Great Restaurant In Cape Town Wine Country

 

With just a few hours left in Cape Town, I plan one more brief visit to the nearby Stellenbosch wine region. A cellar tour and lunch would be nice before flying back to Johannesburg.

 

 

My first stop is at Zandberg Winery home of the award winning The Winelands Restaurant. This becomes my only stop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a private cellar dining room available, the ambiance and menu here is impressive.

 

 

 

 

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For starters, The Trio Of Puglia's Mozzarella Pin Wheels is ordered. Traditional mozzarella, grilled vegetables, basil pesto, Italian anchovy, olive tapenade, Parma ham and sun dried tomatoes make taking these wheels for a spin tons of culinary fun.

 

 

 

Trio of Puglia Mozzarella Pin Wheels

 

 

While waiting for my starters to arrive, slices of a fresh warm sweet bread is served. If this bread is available in the prisons here then I am ready to start serving a life sentence. It is so, so delicious.

 

 

Next it is a bowl of Roasted Red Pepper soup that is so flavorful I am already scheming a way to steal the recipe.

Who knew a soup and red peppers could be so palette pleasing.

 

 

 

Even before my main course arrives this is turning into a 5-Star dining experience. The Winelands not only offers great food but Zandberg is also where was the first white Merlot was produced in South Africa. This wine makes a nice compliment to my meal and I can already tell one glass of it is not going to be enough.

 

 

Angels are singing when my main course, Lamb, Rosemary and Garlic Kofta is presented. Organic pasture lamb, homemade linguine with an olive, anchovy tomato sauce and I am in culinary heaven.

Sing Angels, Sing!

 

 

 

 

With such excellent starters and main courses, I have no doubt that a desert selection would not be just as spectacular.

Three different servings of Italian ice cream topped with a peppermint leaf finishes off a perfect lunch time meal.

 

 

 

Just above my table is an autographed wine crate to the owners of The Winelands that states “To the best little restaurant in the world!”. The signer, Martin Meinert is unknown to me but I would have a hard time disagreeing with his sentiment.

If you dine at The Winelands Restaurant (www.96wineryroad.co.za) you just might too.

Port Of Miami Cruise Ship Parking

 

 

Having just sailed from the Port Of Miami, I highly recommend Premier Parking Ventures ( www.premierparkingusa.com).

If you want secured parking and to pay less than the ridiculous $20 per day plus taxes that the Port Of Miami charges then this maybe a viable option for you.

 

 

 

 

 

Premier Parking Lot

 

Premier Parking is located at 701N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33132 which is less than a 15 minute drive to the cruise ship terminals. It is a fenced in open parking area with easy access to and from I-95 North and Southbound.

We took a 7 Day Cruise on Carnival Valor and paid only about $65 for parking.

 

 

Drop off and pick up is convenient with a less than a 20 minute wait time.

Be sure to get your “Smiley Face”.

 

 

 

 

 

If you do not chose Premier there are a lot of other parking services nearby that can save you over $100 compared to parking at the Port Of Miami. Enjoy Your Cruise!

 

 

Technorati Tags: Port Of Miami Parking,Cruise Ship Parking,Premier Parking Venture,Carnival Valor

See Antarctica With Quark Expedition

 

 

I have just returned from Quark Expedition, The Antarctica Explorer. A 12 day trip that starts and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina.

 

 

 

 

Although, I learned during my trip that Quark Expedition itself is going through some internal changes, from start to finish my trip was operated by a fun, professional and safety conscious group of individuals.

 

 

 

Akademik Ioffee

 

 

From the Expedition Leader on down, they all worked diligently to make our trip adventurous and enjoyable.

 

There were about 107 passengers on board and the only disappointment expressed was by a handful of the 30 passengers that took the camping excursion.

Not quiet the experience most of them expected.

 

 

 

However, this can be dependent on the weather which can change in the Antarctica rather quickly.

I would not hesitate to recommend or take another trip with Quark Expedition if given the opportunity.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Antarctica,Quark Expedition,Antarctica Explorer,Akademik Ioffe,Ushuaia,Argentina

Flip And Philips, My New Travel Companions

 

As primarily a solo backpack traveler, I must chose my travel companions, if any, very carefully. Any travel companion must add to my travel experience, be slim for the most part and a light weight with good looks getting a few extra points.

Usually, I have nothing against having a few extra pounds but if I must hang out with or carry my travel companions around then I don't want to be weighed down. My two new travel companions meet and almost surpass my rigorous requirements.

 

Flip, who I am just getting familiar with, will allow me to easily capture and share videos on YouTube and my travel blogs.

I found Flip at a local Wal-Mart for just $79, 20% off the regular price, so far he is not a bad travel companion.

 

 

 

Now Philips on the other hand does not like to travel alone and tells me he prefers to hang out with Sony Earbuds.

Since Philips came at a reasonable price $39.99 and allows me to enjoy a few of my friends like Hank Williams Jr, Abba, Barry White and 4 Non Blondes, I agree to take him and Sony along.

 

I am headed to Antarctica and so far my new travel companions have been a lot of fun. Flip has been capturing and Philips has given me a good Vibe. I hope they can stand up to the rigors of a 12 day Antarctica expedition. It will be a true test of our new friendship and whether they will remain my travel companions.

 

Technorati Tags: Flip,Philips,Vibe,Son,Earbuds,WalMart,YouTube,Antarctica,Hank Williams Jr,Abba,Barry White,4 Non Blondes

Bad Hotel In Gainesville, Florida

 

 

Making hotel arrangements through Hotels.com I am disappointed when I arrive at Extended Stay in Gainesville, Florida.

Although the property is conveniently located of Interstate 75 with lots of restaurants and stores like Wal-Mart nearby, the room I was given left much to be desired.

 

 

 

Entering Room 321 at Extended Stay in Gainesville, I felt like I had just walked into room left by chain smoking Camel Joe and a wild pack of dogs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With pet hair everywhere combined with the over powering stench of smoke it was a quick return to the front office for a checkout and a refund.

 

 

 

 

 

Since I had reserved the room through Hotels.com this took some coordination and a lengthy hold on line trying to talk to the right Hotels.com representative.

Not something to look forward to after a long day of driving when all you want is a clean, quiet and comfortable place to sleep.

 

 

 

In the end, the front desk clerk was pleasant to deal with but I would not recommend Extended Stay in Gainesville unless you can get a pet-free, non smoking room away from the noise of the interstate.

 

 

Technorati Tags: Hotels.Com,Extended Stay Hotel,Gainesville,Florida,Camel Joe,Walmart,Interstate 75

Great Canoeing In Kentucky

 

 

A short easy drive from Nashville International Airport, Cave City, Kentucky is a good launching spot to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. It is just 90 miles from Nashville along Interstate 65 North.

 

If you are planning on visiting Mammoth Cave National Park I would recommend not missing the opportunity to explore the beautiful and scenic Green River in a canoe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green River Butterflies

 

 

 

Mammoth Cave Canoe & Kayak located at the boundary line of Mammoth Cave National Park can give you the opportunity to do so at a reasonable price.

After a trip to the caves for just $50 per canoe we launch on 7.5 mile down the Green River. From the Dennison Ferry to Green River Ferry this routes takes about 3 hours.

 

 

 

 

 

Sun Bathing Turtle

 

 

You can move at your own pace just leave your canoe along the parking lot at Green River Ferry before dark.

Mammoth Cave Canoe & Kayak offers other trips and no matter which one you choose, I am sure it will be an enjoyable  experience.

 

 

 

For more info:http://www.mammothcavecanoe-k.com/rates.htm

 

 

Technorati Tags: Nashville International Airport,Cave City,Kentucky,Interstate 65 North,Mammoth Cave National Park,Green River,Green River Ferry,Dennison Ferry,Mammoth Cave Canoe & Kayak,Green River Butterflies,Sun Bathing Turtle,Canoeing,Kayaking

Tail Of The Dragon Hotel

 

 

 

We are practically half frozen to death by the time we arrive at Phillips Motel in Robbinsville, North Carolina.

Running behind because of so many beautiful stops along the way we have just crossed most of the Cherohala Skyway, Highway 165/143 from Tellico Plains, Tennessee, shivering.

 

 

 

 

 

It is a cold clear night with a full moon lighting our path on 50 miles of a curving mountain highway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel like Harry from the 1994 Dumb and Dumber movie, wishing I had brought a second pair of gloves. “Lloyd, I can't feel my fingers, they are numb!”. My hands are so cold I could barely write to register for the room reserved at Phillips Motels.

 

 

Bikers that have arrived ahead of us are camped around a bonfire on the front lawn of the motel enjoying it’s radiant heat and sharing stories.

We are tempted to join them but may have to jump in the fire to stay alive.

 

 

 

 

 

In the end, we are reluctant to escape the warmth of a comfortable room that comes equipped with a microwave, small refrigerator and a fly swatter for just $55.00 a night.

 

 

 

 

 

Operated by an elderly couple, Phillips Motel is located on Main Street and has a few buildings spread around the complex. Although prices are as low as $40 per night, I am told while making our reservations that the rooms upfront are worth the extra $15 per night.

 

   

Phillips Motel 290 Main Street Robbinsville, NC 28771. 828 479-3370 www.phillipsmotelonline.com

 

    

Phillips is not your typical standard chain hotel, it has a charm all it's own and is more than adequate as a place to spend a few nights while you explore all the great riding and scenery in the area. Restaurants, shops, a grocery store and even a McDonald's with free wi-fi are all close by.

I would certainly stay at Phillips Motel again but next time I will arrive early enough to stay warm by the bonfire.

 

 

Technorati Tags: Phillips Motel,Robbinsville North Carolina,Tail Of The Dragon,Tellico Plains,Tennessee,Cherohala Skyway,Dumb and Dumber,Highway 165,Highway 143