Promoting the Boardwalk AND Port Elizabeth

I was looking for a video to post for today's Video Friday post and found this stunning video by Sun International promoting the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino complex.  More importantly, they are promoting Port Elizabeth along with the Boardwalk.  Whoever commissioned this video and worked on the project gets that everybody has to be a destination marketer as much as a product marketer as visitors first select a destination before they choose at which establishment they want to stay.  Well done Sun International on a brilliant video.

The view outside my office

This is my view when I walk out of my office. Hobie Beach, Shark Rock Pier and Algoa Bay.  Pity I have no window or view from my desk though...

What is your office view like?

Entrance to the Boardwalk

The Marine Drive entrance to the Boardwalk must be one of the most photographed landmarks in Port Elizabeth.  My office is above the tourism info centre just on the left as you walk under the arch and I literally see visitors taking pictures of the entrance every time I go outside.  Some of it on it's own, some in selfies and some with friends and family in it.  But always featuring the entrance.  Perhaps the Boardwalk could put Port Elizabeth up there somewhere as well.

Boardwalk Hotel lobby lounge

The first time I entered the Boardwalk Hotel I was fascinated by the huge lobby space.  The hotel's lobby area is more than just a space where you enter and exit as well as check in.  They created a whole lounge area in the lobby.  Hence the name Lobby Lounge.  Other than a waiting area it's also a great spot to have a quick meeting over coffee while they also use the area to serve high tea and lunches.  The lunch menu for the Lobby Lounge has some mouth watering light lunch options on it and the prices compare to just about every other restaurant in town's lunch prices.

Boardwalk Hotel pool deck

The Boardwalk Hotel pool deck feels like an amphitheater with the hotel building on three sides of it.  Ideal to block the southerly and westerly winds off.

Late afternoon chill spot

Other than perhaps looking out over the sea, the best chill spot around on a beautiful late summers afternoon must be on the deck overlooking the Boardwalk lake.

Boardwalk Fountain Spectacular seen from the pier

The spectacular view of the Boardwalk Hotel, with the extra bonus of the fountains in full flight, at night from the pier 

Boardwalk pool deck

It's summer and we have been having some pretty summery weather these last few weeks.  The pool at the Boardwalk Hotel looks very inviting right now.

Boardwalk fountains video

We kick off 2016 with the first Video Friday post of the year and I chose one showing the Boardwalk Fountain Spectacular in it's full glory.  I couldn't find a video on YouTube showing last night's fireworks on the beachfront, but the fountains are just as good if not better.  The video is by LimeWave. 

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

I want to take this opportunity to wish all my Christian friends, family and

Port Elizabeth Daily Photo followers a

 MERRY CHRISTMAS. 

May this day be a special one full of love, happiness and lots of blessings.

 

The Christmas tree in the picture was photographed in the Boardwalk Hotel lobby.

Enjoying the Boardwalk fountains

Drama Princess watching the Boardwalk Fountain Spectacular from the balcony of the La Vino Wine and Tapas Bar at the Boardwalk.  The best seat in the house if you ask me.

Le Vino balcony view

Last week I got to attend the launch of the new Le Vino Wine and Tapas Bar at the Boardwalk.  Le Vino is in the space where Dulce used to be and has a great upstairs area with a balcony.  It's on this balcony we sat watching the sun go down over the Boardwalk lake with a glass of wine and some yummy tapas.

Boardwalk Hotel view to Millers

This is the view standing on the Boardwalk Hotel's pooldeck looking towards Millers and Pollok Beach.  The middle rock of the lot is Bird Rock and Hobie Beach is just to the left of the picture.  With all the palm trees one who don't know the PE beachfront could easily think it's somewhere tropical.  Heck, with some of these hot and humid days we've been having it could just as well be.

Boardwalk Fountain Spectacular times

Over the last couple of years the Boardwalk Fountain Spectacular has become very popular with both locals and out of town visitors visiting the Boardwalk in the evenings.  The fountain times vary between the seasons and at the moment the times are 8 pm, 9 pm and 10 pm daily.

Tip a glass at the Le Vino Wine and Tapas Bar

Last night I joined some media friends at the Boardwalk for the opening of the newest restaurant offer in the complex.  In recent months the Boardwalk has opened two new restaurants, Coast and Craft, and these are now joined by Le Vino Wine and Tapas Bar.  All three of these fall under the Boardwalk's own banner and is managed by the Boardwalk's F&B department.  Le Vino itself is located in the old Dulce Cafe premises and offers a great spot for wine lovers to sit and watch the sun go down over the Boardwalk lake while trying out the restaurant's extensive, and believe me it is extensive, wine list.    

Our evening started with wine, obviously, and a couple of tasters of what was to come later on.  After the formalities we all headed outside for the annual Sparklers event, followed by the Boardwalk Fountain Spectacular, before it was time to try out the food. 

The food at Le Vino is tapas style ranging from lamb chops, pork belly and short rib to my favorite of the night, fish with among others, litchi in the flavoring.  Wow, I need to find out how they did that cause it really was a winner.  The menu isn't that extensive but the fare on offer is worth it.  

My recommendation isn't to go there for a full on dinner, but rather make it your starter stop.  Enjoy the sunset from the upstairs balcony while sipping wine and enjoying some tapas for your evening's starter before moving on to Coast next door or Craft on the other side for your mains.

Fairytale Boardwalk Hotel

The Boardwalk Hotel, all lit up and looking like a fairytale castle, with Shark Rock Pier, all lit up, Hobie Beach, all lit up, and the beachfront, all lit up.  Isn't the beachfront just beautiful at night?

Boardwalk lake reflection

The Boardwalk's lights reflecting in the Boardwalk lake

Pier view of the Boardwalk

Looking at the Boardwalk Hotel from Shark Rock Pier

Fountains display at the Boardwalk

I was looking for a video to post for this week's Video Friday and came across this awesome video of the Boardwalk's Fountain Spectacular by Limewave on their YouTube channel. Enjoy.

A Boardwalk snap

It isn't always easy to maintain the daily pace of Port Elizabeth Daily Photo especially if I've been as busy as I have been the last few weeks.  I have travelled quite a lot for work and because of that I have picked up a lot of material for The Firefly Photo Files.  Unfortunately I haven't had much leisure time around PE lately which means I have well and truly ran out of pictures now.  I don't want to falter on the streak now so will have to make a plan that will keep me going until next week.  So for today I snapped this photo with my mobile while taking a quick walk to the petrol station next to the Boardwalk to grab something for lunch.  I promise by next week I'll be back in the photography swing of things... I hope.