Final few days in Cape Town

After a great day of conquering Table Mountain, Monday had us head into the Cape Town tourist information office to get our National Park pass figured out.  Three words to describe that process... Dif e cult!  Anyways it was finally completed.  We then headed over to the Robben Island museum to catch a ferry to Robben Island, famous for detaining political prisoners.  Nelson Mandela of course is the most famous, but certainly not the only substantial detainee.  Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years there, but the other notable political prisoner was Robert Subokwe, founder of the National African Congress.  He was given a house on the prison grounds, but no one was allowed to speak to him, for four years!  Seeing the prison, Mandela's cell, and the Island was a memorable tour.  Upon returning to Capetown and home, the paragliders were up and operating.  We raced to the landing pad just down the street from our apartment and got Luke and Levi signed up.  Within 30 minutes they were flying off Signal Hill high above Sea Point.  The video of the boys flying was exceptional.

Tuesday had us take a tour of a township just outside of Capetown.  We received a history lesson on the plight of blacks in South Africa, and how until 1988 they had to carry a Dom Book at all times with them, or be imprisoned (Dom means stupid in Africanse).  By the looks of the shanty towns, it seems that equality and socially acceptable living conditions are still a ways down the road for millions of blacks in South Africa.  In the evening the boys and I went to the park to play some tag.  Turning 51 has it disadvantages as my quick turn resulted in an Achilles injury.  We went down the street, with me hobbling the whole way for sympathy, to the Rockport Restaurant for my birthday dinner.  Very enjoyable eating outside for a February birthday.  I then hobbled back home after the rest of the crew.
Wednesday morning has us go on a road trip south for Anarctica.  Our first stop was Kalk Bay to check out the fishing action.  We then went to Boulders, home of the African Penguin.  Cindy and I remembered being on the beach 20 years ago, and were disappointed that it was all on crowded boardwalks that kept the people and penguins well separated.  We then walked a little further down and found the Boulders beach.  Then we were tripping over penguins (Cindy tripped on one and it crapped right there and then - she is the reason for the board walk I guess).  Two hours later after swimming and crawling around with the penguins, we headed for Cape Point.  Next land mass is Antarctica. 
We the drove back via Chapman's Peak.  Beautiful drive, unless the passenger side is next to the high drop off into the ocean, and the passenger is not keen on heights.  Cindy was very brave, and I believe the isometric workout of grasping the dash and armrest was a good workout.

Anarctica somewhere behind us