GREEK ISLAND CRUISE
We chose to cruise on the MS Perla with Louis Hellenic Cruises because it was a smaller craft carrying up to 1,000 passengers, although on this trip there were only 800. An older vessel, small but clean cabins, with quality Meals, exceptional service & a variety of entertainment , it operates on a cashless onboard system . We enjoyed the lesser numbers on board compared with other huge ships in port as it made for a more friendly atmosphere. Tour Directors provided visual and printed info on Ports, on-shore tours and general information. After 2 days exploring the Plaka in Athens & enjoying rooftop dining with views of the Acropolis to the crooning of a "Greek" Dean Martin, we set sail on a Friday morning in the height of summer. We sailed for Anzac Cove and the ancient Spice Bazaars of Istanbul where we saw carpets and drank Lions Milk & Apple tea. A nautical "U" turn had us sailing back to the white cubic town of Mykonos with its windmills, small churches & octopus drying in the sun. On to Patmos where we chose to sleep in, then to Kusadasi on the Turkish coast. We marvelled at the ancient ruins of Ephesus and strolled the seaside markets. On to the walled city of Rhodes with its fascinating architecture & cobblestoned streets, then to uninteresting Heraklion on Crete (perhaps an unfair description as we had only a couple of hours there) and then to my favourite, Santorini. Rising up from a sea filled crater is this huge rock where buses struggle up steep cliffside roads to deposit tourists in quaint villages with magnificent views of clear blue seas of the Meditteranean. We descend on a Chairlift to the shore where boats return us to the MS Perla and Athens on the 7th day. Lyn Emmerson August 06
Koh Samui, THAILAND
Looking for a fun and cheap holiday but still want to go o/s? Koh Samui is the place to go! An island of natural beauty & charm + you can have your holiday anyway you like it, fast paced and full of action or slow & relaxing.
Relax by the pool or gear up for some shopping, dining, kayaking in the marine national park, watching a local kickboxing fight, having a cold beer in the local pub or best of all cruise around the island on a motorbike.
I stayed at Central Samui Village. This resort was excellent value for money and the service was exceptional. www.centralhotelresorts.com May 2007
Peter Nation, Commercialfn Wyndham, Sales & Leasing Manager
Jersey, Channel Islands, UK
Maybe I fell in love with the idea of Jersey when I watched the popular TV program "Bergerac" back in the 80's. I flew London, ex Gatwick airport, for 25 mins to Jersey which is just off the coast of France. Occupied during WW2 and originally a part of France, the Jerseymen chose to succede to English rule although they and their fellow islanders on nearby Guernsy govern these tiny island communities themselves. A tax free haven sees wealthy Britons reside here and fly into the UK for business.
Stayed at St Brelades Bay Hotel, built in the mid 1800's and held in the same family since. Occupied by the Germans during the war, the decor is traditional English, elegant and sombre with some historical memorabilia on show. High tea is served at 4 pm and dining is an experience with a team of Portugese waiters to satisfy your every whim. Mainly English Guests, many of whom knew each other, having holidayed the same week in the same hotel for 40 years, 22 years and 14 years according to the various people I met.
The island is well serviced by buses and taxis at realistic fares and attractions vary from a punch-n-judy show at a seaside fair along the wharf under the shadow of a medievil castle, the Gerald Durrall nature reserve featuring their work with Gorillas (incl an exchange with Melbourne Zoo), the War Tunnels built during the German occupation and featuring life on Jersey at the time, some fabulous walks, boat trips, dramatic coastlines and beautiful sandy bays that manage a mild swell in time for the surfers to escape their work and head for the water at the end of the day. Jersey Royal Potatoes and local strawberries are a delight to the tastebuds.
A ferry will take you to the walled city of St Malo in France for the day, or to the other main Channel Island of Guernsey with its cobblestone streets, fishing coastline & "Hauteville House" the former home of French poet Victor Hugo which has to be seen inside to be believed. Recommend staying on Jersey in preference to Guernsey.
PS Bergerac (AKA John Nettles) not to be seen, busy in Midsommer with all those murders, I guess. Heard he returns regularly with his wife to visit their daughter and to support local Charities. Bergerac's car can be seen at the Jersey Goldsmith Lion Park complex (no Lions, the Lions club maintain the park) along with impressive display of celebrity memorabilia and some very fine gold jewellery (at duty free prices).
Lyn Emmerson, First National Westwood Manager, May 07
http://www.jersey.com/
South Korea
Wyndham Vale resident and First National Westwood Estate Agent Angie Wallace and husband Mitch recently visited South Korea for the 2005 World TaeKwonDo Championships. Highlights included a trip to "King's Palace" a complex of 14th century buildings built in timber with no nails! Insa-Dong Street, famous for it's art galleries & antique shops & of course, the wide variety of food!
"South Korea has a rich and varied culture that fascinated both Mitch & I, and we hope that our next visit will include some of their seaside resorts. Until then the Korean restaurants in Melbourne will have to be our substitute!" says Angie
Visit www.korea.net - a great starting point if you are visiting South Korea.
Lincoln UK
What a great stop-over point with much to see!
The beautiful Lincoln Cathedral is stunning & was used in the filming of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code (the movie). Scagness, a nearby seaside holiday village with its traditional amusement arcade & fun rides is a must for all the family.
The incredible depth of history, great shopping, excellent restaurants & cosy English pubs, combine to make exploring this part of Lincolnshire a truly exciting experience.
Bob & Judy Westwood - August 05
http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/
Kokoda Trail, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
AN ADVENTURE - not really a holiday!
Werribee resident , Ian Wardrope, recently travelled to Papua New Guinea to retrace the steps of the second world war Diggers from the Owen Stanley Ranges to Kokoda.
As expected it was in the 30's with humidity around 90%. There were 11 in the party plus 15 porters, setting off from Owers Corner to walk to Kokoda, 98 kms away in 9 days.
“Having never seen, let alone walk through a jungle before, I was in absolute awe of the intensity of it all. We climbed a ridge & the treed mountains seemed to just go on forever in every direction,” says Ian. “ A word I used on several occasions to describe the views was Jurassic! It seemed as though we were in a place that time had forgotten!”
"We travelled up & down hills, crossed rivers, & the reality of this relentless terrain took it’s toll. There were blistering feet, sprained ankles, knees & leg muscles pleading for rest. Even some people collapsing from exhaustion & heat stroke, " said Ian. "It really hit home as to what this place is all about and why we are here. For me I was on an adventure, something different & something not many have achieved. I knew a war had taken place here but to see first hand what the track & terrain is really like & what the soldiers must have endured in these conditions I cannot put into words."
Many times along the track Ian was overwhelmed with feelings of pride, sadness & disbelief. "I reflect back on a place called Brigade Hill, where a plaque had been erected in honour of over 1,000 soldiers who were killed at that very spot," says Ian "and I was honoured to proudly stand there. "
Nine days after the party left Port Moresby, they walked into Kokoda.
At home in Werribee, Ian says "this experience makes one consider one's own life & question one's own vulnerability. This was my journey of a lifetime!"
Ian Wardrope is married to Gail who is a member of the First National Westwood Real Estate team in Werribee. Ian is a Station Officer with the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade; and he & Gail have 2 children, Chelsea and Bradie. Email our webmaster on mail@westwoodfn.com.au with your details if you would like to contact Ian
Florence ITALY
First National Westwood Manager, and Hoppers Crossing resident, Lyn Emmerson, highly recommends this former Medici family residence should you be staying in Florence, Italy.
500-600 m from just about everywhere, it rained, we didnt care, you can walk to the station, to the Duomo, to Michael Angelo's Statue of David & shop along the Ponte Veccio... & the vanilla slices from the GILLI ristorante Firenze circa 1733 are out of this world.
P.S. The Museum was closed Mondays from 1 pm in 1997.
BALI
First National Westwood Sales Administrator, Gail Wardrope, & family took their first O/S holiday to Bali. They stayed at the Jayakarta Hotel in Legian, which was a 20-25 minute walk (or less than $2 taxi ride) into the main shopping attractions in Kuta Square . “The shopping was to die for!” Says Gail “It took us a couple of days to get used to the bartering but once we mastered that, there was no stopping us! With 2 teenage girls & myself, we had to buy an extra suitcase to come home!”
"The Balinese people are the most amazing friendly people. We did many day trips including elephant riding, white water rafting, touring the volcano’s and water sports at Nusa Dua. They helped us to arrange everything without a fuss.”
If you like seafood, go to Jimbaryan Bay where the restaurants are on the beach! We booked the trip through Janet at Jetset (Pt Cook) who was very helpful.
http://jakartahotels.com/west/jayakarta.php
http://www.balitourismauthority.net/
Denauru Island FIJI
In June 2005, First National Westwood's Receptionist, Louise Davies traveled to Fiji with her husband, sister & brother in law.
“We stayed on Denauru Island & really enjoyed lounging around and having a few drinks by the bar (in the pool of course!)”
“We also went on a dinner cruise, catamaran, jet boat & sailed to other Islands. The beauty of Fiji is that it is great for relaxing but there is also plenty to do. There are loads of activities like beach volley ball, aqua aerobics, paddle boats etc, so it makes for a great family holiday too!”
London UK
Westwood Manager, Lyn Emmerson suggests http://www.londontown.com is good for maps & calendars of events when visiting London.
Also, try Linden House Hotel in Sussex Place, Sussex Gardens. It's mid price for London, (you can pay heaps more), a family owned private hotel offering B & B handy to Paddington Tube station, Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Oxford Street & Edgeware Road. Typical small rooms for London, great English breakfasts & they didn't hesitate to employ (Aussie) expats when we were there in 2000.
http://www.lindenhousehotel.co.uk/
Wellington NEW ZEALAND
First National Westwood Manager, Lyn Emmerson, recommends Gilmer Terrace Apartments as ideal when arriving in Wellington - 10 mins from airport, $NZ25 taxi, and walk around the corner to CBD if you don't want to cook! Try wotif.com for cheap rates up to 14 days prior - we paid $NZ140 for 3 adults when rack rate was $190. .... Sept 05
http://www.g10.co.nz/
Taupo NEW ZEALAND
First National Westwood Manager, Lyn Emmerson, says the unexpected African decor of the Caboose Lodge "across the road" from beautiful Lake Taupo is well worth a stay. There's heaps of accommodation in Taupo & unless you are travelling in peak NZ summer holidays, you probably dont need to book in advance (except if you want a specific hotel). Check out www.wotif.com for cheaper rates up to 14 days in advance. Sharing a room, 3 of us saved about $20 per night, not a lot sompared with savings at other motels. Sept 05
http://www.taupocaboose.co.nz
