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Awaiting Your Return From Shore |
Cape
Town's History and Culture
CPW-2
For an introduction to Cape Town’s history and culture visiting some of
the city’s outstanding museums provides an excellent start. At the same
time, your guide will point out major highlights during an orientation
drive en route to the museums on your schedule.
Cultural History
Museum
Located at the end of
Adderley Street, the museum occupies a building that was used in the
late 17th century by the Dutch East India Company as a slave lodge and
unofficial brothel. The British changed the Old Slave Lodge into the
city’s Supreme Court and today it houses this eclectic and rather
eccentric museum. Exhibits include the “Post Office Stones” under which
seafarers rounding the Cape from the 15th to the 17th centuries left
messages for each other.
Botanical Gardens
Next, a stroll takes
you through what is known as the Company Gardens. Part botanical
collection, part park, they started life in 1652 as the first colony’s
vegetable patch, later to become ornamental gardens. Rare plants were
introduced from Asia, and today massive exotic trees shade the walkways.
South African
Museum
Located at the
mountain end of the Company Gardens, the museum is the oldest and
arguably the most interesting one in South Africa. It features an
extensive natural history collection of mammals, reptiles, birds, fish
and insects. Of particular interest are also the life-size models of
bushmen and their paintings displayed on the upper floor.
South African
National Gallery
Your next visit is
this small but exquisite gallery which houses some of the finest modern
paintings and sculptures. Most notable is a life-size sculpture of “The
Butcher Boys,” depicting three youths seated on a bench, horns sprouting
from their heads, and spines bursting from their backs. The gallery gift
shop has some interesting books and a good selection of indigenous arts
and crafts. Enjoy a complimentary cup of tea before leaving the Company
Gardens and driving back to the ship. |
Awaiting Your Return
From Shore |
|
Complimentary
Spirits Await |
Return to Your
Suite and Sail Away to The Next Adventure |
Entertainment
and Dancing Await You |
