with the bold text in the example below: The Skychi Travel Guide : February 2013

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Photo Gallery: My First Impressions of Lagos, Nigeria West Africa

Business Class Cabin Delta from Atlanta to Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa
Business Class Cabin Delta from Atlanta to Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa

Business Class Lunch served one hour prior to landing on Delta Airlines Flight 54 one hour prior to landing in Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa
Business Class Lunch served one hour prior to landing on Delta Airlines Flight 54 one hour prior to landing in Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa


Listening to a Jazz Tune in Business Class on Delta Airlines, "On Green Dolphin Street" by Return To Forever
Listening to a Jazz Tune in Business Class on Delta Airlines, "On Green Dolphin Street" by Return To Forever
World Map of 11 hour flight from Atlanta to Lagos on Delta Airlines
World Map of 11 hour flight from Atlanta to Lagos on Delta Airlines Flight Tracker

Baggage Claim at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa
Baggage Claim at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa


Chris Brown Lagos Concert Poster
Chris Brown Lagos Concert Poster

Lagoon view of Lagos, Nigeria from Bridge
Lagoon view of Lagos, Nigeria from Bridge

Entering Victoria Island from mainland Lagos, Nigeria
Entering Victoria Island from mainland Lagos, Nigeria

Traffic Jam for Kim Kardashian Concert at Eko Hotel & Suites
Traffic Jam for Kim Kardashian Concert at Eko Hotel & Suites


Nigerian children walking to school past an office building
Nigerian children walking to school past an office building

Office Building
Office Building

Lagos Traffic view from inside the SUV
Lagos Traffic view from inside the SUV

Nigerians walking down street in Lagos
Nigerians walking down street in Lagos

Students going to school in Lagos, Nigeria
Students going to school in Lagos, Nigeria


Nigerian students walking to school in Lagos, Nigeria
Nigerian students walking to school in Lagos, Nigeria


Church van in Lagos, Nigeria
Church van in Lagos, Nigeria



Lagoon View in Lagos, Nigeria
Lagoon View in Lagos, Nigeria

Church in Lagos, Nigeria
Church in Lagos, Nigeria


Palm Tree in Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa
Palm Tree in Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa


Protea Hotel Lagos, Nigeria
Protea Hotel Lagos, Nigeria


Visafone Blackberry Girls
Visafone Blackberry Girls


Pierre Cardin in Lagos, Nigeria
Pierre Cardin in Lagos, Nigeria


Clothing store in Lagos, Nigeria
Clothing store in Lagos, Nigeria


Three Wheel Taxi in Lagos, Nigeria
Three Wheel Taxi in Lagos, Nigeria


Front of Three Wheel Taxi
Front of Three Wheel Taxi


Intercontiental Hotel and Porsche Center
Intercontiental Hotel and Porsche Center


Saturday, February 23, 2013

Love Lagos Bus Tour - Social Media Week Lagos

Flight Tracker Map Of Lagos Nigeria
Flight Tracker Map Of Lagos Nigeria




Social Media Week Lagos The Lagos You Don’t See Mobile Hangout Highlights: Terra Kulture Center for Contemporary Art, Lagos 
The Fela Museum 
The Shrine 
Freedom Park 
Bogobiri 
African Arts Foundation 
L’espace


Friday, February 15, 2013

A Tweetup for Travel Story-tellers #VisitNaija #smwVisitNaija

#smwVisitNaija #VisitNaija: A Tweetup for Travel Story-tellers
#VisitNaija: A Tweetup for Travel Story-tellers


Travel bloggers, writers, photographers, and other travel enthusiasts come mingle with us! Exchange twitter handles and business cards to network with travelers from around the globe. After you’ve mingled a bit, join a discussion with a panel of speakers on how in the new normal of Web 2.0 we can tell our story to create a different narrative of Nigeria, and Africa in general, than the one in mainstream media. How can creating this new narrative on social media encourage travel to the region?  Let’s have a conversation!


Sponsored by The Blowfish Hotel. Cash bar and food on sale.


The Blowfish Hotel Room
The Blowfish Hotel Room

VENUE INFORMATION: The Blowfish Hotel
The Blowfish Hotel
17, Oju Olobun Street
Victoria Island, Lagos State

The Blowfish Hotel Pool
The Blowfish Hotel Pool

Click the link below to register.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Urban Streetsmarts Tips for Women Solo Travelers

Skychitravels -Face of a Solo Traveler
Skychitravels -Face of a Solo Traveler

Characteristics of a Woman Solo Traveler: streetsmart savvy, confident, quick thinking, shows no fear, prepared, resourceful, decision maker


Skychitravels with Passport in Hand and Travel Vision Board
Skychitravels with Passport in Hand and Travel Vision Board 


Growing up in Chicago and being the daughter of an ex-Marine, I learned street smarts during my teenage years. My father taught me how to walk down the street and be aware of my surroundings. I learned to turn around and look to see if someone was following me.



Big Apple at New York JFK Airport
Big Apple at New York JFK Airport


In urban cities like Chicago or New York, when riding public transportation you should walk with confidence and show no fear, looking sweet and innocent makes you a target. You should practice your mean look or scowl in the mirror. A woman traveling alone should have a "don't f*ck with me look" or "a back off look". It is also a good idea to carry mace or a whistle for help. This look has worked for me around the world.

If someone is following me or bothering me around a crowd of other people, I suddenly stop and turnaround while yelling "Get away from me. Stop following me." This usually scares them away.

Women traveling alone should stay away from dark isolated areas, that is just asking for trouble.


Skychitravels Woman Solo Traveler -  rode the bus in Washington D.C.  at 5 am to wait for 57th Inaugural Parade
Skychitravels Woman Solo Traveler -
rode the bus in Washington D.C.
at 5 am to wait for 57th Inaugural Parade

Safety and protection were daily lessons in our household.
My father taught me that carrying a purse isn't always a good idea when I am alone. He had my grandmother show how to carry money and identification in my bra or the heel of my shoes. I was given mad money or emergency money to carry on me, especially on dates. In case, my date made me angry and I had to leave immediately. The emergency mad money could be used for a taxi.

My ex-marine father believes in wearing jackets, pants and shirts with deep pockets to keep the valuables safe from pickpockets. He instructed me to leave my purse at home during Christmas holidays when the thieves were the busiest. I would carry my money, identification cards and keys in deep pockets.

 While traveling this is safety practice of leaving my purse in the hotel room and carrying the valuables on my body is a sensible idea of protection for a woman traveling solo. You don't want to worry about a purse  when you are in a  looking like a tourist in a new place,  getting lost and asking for directions. The lost tourist look can make you an easy target or mark for thieves. Sometimes you can't help looking out of place. It is best to keep on valuables on you.

If you decide to carry a purse, choose one that straps over your shoulder and across your body is best for safety. It is more difficult for thieves to grab a purse strapped over your shoulders compared to a purse in your hand. It is also a good idea to wear your purse across your shoulders under your coat.

 As a flight attendant on my overnights, I enjoy exploring a place by myself. I place my money, hotel room key, identification cards, credit cards in my pockets and go off exploring. Many times I have my camera or cell phone in my hands photographing people and places. A purse can get in the way and make it difficult to juggle with photography work.  Also I may be distracted with taking photos to watch out for thieves and protect my purse.These are some of the reasons I love pocket clothes or gear.


For Stylish Safety & Security
Scottevest Penny Coat
 Skychitravels at 57th Presidential Inauguration

I recently went to the President's 57th Inaugural Parade wearing my Scottevest Penny Coat. It is cool pocket travel coat with deep pockets to carry cellphones, cameras, ipads, water bottles, keys, money, identification, credit cards, etc. It is perfect for being a tourist in unfamiliar surroundings or large crowds.


Women's SEV Penny Coat
 Women's SEV Penny Coat with 14 Pockets and iPad Compatible X-Ray View 

If you are traveling in a warm climate and pocket clothes are too warm, then the Porta-Pocket can keep valuables safe on your body. You can wear it on your bra, on your arm, leg, or ankle.


PortaPocket
Photo Credit: PortaPocket

What other ways can a woman solo traveler protect herself while traveling?

Related Articles:

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Tobago Jazz Festival 2013 Feat. Dionne Warwick, India Arie, Melanie Fiona

Tobago Jazz Experience 2013
Tobago Jazz Experience 2013
April 20th - 28th
Feat. India Arie, Dionne Warwick





Dionne Warwick




India Arie


Melanie Fiona



The sounds of jazz and world music come to Tobago every April during the main Island festival of the Tobago Jazz Experience. Music lovers converge on the quaint Island of Tobago to enjoy eleven days of jazz, world beat, salsa, Latin, R&B, soca, reggae and many other forms of contemporary music.

Jazz is the basis for most of the popular music of today, and the Tobago Jazz Experience (TJE) showcases that breadth and content. Tobago is evolving and changing as it advances in every sphere of life and the Tobago Jazz Experience continues to step with those changes.

The desires of even the most diverse music lover can get satisfied. The festival offers a great opportunity for visitors to have a unique experience of jazz, cultural heritage, culinary delights and historic perspective offering music, landscape, ambience, food, good company and
excellent vibes.




Tobago Jazz Experience | Facebook



Will you join me at the Tobago Jazz Festival ?

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Harriet Tubman Day Celebrations 2013

Reprinted from Black Meetings & Tourism

Harriet Ross Tubman 2013 Centennial Commemoration

<img src="image.gif" alt="This is Harriet Tubman Family" />
Harriet Tubman Family at Lewis Museum

You are invited to attend a series of statewide, national and international programs, events and activities being planned to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Harriet Ross Tubman’s passing. The commemoration was launched in September of last year with Tubman family members gathering at the Reginald Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture in Baltimore. Special guests included Ms. Patricia Ross Hawkins, the great-great-great niece of Harriet and other Tubman descendants from Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Baltimore and Washington, DC.

Harriet Tubman, the queen of the Underground Railroad was born into American slavery in c.1822. Tubman endured almost 30 years of involuntary servitude as a Maryland slave. In 1849 she escaped from bondage. One year later, Tubman began her amazing Underground Railroad career here in Baltimore, first leading her niece and family, and for 10 years leading and assisting dozens of freedom-seekers to liberty, many all the way to Ontario. After serving in the Union Army during the Civil War, she opened a home for the sick and aged. 

<img src="image.gif" alt="This is Follow The Undergorund Railroad Trip" />
Follow the Underground Railroad Trip


Guided by her faith and the indomitable power of her will and dedication to ending slavery, Tubman stated “there were two things I had a right to…my freedom or my death,” insisting “she was determined to have one or the other.” Fearless and undaunted, facing tremendous odds (some say she had a $40,000.00 bounty placed on her life, if captured, dead or alive) she carried on becoming the greatest leader of the Underground Railroad. General Tubman later remarked “I nev’r lost a passenger and I’se nev’r ran my train off de track”. She profoundly remarked “I could’ve freed a thousand more if they had known they were slaves”.

Here are some Tubman events scheduled for 2013: 

The driving force behind many of these commemorative activities is Lou Fields, Baltimore area human rights activist, president of the African American Tourism Council of Maryland, founder and first president of the Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce, and founder of Black Dollar Exchange, the world's largest exchange and connector for Black-owned businesses, Black chamber of commerces, minority businesses, products and services.. He can be reached at (443) 983-7974.