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Japan gourmet small-group tour with multi-course dining

By
Michael G Browne
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I often marvel at how beautifully prepared and presented is the food is at my local Japanese restaurant. Even the tiniest salad seems to possess special powers of flavour and aesthetics.

How a square of silken bean curd can be transformed into Agedashi Tofu is one of the culinary wonders of the world. I’ve tried and it was a disaster.

So I can only dream of how amazing high-end Japanese cuisine must be in Japan itself and here’s a Luxury Escapes tour that can make your dreams come true.

Complex flavours and sumptuous dining await on this small-group gourmet tour of Japan’s culinary capitals (max. 20 travellers). Sip sake from a centuries-old recipe at a historic brewery in Kobe and savour the buttery tender texture of Kobe beef.

From Kobe Harborland to Tokyo’s bustling Tsukiji Outer Market, Japan’s spectacular seafood is a point of pride. Local specialties like rich Nagoya-style grilled eel and moreish Osakan takoyaki tell a story about the fishing tradition in Japan.

From the sweeping vistas of Mount Fuji to the waterfront views of its harbour cities, the freshness and flavour found in every dish are a testament to the exquisite quality of Japan’s coastal cuisines.

The culinary craftsmanship doesn’t stop at seafood. Uji green tea offers creamy calm in a cup, while the elaborate configuration of dishes in kaiseki ryori invite presence and consideration with every bite.

Kobe may be widely known for its deeply marbled and tender beef, but the city is also home to some of Japan’s oldest sake breweries, where you can taste centuries of recipe development with a single sip.

Try your hand at kneading and rolling chewy udon noodles under the tutelage of Takamatsu’s masters and eat as the wrestlers do with a spectacular chanko nabe or ‘sumo stew’ hot pot.

Even experience the meticulous flavours and masterful curation of a traditional multi-course kaiseki ryori as you watch a mesmerising geisha performance.

Travel comfortably with included airport transfers and private coach transport throughout your trip, and let your expert English-speaking guide uncover the rich history of Japan’s magnificent temples and imposing castles.

Visit the profoundly moving Atomic Bomb Dome and reflect on the impacts of war as you walk through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

Make your pilgrimage to Fushimi Inari Shrine, through innumerable vermilion torii gates, then marvel at the slopes of Mount Fuji.

Toast your journey with a welcome bottle of sake and bring a piece of Japanese culture home in the form of a beautifully crafted sake set.

For all the details and pricing for this 11 day, 10 night tour from Luxury Escapes, CLICK HERE

Heritage escape, Hydro Majestic Hotel Blue Mountains

By
Michael G Browne
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THE DEAL: Escape for two nights from A$499/room, valued up to A$1,392 a saving of up to 64%

THE APPEAL: Immerse yourself in Art Deco-inspired luxury, chef-hatted dining and heritage design with an unforgettable stay at the historic The Hydro Majestic Hotel.

It’s a spectacular retreat set in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, a short drive from the Three Sisters at Echo Point and the Scenic Skyway cablecar.

A local institution, this iconic Art Deco property has been operating since 1904 and attracted many a famous guest, including Australia’s first Prime Minister Sir Edmund Barton and Sherlock Holmes creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Experience this slice of history with a grand heritage stay with grander inclusions, including a legendary high tea at chef-hatted restaurant, The Wintergarden.

Learn about the estate and magnate founder Mark Foy’s illustrious heritage on an intimate tour of the grounds, from the century-old Casino Lobby and its iconic domed roof to the Majestic Ballroom.

Plus, with a perfect position in the historic town of Medlow Bath — just over 90 minutes by car from Sydney — you’re surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the Blue Mountains, making it the perfect romantic weekend escape.

For all the details and pricing from Luxury Escapes CLICK HERE

Myths and Legends of Soul Alley, Saigon

By
Jimmy Thomson
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Having written two books about Australian army engineers (sappers) in the Vietnam War and having visited the country a dozen times as both a tourist and a tour guide, I am always on the alert for anything that taps into those two areas of interest.

Over the years I had heard rumours about an area called Soul Alley  – a legendary, almost mythical zone that was a home from home for African-American soldiers and a no-go zone for white GIs. 

A few years ago I started noticing requests in Tripadvisor for information about the precise location of Soul Alley. Most of the info provided was vague and/or well off the mark.

That led me to do my own research and that in turn led to me featuring Soul Alley in my crime novel Mole Creek (written under the name James Dunbar), as I explain in this feature that I wrote for the Australian Financial Review and which was published in July this year (2023).

Soul food and soul music in Saigon’s no-go zone

Blame it on the fog of war, or the mists of time, but there are tales from our military history that remain in the shadows.

When it comes to war stories, some secrets are carefully protected while others are quietly forgotten.  These are the rumours that have stopped being spread, the whispers that have simply fallen silent.

Take the legend of a black-only area called Soul Alley in wartime Saigon, a veritable den of iniquity that provides a backdrop for a couple of critical plot points in my new crime/spy thriller Mole Creek.

Look it up on all-knowing artificial intelligence platform Chat-GPT and you got nothing (until tricky AI plundered this article).

I first heard rumours about Soul Alley when I was researching my two non-fiction books on the Vietnam War – Tunnel Rats and A Sapper’s War. Frequently, I’d pick up references to this semi-mythical African-American area but could never find anyone who had been there.

Casual references would pop up on American veterans’ websites and it became clear that Soul Alley was very real; a cluster of narrow streets and typically twisting alleyways less than 2km from the US Army base at what is now the international airport.

However, hard facts were thin on the ground. After all, it was the kind of place you wouldn’t boast about having frequented. I finally struck gold when I discovered a 2018 website report about efforts to make a documentary film.

Entitled “For black GIs in Saigon, ‘Soul Alley’ was an oasis of food and vice”, the article describes how the film makers kept coming up against the same passive secrecy.

“These vets would look at me like, ‘How do you even know about that?’” film maker Ted Irving said. “It’s something they keep to themselves.” 

Part of this forgotten aspect of the Vietnam War was the racial tension within the American forces that occasionally led to riots in US army camps and near mutinies at sea.

Throughout the same period when the country was sending young men to fight in South-East Asia, the civil rights movement was growing in power and intensity in the USA.

When its leader Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, the Vietnam War was at its height.  Only two weeks earlier, 500 Vietnamese civilians had been murdered in the My Lai massacre and the battle of Khe San was in full swing.

It was probably inevitable that racial tensions would simmer and occasionally boil over. In August 1968, hundreds of black prisoners overwhelmed prison guards at Long Binh Jail, a military facility just outside Saigon, where they captured the stockade commander and set buildings on fire.

Later that year, according to the New York Times, there were reports of large-scale battles between black and white soldiers in service clubs, while racial incidents occurred at the China Beach recreation area and in Danang clubs and dining halls on an almost daily basis.

In October, 1972 there was a race riot on the USS Kitty Hawk, with similar incidents on other Navy ships.

In Tunnel Rats, Australian sappers reported that many black American troops preferred to socialise with them rather than their countrymen.

So one can see how Soul Alley would be a refuge for African-American troops from the racism, both casual and overt, of their white comrades in arms. 

There the bars played soul music and blues rather than pop and country, there was soul food such as collard greens, grits and fried chicken (prepared by Vietnamese cooks) and it was effectively a no-go area for whites, unless they were accompanied by a black comrade.

For a long time, military police wouldn’t venture there, partly for fear of starting a civil war among the US forces. With no laws but its own, it predictably became a hotspot for drug dealing, prostitution, gun running and money laundering, with many deserters finding a haven there.

This was confirmed in a hard-to-find Time magazine article from December 1970 which detailed a combined raid on the area by US MPs, Saigon city police and South Vietnamese Army troops.

That rare incursion was prompted by an assault on a Military Police Jeep that had strayed into the area. The two MPs escaped with their lives but not their vehicle or weapons. The subsequent raid captured 56 local women and 110 GIs, 30 of whom were deserters.

One year later, according to a contemporaneous TV news clip now on YouTube, Soul Alley was back in action.

Wartime Vietnam is just one part of Mole Creek, which is mostly set in modern-day Tasmania. But while Mole Creek is mostly fiction Soul Alley was 100 per cent fact..

Mole Creek (by Jimmy Thomson, writing as James Dunbar) is published by Echo Publishing

The night they raided Soul Alley, Saigon

By
Jimmy Thomson
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Exactly 53 years ago this month a combined force of American and Vietnamese MPs and civilian police raided the “no-whites-allowed” area of Soul Alley in Saigon, a refuge for African American soldiers from the sometimes casual, often overt racism of their comrades-in-arms. A month earlier, a US Military Police Jeep had ventured in – its two occupants left without their guns and their vehicle, prompting the raid on this area that the US military authorities had conveniently chosen to ignore.

This is how Time Magazine reported the incident a few days later.

Time Magazine: Monday, Dec. 14, 1970

Just after the 1 a.m. curfew one day last week, 300 heavily armed American and Vietnamese MPs, civilian police and militiamen, supported by 100 armored cars, trucks and Jeeps, swooped down on a narrow dirt alley in Saigon and sealed it off.

As their house-to-house search began, G.I.s groggy with sleep and drugs scampered in every direction, a few over rooftops, trying to escape.

Their women followed, some stark naked, some wearing only pajama bottoms, as spotlights from two helicopters above played on the bizarre scene. When the roundup ended four hours later, 56 girls and 110 G.I.s, including 30 deserters, were hauled off into custody.

Known as Soul Alley, this 200-yd. back street is located just one mile from U.S. military headquarters for Viet Nam. At first glance, it is like any other Saigon alley: mama-sans peddle Winston cigarettes and Gillette Foam Shaves from pushcarts, and the bronzed, bony drivers of three-wheeled, cycles sip lukewarm beer at corner food stalls as children play tag near their feet.

A closer look, however, shows that Soul Alley is a very special place. The children being bounced on their mothers’ hips have unmistakably Afro-Asian features. A sign in the local barbershop proclaims: THE NATURAL LOOK HAS ARRIVED. Green Army fatigues hang from balcony railings to dry in the sun. Black G.I.s talk and laugh, their arms around slight young Asian girls.

No Whites Allowed.

Soul Alley is home for somewhere between 300 and 500 black AWOLS and deserters. They escape arrest by using forged ID cards and mixing with the even greater number of G.I.s who are still on active duty but prefer spending nights here, away from the drabness of their barracks.

There were roughly 65,000 cases of AWOL last year, and the Army estimates that about 1,000 soldiers will become deserters this year (no racial breakdowns are available).

Whites who venture into Soul Alley do so at their own risk, as two military policemen learned a month ago. Five minutes after they drove in at mid-morning in their Jeep, they walked back out—minus the vehicle and their weapons.

The Army has known about Soul Alley and its deserters ever since the haven sprang up three years ago, and MPs have frequently staged minor raids and roundups. The incident with the Jeep sparked the biggest raid yet. But even if the brass cleaned up Soul Alley, its residents, rather like the Viet Cong, would soon drift back or relocate in another, similar spot.

Easy Living.

For many Soul Alley AWOLS, the living is easy. Explained one: “You get up late, you smoke a few joints, you get on your Honda and ride around to the PX, buy a few items you can sell on the black market, come back, blow some more grass, and that’s it for the day.”

Rent for the second floor of a brick house rarely runs to more than $40 or $50 a month, including laundry and housekeeping services. Hustling is the name of the game here. This gives everyone plenty of money for anything from soul food at a restaurant called Nam’s to hi-fi equipment, television sets or even heroin. Here is how the system works:

From an army of papa-san forgers, the AWOL gets his phony ID and ration cards. He goes to the PX, buys an expensive item, such as a refrigerator, for as little as $71.50 in military payment certificates (MFCS). On the open market, he can sell it for $500 in MFCS. Markups on TV sets and stereo sets are almost as high.

Special Signal.

Despite such amenities, life in Soul Alley can be lonely and miserable. Many of the AWOLs would rather be back home, but cannot leave Viet Nam without facing arrest and court-martial. Some would like to stay in Soul Alley, or something like it, but wonder whether they can.

“I don’t want to go back to the States, and certainly not back to Houston, Texas,” said a black G.I. who is married to a Vietnamese. “They would call me a ‘nigger’ and my wife a ‘gook,’ and they would never leave us alone. But I can’t get a civilian job here when I get out of the service.”

Besides, many have found that they jumped from one form of racism into another, since Vietnamese often do not like dark-skinned people. Add to this the harassment by MPs, the sense of being without a country, and the day-today hassle to raise money, and the frustrations can grow unbearable.

One G.I. summed it up: “It ain’t the rules; it’s the man. Same as back in the world. A black man is the only one they grab for spitting on the streets. Over here if a bunch of brothers get together to blow some grass, right away the officers get uptight; in the next barracks over, white guys are doing the same thing, but nobody bothers them.

“The regs [Army Regulations] say you can grow your hair this long, but the first sergeant says he don’t care what the regs say, because he don’t like no black man with a ‘Fro.”

This sort of feeling has given rise to a special variation of the intricate signal that black soldiers in Viet Nam exchange when they meet. The standard greeting includes two taps on the chest —meaning “I will die for you.” In Soul Alley, some blacks add a swift downward motion of the hand—a stroke to kill.

Off Australia’s Southern shores in boutique luxury

By
Michael G Browne
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Fishing Recherche Archipelago Esperance

There’s some debate about the originator of the quote “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” I mention it because to make the most of this cruise, you need to decide now to sail this time next year. I have to admit, this is one that interests me greatly since seeing a David Attenborough doco on the fabulous wildlife on Australia’s Southern shores.

Not only that, the ship pops into some of the places that supply most of our top end gourmet restaurants, like Port Lincoln, King Island and the Tamar Valley (may I recommend the Pinot Noir?). I’ll let Cruise Traveller tease you from here.

What better way to cruise into Christmas in 2024 than a relaxed, luxury, all-inclusive voyage around the southern shores of Australia just before Santa arrives next year!  The two-week, live-it-up journey aboard one of Ponant’s newest boutique ships has been packaged by Australian small ship specialist, Cruise Traveller, with a bonus flight credit and extensive savings of A$10,810 per couple – and less than half the fare for solo travellers – for bookings made by December 31, 2023.

Cruise Traveller’s new, 13-night ‘Expedition on Southern Australian Shores’ package features an all-inclusive – and that means an open-bar for the whole cruise – ultra-luxe expedition cruise from Perth to Hobart aboard Ponant’s 184-guest exploration ship, Le Jacques Cartier.  Showcasing more remote and pristine destinations bigger ships can’t access, the voyage extends from December 10 to 23, 2024, providing an indulgent, carefree pathway into the festive season next year.

Launched in 2020 and named after a 16th Century French maritime explorer, Ponant’s sleek and stylish Le Jacques Cartier boasts a refined and intimate, French-styled elegance, fine dining restaurants, plush lounges, theatre, spectacular infinity pool, an expert expedition team and personalised service. All staterooms offer a private balcony or terrace.

Le Jacques Cartier will sail from Perth on December 10, 2024, charting a course to the wild seascapes of Albany and also Esperence with its chalk-white beaches, lapped by turquoise waters. Guests will also get the rare chance to experience the wild, seldom visited islands of the Recherche Archipelago off the WA coast with its rich seal and bird colonies. Also on the itinerary is the succulent seafood capital of Port Lincoln and the historic coastal town of Victor Harbour, followed by King Island and its famous cheeses, and Tasmania’s Tamar Valley, renowned for its fine, cool climate wines. The voyage ends in Hobart.

The voyage includes guided, complimentary excursions on Zodiacs and ashore. The cruise also includes the luxury of a daily open bar onboard Le Jacques Cartier. 

The 13-night cruise is available from A$12,550 per person, twin-share, in a Deluxe Balcony stateroom – a saving of A$5405 each. Solo travellers can enjoy even bigger savings, with the package available for the same fare in a Deluxe Balcony stateroom – a substantial saving of A$21,685, which is well below half the full fare (very limited in spaces – early bookings recommended, subject to availability).  There’s also a bonus A$400 per person flight credit to go towards connecting flights. The savings and bonus flight credit apply to bookings made with Cruise Traveller by December 31, 2023. 

To book, visit www.CruiseTraveller.com.au/sthshores (direct link) or call Cruise Traveller on 1800 507 777 or see www.cruisetraveller.com.au

Cicada Luxury Resort Ubud, Bali

By
Michael G Browne
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If your only visits to Bali have been for beach holidays, there are much cooler options (in all senses) to explore as you climb upwards to the mountain town of Ubud. Since I was last there, the cheap cds (recorded in the cinema with the occasional audience member walking across screen on the way for a toilet break) are probably less ubiquitous, but I bet you can still buy yourself a “genuine” Rolex at the street market.

For a more authentic experience there the Ubud Art Market as featured in the movie, Eat Pray Love, where you can haggle for silk scarves, lightweight shirts, statues, kites, handmade woven bags, baskets or hats and many other hand-crafted goods. 

The first time I stayed in Ubud was at a friend’s place and was avoiding getting too close to his ferocious looking pet monkey (which would have been happier in the local monkey forest sanctuary) when I glanced over the ankle-high garden wall to see a 100m sheer drop to a stream below. The Cicada Luxury Resort looks a much safer option and Luxury Escapes has lined up a good deal for you. A three night stay will cost you A$999/room, it’s valued at A$1,830 so you’ll save yourself up to 45% to help with cost of living stress. I’ll hand you over to Luxury Escapes now.

Renowned for its lush rainforests and serene bamboo-clad surroundings, Ubud is the perfect jungle setting for Cicada Luxury Resort Ubud. A place of verdant allure, the landscape is showcased through transitional indoor-outdoor design, from the open-air yoga shala and spa suites, to alfresco dining spaces. Savour the sounds of the wilderness over 15 courses at Tangelo a Contemporary Cuisine and tantalise your palate with exotic cocktails at Verdant Pool Lounge and Bar, best enjoyed to the soundtrack of nightly live music.

Cascading over the dense jungles of Tegalalang, this luxe reprieve is secluded in a world of its own, yet moments from the untouched rice terraces, sacred sights and temples of Sebatu village. Let the dedicated concierge team decide your day in Ubud’s mesmerising caves and monkey forests, or stay local to sip sacred spring water said to grant youthful vitality.

When you’re in need of pampering, whittle away hours at the spa – trust the healing hands of expert therapists, experience a soothing bath ritual soaking in flowers and herbs, and practise your flow in the elements, all framed by misty greenery.

Sebatu is located at the foothills of the famous Mount Batur, the area is rich with Balinese culture and tradition. To venture further afield, the resort’s complimentary shuttle to Ubud Centre is on hand for adventures to the Monkey Forest or leafy cafes, wellness studios and more.

Longer Stay Bonus: Stay five nights or more in the Puri Nadi Pool Villa to enjoy a magical floating breakfast, or stay seven nights or more in either room type to extend feelings of bliss with an additional 90-minute massage per person.

For all prices and the many inclusions and options from Luxury Escapes, CLICK HERE

Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, Margaret River

By
Michael G Browne
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THE DEAL: Stay two nights from A$699/villa, valued up to A$1,157 a saving of up to 40%

THE APPEAL: Experience five-star Pullman luxury in Western Australia’s Margaret River region at the exceptional Pullman Bunker Bay Resort.

Perched alongside the pristine sands of the near-private Bunker Bay, with direct access to the beach, this tranquil retreat is set among 35 acres of breathtaking native landscapes.

Indulge in an evening of culinary delight at Other Side of the Moon Restaurant and Bar, where Executive Chef Mo Arun showcases local and Indigenous flavours perfectly paired with the region’s applauded wines, and float away in the heated infinity-edge swimming pool.

With its serene beachfront setting and five-star facilities – including two tennis courts, a fitness centre, complimentary Saturday yoga classes and a world-class day spa – Pullman Bunker Bay Resort is the perfect launchpad for adventures in the spectacular surrounds of the Margaret River region.

Follow salt-licked walking trails to unearth Cape Naturaliste’s majestic coastline, savour the region’s gourmet food and wine scene at chef-hatted restaurants and cellar doors, and delve into the pristine landscapes of karri-tree forests and majestic caves.

For details and all pricing options, CLICK HERE

Young and restless – Sue’s award-winning article

By
Sue Williams
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Last weekend, our very own Sue Williams won an Australian Society of Travel Writers award for the Best Travel News Story of 2023 for this yarn, which first appeared in the SMH Traveller section, about how young people are starting to travel again.

They’re the generation that have missed out the most through the pandemic – that epic gap year wander around the world, those uni holidays discovering Southeast Asia and that precious breather, roaming Europe, before kicking off a career.

So has travel, as a result, lost its appeal forever for the young, or are they ready and raring to get back out there to see what life beyond Australia has to offer?  

All early signs are that they’re even keener to travel than even before. Youth travel specialists Contiki says it’s seen a 107 per cent increase in bookings in April to June, compared to the first three months of this year. “Similarly, 61 per cent of young Aussies committed to making international travel a priority for this year,” said managing director Toni Ambler.

“The European summer shaped up to be the most popular time to travel, with 64 per cent jetting off for some European sun. We are also seeing travellers make the most of their time abroad and book multi-destination trips including Amsterdam, France, Italy, UK, Germany, Austria, while beach escapes and island adventures has meant destinations like Greece and Croatia remain popular.”

Webjet has also just recorded a sizeable growth in the share of international flight bookings amongst 18 to 25-year-olds, particularly to Europe. “It seems that these travellers are the most eager to make up for two years’ worth of delayed gap years and university semester-break holidays,” said CEO David Galt. 

“[But] as increased airfares continue to impose on young price-savvy travellers, it’s  much more crucial to find the best deals available on the market, especially for those with flexible travel dates who can use the Price Calendar Tool to find the cheapest period to fly.”

At the Australian Institute of Foreign Study, managing director Wendi Aylward says they’ve had double the number of applications from young people to travel to the US to work as counsellors at Camp America, while school-leavers are currently increasingly calling at Flight Centre stores to ask about regulations and restrictions and whether travel is safe. 

“A lot of youth travellers have a lot more money saved up from their jobs and are deciding to do that dream trip to Europe they’ve been planning for at least three years,” said Nathan Varney, at a Flight centre store in Brisbane. “The most popular destinations are Europe and Fiji and Bali is currently resurging.”

Many others are after bragging rights for their friends. “And who wouldn’t?” asks Taree Flight Centre consultant Katrina Van Der Merwe. “They want the salt flats of Bolivia or a camel ride in Egypt or to hike the glaciers in the Rockies. We’re also seeing a lot joining up with groups and tours as winging it entirely on your own can be daunting in this day and age.”

Laura Suine, 19, Cabarita, Sydney

“I’m planning a big Europe trip for next year, going to Italy, Greece, Spain … and the rest to be decided. I’ll be on a semester break from the third year of my architecture degree at UTS, so will have two solid months away. 

“I’d originally planned this trip for 2021 with my family and friends and their families after we’d finished the HSC. At least it’s given me more time to save. I’m used to having big family holidays overseas, but we haven’t done that for three years. Now, looking forward to this trip, it’s: Yay! I feel like now I’m going to appreciate every little moment. Even the things we used to hate, like checking in and going through security, feel so exciting.

“I am a bit more nervous, though, about being in a country where I don’t speak the language in case I do get sick, or there is an outbreak of illness. I never thought about that before, but I love travel and I don’t want to wait any longer.”

Kit Swingler, 22, Northcote, Melbourne

“I left Melbourne at the start of April with my partner Georgia and have had a month in Nepal, a month in Vietnam and now we’re having two months in Bali.

I finished my science degree at the University of Melbourne at the end of 2020 and had planned this trip for 2021. But that couldn’t happen, so I did some hospitality work and received support payments which meant I didn’t have to touch my holiday savings. So, I’ll aim for post-grad medicine studies next year instead, and enjoy travel now.

“Sometimes, there’s a lot of COVID-related stuff around, certainly in airports and with mass transit but, outside, it feels pretty removed. Walking in the mountains in Nepal, you feel a world away from COVID and you can forget all about it for a little bit, although some of the routes are closed and teahouses, where you stay and get food, are shuttered. 

“I think I’m definitely enjoying travel more now. I was raring to go. It puts it all into perspective how lucky we are to be able to travel and see the world when it was shut off from us for so long. If anything, it’s made me even keener to travel, despite the fears, and I plan to travel as much as I can.”

Gaby Lioe, 22, Hurstville, Sydney

“Me and my friends – there’ll be five to six of us – are planning to go to Europe next year. We’ll go everywhere … England … Spain … Greece … Italy … France. We want to do the whole thing and we’ll have four to six weeks. I’m so excited. My parents are Indonesian, so I’ve been there a lot, but this will be my first time in Europe.

“I’m an actor and I graduated a year ago from my Bachelor of Performance at the University of Wollongong and I’ve been working in [menswear retail] Tarocash to save money for the trip. 

“I want to go over and sightsee and try different food and party. I’m so eager to go; I think COVID has made me even more keen. I’ve really built this trip up and think, and talk, about it all the time. I don’t feel worried at all. I want to travel to other places too, and eventually I want to go and to America to see if I can work there.”

Amelia Fuhr, 20, Coburg, Melbourne

“I’m studying international business, majoring in marketing, at Monash University and I’ve only one more semester to do next year. But the whole reason I did this course was that it has an overseas exchange program as part of it, but that was cancelled because of COVID. But I’ve reapplied so I’m hopeful I’ll be able to go in January. 

“I choose Colorado in the US because it has lots of outdoor activities and beautiful mountains, and it’s so different to Melbourne. I also want to experience US college life. I missed out on most of mine because of the pandemic. My dream is eventually to go and live and work overseas. 

“I now see travel as more of a luxury, something that we should no longer take for granted. It’s even more exciting than it was before and I’m going to appreciate it so much more. I definitely feel more cautious about it, however. I chose Colorado, for instance, over Boston because that’s more likely to have lockdowns. I’d hate to go over and end up locked down and the cost of quarantine in a hotel would be huge. There are risks, but in the end, you want to travel and you just think, Whatever!” 

Patrick Barnden, 23, Box Hill, Melbourne

“The last time I was overseas was in 2020, in Japan, right before COVID started, and lots of the attractions were closed and there were complications with flights. I just graduated last year with a commerce degree from Deakin University and am now in the first year of my full-time work as an accountant, so I haven’t planned any trips coming up. 

“I’m still young so I do want to get out and see different things and places and make new memories. I definitely have ground to make up but I haven’t had the chance yet. I did travel a lot when I was younger with my family to Europe and Asia and now I want to travel with friends or by myself 

“For my next trip, I’d like to go back to Europe as I love all the different cultures there and I’ve always liked Asia. I don’t think my attitude to travel has changed at all. Because I’m vaccinated, I think I’ll be pretty OK and while travel seems a lot more complicated now, I’m sure it’ll be easier later on.”

Grand Opening: Singapore Pan Pacific on Orchard Road

By
Michael G Browne
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THE DEAL: Time limited offer, three nights from A$1,499/room. Valued up to A$3,000, save up to 50%.

THE APPEAL: Be one of the first to discover Pan Pacific Orchard, a sanctuary filled with lush flora across four uniquely designed layers on Singapore’s iconic Orchard Road.

Brought to life by esteemed designers WOHA, the sustainability-focused foliage-filled innovation has already claimed World Travel Awards Asia’s Leading New Hotel 2023 less than a year after its official unveiling.

When the sun is shining, take to the glittering emerald pool on the unique Beach Terrace, where the coast meets the sky and palm groves seemingly float above the busy pavement. Plus, revel in the hybrid indoor-outdoor lounge spaces and mirrored ceilings.

Explore Orchard Road’s renowned high-end shopping, eating and drinking district on your doorstep, or stroll to Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that provides a leafy refuge from the cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Back at the hotel, visit Florette, a trendy bar where bubbles and caviar bumps unite against a smouldering backdrop, or discover the wow factor at Mosella, where farm-to-table fare is served in a gilded setting.

Indulge in all the spoils of Pan Pacific Orchard – from impeccable modern design to its elite location and sparkling views of Singapore – as you relax in the Pacific Club Lounge, enjoying all-day refreshments and creative cocktails.

For all the details including a longer stay bonus, call Luxury Escapes on Call 1300 88 99 00 or CLICK HERE

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, Thailand

By
Michael G Browne
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THE DEAL: Stay three nights from A$699/room, valued up to A$3,108, a saving of up to 78%.

THE APPEAL: Discover Bangkok from a new angle with Luxury Escapes deal on a stay at the five-star Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, perfectly placed on the serene banks of the Chao Phraya River.

With Thailand’s shining capital on the horizon and the jungle by your side, it’s never been easier to discover Bangkok’s best – the hotel’s complimentary shuttle ferry service means you’re just a short hop from high-end shopping malls, ancient temples and vibrant marketplaces.

Return to signature Anantara hospitality steeped in an old-world Siam spirit and 10 extraordinary restaurants and bars, including international teppanyaki house Benihana, historic house of tiki tipples Trader Vic’s and waterfront Longtail by the River, the perfect place to kick back and watch the world drift lazily by.

With a rotating schedule of authentic experiences, including Buddhist ceremonies, longtail boat tours, yoga workshops and city tours, Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is brimming with fresh discoveries.

Surrounded by 11 acres of lush greenery, this riverside oasis offers the rarest of Bangkok treasures – peace, privacy and undisturbed quiet.

Make the most of it by lazing by the magnificent central pool or sample Anantara Spa’s massive menu of wellness treatments, ranging from Himalayan thermal salt therapy to traditional Thai massages.

For all the details, pricing and available bonus deals from Luxury Escapes, CLICK HERE

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