Robben Island

Just wondered if anyone had been to Robben Island, it's an island in Table Bay, seven kilometres off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. I heard about it on the radio this morning - apparently a few of the World Cup broadcasters made it their day trip yesterday as there weren'tany matches to cover. That's a tough gig isn't it - no footy to watch so I'll go on a day trip instead!

I went 5 years ago and it was one of the most moving places I've been. It wasn't over commercialised and the guide was an ex prisioner. It was weird thinking (or trying to) what it must have been like in years past. Well worth a trip.

What was the tour like- did they show you around most of it?

How long ago did it stop being a prison?

It last served as a prison in 1996, since when it has become a museum.

i went a couple of years ago. Superb. The tours are by previous inmates. Ours showed us the cell he was in for god knows how many years. Incredible and highly recommended.

Was it expensive to do?

depends on the exchange rate but about £12 I think. Not bad for a three or four hour trip including a boat ride.

Not bad at all, now I just need to save to get a flight out there... ...

sounds really interesting, i like to visit a place with some backround. I visted Alcatraz and that was very strange but an interesting expereince.

I wanted to get to Alcatraz when I was last in San Francisco but the weather was so bad they cancelled all boat trips to the Island so I had to settle for viewing from afar.

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sounds really interesting, i like to visit a place with some backround. I visted Alcatraz and that was very strange but an interesting expereince.

Alcatraz was awesome- the audio tour is really good! There was a guy doing a talk on the 3 prisoners who escaped- was really interesting. It was cool to see all the mahoosive San Fran hills from the island as well.

I was supposed to visit Alcatraz but the day came and there was a huge storm so didn't get to make it.

If you get chance to go back, it's definitely worth it. The stories were really interesting and they had a great walking tour. Amazing views too!

Considering Robben Island has so much horrific history is it at all creepy?

I guess it's that morbid curiosity isn't it? A friend of mine went to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and State Museum and she wasn't at all herself for sometime after - it had a lasting effect on her.

I don't think I'd like it either! It's like when people love horror films or murder books I suppose. Some people are fine and others aren't.

Never really been a horror movie girl myself... saw too many when I was a child and now been put off a little.

What horror films were you watching as a child! I didn't see any until I was slightly older, and I love them now.

I know what you mean actually, I watched Nightmare on Elm Street when I was very young, and it pretty much ruined horror films for me!! I couldn't sleep properly for months after it