South African Tourist Site: Robben Island
Fun and Interesting Cape Town Tourist Attraction
Robben Island is most famous for holding Nelson Mandela prisoner before the end of apartheid. Robben Island was a brutal political prison during apartheid, but its place in South Africa's history goes beyond just this. The island also contains an insane asylum, which functioned as a prison for those deemed insane by the South African government. Other people to be imprisoned on the island include leprosy patients and common criminals.
Tour of Robben Island - Begin in Cape Town
The Robben Island tour is interesting and educational. The tour begins with a boat ride from the Cape Town docks over to the island. When the boat arrives at the island, you can see fortifications built during World War II. The island contains very African looking army huts, as well as a tank and some cannons. On the shore, you may also see some of the warm-water penguins that live in South African waters.
Tour of Robben Island - Bus Tour
The first part of the tour is a bus trip around the island. The tour guides have tons of fascinating information to share about the buildings to pass. One of the most memorable spots is the limestone quarry. The guide explained that political prisoners were forced to work in this quarry when the sun hit the white rocks, reflecting the glare into their eyes. This caused permanent damage to their eyes. This is why flash photography can never be used when photographing many prominent politicians in South Africa.
Our guide explained that many of the Robben Island guards were uneducated. Nelson Mandela showed his character by teaching them to read, instead of hating them for being guards. This may be more legend than real, but it certainly makes you think about what you would do in the same situation.
Tour of Robben Island - Walking Tour
The walking tour allows visitors to explore the prisoners' compound. This is when we switched to a different tour guide, who was one of the former prisoners. He shared some of his very personal experiences with us, but asks that they not be published or put on the news, as they want to encourage people to visit Robben Island itself to learn about it.
During the tour, we could see the cells that prisoners were kept in. The cells contain writings that the former prisoners submitted, sharing their memories of their time in the Robben Island prison.
To learn more about touring the island during your South African vacation, check out the Robben Island Museum Website. The best way to organize your tour is to go to the Cape Town dock area the day you would like to go on your tour and ask around until you find the office. The tickets to go on the tour are not very expensive, and this tourist site must not be missed on your vacation in Cape Town.
Published by Kellen Cooper
Kellen has a BBA and MAcc in Accounting and is in the process of qualifying to become a CPA. View profile
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- Other prisoners included leprosy patients and the mentally ill.
2 Comments
Post a CommentI was in a school trip to cape town n wow!... wat a beautiful city. we even went to robbern island and it was a great trip, i enjyed myself.
Sounds very interesting and educational. My son has the opportunity to go to South Africa next summer, in this area. I'll forward this to him. Well written.