Catherina's opens it's doors

Catharina's Restaurant at the Steenberg Hotel and Winery in Constantia has opened their new 90 seater restaurant after the revamp which had it close in September 2008.

The new restaurant has been "opened" to offer spectacular view of the Steenberg Mountains and False Bay as well as the vineyards.

While the Cape Dutch architecture has been retained the restaurant has a distinct African theme to it which is carried over into the new menu. Created by the executive chef, Garth Almazan, the menu features "Proudly South African" dishes.

Delta Airlines

From the 2nd of June Delta Airlines will be flying between Cape Town and Atlanta via Dakar.

The flight will depart Atlanta at 16h10, arriving in Cape Town at 16h50 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The return flight will depart Cape Town at 18h35, arriving in Atlanta at 08h00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

This will replace the airlines current service to New York.

Great deal for Families

So the holidays are in full swing. Have you managed to get away for a break yet?

If not why not take the family on a winelands trip. Le Franschoek Hotel and Spa offers a break specifically focused on families.

Two kids under 12 can stay for free for every two paying adults. At a special pice of R2990 per adult per night you can enjoy a relaxing get away. Kiddies programmes are offered so you can take some special time for yourself. Enjoy a spa treatment or just relaxing by the pool. Alternatively enjoy a wine tour while your kids are occupied with chocolate tastings and visits to the crocodile farm.

This offer is available till the 15th of January, so don't delay contact us now.

A new kind of adrenalin rush

Rhino tracking - yes people do this for fun.

Rhino tracking on foot could be described as an adventure sport, although in my opinion it is the rhino that has a laugh.

As far as I know, one of the only place in SA to do this is Mvubu Lodge, on the banks of Lake Jozini in Zululand. Two intrepid rangers, Shane and Mike, along with their tracker Umtelephone – no, this is really his name, I have it on good authority – will take curious guests on a hike to spot rhino. Their only warning to you, to look out for trees to climb should a rhino become a bit to interested. The one thing they don't mention is that there is one tree to six people - figure the odds for yourself. My suggestion – don’t get the rhino between yourself and your back-up vehicle. White rhinos, being a bit short-sighted and a bit shy, tend to run away from large rumbling vehicles and inadvertently towards the small group of big-eyed adventurers who are trying desperately to look like a rock or act like a small uninterested tree.

Murphy's Law also tends to apply when rhino tracking, because just as you realise you need that tree, there isn’t one. Just little saplings that allow you to scramble up like a monkey, at which point it slowly starts bending over so that your rear end is a few inches from the ground with your legs madly kicking in the air looking for grip that is not there, while the poor dumb beast sniffs you with interest and then, not wanting to be cruel, moves off to seek some other excitement.
Mind you this is just in my imagination, but it could happen ... in a Monty Python movie I spose.

My imagination aside, this IS perfectly safe or they wouldn't take as many guests out as they do. I think it's a great idea.

Life at 400 knots!!

Blasting past the sports center at 400 knots, one of our regular windsurfing locals who is a Hawk instructor at Langebaan airforce base took this really cool pic of Langebaan and the Sports center about 3 days ago.

Volvo Ocean Race and Drum Africa

Yesterday we had one of the helmsman and trimmers from the Ericsson 4, Volvo racing team hire our Hobie 16 with his partner and sail to Kraal Bay in the Langebaan lagoon. As always, I asked if they can sail. He was very modust in his answer, "yes a little", at this stage I did not know he was with the Volvo Race. His girlfriend laughed. I asked why he was in Langebaan? He then told me he was here with the Volvo race. Joao Signorini also represented Brazil in the Olympics. From all of us at Drum Africa we wish them a good race ahead.

Ericsson 4 achieved 600nm in 24 hours, that is some serious boat speed, well done!

Belvidere Manor Knysna

The Belvidere Manor Hotel on the banks of the Knysna Lagoon recently introduced a new look to its restaurant, Caroline’s Bistro.

“Over recent years the public’s dining expectations have changed to a more relaxed contemporary experience and as Belvidere Manor tries to offer guests an opportunity to ‘chill out’ so should our restaurant. Guests must feel comfortable while still enjoying efficient, friendly service and the great food that our chef, Ian Booysen, prepares,” explains general manager, Sue Mills.

Caroline’s Bistro is open daily for dinner from 7pm