The Traveling Eye is about to embark on a "road trip" to Sheboygan, Wisconsin and stay at the Blue Harbor Resort and Spa. Sheboygan is about a two and a half hour drive from Chicago. We're excited because the last time we road tripped we had a blast. This time we're going to video blog from the car, no holds barred.
Blue Harbor Resort and Spa has just completed an extensive renovation and is now ready for the season. It's a great and classic lakeside resort that offers fun for the entire family and has the areas largest indoor water park.
Another part of the renovation was at the Reflections Spa featuring Aveda products.
Bonnie and I (Ja'Vonne) are going to experience as much as we can and that Blue Harbor Resort and the area has to offer during our visit . We'll be enjoying spa treatments, fishing, kayaking and cycling just to name a few of the activities. We're going to unleash our inner child.
I always refer to AAA's Road Trip tips before I hit the road to make sure I and my car are road trip ready. The tips can be found by clicking AAA
Make sure you check back with us to see what we're up to on our road trip adventure and visit to The Blue Harbor Resort and Spa starting this Sunday, April 29th.
Until then........
Ja'Vonne Harley
Co-Host, The Traveling Eye
Friday, April 27, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
On Safari
Safari in South Africa is like no other and the experience at Legends Golf and Safari Resort is a great mix of wild life and recreation. Legends is a three hour drive north of Johannesburg in the Limpopo province and is juts outside of the Entabeni Safari Conservancy. The accommodations are luxury and contemporary set out in the wild or the bush as they call it. We had a fantastic time going on safari at dawn and at dusk, which are the best times of the day to see wildlife. We saw three of the Big 5 (Elephant, Rhinoceros, Lion). The two we did not see were the Leopard and Buffalo. while it's fun to count the big and to see them, it's just as much fun seeing the others and we saw plenty as you can see from the photo show. One treat was seeing two cheetahs, brothers just walking down the dirt road. Fortunately for us they did not run. They are the fastest of the cats.
I just love going on safari and being in the bush. It's so peaceful and serene, especially at sun rise and sunset. The African sky is breathtaking. The sky produces brilliant colors at different times of the day and the reflection from the horizon and off of the water are phenomenal. One experience I adore is stopping at sunset at the end of the safari for a sundowner (a cocktail at sunset in the bush). it's romantic, a little adventurous and spooky at first. Then you relax and forget that you're in the wild and wild animals may lurking. Maybe the cocktails have something to do with it. The local favorite and mine is the Amarula, a creamed liquor made from the amarula fruit that grows from a tree.
Next stop Cape Town!
Please click the photo and enjoy the photo show
On Safari
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Johannesburg & Soweto
Reflecting on my trip to South Africa and trying to decide on what to write about a destination that I've been to so many times it suddenly hit me. Why do I love South Africa and why is it my favorite destination? This is what I want to share with you. I love each part of the country that I visit differently as they are each so different from the esthetics to the people. First going through the photos (1800 total) Howard Little of Video Twist Productions took, I decided the best way to write about South Africa and what I love would be in segments, first starting with Johannesburg & Soweto.
Not only was Johannesburg & Soweto the first city we visited, it's a great place to start. Notice, I did not say cities. That's because SOWETO is not a city but rather an acronym for South Western Townships, the area that blacks were forced to live during apartheid.
Johannesburg is forever changing and is now making a comeback. There was a mad exodus once apartheid ended that was the result of fear, uncertainity and an influx of immigrants. At one point not too long ago Johannesburg was completely abandoned and gave way to the growth of surrounding suburbs like Sandton. Sandton is where a lot of businesses moved to and is where our hotel, the Michelangelo is, along with Mandela's Square, a bustling center for business, dining and shopping. When I interviewed Laura Vercueil, PR Manager for Johannesburg Tourism, she said that Johannesburg in a word is vibrant. The city has come to life with the arts, culture and a new train the Gautrain that is bringing people from the suburbs to the city.
There's a lot of history about apartheid in Johannesburg & SOWETO as it was the epicenter of the time and SOWETO is the largest township in the country. It's very emotional and to some quite infuriating. After we visit the Apartheid Museum, Hector Petierson Memorial and Museum, Constitution Hill, The Mandela House, The Regina Mundi Church and an actual township you are emotionally drained. You're glad you went, enjoyed the experience and walk away with an appreciation for resilience and people who are prideful.
SOWETO is the home to the most famous street in the world, Vilakazi Street, where two Nobel Piece Prize Laureates once lived. Prisoner to President - Nelson Mandela and Arch-Bishop Desmond Tutu. I love to see the surprise on everyones face when they learn and see that SOWETO does not represent poverty but the home to millionaires and famous people. Of course there is poverty, but it's also a diverse home of strength, pride, history and a great example. When you go, you have to visit the places I have mentioned, the museums and memorials but you also have to stop and talk with people and just hang out to get the true feel of SOWETO. Another way to mix and mingle is to visit a local place for lunch and chat with some of the other patrons. One that is very famous is Wandi's, everyone from Presidents to locals have lunched there. You can also do what we did and visit a B&B like Robby's to have lunch. The lunch is prepared by the lady of the house, Sophie. This is real home cooked soul food. What a treat.
Every morning when I had breakfast at my hotel, the people who worked there greeted me with a smile. But this wasn't just service with a smile, it was welcome to my country and enjoy your stay. Going to dinner at a restaurant in Mandela's Square I had a choice of Italian, African, Indian, Seafood, Greek just to name a few and not to mention the many restaurants and fast food outlets inside the mall. Each place I visited the people were kind and made you feel welcome. The people we encountered at the places we visited along the way were helpful, polite, willing to speak with you and interested in you. I only hope that we treat people the same way and make them feel welcomed in our country.
Photo Show for Johannesburg & Soweto
Enjoy,
Ja'Vonne Harley
Host, The Traveling Eye
President, Advantage International
Not only was Johannesburg & Soweto the first city we visited, it's a great place to start. Notice, I did not say cities. That's because SOWETO is not a city but rather an acronym for South Western Townships, the area that blacks were forced to live during apartheid.
Johannesburg is forever changing and is now making a comeback. There was a mad exodus once apartheid ended that was the result of fear, uncertainity and an influx of immigrants. At one point not too long ago Johannesburg was completely abandoned and gave way to the growth of surrounding suburbs like Sandton. Sandton is where a lot of businesses moved to and is where our hotel, the Michelangelo is, along with Mandela's Square, a bustling center for business, dining and shopping. When I interviewed Laura Vercueil, PR Manager for Johannesburg Tourism, she said that Johannesburg in a word is vibrant. The city has come to life with the arts, culture and a new train the Gautrain that is bringing people from the suburbs to the city.
There's a lot of history about apartheid in Johannesburg & SOWETO as it was the epicenter of the time and SOWETO is the largest township in the country. It's very emotional and to some quite infuriating. After we visit the Apartheid Museum, Hector Petierson Memorial and Museum, Constitution Hill, The Mandela House, The Regina Mundi Church and an actual township you are emotionally drained. You're glad you went, enjoyed the experience and walk away with an appreciation for resilience and people who are prideful.
SOWETO is the home to the most famous street in the world, Vilakazi Street, where two Nobel Piece Prize Laureates once lived. Prisoner to President - Nelson Mandela and Arch-Bishop Desmond Tutu. I love to see the surprise on everyones face when they learn and see that SOWETO does not represent poverty but the home to millionaires and famous people. Of course there is poverty, but it's also a diverse home of strength, pride, history and a great example. When you go, you have to visit the places I have mentioned, the museums and memorials but you also have to stop and talk with people and just hang out to get the true feel of SOWETO. Another way to mix and mingle is to visit a local place for lunch and chat with some of the other patrons. One that is very famous is Wandi's, everyone from Presidents to locals have lunched there. You can also do what we did and visit a B&B like Robby's to have lunch. The lunch is prepared by the lady of the house, Sophie. This is real home cooked soul food. What a treat.
Every morning when I had breakfast at my hotel, the people who worked there greeted me with a smile. But this wasn't just service with a smile, it was welcome to my country and enjoy your stay. Going to dinner at a restaurant in Mandela's Square I had a choice of Italian, African, Indian, Seafood, Greek just to name a few and not to mention the many restaurants and fast food outlets inside the mall. Each place I visited the people were kind and made you feel welcome. The people we encountered at the places we visited along the way were helpful, polite, willing to speak with you and interested in you. I only hope that we treat people the same way and make them feel welcomed in our country.
Photo Show for Johannesburg & Soweto
Enjoy,
Ja'Vonne Harley
Host, The Traveling Eye
President, Advantage International
Friday, April 6, 2012
South Africa
I'm back from a wonderful trip to South Africa. We did the usual Johannesburg, Soweto, Safari & Cape Town. This time however we also attended the Cape Town Jazz Festival.
One thing I have realized is that South Africa is about it's people. Everyone I spoke to from our group members to entertainers the one thing they all agree on and actully state as the number one reason they love South Africa is "the people". The people of South Africa are warm, friendly, gracious, generous and authentic. They love their country and show such pride in who they are and what their country has to offer to the world. They also love others and take interest in who you are and in that hospitality make you feel welcomed.
When I spoke to Patty Austin and James Ingram, who were there performing at The 13th Annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival, they both spoke of the people and how much they love South Africans. When I attended their performances I watched with pride as the audience new every word and sang along. The way they loved the music from American artists made me proud to be American. Ms. Austin and Mr. Ingram both have been to South Africa before and say they just love coming back because of the reception they receive and the warmth of the people.
People always ask me what is my favorite destination and with conviction I always say South Africa. Each time I go back I fall in love again. From the housekeeper who cleans my hotel room and greets me in the morning or at turn down to the CEO of South African Tourism who spoke so passionately about their pride. Each person makes you feel special and that they want you see and know their country and why it is so special. The tour guides speak with such passion you forget they are tour guides and see them as friends telling you their story. The people you meet on the street welcome you with such pride and tell you about the things you must see and do. The rangers on safari are your teachers and want you to leave not just knowing about the big five but about the little things that make their wildlife unique and special, like pulling mint leaves from a bush, telling you the story of the weaver bird, showing you how to recognize animal foot (paw) prints. Being patient with the most crazy questions and comments. All the while treating you like a friend. Having lunch at Robby's, a B&B in Soweto wasn't like having lunch at an establishment but rather going to your aunties house.
Of course, South Africa has the wild life, scenic beauty, food, wine, luxury accommodations, excellent highways and infrastructure, fantastic shopping and all the things that make a destination great but after speaking with Sthu Zungu, President of South African Tourism of North America and learning that out of the nine groups of people and nine languages not one has a single word for stranger, it explains it all. Each and every visitor I have met or traveled with to South Africa agree that their favorite part about South Africa "The people"
Until we meet again....
Ja'Vonne Harley
One thing I have realized is that South Africa is about it's people. Everyone I spoke to from our group members to entertainers the one thing they all agree on and actully state as the number one reason they love South Africa is "the people". The people of South Africa are warm, friendly, gracious, generous and authentic. They love their country and show such pride in who they are and what their country has to offer to the world. They also love others and take interest in who you are and in that hospitality make you feel welcomed.
When I spoke to Patty Austin and James Ingram, who were there performing at The 13th Annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival, they both spoke of the people and how much they love South Africans. When I attended their performances I watched with pride as the audience new every word and sang along. The way they loved the music from American artists made me proud to be American. Ms. Austin and Mr. Ingram both have been to South Africa before and say they just love coming back because of the reception they receive and the warmth of the people.
People always ask me what is my favorite destination and with conviction I always say South Africa. Each time I go back I fall in love again. From the housekeeper who cleans my hotel room and greets me in the morning or at turn down to the CEO of South African Tourism who spoke so passionately about their pride. Each person makes you feel special and that they want you see and know their country and why it is so special. The tour guides speak with such passion you forget they are tour guides and see them as friends telling you their story. The people you meet on the street welcome you with such pride and tell you about the things you must see and do. The rangers on safari are your teachers and want you to leave not just knowing about the big five but about the little things that make their wildlife unique and special, like pulling mint leaves from a bush, telling you the story of the weaver bird, showing you how to recognize animal foot (paw) prints. Being patient with the most crazy questions and comments. All the while treating you like a friend. Having lunch at Robby's, a B&B in Soweto wasn't like having lunch at an establishment but rather going to your aunties house.
Of course, South Africa has the wild life, scenic beauty, food, wine, luxury accommodations, excellent highways and infrastructure, fantastic shopping and all the things that make a destination great but after speaking with Sthu Zungu, President of South African Tourism of North America and learning that out of the nine groups of people and nine languages not one has a single word for stranger, it explains it all. Each and every visitor I have met or traveled with to South Africa agree that their favorite part about South Africa "The people"
Until we meet again....
Ja'Vonne Harley
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