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October 22, 2008
The A380 - an amazing experience
Here’s a bit of good news for the industry. How about an aircraft that is quieter, more fuel efficient, carries more people, and allows more space per passenger than any aircraft flying? Well, it’s here, with the arrival of Qantas’s new Airbus A380 now flying the USA to Australia route. Qantas becomes the first airline to commercially fly this amazing new plane into the USA, and will steadily increase the number of flights in the upcoming months.
I had the opportunity to fly on this beauty on October 20, shortly after its maiden arrival on a flight from Melbourne. Beyond the Hollywood glitz (Honorary Captain John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John were on board), it was a great time to check out the next generation of aircraft, and I could not have been more impressed. Though many carriers that will be using the A380 have put in 500 seats or more, Qantas chose to configure with 450 seats in four classes, and the plane on both decks give a very open feeling and one of roominess. You never feel packed into any section on the airplane. I could also say that the economy seats are unquestionably the most comfortable I have ever experienced on an international carrier, so your customers flying economy will be very pleased. Each seat has an amazing entertainment system, but the real benefit is the comfort of the Roccaro designed seats. When you are flying across the Pacific, best to be as comfortable as possible and this plane fills that bill.
The quietness of the flight is amazing as well - no high-pitched engine whine on take-off and landing, and even on steep descents the cabin remains quiet. (We all had the experience on our flight, as the pilot buzzed the Golden Gate Bridge during our ‘whirlwind’ tour and then proceeded into a steep climb; I felt like I was on a carnival ride, never knowing a massive plane could imitate a Cessna, and having a great time.) With some of the specials in the marketplace, and the continuing slide of the AUD$ versus the USD$, this is really a great time to encourage your clients to fly on a truly amazing aircraft and see their dollar go further than at any time in many years. Now is a great time to visit!
Kirk Demeter
President
Down Under Answers
October 12, 2008
Agents Famil
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to participate in the Travel Agents Famil sponsored by DUA.
Being my first time to Australia, the land of “No Worries,” I have learned so much and met a great group of experienced travel agents. Some of my most memorable experiences include seeing animals in their natural habitat (a dingo on the beach at Kingfisher Bay and kangaroos, seals, and sea lions on Kangaroo Island), the breathtaking scenery at the Remarkable Rocks, seeing the Southern Cross, the ride up to O’Reiley’s and their tree-top walk, the vineyard and wine-tasting in Adelaide, and the “experience” at the Southern Ocean Lodge! I also enjoyed experiencing all the forms of transportation available in Queensland and South Australia. The cuisine was great as well: the authentic Australian breakfast of beans, tomatoes, and mushrooms, good wine, the Adelaide central market, and of course barramundi (I’ll pass on the Vegemite).
I now have the passion, knowledge, commitment, and great network of industry contacts to promote travel to Australia with DUA and LTT to everyone I know. Margot did an awesome job of coordinating, itinerary planning, and organizing the Wild Sophistication Famil as a fun learning experience.
Thanks again for such an organized, informational and FUN adventure that I will never forget!
Rolana Harris
Aussie Specialist
CH2M
August 12, 2008
QStation Review
New on the Sydney accommodation and attraction scene is QStation, located on North Head in Manly. After a 10 year permitting and restoration process, the station operates under a special lease from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is classified as a cultural based tourism facility. The same company that restored Lilianfels Guest House in the Blue Mountains did the restoration.
QStation operated as a quarantine station from 1803’s to 1984. Passengers arriving in Sydney Harbour on any ship with disease onboard were quarantined here until cleared for immigration. Even passengers arriving by airplane without adequate vaccination documents were housed here. In addition, sick residents of Sydney were quarantined here during a smallpox epidemic of 1881, a plague epidemic of 1901 and the flu pandemic of 1989-19. The site is reportedly the most haunted place in Australia.
Haunted or not, QStation offers clients a wonderful retreat 30 minutes from the CBD. They can take the Manly ferry, walk off and onto a #135 bus and quickly arrive at the entrance to QStation. (Or take a taxi.) The buildings from the original station are now converted to beautiful accommodations, a restaurant, museum/visitor center, two theaters and a soon to be opened day spa in the hospital. You can arrange to kayak or sail in the waters surrounding the station or hike or jog the many trails. No matter where you are on the property, the views either back toward Sydney or to the parkland are breathtaking. There is one drawback. The property is quite hilly and would not be suitable for clients who have difficulty walking.
Clients also have the opportunity to take a schedule tour of the property or see Defiance, an immersion theatre held in the very places where the real stories about real people who stayed at QStation are told. For those who believe in the paranormal or just want to learn more about it, there are tours for that, too.
QStation comes with several bonuses. It has its own colony of little penguins and is home to the endangered Long Nosed Bandicoots. For clients interested in flora, the grounds feature a wide range of native vegetation. And, there is a collection of carvings on the rocks throughout the property by people who were quarantined here.
Mary Hickman
Aussie Specialist Premier
Bellingham Travel and Cruise