The COSMO Bartender of the Year Party

Posted on March 18, 2013 by tamikadoubell

This past week I attended a very fun event here in Cape Town, South Africa. It was held at the Shimmy Beach Club at the harbour. I loved the vibe of the evening. There were loads of people all gathered together to see who would win the coveted title of the Cosmopolitan Hottest Bartender of the Year (with prize money of R20 000)! Cosmopolitan magazine, in partnership with Collison’s White Gold Brandy, announced on 14 January this year the five guys and five girls who got the nod to compete for the title of “SA’s Hottest Bartender”. The 10 finalists for 2013 were featured in the February issue of Cosmo. Readers had the opportunity to scrutinize these movers and shakers of creative cocktails, and to vote for their favourite. The aim of the Cosmopolitan Hottest Bartender search every year is to find a bartender with the perfect combination of creativity and charisma, who has his or her craft honed to perfection.

The competition is not judged only on looks: each entrant has to submit an original cocktail recipe.

They will then be required to prepare their cocktails on the night of the big finale in Cape Town on 14 March, and the overall winner will walk away with the grand prize of R20 000.

The 10 finalists were:

Dillon Nuss from Taco Zulu, Durban
Le Riche Meyer from Carnival Court, Cape Town
Nicole Adams form Boulevard, Durban
Gabriella Trollip from Tiger Tiger, Cape Town
Domenico De Lorenzo from Molecular Bars, Johannesburg
Johnny Bezuidenhout from Café Caprice, Cape Town - WINNER
Robyn Horwitz from Movida, Johannesburg
Imaan Mac Quena from Jade Champagne Bar & Lounge, Cape Town
Nancy Ellis from Hooters, Durban
Donovan Prince from Café Caprice, Cape Town

I personally loved the girls. They had a lot of spunk and could definitely hold their own next to the boys. But I have to say, the boys had that cockiness that’s a huge crowd pleaser in something like this. Let’s put it this way……while the girls were smiling, doing a few dance moves from behind the counter and tamely stirring in the vodka, the boys were literally ripping their shirts off, jumping on the counter and flexing their tattoo-covered muscles while shaking that martini!

And let me just say .. HUBBA HUBBA! I mean, C’mon, They had us at HELLO

The winner was Johnny Bezuidenhout from Cape Town’s most popular beach bar Café Caprice and he was really deserving. MC Poppy Ntshongwana didn’t have a hard time handing over the cheque!

We shot Caprice‘s Skybok Profile a few months ago and for the video, we got Johnny to prepare a Mojito for us on-camera – check out his talent for yourself by watching it HERE.

A great performance was given by iScream & The Chocolate Stix after the show and I really enjoyed their performance. It’s nice to hear local bands singing good music. Check out their blog HERE.

Thank you to everyone involved for bringing us an awesome event!

The Latest Skybok Profiles From The Western Cape

Posted on February 24, 2013 by tamikadoubell

Make sure you are watching in the best quality! Select 1080p HD, by clicking on the cog in the toolbar at the bottom of the video.

Val De Vie Polo Club & Pavilion, Franschhoek

Wakaberry, Cape Town

Osumo Cavendish, Cape Town

Osumo Seapoint, Cape Town

Eagles’ Nest Wine Estate, Cape Town

Cafe Caprice, Cape Town

Vovo Telo (Waterfront), Cape Town

The Grand (Granger Bay), Cape Town

The Bay Hotel, Cape Town

The Grand (Camps Bay), Cape Town

Melissa’s (Newlands), Cape Town

Westerford High School, Cape Town

The Latest Skybok Profiles From The Eastern Cape

Posted on October 15, 2012 by tamikadoubell

The 1820 Settler’s National Monument, Grahamstown

Algoa FM, Port Elizabeth

African Dawn, Jeffreys Bay

Die Walskipper, Jeffreys Bay

The Mexican, Jeffreys Bay

SAMREC, Port Elizabeth

Friar Tucks, Grahamstown

Rat & Parrot, Grahamstown

The Highlander, Grahamstown

Prime, Grahamstown

Albany Museum, Grahamstown

Madhatters, Grahamstown

Bridge Street Brewery, Port Elizabeth

Roastmaster Cafe, Port Elizabeth

Bocadillos, Port Elizabeth

Mangiamo / Wickerwoods, Port Elizabeth

Nanaga Farm Stall, Port Elizabeth

Ron Belling Art Gallery, Port Elizabeth

Che Restrobar, Port Elizabeth

Castros, Port Elizabeth

Charlie Superstar, Port Elizabeth

For The Love of Wine, Port Elizabeth

Salt, Port Elizabeth

Yias Yias, Port Elizabeth

Deli Street Cafe, Port Elizabeth

Flava, Port Elizabeth

The ACVV Khayalethu Youth Centre, Port Elizabeth

Memory Lane, Port Elizabeth

Urban Espress, Port Elizabeth

East London Golf Club

Coming soon from Cape Town, Western Cape: Caprice Camps Bay, The Grand Beach Club Granger Bay, The Grand Beach Club Camps Bay, The Bay Hotel Camps Bay, Vovo Telo V&A Waterfront and more!! Follow us on Twitter & Facebook @Skybok_ZA & Skybok Profiles

Filming Friar Tucks in Grahamstown for Skybok

Posted on August 30, 2012 by tamikadoubell

Coming from Cape Town I’m used to my fair share of nightlife ………….. but Friar Tucks was something else altogether!

A classic nightclub in the heart of Grahamstown, South Africa, with a massive dance floor and 2 bars, you won’t be coming home until the early hours of the morning!

We filmed the club’s video profile for Skybok.net – Online Video Profiles Showcasing South Africa.

It’s been voted as South Africa’s number 1 nightclub.

You can find them on our website under ‘Grahamstown’ (change your city in the top right-hand corner) under ‘Nightclubs’ and ‘Bars and Pubs’.

I absolutely loved the vibe at this venue………. it was packed with students and everyone was having a great time!

I love the music – they often have popular DJs in for the night.

Listen to DJ Skullet’s mix from when he played there in August last year:

http://soundcloud.com/djskullet/dj-skullet-friar-tuck

For more official photos Skybok took click HERE.

Filming The Highlander & Lowlander in Grahamstown for Skybok

Posted on August 29, 2012 by tamikadoubell

Shooting the famous ‘Highlander’ in Grahamstown for Skybok was an absolute delight.

It’s video profile appears on our website under ‘Grahamstown’ (change your city in the top right-hand corner) under ‘Pubs & Bars’, ‘Restaurants’, ‘Conference Centres’ and ‘Bed and Breakfasts’ seeing as it offers accommodation as well.

It’s a fantastic spot to come for a drink and a meal in the evening and socialize with friends or simply watch the latest sporting event.

They serve fantastic meals and I personally think it’s a winning spot to hire out for a function you are having.

My brother and I were joined by two friends during the shoot – Nick, my cousin, and Siphokazi my long-time friend.

We made a great ‘Crew’ on the shoot as together we kept it fun and easy.

(Definitely needed after a long day of hard work shooting venues all over Grahamstown!)

Our ‘Crew’ for the night!

Click HERE for official pictures Skybok took of The Highlander, as well as The Lowlander downstairs.

The Lowlander is also a bar and space for people to have private functions.

We shot the Highlander during the day and actually came back to get The Lowlander that night – where we were met by a massive 21st party which we soon joined in with after we shot!

The whole Highlander venue lies adjacent to Saint Andrews College, and I have a feeling this spot is very popular for birthday parties and special occasions celebrated by students!

Fully licensed and with wheelchair access, the Lowlander also opens up (just like the Highlander above it) to an area where smokers can go.

It was absolute madness and loads of fun.

We took some hilarious pictures – see them HERE.

Hope you enjoy its video profile!

If you have a place you would like us to film, get in touch with me!

Click ‘Email Me’ at the top of this blog.

Filming The Rat & Parrot in Grahamstown for Skybok

Posted on August 28, 2012 by tamikadoubell

I’ve always heard stories about The Rat & Parrot in Grahamstown, South Africa.

But I never believed them until I saw for myself the raucous behaviour that goes on amongst its devoted patrons – 90% of them students from nearby Rhodes University!

A whole lot of fun and a pumping vibe is what you can expect here if you come for a night out on the town – or simply for one of their famous pizzas.

We had so much fun shooting their official video profile for Skybok – check it out at the top of this blog post or on our website “Skybok.net” or on our YouTube Channel “Skybok Travel”.

Categorized under “Bars & Pubs” on our website, I can’t think of a better description for the venue other than utter mayhem and a place where unforgettable memories are made!

Our ‘Crew’ for the night!

Some of the drunk students we captured on film are hilarious and absolutely perfect to truly capture the atmosphere and essence of what you can expect here!

We had so much fun and it was an honour shooting their profile for them.

Everyone there was game and put their best foot forward when the camera was rolling…………. Thank you!

Filming The East London Golf Club in East London for Skybok

Posted on August 22, 2012 by tamikadoubell

Skybok’s team was recently in East London to shoot the video profile of The East London Golf Club.

You can find the video on our website under ‘East London’ (change your city in the top right-hand corner) under ‘Golf Estates’.

What a beautiful place!

Tranquil and serene, it has glorious views of the ocean, not to mention a bit of wildlife wandering around the course!

I’m proud to say it’s video profile does the place complete justice.

Photos can be deceiving, but video cannot lie!

They have divine conference facilities which made me think that if I needed to organize a function or event, I would do it here.

For more photos Skybok took of the venue, click HERE.

And for blog articles written about it on popular blogs, see below:

http://www.elgc.co.za/

http://www.sa-venues.com/golf/ec_east_london.htm

http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/southafrica/easterncape/east-london-golf-club.html

http://www.where2golf.com/south-africa/east-london-golf-club.asp

http://www.safarinow.com/destinations/stirling/golfcourses/east-london-golf-club.aspx

Filming The African Dawn Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary in Jeffrey’s Bay for Skybok

Posted on August 20, 2012 by tamikadoubell

We filmed some fantastic spots in Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa, a few weeks ago!

We filmed them for Skybok.net – Online Video Profiles showcasing South Africa.

One of my best was the Africa Dawn Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary.

I loved the greenery and fresh, open space.

We absolutely loved doing their video profile for them because it’s such an unusual place.

The park is home to several animals from South Africa and beyond including Cheetah, Servals, Lynx, Squirrels, Marmosets, Squirrels, Monkeys, Blue and Common Duikers, Bushbok, Grysbok, Meerkats, Wallabies and a Crocodile.

They also have over 250 species of birds indigenous to South Africa in the largest Aviary in the Eastern Cape!

You can listen to the calls of birds such as the Knysna Loerie, the Laughing Dove and the vibrant Red Bishop. Other birds around the park include the majestic Black Eagle, Blue Cranes, Crowned Cranes, Hornbills, Emu, Lorikeets and Macaws.

We were very lucky and got to go inside the aviary to film!

I was amazed to learn that birds eat bananas.

Yip – the staff have a dish that they leave inside the aviary which the birds feed out of.

Chopped bananas, chopped mangos and chopped apples are the order of the day……………. oh yes, along with scrambled egg!

Can you believe it.

Visit there, volunteer there, host your function or event there – it really is a super venue.

Find their profile on our website in ‘Jeffreys Bay’ (change your city at the top right-hand corner) under ‘Points of Interest’.

Check out more photos that Skybok took by clicking HERE.

And here are some interesting blog articles written on African Dawn from popular blogs:

http://www.rebeccayale.com/2010/10/volunteering-at-african-dawn-animal.html

http://www.travellersworldwide.com/08a-south-africa/feedback/08-sa-feedback-wildlife-sanctuary.htm

http://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/easterncape/african-dawn-wildlife-sanctuary/

http://www.southafrica.com/blog/wildlife-experiences-at-african-dawn-sanctuary

Filming Zingela Archery in Jeffrey’s Bay for Skybok

Posted on August 20, 2012 by tamikadoubell

Make sure you are watching in the best quality! Select 1080p HD, by clicking on the cog in the toolbar at the bottom of the video.

I always like to blog about the more interesting places we shoot for Skybok.net……..and, well, there’s no doubt that Zingela Archery in Jeffrey’s Bay is one of them!

Did you know about this place?

‘Cos I didn’t!

It’s hidden along the R102 between Humansdorp and Jeffrey’s Bay in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and is a very cool spot once you arrive.

I was certainly introduced to a whole new world I never knew existed when we came to shoot their video profile for them.

You can find them on our website in ‘Jeffrey’s Bay’ (change your city at the top right-hand corner) under ‘Points of Interest’.

And, of course, on Google Earth.

On our website, we’ve also utilized Google Maps technology and we’ve created a geographic overview of all the venues.

A fantastic place and a pleasure filming it!

I’ve come to learn that it is, in fact, a huge sport with a massive amount of people who love it.

In my opinion it’s a nice hobby and certainly after filming these people doing it, I paid more attention to the archery at The Olympics!

Here are some other blog posts about Zingela Archery from popular blogs:

http://www.stfrancissport.co.za/2011/06/archery/

http://www.zingela-adventures.com/bow-hunting.html

For more photos Skybok took, click HERE.

Filming Algoa FM in Port Elizabeth for Skybok

Posted on August 13, 2012 by tamikadoubell

Algoa FM is the the biggest commercial radio station from the Garden Route to the Wild Coast on 94 to 97fm.

What a delight it was to film its video profile for Skybok!

We arrived at 11am to their studios here in Port Elizabeth at The Boardwalk – I was excited!

I love the place.

It’s chic & fresh and it felt rejuvenating to walk through the station filming.

We got to meet one of their most popular DJs, Lance Du Plessis, and what a fantastic guy!

Easy-going and professional, he does a great job on air and has a successful reputation and a big following here in the Bay.

Another person I was very pleased to meet was studio manager Jason Perry.

With his good wit and charming smile, I am thankful to him for making shooting so easy and fun!

I took some fun snaps with these guys – to see them click HERE!

Everything went very smoothly on the day…. we got Lance doing his show and also some really nice shots around the station.

We didn’t get to shoot their boardroom as there was a meeting there on the day, but you can check out my blog post HERE for some snaps of it as well as some snaps I took around the station while we shot.

In my opinion everyone working there is fun-loving and hard-working.