18th St Heliers Heavy Horse Fields Days resounding success

What a great August weekend for this years events - tremendous weather with 85 horses in competition. The weekend kicked off Thursday night (2 days before the event started), with 21 horses already on the ground. By Friday night 65 camped over. Others arrived on Saturday morning for the 8:30am start with very large classes of Clydesdales, Draught, Percherons, other breeds and Shires on show and in competition.

Delivery, Heritage and Show vehicles attracted a lot of competitors as well as the ploughing/harrowing classes. The day rolled on smoothly into Sunday.

The workday challenge always prove to be a crowd winner as spectators love to watch these Heavy Horses work. The riding classes attracted a lot of competitors of all ages and interest. Our new event for 2014 the Heavy Horse Barrel Race proved not only a winner for the competitors (who gave it their all) but with the spectators as well.

This year saw an increase in the number of Stall holders, who were supported by all in attendance. There was a wide variety of goods to purchase as well as food and drinks.

Over 2000 spectators attended the weekend and complimented on both days events - all good!

A reminder this happens all again in 2015 and we look forward to seeing you there.

For more information visit www.stheliersheavyhorse.org.au.

John Sercombe
President

Asian travelers are more engaged on wireless devices on trips

The global travel industry is getting reformed every day as wireless devices like smartphones and tablets keep travelers engaged even when they are on vacations. Hotels.com conducted a survey and named it the Global Disconnect Survey over 28 countries to have an overview of traveler behaviour when they are holidaying, the results were quite intriguing.

The Asian countries have climbed the list of travelers who are most unwilling to ditch their wireless devices while traveling. The top six countries in a poll showing not everyone appreciates work-life balance when travelling are from Asia.

Almost 85% of travelers in Thailand think that they cannot think of a holiday without their smartphones or tablets. South Korea (78%), Japan (67%), Singapore (60%) and Taiwan (53%) follow the trend. However, UK and US are ranked at number 15 and 17 with 35% and 33% respectively.

India with the second highest population in the world and the most quickly growing smartphone user base came at the last position with only 205 of the travelers not willing to shun their wireless devices. However, travel booking and planning through smartphones and tablets are on a roll in India.

The survey also looked into a special trait of global travelers and called it as exaggerating vacation experience. Quite interestingly, the Asian countries took the top spots with China leading the way with 67% of travelers who admit over-cooking their experience.

The first ten spots in this rank are Asian countries. The list goes like: China (67%), Germany (64%), Korea (48%), Spain (47%), Thailand (46%), Taiwan (44%), India (40%), Russia (37%), Netherlands (36%), Japan (36%), and Singapore (35%).

Another interesting part of the survey dealt with the most important things to carry on a trip. Smartphone came as the second most important object after passport. Travel insurance and travel guide came to the last two spots which also indicate the lack of organic travel planning.

Below you will find the complete infographic of the survey made by Hotels.com.

TASMANIAN CRAFT FAIR

It's all hands on deck in Deloraine each Spring when the picturesque town plays host to the largest working craft fair in the southern hemisphere.

Thousands of visitors watch, wander and even taste their way through more than 220 stalls, as artisans and producers demonstrate their handiwork—from aluminium moulding, wood-turning and black-smithing to fudge-making, pickling and preserving.

This year's feature exhibits include an installation by conceptual artist and Tasmanian Senior Australian of the Year Christina Henri, who will draw from her collection of over 23 000 convict bonnets to tell stories from Tassie's colonial past.

Meanwhile, local acoustic timbers will be put to fascinating use (as ukuleles, lap-steel guitars and bouzoukis) in a showcase of the state's best instrument makers.

A four-day event, the fair comes to life across 12 venues in Deloraine, giving craft fans plenty of time to explore, and enjoy some gourmet pit stops along the way.

WHAT: Australia's largest showcase of hand-produced arts and crafts
WHEN: 31 October to 3 November 2014
WHERE: Twelve venues across Deloraine
HOW: Tickets from $10 for adults and $7 for children, available at any one of the gates during the event. A free shuttle bus departs each venue every half hour. Full program and map will be available at www.tascraftfair.com.au closer to the event.

For a full and up-to-date listing of Tasmanian events, and information on travelling to Tasmania, visit the Discover Tasmania website www.discovertasmania.com.au
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Twitter and Instagram @tasmania
#discovertasmania

Eating “Ca Xiu” in Ha Tien town

In the journey of discovering Ha Tien town and Hai Tac Islands in Kien Giang, apart from being impressed with the breath-taking landscape, I also got wowed by the first time eating the traditional Ca Xiu dish. The dish is exclusive only in Ha Tien Town.

Not only me, but also other journalists were a bit shocked when looking at the dish. Ca Xiu is a type of fish, with the appearance of an insect with real long antennas. After seeing my local friend eating and praising the taste of Ca Xiu, I finally had gut to try the first bite, and surprisingly it was very delicious. Perhaps the quirky name “Ca Xiu” was named after the strange shape of this fish.

Ca Xiu normally live in river environments, estuaries, brackish water, particularly in the area Dong Ho of Ha Tien Town. Just like shellfish, Ca Xiu inhabit in water floors below the mud surface, hence they are equipped with long tentacles or tails to stick to the ground and aid them in their search for food.

Between June and August each year is the Ca Xiu season. Fishermen will catch Ca Xiu (just like how they would catch shellfish), clean them off the surrounding mud, and keep the tail to make salted Ca Xiu (Mam Ca Xiu). The recipe is one layer of Ca Xiu for a layer of salt. Depending on their preferences, people can choose to salt Ca Xiu in two ways, either using salted water or grain of salt. They also can add sugar to speed up the souring process of Ca Xiu. This process requires the maker to be skillful and experienced. The quality of salted Ca Xiu heavily depends on this salting process (if too bland the Ca Xiu will go bad and if too salty the Ca Xiu will blacken and also go bad).

Ca Xiu salted in the morning would be ready right away in the afternoon, it is however could be kept in a jar and would last years. According to some women at the fish market, back then, fishermen always packed with them a jar of salted Ca Xiu to be eaten with steamed rice while they were away on fishing trips. Slowly, this traditional food becomes a specialty in the area of Ha Tien.

Ca Xiu is best served when it is salted in the morning and stir-fried in the afternoon because at that moment the saltiness still hasn’t infused deeply into the meat. The ideal cooking method is to stir-fry garlic before adding Ca Xiu, stir them together constantly so that all the flavors are finely mixed together. Adding some peppers and sugar will give a better taste.

When eating Ca Xiu, remove the outer shells and only consume the inner meat. The best and most nutritious part of Ca Xiu is their tail (which is said to benefit male’s vitality). The tail is slightly chewy which fit really well to men’s appetite. Place Ca Xiu into a small plate and enjoy along with white rice, a very special taste you should always try if you ever travel to Ha Tien.

INAUGURAL SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK 400

Western Sydney locals and V8 Supercar champions Mark Winterbottom, Holden, and James Courtney, Ford, will be hoping for some kind of home advantage in The Sydney Motorsport Park 400, to be held for the first time at Eastern Creek this weekend.

Winterbottom who hails from Doonside and Courtney of Penrith will be out to show up current championship leader Jamie Whincup, Redbull, who stole the advantage from Winterbottom last round.

The return of V8 Supercars to Sydney Motorsport Park will be a weekend to remember with a jam packed schedule, first class facilities and a host of entertainment.

More than 15,000 V8 motorsport fans from all over the country and within NSW are expected to visit Western Sydney to experience the thrill of seeing Australia’s best V8 drivers navigate through two 100 kilometre races on Saturday and a 200 kilometre on Sunday in a SuperSprint format.

In 2013 the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, secured this additional round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series for 2014, in addition to the Sydney 500 held at Sydney Olympic Park in December.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said Sydney and NSW has the most impressive line-up of motorsport events in the country.

“We have worked with V8 Supercars to ensure that Sydney and NSW is the centre of the V8 Supercar Championship calendar, hosting more rounds than any other State,” Ms Chipchase said.

“The Sydney 400, as well as the Sydney 500 and the V8 Supercar Test Day at Motorsport Park, both secured until 2016, together with Bathurst 1000 will continue to provide a multitude of motorsports fans with a wonderful experience.”

For more information please visit www.v8supercars.com.au.

Kids under 14 receive free general admission entry with a paying adult.

Win a trip to New Zealand - Contest to find the world’s most dedicated Hobbit fans begins‏

Sir Peter Jackson

The Hobbit Fan Fellowship Contest, the ultimate contest to find the world’s most ardent fans of The Hobbit Trilogy, is underway with the first of a series of challenges unveiled in Australia today and across the world over the next few days.

Fans can now send a postcard to director Sir Peter Jackson detailing why they should be part of a global fellowship of fans as part of their quest to journey to New Zealand, the cinematic Middle-earth, for a world-first private screening of Sir Peter’s final film in the trilogy, The Hobbit: The Battle of The Five Armies, in his hometown of Wellington.

‘Postcard to Peter’ is the first of four challenges created for The Hobbit Fan Fellowship Contest, which will invite up to 75 of the film trilogy's most ardent fans from around the world to travel to New Zealand for the journey of a lifetime.

The fans, along with a friend, will fly to New Zealand with Air New Zealand, the official airline to Middle-earth, arriving in early November.

Once on the ground, they’ll be hosted by Tourism New Zealand – the country’s tourism authority – and taken on a five-day journey through the locations and landscapes made famous by The Hobbit Trilogy.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says he is looking forward to welcoming The Hobbit Fan Fellowship fans to New Zealand, home of Middle-earth.

“We look forward to welcoming the lucky winners to Middle-earth, New Zealand and showing them that here, every day is a different journey, and one they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon says this competition is an exciting opportunity for Hobbit fans as well as New Zealand’s tourism industry.

“Air New Zealand has invested heavily in recent years in campaigns to market The Hobbit films and we have seen interest in New Zealand as a destination grow as a result. We hope this competition will further build on that work and encourage more people to consider a trip to the cinematic Middle-earth,” says Mr Luxon.

Fans will discover that the fantasy Middle-earth landscapes from The Hobbit Trilogy are real locations with an abundance of activities and experiences to be enjoyed.

Fans will experience a Maori cultural performance and a traditional hangi – a meal cooked underground followed by a feast fit for a dwarf the following night at Hobbiton Movie Set – a picturesque private farm and the big-screen home of the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

No journey to Middle-earth would be complete without a visit to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital and the scene of countless battle scenes from The Hobbit Trilogy. Fans will get to walk in the footsteps of their

heroes through Paradise, visiting the site of the Pillar of Kings, home of the Kawarau Bungy and relaxing over a coffee under the Misty Mountains at Wanaka.

Supporting the fans’ journey are New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, which will handle the worldwide theatrical distribution of The Hobbit: The Battle of The Five Armies later this year, along with MGM in select territories.

Pier One Sydney Harbour Set to Showcase Innovative Concepts in Hotel Design

Pier One Sydney Harbour, Sydney's chic urban waterfront hotel, epitomises luxurious lifestyle travel, exclusively set against one of the most scenically beautiful waterways in the world. Combining a balance of calm from the water with the natural interiors with the excitement of exploring Sydney's vibrant modern streets alongside our historic rocks convict past, and the majesty of the Sydney Harbour Bridge ensures Pier One is 'exactly like nothing else'.

Built over 100 years ago as a working cargo wharf and passenger transit point the hotel is rich in character where the historic details of the past have been intricately transformed into a modern contemporary property. Now in the finals stages of its beautification under the Autograph Collection, Pier One is embracing contemporary hotel design as it enters a new and exciting stage, one of true innovation, embracing sustainability, clever use of space and paddock to plate produce.

“Pier One, with its rich history, is a hotel like no other on Sydney Harbour with an instant connection to the water as soon as you walk through the lobby,” General Manager Kim Mahaffy says.

“We are taking the property in a direction that will introduce a distinctly different hotel experience, exquisitely presented with a focus on global trends and designs whilst staying focused on our local message. Our beautification upgrades will ensure Pier One is considered the only place to stay in Sydney for those that expect the unexpected” says Kim.

The new brand transition and current beautification will encompass a distinctive and tranquil reception, lobby, restaurant and outdoor pier experience, creating a place where time seems suspended. The restaurant, helmed by highly anticipated celebrity chef, will showcase innovative cuisine, artful unique ambience and exceptional experiences ahead of global trends.

“With every decision we respect Pier One's historical core and loyal customer base, so our priority moving forward is to increase visibility of the hotels brand. Through innovative food and beverage concepts in line with international market demand, matched effortlessly with impeccable service for which we are known globally, and crafted artesian cultural opportunities in Sydney, we can offer our guests an individual Sydney experience.”

Upcoming events at Pier One Sydney Harbour include:
- Good Food Month - BBQ Madness on the Pier
- Good Food Month - Supper Club
- Melbourne Cup
- Sunrise to Sunset Package - Morning Tai Chi and Afternoon Sundowners
- Summer Starts & Walsh Bar Arts Festival
- New Years Eve

Pier One Sydney Harbour

Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection offers an exclusive waterfront experience in the heart of one of the world's most glamorous destinations. The hotel is located within easy access to the historic Rocks precinct, Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House and stylish shopping of Castlereagh St. The hotel's Front Restaurant & Bar offers alfresco dining on the Pier with the added element that guests can arrive in style by water taxi or by private yacht using the hotel's private pontoon. Travel by water also provides direct access to additional cultural attractions including the Botanic Gardens, King St Wharf, Darling Harbour, Lady Macquarie Steps, Manly and Watson's Bay. Pier One Sydney Harbour is steeped in history, being transformed from a working wharf to a cargo and passenger transit point to its stunning transformation into a hotel, where the historic details of its past have been intricately included into the modern and contemporary design that is Pier One Sydney Harbour today.

For more information please visit: http://www.pieronesydneyharbour.com.au, or explore our social media channel:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PierOneSydneyHarbour
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Autograph
Tumblr: http://autographcollectionhotels.tumblr.com/

Luxe Asian Grand Tour Box to Be Released Autumn 2014 - Luxe City Guides Collaborates with Shanghai Tang to Create the Brand New Asian Grand Tour Box in Time for Christmas

What do you get when you team the world's most renowned Chinese fashion and lifestyle brand with the snappiest and sauciest travel biz in the game? The answer is: this season's most coveted holiday accessory, the limited edition Shanghai Tang x LUXE City Guides Asian Grand Tour Box.

With more than three decades between them as passionate, China-born brands, both Shanghai Tang and LUXE advocate and embody sophistication, cultural inspiration, impeccable craftsmanship and consummate style – qualities reflected in the vibrant and fresh Asian Grand Tour Box design.

The Chinese zodiac's most revered creature, the dragon, swirls dramatically around the box in a bright neon lime hue, while a black and gold geometric background and embossed logo create texture and definition. Within the Asian Grand Tour Box, you'll find 8 guides to LUXE's favourite Asian cities – Bangkok, Beijing, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and, for the first time, the brand new LUXE Kuala Lumpur guide.

Buy the box from September 2014 exclusively at www.luxecityguides.com or www.shanghaitang.com, and at the Shanghai Tang flagship boutique.

It's all the LUXE savvy you know and crave, gussied up in glam Shanghai Tang style... what's not to love?

LUXE City Guides:

Famous for their super-svelte format and snappy reviews, LUXE City Guides are free from unnecessary padding, photos and graphics, leaving you with curated, highly opinionated quickfire speed reads from resident editors and contributors who REALLY know their city, so you can spend time enjoying your trip, not buried in a book. Packed from concertina cover to cover with snazz, snark and snap, if it's in LUXE, it's IN. 

HEAD UP NORTH FOR FUN, FASHION & RACING IN TROPICAL CAIRNS

With low cost airfares still up for grabs, now is the time to plan a trip north to experience magnificent spring weather and all the fun, fashion and racing of Carlton Mid Cairns Amateurs Carnival that takes
place over three action packed days from Thursday 11 to Saturday, 13 September, 2014.

This year the Carton Mid Cairns Amateurs Carnival has teamed up with Flight Centre to offer a number of value added event packages including accommodation, transfers and tickets to a choice of events including the Vodka Cruiser Lawn Party, Cairns Amateurs Garden Party and Yellowglen
House.

For information and bookings visit your local Flight Centre, Escape Travel or Student Flights store.

For information on Cairns Amateurs spring racing carnival, please visit www.cairnsamateurs.org.au or Telephone: +61 7 4033 1135 email:cairns@cairnsamateurs.org.au

Carlton Mid Cairns Amateurs Carnival

The Far North Queensland Amateur Turf Club (Club) was founded in 1959 ago as a coastal version of the historical Oak Park races and as a way of bringing city and country together. The brainchild of the late Sir Sydney Williams OBE and Les Gallagher, the first Cairns Amateurs carnival was held on 18th and 19th September 1959.

The mission of the Club is to operate a sustainable and accessible annual race carnival, which showcases the social, cultural and commercial attributes of Cairns and the tropical north.

Now in its 56th year the Carlton Mid Cairns Amateurs Carnival is one of regional Australia’s most vibrant and fastest growing social events that is a major contributor to the Far North, with last year’s event generating 15,137 visitor nights and over $13.9 million into the local economy.

Carlton Mid Cairns Amateurs Carnival is proudly supported by Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, Carlton Mid, Cairns Regional Council, Cairns Airport, The Reef Hotel Casino Cairns, ANZ, Treasury Wine Estates and media partners, The Cairns Post and Zinc 102.7.

This year’s three day Carlton Mid Cairns Amateurs Carnival is being held 11-13 September, 2014. Highlights include Ladies Fashion High Tea, President’s Welcome Cocktail Party, Cairns Amateurs Ball and two days of racing with a selection of tickets and packages available.

General admission is just $30 or a discounted $25 when purchased online. For information on all associated events, membership prices, tickets and packages available, visit  www.cairnsamateurs.org.au or Telephone: 07 40331135
email: cairns@cairnsamateurs.org.au

MSC CRUISES’ “MARATHON” GRAND VOYAGE FROM EUROPE TO SOUTH AMERICA

Fit MSC Cruises passengers who book the 20-night Grand Voyage of MSC Magnifica from Hamburg to Buenos Aires on November 8, 2014 will have the chance to lace up the running shoes and compete in the inaugural Tenerife Marathon in the Canary Islands.

The cruise ship’s timely visit to Santa Cruz de Tenerife on November 16 means budding athletes will be able to stretch the legs in the first ever held event.

On leaving the German port, passengers will benefit from 12 relaxing days at sea as well as calls in eight diverse destinations. The ship will call in at Le Havre, in France, and Southampton, in the UK, and gateways to Paris and London respectively. Her next port of call will be Lisbon, the beautiful capital city of Portugal, where guests will be able to explore the quaint city streets.

MSC Magnifica will then set sail for the Canary Islands, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife in particular before heading towards Brazil where she will call at Recife, Salvador de Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. Her final destination will be the harbour on the River Plate and Argentinean capital, Buenos Aires.

“This Grand Voyage, priced from $A1819pp, twin share ($NZ2229pp, twin share) will offer a unique opportunity for passengers to put on the running shoes and take part in the very first Tenerife Marathon when MSC Magnifica calls in Santa Cruz de Tenerife,” said Lynne Clarke, managing director of MSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand. “There will be three running options available at varying levels of difficulty,” she said.

Among them will be the 8 km course an urban route which offers runners a perfect opportunity to see the city on the move, the starting line a stone’s throw from the ship. The second option will be the half marathon, a 21km course around the town of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and along the coastal road overlooking the ocean.

For the truly dedicated runners among MSC Magnifica guests is the full marathon, a 42km route that starts at the harbour of Santa Cruz, then cuts through the city centre towards the coastal road. Application deadline for participating is October 25, 2014 www.maratondetenerife.com/ingles

For those who choose not to run, Santa Cruz, which sits at the crossroads between Europe and Africa, has bustling markets, a vibrant culture, mouth watering seafood and breathtaking views. A full program of excursions will be available on the day, so that runners and non-runners alike can make the most of the island’s highlights, including day trips marked by great shopping and beach opportunities in buzzing tourist towns, and memorable encounters with nature at its best.

As the ship makes its way between its various enchanting ports of call, an entertaining enrichment program will be available to MSC guests. Lectures about the ports of destinations and related themes – Canary Islands, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia, the great navigators in history, etc. – various arts and crafts workshops, light-hearted games and different classes (tai chi, dance, etc.). Our MSC chefs will also make guests’ mouths water with the finger-licking food served 20 hours a day on the ship, including a wide range of local delicacies according to the ports of call.

Following the race, MSC Magnifica will set sail to South America, including Brazil. After a few days at sea, during which tired runners will be able to rest and recover, passengers will discover the captivating landscapes and warm cultures of Brazil, from palm-fringed beaches, tropical islands and forests, to captivating metropolises with colourful neighbourhoods in one of the world’s most fascinating regions.

The final destination, Argentina, will be reached on November 28. Travellers will bask in the springtime warmth of Buenos Aires, birthplace of the Tango. The sights and sounds of La Boca and San Telmo can be visited before or after savouring the delicious fresh produce that defines Argentinean cuisine in the Palermo neighbourhood.

“An MSC Grand Voyage is truly a journey of a lifetime, where you can discover the world and amazing destinations from the comfort of an MSC Cruises ship, and in the knowledge that you will be looked after with the greatest of Mediterranean care,” said Lynne.

More information can be found on www.msccruises.com.au