I am finally identifiable!

I finally got my Blue micro chipped passport today!! Meaning, I have a real ID now. I used to have a big problem since I don't drive here, my Philippine passport has expired, and with my recent surname change (to my married surname), etc etc etc .. I had big troubles getting identified. As in, I have to produce numerous bank statements, utility bills, credit card statements, marriage certificate, etc.

Oh well, that's all in the past now. :)

Big plus is that I travel visa free to majority of the countries I want to visit someday! Yahoo! I still cannot believe it. For the longest time, I've waited for this day. And now, well, it's here. I have to set another goal for the next 5 years!

Intercontinental and Accor Super Hotel Sale across Asia/Oceania

I always jump to a good hotel sale! And these two are no exception. My last two getaways I booked through my Priority Membership with IHG. And loved that time spent away.

Although the Intercontinental ones are not in Oz, I just had to share it to my family and friends in the Philippines as they are really really great deals! Imagine 7400 php to stay in a junior suite at the Intercontinental Manila. Not bad, considering all the amenities that come with it! I wish I was in Manila!!

I am sort of looking at the Accor super sale instead, since they do have a lot of properties domestic to me. I still have one two days to decide!! There are even specials for as low as USD 38 for Thailand!

Here is the link to the Intercontinental Great Asia sale. Booking period ends 27 February 2009, friday.

Here is the link to the Accor Super sale. Booking period ends 26 February 2009, thursday.

Hurry and spread the word, it's not too late!

Best Job offer : Island Caretaker on Hamilton Island

I'm not sure if you've read about that Special Dream job ad sponsored by Tourism Queensland? The one which advertised AUD 150,000 salary to live rent-free (in a 3 bedroom villa with gorgeous views) for six months on one of the Whitsundays Islands. The one which deems to be the Best Island Job ever to be advertised. It is apparently taking applicants from anywhere in the world, with no limit to age, etc. The requirements though is to be able to document by video the daily life on the island, be adventurous, be articulate, must snorkel, interact with locals, etc.

The successful applicant is set to start 'work' on July 1, 2009. For more information on this once in a lifetime job opportunity, see http://www.islandreefjob.com/ (site has crashed recently due to too much interested, but is now up and running again). Application closes by 22 February 2009.

Oh and by the way, whoever gets the job can take partner/children with them to live on this island! I guess I will ask hubby to apply! So he can take me :D

Imagine getting paid a lot, to enjoy this beautiful island. RENT FREE! Cool!

Travel and Luggage

One important thing that is always part of one’s sojourn is a good and reliable Luggage. For the discerning and serious traveler, Designer Luggage may be the way to go just as any durable pretty piece. Perhaps a Vera Bradley Luggage is your type to lug around the airport, or check into a hotel with. My travel companion is a Hartman Luggage which is in a serious black color, with padded straps and countless storage space and pockets. Of course, my hubby would always be part of my sojourn, and his luggage usually matches mine as well. It is just easier to recognize that way.

One time when I went to Mauritius with colleagues we found all five of us with the same color luggage! It was so funny when we realized we were lugging exactly the same color luggage! We had to take a photo right in the middle of busy Melbourne airport!

I guess in each of our travel itineraries, we have our must sees and must brings and must eats. One of my important must take is my five year old favorite hand carry bag. So far I have been blessed not to have lost my bags in transit! (Cross fingers!)

Handy travel buddy

Whoever invented or created the gps tracking system is a genius. This is such a handy thing for regular travelers and local people as well. My boyfriend and I travel every so often and we are constantly trying to find our destination, or good places to have our meals, or even just navigating our way to and from where ever. Recently we’ve got our new phones which are capable of gps tracking. He is stoked. While I am just fine with it; maybe that is because I do not fully appreciate the service just yet. He is saying though that there should be a cheaper way to subscribe to this service, as it is really quite a good tool for us when we travel. He goes on talking to me about turn by turn accuracy of this easy to use device. It is amazing that a satellite knows ones’ position in this earth, and transmits information for easy navigating through streets and areas of this world.

In one of our travels I remember arriving into the little beach town, one late rainy evening. Based on my research we would have been able to walk a good 10 minutes to our beach cottage from the train station. However not anticipating the bad weather, we arrived and it was raining cats and dogs. A gps would have been good to have at that time and maybe if the weather was better too. Luckily, we managed to get into a cab, which brought us to our destination dry and safe.

Wishing I can get a good deal soon

Ever since I can remember, I have loved hotel bargains (Who wouldn’t). I always get this excited rush whenever I visit last minute accommodation websites where I could possibly snag some last minute hotels great deal either for myself or for my family member back home. Once in a while the rates for the weekend drop considerably. Enough for me to consider packing my overnight bag and head of to some posh hotel somewhere.

What’s even better is that they have last minute flights on jetstar or Qantas. Last year I went to the Fraser Coast with my boyfriend. We were able to secure cheap flights on virgin blue and stayed at Kingfisher Bay Resort for three nights. I am keeping a watch now to see if there’s anything available sometime during the summer.

Other tourist markets

Today’s world is teaching different industries to accept differences in race, gender, sexuality and background. This pertains to my industry as well, which is the travel industry. Studying Tourist Behaviour in one of my post graduate Tourism Management classes, I’ve learned a great deal about Gay Friendly Travel. There are hostels, hotels, resorts, tours that particularly cater to the gay and lesbian market. The services they require to be rendered are of equal standard just like any other market (such as solo traveler, or family travel). Just like any other traveler, they are after Gay Travel Deals. There are quite a number of travel deals, packages and stay pay deals available out there. A Gay and Lesbian Destination Planner is available as well, advising on the best season (or months) to travel. Information on city happenings, activities and celebrations are out there as well. Gay and Lesbian travelers would know that Sydney’s Mardi Gras happens around about early March of each year. This is quite an interesting event to attend, whether one intends to participate in the parade, or be an entertained spectator like myself in the past few years. There are other wonderful cities as well such as San Francisco and Toronto which have their own Mardi Gras season. This is something that interests the gay and lesbian leisure travelers as well.