Destination Weddings "When Things Go Wrong"

Last week on our show we interviewed wedding expert and owner of JustMarry, Susan Southerland for some tips on Destination Weddings "When Things Go Wrong".  While Destination Wedding can me wonderful you have to protect yourself and your investment when planning to have one.  We often don't think of the "What if's" and as Susan told us we should.  Here are her tips:

• Select a good and reputable wedding planner.  Don't try to do it on your own because this day and event should be one that you relish.  You shouldn't be the one handling all of the details and an expert has contacts, relationships and experience!
• Pay attention to the contact! The wedding planner should give you a contract that includes all of the services and details of your event.  Ask questions and negotiate, especially when it comes to the vendors like hotels, ground services, cancellation, changes and contingencies.
• Get insurance for your wedding and travelers insurance for the trip.  Also, advise your friends and family to buy travelers insurance as well.  It will protect the cost of the trip in the event of the unforeseen.  Travelers Insurance and regular insurance does not cover for "cold feet".
• When things go wrong, don't become a Bridezilla! Know and discuss your options and remember You attract more bees with honey!

Ja'Vonne Harley, Co-Host, The Traveling Eye

TIMESHARES...WHAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW

We recently interviewed Brian & Bill Rogers of Timeshare Users Group (TUG) on our show, The Traveling Eye.  Bill, the father and founder of TUG told us that there's no "in the middle" for Timeshare Owners.  You either love it or hate it.  Why because you either understand the business of Timeshare ownership or don't.  This is exactly why we did the show and looked to TUG for some expert advice.

I think we have all been to a presentation or two.  For my husband it became a sport to find and receive the best prize when we were traveling.  My issue was to get that prize you had to endure the sales presentation.  You were promised a 90 minute presentation but it was never 90 minutes.  I started to calculate the amount of time we spent getting to the appointment, the 90 minute presentation, the wave of managers who won't take no for an answer and finally leaving and discovered it wasn't worth the prize.  I, of course had to convince my husband of this and finally insist.  Anyway, I don't want to go off on my own tangent.

Here's are the things you wish you knew before you bought that Timeshare or even went to that presentation.

• It's not a one time deal.  The sale person will be all too happy to receive a phone call from you at a later date if you want to purchase.
• You can cancel if you buy but there is a time limit and sometimes that time limit is only a few days and it may expire before your vacation is over.
• Choose a place you'd like to visit year after year.
• Consider your family dynamic. If you have children choose a two bedroom unit.  If you are a couple then a one bedroom is fine.
• But a popular season
• Buy what you can afford to pay cash for - it's a luxury and shouldn't be financed and the financing is very high.
• Know what the maintenance fee is
• Check on special assessments.  Sometimes "great deals" are for resorts with heavy assessments.
• Don't buy with the expectation of making a profit
• Buy a resort with a heavy demand for rentals and exchanges.
• There are two different types of Timeshares Deeded and RTU or Right to Use.  The later is usually in Mexico and means you do not own real estate, you have the right to use it for specified period of time like 20 years or so.
• Learn the business of exchanges.  There is a network of Timeshares that are exchanged so you can use anothers time at another resort.  You have to be a member of one of the exchange companies like RCI or Interval.  Fees are associated with it.

The biggest tip of the day was to RENT a timeshare.  You don't have to own one to rent one.  Many Timeshare owners who can't use their Timeshare will list their time for rent.  You can find Timeshare Rentals on TUG's website through their network of owners or go on EBay.  The savings can be as much as 80%.

For more information go to www.tug2.net

Ja'Vonne Harley
Co-Host, The Traveling Eye

WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT A NEW DAY BEGINS

Rule # 25: When the clock strikes midnight a new day begins.

THE STORY:

I had a group from Milwaukee going to Jamaica a few years ago.  The group decided to take a non-stop flight from Chicao's O'Hare airport and charter a bus from Milwaukee.

The trip was a three night package from Thursday - Sunday.  The flight was scheduled to depart from O'Hare Thursday morning at 6am.  Therefore the check in time for the flight was 4am.  The bus from Milwaukee was scheduled to depart @ 1am Thursday morning.  We sent flight confirmations and bus departure information to all of the travelers.  The bus information indicated the following: "The chartered bus will depart promptly from (address) at 1am on Thursday, November 1."

Well, all but two passengers departed on the bus from Milwaukee.  Friday morning my office received a phone call from these two passengers stating that they arrived at the location in Milwaukee and the bus never showed up.  They were actually early and had waited beyond the departure time.  We were a bit confused beacuse 1) it's Friday morning not Thursday morning and we were wondering why they waited a full day to contact us and 2) they could have possibly attempted to get to O'Hare on their own to avoid missing the flight to Jamaica.

After a long and confusing conversation we discovered that they actually showed up at the rendevouz point on Friday, November 2 at 1am.  We kindly explained that the departure was the day before on Thursday, November 1 at 1am as indicated on the letter. Of course, we double checked the letter to verify the information.  This is when they explained to us that our letter was misleading and should have read "Wednesday night into Thursday morning" because "when you say Thursday, at 1am it is understood as Thursday night into Friday morning"

Rule # 25: When the clock strikes midnight a new day begins!

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

UNACCOMPANIED MINOR

When your child needs to travel alone preparing them well in advance will make the world of difference.  If they know in advance what to expect it will make if fun for them and limit some of the fear or anxiety, especially for TSA.

• You should educate yourself and your child on the policies and procedures.
• They should know what to expect and how they should be handled by the airline and staff.
• Contact the airline for their policies on pricing, age requirements, flight cancellations and delays.
• Try to avoid a connecting flight if possible but if necessary give more than the minimum connecting time to avoid missed connections and possible stand by situations.
• Familiarize yourself with the connecting airport, the arrival and departure gates.  Most airports have a website and layouts on their website.
• Try to book them during less busy times like the middle of the day and steer clear from late night flights that could result in a night at the airport.
• This is certainly a good time to give your child a cell phone if they don’t already have one and have them call or text you when they land and just before take-off when they’re on the plane and before the shut off electronic announcement. (Remember the two children who were scolded for violating this policy)
• They should also report to you any delays or cancellations to you immediately.
• Give them some cash for snacks and a gift card for emergencies.
• The most important thing is to have a plan and to make sure that the drop off and pick up persons have complete details on the process of an unaccompanied minor.

Yours Truly,
Ja'Vonne

Hi Traveling Eye Family!

Ja'Vonne, Howard, and I are in Aruba for the 6th Annual Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival.  We have been here for a few days and I can understand why Festival Director Erik Jan Eman chose Aruba as the destination for this popular festival.  The sun, beaches, wonderful hotels, easy access from anywhere and the people of Aruba are so hospitable. 

Randy Brecker

Performances are held on three stages and this year's line up is incredible.  Chaka Khan, Oscar D'Leon, Fourplay, Randy Brecker,  Pete Philly,

 Kuenta I Tambu, and the list goes on and on of great musicians dedicated to all types and combinations of Jazz and music. 

Last evening was the official first night of the festival featuring Fourplay and Chaka Khan on the main stage. I  love jazz but if I could have only attended one night of the festival, last night would have been it.  

Nathan East and Chuck Loeb of Fourplay

One of my favorite groups in music is Fourplay. The quartet is made up of Bob James on the piano, Chuck Loeb on guitar, Nathan East on Bass and Harvey Mason on drums.  Last night the weather in Aruba was humid and warm.  These guys took the stage and raised the heat tenfold.  I have gone to a lot of concerts and to be honest I have become jaded in a way that I have forgotten how to thoroughly become involved with the experience.  Last evening, Foreplay was the cure.  I let go and allowed the music, the performances of Bob, Chuck, Nathan, and Harvey, and the spirit of the crowd envelope me and take me to a place of freedom. (wow, that sounded almost deep). They played all of their hits and left us wanting more.  The great part is not only did they sound great, they looked as if they were having so much fun doing.  When I got back to our hotel I pulled out the Ipod and listened to their self titled album way into the morning.

Howard Little and Chaka fans

Chaka Khan closed the evening and everyone, especially Traveling Eye videographer, Howard Little, was ready for the voice to come to the stage. 

Chaka Khan

 I will stop here to say that Chaka looked awesome.  She has lost weight, looks healthy and her voice was "off the chain."  She sang her songs from "Rags to Rufus" and beyond. I felt as if all of the thousands of people in the audience were in her studio and she was singing what she wanted and we were her background singers.  Her band was tight and her real background singers were strong and on point.  Chaka had on this cute black outfit with black boots and was burning up the weather was so hot but it didn't stop her.  She danced, teased the audience, spoke a little Papiamento (the native language of the people of Aruba), and gave props to Whitney Houston for doing justice to the song, "I'm Every Woman."  It was a wonderful way to end the first night of the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival. 

 

Tonight we look forward to Randy Brecker Band, Pete Philly, and Oscar D'Leon.

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!

Bonnie

Hi Everyone!

The Traveling Eye is in Aruba at the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival!  Not only are we enjoying the festival, which I will get to in future post, but I am having a great time getting to know Aruba the destination.

Our first day was a busy one. With  Ernest Giel, Aruba Tourism Authority Visitor Care Liaison, as our guide, we received an up close look at the east side of the island and experienced a taste of how Arubians live. Aruba is 19.6 miles long and 6 miles wide.  Sounds small but it certainly doesn't feel like it as you drive along this peaceful and beautiful island.  We drove along beautiful natural areas until we came to the Caribbean Sea. Quite an impressive view of the this body of water that surrounds Aruba.
  

We stopped at "Baby Beach", it's not as big as the other beaches, hence the name, located in Seroe Colorado at the southeastern end of the island.  School children are on vacation this week so there were quite a few families enjoying the shallow waters of the beach. Right on the beach is an Aruba icon of  beach cuisine, "Big Mama Grill."  Ernest told us that fishermen catch the fish of the day, bring it to the restaurant and it is cooked up right then for you to eat. It is truly the freshest catch of the day.

 We didn't stop to eat there because Ernest had a lunch treat for us at a restaurant called  Cuba's Cookin!  It is a quaint restaurant located downtown with beautiful art work on the walls.








Ja'Vonne had the Ceviche del dia made with fresh caught grouper. Not only did it look good, Ja'Vonne said it refreshing and quite good.  She offered to share but I was enjoying my dish to much. And if she shared with me then I would have to share mine with her.  Right?

I had the Confusion Epanadas. Cuban Pastiches filled with beef, chicken, or fish. It was moist, favorable, and the really, really good.

We ate outside while watching the world go by.  The food was good, and the atmosphere was great.

Ernest Giel, Aruba Tourism, Ja'Vonne, Howard Little 

When coming to Aruba, I would suggest you take time out to get to personally know the island and the people.  Both are warm, inviting, and the key to making your trip a memorable one.


Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!
Bonnie

Keeping Your Home Safe When You Travel

I travel a lot which means I'm away from home and it also means that I think about home safety and security.  I have a few things that I do but I'm always on the prowl for tips and useful information on keeping my home safe.  I live in a condominium and recently received a notice under my door that our building had two break ins.  Both break-ins occurred when the home owners were out of town.  This means that someone must have known they weren't home.  You couldn't get any closer to home than this so I decided to do "Ja'Vonne's Travel Minute", a weekly travel vignette that I do on our show The Traveling Eye on keeping your safe when you travel.  Doing my research I came across an article in Readers Digest titled "13 Things You Never Knew About Home Safety". While not all of these tips are for when you're away, a lot of them were.

1. Sock away your valuables in your children's room because most burglars don't go in there.
2. Plant thorny bushes under a low window.  It's decorative and a deterrent
3. Ask a neighbor to be on the look out for fliers in your door and collect them if they're there.  This is a trick burglars use.  They leave a flier and then come back later to see if it's still there.
4. Turn your phone ringer on low or off
5. If you don't have a security system get a decal for display
6. Join a neighborhood watch
7. Don't load up the car until the morning you're leaving
8. if you have a security key pad make sure the display it is not visible.
9. Take care of mail slots that are in doors.  There's a more strategic place for it.
10. Keep your car keys next to your bed on your night stand
11. Store wood away from windows or any home entry point
12. When you have workers in your home do a security sweep of your home when they leave.
13. choose your locksmith wisely.

Ja'Vonne Harley, The Wanderlusting Foodie
Co-host, The Traveling Eye
Co-owner, Advantage International, LLC