Around the Cape

Our second day in Cape Town started off beautifully! We woke up and looked out our window at the High Gables and saw southern right whales playing in the harbor!! The rest of our free time in Simon's Town and the surrounding area was spent behind our binoculars, admiring these giant graceful animals. What a treat!

After pulling ourselves away from the windows, we got ready and went down to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront area in Cape Town, which is a beautifully renovated, updated, posh business area right on the water. We weren't there for shopping, however - instead we caught a boat to Robben Island for a tour. The ride out was beautiful and peaceful (except, perhaps, for the giant school group joining us). It was interesting to think, as Dr. Storey prompted us, about the prisoners taking the very same ride - it was probably not peaceful to them, not only because they were headed to prison, but also because 90% of them had never seen the ocean before and would have been terrified...

We learned from our slightly-irritating tour guide that Robben Island was once a leper colony, and thousands of graves still exist from those times. It became a prison during apartheid, where it housed male non-white political prisoners. Robert Sobukwe was kept in a little cottage by himself because he was thought to be so dangerous to the government. Nelson Mandela and others were kept in a 'maximum security' unit for years - one letter a month, no shoes, no jacket (even in winter), no visits from your own children. Incredibly harsh. Unfortunately, the maximum security unit was under renovation so we were unable to see Mandela's actual cell, but having seen so much at the Old Fort Prison in Jo'burg, we could imagine what Mandela's cell looked like.

Sobukwe's solitary cabin at Robben Island.

A view of Cape Town from Robben Island.

The cross (with bird) on the Anglican church (which all Christians shared) on Robben Island.

Steven among the razor wire surrounding the maximum security unit.

These calla lilies grow wild all over the western cape.
They provided a nice contrast to the dark devastation of the prison cells.

After our ride back to the mainland, we enjoyed a nice lunch on the waterfront and then headed into town to meet the director of the SHADE ministry, which offers advocacy, education, and professional development for women all over Africa. Its director is Rev. Tembo Kalenga, who was a pastor in the Congo when fighting broke out there - she walked with her husband and five daughters for more than 3 months to find refuge in South Africa. Her story is amazing and inspiring, and her work incredible.

We retired for dinner to Simon's Town, where we had a fabulous home-cooked meal at Peter and Elizabeth's house with their neighbors Rob and Maureen and Elizabeth's brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Elizabeth (so there were even more Elizabeth's than usual!). Both dinner and conversation were excellent. I, personally, cherished the time to chat one-on-one with Joaquin about his former involvement with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and his service in seminary administration at Garrett. Much to think about for the future!

Friday was the group's last full day together, so we wanted to take it easy and relax around Simon's Town. The weather was kind of cold and rainy so there was no point trying to do any sight-seeing. Five of us were brave (or stupid?) enough to go sailing in the morning, though! Peter took us out on his sailboat, Flash, and we made a couple of turns around the harbor. The wind was really blowing, though, and it was beginning to rain, so we did not stay out long. And we all came in soaking wet! It was well worth it, though. We had a lot of fun and it was wonderful to see Peter in his element as captain of this ragamuffin crew.

Elisabeth and I wait below deck while the guys get everything together up top.

Sailboats in the marina. Notice the ominous clouds in the background...

The captain himself! [No photos during the actual sailing expedition, since salt and rain water were flying everywhere.]

We spent the afternoon hanging around internet cafes and shops in Simon's Town and visiting the penguins at boulder beach, then had a lovely dinner in the Simon's Town harbor at Bertha's. A perfect ending to a wonderful trip together!!

One of the cute little 'jackass' penguins on the coast near Simon's Town. [He's called 'jackass' not for his attitude but because of the sound he makes.]