KAT’S KIBBLES AND BITS

They came to bring it !  Photo courtesy of Gail Palmer. Nice job!  This is Kat Tracking in the truest sense of the word. My friends,  South Africa 2016 has ended but the memories and friendships will linger on long after all have unpacked and returned to their normal routines.

South Africa 2017 will be Sept 16-28. We will step up our 5 Star Game Lodge to another level of luxury for those planning to join next year.

Ghana, get a glimpse and learn the history of the slave trade on the Gold Coast. This “gate of no return” was the last stop before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. We will visit in November.  We will also visit Togo, known for its palm-lined beaches and hilltop villages.

Take a peek at the kattraxonline.com website announcing our 2017 WORLD TOUR. If you are holding space for Paris or Fiji and your deposit is not yet in; you just may miss out. Someone wants your spot.

In 12 days, we will be in South America where we will BLAME IT ON RIO, as we visit Salvatore di Bahia – the Soul of Brazil-  and Iguassu Falls.

FAREWELL CAPE TOWN!

Cape Town…one of the most romantic cities in the world. I love her and she loves me. Our 5 Star hotel, THE TABLE BAY is where our beloved President Obama, Michael J, and Mary J has stayed. The late President Nelson Mandela opened this property in 1997 and on a gold plaque in the lobby is one of his quotes: “It always seems impossible until it’s done”. We brought love and received love in return.  Everywhere our group went, we were met with “Welcome Kattrax Party”, on our buses, upon arrival at various venues and down to our personalized menus. I’m more than positive this will be a birthday Dana Terry will long remember.  No doubt her entourage turned it out at Pigalle Restaurant.  They had a wonderful time.

On one of my “me time” days, I had an appointment at Cape Cobra where I had business to conduct. A most fascinating showroom where I picked up a few python, croc and stingray items. This non-shopper finished off the morning at the Jo Malone tasting bar where I picked up a new fragrance and strolled over to Edgar’s and picked up Narciso Rodriguez.  Our hotel location cannot be beat at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with shops and restaurants galore.

Yesterday was the perfect finale…. the group went to the top of the world on TABLE MOUNTAIN while I packed and relaxed.  They picked me up and we headed to the WINELANDS with a brief photo stop at Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela spent his last 18 months under house arrest and took his “Long Walk to Freedom”. The weather could not have been more beautiful.  They wine tasted and enjoyed a marvelous lunch at MIKO’S.  Sir Richard Branson now has his name on this property so you know it’s the “Kat’s Meow”.  It was a wonderful afternoon in the WINELANDS.

Our farewell dinner was at the SIGNAL RESTAURANT located in the luxurious 5 Star hotel, CAPE GRACE.  It was definitely a private affair with  a “purr-fect” ending to a KATTRAX TOUR.  A special shout out to Simon Gluckman of Intrepid Expeditions who always ensures all  i’s are dotted and every t is crossed for the Kattrax Group.

On this trip 2 destinations have been added: Ghana, November 2017 and yes, finally going back to Egypt where I so look forward to again cruising the Nile River. There is nothing like it. I’ve been in touch with my Egyptian connection and we are preparing for November 2018.  This South Africa group has practically taken most spaces and no, a price has not been announced as yet.

Thank you for taking this trip with me……in 2 weeks BRAZIL!  See you then!

 

Announcing KATTRAX 2017 WORLD TOUR

Greetings from South Africa!  Yes, while here I’ve been busy preparing exciting new and some repeat favorite destination packages.  We are not only INTERNATIONAL BUT DEFINITELY GLOBAL.  In 2017 you can touch 6 continents with us and catch the 7th -Antarctica in February 2018.  Stay tuned to our website Kattraxonline.com for updated information or inbox Kat at rivoli98@yahoo.com

Jan –  New Years Caribbean Princess Cruise
Feb – TBA
Mar – Australia – Down Under including Great Barrier Reef
Apr- Paris (Waitlisted) Stroll through Black Paris
May – Tailor Made Asia (Tokyo, Bangkok, Vietnam)
June- Journey to Peru including Machu Picchu
July – Jammin in Jamaica
Aug – Holiday in the Fiji Islands
Sept -South Africa
Oct – Canary Islands Cruise
Nov – Ghana
Dec-   Cuba – Havana International Jazz Festival

Joburg, City of Gold and Diamonds

 

Johannesburg, such a diverse and beautiful city.  After the cultural stop at Lesedi where all became acquainted with the 5 dominate tribes of Xhosa, Zulu, Bathsoto, Ndebele, and Pedi; we moved on to the Apartheid Museum which tells the story of how it really was, then to SOWETO (South Western Township) where we visited Mandela House, Hector Pietersen Memorial (the youth shot down by the police during a peaceful march). Regina  Mundi church, Bishop Desmond Tutu’s house……SOWETO…This is where the struggle began.

There was no stopping this group of shoppers. We were invited to a private showing of Schwartz jewelry.  While they shopped, Old man Schwartz and I chopped it up in his living room.  He likes to tell the stories of when he had his store in Beverly Hills and all his celebrity clientele and I love to listen.

After 3 nights in Joburg, next stop was the Game Lodge in Pilanesberg.  All were thoroughly pleased with the sightings of animals.  The outdoor shower was exactly  what I was looking forward to.  There is nothing like it. I must be crazy at times because that first night it stormed with thunder and lightning but that did not stop me. Let me tell you it was an unbelieveable experience. There is something extraordinary about super hot water overhead combined with a gentle cool breeze under the midnight sky with stars twinkling like diamonds.

Next stop, one of the most romantic cities in the world, CAPE TOWN, truly one of my favorite places.

In case you’re wondering what’s been brewing for upcoming KATTRAX TOURS; let me tell you.  September 2017 will find me back here with a special treat. We will step up the game lodge to something most incredible and we will spend 3 nights instead of 2.  It will be an amazing experience.   Then in November 2017, what so many have been asking for:  GHANA.  Interested?  Inbox me at rivoli98@yahoo.com

WELCOME HOME!!

Those words are always music to my ears and that’s what I hear each and every time I arrive. The 5 Star MICHELANGELO HOTEL is tops in every category.  Our flight landed in Joburg at 530am, we were immediately met after deplaning by a Menzies rep who ushered our group through Immigration, to the luggage carousel and then handed off to our wonderful guide, Joe Motsogi.  Hotel check in is 2pm and I had already preped the group to relax and be patient.  Much to our surprise,  upon our arrival at the hotel one of the managers  greeted us with flutes of fresh passion juice, informed us our rooms were ready and smoothly checked us in.

Our welcome dinner was at MAXIMILLIENS at the Davinci Hotel, an 8 minute stroll thru the mall.  We were greeted by the Maitre’D, George who assured me all my requests would be honored.  The table for 20 was set impeccably and  my signature Kattrax personalized menus in shiny silver and black were placed at each setting.  The wines ordered for the evening were:  Beyerskloof Pinotage, Franshoeck Merlot and Ken Forester Petit Chenin.  I thoroughly enjoyed my starter of crispy calamari with Cajun spices served with garlic,  my main was  creamy prawn penne with basil and sundried tomatoes,and for dessert the melt in your mouth lava cake with vanilla ice cream.   I did my usual; handled the beverage tab and left the group to continue chatting and mingling then made my way back to my room, eye shopping the high end stores on my way.

This morning I met the group at 10am, said goodbye as they went off with Joe for the cultural tour at LESEDI VILLAGE located in the Cradle of Humankind which showcases the dominant South Africa  groups: ZULU,  XHOSA, BASOTHO, NDEBELE AND PEDI.  I stopped in for breakfast and then this non shopper popped over to SANDTON CITY, the largest mall in the Southern Hemisphere with 5 star hotels, restaurants, cinemas, and every conceivable high end store.    Normally, NO WAY, but I had to get postcards for my shut-ins: Lil Rico, Dupree, Yahya, Casso, Roscoe, Aaron, and  T-Dub. That’s the only reason.  Shout out to all y’all.  I love you

Will I come back???  Okay Tannia, Geri,  Valarie, Trina, Vy…..get those numbers up and it just may be on and crackalackin for September 2017.

Tomorrow: SOWETO

 

 

 

ARE YOU STROLLING BLACK PARIS WITH KAT ?

I am somewhere over the Arabian Peninsula about to land in Dubai  headed to South Africa  where we will celebrate the birthday of Dana Terry of Los Angeles.  It will be.a Grand time for the 20 in this group as they tour Joburg, Soweto, Cape Town, a 5 Star game reserve and sample my hand picked restaurants and fine South African  wines.  Will I do it again for the 11th consecutive year?  Maybe….if someone brings me 20 I will have to say yes but with Canary Islands in October and I only go in the spring time, it would be in September.

As I sat in my comfortable seat in the first cabin of  EMIRATES A380; the thought occured to me about who is going with me to Paris .  Since last posting, 2 weeks ago most rooms have been taken.  Those that completed their res forms and sent in their deposits are confirmed.  If you only inquired, just know we only have 2 rooms available   so don’t be left out   April 19- 27, 2017.   CONFIRMED:

Alicia W, Denise A,  Yvette,  Michelle, Raenette, Margaret T, Clarence, Toni, Marlene, Mildred, Martha, Edvida, Gail, Jennifer

Photo Courtesy of: Gail Jackson

 

 

DOWN FOR FIJI 2017? LET’S GO!

BULA!  If you said, “Count me in”, now is the time for show and tell.  To All those with $450 deposits or more and completed Reservation Forms we are about to issue airline tickets.  Land Only – $2200 pp.  Nonstop air from LAX is $1254.  I am trying to get back to my more intimate group of travelers.  So you better believe if you study long, you study wrong because you will be left out on this one.  30 will be my max.    I am leaving tomorrow for South Africa but ALWAYS available to you my friends via email.  Vinaka!

STROLL THROUGH BLACK PARIS 2017

Jazz Club

Jazz Singer Denise King

Faheem, My Personal Limo Driver

Preston Having Fun in the Stretch

Oh What A Night!

So many of you have continually procrastinated on Black Paris, saying “Maybe 2018, 2019”.  Well if you haven’t done it with Kat by April 2017; you will be doing it with someone else.  With KATTRAX TOURS  You get a week of the BEST of Black Paris and you get the opportunity to experience Ricki Stevenson’s Black Paris Tour.  Your weekend belongs to you —- Go to London or go to Amsterdam for the day.   Where will Kat go?  She will spend hers in Marseille.  It’s a must for me to return.  Don’t delay your decision.  Unsold rooms will soon be released.   Interested?  Inbox me, send in your reservation form and $500 to hold your space.  Don’t cheat yourself, treat yourself!   A bientot,