane, chiefs and warriors, criminals and unpopular political leaders.
We were toured around by a man who spent 7 years imprisoned here for being involved in a demonstration at age 18, where he was part of a group that set fire to an officer's quarters. He showed us the barracks, the floor mats they slept on, the courtyard and lime quarry where prisoners were forced to hard labor. We also saw the cell of Nelson Mandela. Quite a well given perspective and we learned alot.
Back at the waterfront we enjoyed a perfect weather lunch.
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