Ever since I wrote my first Google Maps review that included one of my best experiences I had overseas, that was me, I was hooked, It was just supposed to be a way to say thanks to our guide that really made us feel welcome, he even invited us into his house for dinner and let us experience the true life and food of the local people, I feel that makes a visit to a different continent more personal and real and not just seeing a place from the touristy aspect.
What I thought was really awesome was when I submitted my review, almost instantly you could see people were actually reading it and the amount of views from the photos I had included just started climbing, and form there on I realized that this could be a great tool to really reflect both the good and bad things about places, business, shops… you name it. Platforms like FaceBook and the likes, which in all honesty, besides the bragging where you managed to take the kids during school break, doesn’t really make any substantial impact, whereas Google maps reviews get noticed by business owners which does in some instances make them improve those faults, on top of that you get a chance to possibly help someone in their decision whether to visit and what to look out for, what to try experience or to completely avoid in certain places and foods.
After a while you tend to become almost like an undercover critic and can sometimes over play the role by dropping slight hints whilst looking down a sharp pointing nose that “
when you are done with your visit you will be publishing your online review”, hehe which I can say at the least hasn’t really helped me gain any complimentary meals, maybe I should dress more like proverbial critic (not that I know what critic fashion is).
Reviews can also make for some really creative writing, the more your ranking increases the more you don’t want a review to become long winded and boring and you most definitely avoid just a lame one liner “great service” like so many people tend to do. It has also become a personal goal of mine to complete my badges and to be as fair and honest in my reviews and considering I have achieved my goal of 1million photo views my next goal is 2 million.
I hope that if I can give even one person in some small way something significant from being a local guide then I will be very happy.
18 Likes
Great post @Bren-frm-SA !
You have an amazing sense of humor !
All all all the best,
Valentine
5 Likes
Hey @uavalentine
I was curious and was looking at your profile and only after about half an hour did I manage to pick my jaw up off the floor, you have really travelled far and wide and I can predict with absolute certainty that you will be traveling again, all I can wonder is if you would be visiting South Africa one day?, especially with our terrible economy as it is right now I could think it would be dirt cheap for any foreigner to visit this country (I say that rather embarrassed)
I am hoping to add the Ukraine to my list of places to visit one day, if I should get the opportunity what would you recommend be the best way to experience the country?
до побачення <<< hope I am not swearing at you here… 
do pobachennya
3 Likes
Hello dear @Bren-frm-SA !
Yes, it is sad what the government does to our countries in many places of the world…
Unfortunately… in my country Ukraine it is not good situation neither… ((( And no end to it ever since I was born…
Still, I dream to visit your country too one beautiful day so I will do my best to accoplish it! You have an amazing place on the Planet!
I hope it will become better asap in South Africa so you can enjoy your beautiful home!
All all all the best,
Valentine
4 Likes
Hi @uavalentine I have heard that it is tough in the Ukraine, and the economy is suffering, just like ours, but do you have times where your electricity is cut because the power stations cant handle the load, up to 8 hours sometimes
I searched Google images on Ukraine and wow I actually never knew your country was th
is beautiful, I am definitely going to visit one of these years, it looks almost like a fairy tale, and I seriously want to visit during December when you have all the decorations and lights, wow.
I have to also agree with you, South Africa is a really beautiful country and I have been fortunate enough to travel around most of it, if you get the chance to come let me know and I will give you a list of some of the destinations that I believe are worth your time, like the Kruger National Park and the Drakensberg mountains, and also yes there is crime here but there is crime all over the world, if you are just careful and look after your things you will be fine, and apparently I hear that us South Africans are quite friendly people… 
All the best to you
3 Likes
Hello @Bren-frm-SA !
Thank you for such a detailed comment regarding South Africa ! I hope I will visit it in the upcoming years! No worries about crimes, there are everywhere and we just have to be cautious, you are absolutely right!
As for Ukraine, yes, we also have problems with electricity shuts, mainly because of our local & country authorities. When I was a kid we didn’t have light every evening & during the day on a regular basis. Government told us that it was for saving purposes. But at the same time all our bank accounts were closed and rubbed by government forever in 1991. And many other cases like this… so yes, we have revolutions almost every other elections but it doesn’t help… and we are not the only ones in the world like this… so nothing left but try to survive in these conditions and live a normal life whatever happens.
All all all the best,
Valentine
4 Likes
Hi @Bren-frm-SA well done your post is amazing I appreciate your effort being a local guide and view about reviews. Thank you for sharing your views with us.
3 Likes
Thank you very much for this great post.
Very interesting.
4 Likes
OH my Word @uavalentine I never knew that, you guys have really had hard times, I would love to say why “dont you rather immigrate” but its not that easy, all I can say keep your wonderful attitude towards life and i do hope we can keep in touch.
1 Like
Hey @Safdarrai
Always my good friend hope life is treating you well
1 Like
