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October Newsletter – Surprises Abound in the South Pacific
October 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A Look at our October Newsletter. To Subscribe, use the form in the right-hand column at the bottom.
On a particularly special and seemingly impossibly remote island in the glorious South Pacific unpredictable and often life changing cultural exchanges occur on a daily basis. We can never predict the catalyst, the format of the exchange, nor the beneficiary. We know implicitly that when world weary travelers arrive on Nukubati, an exquisite Fijian island, change will occur. We know that once embraced by the gentle nature and kindness of the Fijian staff, lovingly known as the Nukubati Family, hearts will fill, cultural barriers will disappear, laughter will reign, stories will be told and music will flow.
In March Barbara and David Osher arrived on Nukubati guitar in hand. During their twelve day stay they marveled at the luminescent tropical fish and coral as they snorkeled through Mitimitis Garden, a coral reef in the turquoise colored ocean; listened to the afternoon silence, watched the ever changing sunsets, laughed with the staff, played the odd game of tennis, and enjoyed sumptuous cuisine. They woke at dawn to the cacophony of birdsong followed by singing and laughter as many staff members sailed to work from the local village. They listened to angels singing at the local church, joined the traditional meke, an evening of feasting, laughter, singing, dancing and carva!!! And they met Johnnie, a young man who LOVES the guitar. A remarkable cultural exchange was seeded.
Each night after dinner had been served David and Johnnie would play guitar, David the teacher, Johnnie the student hungering for more. They sat and played, laughed and sang each enmeshed in the other’s passion for music…by the giving and the taking. We have been told that on one such evening Johnnie casually asked the cost of a rock guitar such as David’s. That sadness filled his eyes at the price and contemplation of the impossible task of amassing, what to him was a small fortune. His dreams of ownership and mastery of such a magical instrument evaporated.
No matter their next destination guests who visit Nukubati find the night prior to their departure one of enormous sadness. Sadness when contemplating saying goodbye to new found friends who have brought change to their lives. Melancholy when hearing the tender Nukubati song that had greeted them on arrival now being sung as a means of farewell. As guests we know the heart wrenching feelings when we contemplate leaving our newly discovered tropical paradise. Perhaps we rarely ponder the gift we have brought the charming people we’ve met. People who have joined us in laughter, cared for our safety as we have snorkeled and dived the private reefs, massaged our tired limbs, guided us through the rainforest to their village, served us wonderful meals and champagne at sunset, tended to our every need.
For Barbara and David their next stop was in Kauai where they reflected on the joy of Nukubati, on the beauty , the color, the laughter, the people……on the bond brought by music and particularly the guitar. They especially remembered Johnnie, their mutual joy and wondered how they might send him that guitar! Today the logistics of fulfilling what was to become a mammoth undertaking are of little consequence. Ah but the completion is another story…….
……as we said we can never predict the effect of any cultural exchange that occurs on that special island in the South Pacific.
~Karen
From the Blog
A special guitar isn’t the only surprise to be found in the South Pacific. Surprises abound there; from gourmet food tours, to unique tour guides, to award-winning cities, and heart-stopping races. Read all about them all on the blog.
- New Zealand Gourmet Food Tours
- Sydney’s Best Tour Guides
- Sydney Names World’s Best City
- The Melbourne Cup, Australia’s Most Prestigious Race
As always, I thank you for supporting Australia 2000 Travel and look forward to sharing more of my recent adventures with you in the coming months.
Thank you so much for your support! It is referrals from clients like you that help us keep doing what we so love to do.
Karen Hardy Hodgson
Toll Free Phone within USA: 1 800 875 4530
Phone: ++1 248 647 4530
Email: karen@australia2000-travel.com
Personal service and attention to every travel detail!
Occasionally one hears of an unusual and unique business where the relationship is harmonious from the beginning. Where quality is the only measure of success. Where everyone emerges from the experience fully satisfied with the end result. Australia 2000 Travel Ltd., in Birmingham Michigan, is such a business.
September Newsletter
September 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A Look at our September Newsletter. To Subscribe, use the form in the right-hand column at the bottom.
G’day Mates!
Having just returned from the GLORIOUS South Pacific, I feel revitalized! How marvelous to have spent time with many old friends and to have made a number of new ones. Great to have found new means of exploring some of my favorite destinations and to have stayed in a variety of new and WONDERFUL accommodations! Such a joy and what a gift to be able to bring THE best accommodation and touring options to you, our clients. It is an extraordinary privilege to be given to opportunity to build and maintain personal relationships with the teams at our hand selected accommodations and with our tour guides throughout Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti & Fiji.
Such an opportunity occurred while staying at the EXQUISITE, recently opened Hilton Hotel in Queenstown on the shores of beautiful Lake Wakatipu. During a site inspection with sales manager, Kristie Macaulay, I was surprised by an unexpected tap on the shoulder and a friendly greeting from Bradley Moody, the Director of Sales for Hilton Hotels Australasia region who was visiting from Sydney, Australia. As true Aussies we lamented our lack of time to share a glass of good (in THIS instance) Kiwi wine and to wax lyrical about all things South Pacific. We agreed to remedy that on my next trip to Sydney destined for this coming December. A great recognition of the years spent building relationships with executives from our finest, handpicked accommodations.
Not to lose focus, Kristie and I resumed our site inspection of the Hilton’s grounds, hotel rooms, restaurants and glorious spa. Set by the tranquil shores of Lake Wakatipu, and in the heart of Kawarau Village, featuring a majestic mountain backdrop, The Hilton provides the perfect base to explore the area’s natural attractions. Located five minutes from Queenstown Airport and a fifteen minutes drive or ten minute water taxi ride from the center of Queenstown we agreed that the Hilton is the ideal accommodation to access to all that Queenstown has to offer.
While staying at the Hilton the choice of restaurants abounds. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s signature restaurant, Wakatipu Grill that reflects the best of New Zealand’s culinary heritage. Expertly helmed by renowned Chef Peter Thornley, the cuisine is inspiring, with provocative takes on New Zealand flavors. Vast windows, an open kitchen and rotisserie, along with two circular slate fireplaces, lend even more drama to this magnificent space. From the bar visitors are tempted by yet another captivating perspective of the lake, or an exceptional vintage, the 1000-strong wine cellar has a keen focus on Otago’s best winemakers. Perhaps linger on the generous terrace where the elements combine to spectacular effect: the lake’s indigo depths, the clear air and a decadent outdoor fire pit.
After a hard days adventuring guests often gather in the flamboyant and ever-changing Kawarau Hotel Lobby Bar. While mingling at the bar they enjoy expertly mixed cocktails, a selection of cold beers and a variety of premium spirits, or sink into a comfy booth with friends, to share a tantalizing snack platter and enjoy an occasional live DJ set.
For me the site inspection concluded with THE MOST rejuvenating massage therapy where the masseuse used a variety of aboriginal oils and herbs to create a relaxing hour of blissful indulgence. One that set me on track for the next adventure…zip trekking and The Doubtful Sound…
~Karen
From the Blog
This month we have been blogging New Zealand. Here is a look at what we have been covering:
As always, I thank you for supporting Australia 2000 Travel and look forward to sharing more of my recent adventures with you in the coming months.
Thank you so much for your support! It is referrals from clients like you that help us keep doing what we so love to do.
Karen Hardy Hodgson
Toll Free Phone within USA: 1 800 875 4530
Phone: ++1 248 647 4530
Email: karen@australia2000-travel.com
Personal service and attention to every travel detail!
Occasionally one hears of an unusual and unique business where the relationship is harmonious from the beginning. Where quality is the only measure of success. Where everyone emerges from the experience fully satisfied with the end result. Australia 2000 Travel Ltd., in Birmingham Michigan, is such a business.
August News from Australia 2000 Travel
September 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A look at our August Newsletter. If you would like to sign-up to receive our newsletter, use the sign-up on the bottom right-hand column on this page.
G’day
As summer comes to a close and the days turn to cooler weather here in the U.S., we look forward to fall festivals, pumpkins, apple cider and the piling of leaves that have left their branches to scatter randomly on the ground. As much as we love the fall, it is also a reminder that winter is just around the corner with spring seemingly nowhere in sight.
Fortunately, for those of us with a heart for travel, spring has just begun to burst forth in the GLORIOUS South Pacific! From September through November, the lands Down Under enjoy the renewal of spring. Vineyards are ripe with fruit for picking, orchard trees are in bloom and major festivals showcase food and wine, flowers, as well as local and international theater, dance, arts, music and so much more.
Photo Credit: avlxyz
Perhaps the grandest event to take place in spring is the richest and more prestigious horse race that stops the nation of Australia, The Melbourne Cup. Taking place on the first Tuesday in November, The Melbourne Cup literally stops the country as all gather to witness the three minute race that covers 3200 meters and finishes with the winner awarded upwards of millions of dollars in prizes as well as the coveted cup trophy.
Not to be left out from the calling of spring, I am on my yearly journey to New Zealand meeting with representatives from our handpicked accommodations, experiencing new and exciting tours and filling my heart to bursting with the sights and sounds of the lands Down Under. Be sure to look for our September newsletter where I will share my exciting adventures.
~Karen
From the Blog
A look at what has been happening on the blog over the past month…
- Locations in Australia and New
Zealand are in the running for TheNew7Wonders of Nature Campaign. - Affluent Travelers Select Australia as
Dream Destination. - Culinary Tours of South Australia.
- Baby Boomers Seek Unique Travel
Experiences - Savvy Travelers Turn to Specalists
Thank you so much for your support! It is referrals from clients like you that help us keep doing what we so love to do.
Karen Hardy Hodgson
Toll Free Phone within USA: 1 800 875 4530
Phone: ++1 248 647 4530
Email: karen@australia2000-travel.com
Phone: ++1 248 647 4530
Email: karen@australia2000-travel.com
Personal service and attention to every travel detail!
Occasionally one hears of an unusual and unique business where the relationship is harmonious from the beginning. Where quality is the only measure of success. Where everyone emerges from the experience fully satisfied with the end result. Australia 2000 Travel Ltd., in Birmingham Michigan, is such a business.
July 2011 Newsletter
August 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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