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From the London/UK Daily Guardian earlier this month, they have this headline: "10 of the best places to eat in Cape Town" with this sub-head: "The spectacular port city’s collision of cultures and flavours has sparked a riotous cuisine of barbecued meats, diverse seafood, and intriguing vegetarian possibilities"

 

This story gives details on ten different dining options in and around Cape Town. We did not visit any of these ten, but they all seem interesting and worth considering. Here is one highlight suggested: "With its spectacular views over Cape Town’s historic harbour and backdrop of Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront is a sightseeing must-see. But the cuisine and prices of many of the waterside restaurants are often not as attractive as the views, which explains the runaway success of the V&A Food Market since it opened three years ago. Housed in a heritage red-brick Pumphouse, the vast interior has been filled with 50 enticing, eclectic street food stalls, and the place heaves with foodies seven days a week."

 

Full story at:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/nov/02/10-best-eats-cape-town-south-africa-cafes-restaurants

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 160,182 views for this posting.

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Food market was OK but like any tourist destination it was tourist food and somewhat overpriced for the location there were a few gems but I note they don't say which ones in the article

 

Biscuit Mill was totally OTT and I found test kitchen (not in the reviews but on the the SP Top 50, to be ordinary)

 

Codfather was what I expected "kitsch and just a play on the name to get you in.

 

 

We have a booking at Aubergine this time (as suggested by a friend who is from SA) hope it lives up tp the hype

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  • 4 weeks later...
Food market was OK but like any tourist destination it was tourist food and somewhat overpriced for the location there were a few gems but I note they don't say which ones in the article Biscuit Mill was totally OTT and I found test kitchen (not in the reviews but on the the SP Top 50, to be ordinary) Codfather was what I expected "kitsch and just a play on the name to get you in. We have a booking at Aubergine this time (as suggested by a friend who is from SA) hope it lives up tp the hype

 

Appreciate these details and this posting from our friend in Australia. Look forward to updates from your upcoming visit to South Africa. Keep up the great sharing and postings.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from my latest live/blog at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 23,801 views for this reporting and visual sharing that includes Cape Town, all along the South Africa coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

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  • 1 month later...

From the London/UK Daily Mail travel section yesterday, they have this overall headline: "ten hottest travel spots for 2017 " with this highlight subhead: "Contemporary Cape Town".

 

Here are some of the highlights cited: "South Africa’s most beautiful city is about to become the home of Africa’s largest contemporary arts museum. The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa opens in September on the Victoria and Alfred waterfront. Looking for a place to stay? Luxury 28-room hotel The Silo opens in March above the new museum, with waterfront and Table Mountain views as well as a rooftop infinity bar and pool. When to go: Cape Town is pleasant all year round, but the warmest months are from December to March, with an average temperature of 26c."

 

Full story at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-4097066/From-Patagonia-Persia-ten-hottest-travel-spots-2017-revealed.html

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 166,050 views for this posting.

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  • 2 weeks later...

A group of 3 couples, in their 60's but active, have a week free from 5th to 12th November 2017 before flying home to the UK. Can anyone offer any suggestions as to where we may find a suitable tour for that time. We have heard of the Garden Route and wine areas and would also like to see some of the wildlife, appreciating that the Parks in that area are tourist parks rather than true safari parks. Any suggestions or recommendations would be gratefully received! We are in Durban at the end of a cruise from 30/10 to 2/11 before flying on to Cape Town from 2/11 to 5/11, when our free time will start. We have no transfers booked in Durban or Cape Town so would also be grateful for suggestions as to the most cost effective way to get to and from airports and hotels.

 

Many thanks.

 

Rob

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A group of 3 couples, in their 60's but active, have a week free from 5th to 12th November 2017 before flying home to the UK. Can anyone offer any suggestions as to where we may find a suitable tour for that time. We have heard of the Garden Route and wine areas and would also like to see some of the wildlife, appreciating that the Parks in that area are tourist parks rather than true safari parks. Any suggestions or recommendations would be gratefully received! We are in Durban at the end of a cruise from 30/10 to 2/11 before flying on to Cape Town from 2/11 to 5/11, when our free time will start. We have no transfers booked in Durban or Cape Town so would also be grateful for suggestions as to the most cost effective way to get to and from airports and hotels. Many thanks. Rob

 

Hi, Rob! Appreciate your good questions and glad that you have extra time to explore some of the many great options in and around scenic Cape Town. In my live/blog connected below, I give information on three of the private tours that we did that worked out so very well for our personal interests. We worked with two different excellent guides, Clive de Bruyne (http://www.capetowntourguide.co.za) and Glen Christie (http://www.vineyardventures.co.za), including for going to wine country, seeing the dramatic Cape south of the main town, seeing the city and nearby township, etc., etc.

 

I hooked up with them by checking TripAdvisor, sending e-mails to these folks, tell them our dates, working on options, asking lots of questions, etc., etc. We did not want to just be driven around, but to have varied "conversations" in order to learn more about South Africa, its history, culture, nature, architecture, people, etc. Even if you are not a wine lover, the Wine Country area is so scenic and interesting with its varied building designs, scenic settings, etc.

 

Added questions? Happy to share more.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from my latest live/blog at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 28,704 views for this reporting and visual sharing that includes Cape Town, all along the South Africa coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

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Hi Terry

 

Thanks for your reply. I think we have sorted ourselves out now. We have found a 6 day tour which interests us with a company rated highly on Tripadvisor and am actively emailing them to firm up the details. I also have an enquiry in for all of our transfers with another company.

 

Rob

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Hi Terry. Thanks for your reply. I think we have sorted ourselves out now. We have found a 6 day tour which interests us with a company rated highly on Tripadvisor and am actively emailing them to firm up the details. I also have an enquiry in for all of our transfers with another company. Rob

 

Glad that Rob has found a good option for your tour needs in South Africa. Keep up the great researching and planning! By making enquiries and asking good follow-up questions, that's the best way to make things work better and fit well for your personal needs.

 

From the London/UK Telegraph three days ago, they had this headline: "The architect, the diamond magnate and a grand design" on a highly-detailed story about a UK architect who worked and did much work with famed (and controversial) Cecil Rhodes in South Africa.

 

Among the story highlights are how this designer: "went in search of his legacy – and on the way came face to face with some epic moments in South African history. Baker, trained as an architect in London, arrived there to help with the running of his brother Lionel’s fruit farm in 1892." This writing notes his period there rode the wave of prosperity that followed the Johannesburg gold rush.

 

There are a number of aspects regarding South Africa and its background cited, including: "The Waterfront remains a good place to get your bearings in the city, its shops, restaurants and ATMs." "Rhodes was Prime Minister of the Cape Colony and took a keen interest in education. He liked to present himself as a bluff, no-nonsense type." "In late 1899 at the Mount Nelson Hotel, the first hotel in South Africa to offer hot and cold running water, the British occupied it as a headquarters from which to plan the Second Anglo-Boer War campaign."

 

Added history is woven in this article about Gandhi, Churchill, etc. Regarding this architect, they also shared: "Baker duly moved his office from Cape Town to Johannesburg and designed hundreds of buildings for the Transvaal – schools, hospitals, offices, clubs, railway stations, laboratories, the Union Buildings at Pretoria (still home to South Africa’s parliament) and numerous private houses. In 1912, he sailed to help plan the new capital of the Raj at New Delhi."

 

Interesting background and context for the unique history of South Africa!!

 

Full story at:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/africa/south-africa/articles/on-the-trail-of-a-great-british-architect-in-south-africa/

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 47,103 views for these postings.

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From the London/UK Telegraph on Jan. 18, they have this headline: " 'Don’t visit Johannesburg for a relaxing holiday. It’s an assault on the senses' " with these highlights: "After almost 20 years of decline, Johannesburg is on the up and the cultural districts of Newtown and Braamfontein teem with life. It’s a beautiful city, but there is still terrible poverty. The township of Soweto was the place that really hit me. I don’t think you can understand South Africa without a visit to the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, which commemorates the role of the struggle against apartheid."

 

As to the question of what the author missed most when away from that area, he replied: "The energy and vibrancy. Don’t visit Johannesburg for a relaxing holiday. It’s an assault on the senses." Lots of tips, ideas and suggestions for visiting this part of South Africa. Many potentials for what to see, where to eat, stay, etc.

 

While our time in Johannesburg was limited, this profile clearly indicates that there are pro/con factors to consider as to what best "fits" (or not) in visiting this large, bustling part of their country.

 

Full story at:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/africa/south-africa/articles/dan-walker-interview-johannesburg-celebrity-travel-tips-my-kind-of-town/

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

If Venice is one of your future desires or past favorites, look at this earlier posting for many options and visual samples this city that is so great for "walking around", personally seeing its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 64,783 views.

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

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  • 2 months later...

From the Conde Nast Traveler April 2017 magazine that arrived at home today, their cover and entire edition is all about . . . AFRICA!!

 

Lots of interesting stories, photos, details, ideas, etc. From their editor, his previewing column has this headline: The Making of Our Africa Issue. The cover features journalist and TV anchor Oumy Ndour from Dakar as an "ambitious young creative". She is quoted saying: Young people are increasingly asserting themselves. And now, because of the dynamism of the African continent, that famous phrase ‘The future is Africa’ is no longer rhetoric. It’s something concrete.”. The CN Editor says "her words captured the essence of this issue".

 

There are a number of different articles included in this edition. They feature much about South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique that we were fortunate to visit a year ago. And super loved our experiences there. Later in April, you will be able to access these stories and details from the Conde Nast website. Or, go out now and buy a copy!

 

For Cape Town, the article on page 38 says it "has become something like the Sydney of Africa, with dramatic coastlines hugging a thoroughly modern city and a strong design and food game." The V&A Waterfront is called the "creative hub" of Cape Town.

 

For Botswana and Zambia, the article on page 44 calls these "two of Africa's most politically stable countries, with some of the most varied, wildlife-rich, and unspoiled landscapes on the continent."

Full story at:

http://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-making-of-our-africa-issue

 

THANKS to Conde Nast Traveler for bringing back such great memories! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 30,656 views for this reporting and visual sharing that includes Cape Town, all along the South Africa coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

 

Here is the look you might see in your mailbox and/or at the newsstands for their cover on their April 2017 edition about Africa.:

Screen%20Shot%202017-03-27%20at%204.33.30%20PM_zpsegzizisf.png

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  • 4 weeks later...
Here goes! :D

 

Things To do

 

- If you are in Cape Town during the summer months (November to March/April), which I should imagine is the peak time for cruise arrivals, then a fantastic afternoon/evening activity is to take in one of the open-air concerts at Kirstenbosch gardens, which are held every Sunday evening, and normally feature local artists and bands, including the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. Take a picnic blanket, arrive a bit earlier and grab a nice spot on the grass, and enjoy a fantastic evening. You can also take a picnic basket and drinks with you, or order and grab at the venue.

 

 

- Staying with Kirsenbosch, if you are the more active type, explore Kirstenbosch gardens, and then take one of several paths that leads up the mountain and go for a bit of a hike above the gardens, providing various great views of the city, surrounds, and two oceans.

 

 

- Elephant's Eye Cave hike, in the Silvermine reserve - a relatively relaxing hike, and beautiful scenery and views http://namibsands.wordpress.com/2010/07/10/a-lovely-hike-up-to-the-elephants-eye-cave-at-silvermine/

 

 

- Driving - Cape Town and surrounds is a lovely place to just take a leisurely drive around, starting in the CBD, follow the waterfront around the peninsula through Camps Bay past the 12 Apostles to Hout Bay, and then around the awe-inspiring Chapman's Peak Drive through to Noordhoek and its incredible long white beaches. With more time, continue from there to Fish Hoek and then to Cape Point and its nature reserve. I would also highly suggest a drive up the West Coast, with spectacular views of Table Mountain. Cutting across, you start to hit wine country, which has lots of lazy, winding and scenic mountainous roads. Take your time, stop wherever it takes your fancy, and enjoy the diversity that Cape Town has to offer, from landscapes and scenery, to wine farms, farm stalls, ocean-view cafes and bars, nature reserves, etc.

 

 

- High Tea - the only place for high tea in Cape town, at the Mount Nelson Hotel! Enjoy the gardens whilst you are there.

 

 

 

- Robertson - lesser known wine region, and slightly further from the usual touristy spots, but worth the drive, as it has excellent wines, some very good restaurants, and nice little places to stay. Around the year they have certain wine and food festivals as well.

 

 

- Food and Craft Markets - Cape Town has lots of morning markets, normally Saturday, which are fantastic to visit and just chill. Some of my favourite include the market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, the Hout Bay market, and the Saturday morning market at Laborie wine farm in Paarl.

 

 

- Wine Tasting - of course! Just pick one of the main wine routes (Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek, Durbanville Hills, Constantia), and just lazily drive along and pop into each.

 

 

- Table Mountain - for the adventurous and active, rather than take the cable car, hike up instead! Make sure you are properly kitted out, take a trail map, and start earlier in the day whilst it is still cool and there is lots of daylight.

 

 

- Lions Head and Rhodes Memorial - both awesome places for views, Lions Head especially for the beautiful summer sunsets and sundowners!

 

 

- Walk around the CBD - Cape Town CBD is a lovely city, and it is worth, if you have the time, exploring it by foot. Start down the International Convention Centre end, and just take a leisurely stroll up, through St. George's Mall and into Company Gardens. Lots of vibey little coffee bars, pubs and cafes to pop into, and lots of informal markets selling little trinkets. Don't get bullied into buying something you don't want, for too much! Always haggle, but remember, at the end of the day, in local currency what you eventually pay is probably very little when converted to US$, pounds or Euros, so don't be too stingy! ;-) You can also take a stroll along the World Cup fan walk, which starts from the CBD and takes you to the Cape Town stadium in Greenpoint, which is worth a look. Continue past it, and you end up in the lovely surrounding gardens and park, and ultimately in Sea Point. Take a stroll along the Seapoint promenade next to the water in the afternoon, really nice walk, and the locals come down to walk their dogs, do pilates, or go for a jog.

 

 

- Franschhoek Motor Museum - really lovely private car collection, with various makes from over a century, in a fantastic setting on L'Ormarin's Estate. A must see if you are even slightly interested in anything automotive, and it even tends to fascinate those who aren't!

 

 

 

Places to Eat

 

 

Much like wine estates, Cape Town is blessed with a wide variety of excellent, world-class restaurants. Some of my favourite, in no particular order:

 

 

- The Test Kitchen - make sure you book months in advance, and prepare to spend a few hours there marvelling at the art that arrives on a plate. And that is before you taste it!

 

 

- La Mouette - lovely little place in Greenpoint/Seapoint area.

 

 

- La Colombe - excellent, deserves its stellar reputation

 

 

- Bizerca Bistro - more informal than the above, but probably a contender for my number 1 favourite. Menu changes daily, always fresh ingredients.

 

 

- Bombay Brasserie - for a "fancy" curry.

 

 

- Eastern Food Bazaar - for a "basic" curry, but just as tasty, and dead cheap!

 

 

- And Union - great craft beer and wine bar, favourite of locals after work, also serve rustic but very tasty German and Portuguese fare

 

 

- The Crypt Jazz Restaurant - in the crypt underneath Cape Town's St. Georges Cathedral. Enjoy the unique surroundings and great live jazz music every night whilst having a bite to eat.

 

 

- Azure Restaurant - at the 12 Apostle's Hotel, absolutely stunning views over the ocean whilst sitting on the deck, and really good food is a bonus!

 

 

- Den Anker - my favourite place to eat at the V&A Waterfront. Good food, excellent beer and wine, nice location.

 

These are but a sample, you need to spend several years in Cape Town to experience everything! :D

 

 

Yum!! Thanks!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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Hi Terry

 

Was searching on "Johannesburg" and saw your posts. I was wondering if you might have some information about flying into Johannesburg and then transferring to a domestic flight to Cape Town.

 

Friend of mind is doing that and she was wondering if she had to change terminals and go through security again. I've looked at the airport website and can't find any info about this.

 

Thanks!

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I was wondering if you might have some information about flying into Johannesburg and then transferring to a domestic flight to Cape Town.

 

Friend of mind is doing that and she was wondering if she had to change terminals and go through security again.

You no longer have to change terminals as such, because there is now only one big terminal building. However, international and domestic arrivals decant into different areas, there are two distinct areas for check-in (often referred to as Terminal A and Terminal B), and the entry to security for domestic departures is entirely separate from the two entry points to security for international departures.

 

If you are an international arrival at Johannesburg, then you will have to clear immigration, collect your bags and clear customs before checking-in for your domestic flight. You must do this even if you have a boarding pass for your Johannesburg-Cape Town flight and even if your bags have been through-tagged to Cape Town.

 

My recommended route after exiting customs is this: You will see that the main meet-and-greet area is to your right. Ignore that, do not follow the crowds and do not go out into that area. Instead, keep to the left. You will see a baggage re-check area ahead of you. If your Johannesburg-Cape Town flight is on South African Airways, you may want to check-in and drop your bags here if the area is not too busy. If your onward flight is on British Airways (operated by Comair), those desks are sometimes staffed so it may be worth having a look.

 

Whether or not you have dropped your bags at this point, still resist the temptation to follow the crowds out. Instead, if you keep the main meet-and-greet area behind you, you will see an escalator going up. Take that. At the top, you have to turn left, and you will then exit through sliding doors. Turn left. Walk around the atrium (you will see that you are now one floor above the meet-and-greet area) and then through the corridor that is lined with shops on both sides. (One of the shops is a branch of Woolworths, on your left - this is a useful check to make sure you're heading in the right direction.) At the far end of the shopping corridor, take the up escalator that's to your right, which leads up to the Terminal B check-in area. All domestic flights have check-in somewhere in this check-in area.

 

The main advantage of this route is that it keeps you away from the crowds downstairs. It's a route generally only used by people in the know - so simply using it also gives others the impression that you know where you are and what you're doing, which is a good first step to staying safe in any country (not that Johannesburg airport is unsafe in any way).

 

After you have checked-in, domestic security is at the very far end of the building, so basically you carry on walking in the same general direction as you walked to get from international arrivals.

 

On either route, you are likely to receive offers of help with your luggage from porters who are waiting for international arrivals (much more likely if you follow the crowds). They are uniformed (overalls, IIRC) and have ID badges, and they are entirely legitimate. AIUI, they work for tips - but they will take no for an answer (it's the only answer they ever get from us) and they will then leave you alone.

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You no longer have to change terminals as such, because there is now only one big terminal building. However, international and domestic arrivals decant into different areas, there are two distinct areas for check-in (often referred to as Terminal A and Terminal B), and the entry to security for domestic departures is entirely separate from the two entry points to security for international departures.

 

If you are an international arrival at Johannesburg, then you will have to clear immigration, collect your bags and clear customs before checking-in for your domestic flight. You must do this even if you have a boarding pass for your Johannesburg-Cape Town flight and even if your bags have been through-tagged to Cape Town.

 

My recommended route after exiting customs is this: You will see that the main meet-and-greet area is to your right. Ignore that, do not follow the crowds and do not go out into that area. Instead, keep to the left. You will see a baggage re-check area ahead of you. If your Johannesburg-Cape Town flight is on South African Airways, you may want to check-in and drop your bags here if the area is not too busy. If your onward flight is on British Airways (operated by Comair), those desks are sometimes staffed so it may be worth having a look.

 

Whether or not you have dropped your bags at this point, still resist the temptation to follow the crowds out. Instead, if you keep the main meet-and-greet area behind you, you will see an escalator going up. Take that. At the top, you have to turn left, and you will then exit through sliding doors. Turn left. Walk around the atrium (you will see that you are now one floor above the meet-and-greet area) and then through the corridor that is lined with shops on both sides. (One of the shops is a branch of Woolworths, on your left - this is a useful check to make sure you're heading in the right direction.) At the far end of the shopping corridor, take the up escalator that's to your right, which leads up to the Terminal B check-in area. All domestic flights have check-in somewhere in this check-in area.

 

The main advantage of this route is that it keeps you away from the crowds downstairs. It's a route generally only used by people in the know - so simply using it also gives others the impression that you know where you are and what you're doing, which is a good first step to staying safe in any country (not that Johannesburg airport is unsafe in any way).

 

After you have checked-in, domestic security is at the very far end of the building, so basically you carry on walking in the same general direction as you walked to get from international arrivals.

 

On either route, you are likely to receive offers of help with your luggage from porters who are waiting for international arrivals (much more likely if you follow the crowds). They are uniformed (overalls, IIRC) and have ID badges, and they are entirely legitimate. AIUI, they work for tips - but they will take no for an answer (it's the only answer they ever get from us) and they will then leave you alone.

 

THANK YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH!!!

 

My friend will probably take her bag to recheck when she checks in for her domestic flight. A concern she has is theft and doesn't want to leave her bag any longer than necessary with SAA. This will be VERY helpful for her.

 

Again, BIG THANKS!

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My friend will probably take her bag to recheck when she checks in for her domestic flight. A concern she has is theft and doesn't want to leave her bag any longer than necessary with SAA.
You're welcome - glad to have been able to help.

 

On the baggage re-check question, she will have no choice. She must collect her bag after clearing immigration and clear it through customs herself before giving it back to the airline.

 

Her only choice is whether to do that at the baggage re-check area on the same level as the exit from customs, or to take it with her up to the Terminal B check-in area, but that's not going to make any appreciable difference to how long the bag is in the airline's care.

 

However, if she is particularly concerned about theft, she might want to think about having the bag wrapped in plastic either before departing for South Africa or in the Terminal B domestic check-in area. It looks like the current price is ZAR 70 per bag - see http://www.a-teck.co.za/or-tambo-airport-wrap-teck/. Quite a few people seem to do this, but I think I have probably only ever done it once, on an occasion when I had a bag full of stuff of great sentimental value.

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However, if she is particularly concerned about theft, she might want to think about having the bag wrapped in plastic either before departing for South Africa or in the Terminal B domestic check-in area. It looks like the current price is ZAR 70 per bag - see http://www.a-teck.co.za/or-tambo-airport-wrap-teck/. Quite a few people seem to do this, but I think I have probably only ever done it once, on an occasion when I had a bag full of stuff of great sentimental value.

 

Very few airports in the US have bag wrapping services. But I'll let her know about the services available in Terminal B.

 

Thanks again!

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  • 2 months later...

<p>Please help us figure out how to see both Robben Island and Table Mountain n one afternoon and evening.  Our cruise ship arrives in Cape Town Dec. 20, 2017 at noon and the cruise ends the next morning. We can buy tickets online for the 15:00 Robben ferry tour, which takes 3 1/2 - 4 hrs.  The last Table Mountain cable car is at 20:30, according to their web site.  What I don't know is the best/easiest way to get from the ship to the ferry, then the ferry to the cable car, then back to the ship.  What do you think our options are?  Also, can we see any African penguins on the way to the island, or is that just not going to happen?</p>

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<p>Please help us figure out how to see both Robben Island and Table Mountain n one afternoon and evening.  Our cruise ship arrives in Cape Town Dec. 20, 2017 at noon and the cruise ends the next morning. We can buy tickets online for the 15:00 Robben ferry tour, which takes 3 1/2 - 4 hrs.  The last Table Mountain cable car is at 20:30, according to their web site.  What I don't know is the best/easiest way to get from the ship to the ferry, then the ferry to the cable car, then back to the ship.  What do you think our options are?  Also, can we see any African penguins on the way to the island, or is that just not going to happen?</p>

 

Wow that is really unfortunate timing for visiting one of the best 10 cities in the world. Firstly for a first visit to Cape Town you should certainly go up Table Mountain in the day time. At night you are just going to see twinkly lights (like fairyland down below) which is fine for a second visit up the mountain. the view from up there in daylight is SPECTACULAR! You must have a good reason to want to do Robben Island in the only few hours you have in Cape Town. I wouldn't suggest you do it, as it will take up all your precious time. No you won't see penguins on this trip. Another thing to bear in mind is Cape Town can be windy and the sea very rough, especially in the afternoon. Mornings are ideal for this excursion.

I would suggest using the Hop On Hop Off bus (which also goes to Table Mountain) for the few hours that you have available. This will give you a good oversight of Cape Town, otherwise if you stick to your original plan you are going to have to take a taxi to Ferry and Ferry to mountain and back to ship.

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<p>Please help us figure out how to see both Robben Island and Table Mountain n one afternoon and evening.  Our cruise ship arrives in Cape Town Dec. 20, 2017 at noon and the cruise ends the next morning. We can buy tickets online for the 15:00 Robben ferry tour, which takes 3 1/2 - 4 hrs.  The last Table Mountain cable car is at 20:30, according to their web site.  What I don't know is the best/easiest way to get from the ship to the ferry, then the ferry to the cable car, then back to the ship.  What do you think our options are?  Also, can we see any African penguins on the way to the island, or is that just not going to happen?</p>

 

If you disembarked ASAP in CapeTown and took a taxi straight to the V&A waterfront you should be able to get the 13.00 tour. It's approx a 15 min taxi ride plus a 5 min walk to the Nelson Mandela Gateway.

A taxi straight to the cable car station would mean seeing the views from the top of Table Mountain in daylight with sunset at around 8pm.

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Zimbo, I am happy to see a Cape Town resident posting on this board. Thank you for that.

 

My husband and I were in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kruger Park for 4 nights for safari. Also went to Cape of Good Hope and a winery resort, in October and November 2016.. I had bought a a packaged deal of 15 days that had 8 flights, where we had no control over where or when we visited anywhere. I was exhausted from the 8 flights in 15 days.

 

We want to come back, only this time in summer, and we will book everything ourselves and take our time.. I understand January is not good for safaris? How about February? I know we will want to go to two different safari locations.

 

Any information you can add will be very much appreciated. We will actually arrive n Cape Town mid January 2019., that part is already booked.

 

Thank you.

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Zimbo, I am happy to see a Cape Town resident posting on this board. Thank you for that.

 

My husband and I were in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kruger Park for 4 nights for safari. Also went to Cape of Good Hope and a winery resort, in October and November 2016.. I had bought a a packaged deal of 15 days that had 8 flights, where we had no control over where or when we visited anywhere. I was exhausted from the 8 flights in 15 days.

 

We want to come back, only this time in summer, and we will book everything ourselves and take our time.. I understand January is not good for safaris? How about February? I know we will want to go to two different safari locations.

 

Any information you can add will be very much appreciated. We will actually arrive n Cape Town mid January 2019., that part is already booked.

 

Thank you.

 

Hi, although my address says Tampa, FL I was born in Cape Town and lived there for 35 years. Just wanted to mention that summer (Dec - Jan - Feb) is EXTREMELY hot if you were maybe thinking of visiting Kruger. Because of the heat the animals are very often lying in the shade under trees and bushes. Also because the rains begin in Oct/Nov (tropical climate) the grass is extremely long at that time of the year, which also makes for more challenging game viewing. So this with the blistering heat makes it the least desirable time to go on safari. Also don't forget that not everything is air conditioned like we are accustomed to here!! Just a thought.

Cape Town on the other hand get's it's rains in the winter (Mediterranean climate) so that's not such an issue in the Cape - which is always beautiful.

 

Kruger is the most awesome safari destination. We go almost every year for 3 weeks (going in Oct this year) - it is also very easy to do a self drive safari. If you need details .......just ask.

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Thank you for your response.

 

When we went last year everything was pretty much brown so I want to go when it is green. I recognize the temperatures will be high. We live in South Texas where in summertime it is nothing to have the temperature at 95F and humidity at 95.

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  • 4 weeks later...
If you disembarked ASAP in CapeTown and took a taxi straight to the V&A waterfront you should be able to get the 13.00 tour. It's approx a 15 min taxi ride plus a 5 min walk to the Nelson Mandela Gateway. A taxi straight to the cable car station would mean seeing the views from the top of Table Mountain in daylight with sunset at around 8pm.

 

Fortunately, we were able to do BOTH the Table Mountain Cable Car, plus Robben Island. Our secret? We had five wonderful days in Cape Town. That gave us so much more time and flexibility to do both of these "stars" and so much more.

 

WEATHER? Yes, that can be a factor!! As we learned from our skilled guide, there are days when the winds are blowing too hard and the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain will not run. The waters can also get "choppy" affecting your timing and trip out to Robben Island and/or sailing back. You can try to do lots in Cape Town, but it requires some good luck and patience.

 

From the BBC and other media sources earlier this month, they have this headline: South African Airways 'is on verge of bankruptcy' with these highlights: South African Airways (SAA) has run out of money and is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, according to information given to the country's parliament. It is thought the national carrier may soon be unable to pay salaries. The cash-flow statement shown to MPs and seen by the BBC paints a picture of an airline haemorrhaging cash. The airline has lost money in each of the past seven years.

 

In doing our South Africa trip last year, the main, long-haul international flights we had were nicely with Qatar Air through Doha. BUT, we had three flights with SAA involving getting from Cape Town to Johannesburg, plus our flights up to Victoria Falls and coming back from Botswana. Those flights worked well and smoothly.

 

Now the question seems to be how much more the challenged South African government can continue to spend to subsidize SAA flights and operations. My sense is if doing South Africa flights involving this airline, making payments on credit cards would be a smart protection and would also would keeping an eye on this "situation". Reactions and other, better information/background?

 

Full story at:

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-40813582

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 33,758 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Greetings! We are in the midst of planning for the post cruise period of our 2018 cruise. We are to arrive in Cape Town on Feb 7, 2018 1 PM I think the time is free once land (Oceania Insignia). Feb 8 disembark and have 3 day tour included with cruise fare so Cape Point Nature Reserve/ Penguins Feb 8. Feb 9 Winelands tour and Feb. 10 we have all day at Aquila Game Reserve. Don't know that we have too much free time -- maybe after 3PM each day as supper is not included. Table Bay hotel?

 

Feb. 11 we are thinking of flying to Victoria Falls. What is the best way to get there? Any direct flights from CPT to Victoria Falls or Livingstone? Which airport at the Falls is better and which side to stay on? We are now 70 so will probably leave the bungee jumping and elephant safari's to the young ones but what else would you do? Are the falls worth adding to an already long (35 days) trip? Any tips for this awesome trip would be appreciated. Thank You for your ideas. (hotel, flights and activity suggestions would be welcome)

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<p>Please help us figure out how to see both Robben Island and Table Mountain n one afternoon and evening.  Our cruise ship arrives in Cape Town Dec. 20, 2017 at noon and the cruise ends the next morning.

 

As others have noted, it might be possible to visit BOTH Robben Island and ride up to the top of Table Mountain. BUT, I wanted to offer a couple of cautions, both related to this little "thing" called . . . weather conditions.

 

For Table Mountain, there are times when either the visibility and/or wind conditions can make going up, UP to the top there not worth it and/or impossible. If the wind is blowing too much, that cable car does not operate. Sorry!! Hope for the best, but be prepared to adjust accordingly. Second on coming back from Robben Island, the waters for us got very, very choppy. That really slowed down the return trip and can throw off your logistic and the planned schedules.

Hope you don't mind, but I am posting a few of my visuals from this key site near Cape Town. More on my live/blog connected below. This visit worked well to understand the history for this important part of South Africa's past.

 

As my pictures on this live/blog and comments note, we SUPER LOVED Cape Town and nearby. Really spectacular, helped by having wonderful weather during our five days there. Hard to do and see it "ALL" during a limited time period there. Be prepared to adjust if weather condition affect your plans and hopes.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 34,261 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

 

When arriving at Robben Island, you are greeted by these various wall graphics at the dock reflecting the history here at this location and during this period of the 1960’s through the prison closing in the early 1990’s.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

Africa2016PixsA39_zps8n8zdwwd.jpg

 

Here is the former prisoner who was the guide within the prison cell and ward areas who described living conditions there. His first-hand background and items shown were very insightful.:

Africa2016PixsA44_zpsi8oorlo7.jpg

 

Here is the cell where Nelson Mandela stayed and an example for how this range of individual cells looked down its hallway.:

Africa2016PixsA42_zpsdvm0isfh.jpg

 

Africa2016PixsA43_zpsoem2qerw.jpg

 

Here is our guide greeting and talking with each of the visitors as we exited and start down the steps that Mandela took in his “Long Walk to Freedom” from Robben Island.:

Africa2016PixsA45_zpsfqiembqf.jpg

 

Here is one of the views for some of the African Penguins on this island. We also saw some whales from this island while traveling around this area on the bus before entering the actual prison facilities.:

Africa2016PixsA40_zpstxrp86sq.jpg

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