BONNIE'S EYE ON!

There is a popular attraction in Chicago that attracts millions of tourists each year.  However, if you ask them and even the people who live in Chicago, what the name of it is, most of them will proudly and confidently answer, “The Bean.”  That, my friends, is the wrong answer.  The kidney bean shaped attraction located in the center of the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park is actually named Cloud Gate.

The sculpture created by British artist Anish Kappor took two years to construct. Her inspiration was liquid mercury and true to her vision, the outside shows no visible seams.  After much anticipation and a little mystery, Cloud Gate was dedicated on May 15, 2006.  It’s curved shaped does look like a kidney bean so from day one, it has nicknamed "The Bean."

I love it because of the way it reflects the beautiful Chicago Skyline from every angle.  Children love to play around it, while others are fascinated with their reflections underneath this popular attraction.

Whether you call it by its rightful name of Cloud Gate or its popular nickname "The Bean," it is a wonderful spot to visit and take a photo, whether you live in Chicago or not.

Keep your EYE to the sky!

Bonnie DeShong

Co-host of The Traveling Eye

LIVE FROM THE PARADISUS PUNTA CANA PART 1

WOW! Is all can say about our trip to The Paradisus Punta Cana.  OK, I just told a lie. I have a whole lot to say about our FAB-U-LOUS trip.  What I mean is that it deserves a WOW!

Wednesday, August 14th we headed off to Punta Cana, DR for our All Inclusive, All Suite experience at the Paradisus Punta Cana to celebrate my 50th Birthday and The Traveling Eye's 6th Anniversary.  Fifty of our friends, family and listeners joined us from all around the U.S.

Our entire team was in tow, yours truly (Ja'Vonne, Birthday Girl & Show Host), my partner in crime (Bonnie, Show Host), our eyes, pun intended (Howard, Executive Video Producer) and our Tenzing Norgay (Gene, Executive Producer).

The Theme......Do what ever you want as long as you have FUN!

On our very first night we had our welcome reception on Gabbi Beach at Paradisus Punta Cana.  It was the first time everyone came together and met each other and I was amazed how quickly everyone bonded. I think it was love at first sight or maybe it was the cocktails.  Some folks had already started enjoying the All Inclusive benefits!  From this point on we were one big happy family!

And....The 50th Birthday Dinner & Party.  We started with a very delicious seafood dinner at the Gabbi Beach Restaurant at Paradisus Punta Cana.  Lobster Tails, Shrimp, Sushi, Fish, Mussels, Ceviche, you name it they had it.  We were all dressed up and civilized and anticipating our "Wiggin Out Party".

From dinner we headed to the Red Lounge (the nightclub at Paradisus Punta Cana. I have to say I was impressed).  Several people made an appearance. Rick James was there, a relative of Bob Marley, Pretty Ricky, A motown back up singer, some I didn't get names from and the guest of honor.....Ruby!  And, Yes, we did the Wobble! No party is complete without a line dance.  We actually did a bit of everything from salsa to hip hop.  I'll let the photos speak. I had on 4 inch heels with a 1 inch platform and I danced all night!  And, several of us closed the nightclub down.  You know when they turn the lights on in a smoke filled room and by this time no one's looking pretty.

 A phenomenal spa treatment at Yhi Spa.

Swimming with nurse sharks and sting rays
 

To everyone who came and celebrated with us.....We can't thank you enough!  You are our family and it would not have been the same without any of you.  There's a saying in Zulu....Ubuntu, which is a shortened version of a Zulu proverb, “Umuntu ngumuntu ngamantu,” which means: “I am a person through other people, I am because of you. So, muchas gracias and Ubuntu!

Howard, Ja'Vonne, Bonnie, Gene
The Traveling Eye Team

The Traveling Eye...Live from Paradisus Punta Cana!  In case you missed it here it is.

Broadcast Part 1

Eduardo Perera, General Manager at Paradisus Punta Cana

Charles Kiusters, Food and Beverage Assistant Director at Paradisus Punta Cana

JA'VONNE'S TIPS FOR LAST MINUTE SUMMER DEALS

It's important to know how and where to find the deals.  With these tools you can find the ones you want to fit your own needs rather than just going to where the deal is and taking something that isn't really for you.
 
Look for ways to save in the city you are visiting.

 

City Pass, Gives you access to top attractions in that city at up to half off the cost of admission plus head of the line or express line access.

City Pass is currently in the following cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hollywood, Houston, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern, Toronto

Groupon, In their own words, Groupon features daily deals for stuff to do, see, eat and buy in 48countries and soon to be more. A lot of people use Groupon in their home town and never think to use it in a city they are visiting.  it's like a traveling coupon.  Before you visit a city, visit Groupon and see what deals are offered for big savings for your vacation.

Packages, bundling or packaging is a way to save.  Especially if you're using a travel agent or online travel companies like Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity or the airlines website. Often, when you book your vacation components together from the same source it's less expensive than if you were to book them separately. This means booking your air, hotel, transfers or car rental all in one. 

Apps, Apps give you up to the minute deals or information.  Here are a few I like. I like the Kayak app for the same reason I like Kayak.com, because you can compare travel sites for the best airfares, hotel rates, itineraries, etc. You save time and money!

With gas prices constantly changing and varying so much based on your location, Gas Buddy is a great tool to check whose offering the best prices when you're on the go.

An empty hotel room is very costly for a hotel and they would rather sell the room at a discount than have it empty.  The goal is "Heads in Beds".  So, when a hotel has an empty room it's the best time for you to get a deal.  Hotel Tonight is an app that offers such a service.  Hotels are listed with last minute deals for those empty rooms. And, they have just launched a lowest price guarantee.

Cruises, Cruise vacations have always been a great value and just like hotel rooms when cabins are unsold last minute deals offered. The cruise line would rather have you on the ship at a heavily discounted rate than have an empty cabin.  You can find last minute cruise deals as low as $55 per person per night.

 

Sign up for alerts with various sites.  The sites you register with will alert you when prices go down or sales are offered.  You can put in destinations, dates and other filters to get what you're looking for. 

Eliminate airfare and drive.

Book the right Day, If you're traveling over the Labor Day weekend, Friday and Monday will be the highest in terms of airfare and traffic. Try departing on Wednesday or Thursday and returning Tuesday for lower airfares.  This principle actually applies anytime you're traveling.  You'll want to fly on non-peak days and hours. 

Book the Hub, What I mean by this is that airlines have a hub, this is their base.  You'll find less expensive fares using an airlines hub because they have more service from there, more flights more frequency.

If you can, go the weekend after Labor Day, you'll get great deals.

Ja'Vonne Harley

JA'VONNE'S TRAVEL MINUTE - A SHOPPING TIP

A few years ago I went to West Palm Beach, FL for a long weekend getaway.  I only went because I found a great deal at the Chesterfield Hotel.  The Chesterfield was not far from Worth Avenue, a fantastic shopping street line with high end boutiques and designer stores. What I discovered when I went into one of the boutiques was a fantastic sale.  Everything was 75% - 80%.  Later I went to the movies (I have to add that the theatre is fabulous) and after the movies went to the Macy's not far from there.  Well, they too were having a fantastic  sale!  I thought this odd because for me it was the beginning of the summer.

What I learned is that West Palm Beach is the home to a lot of snow birds.  Those people who live in the North and flea to the South during the winter months.  When things warm up in the north those snow birds return home leaving a lot of vacancies in West Palm Beach and this is why the stores have big sales.

I can tell you that for me I'd go during that time just for the shopping.  It's a bit hot but you can manage that.

Ja'Vonne Harley
Owner, Advantage International
Co-Host, The Traveling Eye

JA'VONNE'S TRAVEL MINUTE - YOGA

About two years ago I started doing Yoga.  I had tried several times before only to fail or loos interest.  It was difficult for me to master the poses while trying to see it on Television and moving to the next pose.  It seemed when I figured out one pose they were on to the next.  So I gave up.

Then I got Wii Fit and tried the yoga poses.  What I loved about it was doing one pose at a time and the ability to do it over and over at my own pace and not moving to the next pose until I was ready to.  Now, two years later I'm still a novice but I absolutely love Yoga.  It's calming and meditative.

Yoga is that perfect travel exercise regimen because it requires no equipment or gym. You can do it at anytime in your own hotel room and you can even do some of the poses on the plane.  I especially do yoga before, during and after a long flight to combat deep vein thrombosis, that circulatory condition that can cause fatal clotting.

Click on the links for a full demonstration from Yoga Journal
My favorites:
Warrior Pose: It's like a fencing position. 
Standing Forward Bend: From a standing position bend at the waist and grab your ankles.  If you can place forehead to knee.
Sun Salutation: Standing, raise arms above head and place hands together.  Then lean back with hands apart with palms facing the ceiling and lean back as far as you can, then go into Standing Forward Bend.
Downward Dog: From a standing position lean forward and place hands on the floor with your feet behind you and make an upside down V shape.
High Plank: Like the high position of a push up.
Cobra: Lying on your stomach place the palms of hands on the floor at the sides of your chest.  Lift your chest and head like a cobra.

These are just a few.

I hope you try before, during and after your next long flight and see the difference.

Enjoy,

Ja'Vonne Harley