S1 - Ep 456 - Robben Island, Cape Town!

Our trip to Robben Island, a short boat trip away from Cape Town, was quite an adventure. After arriving in the morning, we explored the Robben Island Museum before heading to catch the ferry. However, we were informed that it was cancelled due to technical problems, so we rescheduled for the following Monday at 1pm. Thankfully, when Monday came, everything seemed fine, although they had to charter another ferry due to ongoing issues with theirs. Despite the hiccups, it was fascinating to finally set foot on the historic Prison Island and witness some of the historical buildings. However, we couldn't shake off a sense of disappointment and a feeling of having missed out on most of what the Island has to offer. We explain further in the video. #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #travelongravel #robbenisland #capetown #prisonisland
Instagram
/ dustbugstravel
Facebook
/ dustbugstravel

[@rosemarymoolman6765]

I must say that I agree with you about the way the tour was done. I know that you love to explore and go into detail, so you missed out on a lot. But, at least you can say that you have been there. I am looking forward to your next episodes. I will miss you for the few weeks. Thank you for showing us this video.

[@ferwallace1903]

Very nice tour, thanks for taking us on Robben island, though quite rushed we had a glimpse. I miss my native south africa, love from Zimbabwe. ❤❤❤

[@allysonvine]

Thank you taking me down memory lane. I have such happy childhood memories of holidays spent on Robben Island .

[@ChristaGodley]

Het dit geniet om julle weer te hoor .

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

In the early 90s the island children came to Jan van Riebeeck High and stayed in the school "koshuis" during the week and the the boat came on Fridays to take them back home. We ,as teachers, were often invited to stay for the weekend! Those were the days when the parents took us on trips everywhere! Saw so much!!❤❤❤❤

[@lee-anneadams9222]

Hi Curtis Sonia and Dusty, thanks for this visit. I'm as disappointed as you that one could not roam freely, on the island. We understand everything needs to be controlled and monitored but rushing around, is not cool. Anyway at least we could experience it together, safe travels 🥾❤

[@beryl9538]

Thanks once again for Robin Island exploration. I really love the two of you sense of humor. I always have a good laugh.

[@joannemoore1729]

I like hearing your discussion at the end about the tour being rushed. I like to explore on my own too. I get antsy when I have to listen to a tour guide. ❤

[@ronnykenny3965]

Thank you guys, that was enjoyable, my sister actually lived there many years ago when her hubby was a lighthouse keeper.

[@irenemasterson146]

My grandfather was one of the lepers (Or so they thought - he did not lose any limbs). He died on Robben Island. He was from Barcelona. I managed to obtain his hospital records from the archives. Thank you for sharing was very interesting indeed.

[@steven-kh3qc]

Very interesting bit of history

[@mariusroos]

Thank yo. A trip well done and very interesting. Like you said it was a bit rushed. But i enjoyed it and am glad i could once again experience it. Next one you will see me

[@olivehattingh9764]

Thanks for sharing your experience to Robin island. Never been there. Now I have been with your video. ❤❤

[@guillaumedeswardt6876]

I've watched all your episodes. It will be a long time till the end of March

[@annawitter5161]

What a ferocious fee to visit ! Thats why I never did. But its very interesting so thanks for the vicarious visit. I keep hearing the Johhny Clegg song Hasimbonanga. Sad!!! Love the view of Table Mountain, Lions head and Signal Hill. So you didnt go whoops over the side of the boat! I dont get sea sick but dont like boat travel. Ferrymans! An old haunt of me and Roger.

[@steven-kh3qc]

One of the most incredible songs ever performed

[@thewanderer58]

Indeed a very rushed tour. Nice little church. Thank you.

[@deeharris1856]

I've been there.. but did explore the way you guys do it..thanks

[@patrickw3144]

look forward to the next one

[@saulphiri7127]

I totally agree with you. Why the rush? You must have been allowed to walk around and document what you wanted to. Equally disappointed! Man, Sonia and you, great people.

[@DustBugsTravel]

The goal is very clearly to sardine as many folks as possible on the boats and into the buses to make as much money as possible. It's quite sad actually and we felt quite cheated, to be honest. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@deonzar]

I have been to Robben Island in the previous century, a "friend of a friend" organised so the group could take our bicycles with and we went cycling around the island. We also overnight in a big hall, we had a very nice snoek braai that evening. And we visited all the historic sites/buildings with our own private guide. A lot of fun was had.....and like they say....and that's all I can say about that....🙂

[@metalbird8992]

I visited Robben Island some years back and we had much more time to wander around Madiba's cell block. The father of my courtesy uncle ( actually one of my father's WW2 buddies) was the doctor at the leper colony for some time. I wish I had spoken more about this to his widow, a remarkable character in her own right who lived to the grand age of 96, in spite of being a heavy smoker who told me she started the habit at the age of seven, smoking a pipe on her father's Free State farm!😂

[@lynettestarke9071]

With that entrance fee, I would also be very disappointed.

[@udushome2131]

I was there last years , willing to visit again, such an amazing place in the world

[@cherrycarter8442]

The dustbugs footage excellent, as always. The reasoning by the bus woman on filming seemed a little paranoid, that journalists could change the story of the island ? Places that don't allow filming are usually clear cut, no filming, that Robben allows 'some short filming, not long' seems kinda silly, still better than nothing I guess. Anyhow thanks for the journey guys. The teaser your next trip will be thousands of kms away ?

[@DustBugsTravel]

I think it's very possible for anyone, not only a journalist, to change the story of the island or of any other place on this planet, if we're honest. The filming policy didn't quite make sense to us either, but we had to play the hand we were dealt. 🤷🏻‍♂️ We're not done exploring our own beautiful country just yet and anywhere we go now, will end up being trips during which we travel thousands of kilometres. 😁🚙🇿🇦

[@LeafyABird]

Hi my son Matthew and myself your trips.We don't miss anyone of them.My boy is 8 years old and he asking whether you did perhaps visit the Iziko museum. We love you guys. Davina

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm glad the two of you enjoy our videos! 😁 The only museum we visited was the one at Jetty 1 before we headed to the building where the boat departed from. 🛥️ Thanks for watching!

[@terrimeyer3815]

Hellooòoo....I agree it did look rushed Curtis. Tick off the bucket list. I came I saw but I'll give this one a skip. Hats off to Soni for being a sport with the wheelchair. You really are inspiring me.....sooo much. Of course i can't wait to see what's next 🎉🎉🎉

[@zinimountglobal]

Good luck! 😁

[@deeharris1856]

I'm exploring robben Ieland with you..I must say the readings on the wall are very painful .😢

[@Breitie]

I visited "Devils Island" prison in the tropical hell of French Guyana, made famous in the movie "Papillon", and can only say that Robben Island seems like a holiday resort by comparison. Other than that, thank you for the tour. I lived in Cape Town for 16 years and have never had the opportunity to explore that notorious place.

[@charlietreston4035]

Hi guys first for me on Robben Island very interesting but I agree with you Curtis it would have been nice to explore by yourself all the time the spectacular view of table Mountain must have made it harder to be locked up there. We'll guys I'm glad you went to a irish pub and tired the irish food I used to have coddle as a kid .Guinness is an aquiard taste it's called porter not stout they say the best Guinness is in Ireland I'd say best drank in colder weather also the food is best in the cold but I have no doubt you would get used to it with your irish roots 😉. I've started studying basic gaelic not easy 😢 thanks for taking me along Sla'n latte and cheerio till the next one

[@ingeborgvanderveer789]

Aahhh een Guinness 😋🍺 altijd heerlijk maar inderdaad wel heel speciaal qua smaak. Morgen ga ik hier (Engelberg in Zwitserland) naar de Ierse pub voor een getapt exemplaar. Robben Eiland viel mij nogal tegen, precies om wat jullie zeggen, het constant opgejaagd worden en het jakkeren over het eiland in die bus. Mandela als verdienmodel, was mijn gedachte na afloop. Nou ja, gelukkig genoeg andere mooie dingen te zien en beleven in en rondom Kaapstad. Ben benieuwd naar de aflevering van woensdag. Hartelijke groeten uit het mooie Zwitserland, waar de treinen perfect zijn en stipt op tijd rijden en ik mijn wangen een tikkeltje verbrandde op de Titlis, waar je naartoe gaat in een zelfde ronddraai gondel als naar de Tafelberg 🇨🇭😎🚂

[@TembaNcube]

Hi guys . Yes I agree that your tour of Robben Island appeared to be rushed by the tour guides . It is rather frustrating considering the time , effort and money that people put in . Otherwise thanks for the pictures 🙏🏾🌎

[@aislingbooks]

I thought the island was stark ...but what did I expect for a prison island? And the adventure looked rushed as well. Most interesting to me was Nelson Mandela's cell, the guard who'd been imprisoned there's briefly captured talk ...and, of course, the garden where Mandela grew vegetables and hid his manuscript. Wow - powerful site. I'm glad to have been brought along for that. And at the Irish restaurant I had to laugh at your 'Guinness is an acquired taste'. Since it's made with the roasted grains of barley it's been in the past thought to be considered a healthier drink than a simple beer. Thus, the 'Guinness is good for you' slogans. With this said, nothing beats Guinness on tap in Ireland, itself...it's just in the air and water, and is a pleasantly different and refreshing drink altogether. Maybe if/when you and Sonja visit Ireland, Curtis, you'll change your mind again. If not, order a Harp lager for a light beer, which may be your preference. I like Bulmer's cider, myself. Sláinte!

[@DustBugsTravel]

We enjoy every type of landscape, so the stark beauty with that breathtaking view of Cape Town was fantastic for us. As for the experience, we've had a few months to reflect and our opinion hasn't changed. We feel they should let tourists loose to explore on their own, with a curfew to be back at the boat. We, for example, specifically wanted to check out the lighthouse and church up close, but so much time had been lost by then, that we had to rush to the prison where we again had to move in a group and not on our own. Sonia and I are interested in completely different things to most, but there was no provision made for exploring any other point of interest than what was on their route and then many of the places were left out in the end. We're not complainers, but I'm not sure this was worth it. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I shall certainly give Guinness another try once I set foot on my ancestors' soil one day. Cheers! 🍻

[@aislingbooks]

Nothing wrong with honest criticism, especially if it's legit. 😏

[@dawnbarnes1361]

Thank you both ❤ Keep safe and Keep Traveling 😅

[@Gilesfly]

On our visit some years ago the only cell that had anything in it was that of Nelson Mandela.

[@Breitie]

That cell appeared pretty austere, without even a bed. Surely good old Nelson did not sleep on the hard floor for all of 27 Years?

[@MrBaba1955]

I agree with you guys regarding your visit, seems disorganised, as for the tour guide on the bus, I found her tone very regimented, aggressive and rushed.

[@kingalfred3902]

That is Africa for you ....i could not see one black person on this cruise ...??? Why is that ...??? Mandela is not the hero everybody thought he was ....Thats why.!...They are not even interested in their own heroes..!!!...Only whites are duped ...!!!......the reason White people are always on this Robben Island cruises ......is to sort of redeem themselves .....for being part of the white race in Africa .....that was so called ..... cruel to these political prisoners ......and then they feel much better ...!!!!...Sad actually ..!!

[@dimakatsomaqabe8385]

I wish to pay a visit to Robin Island before I die. This is the place hunting me more than any others. It's a rich historical place not to be forgotten. Anyone to help me to fulfill my dream this year, 2024. I would also like to enjoy my wedding ceremony here if I was allowed by God to get married. Knot tying.

[@bramprins229]

He you guys where can I buy your Cap.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm still working on quality, yet reasonably-priced, products. I'll definitely make an announcement once I'm happy with the final products! 🧢😁

[@gerryroetsYosi]

Is there any town houses or house to rent

[@DustBugsTravel]

I have no idea. 🤷🏻 I believe only folks who work on the island, can live there.

[@wijpke]

This is a symbol of the fight against ANC corruption and domination. A symbol for the fight for jobs and to have water and electricity 😊

[@DustBugsTravel]

🛥

[@mzeinvestments9176]

30:00 that accent 🤣🤣

[@michealmanack9522]

I wonder y u can't take vids Der on robben island.. wat hav dey got to hide... robben island belongs to SA...

[@DustBugsTravel]

It is a rather strange practice, I must say. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Luckily for us, they allowed short clips which we were able to include in our video. Thank you for watching!

[@NewsGlobal-100]

I did a Robben Island tour once and I will recommend everyone to skip this from your tour plans. It's not interesting at all and the weather will always find a way to irritate the crap out of you. ✊😠👎

[@DustBugsTravel]

😳