Dassi! (Day 4)

We woke to a beautiful clear day. We were booked on a ferry to Robben Island at 11am so there was time for a leisurely breakfast before heading to the Waterfront. We were really lucky to see a huge Sealion swimming right up close in the harbour. P had warned us that queues would be forming by 10:30am so at 10:20am we parted ways and went to queue for the ferry. It wasn't long before our tickets were scanned and we were being escorted to a boat. Somehow we ended up on a fancy catamaran. It was a lovely experience to sail sat out on the front.

We arrived at the island and were taken for a bus tour. We were told of the island's history as a leper colony and political prison. We were told how the first prisoners quarried the rock and built the prison by hand. We had an amazing view of a nesting ground of African Sacred Ibis and we watched as the flew in formation overhead. I was amazed to see the rocky beaches strewn with abalone shells, oh to be able to take a nice one away! We saw the quarry where Nelson Mandela and other political leaders were forced to work. The people who now work on the island live in the guards accommodation. After the bus tour we were met by a former prisoner and given a tour of the prison itself.

On the return journey we braved sitting on the webbing at the front. We were lucky enough to see more sealions and an African Fish Eagle! After a quick bite to eat we headed for Table Mountain.

It was now about 4pm and there was no queue for the cable car to go up the mountain. With the last car down at 7pm we didn't have very long to explore the top but we had a good wander, appreciated the sights and took lots of photos. In the little guide we were told not to feed the mammals. I laughed it off, mammals up a steep mountain! Then within ten metres we spotted one of these; a Dassi! Rather like a giant hamster/guineapig but who's closest living relative is an elephant! They seemed so calm around people but I wasn't allowed to stroke them. We queued to come down the mountain and then headed out to Hout Bay for fish & chips. The place we were planning on going to had closed but we found a spot frequented by locals. The food didn't disappoint but I think environmental health might have had a field day, I tried to not look too closely!