Archive for category Uncategorized
Corporate Vessels for Relaxing Sydney Harbour Cruises
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on March 15, 2012
But for any employee to work well, it is very essential to relax as well. One of the best ways to relax can be a Quayside corporate vessels cruise!Organising a corporate cruise can be quite a cumbersome task and it is very essential to select a reputedQuayside corporate vessels cruise operator. it will also save a lot of trouble as a well known cruise operator is likely to offer better and customised services. At the same time, it will also ensure that your cruising experience will be great and your employees will have a great time on the corporate cruise.any good corporate Quayside corporate vessels cruise organiser can offer various services and packages to corporate and can cater to their diverse needs. it can range from a small group to a large one and it can offer a wide range of services packages and deals. But before organising any corporate Quayside Sydney harbour cruises there are certain things that need to be kept in mind. the most important things are discussed below.• Quality of service: the most important thing is service as it can be the real difference between average Quayside Sydney harbour cruises and great Quayside Sydney harbour cruises experience. it will also ensure that the guests will have a great time on board and there will never be a dull moment.• Facilities: Another essential thing to look for is the type of facilities that are offered by a Quayside corporate vessels cruise operator. the more the facilities offered the better it is as it will lead to a better satisfaction level among the corporate guests on board the Quayside Sydney harbour cruises.• Experience: It is also very important to select an experienced Quayside corporate vessels cruise operator. the reason for this is that an experienced Quayside corporate vessels cruise operator will be in a much better position to take care of various aspects that need to be kept in mind before organising a successful Quayside Sydney harbour cruises event. an experienced Quayside corporate vessels cruise operator can also take care of any urgent demand and situation as they are experienced in dealing with diverse situations and clients. • Price: A good Quayside corporate vessels cruise can appear even better if it can be organised at a great price. Even though it is not easy to get a good bargain, if you search diligently there are more chances that a great deal can be found. it is also significantly easier to find a great cruise deal online as many Quayside Sydney harbour cruises’ operators will be eager to organise a corporate cruise event. the best way to land a great deal is to bargain hard and not give in easily. Another thing to keep in mind in order to get a great deal is to plan well in advance for a Quayside Sydney harbour cruises corporate event.a corporate house will look to have more than just fun on a corporate cruise. it cannot be complete without great food and ambiance, entertainment and various other options like indoor and outdoor games as well as a wide range of relaxation services that are available on corporate vessels for Sydney harbour cruises corporate vessels for Melbourne cruises and corporate vessels for Brisbane cruises. At the same time, even though they are far off from their offices, they will need to stay in touch and it is very essential that a Quayside Sydney harbour cruises ship boasts of abundant options to stay in touch. it can range from Internet, conferencing facilities, projectors, AV equipment and other office equipment that is essential for any corporate to function smoothly. Though managing a successful corporate cruise is not an easy task, if you keep in mind all the things mentioned above it will certainly ensure that the cruise is indeed a successful and memorable one!
SailCorp Sydney Harbour Babreboat Yacht Charters… did you know – why Lavender Bay is called Lavender Bay?
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on March 15, 2012
If you take a stroll along the water from McMahon’s Point to Milson’s Point, you’ll be walking around the shore of Lavender Bay.
When you sail Sydney Harbour with SailCorp Yacht Charters, you’ll set-off from our base in Lavender Bay, right under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Do either of these things and you’ll probably not notice a whole lot of lavender. which got us thinking… why is Lavender Bay called Lavender Bay? well, it ain’t because of an abundance of lavender, that’s for sure!
Back in the days of Australia being a penal colony, prisoners were often housed aboard prison hulks, moored in various places around the coast. One such hulk, the Phoenix, was moored in what became Lavender Bay – for such a long time that the bay was known as Hulk Bay or Phoenix Bay for a number of years.
As with any vessel, the prison hulk had a crew. And back in those days (and these days in the shipping community) boats had bosuns (Boatswains) to help manage the deck crew and various other hands-on elements aboard the vessel.
The bosun on the Phoenix was a chap called George Lavender and he lived on a few acres in the bay.
Must have been quite a character to have had the bay named after him… especially as he lived right next door to another historical character from North Sydney – Billy Blue (but that’s a story for another day).
So there you have it – next time you head out for a Sydney Harbour sail whether it be bareboat yacht charter or skippered yacht charter, you’ll know where Lavender Bay got its name from.
Who thinks ‘SailCorp Bay’ has a nice ring to it…? Ahem… perhaps not, then.
Janice Ann’s Journal: LHS, LMS pick cheerleaders for 2012-2013 – The Lufkin Daily News: Community News
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on March 15, 2012
Are we ready for football for 2012?
The 2012-13 Lufkin Cheer Varsity squad members are co-captains Clarke Cromartie and Bailey Watson. Seniors are Hannah Bennett, Sydney Luce, Summer Szafran, Calianne Teutsch and Marcus Williams. Juniors include RaeLee Caddenhead, Jacie Cates, Ashlyn Coleman, Hannah Harris, Makenzie Harris, Mikaela Neal, Chancey Sanders, Reagan Sheffield and Sydney Sheffield.
Junior Varsity squad members are Hannah Abner, Flora Avant, Alli Bartlett, Randi Berger, TyTiana Denman, Hannah Dunkin, Haley Futch, Taylor Green, Kelly Haney, Katie Leach, Maci Moore, Dakota Morgan, Kaitlyn Mundt, Emily Stafford and Madie Stewart. Freshman Squad is Timiya Allen, Katelyn Anderson, Kelsey Bowers, Samantha Brazeil, Chelsea Henderson, Madison Hodges, Jenae Hyde, Jessica Medina, Sekela Minor, Callie Minshew, Paige Mundt, Natalie Navarro, Preslie Perry, Abbigail Sandidge, Gisel Santos, Emily Stubblefield and Kaci Waggonner.
Lufkin Middle School Squad members are Briana Alexander, Sara Beth Bates, Haley Carlile, Caroline Chance, Camille Cumbie, Maya Deason, Caroline Deaton, Lucy Gabriel, Sydney Gustafson, Sara Kate Harris, Abby Horn, Kaylee Jones, Rebecca Johnson, Lauren Johnson, Kendall LaForge, Emily Lopez, Stephanie McClain, Rachel March, Ashlyn Parham, Mary Grace Polk, Jaida Price, Haley Shurley and Mattie Wesoloski.
Coaches are: T.J. Patterson, Varsity Cheer Coach, T.J. and Abby Root are the JV coaches, Abby Root is the freshman coach, Caron Cook is the Middle School coach and Emily Meisel is the LMS assistant coach. Congratulations to all of these cheerleaders.
Jay Brittain’s exhibition at the Museum of East Texas of photographs “Through the Lens” of landscapes taken throughout Texas, New Mexico, Alabama and Georgia will be open through may 7. Woodie Hicks and I went to the reception and visited with Jay, his wife Diana and son Jordan. Jay has been a photographer and graphic designer for 28 years.
While you are at the Museum of East Texas, you can see the photos of old Lufkin, Black history photos and the Angelina Photographic Club’s “Traveling through Texas” exhibit of photographs.
Charlie Mae and David Dolben have returned from a three-week trip to China, with stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Frances Atkinson has another great-granddaughter, Jayden Carey Bell, born Feb. 2. she weighed 8 lbs., 2 ozs., and was 20 inches long. Parents are Don and Joetta Bell, who, with big sister Trinity Carol Bell, live in Weatherford. Grandparents are Rick and Marijo Meredith of Granbury. Uncle Mark and Aunt Amanda Johnson, with cousin Macie, live in Stephenville.
Donna Gardner’s niece, Jennifer Cotton Thompson, and her son Nathaniel, have been in town visiting from St. Mary’s, Ga., where her husband Trey Thompson is stationed in the U.S. Navy as a submariner. Jenni is the daughter of Donna’s sister, Dawn Cotton.
Trey shipped out before Christmas so she and Nathaniel did not have a “real” Christmas dinner. They left all the decorations up and had a second Christmas Jan. 15 after they got to Texas. Nathaniel is almost 2, so he really enjoyed opening gifts and celebrating.
Jenni and Donna spent one day in Tyler shopping for a formal for her first Submariner’s Ball, then found her a dress right here at Lesa’s Bridal. (Many thanks to Wendy for all her help. this is a first so we needed expert advice — in the Navy, formal means formal!) Nathaniel is an excellent traveler and shopper, so they were really able to enjoy the shopping trips!
Jenni and Nathaniel visited Don Hudnall several times, and he always brightens up when he sees them,and Nathaniel got to know his Texas family a little better (Donna is his favorite). They are returning to St. Mary’s this week and will be missed.
Darlene and Joe Loving and their daughter Rachele Loving went to Orlando for Christmas after securing niece Sarah Blaylock to babysit with nine puppies that were 5 weeks old.
They met daughter Amy and her husband Brad Jackson who still live in Orlando. It was a great trip, the weather was warm, almost hot while they were there, and nothing like the cold, wet weather Lufkin was having at the same time.
They saw Sea World’s Christmas decorations for the first time and had a great time. the lights were beautiful, and they had a special Ice Capades show. They visited the Disney World parks, enjoyed seeing the “snow” on Main St. at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios and watching the Candlelight Processional at Epcot.
Amy and Brad brought a small decorated Christmas tree for the Beach Club villa and strung lights on the balcony railings. They went to the Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club for Christmas dinner, and then went back to the villa to have Christmas together.
As soon as they were back in Texas, the three of them went to Dallas to see “Les Miserables” at the new Windspear Opera House.
Larry Bills called me from Georgia trying to find when band director Hugh Byrd passed away. I called Waymon Bullock, and he thought five or six years ago and he was buried in Nacogdoches. does anyone know the date?
I went to “Fire and Ice” at Heritage Antiques and visited with Billie Thomas. she was looking at vintage jewelry for assessment. others looking were Patsy Head, Barbara Parker, Phyllis Royle and Dee McDaniel. Billie said that cameos were “in” now. Mark your calendar for April 14 when they will have the LAW (Lufkin Antiques Weekend) at their Vintage Flea Market.
Roscoe Ivy and wife Betty are helping me identify some sports pictures from the past years. the History Center in Diboll will feature baseball in Angelina County sometime in March.
Sally Parise, Holly Stone, Terry Connerly, Sherryl Rogers Adams and Vanessa McPherson Bridges met at Starbucks to make plans for their classes of 1975 to 1980 Reunion that will be may 4-5.
The LHS 1977 class committee is Sally, Jerry Spencer, Gary Greening, Patrick Smith, Johnna Young Rhodes, Billy Kimble, Larry and Kara Walker, David and Melissa McElveen.
Co-ordinator Holly Davis Stone is from Class of 1978 with special assistance from Trey Henderson Class of 1976 and Tina Alexander Sellers Class of 1977.
The Lufkin Art Guild’s March Meeting will be from 1 p.m. 4 p.m. Saturdy at the Museum of East Texas. Erin Gentry will demonstrate Cyanotype. the meeting is open to the public. for more information call Sarah Wallace at 465-8757 or swallace_1@suddenlink.net.
Ernest and I had cabin fever and went to Pete’s Place last week for lunch. Edwina Lilly has leased the building, and the new owner of the restaurant is her great-niece Ashley Brooks. the menu is the same, and they are open Wednesday through Sunday.
While we were at Pete’s, we saw the new Lufkin Panther Head Coach and Athletic Director Todd quick with Matt Knight, Brooke Stafford, Scott Green, Jeff Cook and Alton Dixon. They almost have the football schedule ready! I told Todd that I had reunions waiting to see when the home games would be.
Herman Chalker celebrated his 90th birthday at Denman Avenue Baptist Church on Feb. 18, a day later than his real birthday.
It was hosted by family: Marty and Jerry Chalker, Mary Jane and John Baldwin of College Station, Mildred and Larry Wright, Reverend Larry and Margie Jo Chalker of Irving, Cathy and Mike McDonald of Tulsa, Okla., and Judy and Sherman Minter from Minnesota who were unable to attend.
Herman had Bove Sewing Center for many years. for his birthday, several of his children are going with him on a 13-day cruise to Alaska and Canada on the Holland American Cruise Ship. Herman and his 94-year-old brother drove to Deer Park to visit a friend that was unable to attend the party. They have good genes in that family.
Melissa Brown is working at Castle Pines in housekeeping and laundry. Her mother, Linda Davis, is also in housekeeping.
Sheila and Jeff Harkness are proud of their daughter Brianne Conner who will complete her nursing RN at Angelina College. she has two sons, Carson (5) and Carter (1), plus a husband Clint who works at Parkwood Place.
Juanita Bridges told me that Buddy Bridges was having some congestion in his lungs. he has had breathing treatments and is some better. They are expecting a new great-grandbaby in June in Australia.
I was looking for Karen Watson, and she is at PID Services. she is the treasurer for LHS Project Celebration.
Thinking about honoring a high school graduate this year? here is a gift idea that speaks volumes to seniors. It’s the Wall Of Honor at Lufkin High School’s Project Celebration. Friends, family, grandparents and churches of LHS seniors can donate to the “Wall of Honor” in the name of their special graduate.
Every senior will have a sign with their name on it displayed in the “Wall of Honor” room at the Project Celebration event. Beneath their names will be the names of the people who made contributions in their honor. Donations can be any size, and donors can honor as many students as they wish with a single donation.
Because we want every student to be recognized, you can also allow the committee to put your name as a contributor for seniors who have no contributors/names on their Wall of Honor.
All proceeds from the “Wall of Honor” donations go toward funding the Project Celebration event.
If you would like to contribute to the “Wall of Honor,” send your contribution to: Wall of Honor, P.O. Box 155337, Lufkin, TX 75915-5337. Or contact Jule Fenley at 366-8000 or fenley@consolidated.net.
Mary Orman enjoyed her daughters Pat Orman and Laura Clader for a long weekend.
Marian and Jim Kinney sometimes “fear for their house” when they hear golf balls hitting their deck off the no. 9 tee box at Neches Pines Golf course. Their dog hears the balls hit the deck and goes crazy. Marian finds balls in her front and back yard and on her porch.
It really is a bad shot to land in her front yard, which is on Dogwood Ridge Drive. those golfers never pick up their balls.
Molly Colwell saw a robin on Feb. 26 and feels that spring is close. she was across from the Presbyterian Church sitting with a patient when she saw the robin. she says that our “ground hog” is the armadillo.
Tommy Hines and his family celebrated the eighth year of surviving his stroke with 95 percent recovery on Feb. 26 at Providence Baptist’s morning church service.
Joining the Hines in counting their blessings were niece, Suzanne White Stroud and neighbors, Nita, Jeanne and Macy Mahan and Ray and Paulette Turner.
After church, the neighborly celebration continued with lunch at La Unica’s Mexican Restaurant with good food and two hours of recounting good memories of living in Lancewood Circle.
Tommy has invited all of those in attendance to show up next year. he wants to do that again.
Tyler Wright has up his mind to attend Texas A&M where he is admitted to the School of Business. he is the son of Kim and Paul Wright.
The Lufkin Panther Football Banquet will be at 6 p.m. Monday, April 2, at the Pitser Garrison Civic Center. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the LHS athletic office beginning March 27.
Joan Hanger has moved to Grace Care Center of Lufkin on North John Redditt Drive.
She has her room settled like her living room at her apartment and almost like home. she had a fall and needed more care.
Janice Ann Rowe’s email address is roweja@suddenlink.net.
© 2012 the Lufkin Daily News. all rights reserved. this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
No room to die – On Line Opinion – 20/2/2012
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on March 15, 2012
This is probably the worst time to talk about Italian cruise liners and their captains after the recent catastrophe of the Costa ‘Concordia’ but, believe me, my story is a world away from that tragedy in time and space, from that kind of huge mega-ship and, above all, from the apparent lack of calibre of the officers who sailed on her. This said and saddened for the important and now besmirched Italian maritime tradition, I will tell you about a tiny episode on the long and slippery road to fully fledged ex-pat status.
So many years ago, on a beautiful sunny January morning I stood on the sun deck of an Italian ship, the ‘Galileo’, waving to family and friends below through layers and layers of coloured streamers. I had no idea that my life was soon to change forever. To me, I was simply starting the modern-day equivalent of the ‘grand tour’. I was, as it was euphemistically called then, ‘going home’, going back to England to visit the land of my ancestors. Having achieved this much desired goal, now educated in my ‘roots’, I would return to Melbourne and pick up the threads of my ordinary every day life again, to live happily ever after in the Antipodes.
Travelling with my brother, we had planned long and saved even longer for the journey. Deciding to do it in style, we booked matching first class cabins. On departure, mine was so full of flowers from well wishers that my future home for the five-week crossing to Genoa looked like a hot house. it was also crammed with a sailor’s trunk and seven suitcases into which my day and evening clothes, shoes and bags had been carefully packed, as ‘dressing’ for dinner was obligatory on board.
Advertisement
Then, somewhere between Cape Town and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, I fell in love – with Pietro, the ship’s captain.
In mid-April, I returned to Sydney through the Panama Canal on the ‘Marconi’, the sister ship of the ‘Galileo’. In the meantime, Pietro had again sailed to Australia and then back to Europe, but not without leaving me an airline ticket to fly back to Rome the morning after my ship docked at Circular Quay. Of course, I was on that plane.
Almost immediately after Pietro sailed for South Africa, there was an outbreak of cholera in Naples. This meant that all my possessions – clothes, books, china and all the rest of the paraphernalia that represented my until then pampered life – one and a half tons of it – were re-routed to Genoa and just seemed to fall off the map. seeing me lonely and frustrated, Pietro’s relatives, especially his mother, did all they could to cheer me up, dictionary in one hand and pencil and paper on which to draw objects in the other. Home sick but too proud to even let myself think for an instant that I may have been a bit hasty in leaving all I knew behind me without a second thought, I wouldn’t admit to my family that I may have made a mistake. So all I did was write letters and postcards – to Pietro, to my parents, to my brother and to anyone I had ever remotely know in the past, even to the hat check girl at the Windsor hotel. I talked about how great the weather was, how impressive Vesuvius looked, how fabulous ‘real’ Italian food tasted and, very vaguely, how I was trying hard to adjust to a world where I was, as yet, unable to express myself verbally (a terrible thing for a lawyer like me) and how I often had difficulty in understanding the natives and their customs and vice versa.
But what nearly sent me home was a visit to the cemetery. out of a genuine desire that I should know all about his forebears and feel part of the ‘family’, Pietro’s mother asked me to go with her on one of her weekly visit to her loved ones’ graves. This was then a very Southern Italian ritual. after a short bus ride, we passed through the iron gates of the cemetery at the end of a long avenue of cypress trees. We walked by some very old tombs, most in a state of disrepair and neglect, before we reached four largest buildings on this large plot of municipal land. On entering the first one, I felt my heart stop for a minute.
Today, well over thirty years later and long married to Pietro, when I think about it dispassionately, I realise I shouldn’t have been so shocked. I had grown up in post-WWII Australia when Italian, Greek and other migrants had arrived in big numbers in our cities. From initial suspicion and, I remember, some resentment, the Anglo-Australian community had slowly learnt to accept and to allow those from these ‘old countries’ to integrate. but, there at the cemetery, I had my first real taste of culture shock. Immediately, I was faced with the power of the veneration and celebration of the cult of the dead. Smiling photos of the deceased stared at me from silver frames along row after row of walled up niches, all holding a coffin inside them. The niches were everywhere, on the floor and up the walls to the height of four or five stories, like wide shelves in a supermarket. On each one, alongside the names and ages of the dearly departed, there was a vase or vases usually filled with roses or, the flower of death here, chrysanthemums. there was also an obligatory flickering electric lamp that shone day and night to keep that person company.
Advertisement
Having done the rounds and been introduced to my no-longer-with-us future father-in-law, to Zia Elena, to Zio Armando and to the army of other relations, we finally left the graveyard. At that moment I missed the length and breadth of my boundless homeland and its infinite sky, something I had simply always taken for granted as ‘normal’. Instantly, not only did it strike me that Italy was, perhaps, a little too overcrowded with the living but that there was hardly any space for the dead. and that suddenly seemed terribly important to me.
The following morning, when I wrote my umpteenth letter to my father, I asked him to make sure that when my day came to pass on someone would fly over and take me back home to Melbourne where, if the world were an ideal place, they could put me to rest under the wattle tree on the nature strip in front of our house. there, I’d have plenty of room and could even keep a check on the neighbours at the same time. and, much more importantly, nobody would ever need to put a step ladder against a wall to climb up and bring me some daisies.
AFP: British cruise passenger held in Sydney over cocaine
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on March 15, 2012
British cruise passenger held in Sydney over cocaine
(AFP)–Feb 21, 2012
SYDNEY — A British cruise ship passenger arrested in Sydney after he allegedly tried to import a large quantity of cocaine into Australia was refused bail on Wednesday.
British national Ronald Fletcher, 59, who travelled to Sydney aboard the P&O ship Aurora, was stopped by customs officers last Friday at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay, aided by a sniffer dog named Sherlock.
He appeared in Sydney Central Local Court where bail was formally refused and the case adjourned to April 18.
Earlier, police alleged he was caught hiding several silver packages inside a wetsuit he was wearing under his clothes, and another 25 packages concealed in three suitcases in his cabin.
Officers from the Australian Federal Police estimated he was carrying 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of cocaine and he was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border protected drug.
His arrest followed an international investigation in which American authorities detained an Australian man and two New Zealanders on board the same ship when it docked in San Francisco on January 25.
US authorities seized 13 kilograms of cocaine and charged all three with offences relating to its possession.
Copyright © 2012 AFP. all rights reserved.More »
British cruise arrest in Sydney to import cocaine
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on March 15, 2012
International Desk :
A British cruise ship passenger has been arrested in Sydney after he allegedly tried to import a large quantity of cocaine into Australia, police said Wednesday.
The 59-year-old British national, who travelled to Sydney aboard the P&O ship Aurora, was stopped by customs officers last Friday at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, aided by a sniffer dog named Sherlock.
His arrest follows an international investigation in which American authorities detained an Australian man and two New Zealanders on board the same ship when it docked in San Francisco on January 25.
US authorities seized 13 kilograms (29 pounds) of cocaine and charged all three with offences relating to its possession.
The man arrested in Sydney was allegedly hiding several silver packages inside a wetsuit he was wearing under his clothes, and another 25 packages concealed in three suitcases in his cabin.
Officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) estimate he was carrying 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of cocaine.
He has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border protected drug and is due to appear in Sydney’s Central Local Court later Wednesday.
“Operations like this send a very strong message that Australia is not an easy target for the importation of illegal substances,” AFP crime operations manager Peter Sykora said in a statement.
The Holiday of a Lifetime
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on March 15, 2012
What does The holiday of a lifetime mean to you? for many it would be a trip to Australia taking in Ayres Rock, the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Opera House, escaping to an unspoilt tropical island such as Bora Bora, or a fun-filled trip to the US, but for me personally, the holiday of a lifetime would include all of the above
The world is one big, beautiful place and it has never been more accessible than it is today. Round the world flights, cruises and train rides allow us to visit those places that we could previously only dream of, and with long-haul flights cheaper than ever before, we can all afford to take that trip of a lifetime.
In our aim to share experiential travel with others, we are constantly on the lookout for exciting new routes, and in our mission to create the holiday of a lifetime; we came up with a tour that we know is going to tickle the taste buds of those looking for something extra special.
Starting in the entertainment capital of the world, our holiday of a lifetime begins in Las Vegas, Nevada where one can wine, dine, gamble, party, sunbathe, swim and relax, and do it all in one day a vibrant city of luxury hotels, great shopping and amazing shows, Las Vegas is a place where you can do as little or as much as you like, and it is a great place to begin your unforgettable journey.
From Las Vegas we fly directly to Hawaii where you start to unwind and enjoy the beauty of Honolulu beach, the friendly people and wonderful seafood. After two nights in this tropical paradise, you will be in the holiday mood and ready for you next adventure, an 18-night cruise across the Pacific Ocean
A magnificent cruise stopping at exotic destinations such as Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea, this is for anyone who enjoys fine dining, sunning themselves by the pool, working out in the gym, pampering at the spa, meeting new people and viewing some of the greatest shows as sea.
Stopping at both the north and south islands of new Zealand before arriving at the final port of call – Sydney, Australia, this holiday of a lifetime takes you around the world and you will have visited some breathtaking sights along the way.
After a stopover in Sydney you can simply choose to return home or fly to another destination, the world, as they say, is your oyster
So take that holiday of lifetime this year, and cross one more item off your bucket list
5 Stunning Sydney Harbour Walks
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on March 14, 2012
Image via Wikipedia
Sydney Harbour is surrounded by bushland areas which are worth exploring. for those staying in hotels or serviced apartments, Sydney bushwalking guides are widely available. however, before taking a bushwalk it is advisable to have current travel insurance in case of an accident.
This walk on Sydney’s northern side is a 4.3 km stroll along the harbour foreshore. It includes the picturesque area surrounding the Spit Bridge which has several well regarded restaurants. It also includes several secluded beaches such as Balmoral which has a swimming area. there is a slight climb, but the views are worth the effort. The starting point at Balmoral Beach can be reached via Mosman which is easily accessible by public transport from the city.
Balmoral is one of the most popular beaches in Sydney. It has several tracks for walkers of all abilities. One track is the walk to Middle Head. The 2.1 km trail has wonderful harbour views and includes the historic fortifications at Middle Head. It is easily accessible from Mosman.
Another north side walk is the Bradley’s Head walk. Bradley’s Head is close to the Taronga Zoo ferry wharf and the track begins there. at 1.7 kilometres it is a short stroll which passes several historical sites. One of these is the HMAS Sydney masthead. there are many cosy picnic spots and grassed lawn areas for children to play on. Bradley’s Head also has unobstructed views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge which are ideal for souvenir photos.
The Harbour Circle walk is a four day walk from the Harbour Bridge to the Gladesville Bridge. It includes crossing the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and walking west along the northern foreshores. It has bushland and urban scenery and challenging and easy stages. It is a wonderful way to gain first-hand knowledge of the working and living spaces surrounding Sydney Harbour. The first stage is a walk from Circular Quay to Greenwich Wharf. The second is a 15 kilometre stretch from Greenwich to Woolwich Wharf. The third and fourth stages include a stretch from Hartley’s Point via Balmain East and a return to Circular Quay. Due to the length of the trail, it is advisable for visitors to have travel insurance before attempting it, if even just for overall peace of mind.
For those interested in the South side of the harbour, the Harbour Bridge to Clovelly walk is ideal. The hike passes many city suburbs nestled on the southern rim of the harbour. The first section includes the Harbour Bridge and progresses to Rushcutters Bay. The second part ends at Rose Bay and then the next section is a stroll to South Head. from South Head the trail turns to the Eastern Beaches. The first stop is North Bondi then the last stage concludes at Clovelly. This long walk passes beautiful scenery and spectacular ocean and harbour views.
Sydney offers a great deal of excitement for the tourist or visitor and walking is a safe and easy way to see the harbour as an individual traveller. for those staying in hotels or serviced apartments, Sydney Harbour walking brochures are freely available from reception desks.
The Littlest Hobo: lost dogs in Sydney {EVENT}
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on March 14, 2012
Have you given a neglected, rescue dog a forever home and a new life? has he or she made your family complete or is there a touching story of courage, loyalty or survival you would like to share about four legged companion?
The human family community photographic project invites rescued and non-rescued dogs to bring along their human families for fun filled day including a photographic exhibition and gallery, stories to share and humans to show off!
Submissions are written from the dog’s point of view and are open until the 3rd March. The official launch day and exhibition will take place on the 7th July at the Pine Street Exhibition Centre, Chippendale.
All doggies who are exhibited get to take home an enlarged print as a thank you and a memory of a great family day whether you have four legs or two. Show and share the bright side of rescued Dogs and the joy and love they can bring to Sydney families.
The event is in memory of Bindi, Bobby and Pound Dog Billy (pictured).
Find out more or submit your story here.
Take a cruise holiday around the globe
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on March 14, 2012
Imagine experiencing the wonders of the world without ever setting foot on a plane. When it comes to a complete travel experience, little compares to a circumnavigation of the globe. And sailing the seven seas on an elegant ship brings back all the romance and excitement of the explorers of yesteryear. P&O Cruises makes it possible to do this in supreme style, on board sophisticated Aurora. It’s an incredible journey, beginning in January 2013, which takes in a kaleidoscope of famous cities, beautiful landscapes and man-made wonders.
This 105-night world cruise passes through two of the greatest feats of maritime engineering – the Suez and Panama canals — and calls at 40 ports, including leisurely overnight stops at Hong Kong, Dubai and San Francisco.
After Aurora sails from Southampton, its first stop is Ponta Delgada in the volcanic Azores. The adventure continues with a transatlantic crossing to the sun-soaked Caribbean islands of Barbados, St Lucia and Curaçao and a gentle introduction to the joys of life at sea.
Aurora is a sophisticated ship with three pools, a gorgeous spa, a bistro created by Marco Pierre White and plenty of lounges in which to while away the evening. you can also make the most of the balmy Caribbean nights by eating at the al fresco grill.
While your days at sea pass in a relaxed haze, the excursions offered at each destination are an exciting cocktail of colourful cultures, iconic architecture, unforgettable scenery and rewarding activities.
Aurora sails through the world-famous Panama Canal to Mexico’s eco-tourism hub Huatulco, before calling at the party town of Acapulco. Then, clam chowder replaces beach cocktails as the ship reaches the west coast of the USA for an overnight stay at San Francisco. After sailing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, you’ll be ready to visit Alcatraz and ride the photogenic cable cars.
You only have to unpack once, so it’s easy enough to pull out your beachwear again for Honolulu and Hilo, the two exciting stops in verdant Hawaii.
At the picture-perfect French Polynesian islands of Bora Bora and Tahiti, you could choose to float in a blue lagoon, explore the volcanic atolls or learn more about the fascinating culture of these South Pacific islands.
Just over a month into your adventure, you’ll reach new Zealand in time for its summer. There’s the “City of Sails”, Auckland, the art deco delight of Napier and the cultural hotspot of Wellington to explore — along with some great wine and truly unforgettable scenery.
Next on this epic cruise is Australia. Aurora spends a full day and evening in Sydney, where the marvellous Harbour Bridge and Opera House are must-sees. Vibrant Brisbane and Cairns — a gateway to the stunning Great Barrier Reef — complete the antipodean sector of the cruise before it’s time to head towards Asia, via the exotic nation of Papua new Guinea.
The itinerary takes in some of the most glorious sights across the great continent. Japan is a special place, from the neon streets of Osaka to the serene temples of Kyoto and poignant city of Nagasaki. Then Aurora sails to China, with excursions to the Great Wall, Beijing’s elegant Summer Palace and the immense Tiananmen Square.
A full day and evening in the “Pearl of the Orient” Shanghai follows, checking out the tea gardens and ornate temples, before an overnight stay in the buzzing metropolis of Hong Kong.
There’s plenty of fun in the far East at the Vietnamese beach destination of Nha Trang. also on the list are a visit to Thailand’s popular island, Ko Samui; the chance to explore Ho Chi Minh City; the vivid delights of Bangkok and the soaring towers of Singapore – an unmissable glimpse of the Asia of the future.
Exotic India and Arabia
Later, in colourful Mumbai in India, passengers can bargain for wares at the fragrant bazaars — or wait for some eastern promise in the souks in Oman’s atmospheric capital Muscat. another overnight stop in glittering Dubai gives a chance to view the world’s tallest building and relax on the beaches.
As well as a trip along the Suez Canal, Egypt is stuffed with wonders that can be visited on optional land tours, including the Valley of the Kings and the Pyramids at Giza.
After all this heady culture, there’s a chance to relax at the Cypriot holiday resort of Limassol. but the journey is far from over and there are plenty of inspirational experiences still to come. Aurora enters the Holy Land at Haifa in Israel and there are superb sightseeing stops at Rome and Lisbon on the way home to Southampton.
Congratulations — you’ve been around the world in 106 days and will no doubt have an indelible sense of achievement and satisfaction.
Phileas Fogg would be proud.
The 106-night Aurora World Circumnavigation departs Southampton on January 7, 2013. Fares from £9,999pp including £220pp on-board credit.
This cruise takes in these regions:
USA inc. Hawaii
To see a full route map or make a booking, visit www.pocruises.co.uk or you can call 0843 373 0173.
