Travel Monthly. 120404. April 4, 2012.

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 4, 2012 - Page 33www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

‘Travel Monthly’ is published monthly by Local Media Pty Ltd, ABN 67 096 680 063, and is included in the Melbourne Observer, Sydney News and Brisbane Sun. Printed under contract by Streamline Press, 155 Johnston St, Fitzroy.Web: www.TravelMonthly.com.au E-mail: [email protected] Head Office: 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095. Phone: 1-800 231 311. Fax: 1-800 231 312.

Responsibility for election and referendum comment is accepted by the Editor, Ash Long. Copyright © 2012, Local Media Pty Ltd.

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ALL THE WAY TO MANDALAY■ Cruiseco has some thirty-eight luxury fly,cruise and stay packages along the legendaryIrrawaddy River through Burma – alsoknown as Myanmar – between June 29 thisyear and the end of April next year, at pricesthat simply cannot be beaten.

That’s because it has taken an exclusivewhole-of-ship charter of the boutique OrientPandaw solely for Cruiseco guests.

Its packages include return air and airtaxes* from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,Adelaide or Perth, 8-nights aboard the colo-nial-style riverboat that carries just 60 guests,most meals throughout the 11-nights of thepackage, soft drinks, local beers and spiritsplus onboard gratuities and government taxeswhile on Orient Pandaw, extensive dailysightseeing with local guides throughout, anight in the deluxe Chatrium Hotel in Yangan,two nights in the deluxe Mandalay Hill Re-sort, and all transfers.

Orient Pandaw will sail Cruiseco’s exclu-sive season upstream from Prome toMandalay and downstream back to Promeon the Irrawaddy that was made famous byRudyard Kipling’s Mandalay poem, withprices starting from just $4,999pp twin-share,including an Early Bird booking discount ofup to $1000 per person. Check on availability.

For detailed itineraries and the name ofyour nearest Cruiseco cruise-specialist travelagent, go to www.cruising.com.au

*Air taxes could be subject to change, andsome departures may require an overnight inSingapore at additional cost.

Highlights will range from being aboardthe teak and brass reproduction colonial riversteamer itself, to Myanmar’s most-reveredBuddhist temples, its earliest and most im-portant archaeological site, a walled palacereplete with the art works of early merchantsand princes, British colonial towns and Ital-ian and French forts built to withstand the Brit-ish, ancient pagodas, a welcome into the dailylife of a rural village, museums, a vast plainwith the remains of 3000 of an original 10,000temples, an ancient wooden monastery and ahorse and cart ride.

To the Northern Hemisphere■ SKIMAX has significant Earlybird offers to popular Northern Hemispherewinter holiday destinations such as Whistler in British Columbia, AspenSnowmass in Colorado and Niseko on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.Whistler,about two hours from Vancouver, is enticing more and more Australian ski-ers and boarders with offers that include free nights and up to 50 per cent offaccommodation.

Based on a twin share hotel room at the Delta Whistler Village Suites,seven night packages start from $965*per person including 6 day ski pass.Valid for travel Jan 2 – Feb 12, 2013.

At Aspen Snowmass, Skimax suggests staying at The Gant Condomini-ums, four blocks from the Gondola and three blocks from downtown Aspen.This Earlybird offer for seven nights with 6 day ski pass costs from $1,085*perperson and is inclusive of one free night and 5% off accommodation. Valid fortravel Nov 24 – Dec 15 2012.

Japan’s powder capital Niseko, is offering savings of 30 per cent off ac-commodation for early bookers. From $1,199*per person twin share, enjoyseven nights at centrally located Yama Shizen Apartments and a 6 day skipass. Valid for travel Dec 22 2012 – January 25 2013. For more details callSkimax on 1300 136 997 or visit www.skimax.com.au. *Conditions apply.

A MONTH ON COAST16-PAGE

COLOUR GUIDE

■ Queensland’s Sunshine Coast GrandMercure Apartments Twin Waters has a 30Night Deal for those wanting to escape thewinter chill further south: from $3649 travel-lers can enjoy a month-long stay in a spacioustwo bedroom apartment – with seven of thosenights free.

Valid from April 9 until September 20 in-cluding the June-July school holidays, guestscan also upgrade their month long stay to athree bedroom apartment priced from $4179,and with 10 free nights’ accommodation, mak-ing packages ideal for those who enjoy holi-daying with family or friends. Rates alsoinclude weekly servicing.

A shorter 7 Night Deal is also availablefrom $949.00, in a two bedroom apartmentincluding one free night or from $1045 for threebedrooms including two free nights accom-modation.

Providing a ‘home away from home’ am-bience, Grand Mercure Twin Waters’ selfcontained apartments feature generous out-door entertaining areas, gourmet kitchens, laun-dry, secure parking and contemporary furnish-ings.

The resort has three swimming pools, BBQareas, bicycle and walking paths and expan-sive lawn and beach areas.

Located at the mouth of the MaroochyRiver and adjacent to Mudjimba Beach theproperty is ideally situated midway betweenthe coastal townships of Coolum and Noosa to

the north and Maroochydore and Mooloolabato the South.

There is a supermarket and conveniencestore nearby and Grand Mercure Apartmentguests have access to a range of restaurants,day spa and recreational facilities of the adja-cent Novotel Twin Waters Resort; Brisbane isan hour south, and Sunshine Coast Airport fiveminutes drive from the resort.

For further information or to make a reser-vation call: (07) 5450 6129, toll free 1800 665476 or email [email protected]* Grand Mercure Apartments Twin Water’s Win-ter Package is subject to availability, block outdates may apply, and bookings must be pre-paid. No refunds are available.

NATIONAL VIETNAMVETS’ MUSEUM - INSIDE

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 4, 2012 www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 4, 2012 - 5www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Travel

Gemini Resort49 Landsborough Pde, Golden Beach, Q!ld 4551

Phone: (07) 5492 2200. Fax: (07) 5492 1000www.facebook.com/GeminiResort

[email protected]

Easter SpecialsBring the kids away to play at our friendly resort.

Enjoy our huge heated pool with waterslide, have a game of tennis on our full size court, picnic and barbeque in thepark next door or stroll out to the beach with no roads to cross for a price you really can af ford. Rela x on an

evening in our on-site restaurant and keep them quiet with our free in-house movie channels and Austar.

Stay 2 weeks from the 30th March in one of our one bedroom apartments, spacious enough for two adults and twosmall children with sofa bed in the lounge area, for a great Easter holiday that doesn't cost the earth ONLY $ 1800

Come and stay in a two bedroom apartments from the 9th April for the second week of the Easter holidays forONLY $750 for six nights lower f loors with slightly interrupted ocean views or

ONLY $900 for six nights high up with panoramic ocean views.

Winter stays from MidApril to Mid SeptemberCome and stay at our beautiful resort

this winter and get away from the cold.With amazing ocean views, heatedpool, 2 spas, a sauna and fully self

contained apartments so spacious you'llfeel like your at home. We have some

amazing long stay dea lsThere is a courtesy bus to the Caloundra

RSL, The Power boat club and TheBowls Club is just around the corner.

Two couple dea lStay 2 weeks in a two bedroom pan-oramic ocean view apartment with 2

queen beds and t wo bathrooms for only$1600.

3 weeks for $2300 and four weeks for$2900

Unbelievable t wo couple dea lStay two weeks in one of our lower

f loor apartments with 1 Queen bed and2 singles with 2 bathrooms for an

incredible $1000 and $500 per weekaf ter that !!! Be very quick.

A ll our apartments face the ocean andhave a large ba lcony with a view.

One bedroom dea lsStay two weeks or more in one of our

queen bedroom apartments on ourlower f loors with lovely ocean views for

$450 per week.

Telephone reception bet ween 9am to5pm to get one of these great dea ls

on 07 5492 2200

There are two towers with 10 f loors of luxury accommodation, offer-ing a choice of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom holiday apartments, each of themfully self-contained with full size well appointed kitchens, laundry

facilities, wireless internet, free in-house movies and Austar.

Every unit features a large dining area and lounge which lead out ontoa north-east facing balcony or patio, designed to make the most of thesunshine and the spectacular views over the Pumicestone Passage to

the Coral Sea/Pacif ic Ocean, Bribie Island and Caloundra.


Travel

Travel

WINTER WONDER:

1 Bedroom from $150 per night

2 Bedrooms from $180 per night

Valid between August 15 - December 15, 2011

1, 2 or 3 BEDROOM

SELF-CONTAINED APARTMENTS

Escape the wet weather and come to Cairns –we are experiencing the driest summer in 50 years

Save 50% on 1 Bedroom apartments, now only $90 per night (min 3 nights).Save 40% on 2 Bedroom apartments, now only $126 per night (min 3 nights)

Valid to 30/6/12, excludes Easter.


Travel


Travel

The Pavilions, Port Douglas

Fact File

NAME: The Pavilions, Port Douglas

ADDRESS: 35 Macrossan St,

Port Douglas, Qld 4877

PHONE: (07) 4099 4888

FAX: (07) 4099 6025

CONTACT: Stephen Warden

WEB: www.thepavilions.com.au

E-MAIL: [email protected]

The Pavilions Port Douglas -

your place in paradise!

Boutique holiday accommodation

in Port Douglas Australia.

Just a one hour very scenic drive north from

Cairns International Airport.

As the Accommodation is located in the

heart of Port Douglas you are only a short

stroll away from everything in Port Douglas

- beautiful 4 Mile Beach, 5 star restau-

rants, boutique and international designer

shops, the eclectic Sunday market to the

fabulous Marina Mirage.

- 4 Star - Boutique Holiday Apartments

- In the Heart of Port Douglas

- Walk to Beach, Shops, Dining & Marina

- Studio, 1 & 2 Bedroom Accommodation

- All have Spa Baths & Private Balconies

- Wireless Internet Available

Example:

2 BEDROOM ACCOMMODATION - dual key

Comprised of 1 Bedroom & Studio Apart-

ments

King size bed/twin

Spa bath

Air conditioning & ceiling fans

Private Terrace with ceiling fan

Television, Cable, DVD and Data Phone

ADSL Wireless Service

Kitchen/ette including fridge, microwave

and hotplates

Room Safe, Hairdryer, Iron

Apartment serviced weekly

p y p

Caravans, Camping and Touring

Travel Monthly

CELLAR-BRATING IN THE HUNTER■ Six ‘new generation’Hunter Valley NSW wine-makers are going to hit the roadbetween Melbourne andNoosa on the Sunshine Coastin April and May to promotetheir wines.

They’re running an unusualcompetition for one wine buffand a friend to join them in theirBig Green Bus from ByronBay to Brisbane on May 16and 17.

Their so-called Caravan ofCourage On The Road Againwill feature pop up wine barsand dinners at which they willshowcase their products, along-side those of other sponsors in-cluding Sip Your Style, Riedel,Binnorie Dairy Cheese andBudgy Smuggler.

To enter the competitionsimply answer a few quick andeasy questions on www.newgenerationhuntervalley.com.au

The winner and a compan-ion will get flights from Sydneyor Melbourne to Ballina andreturn from Brisbane (or fuelassistance to drive from selectcloser regional areas,) trans-port on the Big Green Bus fortwo days, accommodation,transfers, and VIP tickets to theByron Beach Cafe Pop UpWine Dinner and the BrisbanePop Up Wine Bar.

There’s even a letter to thewinner’s boss excusing themfrom work for two days, withthe lucky winner being drawnon May 4.

Tickets to the Pop Up WineBars in Melbourne, Sydney andBrisbane are $30 each.

They can be bought onwww.newgenerationhuntervalley.com.au; venues andprices to attend the Pop UpWine Dinners in Newcastle,Port Macquarie and ByronBay are also detailed on thesame site.

The six winemakers areDavid Hook (David HookWines), Andrew Thomas(Thomas Wines), Rhys Eather(Meerea Park), Nick Paterson(Mistletoe Wines), Mike DeIuliis (De Iuliis Wines) andAndrew Margan (MarganWines).

They’ll be in these centreson dates shown:

Thursday April 19 – MelbourneThursday May 10 – NewcastleFriday May 11 – SydneyTuesday May 15 – PortMacquarieWednesday May 16 – ByronBayThursday May 17 – BrisbaneFriday May 18 to Sunday May20 – Noosa International Foodand Wine Festival

●●●●● The New Generation Winemakers’ ‘Big Green Bus’

ALL ABOARD THE ‘BIG GREEN BUS’


Travel Hints

■ In his continuing search for the more weird, wacky andwondrous in the world of travel, David Ellis says the follow-ing announcements were actually made by drivers onLondon’s Underground rail:

➊'Ladies and Gentlemen, I do apologize for the delayto your service. I know you're all dying to get home,

unless, of course, you happen to be married to my ex-wife, in which case you'll want to cross over now to the West-bound and go in the opposite direction.'

➋ 'Your delay this evening is caused by the line control-ler suffering from E & B syndrome: not knowing his

elbow from his backside. I'll let you know any furtherinformation if I'm ever given any.'

➌ 'Do you want the good news first or the bad news?The good news is that last Friday was my birthday

and I hit the town and had a great time. The bad newsis that there is a points failure somewhere between Stratfordand East Ham, which means we probably won't reach ourdestination.'

➍'Ladies and gentlemen, we apologise for the delay,but there is a security alert at Victoria station and we

are therefore stuck here for the foreseeable future, solet's take our minds off it and pass some time together. Alltogether now.... 'Ten green bottles, sitting on a wall.....'.'

➎'We are now travelling through Baker Street ... Asyou can se e, Baker Street is closed. It would have

been nice if they had actually told me, so I could tellyou earlier, but no, they don't think about things like that'.

➏ 'Beggars are operating on this train. Please do NOTencourage these professional beggars. If you have

any spare change, please give it to a registered char-ity. Failing that, give it to me.'

➐During an extremely hot rush hour on the CentralLine, the driver announced in a West Indian drawl:

'Step right this way for the sauna, ladies and gentle-man... Unfortunately, towels are not provided.'



100% owned by Gumala

Aboriginal Corporation

● Uniquely furnished luxury

eco tents with full linen

● Hotel quality king or twin

beds with private ensuite

● Outback style alfresco

licensed restaurant and bar

● Campsites and caravan

sites with BBQ facilities

● Guided coach tours and

adventure tour arranged


Places To Go

NOT JUST FOR GROWN UPSexplore ... discover ... have FUN!

Travel Monthly. 120404. April 4, 2012.

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Transcript of Travel Monthly. 120404. April 4, 2012.