Africa Pics

On our way from Ghana to South Africa, we were lucky enough to cross the 0-0 point, where the Prime Meridian crosses the Equator.  The Captain blew the ship's horn and we all had a 5-minute picture party.

The open window is the cell occupied by Nelson Mandela during his imprisonment at Robyn Island, South Africa.  This island had been used since the earliest colonial days in South Africa for housing prisoners and less than desirable peoples by the ruling colonial powers.  Robyn Island was a very powerful experience, compounded by the fact that our tour guide was a former political inmate during Apartied.

Students visiting Robyn Island, the political prison of the Apartied South African Government.

A display from the District 6 Museum.  District 6 was destroyed under the auspices of "Urban Development and Renewal" during the late 1960s and early 1970s.  The area of District 6 was demolished save for the religious structures on the site, and remains undeveloped due to the now recognized land claims of former inhabitants.  The are was so politically and civilly contentious that the area still remains mostly vacant.

A hand-drawn map of the District 6 area surrounded by poems and diary entries from former residents and important South African literary figures.  It is a strikingly beautiful, yet haunting image of a now vanished place.

Artwork at the District 6 Museum.

Rescued street-signs and rubble from the demolition of District 6.

On the second to last day in South Africa, I was able to go on a day long Safari.  Here the bull Water Buffalo eyes our safari jeep, making sure we don't get to close to his harem.

Cheetahs at the Safari Park Rehabilitation Center.

The view from the Cable Car up to the top of Table Mountain.  The ride was beautiful and we got to watch sunset from the top of Table Mountain.  One of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever witnessed.  I even saw the green spark that only truly accompanies awesome sunsets.

Me at the top of Table Mountain.

Standing above the clouds on Table Mountain.  The cloud cover that often falls down the sides of Table Mountain is referred to by locals as the Table Cloth.  It is easy to see why.