John here…

Today we explored some of the attractions around Cape Town. First up was Table Mountain. This land mark dominates Cape Town and is visible from anywhere around town. Our luck is holding as usually the mountain is shrouded with cloud locally called the "Table Cloth", but this morning it is clear. The hotel courtesy van transported us to the cable car entrance and we were soon on our way via cable car to the top. The mountain is just over a 1000 meters high and the 2 cars travel at 10mtr a minute so it was a short trip, but as the floor in the cable car completes 1 full rotation while on its journey, everyone was able to take in the vistas and the expanse of the mountain, the city and the ocean beyond. Reaching the top we were pleasantly surprised on the way the area has been carefully developed offering various walks and vantage points for "the" photo as well as a restaurant with all the facilities. After exploring the table top we then had a coffee break before the journey down.

Next was a taxi trip to the Victoria and Albert (V&A) waterfront shopping precinct for our ferry sojourn to Robben Island. The waterfront area was teaming with people and shops; it reminded me of Darling Harbour in Sydney. Robben Island is now a prison exhibit: it was where Nelson Mandela spent many years while incarcerated by the government. While the prison is well maintained the conditions were very harsh with prisoners sleeping on concrete floors with little or no possessions. The tour was conducted by a former prisoner who had met Mandela and was able to relate his time here. This exhibit is clearly a must visit for all South Africans as they pay homage to their freedom fighters with a low ratio of white skinned folk. The tour included a bus trip around the island and the ferry back to V&A.

The evening was completed with a magnificent steak dinner @ City Grill on the waterfront - a 2 bottle night of a great local pinot noir wine!!.

Quote of the day - "As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison." - Nelson Mandela