Category Archives: History

Day 46: Through the former Ciskei

Our route today led us through an area that was formerly known as Ciskei. In enforcing its segregation policy the Apartheid regime created so called self governed and officially independent homelands or Bantustans for the rural African population. Ruled by chiefs those “republics” were never internationally accepted and never completely seperated from the South AfricanContinue reading “Day 46: Through the former Ciskei”

Day 36: Robben Island revisited – the ferry trip

The trip to Robben Island for today’s tourist is a comfortable one, in a modern ferry with two indoor decks and one outdoor deck on the top, with a bar, restrooms and staff attending to the needs. And even though the trip can be quite rocky when the sea is bumpy with two meters highContinue reading “Day 36: Robben Island revisited – the ferry trip”

Day 33: Cape Town revisited – Slave Lodge

When visiting Cape Town I actually did a small museum tour about which I have still not written until today. One of the smaller but none the less impressive museums is the old Slave Lodge situated directly next to the Company Garden in the city centre.   Company Garden     The various names theContinue reading “Day 33: Cape Town revisited – Slave Lodge”

Day 27: Back to colonial times

According to the wishes of my boyfriend we traveled through the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine region today. For me this became some kind of travel back in history to colonial times. Our first trip led us to a winery that produces biodynamic wines and after a tasting we bought six bottles of nearly perfect redContinue reading “Day 27: Back to colonial times”

Day 26: Robben Island and (not) Cape Point

Robben Island This morning at 9 am I took the ship to visit the infamous prison island “Robben Island” where during times of Apartheid political prisoners were held captive. It was apparently a good decision to start the day early because a short time later the ferry company decided to cancel the other two tripsContinue reading “Day 26: Robben Island and (not) Cape Point”

Day 9: Terms of racism

If you wonder what a picture of a beautiful beach has to do with racism, here is the explanation: During times of apartheid King’s Beach in Port Elizabeth was the only beach people of colour were allowed to go to, separating them from the white population. Even though the beach might look beautiful it isContinue reading “Day 9: Terms of racism”