As we were 5 hours late getting off the ship due to that aforementioned administrative issue, we went straight to the V&A Waterfront and enjoyed a lovely evening meal outside, returning back to our cabin quite late.
We are sad to say that our dining mates Chris and Keith leave the ship today, and we have said our goodbyes at 8 this morning, but not forever. They live close so we will meet again, I'm sure. It has been such a pleasure dining together every night so far. It will be very different without them.
Well I have to report that the weather forecast was very wrong, in a really good way. We went out with our jackets on just after breakfast for our excursion to Robben Island, only to find the temperature rising above 30C with clear blue skies. We were taken to the Waterfornt to catch the ferry over to the island, only about 15 minutes away on not too rough seas. The excursion, once on Robben Island was really wonderful with two great guides. The first guide was on the bus on the island and it was his job to describe the history, geography, flora and fauna. During the drive around the island we managed to see penguins, springboks, seals, tortoises and various indigenous birds. The other guide was a former prison inmate who showed us around the prison, and also gave us a bit of ANC history and an insight into life in the prison. Oh my, some people have been through such horrors just because of their race, and where and when they were born Khachik even asked him for a photo! I think his name was Xhoto.
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The second instalment of Nelson Mandela's story continued here in the prison (it was only a month ago since I visited Soweto with Lisa, and learned the first instalment), but now I have a real sense of walking in his footsteps.
Then it was time to leave the island, on a little ferry and head back to the ship. Our afternoon was pretty restful, but once again we went by free shuttle bus to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront for our evening meal in the City Grill, and an opportunity for Khachik to try springbok and biltong.
Whoops, too late for ship's entertainment. Night all xx
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