Visit on Saturday to Robben Island (where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison)

"Robben" is Afrikannars for "Seal" - and back in the day there were a lot of seals on the island.

The view from the visitor's center in the village. Currently 120 people live in the village on the island. They maintain the park and facilities. The children go to school on the mainland (30 min. ferry ride!)

Our guide - had a little of the Samuel L. Jackson thing going on. All the guides in the prison tour were inmates.

Mandela's cell

Mandela's window (view of sky - nothing else) 

Courtyard outside Mandela's cell

Photo of men working in the courtyard during Mandela's time there.

The room where our guide was imprisoned. 20 men were in this room.

They had two mats for a bed. Mandela had one.

After a number of years, they got bunk beds.

"The long walk to freedom" is the 300 yards that prisoners would walk after being freed - from the prison, through the gate to the ferry.

The boat ride back to Cape Town after our VERY SHORT 3 HOUR stay on the island.