An Incredible Journey-Cape Town

Rachel and I had already been to Cape Town, but that didn't make our second visit any less fantastic. That's because this cosmopolitan town had plenty to keep us busy and loads of delicious food for us to eat. (I had nachos twice in one day!) There were plenty of other RPCVs around, too, which made celebrating my final African birthday a real occasion. Especially since Katie and Dan, two of my favorite friends from America, were there to join us.


The Streets of Cape Town


My Birthday Dinner


The Birthday Dinner Crew


Early World Cup Prep

Rachel and I had already done a lot of the more touristy things in Cape Town, like Table Mountain and the Cape Point tour. But I'd tried and failed to visit Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held captive for 27 years. I'd read his book, Long Walk to Freedom before visiting South Africa the first time, and was determined not to leave the continent before seeing where most of his story took place. Luckily Katie and Dan had booked tickets well in advance, so we were able tour the island during their visit. While most of the experience took place in a bus, where a former prisoner explained daily life at Robben Island, we were able to get out and walk around the cells where Mandela and several other well-known political prisoners stayed.


The best view of Table Mountain is from Robben Island


Mandela's Prison Cell


The Yard, where prisoners spent one hour each day


The Garden where Mandela hid his Long Walk to Freedom manuscripts

As part of the birthday festivities, Katie and Dan also planned a tour to some local vineyards. Rachel and I had done something similar on our first visit to Cape Town, but both Katie and Dan are real winos and the couple not only rented a private car, but picked a selection of tiny mom and pop vineyards (as well as a couple of big ones) for us to visit. It was the perfect way to spend an absolutely beautiful day!


The Vines


The Casks at De Toren


Outside Simonsberg. They even make their own Champagne!


The Cheese Tasting at Fairview--Almost as Good as the Wine

Tomorrow we say goodbye to Cape Town and head out along the Garden Route, bound for the Wild Coast. (Katie and Dan rented a car, so no more hitchhiking and public transport for us!) We'll be hitting up a couple of spots we missed the first time around, and celebrating our last Christmas on the continent, too.