Robben Island

I had been looking forward to going to Robben Island. The Dutch named it after the only large mammals found on the island - seals. We have seen plenty of playful and sunning seals in the harbour in Cape Town.
Robben Island has had a variety of inhabitants over the centuries. It was once a leper colony, housed a mental institution, was a military base and what we synonymously think of it as - the maximum security prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years of incarceration. There were three prisons on the island. One for political prisoners (maximum security), one for Robert Sobukwe who opposed apartheid, and a prison everyday criminals. Only black, coloured or Indian men were sent to the island. We were given a tour of the maximum security prison by a former inmate who was imprisoned for 7 years. The overall message that comes through is one of triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
Two hundred people still live on Robben Island. They work for the museum.

Nelson Mandela's cell.

Robert Sobukwe's "house".

Elementary school. Older children take the ferry to school in Cape Town.

Limestone quarry where prisoners toiled for day after day for years. The cave served as a bathroom, eating area and meeting place.

A tough, barren landscape.

Have you ever seen a dassie, a dassie, a dassie...

The dassie is, believe it or not, to the elephant, lives on Table Mountain or other rocky outcroppings. Although they are far from the size of an elephant, they are a sizable rodent! They are not able to protect themselves from their predators (eagles), and live a rather lazy lifestyle consisting of eating and lazing in the sun. Looks like the elephant has more going for it!

Table Mountain

The boys climbed Lion's Head on Tuesday (669 meters) and we have been waiting to do Table Mountain (1085 meters) until Nancy arrived. Today was the day. The Table Mountain website reported the cable cars were not running due to gale winds. Jack decided we should go anyway since the weather looked good from the apartment. At the mountain the cars were indeed closed, but we thought we would start the climb regardless. Halfway up Nancy wasn't feeling well so we turned back while Jack and the boys kept going. As we reached the bottom, the cable cars had started to run. Rather than wait for the boys to come down we decided to ride up to the top.  The cable car was amazing. Sixty five people fit in. We got to the top and were stunned at the views. The top of the mountain itself looked a lot like Iceland. We, of course, could not find the boys so after awhile we went back down. We took the shuttle bus to the parking lot and thought we would put a note on the windshield telling Jack we would stay near the cable car entry. The van was gone, so obviously Jack tired of waiting for us. Nancy and I thought surely he would come back. We waited a bit and then decided he was not coming. I told the taxi driver our predicament of how my husband and children had left and now we were separated. He told me to phone him. I said he didn't have a phone and we did not have a meeting point. He said, "Madam, that is not a good plan." Nancy and I have laughed over that line as I am sure we will hear it many more times. We took the taxi to the apartment and in the end we all ended up at the there within three minutes of each other. Luke has amazing video of their climb up Table Mountain.

Sadly, there was another death on Table Mountain today. That is two in the week we have been here. The boys saw a rescue helicopter on the mountain and later the body being loaded into a truck. 

At the base of Table Mountain

On the way up.

Views from the top.

Robben Island in the background.

It is flat as a table on top!

Lion's Head

The V & A Waterfront

The V&A is in the heart of Cape Town. Saturday we walked to see this busy harbour full of shops, restaurants and entertainment. Levi has finally like someplace we have been. Luke thinks he will move here one day.
On route to the V&A we came across a farmer's market. We loaded up one some new, strange fruits.

The more wrinkled the better was what we were told when selecting Granadilla. Very citrusy. The figs and mangoes were delicious.

Coastline and cacti along the way.

This Ferris wheel is an iconic fixture of the V&A.

Capetown - The Mother City

We arrived in Cape Town on Friday February 17. We have 2 weeks to pretend we are Capetonians. We are staying in Sea Point, right on the Atlantic Ocean. Lion's Head, Signal Hill and Table Mountain are in view.

We took the city bus to the apartment. After our 18 hours in transit, I couldn't believe how energetic everyone was. The park next to the ocean was a hit and has been a favourite place every evening. Nate's choice is always tag. He never tires of this.

A rare down moment in the park.

Being by the ocean is new for us prairie people. We are used to feeling the strong north-west wind at home, but here, the south-easterly winds are vicious! Saturday night I thought the apartment building was going to blow down.

The temperature of the Atlantic is between 12 - 15 degrees. Nate is toughing it out. The beaches just beyond our neighborhood have been rated by National Geographic as 2nd best in the world. Pity the water is so cold.

Luke and I have been taking advantage of the promenade that runs out our door all along the coastline. A wonderful running track. Captonians love to run. Two Saturdays ago I ran along the Atlantic coast in Reykjavik. This Saturday (Feb. 18) Luke and I ran 8 miles along it again in the Southern Hemisphere. A big difference in temperature. I much prefer the below 0 temps of Iceland for running.

Great running path, fantastic views and usually a cool breeze.

On the African Continent!

We were allowed to board Flight ET 705 bound for Cape Town on Thursday February 16 at 17:30. Alas, we will only see Addis from the airport.

 After 18 hours in transit, we arrived to 30 degree heat in Cape Town South Africa. By 16:30 we had found our way via city bus to our apartment on the Atlantic Ocean.

With the ocean out our door, we spent the evening on the promenade and in the park enjoying the feeling of not wearing toques and mitts!

5 unexpected days in Belgium

On Saturday I thought I would have to sign off of my diet of Belgium beer, Belgium chocolate and Dutch cheese. One of the silver linings to our extended stay in Belgium is I could maintain my eating habits for a few more days.

Lots of variety!



The first few days we did paperwork and made for the documents arrangements. After everything was in place we took the  one hour train ride for an overnight stay in Bruge. Picturesque cobbled streets, horse drawn carriages and scenic canals make this medieval city a must-see destination. It is a picture perfect city, and I took many, many pictures.

 Nate under the windmill.

The Market in Bruge. Some deep thinkers!