Cape Town, South Africa... Robben Island

One of the must dos when in Cape Town is a visit to Robben Island, the island prison where the great Nelson Mandela and many of his fellow anti-apartheid campaigners were caged during South Africa's not so distant past.

The island is only reachable by boat (as tends to be the way with islands) and you need to book in advance if you wish to take a tour. We booked online around 3 days prior, and luckily just managed to get spots on a trip. I'd suggest booking further in advance if you can do, to avoid missing out.

We met up with the rest of our group at the marina, and boarded the boat. It was a grey, rainy day and the sea was choppy. I'm not normally seasick, but as the boat lurched from side to side and all around me were vomming in paper bags handed out by the ever-cheerful boat staff, I felt very sorry indeed for myself and my churning stomach.

Finally on dry land we were greeted by our tour guide for the day. All the guides are ex-prisoners and are able to give you a unique insight into the prison, and the experiences they had there.

We were shown around the prison, as well as being allowed to enter the prisoners cells, including the one where Mr. Mandela (or Madiba as he is affectionately known by South Africans today) spent 27 years. We also strolled around the courtyard where Mandela and his fellow "high profile" political prisoners spent their exercise time.

Next we were taken on a bus tour of the whole island, culminating in the limestone quarry where prisoners were put to work in all weathers. We saw the poignant stone pile in the centre of the quarry, made by ex-prisoners on their commemorative return to the island, and preserved that way as a memorial.

After a visit to the island shop it was back on the boat for another choppy journey back to the mainland. I'm told the views of Table Mountain can be stunning, but can't personally vouch for that...

The grey, miserable weather was actually a good companion for the sombre mood we all felt on Robben Island. it's impossible to imagine spending even a week caged in the conditions of the prison, let alone 27 long years. To endure that, and then to come out and achieve as much as Mandela did is the definition of inspiring. Everyone going to Cape Town should visit Robben Island, and I hope it remains as it is for years to come - a reminder of what was, and how far things have moved on since those dark days.

I'll leave you with this...

Long Live Madiba :)