Home Sweet Home

After a wonderful three and a half weeks in the USA, I have just driven up our driveway and unlocked the front door of our home in Muswellbrook.

I actually flew out of the USA on Wednesday 9 April on a late night flight from Los Angeles and arrived at Sydney airport early on the morning of Friday 11 April. It was then a train ride down to Moss Vale to stay the night in our daughters new home.

On Saturday the family gathered and we drove back to Sydney to attend the wedding service and reception of a good friend. We stayed the night in Sydney and drove back home this afternoon.

Now the tasks of catching up on all the emails and writing the articles about each of the luxury hotels I stayed in and the attractions visited when in the USA. Thanks to all the hosts who showed me true American hospitality.

PORT DOUGLAS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS CYCLONE ITA PASSES

Port Douglas, in Queensland Australia, is open for business as operators in the region resume full services in the wake of Cyclone Ita.

Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree executive officer Doug Ryan said the seaside town, which was hit by the Category One system on Saturday, was up and running with most restaurants, cafes and boutiques now open in the main street.

“The Easter school holidays is a busy time for the town and we are pleased to report that apart from a few fallen trees, which have now been cleaned up, everything is back to normal in Port Douglas.”

He said most reef operators would also be offering their tours to the Low Isles and the Outer Great Barrier Reef by tomorrow, Monday April 14.

“Sailaway is back into full operation and will be offering its sunset sail today as planned so those who have booked will not miss out.”

He said Daintree Ferry operations were likely to also resume tomorrow, Monday April 14 but has recommended those interested in travelling north of the river to check on the Douglas Shire Council’s website for further updates as well as contact individual operators to check if they are open.

“Overall we have been very lucky and now that Cyclone Ita has passed everyone is looking forward to getting back to normal and resuming full operations during what is a very busy time of year.”

The Cairns Domestic and International airports are open.

Game of Thrones Attracting Huge Numbers to Northern Ireland

Jet Setting’s Out – ‘Set Jetting’s’ In

Game of Thrones is attracting huge numbers of visitors drawn to the dramatic beauty of Northern Ireland, which is heavily featured in the globally reaching program.

As the Season Four release of the medieval fantasy series Game of Thrones continues, Northern Ireland braces for its latest influx of tourists – set jetters. The series which is based on George R.R. Martin’s best-selling novels and broadcast in more than 70 countries, has made some of Ireland’s stunning locations must-see attractions for dedicated fans.

Northern Ireland is host to most of the fantastical locations featured in Game of Thrones from its pilot through to Season 4. According to Michelle Fairley (Lady Catelyn Stark), ‘The Causeway Coast and Glens looked amazing on film and suited Game of Thrones with the rugged, barren and at times, wild backdrops.”

In the Game of Thrones, kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and noble men vie for power in the bloody struggle for the Iron Throne. Betrayal, lust, intrigue and supernatural forces shake the four corners of the Kingdom. The series takes the viewer from Iceland to Morocco and Croatia but the majority of scenes are filmed in Northern Ireland’s countryside and in the Titanic Studios in Belfast.

David Benioff, Executive Producer and Writer on Game of Thrones said, “I remember when we were scouting other countries, they just didn’t look right, there is something, it’s hard to put your finger on, but they felt a little too, new. You really need to believe you’re in a space that has been there for thousands of years and you get that in the Irish forests”.

An easy three-day self-drive itinerary has been created by Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism and a PDF can be found on the website detailing exact Game of Thrones locations and highlights along the way. For true fans wanting to have a Game of Thrones experience, step back in time with an archery session at the home of Winterfell (Castle Ward). And if you are really hoping to get all the inside details from the set, a tour with one of the extras from the program is the way to go. Signage is currently being placed in key locations from the series, to make self touring easy and are currently at Ballintoy Harbour with Inch Abbey, River Quoile and other locations to follow.

Key Northern Ireland Game of Thrones locations are easy to access for fans and include:

• Castle Ward overlooking Strangford Lough, County Down is more familiar as Winterfell and is featured when King Robert Barratheon arrives at Winterfell.
• The ruined Shane’s Castle near Randalstown in County Antrim, was where Ned Stark was chained up (doubled as Kings Landing) and The Hand’s Tournament took place.
• The haunting avenue of trees near Armoy known as The Dark Hedges, County Antrim, is where Arya Stark escaped from King’s Landing.
• Cushendun Caves, County Antrim, where sorceress Melisandre births a shadow baby.
• The magnificent Murlough Bay is used for the Iron Islands, where Theon Greyjoy and his sister Asha ride on horseback and where actress Michelle Fairley used to swim as a child.
• Ballintoy Harbour, Antrim is where Theon Greyjoy sets foot back on the Iron Islands and where he later admires his new ship and crew.
• Inch Abbey on the River Quoile, County Down, provided the backdrop for Walder Frey’s twin castles in The Riverlands, where Catelyn Stark learns of her husband’s fate and vows revenge.

According to Diane Butler, Manager of Tourism Ireland Australia & New Zealand, television and film fans are highly motivated to visit production locations and have a significant impact on boosting the economy. “We are thrilled Game of Thrones is able to expose the beauty and history of Northern Island to a global audience, giving so many people the chance to see the region in a fresh light”.

“We are noticing a significant boost in visitation as Game of Thrones fans search out their very own land of fire and ice beyond the screens,” she said. “According to Tourism Ireland, at the end of Series Three, Game of Thrones is estimated to have generated in the region of £65 million (AUD$123 million) for the local economy.”

“Northern Ireland is a superb place to film because you find spectacular beauty within a very quick car drive from Belfast” said Robert Boake, Location Manager Game of Thrones Season Two.

Belfast is an ideal starting point for all things Game of Thrones. The city drew massive crowds in June 2013 for the HBO Game of Thrones exhibition (www.gotexhibitionbelfast.com/gotexhibition) which has since toured the world but due to its popularity will be returning to Belfast this year. The exhibition saw 18,000 visitors over 10 days. 12,500 tickets to the exhibition were distributed in advance of the event and tickets sold out in one day. Over 30 per cent of tickets were sold to out of state visitors from as far as Australia, South America, and Europe.

Season Four will no doubt take fans on yet another exciting journey which can then be replicated in Northern Ireland in locations steeped in local myth and legend, where ancient warriors walked long before leading men.

Game of Thrones Season 4 is currently screened on Foxtel’s Showcase channel.

For more information on Northern Ireland and Game of Thrones visit www.ireland.com/gameofthrones and http://www.causewaycoastandglens.com/Game-of-Thrones-Itinerary.T1163.aspx
For more information on planning a trip to Ireland, please visit www.ireland.com

Vivid Sydney 2014

In 2014, for the first time, Martin Place, the heart of the Sydney’s CBD, becomes an integral part of Vivid Sydney.

Two spectacular light installations commissioned by Destination NSW flank the Cenotaph in this new Vivid precinct. A gentle lighting treatment honours this solemn memorial and pays homage to those who have given their lives for their country; on either side cutting-edge lighting and the latest in experiential interactivity are combined with great artistry to create beautiful installations. Is it a real flower or just an apparition?

The petals of Sky Flower unfold in a moving hymn of ever-changing colour. With e|MERGEnce, a webcam maps your face and all its expressions onto a three-dimensional, 1.6m sculptured head, which is ‘eMERGing’ from the flagstones of the square. Check out Intel’s interactive activation in Martin Place.

When: 23 May - 09 Jun 6:00pm to 12:00am

Inland NSW secures funding for ‘Digital Revolution’

Inland NSW has been awarded funding of more than $800,000 over two years under the NSW Government’s Regional Visitor Economy Fund (RVEF), to be matched by partner organisations, for the development of a digital platform to improve the online experience of visitors to the Inland region and to promote a range of cross regional campaigns including visiting friends and relatives (VFR) activities, food and wine experiences and ‘touring routes and trails’ which highlight a range of themes (nature, history and heritage, arts and culture) across the broad Inland region.

Inland NSW CEO Graham Perry said it is imperative that technology becomes a core channel for the organisation to promote activities and experiences as an ever increasing share of people head online to research and book travel.

“As part of our objective of doubling overnight visitor expenditure to the Inland region by 2020, one of our key strategies needs to be improving the online experience people have when researching and booking our destinations,” said Mr Perry. “This has been reflected in each of our Destination Management Plans where consistent digital solutions are a key strategy.”

“Currently the approach that the industry presents to consumers is diverse and fragmented and we need to improve the overall digital customer experience across Inland NSW. While we have some excellent destination sites throughout Inland NSW, we need to assist those operators who have yet to take the plunge to do so and to provide a bookable website.

“It’s extremely important that we raise the bar right across the entire region in terms of the
digital experience we offer consumers. We need to present a one-stop shop of visually great content – both informative and bookable – that will motivate consumers to visit and experience what Inland NSW has to offer. Importantly, it must also provide a platform for our Visiting Friends and Relatives activities, and themed cross regional experiences such as food and wine, nature, history and heritage and arts and culture.

“Securing this government funding is a major step in bringing this strategy to life, but we’re also seeking industry stakeholder and partner involvement. This is a collaborative project that will build on the holistic Destination Appeal marketing campaigns we’re also running.”

The Regional Visitor Economy Fund (RVEF) is managed and administered by the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Blizzard Beach

A rather warm Spring day in Orlando. So off to  Blizzard Beach, one of two water Disney Parks in Walt Disney World.

One of the first few the gates when they opened at 10am, and straight up Mount Gushmore to ride Summit Plummet. The flagship attraction at 120 feet (36.6 m) tall, and speeds 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). This is the second-tallest and fastest free fall slide in the world. After the first ride at incredible speeds I actually went back for a second ride.

The park closed and it was time to change hotels. This time we moved to Kissimee, and after checking in came across the most wonderful all you an eat pizza shop - more details in a later article.

Only 2 more days left to explore this wonderful part of Florida.

Walt Disney World Orlando

First there was Disneyland in Anaheim. Then came along Walt Disney World in Orlando. This is huge, and is made up of several theme and water parks.

Today was my first day of exploring this popular tourist attraction on the East Coast of USA. This morning I boarded the Disney Bus at my resort accommodation, the Disney Art of Animation Resort, and took the short ride to Hollywood Studios.

After seven hours of riding the various rides, going on the backlot tour, and seeing several shows, I boarded a Disney Bus and went to EPCOT. Time was filled in walking around the various country areas, riding several rides,  enjoying the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, and seeing the Nighttime Spectacular - IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.

After 7 hours at EPCOT it was just a short monorail ride to Magic Kingdom to see the Electric Light Parade and ride 3 rides before the park closed at midnight.

This is just brief jotting, as I will be posting complete articles of my USA visit after I return to Australia on 9 April.

Great Big Adventures on the Great Western Plains marketing campaign launched

Families from Sydney and regional NSW will be encouraged to visit the Great Western Plains region of NSW – incorporating Coonamble, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Narromine and Warren – and to have Great Big Adventures across the region in the first of Inland NSW’s major Destination Appeal marketing campaigns, being launched 1 April 2104.

Run in conjunction with key partners from across the region including Dubbo City Council, National Parks & Wildlife Services, Old Dubbo Gaol and Taronga Western Plains Zoo, the campaign’s objectives include growing visitation to the region, especially during the peak April school holiday period, and driving visitors to the newly created regional website – www.greatwesternplains.com.au – where they can discover the depth and breadth of experiences on offer across the plains.

Inland NSW CEO Graham Perry said the scope of the Destination Appeal campaigns being delivered by Inland NSW in conjunction with industry partners is unprecedented.

“In our collective bid to drive consumers to consider a regional holiday, the need for major collaborative regional campaigns that really stand out has been recognised,” said Mr Perry. “We are very excited to be partnering with industry on a series of Destination Appeal campaigns, the Great Western Plains campaign being the first.

“We want to encourage Australians to discover what wonderful sights, scenes and activities we have here in our backyard in NSW, and would say “disconnect from technology, reconnect with your family and have a Great Big Adventure in the Great Western Plains” – it’ll be the best thing you’ve done in ages.”

The innovative marketing program will focus on telling a more cohesive regional travel story across the broader Great Western Plains and encourage families to discover Great Big Adventures which are being brought to life through a series of cheeky advertisements. The campaign creative reinforces the fun and adventure offered in the region and will be displayed across a suite of digital media placements, including digital banner ads, a targeted eDM program, as well as search engine marketing, from 1 to 28 April 2014.

As the starting point, the autumn 2014 campaign is focusing on three adventures from the region (1) camping in the Warrumbungle National Park; (2) Old Dubbo Gaol and (3) exploring Taronga Western Plains Zoo by bicycle.

Manager City Development and Communications, Dubbo City Council and Inland NSW Board member, Natasha Comber, said the differentiator for this campaign was its holistic regional nature.

“We believe that in order to grow visitation to our region, the way forward is through collaborative cross regional partnerships that meet consumers’ needs for information rather than being driven by the traditional Local Government Area boundaries,” explained Ms Comber.

“We need to recognise the routes they’re travelling and group like-minded experiences and attractions in a compelling way that encourages them to visit in much greater numbers and helps disperse visitors across our wider region.”

Dubbo City Council has worked closely with a range of operators to develop a suite of offers, which will be featured throughout the campaign – in paid media as well as on the new regional website www.greatwesternplains.com.au. Dubbo City Council’s industry partners include: Macquarie Inn, Comfort Inn, BIG4 Dubbo Parklands, Dubbo City Holiday Park and Barkala Farm Stay.

Dubbo City Council’s 3-day family experience package will also be featured through the April campaign activity, while Taronga Western Plains Zoo is promoting 25% off accommodation and admission during the autumn campaign period.

KERRY HOTEL PUDONG, SHANGHAI REINVENTS UNLIMITED DINING AT THE COOK

The COOK at Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai recently introduced its very own dining concept called Unlimited Dining. Guests are invited to embrace a culinary journey at a fixed price.

Since its opening, the all-day dining restaurant has won many awards and accolades. In addition to its popular a la carte dining, The COOK now offers the opportunity for foodies to enjoy each of its 13 live kitchens at one great price. Each kitchen dishes up hot favourites, such as Malaysian-style street hawker fare; classic Japanese cuisine, including sashimi and yakitori; a variety of fresh seafood, including crabs, prawns and clams; delicious Asian-style stir-fries and roasts; fabulous Western fare and home-style Italian pastas; and authentic Thai and Indian flavours. Exquisite cakes, tarts, breads and ice cream make a perfect ending to a meal.

The Unlimited Dining concept features:
One price to enjoy an international feast
Unlimited Dining for lunch and dinner are priced at only Rmb238 and Rmb288, respectively (excluding beverage). A 15 per cent service charge applies.
13 kitchens
Made to order dishes
Unlike a regular buffet, every dish at The COOK is prepared only upon ordering, so guests are guaranteed freshness served to their table.
Relax and enjoy
All portions are perfect for communal dining. The COOK offers a leisurely chance for gathering on any occasion.

Unlimited Dining is available for walk-in with reservation or with a gift voucher. As a bonus, every 10 vouchers purchased come with two free vouchers.

For enquiries or to make a reservation, please call (86 21) 6169 8886, e-mailfbreservations.khpu@thekerryhotels.com or visit www.thecookthemeatthebrew.com.

Kerry Hotels are the next generation of luxury hotels! Vibrant, unpretentious and flexible. Today's traveler wants to engage all senses whether at work or at play. Kerry Hotels have a fresh and energetic vibe and offer some unexpected touches that fuel creativity yet allow time to recharge and relax. Service is less bound by protocol but is enthusiastic and intuitive.

Launched in February 2011 in Pudong, Shanghai with a sister property in Beijing, Kerry hotels are seamlessly integrated with the surrounding environment in multi-purpose complexes. Extensive sports and wellness facilities and trend setting Food and Beverage concepts cater to the youthful and spirited business and leisure traveller looking for a quality five star hotel that focuses on their individual lifestyle needs. Kerry hotels represent passionate hospitality wrapped up in a stylish package.

For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.thekerryhotels.com.

Day 3 at Disneyland

We loved Disneyland so much we came back for a third day. A day of revisiting the rides and attractions we experienced the first 2 days, and of finding some new ones we went on the first time today. We had decided to watch the fireworks in the evening, however these were called off at the last moment due to the strong winds. Instead we went back to California Dreaming to watch the water and color spectacular for the second time. Just like Saturday night, it was once again brilliant. Disneyland is indeed a magical place!