The Stunning Cook Strait -Guest Blog by Laurence Norah - Finding the Universe

I am by no means an expert on ferry crossings. Most of my experience in this area comes from childhood trips to France or Spain from the UK, and memories in this area are fairly vague, usually involving my olfactory sense.

The smell of fuel, the smell of old sick, the smell of the sea. Ferries have not, for a long time, been a mode of transport that I have seen through a romantic viewpoint, being about the destination, and not about the journey.



Recently however, my thoughts on ferry crossings have been radically overhauled, as a result of the journey I took between New Zealand's North and South islands, across the Cook Strait, from Wellington to Picton, a trip that clocks in at a little over three hours.



I should point out that circumstances were clearly conspiring to force me to enjoy the trip. Presumably the ferry gods of old were looking down on me and deciding to bless me with an unusually pleasant voyage.



So the weather, which is pretty much the make or break for a ferry trip, was incredibly good. There is a saying about mill ponds. I have never sailed on a mill pond, so I can't really know if the saying is accurate, but if a mill pond is a glass like environment where the thought of a wave is about as far from your mind as you can imagine – then this was the state of the sea on the day of our crossing. Nary a breath of wind was pushing through the air, and even the clouds had taken the day off, replaced by blue skies from horizon to horizon.



Our sailing was in the afternoon, onboard the Bluebridge ferry, which I have to say was also a rather convivial experience. A large passenger deck, equipped with incredibly comfortable reclining chairs, and even flat screen TV's showing a range of films. Not a bad option for passing a trip if the weather was poor – although in our case, the weather was so good that we spent much of the trip on the open air viewing deck on the top of the ship.



The Cook Strait itself is not that wide – the distance from North to South island is a mere 20km at it's narrowest point – so much of the time is spent winding through the incredibly picturesque Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte sound.



Here the ferry seems to pass impossibly close to the land as it meanders its way up the sound to the final destination of Picton. Houses dot the shoreline, mollusc farms are passed, and fishing boats ramble on past the hulking might of the ferry.



The Sound itself takes up at least 40% of the journey time, and is the sort of trip I would happily pay to go on as a scenic voyage, so having it included as part of my transport was rather handy.

If you don't have a vehicle, there are other ways to get from New Zealand's North island to it's South island. But if the weather is good, and you aren't in a hurry, then I can very much recommend the ferry option. It's not particularly expensive, and the experience is very much worth it. Two companies operate this route, Interislander and Bluebridge, and it's worth shopping around as prices fluctuate based on season and your requirements.

Laurence Norah - Guest Blog from Finding the Universe

Making Air Travel Comfortable with comfortable pricing!

Even though domestic airlines seem to be cramming us in like sardines and charging us for meals and baggage these days some long haul carriers are focusing on passenger comfort. Now you don’t have to fly business or First anymore to enjoy more space and better food. One such airline is Air New Zealand and this all started when they launched their Premium Economy fares which offered better seats with more pitch and better food a few years back. Because these seats were often the first to sell out on their flights they have expanded on it. There are now more premium economy seats on more of their flights and on the new Boeing 777’s they have introduced the new Space Seat in Premium Economy.


The Space Seat offers allot more personal space, 50% more than regular economy. It provides lots of personal storage for small electronics, a table between the seats that can be lowered to make room for your feet if you want to curl up. It even has a bean bag foot rest that cuddles your feet during the flight. The seat in front of you does not recline so your space is not imposed on like the traditional economy seats. Because of the orientation of the seats (they are angled) no more getting out of your seat to let the inside person out to go to the washroom. And, no more praying for the person seated on the aisle next to you to wake up so you can go to the washroom. The Inner Space Seat is ideal for couples and the Outer Space Seat for those travelling on their own. Premium Economy comes in less than half the cost of Business Premier. My advice on booking Premium Economy is don’t delay these seats are very popular and sell out quickly.

Air New Zealand didn’t stop there though they wanted something that could work for families or for those couples who really wanted to cuddle at 35,000 ft over the South Pacific Ocean. They’ve introduce Sky Couch otherwise known as “Cuddle Class”. Basically it is three Economy seats together that have foot rests that fold upwards level with the seat and flush to the back of the seat in front of you. The armrests lift into the back of seat making a flat bed, voila Cuddle Class! This works great for a parent with 2 small kids; they have room to spread out their coloring books and stuff toys. And when it comes to nap time mom or dad does not have to sacrifice their lap to the much desired sleeping child. Please note the Sky Couch is not offered on all of Air New Zealand’s aircraft, it is currently only on the B-777-300ER which operates between Los Angeles and Auckland.

A short video on the Space Seat and Sky Couch, http://youtu.be/P4AC2CFDrnM

And by the way, Air New Zealand’s Sky Couch Economy seat has won the Aviation category in Conde Nast Traveller’s 2011 Innovation and Design Awards.

Quite frankly I think Air New Zealand should have won an award for “Most Fun Safety Video” featuring the one and only Richard Simmons!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iaTEgoezNQ&feature=player_embedded

Denise Gushue – CTC

e. denise.gushue@gmail.com

Here I am trying out the new Space Seat with Sarwan Singh, Director of Sales for the Langham Hotel, Auckland.

The Miracle of Flight!

Do you ever wonder about how amazing it is that we travel by plane to places all over the world in less than a day and hundred years ago it would of taken us anywhere from a week to a month to cover that same distance?


I just recently went to a travel conference for those who sell New Zealand in Seattle and one of the highlights was a visit to the Boeing plant in Everett, WA. We got to visit the assembly line of the 747-8 which now back in production, the 777 and the brand new 787.

It really blew me away to see the sheer scale of the assembly line which is in constant motion at a very slow rate of something like an inch every 2 minutes or so. These aircraft consist of millions of parts and lots of attention to detail is needed to assemble them. I wonder if in 1915 when William E. Boeing first started building his float planes in a boat house on Lake Union, Seattle did he ever imagine that now in 2011 his company would own the largest building by volume in the world and would produce some of the most innovative aircraft that the world has ever seen.

One such aircraft is the new 787 or Dreamliner which is not made of primarily of aluminum but a composite material which makes for a simpler structure, is lighter and reduces fuel usage. It also has a new wing design which makes it more aerodynamic, faster and more fuel efficient. This new wing design also allows passengers a smoother ride. This is an aircraft built with the comfort of the passenger in mind with full spectrum LED lighting that adjusts for work, leisure and rest. The windows are 65% larger and you can darken or lighten your window with the touch of a control. The new state of the art filtration system also removes bacteria, viruses, fungi, irritants, odors and gaseous contaminants making for less headaches, dryness and eye irritation.

These aircraft are really our modern day wonders of the world, not unlike the engineering genius and precision of the pyramids we marvel over! This really struck me on my flight home to Ottawa from Seattle as we flew amongst the clouds with unseemly little effort while the sun was setting behind us and the glow of city lights shone before us, all I could think is it’s a miracle!

Scientific American was real spot on with this quote.

To affirm that the airplane is going to revolutionize the future is to be guilty of the wildest exaggeration.

-- Scientific American, 1910



Denise Gushue – CTC

e. denise.gushue@gmail.com

Why would I use a travel agent when I can book it online?

I guess coming from a background where I was taught that it was considered bragging to “toot your own horn” makes it difficult for me sometimes when asked the question “why would I book it with a travel agent when I can book it online?” But in my day to day activities of being a travel agent I come across many good reasons to do this.

Here is one example why it is a good reason to book with a travel agent. I recently had clients booked to go to Quito, Ecuador with American Airlines from Montreal via Miami and then onto to Quito. Before they left I gave them a call and told them to let me know if they needed anything while en-route or at destination, either by email or phone.

The day of their departure I got an email from my clients who were at the Montreal airport saying that there has been a fire at the Miami airport and that the first flight to Miami was cancelled but theirs was still OK. So I decide I should check this out myself and soon find out that theirs had also been cancelled and it looked like most everything else into Miami had been too. So I email them back as they have not been told this yet by the airline staff and tell them that I was calling AA to find out what was going on with the flights. While on hold I looked up to see what alternative routes were available to get them to Quito, I found a great alternative that was via Atlanta. I emailed them back and told them if they did get to speak to an AA representative that these are the flights they needed to be re-accommodated on. I soon get a call from the client (meanwhile I’m still on hold with AA’s reservations) saying they did find someone and they gave them the alternative flight numbers and they were now rebooked on them. My clients made it to Quito that evening while others waited at the airport only to experience further delays and cancellations.

This is the value in booking with a travel agent, you have someone to call when something goes wrong! The internet does not provide this!

Lesson to myself: There is nothing wrong with tooting your own horn if you have a proven track record.

Some good tips when things go wrong are:

1. Have your agent’s phone number and email address handy.

2. Have your travel insurance number emergency number handy. Most insurance company’s offer travel assistance when things get delayed or cancelled. And if you do incur expenses due to delays or cancellations keep all your receipts.

3. Always ensure the airline agent is aware of your final destination, so they can re-accommodate for any possible misconnects.

4. If there are many people trying to be rebooked by one sole airline agent you could always phone the airlines 1-800 number and get the reservations department to help out with alternative flights.



Remember when booking travel you should look at the overall value of the trip. Having a good travel agent you can contact while travelling when things go wrong can really make or break your overall travel experience.

Newfoundland, Land of History and Fun!

This summer my husband, 2 kids, my mom and my nephew, and I went to Newfoundland to visit family. We focused on the Deer Lake/Corner Brook region, Gros Morne and the Northern Peninsula as this is where our respective families are from.

We had some things on our list that we wanted to do and we managed to do most with the exception of one. The first thing we checked of is trout fishing; we first purchased a recreational licence and put all the family members on it. As we had brought our fishing rods all we had to do was find a pond or brook and this was easy! Ponds and brooks are plentiful in Newfoundland and are pristine and usually you are the only ones there. The kids loved it even though only one very tiny trout and 2 fresh water clams were caught. Just remember bring a change of clothes and some towels if travelling with kids as it usually ends up with a swim or a splash in the water.

Next we went zip lining over Steady Brook Falls near Marble Mountain, the ski hill near Corner Brook. The kids loved the adrenaline rush and the view while zip lining over the falls was amazing!!

As we travelled down the Northern Peninsula we decided to hike Gros Morne Mountain, the tallest mountain in Newfoundland at 806 metres. Gros Morne is the name sake of Gros Morne National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a strenuous hike and you need to be well prepared to do it, with lots of water, snacks, good boots and appropriate clothing as the weather can change quickly. The hike is 16KM and should take about 8 hours if you are in good shape, longer if you are not. The hike is well worth it because the views are amazing!

As we went further down the Northern peninsula we went to see the Underground Salmon Pools in Roddickton , this is a hidden gem! It involves a short boardwalk into a river that disappears into limestone caverns and reappears further down only to disappear again underground. There are salmon in this river and you can often see the salmon in the pool just before they go through the limestone caverns. The walk through the forest is magical with its ferns and black spruce that seem to grow out of and around boulders, you half expect to see a fairy but you would be more likely to see a moose.

We went to see Grenfell House in St. Anthony where Sir Wilfred Grenfell was based and implemented his medical missionary in 1893 that served that area and the Labrador coast. There is an interpretation centre there, with a great gift shop with traditional Newfoundland hooked rugs. It really is worth a visit; I’ve been there at least 3 times and never bore of it.

The highlight I think for all of us was L’anse Aux Meadows another UNESCO World Heritage site, where the Vikings had settled for a short time in the 11th century. There is an interpretation centre and traditional sod house with Vikings, who tell you about what Viking daily life was like so many years ago. The inside of the sod house is comfortable and cozy with furs you can sit on and a fire to warm you while you listen to the stories of Bjorn the Beautiful. This is a real family pleaser!

Overall Newfoundland is a wonderful family destination or for those that love the outdoors. The scenery is stunning, it is rich in history and there are no crowds! The most important travel tip I can give about traveling to Newfoundland is to book early as flights, cars and accommodations are limited and book up quickly during their short summer season.

Please feel free contact me about your next adventure by email at denise.gushue@gmail.com.

A VOYAGE TO THE GALAPAGOS

I was recently was lucky enough to get the opportunity to go to the Galapagos Islands and hoped that I would feel the same sense of discovery and adventure that Charles Darwin did so many years ago. I was not disappointed!
The only way to really see the Galapagos is by boat, everyday was an adventure as we went from island to island. And with each island came a different landscape and a chance to encounter some of the wonderfully unique animals that can only be found in the Galapagos.

The landscapes ranged from black fields of rope lava called pahoehoe, red volcanic splatter cones to incredibly beautiful powdery white sandy beaches. The landscape at times seemed surreal, like I was on another planet. It was like when you were a kid and you could see formations in the clouds, I could see shapes in the molten red and black lava.

What struck me most about the Galapagos is that the wildlife seems to be totally oblivious to the fact that you are there which made for an incredible opportunity to view them in their natural habitat. The sea lions bask in the sun and frolic in the surf as you walk along the beach. Marine Iguanas lounge on the sand and on the black lava rock along the shore soaking up the sun.

The bright red Sally Light Foot Crabs elegantly dance across the backdrop of wet black lava. Blue Footed Boobies soaring near the shore with their blue webbed feet tucked in tightly against their bodies as they gracefully and forcefully dive into to the water for a fish.

Frigate Birds soar high above, some with their bright red throat sack fully inflated in hopes to attract a female to mate with. Pelicans could often be seen on our boat waiting for their moment to swoop down and get their catch of the day. Although, I didn’t see any green sea turtles on shore, their tracks back to the sea remained as evidence they were there. And of course the majestic Galapagos Tortoises, enormous land based herbivores that will probably outlive most human beings. There is something to be said for being a vegetarian and living life with just the shirt on your back!

The Galapagos is also known as the Enchanted Islands and I say that it is a well deserved name. Where else can you go that you have to share park benches with sea lions right in town!

This is a trip that I would highly recommend to anyone that has a love for the environment, photography, and birding or just wants an educational adventure! Great for all ages even kids! Take Charles Darwin’s word on that!

"It appears to me that nothing can be more improving to a young naturalist than a journey in distant countries." - Charles Darwin, Voyage of the Beagle

Denise Gushue is a Certified Travel Counsellor in the Ottawa Region and can be reached by email at denise.gushue@gmail.com.

Family Travel Time

As a parent of a 5 and 8 year old I know it can be difficult spending quality time together as a family.
Everybody seems to have busy schedules and we all struggle to keep up. With this fast past life of commuting to work , dropping and picking up kids at daycare, appointments, grocery shopping and getting your kids to any after school activities - it doesn’t leave much time to bond as a family. We all manage to squeeze some sort of quality time in there but it is never enough.
As a travel agent, but also as a mom and wife, I recommend making the time to vacation together as a family. It is an invaluable way to re-connect. As we leave the computers and cell phones behind, we start to focus on each other.

Travelling is also a wonderful educational tool – not just for the kids, but also for you! While away you experience different cultures, languages, food, flora and fauna. You often try different activities while holidaying that take you out of your comfort zone. For instance, zip lining, horseback riding or snorkeling.
Last March my family and I took a trip to Costa Rica and as I planned everything, the kids and husband were full of excitement. As I was reading over our rather full itinerary one night, my 8 year old got a glimpse of it, horseback riding, canopy tours, river cruises and volcano viewing, and said, “do we have to do all that?”

For just a moment, I wondered if I had packed too much into our trip, but once we got to beautiful and picturesque Costa Rica, the worry subsided. My kids were fearless! The trip not only gave us quality time together, it also enriched our lives and made us grow as individuals and as a family. I saw strength in my son and curiousness in my daughter and most importantly, we were experiencing all these fantastic things together! The experience was unforgettable and as the Ticos say, it was “pura vida,” which roughly translates to pure life.

Some other great family vacation ideas that allow for quality time together are a Disney Cruise (consider the Mediterranean or Alaska), a New Zealand self drive and if you want to stick closer to home, why not Newfoundland, with whale and iceberg watching.

A good way to make it happen is to plan ahead. Start a vacation fund where you put some money away every month towards the trip. Often kids will be willing to sacrifice having less at Christmas if they know they are going to get that vacation. Book it in advance; often there are early booking bonuses that can lower the costs and booking it early ensures you get the trip you want, especially if you are planning it over busy travel times such as Christmas or March break. Even Newfoundland in the summer needs to be planned ahead, flights are limited and so are car rentals during the summer months. Most of all just do it!

As said by St. Augustine “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page”, so read that book together as a family. Explore the world and grow as a family!

Denise Gushue is a travel agent who works from her home in the Ottawa region and may be reached at denise.gushue@gmail.com.