South Africa Trip - Day 9

Day 9 was our final full day in South Africa. That meant that we had to finish up our shopping and last minute sight seeing. We also had to watch the final game of the first round for the US. So even though we were just about done, we still had a lot to do.

We started out the morning by heading into town to the craft market on the waterfront. They sell a ton of hand made goods. We purchased all of our last minute souvenirs here before we head off to our tour of Robben Island.

The tour started at 1230 when they loaded the boat. We were one of the first ones in line so we shot straight to the top of the boat. As we were walking up, Andy fell behind the group. Once we got up to the top, they closed off the top deck to any more passengers. We saw him down on the second level and he told us that he got stopped by one of the ship's crew because they wanted him to give them his USA jacket.

After we talked to Andy, we noticed that there started to be a lot more commotion on the water. I saw a couple small police boats in the water and a lot of people standing on the walkway close to where our boat was. Then more and more police started showing up, and finally a bigger boat. Once the people on the boat started getting off, I realized that it was the Netherlands National soccer team that was getting off the boat. They were just coming back from their Robben Island tour! I got a whole bunch of pictures of the team and players. It was SO awesome!

Anyways, the trip to Robben island was about a 20 minute boat ride in freezing weather. Didn't get to see any whales either.

Once we got to the island, we hopped on a bus thinking that it was going to take us to the prison. It turned out, later, that the bus was a tour. We were lucky because we got on a bus with one of the best tour guides I have ever seen. He was a GREAT story teller that you just wanted to listen to all the time. I wanted him to tell me bed-time stories! He told us that most of the people working there, including him, were once prisoners on the island. That just made everything he said more interesting and meaningful.

This tour guide took us around the island showing us different areas of the island, like where the prison was, where the governor stayed, where the MP houses/churches were, light house and so much more. It was great because before the tour started, he asked where the people on the tour were because he wanted to incorporate everyone into the story. He was a VERY knowledgeable tour guide. It was just great!

After the bus tour, we were dropped off at the prison where we were given a walking tour through the prison. It was so moving to see where the prisoners were forced to live and in what conditions. We got a chance to see Nelson Mandela's cell just like they did in the movie Invictus. It's crazy to think that these people were forced to live in a cell that is about 5ft x 4ft with only a couple of blankets and a bucket in there.

After the tour, we headed back to the boat and back to Cape Town. We sat as close to the exit on the boat because we needed to make sure that we got off quick and get somewhere to watch the US/Algeria game. We were able to find this place that had some standing room and watch the game. The game itself was pretty terrible. We had a TON of chances to score and we weren't taking advantage of ANY of them. In the end though, as i'm sure you're aware, the US pulled it out in the 91st minute! It was SO awesome... people running everywhere, hugging strangers, slappin' hands!

After that, we went to do a little more shopping and then hung out at Mitchell's, a Scottish bar to watch the Germany game. Nothing special (except birthmark), just the game and a couple beers. Didn't want to be hung over on the plane ride home the next day.

Anyways, today's our flight out of here and we're all packed. This is my last entry as an American African blogger... unless I get bored in Dubai and i'll become an American Dubaiian blogger. We'll see.

Piece.