TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP -- A slice of authentic African culture has made its way to the Pocono Mountains to stay. Kalahari Resort just unveiled thousands of pieces of art from Africa that will decorate the indoor waterpark.
The folks at Kalahari Resort were able to bring it all back to the Poconos after a 23-day trip to six different countries in Africa.
"Well, when the art arrives at the resort, it's like Christmas morning for us. And literally the family ourselves come in with crowbars and hammers and open these crates," said Kalahari spokesman Travis Nelson.
The owners traveled all over Africa to find authentic work to decorate the new resort near Mount Pocono. They came back with different stone work, hand carvings, beadwork, even furniture.
The interior design team says it spent $400,000 to buy the art and another $100,000 to ship it all back to the United States.
"You buy with your heart. You buy what you love and you bring it back and you figure out where you are going to put it later," said interior designer Natasha Lucke.
Every piece is one of a kind. Kalahari says the best part was meeting each artist and thanking them.
"To see him smile and shake his hand, those are the best moments, just really digging in and meeting the people of Africa," said Lucke.
Out of these thousands of items that made the six-month journey from Africa to the Poconos, almost all of them made it in perfect condition. Only about a dozen were damaged in the process.
The artwork spent months in containers before passing customs, coming from all over Africa.
"Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Rwanda," said Nelson.
Now the resort is working to find the perfect spot for each piece and design plaques and art tours, so guests can enjoy a journey through Africa's markets right here in the Poconos.
"We're hoping to bring that little slice of culture back to them, so that some of the people can experience it here," said Lucke.
Kalahari Resorts is now taking reservations for mid-July.