Just a quick note to say that I am delighted to have been invited to help out with the school tour to Robben Island again this year. I must be fooling someone doing something right.
Let’s celebrate with a quota photo from the prison museum there:
Looking forward to more amazing learning and bonding experiences, and yes… maybe another traditional solo run around the island in the misty, murky early morning hours.
I was going to do a big post about viruses, but then other stuff came up and so that will have to wait. And because the other stuff hasn’t yet gone away, this is going to be a quick TBT (which as everyone knows, stands for “Throwback Tuesday”, right?) post:
That’s a quick shot back up a corridor of cells in Robben Island Prison. This particular corridor being the one where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned: his cell is on the left hand side as we are looking, about 4 doors from the end. And yes, the cells did have wooden doors which were closed across the barred gates inside each night.
Not somewhere I would want to have been held, but to have the place to myself even for just a couple of minutes was such a privilege. Not many people get to take this photo without several (or more) tourists in sight.
Now. Back to the other stuff.
More tomorrow. Maybe even viruses!
A damp, grey morning in our (converted) prison accommodation. It looks a bit rough here, and while it’s far from luxurious, it’s actually very comfortable.
Each time I come here, I wonder if they could do something with this place, but given the history and the cultural sensitivity of Robben Island, I’m actually glad that they haven’t.
Hopefully though, they can maintain what is already here. I think that’s very important.
I was up early this morning, out for a run around the south of the island. I pitted myself against the local wildlife: steenboks, penguins and about a million tortoises.
I’m rather disappointed to report that – as far as species go – I finished in third place. These little buggers are faster than they look:
That photo was taken yesterday evening, by the way. No such lovely light this morning.
We’re heading home today after a presentation by Christo Brand, which I’m very much looking forward to.
Also family and my own bed. Always a winner.
A wonderfully busy day yesterday, cleaning the beaches of the island. Hard work, and bakkie loads of plastic waste removed, but we really didn’t even make a dent in the huge problem.
Still, on the plus side, there was this view:
Today, a walk around the island, learning about the history and nature of the place, and ending at the prison.
It promises to be another fun day.
Heading out to Robben Island.
A bit of a chaotic start, but we’re on the ferry
It’s a perfect day for going across Table Bay. Blue skies, bright sunshine, slight swell, glassy water. We’re making good headway.
A busy, but hopefully very rewarding time lies ahead over the next few days.
5,000 steps done already and all I’ve done is to get on a boat.