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Cape Town Capers Part 3
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Today was spent sight seeing around the 'waterfront' section of Cape Town. This area is fully stocked with restaurants, museums, shops, and various other touring opportunities. We enjoyed dinner in this area on Saturday night.
Starting a bit earlier than yesterday, we began our journey at half eight. The commute again took roughly a half an hour and we arrived at the waterfront. After walking for a while, we found ourselves inside the Nelson Mandela Museum. It is located right next to the water.
The museum was most interesting and highlighted the black South African's struggle for equal treatment. It made light of the efforts of many men and women who fought for the black peoples of South Africa.
I found one man to be particularly influential during this movement. His name was Steve Biko. He was mentioned quite often throughout the museum. This man was every bit as influential as Nelson Mandela. Much like Mandela, he was first arrested and put in jail as a political prisoner. His message was still preached from prison. Thus, during his stint in prison, he was beaten to death by guards.
According to the government of the time, Steve Biko 'ran into a wall and died.' There were a very large number of political prisoners who were murdered. They were true martyrs. Their murders produced outcries for equality and justice.
The discrimination against blacks in South African continued well into the 1980's. Can you imagine that? I was speaking with one of the church members from Cape Town. He said that in the seventies and eighties, there were separate church services for, 'colored people' and 'white people.' IN THE EIGHTIES! It was actually illegal to have a multiracial church service. It's hard to believe - but real.
In the early 1990's South Africa's president released all political prisoners and, as a result, he and Nelson Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 (I think that was the year) for their efforts in peacekeeping and racial equality.
Fortunately, South Africa has their racial issues sorted out for the most part. It was a wonderful learning experience to spend time in this museum. We take so much for granted in our country.
The museum was most captivating, but it was time to move on. We took a short half-hour harbor boat tour next. This tour was awful. The tour guide didn't know anything about the city's history. His comments were mindless and irrelevant. I am dumber for having listened to them. Here are some of his quotes:
"That restaurant sells 10,000 liters of beer a day during on season" - WHO CARES?
"That is a tugboat. It is designed to pull large barges into the harbor." - REALLY? HOW INTERESTING. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT'S WHAT A TUGBOAT DID...
"That boat is a fishing boat. They fish with nets." - THANK YOU - FOUNTAIN OF ALL KNOWLEDGE - I THOUGHT THEY USED MAGNETS TO CATCH FISH...
It didn't help that the man's voice was annoying. His voice sounded like Fran Dresher and Pee Wee Herman's vocal chords were slapped together and then genetically enhanced to produce volumes that any amphitheater would envy. To pour salt in the wound, he yelled his entire mindless monologue. The tour didn't even pass by anything note-worthy. Oh well.
Following the less-than-perfect harbor boat tour, after my ears stopped bleeding (they weren't really bleeding), we ventured over to the Cape Town Aquarium.
The aquarium was amazing. I saw very rare fish from both the Indian and Atlantic oceans. These included, sharks, eels, gigantic freak crabs, enormous psycho lobsters, an octopus, manta rays, sting rays, blue rays, seals, penguins, and tons more.
These gigantic freak crabs were something else. They lived 400 meters below the surface of the ocean and grew to have an adult leg span of 8 feet! That's colossal! Their head / main body area was the size of a basketball - a full size basketball! Yikes, they were scary.
The lobsters were also huge. Their legs and antennae were abnormally large. I never want to come across these large devilish creatures unless we are again separated by a thick wall of glass.
Two hours of sea life later, we departed for a final Oceanside cruise. This time we drove around the west coast of Cape Town.
We completed our ride at Dolphin Beach. This beach gave us a beautiful view of Table Mountain, Lions Head, Robin Island, and the general harbor area. Picturesque I tell you, picturesque.
At this time, it was rush hour. After a glance at the map, we chose our route home. Motorcycles have free reign in South Africa. In fact, motorcyclists are expected to drive between the cars during rush hour. That's the biker's bonus I suppose.
On the highway, I drove right down the white stripped lane dividing marker. It was phenomenal. Everyone was stopped, but I was going. I could feel the envy of the delayed motorists oozing from their cracked windows.
We made it home in record time. I felt like James Bond, you know, with the traffic dodging / weaving maneuvers and all.
Shortly after our return, we left the Gordon's to return the motorcycle and have dinner at the Weber's home.
The Weber's live 10km away from the Gordon's, so the drive was short and the motorcycle was returned safe and sound. It was sad parting with Black Beauty - that's what I named Mr. Weber's dark rugged two-wheeled man-mover (I had to name it a girl because all motor vehicles should be named girls - i.e. my car's name is Vanessa). It was hard to believe that we road roughly 400km. I am so grateful for the Weber's generosity! Thank you so much!
We all sat at the sizably large dinner table and enjoyed a fine meal of rice, beef, lasagna, salad, bread, and a delicious fruit spread. Having all been hit by an onset of drowsiness, Mr. Weber insisted on playing a few games of pool.
I didn't see a pool table around the house and I was curious as to where it was. The dinner table was cleared, the top was removed, and sure enough underneath was a magnificent green-felted billiards table. Great idea! Dinner table / pool table. 2 birds - 1 stone. Fellas, you may want to run this idea by you wives. Versatility makes the home-go-round. (Random)
The night melted away as we listened to the Phil Collins - Live in London DVD while playing pool and sipping on the delicious brandy that Mr. Weber eagerly distributed. All in all, it was a superb evening that put the cherry on top of an amazing stay in Cape Town.
After returning home, Aaron and I said our goodbyes to Gareth because he will be working when depart tomorrow. It was a pleasure to meet you Gareth and thank you so much for your warm hospitality!
Well, Tomorrow is the final countdown. It's my last day in Africa. Here's how it will go:
11:30-4:00 - Cape Town to Johannesburg
7:00pm-7:30am - Johannesburg to Atlanta
9:00am-11:15am - Atlanta to Dallas
3:45pm-6:00pm - Dallas to Chicago
7:50 - 10:30 - Chicago to Cleveland
...Then I get to see my wonderful family for the first time in 2 months! I am not looking forward to 36 hours of flying, but I am eager to return home.
The journey is still unfolding. More to come.
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