BONNIE’S EYE ON!

I am not and never have been a smoker. I really don’t like the smell of cigarette smoke; however, sometimes seeing a group of guys smoking a fine, expensive cigar is quite appealing.  I can’t imagine guys taking a “Mancation”, and there not be a cigar and a good drink involved. I did some investigating on Hauteliving.com, CBS Las Vegas and New York and found some interesting cigar bars in the country.

CHICAGO – The City of Big Shoulders

 Iwan Ries & Co. on South Wabash is a plush getaway for the cigar smoker.  Free Wi-fi; HD Screens are available in the BYO lounge.  There is even a board room for those who like to work while enjoying their favorite cigar.  Iwan Ries is one club that has hourly or yearly memberships. 

Tesa Cigar Company on North Halsted is a man cave where you can watch the game, enjoy a libation, and smoke a stogie.  All purchases of the Tabaclera Tesa line contributes toward providing housing repairs, education, and clothing to the people of Esteli, Nicaragua where the Tesa cigar factory is. 

Up Down Cigar Lounge on North Wells gets an honorable mention because it is owned by a woman and hosts monthly Chicago Cigar Dames secret smoking private events for ladies to come and enjoy a good cigar.

LAS VEGAS, the Mancation Capital of the World has many cigar bars along and away from the Strip.

Casa Fuente Las Vegas is inside of Caesars Palace on the Strip. It is known as one of the most elite of cigar lounges.  The open atmosphere and high-class décor will make any cigar smoker feel luxurious in this beautiful atmosphere.  I am told they have a mojito to die for.

Located just south of the strip, in Henderson is the Man Cave Cigar Lounge. It has modern living room seating that faces a gigantic television. It is an ideal place for those who want to see the game while enjoying a fine cigar.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK the Big Apple, is the Club Macanudo on east 63^rd Street.  It is an elegant oasis in the heart of the Upper East Side. It has the décor you think of when you envision a cigar lounge. Mahogany furniture, buttery-soft leather chairs, and comfortable sofas.  There is a dress code folks. Gentlemen must wear collared shirts. T-shirts, shorts, athletic attire and sneakers, or flip flops are prohibited.

 Beekman Bar and Books is on 1^st Avenue at 50^th street. While Beekman’s is a non-smoking environment, you can get your cigar smoking on at Max’s Tobacco Shop located in the rear of the bar. Max’s also offers Shisha service (hookah). Max’s is upon from 5 pm - 2 am daily.

So ladies, when he comes home with a smile on his face, relaxed and smelling like a fine cigar, don’t give him any grief, tell him to take a shower and change his clothes, he’s just been have a good time with his boys.  If you have a favorite you would like to share with us we would love to hear from you.

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!

Bonnie DeShong

Co-host of The Traveling Eye

Road Trip Ideas and Tips

Our show this week is on Road Trips for Adults.  We're leaving the kids and the rest of the family behind.  This one is for GROWN FOLKS. No, "Are we there yet?", unless you just want to irritate the other person.  Bathroom breaks, well as we get older I guarantee you there will be a few of those but it won't happen right after you've left the rest area.  These road trips are just because and to unwind.  Hit the road with abandon, take your time and become one with the asphalt and the scenery.  You can make it up as you go along or you can have a plan. A road trip can be for a day or for an extended period depending on your time and destination.

Why not make it a theme and add some adventure to the in between of your origin and destination.  Local fare is a great theme.  Kind of like that show on the Food Network, Diners, Drive In's and dives but make up your own.  You could make it roadside food or fine cuisine, which ever floats your boat.  Another theme could be off the beaten track or odd attractions.  The Internet can give you some great ideas and places to stop along the way and www.roadsideamerica.com is a great website to assist you.  You could make it all about historic sites, monuments and memorials.  If your road trip is for several days you can incorporate some night life and dance each night away or take in some local live music. The point is have some fun and make it a filled journey.

When you're traveling incorporate a day trip or a few.  It's a great way to see more of the destination, especially if you're in a big city.  Rent a car and venture to the country side or outskirts.  I've often done exactly that and those day (road) trips have become the most memorable. Like, my road trip in Maui, Hawaii.  We rented a convertible (you have to have a convertible in Hawaii).  My father in law got sunburn on his head so if you're sporting the shaved head make sure you put on some sun screen.  We got up long before the sun came up and headed to Haleakala, a mountain in Hawaii. Note: bring blankets because at that altitude and that early in the morning it can be quite cold.  Why did we get up this early? (I did get some complaints) To watch the sunrise.  Believe me it's worth it.  You're  10, 023 feet above sea level.  You can feel the air thinning as you ascend.  But the main attraction is standing there and watching the sun rise.  It comes from beneath you and this big bright ball slowly rises and it's so vibrant and appears so close you think you can touch it.  Some folks have done a Sunrise Tour and this includes cycling down the mountain.  There's no pedaling, just coasting and yes, you're given wind breakers. After we witnessed the sunrise we headed down the mountain to embark on our "Road to Hana".  The "Road to Hana includes some 600 hairpin turns, over a dozen one land bridges and beautiful and unique things to see along the way like Rainbow Eucalyptus trees.  The barks of these trees have stripes of pastels as if someone had painted them. You can either pack a lunch to enjoy at one of the many scenic spots or wait until you get to Hana and have a fabulous lunch at the Hana Hilton. You can do this trip in a day or you can overnight in Hana.

Another one of my favorites is the Tuscan region in Italy.  From Florence we rented a car, (most rental cars in Europe are manual shift, automatics are generally more expensive) and headed to the Chianti region.  Actually, you can't go wrong anywhere in Tuscany.  The region itself is gorgeous.  We went to the Verrazzano winery and castle.  This place is gorgeous and postcard perfect.  We had lunch with wine pairings, a tour of the castle, wine tasting, olive oil tasting and bought some of the most expensive balsamic vinegar $75 for 8ozs. This balsamic is like no other and is well worth every penny.  You savor it and you dole it out with a demitasse spoon.  This is not the pouring kind.  Take a bite of sharp cheese and a drizzle of this syrupy balsamic and it's magic in your mouth.  Another great day trip from Florence is Pisa with a stop in the walled town of Lucca.  This day trip is complete with a bicycle ride atop the Lucca Wall, lunch inside the walled city, shopping, climbing the stairs at the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Gelato when you finish!.

My last favorite was my day trip in Cape Town South Africa to Stellenbosch, one of the wine lands in the area.  The hubby rented a Harley Davidson and I hopped on the back.  We hit the highway because we were going to do our exploring once we got their.  We visited several wineries tasting wine.  No, not my husband, the driver, just me.  We then had lunch at Bellevue Manor, one of the guesthouses there that had an excellent view of the hillside and town. There's nothing like hitting the road on a Harley with the Harley's.  Pun intended!

Here are some great sites and apps for a road trip.
https://www.myscenicdrives.com/road-trip-planner
http://www.travelmath.com/ tracking distance
www.gasbuddy.com
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/ offbeat tourist attractions
http://www.wunderground.com/ Weather Underground or www.weather.com
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/road-trips/

http://chicago.aaa.com/member-services/triptik-tourbook-maps/670/971.uts

 

Drive Safe and responsible!

 

Ja'Vonne Harley,

Co-Host, The Traveling Eye

Co-Owner, Advantage International, LLC

 

BONNIE’S EYE ON –

Once or twice a year my “Girls” and I like to jump in the car and head out on a ROAD TRIP! One such trip was to the “Las Vegas of the South,” Tunica, Mississippi!

We had planned to drive straight through and timed it out to be around 8 hours.  We were doing well until we pulled off for gas in Southern, Illinois and saw the two words that changed our time frame completely, YARD SALE!

We decided to follow the sign and stop for just a few minutes before continuing on our way.  45 minutes later and 4 bags of “Key Buys” we were back on the road with a new agenda.  We had so much fun being spontaneous, we decided that with every gas stop, if we saw a yard sale sign we would stop.  The new plan was to hit a yard in each state between Illinois and Mississippi.  We had a great time meeting new people, seeing new sites, traveling roads we wouldn't have normally, and buying other peoples treasures.

Turning our road trips into adventures made the trip more exciting.  

One of my favorites was a mini road trip scavenger hunt on our way from Chicago to Omaha, Nebraska.  We plotted our route to take a little longer route so we could make the stops we wanted.  We listed everything out and decided that everything had to be free or no more than $10.

1^st stop – Normal, Illinois – Illinois State University Student Union (We all graduated from ISU) – Get a button that had a Red Bird on it. Found one for $2.00. We each took turns wearing it.

2^nd stop – Peoria, Illinois – Gondola Sandwich for Avanti's Italian Restaurant (Yum) We got one and split it four ways.

3^rd stop – Galesburg, Illinois Visitor Center – We all sat in the Big Blue Chair, together.

4^th stop – Wasn't really a stop. We drove through the Quad Cities. We had to name all of the cities (not as easy as you think). Davenport and Bettendorf (in Iowa) and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline (in Illinois) All of us got stuck on Bettendorf.

5^th stop – Des Moines, Iowa - JOHN AND MARY PAPPAJOHN SCULPTURE PARK.  We had to jump out the car and visit 3 of the 21 sculptures before hitting the road again.

6^th and final stop – Joe Tess restaurant in Omaha, Nebraska for their famous fish sandwich

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We were all  tired and along the way we almost decided to skip some stops but in the end we had a great time and lots of memories.  Plan your own road trip scavenger hunt or take the road less traveled for your next Road Trip.

I would love to read what some of your favorite road trip experiences were. Please feel free to comment or email me at bonnie@thetravelingeye.com

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!

Bonnie DeShong

Co-host of The Traveling Eye

BONNIE'S EYE ON - A Spiritual Journey

One of our recent The Traveling Eye shows was on “Spiritual Travel.”  I find that when I travel there is always a space in time to connect.  When I am at a place near the ocean I like to, at the beginning of my stay, spend some time on the beach and think about all the things I mentally brought with me on the trip. I then walk into ocean, dunk all the way in and release all the stress and baggage.

One of my most memorable journeys was at the ROYAL RESORTS in Cancun, Mexico.  They have a sweat lodge associated with their Spa, but don’t think this is light weight, it isn’t. It’s the real thing complete with a Shaman who will take you on the spiritual journey.  I committed to the experience because I was curious.

The Hut looks like an igloo with a hole in the top and one door to enter.  The Shaman explained that if I felt the need I could leave the hut at any time, however, to try and do it as to not disturb the spirits/feelings inside the hut.

 Before we could enter, the Shaman asked permission from the North, South, East and West.  He then cleansed me with the smoke from herbs. Now it was time to for us to enter the hut. This was when I became a little nervous.  The hut was small, dark, hot, and, did I say SMALL?  I took a deep breath and in I went and sat on the floor around a bed of hot coals.  He then closed the door. Okay, I’m cool.  There was still a hole in the top of the hut that was letting in light and air that is until he closed up the hole and we were in darkness.  The Shaman’s calming voice told me to close my eyes and take several very deep breaths. With each breath I relaxed, my senses heightened, and I was ready for the journey.

The Shaman talked to me about the journey. He asked me questions and I answered. He asked about my dreams and I told him. Sometimes we chanted, sometimes we spoke in silence. We sweated, a lot. By the end of our journey together, I felt as if I tapped into another part of me that I had forgotten or maybe never knew.

After an hour or so it was time to release and leave the hut.  Again, there was a cleansing but I felt different. I can’t explain it, nor do I want to. It is personal and yes, I would do it again.

Sweat Lodge is not for everyone and make sure you do your research on the person, organization and place that is conducting the ritual.  If you decide to step into the dimension, I hope you have a fulfilling experience.

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!

Bonnie

Co-host of The Traveling Eye

Ja'Vonne's Travel Tips

Hey Guys,

I've recently done my Travel Minutes from our radio show on tips.

Here are some of my "Travel Tips & Minutes"

Little known facts and tips to assist you in your travels.

• Did you know that mustard can relieve leg cramps?  Well it does! Yellow mustard contains turmeric acid which is an anti-inflammatory. Actually, turmeric has many health benefits.  Check them out at turmerichealthbenefits.org.  So put some of those yellow mustard packets in your bag for those long flights.
• Fellas, if you forget your shaving cream, don’t fret because you can use the hair conditioner that most hotels provide.  It acts the same as shaving cream and softens the hair.  For extra care use it with a hot towel compression.  Ladies, we can use this as well for our shaving needs.
• Whether or not you’re a germaphobe, pack some cleansing towelettes and wipe off those airline trays and arms rests.  I don’t know how often they clean them but I’ve seen some really dirty ones during my travels.
• Don’t throw away those plastic covers that sheets come in, use them for your dirty or wet clothes when you travel.
• I use my phone to take photos when I travel and on my recent trip my phone malfunctioned.  This was a reminder to me to download my photos each day and to have a cloud app.  The cloud app automatically sends your photos to the cloud for safe keeping.
• Put your shoes in shoe bags to keep the street dirt from your clothes in your luggage or you can use old socks.
• Umbrellas take up space and are cumbersome, so I travel with a foldable rain hat instead and hotels often have umbrellas that you can borrow for those downpours.
• Whether or not you have a sensitive stomach, trying new foods and spices can cause some irritation. Eat yogurt each day starting a week before your trip to help with digestion.  The cultures & enzymes in yogurt help fight bacteria.  If your stomach becomes upset eat ginger to help settle it.  I like to use candied ginger or simply place fresh ginger in hot water and drink like tea.
• The Left Behind, Lost and Found. When we travel, we pack up the things we need but often we lose them or leave them behind.
• If you find yourself with a prohibited item at TSA screening and it’s something you’re not willing to leave behind, you can have it mailed to you.  TSA screening stations have the means to ship your item to you at your own expense.
• I have so many cellphone charges because I have often left it behind only to purchase another one at the airport.  Well, a remedy to that is the hotel’s lost and found.  Cell phone chargers and lap top power cables are often left in hotel rooms and end up at the hotel’s lost and found.  Even if it’s not yours, you just find one that works with your phone because the chance of them being claimed after the guest checks out is very little.
• Traveling internationally means you need adapters for your electronics.  This too is an item that I’ve forgotten or left behind and once again, the hotel to the rescue.  Hotels often have a small supply of adapters that they will loan to you during your stay.  They may request a deposit to ensure you return it.

Ja'Vonne Harley

Co-Host, The Traveling Eye

Owner, Advantage International

Reminiscing About France

I've returned home and now I'm reminiscing.  Memory lane is a fantastic destination and one of the biggest joys of traveling.

This trip, I rediscovered Paris and visited cities I had never been to before.  It's been at least 15 years since I've been to Paris and a lot has changed while some of the basics remained the same.

What has changed? The people were friendlier, more immigrants and people of different ethnicity's, more American fast food chains (Starbucks is everywhere, practically one on every corner, along with McDonald's, KFC, etc.), the French Franc is a thing of the past and it is quiet expensive (things are priced similar to the US Dollar but when you convert the Euro @ 1.34, you're paying at least 30% more).

Paris is still romantic. A stroll along the Champ Elysee at sunset with the Arc De Triomphe in the distance.  Viewing the Eiffel Tower from afar and from the top looking out over the city. The gardens in Spring time with flowers in bloom.  Ascending to the top of Montmarte visiting Sacre Couer, sitting at a coffee shop and watching artists paint their surroundings and visitors.  Some of the best chocolate, Chocolate shops and Patisserie's (you have to have macaroons, those pillowy pastries filled with cream in all sorts of flavors).  Some of the best dining in the world.  Our first night we went to Maison Blanche for a fine dining experience and a five course dinner.  The service was superb and I needed it because I was feeling down because my luggage did not arrive.  Phyllis and I had the best Chocolate Tart (I had to put it in caps because it was that good).  I had never had a tart like this.  It was dark chocolate, silky smooth, melt in your mouth, was decorated with edible gold and the crust was soft and buttery.  This was a perfect finale to an excellent meal and experience.  We finished out on the terrace with the Eiffel Tower illuminated in the background!  See what I mean? Just thinking about it now, I'm tasting and experiencing it all over again.

Champagne, Bordeaux & Cognac are places I had never been to before.  They exceeded my expectations!  Think about it...Champagne & Cognac are very small regions. Champagne is approximately 25,000 sq meters and Cognac is only 15.5 sq meters and they both are iconic,  producing world renowned products that have become household names.  When you visit them they are still very small.  I mean, you don't see this large production area or facilities.  They have both kept their charm but as you drive through the towns you see these big names and producers of Champagne and Cognac that I liken to celebrity homes.  I'm less familiar with the products of Bordeaux except that Bordeaux is a variety but it too is small, 10,700 sq meters.  Absolutely loved Bordeaux.  A great walking town, pedestrian streets, excellent seafood, quaint and large shops, fashionable and classically dressed people.  I had this phenomenal warm goat cheese salad and duck confit at a restaurant just around the corner from our hotel along with a half bottle of champagne. That meal best describes Bordeaux, simple, classic and most enjoyable! It's just a feel good, relaxing place.

On our last night back in Paris we did something very cliche and touristy but you just have to do it.  We took a dinner cruise along the Seine River.  When we boarded it was still daylight but that soon gave way to a beautiful sunset and the night.  Paris then becomes illuminated and even more romantic.  The boat is glass enclosed allowing for views all around.  We pass under bridges ornately decorated and structures along the river.  Also along the river are young people gathering for one of the first warm days of the year.  Some are coupled, some are just hanging out with friends and some have brought food and wine to enjoy.  There must have been thousands along the river route.  As young people often do some mooned us.  This was our farewell dinner and we had a four course dinner that was surprisingly good for a touristy river cruise. Each course was paired with wine as all of our meals were.  So, by the end there was dancing and it was apparent that everyone was having a good time.  It was sad and joyful at the same time.

Thank you to the WHUR World Tour group members for taking this experience with Advantage International and Thank you WHUR for allowing me to organize another WHUR World Tour.

Until we meet again.

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

Cognac Anyone?

This tour gets better by the day!  Just finished a stellar day in Cognac, France. About one and one half hour drive south of Bordeaux is the small city of Cognac.  The French country side is gorgeous!  Yellow flowers, blossoming trees, farmhouses and fields.  I see most of it when my eyes are open and I have not succumbed to the sand man.  It's hard for me as any motion makes me sleepy.  It's a pleasant drive.

We arrive in Cognac and embark on one of the most unique experiences I've had in a long while and for some, it's what they've been waiting for. You see, on our day in Champagne, one of our group members asked no less than 4 times, "when are we going to Cognac?"  Only to say once we arrived in Cognac, "I don't drink Cognac, I drink Brandy. But I wanted to give it a try" I know, you're having the same reaction I did. Huh?  Anyway, It's apparent that Hennessy owns this town.  There are other Cognac houses, some large and some small and just like when we were in Champagne, when we arrived in Cognac we saw some of the more famous named houses like Martel & Remy Martin.  It's impressive to see.

Hennessy, was founded by Richard Hennessy, who is actually from Ireland and at the ripe old age of 20 he moved to France to join the French army under Louis XV.  Then in 1765 he founded Hennessy.  In 1794 he made his first delivery to the US. In 1817 he created VSOP (Very Superior Ole Pale) for the then Prince of Whales. In 1870 Maurice Hennessy creates XO (Extra Old).  Hennessy is the largest and first international Cognac with 80% exported, most of that going to the US and most of that consumed by African Americans.  What I learned is that Cognac can only be called Cognac if the grapes are grown in Cognac, just like Champagne.  And yes, Cognac is made from grapes.  The vines produce Ugni Blanc and then only eaux-de-vies from the four great crus of the region are selected (Grand Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies and Fin Bois) for Hennessy Cognac.

Of course, we enjoy Hennessy, the tour and the tasting but the entire day is splendid.  We started with a cruise on an old wooden barge along the river and discovering the inhabitants of the river both wild and human, mansions owned by Hennessy as well as national gardens,parks and restaurants.  It's relaxing and pleasant on a perfect Spring day.  A bit chilly with fresh air and the occasional sunshine.  After our cruise we rejoin group 2 (our group is split into 2 and they visit Hennessy while we cruise the river and vice versa) for lunch at a restaurant along the rivers edge. We have a very country meal (brie, duck in a cherry reduction and an upside down apple tart with grand marnier caramel sauce) mmmmm.    After lunch we visit Hennessy.  It's an impressive tour and education and of course, after the tasting there's product and time for shopping.  I did get some goodies for some of my friends...you know who you are...and no, it's not the XO!  I love you but no can do.


Mistletoe

I learned two more things things today.

Along the river cruise I learned that mistletoe is a parasite that grows on the trees here. It's those balls you see here in the photo.

The second thing is the response to a sneeze in French (A tes souhaits) which means "to your wishes".



Tomorrow we return to Paris and awaiting us will be Julia Brown, the owner of Walking the Spirits.  She will take us on a Black Paris walking tour.  We're all anticipating it.

À la prochaine, (until next time)
Ja'Vonne Harley, Co-Host, The Traveling Eye
www.thetravelingeye.com