Who wants to join us for dinner on either or all-- April 18, 20, 21? some suggestions..
Madame Zingara, Cara Lazuli (Moroccan), Aubergine, The Cape Colony (rated as one of the top 10 restaurants in the world), Ginja (fusion), Den Ankar

Maybe we should get restaurants in advance? Fodor's has these as the best (other than the ones we are going to already).

Andi, no McDonalds? :D

If we must. I realize we are all on a budget ;)

After all, it's the company that counts.

Andi, I would love to join you and Doug and others for Madame Z's. http://www.dining-out.co.za/member_details.asp?MemberID=2004
as my brother and SIL loved it when they were there... Of course if others have different preferences, I will understand, and am flexible. We have a large group, and there are possibilities for everyone.

We are not booking for first night (18), second night is the Baia restaurant (sp?) with Ngaire and group, next night we are at an Indian Restaurant, Bukhari, so April 21? I'm up for anything.

Menu looks great and prices, too! Current exchange rate is around 6.25 ZAR to the dollar.

I didn't see info on Indian restaurant; is there a menu for Bukhari, too?

Not on the website that I could find, but the music is nice http://www.bukhara.com/

Andi,
Also the 21st for us is better. :)

Marc, I emailed you the Bukhara menu. If anyone else would like a copy just let me know.

Well surprise surprise - NO INDIAN restaurants for me!!

I am going to just play it by ear and not pre-arrange anything. I doubt I will have any issues to deal with but think I need to be able to decide at the last minute. There are tons of restaurants in the Victoria and Albert area so I know I wont starve.

By the way as a side bar - was on Malerone for India. Malaria is not as big an issue in India but I have no reaction to Malerone so prefer to play it safe. Saw more mosquitoes in India than I ever have in Africa. I really thought I would have gained a lot of weight, I gained some but nowhere near what I had expected. Based on what I ate, tons of bread and desserts that is a miracle. This is the third time I have been on Malerone, eaten more food or food I normally dont eat and not gained much weight. So hope that works for everyone else as well. The food is outstanding in South Africa.

Andrea, thanks!

edited to add:

I think we might skip the Indian restaurant, too.

So what are people's plans for the 18th? Many are arriving that afternoon but many others will have been in country for a few days. We do have to eat. Any thoughts?

We will be shuttled over from Cape Grace with the other folks who are staying there for a 2:00 check in. We are free...

Shall I book something for the 21st?

No Indian for us either..Doug doesn't care for it.

Andrea:

You know us, whatever, whenever :>).....Although Penny is not too keen on Indian food.

Cheers! Ray

Madame Z's looks great, but we're up for just about anything. We get in on the 18th and thought we'd probably eat dinner at the hotel which also has a very highly rated restaurant (One Waterfront), but if I think I can stay awake, we'd be willing to go elsewhere that night. The 21st would be great for us also. FYI, I've read great things about Ginja. Also, we do like Indian food, so would love to try the Indian restaurant.

I have spa stuff in the morning, and if I can remember to try to arrange it, Mark is wanting to tour a diamond factory that afternoon (assuming it's possible, but the website looks like you can).

We'd lean toward anything seafoodish, then maybe the Italian one.

Pam:

Can you post info about the diamond factories? Arlene has been wondering if you can get good deals on diamonds; but I haven't seen anything.

thanks,

Jewel Africa

This is one that will send a shuttle to the hotel. There might be one more, I'll look. Mark was wondering about prices too; they probably aren't wonderful, but it might be fun.

Edit; here's another one.
Diamond Works

Diamond Works gives you bubbly. That could be very dangerous for me, I would definitely have to leave my credit cards back at the hotel...

Suzanne, they just indicate "a" glass of bubbly; can't do too much damage.....or good.

The Cape Grace has free transfers within 10km so we can go almost anywhere in town.

Will there be diamonds for sale at Kimberly when we are there?

Did someone say DIAMONDS?? :eek: :banana: :app: <img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[bounce]" title="" src="graemlins/ubbbounce2.gif" />

Diamonds...pretty...sparkly....must go... :hyper:

Me too....

Pam is forever getting me in trouble $$$$$$

Suzie: That's what good girlfriends are for - they help us see the importance of our needs - and if they are really good help our husbands to understand too! :woh: :woh: :woh: Joanna

Mark tried to see if there would be shops in Kimberley, but he didn't find any. So if we are going to shop, it might need to be in Cape Town.

Suzie, your diamonds put mine to shame!

We haven't even looked at restaurants - we like Indian, whatever. On the 18th we'll play it by ear, but the other nights we're up for anything.

Well...toast to me wherever you diamond gals and guys wind up... will be there in big spirit....finally becoming real isn't it for all of you.. wow seems like years ago it was a ton of brochures....
xo

Yes it does seem like years ago - I remember Marcie calling and saying sign up - I did but neglected to talk to Tony - unfortunately he was never hung ho - BUT I am so excited for all of you - Joanna :ch: :ch: :ch:

Claudia, you were such a big part of the research for this trip. You and Marcie were really the doers, so to speak. We will really miss you! Glad to see you are BOTH on Norway for 2007. That promises to be good!

Thank you, Claudia and Marcie. Doug and I popped in after all the work was done. We have much to thank you for. Wish you were joining us.

Oh forgot Marcie isn't going too..and it was her idea ...well then 2 toasts guys!

You know I'll sure be with you in spirit. I found the original thread that kind of started it all. There was such HUGE interest right from the get-go! I know you guys are going to have the time of your life...and do toast Claudia and me!!!
http://www.luxurycruisetalk.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=001024

With Sambuca?

We'll miss both of our founding godmothers on the trip! :mecry:

Cheers, Anne

You'll have three other founding godmothers on the trip, though. Olivia, Leslie and me.

I did the least research. I couldn't get into those many-many e-mails until after work, and the other four were already two steps ahead of me by the time I read them all! My job, on DABS in August of 2004 (Diamond August Black Sea) was to convince Ngaire to take us on for a land trip, and to assure her that we were not going to be in tents, even the best of them, where the bugs could get to the Princess (as Ngaire calls herself about her travel requirements these days). I remember her telling me at the time "I've been there done that Africa thing from a cruise, and the roughing-it thing; hunted, shot (? whatever it is you hunt in Texas or New Zealand), camped, but now I am a Princess!" Oh, did we ever have a land cruise all ready to go for this little lady Princess! Little did we know the phenomenal amount of work she would have to do to put it all together! I SO appreciate having a TA like Ngaire who has a sense of adventure, and going all out to make the best experience possible for her clients!

Getting back on topic.....Andi started out by suggesting a few great restaurants and asking whether we should book now. I go either way! I know when my brother and SIL were there (they were staying in a smaller boutique type hotel), each morning they would go to the desk, and ask "where do you want to book us tonight?" Suggestion was made, and while they were out for the day, hotel booked them.

Olivia, sounds like a smart approach. I'm sure the concierge can get is most anywere we want.

More restaurant talk here. Another place SIL liked (who would ever choose a place with this name?) was Five Flies www.fiveflies.co.za What a bad name for a restaurant!

I sure like those prices! Tournedos of beef for $1.50 or half dozen oysters for $3.00?

Yum! Oysters for that price. How could one go wrong?

Olivia,

D’ Vijff Vlieghen or The Five Flies used to be one of the very top top restaurants in Amsterdam (maybe still is). With all the Dutch influence in SA perhaps it's named after that!

Anyway it looks good!

Editing to say yes, it is the sister restaurant to the one in A'Dam. And, hmmm, I'm thinking with the prices for the 2 and 3 course menus, the price for the oysters etc. may be a supplement!