 Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220521
11/19/06 07:58 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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petlover
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Looking at some of the Cape Town excursions offered on the World Cruise. Not sure if some of these things are things we can do on our own...like Table Mountain?? (We're on ROAR 2 so will have opportunities then as well). What are your thoughts on some of these? They seem pricy to me!
Cape Malay Cultural Tour 4 Hours AM $145.00
Cape Town & Table Mountain 4 Hours AM $78.00
Cape Town - Excluding Table Mountain 3½ Hours AM $58.00
Cape Town - Walk to Freedom 9½ Hours AM $195.00
Chapmans Peak & Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens 4 Hours AM $65.00
Exclusive "Different Taste Sensations" Gourmet Tour 7½ Hours AM $255.00
Exclusive Cape Safaris 10 Hours AM $325.00
Fynbos Fauna & Flora Experience 8 Hours AM $975.00
Gold of Africa Museum 3 Hours AM $89.00
Helicopter Flight 3½ Hours AM $825.00
Stellenbosch & Wine Country Tour 8 Hours AM $195.00
The Meeting of Two Oceans 8 Hours AM $175.00
West Coast Wine Experience 5½ Hours AM $975.00
High Tea at the Mount Nelson 2½ Hours PM $85.00
Sundowners Atop Table Mountain 4 Hours PM $145.00
Sundowners on Signal Hill 1½ Hours Evening $75.00
South African Home Hosted Dinner 3 Hours Evening $185.00
Marcie 
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220522
11/19/06 09:55 AM
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Leslie B
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Marcie - we went to the Gold of Africa museum one morning on our own, along with a walk around town - while it was interesting, it is probably not even worth an hour of time, and could easily be done on your own when you're in Cape Town either on the WC or ROAR 2.
here's my description from an earlier post of how we spent our morning:
We did some city exploring today - the hotel's chauffeur (complementary) will take you wherever you want to go. We had him drop us at the Gold of Africa Museum, then went to the Koopmens de Wet house, an 18th/19th century period house/museum, strolled through Greenmarket Square, visited the Groot Kerk (Dutch Reformed church) walked past Parliament and through the Company Gardens to the South Africa National Gallery which currently has a show on Picasso and the influences of African art on his work. We caught a one hour interesting docent led tour and then met the chauffeur to be whisked back to Cape Grace where all the arriving ROAR members were meeting and greeting in the lobby, followed by lunch on the terrace.
Leslie
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220523
11/19/06 11:33 AM
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Posts: 3,210
Pam
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The home hosted dinner looks awfully interesting. The wine country tour is probably less inclusive than what we are doing on Roar2, and rather pricey. Ditto the meeting of two oceans (we have the Cape Point tour on Roar2). The "walk to freedom" looks loooong and could be uncomfortable, depending on what the temp of the day is.
You could do Table Mountain on your own, but the day we went, the line to get tickets was horrendous. We got our tickets at the hotel (we totally overlooked the fact that we needed them until we got on the bus, Ngaire and Ken gave us theirs then got some for themselves and put it on our room. It's a wonderful thing to have them along!!!!)
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220524
11/19/06 12:29 PM
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Posts: 4,471
sedona
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You can also do the botanical gardens on your own. The gourmet tour looks interesting.
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220525
11/19/06 02:15 PM
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Pam
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Marcie, is one of those excursions really $975????
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220526
11/19/06 02:50 PM
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petlover
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Thanks guys!!
Pam, sounds like a misprint to me, even if it is for 2 people?? I sure don't see anything to warrant this outrageous price. This is the description:
West Coast Wine Experience
Duration: 5½ Hours.
Walking.
Code: CPT-010
Indulge yourself with the spectacular spirits and cuisine of South Africa during this delightful wine-tasting and lunch tour on the Western Cape.
Depart the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in an off-road vehicle for the one-hour drive north of Cape Town to Groote Post Wine Farm, located in Darling Hills on the West Coast's Spring Flower Route Built in 1808, this outpost once provisioned the fleets sailing around the Cape of Good Hope. Its vineyards have been replanted for the first time since the 19th century, and age-old winemaking traditions revived by the Pentz family. The rich soil and cool climatic conditions of the Darling Hills yield superlative fruit, and produce wines that reflect the uniqueness of their vineyards. In 2001, the Pentz family decided to sell off their prized cattle to focus solely on the production of world-class wine.
Upon arrival at this magnificent estate, you'll be greeted by owner Peter Pentz, who'll personally escort you on a cellar tour and wine-tasting at the Manor House. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Hilda's Kitchen, housed in the historical manor house and named after Hildagonda Duckitt, a doyen of South African cooking and well-known author who was born and raised on the farm. Adorned by charming antiques and collectibles, Hilda's Kitchen offers superb modern country cuisine, and has been acclaimed as the new best restaurant on the Western Cape.
After lunch, you'll rejoin your off-road vehicle for the return transfer to the pier.
Please note: The price is per vehicle, which can accommodate 2 adults. When pre-requesting this tour, request 1 ticket only. The lunch will be private if there is a minimum of 15 guests.
Marcie
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220527
11/19/06 03:00 PM
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KarenS
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Maybe you get to keep the off road vehicle :)
Karen
Live long and prosper
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220528
11/19/06 03:09 PM
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petlover
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Karen, you're always SO SMART....I think you're on to something!
Marcie
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220529
11/19/06 04:22 PM
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Dreps
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Marcie, Having been on TUSK, I would see how the weather is before committing to Table Mountain; if it is clear, just take a taxi. Ngaire will tell you that it is easier than it used to be, even to get one coming back. I don't think you'll enjoy an excursion there unless the weather cooperates. If African sculptures are your thing, and you thought my pictures (and Ken's) of the Botanical Gardens were interesting, I would also suggest you grab a taxi to go there. Maybe another couple will want to join you on these outings. Don't I recall that you're planning on ROAR2? If so, I think some of the excursions you list will overlap with what you'll do around Cape Town, won't they? For example, won't the Stellenbosch wine country tour and the Cape Point tour be possible on ROAR2? Just my thoughts on this. Be glad to answer any questions.
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Eugene
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220530
11/21/06 08:36 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 38
Richard and Lori
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Richard, Ken, Ngaire and I did the City Bus Tour on our own. You just go to the nearest busstop and you buy your ticket right from the driver. It was very inexpensive. It's a city double decker bus so we rode up top. There is a guide who narrates and he was very informative and enjoyable. Then you can get on and off the bus anywhere - it takes you to all the highlights of town - including Table mountain. It takes about 2 hours for the red line if you don't get off. The Blue line is a little longer route along the coastline most of which you will see on Roar 2.
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220531
12/01/06 10:42 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 94
LRM1294
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Roarers, as we recall from the postings there was a dinner for all of you at the Albert & Victoria complex. I believe it was a seafood restaurant. Do you remember the name of it? We will be on segment 2 of the WC so will be spending almost a week in Cape Town beforehand. Any other suggestions of what not to miss? Thanks, Linda & Larry
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220532
12/01/06 11:21 AM
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AndreaN
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The restaurant is Baia - it was fabulous. Here is a link: Baia
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220533
12/01/06 11:55 AM
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LRM1294
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Thanks, Andrea! Linda & Larry
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220534
12/01/06 04:06 PM
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sedona
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We ate at the African Cafe...had a great time. Food was quite good and they also have a wonderful gift shop that is VERY reasonable for gifts. I love what I bought there.
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220535
12/02/06 08:14 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 94
LRM1294
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Sedona, where is the African Cafe? Linda & Larry
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220536
12/02/06 03:26 PM
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Posts: 4,471
sedona
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Africa Cafe African, R100 to R125, Cape Town Central Tourist oriented it may be, but it would be a pity to miss out on this vibrant restaurant in a historic 18th-century former home, with its African decor and city views. Fresh-fruit cocktails accompany a communal feast, with dishes originating from Ethiopia to Zambia, from Kenya to Angola. There are no starters or entrées, but rather a tasty series of patties, puffs, and pastries accompanied by addictive dips, along with dishes like West African shrimp-and-pepper salad, ostrich fillet in a cashew-nut sauce, and Ethiopian Doro Wat chicken, cooked in a mild berbere (Ethiopian spice mix) paprika sauce. Vegetarian dishes are plentiful, including the Soweto chakalaka (a fiery cooked vegetable relish). The cost of this colorful prix-fixe abundance is R125 a person. Wines from Cape estates are available, or you can ask for umqomboti beer, brewed from sorghum or millet. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. June-Aug. No lunch. Address: 108 Shortmarket St., Cape Town, South Africa Phone: 021/422-0221 You can read reviews of it here... http://www.virtualtourist.com/trave...ants-Cape_Town-The_Africa_Cafe-BR-1.html As Andrea said above, BAIA is excellent if you like fish and seafood. We would go back to both restaurants.
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Re: Question for those who went on ROAR or TUSK?
#220537
12/03/06 07:12 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 94
LRM1294
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Thanks, Sedona! Sounds like a winner. Linda & Larry
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