At 5:30 a.m. we headed out to shark cage dive In Gansbaai South Africa with Marine Dynamics. Unfortunately a few days ago a couple of Orca Whales chased the Great White Sharks away and they haven't come back yet. However, we saw a gigantic Cape Fur Seal colony. Well, Great Whites like to eat seals so I think the sharks will return. How many seals do you think there are in the picture that shows just a little part of the colony?
Great White Sharks are a vulnerable species. Here is some good news. Marine Dynamics works with Dyer Island Trust to help conserve the sharks. We were able to make a small donation to the fund on your behalf. Your conservation dot was placed on the shark Slashfin. Here is a little bit more about Slashfin from the Marine Dynamics website: Slashfin is a legendary 4.5m male shark. He was named 'Slashfin' after the severe damage caused to his dorsal fin - probably caused by an encounter with another shark - the shark cage diving community was able to identify him and follow his recovery for over six years during his annual visits to the Dyer Island area. The fin used to be shredded to pieces and the researchers were astonished to see how well it healed so that now it is only distinguished by two parallel scars. He is still a famous and favourite annual visitor to our waters. You are Always in My Prayers. Love Mom. Super Seven and Great Eights Our tour company claims to promote responsible travel. Shark cage diving is still controversial because they do bait the sharks and bring them closer to humans. Marine Dynamics seems to be doing a pretty good job of balancing the thrill of the sharks with conservation. What do you think?--responsible or not?
20 Comments
Today we took a boat to Robben Island. Nelson Mandela was in prison there for almost twenty-seven years. He believed in an South Africa where everyone should be treated the same. Being equal was against the law. He stood up for what he believed in. After he was freed he was voted the president of South Africa. Our tour guide used to be in prison in Robbin Island too. His name is Sipho Msomi. Sipho was arrested by the South African police in 1984 when he was only 20 years old. He had a running scholarship to go to university in the United States. Instead he went to prison with five of his friends. They were getting young people together to stick up for freedom. Now he talks to visitors about an equal South Africa. I think Mandela and Sipho demonstrated perseverance. They kept working hard for a better South Africa. What other character traits do you think they showed? You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom. P.S. We also saw our very first penguin colony on Robben Island. They were a little far away, but I was still excited. Super Sevens and Great Eights
Seeing Nelson Mandela's cell in solitary confinement was very emotional. It is not hard to imagine how difficult it would have been for him to work endlessly in the lime quarry. In spite of how he was treated he continued to fight for freedom, equality, and peace. There are many freedom songs of South Africa, but I was moved by the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley that Mandela often recited while in captivity: Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeoning of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find me, unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. Link to an interview with our guide Sipho http://www.robben-island.org.za/stories
Super Sevens and Great Eights
We had fantastic guides on our tour through Woodstock. Supreme was from Zimbabwe and Zachariah was a free-born (a local of Woodstock born after apartheid). Zachariah even took us to his home where we met his Grandpa and saw the cockatiels and canaries his family shows and raises. Have you heard the term gentrified? Woodstock was previously a very poor area, but developers have bought up a lot of the property and now it is quite hipster. This makes housing unaffordable for families who were originally local to the area. This is currently a huge talking point for locals. Pros? Cons?
|
Details
Ray & Diane HomewoodSharing the Blessing of Travel ArchivesCategories |