- Visiting Montreal when a state emergency had been declared was not a good idea. Travel, like weather, does not always go according to plan. So my short visit to Toronto as part of my Christmas '97 trip was also effected.
- Delta Meadowvale, MISSISSUAGA.
- Returned in September '99 - for the "PaddyNet Burren Buddies Bash". Landing in Vancouver and flying across to spend two weeks in Montreal exploring, chatting, eating and meeting many on-line friends. Making new ones and fitting in a week in France before returning and visiting Vancouver.
- Chateau Versailles, MONTREAL.
- La Riche Bourg, MONTREAL.
- Quality Downtown, VANCOUVER.
- Visiting new suppliers and the factory in the trade-free zone of Xiamen in Jul '91 was memorable aside from the business logistics - the sound of hundreds of bicyle bells early morning, workers cutting mulberry leaves from the trees lining the road, and a very, very impressive banquet hosted by our suppliers. Charlene watched TV, impressed hotel staff with her antics, and discovered the vibrating chair with matching footrest ! (Every house needs one.)
- Mandarin Hotel, XIAMEN.
- Visiting Egypt had always appealed to me since hearing my dad talk about his 'escapades' there during WWII with the Australian Engineers. I'm sure as an exotic, intriguing and fascinating destination it also rates highly with many other people, so the chance to include it as part of a world trip was not be missed. As I've always wanted to take a cruise, sailing up (or is it down ?) the Nile as part of a nine-day 'Wonders of Egypt' tour during March '95 was wonderful. Pleasant company, packed days, many memories.
- Sheraton Towers, CAIRO.
- 'Nile Romance' ASWAN
- Cairo Marriott Hotel, CAIRO.
-
Mena House Oberei Hotel & Casino, Giza, CAIRO.
Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
- Arriving from Cairo April '95 the day of the Grand National Steeplechase - strange to be able to watch it direct on TV. Wonderful markets, shopping, transport, architecture, parks and landmarks. Questioned about Aussie Soap Operas we never watch !
- Royal Court Apartments, LONDON.
- Returned for another few days from Ireland Apr. '95.
- Sheraton Park Towers and Casino, KNIGHTSBRIDGE.
- Sheraton HEATHROW.
- Returned again New Year '98, as part of my Christmas '97 trip, travelling and seeing more, meeting more people.
- Blakemore Hotel, LONDON.
- Ibis Hotel, PORTSMOUTH.
- Lovett House, NELSON.
- Forte Posthouse, PRESTON.
- Spent another few days here October '98.
- Pavilion Holiday Villa Hotel, LONDON.
The British Tourist Authority Web Site.
- Beautiful Fiji, truely my idea of paradise with white sand, clear turquoise water, coral reefs, swaying palms, star-filled skies. Friendly people, fresh fruit and fish, wet forests and majestic hills. Endless snorkelling, and my first SCUBA dives ! My first visit in Jul. '76 is full of happy memories, so returning Sep. '88 and again for a 'romantic adventure' Aug. '96 makes Fiji a special place.
- Mana Island Resort.
- Beachcomber Island
- Castaway Island.
- Fiji Mocambo, NADI.
- Pacific Harbour, YANUCA.
- The Outrigger Motel, SUVA.
- Tradewinds Hotel, SUVA.
- Suva Travelodge, SUVA.
- Tavua Hotel, TAVUA.
- Tanoa Hotel, NADI.
- Shangri-Lah Fijian Resort, Yanuca Island, NADI.
- Plantantion Island Resort, MALOLOLAILAI ISLAND.
- Musket Cove, MALOLOLAILAI ISLAND.
- Castaway Gateway Hotel. NADI.
- Airport Hotel ? NADI.
- One country I never expected to visit ! Yet being so close while in Montreal during September '99 I was able to accept the invitation on behalf of Croydon and attend the World Premier Chambers of Commerce conference, promote both groups I belong to and network happily in a truely global way. All this without speaking or understanding any French and despite having a different accent !
- Primotel, MARSEILLE.
- Ibis Prado, MARSEILLE.
-
Christmas '97
-
- Tidy, neat, flat (but not boring) Holland - where my first girlfriend Renske came from - spent the most wonderful
Christmas '97 here, and with my dear friends from the net, was not only given a warm welcome - also the wish to return someday.
- So I did ! October, '98.
- One of the most wonderful places in the world ! Alive around the clock with a vitality that can be as exhausting as the shopping. From flying inbetween the buildings late at night for our first visit Jan. '88 it has always been one of my favourite places. Arriving early with Charlene Sep. '89 on our way to Korea, returning Oct. on our way home, and again in Jul. '91 as part of a business trip to China.
- The Mandarin Oriental, Central, HONG KONG.
- Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, KOWLOON.
- Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, HONG KONG.
- Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, HONG KONG.
Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
- Many Australians visit Bali, and from the first visit Jan. '88 have always felt welcome.
- Hotel Bali Sol, Nusa Dua, BALI.
- Visiting potential suppliers at Medan in Apr. '91 and also being invited by our major Korean suppliers KPC to the opening of their Indonesian factory was a proud moment for me, particularly speaking Indonesian with the Korean Plant manager from Pusan !
- Garuda Plaza Hotel, MEDAN. NORTH SUMATRA.
- Sari Pan Pacific, Jakata.
- Then Oct. '91 as our company approached it's $20M I returned to Bali with my sister. Easter April '92 would see all our staff and their partners experiencing beautiful Nusa Dua.
- Kupu Kupu Barong, Ubud, BALI.
- Bali Hyatt, SENUR, BALI.
- Grand Hyatt Bali, NUSA DUA, BALI.
- Sheraton Lagoon Nusa Dua beach resort, BALI.
- Bali Dynasty Resort, Kuta, BALI.
- Charlene and I returned to Bali Dec. '94, and also visitied beautiful Lombok and again to Bali Sep. '95. Keeping these business connections and personal ties has been wonderful for me.
- Kupu Kupu Barong, Ubud, BALI.
- Bali Hyatt, SENUR, BALI.
- Intan Laguna, SENGGIGGI BEACH, LOMBOK.
- Sheraton Sengigi Beach Resort, LOMBOK.
- Kartika Plaza Beach Hotel, Tuban beach, South Kuta, BALI.
- Home of U2 - and if you're not Irish, don't you wish you were ? A week in Dublin over Easter '95, and another week spent driving around 880 miles. (Many of them - simply "Lost")
While standing in awe in the smelly silence at Trinity, we ran into a couple from the Nile cruise. Small world ?
- Royal Dublin Hotel, DUBLIN.
- Summerhill Bed & Breakfast, ENNISCORTHY.
- Searching for Waterford Crystal enabled us to see most of Waterford. We learnt from this the signposts are Irish, as well.
- Tramore Bed & Breakfast, TRAMORE.
- Looking for the home of U2 ? Well, we certainly know Cork backwards. Wrong Monkstown - yet one of our most delightful stays.
- Monkstown Bed & Breakfast, MONKSTOWN.
- The Mills Inn, BALLYVOURNEY.
- Cecilia Lodge, BUNRATTY.
- Sligo Park Hotel, SLIGO.
- Then off up North - I even collected some parts for my car at Ramelton.
- Gallaghers Hotel, LETTERKENNY.
- Royal Dublin Hotel, DUBLIN.
- Again in October, '98 - for the Paddynet chatters gathering - the Burren Buddies Bash !
- Merrion Hall, DUBLIN.
- Lansa House, DUBLIN.
The Irish Tourist Board. Send a virtual postcard !
Geneology search - Irish Family History Foundation.
PaddyNet and VIP - Two of the best Irish pubs I've ever been in.
- Arriving after the long trip from Bangkok to drive through busy streets, to our secluded hotel near the Spanish Steps was wonderful ! For the short time March '95 we were there, memories of early morning walks to the park above the city, watching the sun through the mist over the terracotta roof tiles. A RED orange. Wonderful coffee. Even more wonderful shoes ! Queing in the drizzle outside the Vatican, and the wonders inside. Exploring, drinking Portugese wine on a night tour. Train travel with a friendly Zambian. Book stores ! And such wonderful design - less wonderful Pizza. I felt pleased, and proud - to realise Melbourne is every bit as fashion conscious, and thanks to Liz Davenport, equally stylish.
- Hotel Valadier, ROME.
|
