TRAVEL
TRAVEL
Airport innovations for travellers village travel ANNA STEWART We spend a lot more time in airports now than we did 20 years ago. And not just because we travel so much more. Security measures and airline check-in deadlines, especially prior to international flights, mean we need to be at the airport well in advance of flight departure time. The days of cutting it fine and racing through the terminal to the plane at the very last minute are long gone. The new-look Brisbane Airport App is designed to help travellers with the process. It provides invaluable airport information to reduce any pre-travel anxiety and enhance time spent at the terminal and is now also available in Simplified Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
The App provides sign-in for Facebook and Google users to personalise their airport experience and receive exclusive offers. Information includes retail and dining options and scope to make accommodation, rental car and parking bookings. The ‘My Trip’ function provides a handy reminder on where you parked your car, especially useful for those returning with ‘holiday brain’. Other tips include getting to and from the airport plus tourist attraction highlights of Brisbane and beyond. Essential information on flight arrivals and departures is available and you can opt to receive text notifications on any change to your outbound flight. Inbound flight details can be shared with family and friends so they can be notified by text should your flight arrival time change significantly. The world-first Digital Departure Card (via the “Departure Card” option on the Brisbane Airport App) enables outbound international travellers to enter and save their personal Departure Card information on their mobile device. No more last minute form-filling before heading to the Immigration queue. Information stored in the App is converted into a QR code to be scanned and printed at kiosks
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We are an accredited Yellow Fever vaccination clinic and offer all other travel vaccines required for travel overseas. We are conveniently located close to the Brisbane CBD with plenty of FREE onsite parking.
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villageNews I November 2016
located in the International Terminal. All the traveller need do is sign the card, to be collected by Customs as part of the departure process. This clever Brisbane Airport App can be downloaded for free from iTunes or from the Google Play Store. The recent opening of Australia’s first independent Plaza Premium Lounge & Wellness Spa at Brisbane International is another plus. Regardless of airline or class of travel, outward bound international travellers can now purchase lounge access to enjoy comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverage, WiFi, Internet, telephone access and re-charging workstations, international newspapers and magazines. Lounge access starts from $66 per person for a five (5) hour package and gift card visits to any of the
lounge network can be purchased online, making the perfect going-away present for loved ones and friends. Multi-visit transferable-use cards are available, as well as frequent traveller package deals, literally opening up a whole new world for travellers. At additional cost, lounge guests can also avail themselves of the associated Wellness Spa, with treatments designed to relax and prepare travellers for their international flight. The new facility, one of 27 lounges throughout the world, is located on Level Four between Gates 81 and 82 and is open all day from 5.30am through to 11.30pm. For further information, visit Australia@plaza-network.com
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We are also a boutique general practice that offers exceptional medical care in an unrushed and caring environment.
Suite 4, Centenary Pool Complex, 400 Gregory Terrace, Spring Hill E: admin@brisbanegp.com.au
Brisbane’s Plaza Premium Lounge Area
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Your local medical centre and travel clinic in Brisbane for everything you need before your next holiday.
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Brisbane GP & Travel Doctor
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VILLAGE TRAVELLER
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WITH ANNA STEWART
Q
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE DESTINATIONS?
• Coles Bay in Tasmania, for the freshest seafood, great wines and spectacular natural beauty. • Hong Kong, for its fast and furious pace, world-class restaurants, and great local walks (the Trappist Monastery located between Discovery Bay and Mui Wo on Lantau Island is wonderful but not a journey for the faint-hearted). • Tintagel in Cornwall, a magical place ringing with the history of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
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WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL TALE?
While wandering around the Loire Valley in France, we ended up staying in a small village called Montresor. In halting French, I managed to barter with the mayor’s wife to purchase a beautiful pedestal occasional table, which is still a favourite piece now. Getting it home was an even bigger adventure.
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AN “OFF-THE-BEATEN TRACK” STORY?
Took a trip west through outback Queensland to Longreach, overnighting in Blackall, the home of Jackie Howe, the Black Stump and the Heritage-listed Wool Scour. We threw a line into the Barcoo River and caught a couple of yellowbelly, a delicious fresh water local fish. Simple travel pleasures!
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A REALLY MEMORABLE DINING EXPERIENCE?
At Huvafen Fushi Resort in the Maldives, there’s a restaurant called Vinum which is housed in a cavern 8 metres beneath the island. Incredible art and literally walls of fabulous wine. A memorable place to celebrate a special birthday.
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YOUR #1 MOST PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIP TO SHARE?
Take small quantity toiletries and always leave room in your bag for that unexpected treasure. My three “must-bring” things when taking a trip are: • A good hat • A failsafe credit/debit card • A sense of humour
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TRAVEL BOOK AND WEBSITE SUGGESTIONS?
Any of Bill Bryson’s books offer a great tongue-in-cheek perspective. Also blogs by Keep Calm and Travel and Expert Vagabond. For websites, I recommend Beautiful Accommodation and also Luxury Escapes.
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WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST TRAVEL GRUMBLE?
Flight delays and seat kickers.
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WHAT’S CURRENTLY ON YOUR TRAVEL WISH LIST?
Bhutan, a Mekong River Cruise and Santiago de Compostela. And hopefully a visit to Nepal next year.
Three amigos and a fistful of dollars continued from page 17 The ceremonial unveiling of his (second) bust was held during the Australian Open in a special ceremony on Rod Laver Arena before a packed court, his two children, tennis stars Nadal and Federer, with his Davis Cup teammates Laver, Emerson and Neale Fraser watching on. Chuck Feeney and his wife Helga flew out from New York to attend the ceremony.
Chuck Feeney now resides in San Francisco. He has almost reached his goal of giving away his multibillion fortune to worthy causes, during his lifetime. “Ken was trying to start a new life,” said Hugh, “and Chuck was trying to bring peace to Ireland. Both succeeded.” After Ken’s death, Chuck Feeney relented on his lifelong anonymity to appear in a 2008 episode of Australian Story about Ken Fletcher’s life on ABCTV. “I’ll do it for Ken,” he said. November 2016 I villageNews
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