Just Back From
Elaine Williamson - Honolulu (HNL)
Elaine Williamson has just returned from a 7 day educational trip to Honolulu as a guest of Creative Holidays. Having had a fabulous time, Elaine was keen to spread the word.
Ed: Explain a bit about the airline you travelled on
EW: As there are no direct flights from Melbourne, our journey involved a Qantas domestic flight to Sydney and then Hawaiian Airlines to Honolulu. Hawaiian airlines only offer limited in-flight services that are included in your fare. A meal service is provided however there are no special meal requests and alcohol must be paid for. In flight entertainment is provided via overhead screens throughout the cabin or the alternative is to purchase a digi player for a cost of $15.00. Well worth the cost seeing that it is a 10 hour flight.
Ed: Describe HNL and who you would recommend this destination to:
EW: Honolulu suits all types of travellers from honeymooners to families. Most accommodation can accommodate 4 in a room in 2 x double beds. Accommodation situated right on Waikiki beach is by far the most expensive and probably overpriced in comparison to other destinations in the world. However if you come one block back off the beach there are some great little gems to be found.
Ed: How was the accommodation and tours?
EW: We had a good mixture of hotel inspections, sightseeing and general free time to explore what Honolulu had to offer. The hotels varied from 5 star down to 3 star boutique hotels that offered wonderful facilities and rates.
Ed: What was the highlight of your tour?
EW: On our free day we decided to hire jeeps and drive around the island. First stop was Diamond Head for the gruelling trek to the top for wonderful beach and island views. Over on the east coast we stopped at the blowholes and continued onto the North Shore to the world famous Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay home to the surfing carnivals. Not the right time of year for the big waves - the bay looked like glass.
Ed: Describe your dining experiences
EW: Meals were provided by various hotels and were first class through out. Yes the portion size is always huge and most evenings we could not finish the dishes on offer. Wonderful seafood and, of course, flaming pineapple cocktails to wash dinner down!
Ed: Where are you off to next?
EW: As I have just returned from three weeks in Singapore and Thailand and then this jaunt to Hawaii, maybe I better keep my feet on the ground for a little bit! However we're planning our next family trip and it will most likely be back to Asia to revisit Vietnam and sample Cambodia before having a beachside rest in our favorite place, Thailand
Maree McClelland - PS Murray Princess
Maree is just back from escorting a 7 night cruise on board PS Murray Princess, a leisurely 320 km cruise featuring the breathtaking riverlands of South Australia
On her return, our editor caught up with Maree who was keen to share her experience
Ed: Describe the PS Murray Princess and the facilities on board
MM: The paddlewheeler Murray Princess is a comfortable old boat, purpose built to cruise the inland waterways. She can accommodate 120 guests in basic but comfortable ensuite cabins. From the lounges you get great views of the remarkable Murray Cliffs and outback river plains. We had little time to use the sauna, exercise equipment or the fishing gear provided!
Ed: What was the highlight of this tour?
MM: For me, relaxing in the lounge whilst taking in the sights was an absolute treat. I also loved the excursions that took us to river towns where the museums depicted how the area was in the height of the River Boat era on the mighty Murray. Great flora & fauna and of course we went to the Barossa where the autumn colours were spectacular and the wines - enjoyable of course!
Ed: Describe the dining experience on board & extra curricular activities
MM: Captain Cook (I have cruised with them on four occasions now) always provide a plentiful range of high quality food and this cruise was no exception. We had a presentation & tasting called the Murraylands Food Trail one day and it was great to taste local produce, olive oils, wines, dried fruits, meats etc. Needless to say we were happy to use the stairs as often as possible and enjoyed hikes on the river banks. Sometimes the Captain came along to describe what we were seeing. An evening campfire and BBQ on shore was a highlight.
Ed: Who would you recommend this tour to?
MM: Every Australian should spend time on the Murray! If you don't expect too much from the accommodation, you won't be disappointed. In fact, I hope you will be delighted!
Ed: Where are you off to next?
MM: I am totally hooked on river cruising but my next trip will take me to the North Cape & Arctic Circle so I have chosen something a little larger - the six star Crystal Symphony! click here for brochure
Jonathan Doneley
Jonathan was recently the guest of Hurtigruten enjoying a 7 day Norwegian voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes on board MS Richard With.
Ed: Describe MS Richard With
JD: MS Richard With is a working vessel servicing the Norwegian coast providing a ferry service for passengers and delivering mail, parcels and produce to the local communities.
Ed: Describe the voyage (click here for map)
JD: Beginning in the bustling capital of Norway's fjord district, Bergen, the seven day voyage called into over 30 ports as we journeyed North to our final destination, Kirkenes. In 7 days I enjoyed watching the gradual transition from populated lush southern regions of the coastline to the more sparse landscapes north of the Arctic Circle.
Ed: Describe your shore excursions
JD: Of the many offshore excursions on offer, I chose Trondheim (Norway's first capital) including the great gothic cathedral of Nidaros and the picturesque Art Nouveau town of Alesund - both towns steeped in history and folk-lore
Ed: What was the highlight of your trip?
JD: Without a doubt the landscape and scenery - absolutely spectacular throughout the voyage
Ed: Describe the facilities on board?
JD: Being a working vessel, the amenities are basic but adequate. Cabins have private facilities. The meals were good: breakfast and lunch were buffet style and dinner alternated between meat, fish, seafood etc.
Regular videos featuring the locality were available to view in the library and entertainment was a multi-lingual duet
Ed: Who would you recommend this cruise to?
JD: If you are not looking for 5 star luxury, this is a very pleasant and interesting way to experience the unique and beautiful Norwegian coastline.
Ed: Where are you off to next?
JD: Not sure but a European river cruise is definitely beckoning. A couple of days in Shanghai has appeal but on the top of the list is a trip to Iceland or Greenland.
Anne Rogers
click here for photo of the stunning Shanghai skyline
Having recently returned from a whirl-wind trip to Shanghai, I caught up with Anne who was keen to share her experience of this amazing city. Ed
Ed: In a nut shell, describe Shanghai...
AR: Impossible! Shanghai offers so much on so many levels. With World Expo in full swing and an unprecedented number of visitors, a profusion of flowers - often displayed vertically in floral "walls" covers the entire city. Beautiful gardens large and small, never damaged in any way, and perfectly tended and manicured make every day a happy one. A stroll down Nanjing Road - a canyon of luxury hotels, and shopping malls, offers frequent glimpses into rustic lanes and courtyards. Every so often an historic mansion looms, its heritage plate prominently displayed with a short description of its age and provenance. One need only stray a block either side of Nanjing Road, to see another Shanghai - a charming melange of workers in coolie hats, bicycles, dumpling restaurants, and traditional street life.
Ed: Describe Shanghai as a stop-over destination
AR: Shanghai is appearing more and more in cruise itineraries, and indeed the home port for Costa Victoria, offering 6-night itineraries with Japanese, Chinese and Korean port calls. How very convenient!! Because if ever there was a place worthy of a pre or post cruise stopover, this is it. With many airlines transiting in Shanghai, it also makes a perfect stop-over destination for passengers travelling to Europe.
Ed: Describe the highlight of your Shanghai stay
AR: One of the necessities of life as a travel agent is hotel inspections. All these experiences have been surpassed by my experience of the new Ritz Carlton Pudong. Before opening for business on 21 June, I was among a privileged few to "take the tour" just a few days beforehand. Housed in the top portion of the 53-storey HSBC Building, and right beside the Pearl Tower, the views across the river to the Bund and beyond are alone worth a visit. But imagine taking afternoon tea in an exquisite art deco lounge (with views of course), where the level of detail extends to all the young lady staff sporting the same heritage hair-style! The décor in the guests rooms is breath-taking - I loved the bedside phone cleverly concealed in a little leather suitcase! An outdoor terrace on the top floor is the perfect place to drink in the views, as are the ante rooms in the spa - where pools of crushed ice are stationed outside the saunas, for a quick cool down.
Ed: Describe Shanghai then and now
Past visitors to Shanghai speak nostalgically of the iconic Peace Hotel which first opened in 1929. With its front and centre location on the corner of The Bund and Nanjing Road, it's not hard to imagine it being the hub of the highlife during its halcyon days in the 1930s. Famous for massive ballroom (with fully sprung parquetry floor), but even more so for the legendary jazz band which played in the dark, wood paneled cellar bar - where the waiters were known to dance with the patrons. Inevitably age took its toll and the hotel closed for a 3-year long restoration, and will re-open again on 1 August. Once again I was among a very privileged few to take a tour as the Peace prepares to reassume its mantle as a Shanghai icon. The restoration is amazing. The hotel still feels like a noble 1920s hostelry, but with all modern cons. The rooms are gorgeous with original (very) high ceilings, and bathtubs with massive clawed "feet". The ballrooms (sprung floor intact) is looking wonderful, and best of all, the jazz bar returns - its original doors hung already, and finishing touches being put to an interior which is hard to distinguish from the original - phew! One of my favourite Shanghai memories is of those old guys (several of them from the original band of the 1930s) belting out "Red Sails in the Sunset", with pianist nodding off on the job. Don't miss it when you visit.
Ed: Where are you off to next?
AR: One of my favourite destinations, Japan and then, would you believe, Shanghai in September/October!
Maree McClelland
Maree has just returned from Auckland having attended Meetings - New Zealand's annual, national business tourism event for the conference, meetings, events, exhibition, travel & incentive industry
Ed: Now in it's 14th year, describe this prestigious event and the benefits of attending
MM: This yearly event showcases the very best that New Zealand can offer to the people who book conferences & group travel. Air New Zealand sponsor my participation.
Ed: Looking at the programme, it seems rather like speed dating! Explain how this works and the benefits of fast meetings
MM: I have never done the "speed dating thing" but it certainly is based on short sharp interviews! Buyers move from booth to booth (all beautifully displaying the product that they represent). Appointments are all pre set by computer registration so it's a very efficient way to meet suppliers and learn about potential products, all under the one roof over two very busy days.
Ed: Based on your visit, what are the growing tourism trends in New Zealand
MM: There is a great emphasis on "lingering longer". Many people have done the coach tour or the fly drive holiday in the past. Now they should return to this beautiful destination, focus on specific areas and what that region has to offer. Food, wine, scenery, spas, sports - New Zealand has it all!
Ed: Which of the exhibitors impressed and why
MM: I was particularly impressed by the new Fullers product in the Bay of Islands that operates overnight cruises (or we can charter for longer) on a fabulous ship that was built in Tasmania! I was also impressed by the Air New Zealand exhibit. They featured all the exciting innovations on their new aircraft due to be delivered in November for the Auckland/USA routes. Just fabulous!
Ed: Apart from attending the conference, what else did you have a chance to do whilst visiting Auckland
MM: The social aspects of such an event are always memorable - a luncheon at Mudbrick Winery on Waiheke Island, a welcome cocktail party at the Auckland Museum & a Gala Farewell dinner at The Langham were spectacular! Best of all!? Mid visit I made it early to bed in my recently renovated room at Rydges Harbourview and enjoyed the news and a fabulous "club sandwich" - sheer luxury.
Maree McClelland
Maree recently returned from escorting a Cape & Arctic Circle cruise aboard the luxurious Crystal Symphony. Stay tuned for her report.
In the meantime click here for details of this amazing cruise
