Turbulence December 2014

DECEMBER 2014

TURBULENCE

FINALIS T 2013 & 2014

EXOTIC INDIA FLY FREE

AMAZING AND INSPIRING

EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME!

SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS FROM THE

FLIGHT DECK

TRAVEL INFORMATION AND INDUSTRY NEWS

THE SEAN SIMMONS TEAM OF TRAVEL EXPERTS P +61 3 9429 3294 (local) P 1300 391 590 (interstate) F +61 3 9429 3293 A Suite 6, 53 Coppin Street Richmond VIC 3121 E enquiries@seanstravel.com.au

W seansimmons travel.com.au

ABN 48153795129 | AFTA 10216 | ATAS A10436

TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014 | 1

“ We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”

TS Elliott 2 | TURBULENCE OCTOBER 2014

THIS ISSUE 5 FROM THE EDITOR 6 Exotic India

India Tour Packages

8

EXCLUSIVE HOTEL DEAL

10

whale shark cruise and swim experience

12

QUEST KING WILLIAM SOUTH, ADELAIDE

14 Sean’s TRAVEL TIPS 16 Christmas Cooking

Your Travel Experts share their favourite recipes

19 Virgin Australia Global Wallet card 20 AIR FORCE ONE HOt Fares To the POINT

Loyalty program news and updates

WINE TIME

With Brett Huxtable

Virgin Australia Updates and news

22 24 28 32

Five fun facts

23 Sean Simmons RECOMMENDS

Year wrap up

27 Planet of the Apps 30 Row 75

Articles of interest

33 MOTOR SHOW CALENDAR 2015

4 | TURBULENCE OCTOBER 2014

FROM THE EDITOR Christmas Opening hours 24 December - 10am - 5pm 25 - 28 December - Closed 29 - 31 December - 10am - 5pm 01 January - Closed 02 January - 10am - 5pm 05 January Normal business hours resume

weLCOME TO THE December ISSUE Welcome to December’s edition of “Turbulence”, our final edition for 2014.

As we prepare to farewell the year, and what a year it was, let’s take a couple of minutes to reflect on a couple of news items we reported on.

Etihad Airways stole a march on their competitors when they released details of their A380 cabin interiors: The Residence, a 3 room suite selling for around $20000 a flight sector: First Class Suite on their 787 and A350 aircraft, which leaves every other first class product in the dust. It will be interesting to see how their competitors respond!

Our poor flag carrier, the crippled wallaby, reported multi billion dollar losses and astounded us all. I am pleased to note that they have, at long last, turned the corner and should be back to profitability by the end of the financial year. Let’s hope they start to innovate soon (as they are still playing catch up), and I do hope their predictions are right!

Virgin Australia continues its march towards ‘full service’, introducing dedicated security lanes in Sydney and Melbourne, and further enhancing their service offering.

A true competitor of value, and we wish them continued success.

Air New Zealand are the stars of this round up. They have successfully introduced the new 787-9 into service, to RAVE reviews (and were the first globally). All this whilst growing market share, increasing revenue, and showing every other airline ‘How to run a business’. Hats off to Air NZ. A truly remarkable airline, with a truly remarkable, innovative and focused TEAM at the helm.

To all our readers, wishing you a Merry Christmas, hopefully spent with family, loved ones and friends; and a safe, prosperous New Year.

‘Til we meet again in 2015, signing off, ED.

TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014 | 5

EXOTIC INDIA

6 | TURBULENCE OCTOBER 2014

FLY FREE

Kaleidoscopic India continues to amaze and infuriate, inspire and dismay her visitors.

A country full enough of paradoxes and contrasts to madden anyone who tries to understand it. The best way to enjoy your holiday in India is simply to open your heart and soak up what is surely the greatest show on earth.

even short distances in India can be slow and exhausting, so take your time, and remember that, perhaps more so in India than anywhere else, it’s the journey, and not the destination, that is allimportant.

its billing as a land of contradictions, India is equally prepared to cater for party animals as spiritual-types - the hectic trance parties of Goa stand in stark contrast to the thousands of ashrams dotted around the country.

The world’s most populous democracy, India is also an enormous landmass, so full of interesting towns and cities and incredible remote areas that one really would need a lifetime to explore.

Having said that, India boasts a startling array of world-famous attractions: from the historic Red Fort of Old Delhi, to the glimmering Golden Temple of Amritsar, the ghats of Varanasi, the desert palaces of Rajasthan, the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, the cool alpine air of Darjeeling and, of course, the immortal Taj Mahal, visitors can anticipate more than a few awe-inspiring sights. And, true to

India is not only one of the best valuefor-money tourist destinations in the world, but one which offers a totally unique, not-to-be-repeatedanywhere-else kind of travelling experience to visitors. A friendly land, well-trodden by years of heavy tourist traffic, there are few more intriguing places to travel than mad, majestic India.

A thorough, though not rigid, pre-trip itinerary is recommended decide what areas most appeal to you, and set yourself the modest goal of exploring them properly. Travelling

For all ENQUIRIES email enquiries@seanstravel.com.au TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014 | 7

23 DAYS Colours of Mystical India 2015 departures starting from $13,195

FLY FREE

Earlybird FLY FREE* offer!

Get free return flights to India on selected departures between 6 October 2015 and 15 March 2016 – saving up to $2480 per couple!

Book before April 2015 to take advantage of this fantastic offer.

This 23 day tour takes you from Delhi to Kochi and visits the Taj Mahal, the lush backwaters of Kerala, World Heritage-listed sites and ancient temples.

AS FEATURED ON OUR WEBSITE! CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL ITINERARY.

Highlights • Explore

Old Delhi with its grand Jama Masjid (mosque) and view the imposing Red Fort • Soak in the sublime beauty of the Taj Mahal with visits at sunrise and sunset • Visit Jaipur’s City Palace, Jantar Mantar Observatory and Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds • Uncover the history behind the unique World Heritage-listed Shore Temples at Mamallapuram • Explore the colourful former French territory of Puducherry • Search for wild elephants and other wildlife in Periyar National Park • Cruise along the famed palm-fringed backwaters

8 | TURBULENCE OCTOBER 2014

Inclusions • Internal flight • Local beer, soft drink, water and tea with all dinners and select lunches • Escorted by a professional Tour Director • Knowledgeable English-speaking local guides • Private vehicle for all sightseeing excursions • Audio headsets throughout • Return airport transfers • 57 superb meals including 22 Breakfasts (B), 17 Lunches (L) and 18 Dinners (D) • A range of free choice selections through the journey • All tipping, porterage and gratuities

Exclusive experiences • Receive

a traditional welcome and a floral garland on arrival • Witness a unique and wonderful elephant polo match before enjoying a barbecue lunch • Learn how to wear a sari or tie a turban, which will be yours to keep before dining on a delicious thali • Visit a family-owned spice plantation and learn about spices before a homecooked lunch

Sunset Experiences • Take

a camel carriage ride through the narrow streets of Mandawa watching the sunset whilst enjoying drinks and snacks • Enjoy a private cruise around Kochi harbour witnessing the spectacular sunset Terms and conditions: Prices are per person, twin share in AUD, inclusive of internal flights and air taxes. Not available in conjunction with any other offer including group discounts and are subject to availability. A non-refundable deposit is required within 7 days of booking.

*Fly Free is valid for flights booked ex SYD/BNE/MEL/ ADL/PER and based on Singapore Airlines Economy in Q Class including taxes of up to $780 per person. Taxes and charges are subject to change without notice. Flight offers are subject to availability until sold out. Flights will be booked through Scenic Tours. Once issued, air tickets are subject to amendment and cancellation fees as established by the applicable airline. Scenic Tours reserve the right to ticket the booking upon receipt of deposit. If specified airlines are not available for any reason Scenic Tours reserves the right to ticket flights on a substitute airline.

Offer valid until 30 April 2015 or until sold out. Offers cannot be combined. For full terms & conditions refer to your Sean Simmons Travel Expert.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE TIME TO DO IT ALL AT ONCE, TRY THESE SEPERATE TOURS OF NORTH AND SOUTH INDIA.

11 Days Colours of North India

13 Days Colours of South India

2015 departures starting from $7,995

2015 departures starting from $5,995

Highlights

Highlights

• E xplore Old Delhi with its grand Jama Masjid (mosque) and visit Word Heritage Humayun’s Tomb • Soak in the sublime beauty of the Taj Mahal with visits at sunrise and sunset • Absorb fascinating frescoes and murals on the painted havelis in Shekhawati • Visit Jaipur’s City Palace, Jantar Mantar Observatory and the intriguing Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds • Wander around Amber Fort and discover the many complexes within • Explore the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri

• U ncover the history behind the unique World Heritage-listed Shore Temples at Mamallapuram • Stroll colourful streets and view magnificent buildings in the former French territory of Puducherry • Visit one of India’s biggest pilgrimage sites, the grandiose Meenakshi Temple in Madurai • Search for wild elephants and other wildlife in Periyar National Park • Cruise along the famed palm-fringed backwaters of Kerala • Explore Fort Kochi’s unique heritage, a legacy left by various former colonisers

Inclusions

• Local

beer, soft drink, water and tea with all dinners and select lunches • 28 superb meals including 10 Breakfasts (B), 9 Lunches (L) and 9 Dinners (D) • Escorted by a professional Tour Director • Knowledgeable English-speaking local guides • Private vehicle for all sightseeing excursions • Audio headsets throughout • Return airport transfers • All tipping, porterage and gratuities

Exclusive experiences • Receive

a traditional welcome and a floral garland on arrival • Witness

a wonderful elephant polo match before enjoying a barbecue lunch • Learn

how to wear a sari or tie a turban, which will be yours to keep before dining on a delicious thali

Inclusions

• Local

beer, soft drink, water and tea with all dinners and select lunches • Escorted by a professional Tour Director • Knowledgeable English-speaking local guides • Private vehicle for all sightseeing excursions • Audio headsets throughout • Return airport transfers • And more!

For full itineraries, booking and further enquiries – contact your Sean Simmons Travel expert today.

Exclusive experiences

• Receive

a traditional welcome and a floral garland on arrival • Visit a family-owned spice plantation and learn about spices before a homecooked lunch • Enjoy a private cruise around Kochi harbour witnessing the spectacular sunset

a camel carriage ride through the • Take narrow streets of Mandawa watching the sunset whilst enjoying drinks and snacks Terms and conditions: Tours are operated by Scenic tours and are subject to their terms and conditions. Prices are land only except where indicated. Prices are correct as at 9 December 2014 and are subject to availability and can change without notice. Credit card and booking fees may apply.

For all ENQUIRIES email enquiries@seanstravel.com.au TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014 | 9

EXCLUSIVE DEAL 10 | TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014

E L

QUEST KING WILLIAM SOUTH, ADELAIDE Less than 7kms from the Airport and near to many of Adelaide’s CBD attractions including Rundle Mall, the Central Market, Victoria Square and Festival Centre, Quest King William South is conveniently located on King William Street, catering for your overnight, short and long term accommodation requirements. Comprising 105 fully self-contained studio, one and two bedroom apartments.

At Quest King William South, you can expect the same consistent, familiar and reliable experience and level of service you’ve come to expect. Quest King William South is the perfect choice for both the corporate and leisure traveller.

THESE GREAT DEALS FROM FEATURED HOTELS ARE STILL AVAILABLE! OAKS PINNACLE SOUTH YARRA FINAL DAYS ON GREAT ROOM RATE! Stay from as little as $139 per room per night Valid until 31 December 2014 and subject to availability. Blackout dates apply. 24 hour notice in advance is required for cancellation. Credit card and booking fees may apply.

Apartment Features

• Separate Living and Dining areas (Excluding Studios) • Fully Equipped Kitchens and Laundry Facilities • Kitchenettes in Studios, Stylish Furnishings • Apartment Controlled Air Conditioning • High-speed Broadband Internet Access • Flatscreen TV with Foxtel • Multi-unit Charging Station

Property Features

• Free WiFi • Gymnasium • Wheelchair Access • Conference Facilities

ATURA WESTERN SYDNEY WET ’n’ WILD PACKAGE $283 – 2 Adults $417 – 2 Adults & 2 Children Includes: 1 night in a King Room (with a fold out double couch), Breakfast, ‘One day’ tickets to Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney, Atura sunscreen.

Booking period 8 Sept 2014 – 28 Feb 2015. Stay period: 1 Dec 2014 – 31 Jan 2015 (available 7 days a week) / 1 Feb – 1 Mar 2015 (Fri, Sat or Sun ONLY. Prices are correct as at 8 Dec. Credit card and booking fees may apply.

EXCLUSIVE DEAL FOR TURBULENCE Subscribers Book a studio room at Quest King William South and enjoy a complimentary upgrade to a one-bedroom apartment!

Valid on stays booked through Sean Simmons Travel until 30 June 2015.

Terms and conditions: Upgrade is subject to room availability at time of check-in.

Blackout dates may apply. Valid for stays until 30 June 2015. Stay must be booked through Sean Simmons Travel. Credit card and booking fees may apply.

LANGHAM SYDNEY VIP WELCOME GIFT FOR TURBULENCE SUBSCRIBERS Book a night at Sydney’s most exclusive address and stay before 31 March 2015 and you will receive an upgrade on your VIP signature in room amenity when you check in.

Available for Turbulence subscribers only.

Bookings must be made through Sean Simmons Travel. Valid for stays before 31 March 2015 only.

For all ENQUIRIES email enquiries@seanstravel.com.au TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014 | 11

once in a lifetime experiences

whale shark cruise and swim experience 12 | TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014

Experience wonder up very close and personal with the biggest Fish in the world on a wonder-filled day cruising and swimming in the World Heritagelisted Ningaloo Reef.

Ningaloo’s Whale sharks

There is literally nothing more awe-inspriring than swimming with Whale Sharks; these amazing marine wonders of the Ningaloo Reef. With a ‘good swim’ guarantee we’re sure that when you dive the Ningaloo Reef not only will you have the experience of a lifetime, you’ll want to come back for more

Supporting the local community

We take great pride in supporting the local community of Exmouth and we strive to make a real difference and positive contribution. Without the Ningaloo Region’s inhabitants (on land and in the sea), we wouldn’t have this wonderful experience

Award Winning Certifications

Our Tour Operator is the first to be awarded the “Advanced Ecotourism” certification from Ecotourism Australia which recognises commitment and professionalism.

The Boats

Sail the Ningaloo seas in the pride of the ocean: in a large 17 metre Westcoaster. This beauty has loads of space, is incredibly stable and extremely comfortable (even for those people with, shall we say, less robust tummies). This makes this cruise ship the ideal vessel for running Whale Shark tours and Ningaloo Reef Dives.

SpottER Planes

If you want to swim with a Whale Shark guaranteed, then you’re going to need a spotter plane. Well, luckily our Tour Operator has their own plane to find your own Whale Shark.

So rather than sharing a Whale Shark with up to 159 other customers from other tourist vessles, all waiting a turn to swim, you tour will have access to their own Whale Shark.

Therefore you will spend, on average, much longer in the water swimming with a whale shark than customers of any other boats do.

Terms and conditions: Accommodation: 4 nights in a Superior Room. Car Hire: must be picked up and returned to Learmonth Airport. Prices are correct as at 9 December and can change without notice. Subject to availability. Credit card and booking fees may apply. Operated by Ningaloo Whale Sharks. Pickup and dropoff: Exmouth Visitor Centre, Ningaloo Whale Shark Swim Office, Light House Caravan Park, Tantabitti Boat ramp.

Whale Shark CRUISE PACKAGE From $1210 per person includes • 4 nights’ accommodation in a Superior Room • 5 days car hire from Learmonth Airport • Full day whale shark tour WHALE SHARK GUARANTEE – if you don’t swim with a Whale Shark, you come out again for free or get a Try Again Tour Voucher valid for three years!

STAY at Novotel Ningaloo Resort The luxurious 4.5-star Novotel Ningaloo Resort Exmouth is metres from Sunrise Beach and built in harmony with the environment. All rooms have ocean views and direct access to the beach.

SEE & DO with Ningaloo Whale Sharks – Cruise, swim and Snorkel After your free pick-up in Exmouth you’ll board our luxurious vessel and be welcomed by professional and knowledgeable staff. The day begins with a snorkel (or optional dive) on the beautiful Ningaloo Reef. A sumptuous lunch and morning and afternoon teas are included.

As soon as whale sharks are spotted by our EXCLUSIVE spotter plane, you will have the opportunity to swim with these gentle giants.

We also see turtles, manta rays, an array of fish and coral, and other marine life on this tour.

Cruises operate Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday from 01APR15-31JUL15.

Inclusions

What To Bring

- Briefing on the day’s activities, safety, and history of the region, Ningaloo Reef Marine Park flora and fauna.

- Sunnies

- Snorkeling gear.

- Snorkel on the Ningaloo reef where you can see turtles, mantra rays and an array of fish, coral and other marine life.

- Opportunity to snorkel with the whale sharks, observe whales and dolphins.

- Exmouth transfers

- Towel - Jumper - Seasick tablets - Swimsuit - Sunscreen Meals - Buffet lunch.

- Refreshments.

- Morning and afternoon tea.

Not Included - Scuba dive (optional extra)

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SEAN’s

TRAVEL TIPS to make your journey a little bit easier

14 | TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014

LIFE HACKS EVERY TRAVELLER HAS TO KNOW It’s often the small things which end up bugging us the most while on holiday. With these simple hacks, you can concentrate on what matters most – enjoying your holiday.

1. Place a clothes dryer sheet in your suitcase to keep your clothes smelling fresh and to reduce static

Many of us have a list of things we hate about travel here are a few tips that might help you relax, de-stress and actually enjoy the journey, almost as much as your destination!.

Arrive Early.

4. Pill containers make great organisers for jewellery

Don’t cause unnecessary stress and money by leaving your taxi ride to the last minute to get to the airport. If there are traffic delays it can leave you out of pocket having to purchase new tickets or worse still spend a night in the airport

5. Glasses cases are perfect for chargers and cables

Take something to read.

6. Put underwear and socks inside shoes to save space

It helps pass the time if/when there are delays

7. A binder clip is a great way to protect the blades of your shaver

Respect other cultures.

2. To prevent excessive wrinkling in your clothes, fold between tissue paper 3. Save space by rolling clothes instead of folding

8. An oven mitt makes a heat safe case for your hair tools 9. Use a belt to keep your shirt collar stiff. Simply roll the belt and place in the collar section of your folded shirt 10. Fold your jacket inside out to prevent wrinkles 11. Wrap a shower cap around pairs of shoes to keep your clothes clean 12. Put a cotton ball or pad in your makeup compact to prevent your makeup from breaking 13. Use an empty TicTac container to store hair pins 14. Use a pen spring to protect charger cables from bending and breaking 15. Use Google Maps offline by typing ‘OK Maps’ and the visible area will save for future access 16. Save an empty plastic water bottle and refill it after passing security instead of buying water at the airport 17. If you forget your wall plug or run out of chargers, you can charge devices through the USB port on a TV 18. Get WIFI passwords by checking comments on FourSquare 19. Bring a power strip with you and be a hero for other travellers 20. On the last day of your trip, collect all your loose change and give it to the homeless

Remember you are not at home so things, people, food etc are different. Don’t compare them to home and you will not be disappointed.

Bring some music or podcasts.

Again this can help pass the time and can also be very relaxing.

People watch.

Train stations, airports and cities are a fantastic please to watch people. You will be amazed at the variety of sights that you can see.

Just wander around.

If you are in an airport, train station or just in a new city go for a walk and look around you. In this fast paced world how often is there the opportunity to just walk and look – grab it when you can.

Have your camera handy.

You never know when you will see something strange, weird or wonderful Watch the worst movie on the plan.

You never know it might not be as bad as you thought or then again it might be Watch a fantastic movie on the plan.

How often do you get to sit and watch a movie uninterrupted FINALLY. Remember it is an experience and will be as good as you make it.

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Christmas cooking You know that when you are speaking to one of our team you are always speaking to a travel expert. What you might not know is that we are all experts in the kitchen as well. From former chefs to bakers to mixologists and selfsustaining gardeners – our passion for wholesome food and good drink is exceeded only by our love of travel.

This month, we have compiled our favourite Christmas and summer recipes for you.

From salads to seafood, desserts and drinks, we have a tried and true selection that are sure to delight your tastebuds and those of your guests!

We also specialise in tailoring experiential food and cooking tours – call and speak to a Travel Expert about arranging your culinary cultural experience today.

SEAN I’ll be spending Christmas this year with: my housemate and his family All I want for Christmas is: 2 days with no work!!

My favourite Christmas getaway was: a trip to Lismore 8 years ago, when I fell down some stairs (actually – fell UP) and broke my foot!!

HOMEMADE EGGNOG Ingredients 4 cups of skimmed milk 5 whole cloves 1.5 cups of sugar 2.5 cups of rum (or more!!)

4 cups light cream ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 12 egg yolks 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2.5 teaspoons vanilla extract How to make 1. Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes.

2. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil.

3. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy.

4. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs then pour the mixture into saucepan.

5. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick.

6. Do not allow mixture to boil.

7. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about an hour.

8. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoon vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving. “Use more rum if you would like to make it stronger. Serve in very large glasses!”

16 | TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014

CELIA

KAT

ANDREA

I’ll be spending Christmas this year with: my partner flying to Perth

I’ll be spending Christmas this year with: My very large and extended family.

I’ll be spending Christmas this year with: Family, as usual

All I want for Christmas is: have plenty seafood to eat My favourite Christmas getaway was: Catching lobsters at Blue Lakes

COCA COLA CHICKEN WINGS “I don’t cook typical Christmas food but these are great finger food and really easy to make!”

Ingredients 10 chicken wings (mid joint would be the best) 1 bottle of 250ml regular coca-cola 1 teaspoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon green onion, finely chopped 1 teaspoon light soy sauce 1 teaspoon cooking wine 1 inch ginger sliced pinch of salt How to make 1. Prepare a bowl; add salt, cooking wine and ginger slices to marinade the chicken wings for about 10 minutes. Transfer out and drain.

2. Heat up some vegetable oil in pan. Then put the chicken wings in to sautéing each side for 3 to 4 minutes until the skin becomes slightly brown.

3. Pour Coca cola in the pan, slow the fire down to help the wings absorb the taste of cola. After 8 to 10 minutes, use high fire to thicken the sauce. Add 1 teaspoon of light soy sauce to dark the color. Stir occasionally.

4. Move out from the pan and sprinkle some chopped green onions.

All I want for Christmas is: Good health and to be happy.

All I want for Christmas is: A White Christmas

My favourite Christmas getaway was: Renting a house in Sorrento with good friends.

My favourite Christmas getaway was: Never had one! Christmas has always been at home with the family (much as I’d like to get away!)

GREEN PAPAYA SALAD

GOLDEN PAVLOVAS

“Since it is summer Down Under it make sense to eat something light and fresh. I’m Thai, so for me it has to be spicy!”

“These have a more toffee / coffee taste than pavlova made with caster sugar alone.”

Ingredients

2 egg whites 55g caster sugar 55g dark brown sugar

4–5 bird’s-eye chillies 4 baby garlic cloves, skin on 4 snake beans, cut into 3 cm lengths 1 tomato, sliced (or 5 cherry tomatoes, halved) 1 tablespoon lime juice 2 tablespoon dried shrimp 1 tablespoon liquid palm sugar 2 tablespoon fish sauce 200 g shredded green papaya 1 tablespoon roasted peanuts How to make 1. Using a large wooden mortar and pestle, pound the chilli. Add the garlic and pound. Add the snake beans and bruise slightly. Add the tomatoes and pound. Add the lime juice and dried shrimp. Continue pounding, gradually adding the palm sugar and fish sauce. Add the papaya. Continue gently pounding while mixing with a spoon for 1 minute.

2. T ransfer to a serving plate. Garnish with crushed peanuts to serve.

Ingredients

How to make 1. Mix caster & brown sugar together 2. Beat eggs ‘til white and fluffy & soft peaks form 3. Slowly add sugar mix to egg while beating 4. Beat until glossy & peaks stay standing & the sugar is all dissolved** 5. Spoon onto pre-marked baking paper in 4 x 10cm circles 6. Smooth sides and top to form a neat mound 7. Bake in a 120 degree oven for 1 hour or until dry to touch 8. Turn off oven and leave ajar to cool completely 9. Serve with cream & fresh fruit or however you like your pavlova **Hot tip: you shouldn’t feel grittiness when you rub a small amount between your fingers. It should feel smooth and slightly sticky (Contunued next page) TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014 | 17

Christmas cooking

BRETT

How to make the fruit mince

I’ll be spending Christmas this year with: My partner and my family.

Combine all ingredients in to a bowl. Mix to combine. Transfer to an airtight container.

Store in a cool, dark place for at least a week, stirring occasionally, to allow flavours to develop.

All I want for Christmas is: To relax and enjoy the break.

My favourite Christmas getaway was: Picnicking by a secret local waterhole in Cairns and having to watch out for freshwater crocodiles.

HOMEMADE FRUIT MINCE PIES “Make these once and you’ll be expected to make them every year.”

Ingredients for the fruit mince 1 cup raisins, chopped ½ cup red glace cherries chopped ¼ cup diced dried apricots 1 cup dried cranberries 1/3 cup mixed peel ½ cup currants ½ cup pitted dried dates, chopped 1 cup sweet orange marmalade ½ cup white rum ¼ cup crème de cacao liquer ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar 2 teaspoons mixed spice Ingredients for the pastry 1 cup self-raising flour 1 cup plain flour 125g butter 2 tablespoons icing sugar 1 egg yolk 3 tablespoons of cold water 18 | TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014

How to make the pies 1. To make the pastry: sift the flours and then either rub in the butter or combine in a food processor. Add the sifted icing sugar and then stir in the egg yolk and water and mix it all to a dough. Work into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap then put in the fridge for an hour.

2. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C and grease a 12-hole muffin tin.

3. To assemble: roll out the dough on a floured surface till about 2mm thick. Cut out shapes to fit the muffin holes, fill each tart with a generous teaspoon of mince (but don’t overfill) and cover the top of each tart with another circle of pastry, or use biscuit cutters to add different shapes to the top.

4. Bake for 15 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes then remove to a rack to cool off.

Virgin Australia Global Wallet card Travellers then log onto Virgin’s online Global Wallet account centre and shift funds to the desired foreign currency wallet – a transfer that Virgin says will attract “the applicable exchange rate current at the time of transfer.”

Virgin Australia launched its Global Wallet card in 2013, which doubles as a Velocity Frequent Flyer card.

Shoppers earn 1 Velocity Frequent Flyer point for every $2 spent in Australia and 1 point per A$1 spent overseas (this doesn’t include ATM withdrawals).

Each Global Wallet travel money card supports tap-and-go payWave technology and will contain ten ‘virtual wallets’, one for each currency: these are NZ, US, Canadian, Hong Kong and Singapore dollars, British pounds, the Euro, Japanese yen and Thai baht, plus of course the Aussie dollar.

However, only five of these virtual wallets can contain credit at any time – and as the Australian wallet must always remain active, that limits you to four foreign currency wallets on the go.

To activate a different wallet Virgin says you’ll “first need to empty and inactivate one of the active foreign currency wallets.”

Ordering a second card costs $10, however you can request a free ‘virtual card’ with a unique number for making purchases online, over the phone and via mail order.

Virgin Australia’s Global Wallet competes with the similar Qantas Cash card, which will potentially turn every Qantas Frequent Flyer Card into a smartchipped prepaid money card.

For more details, and to order a Global Wallet travel money card, visit www. velocityfrequentflyer.com/ content/ProgramBenefits/ GlobalWallet/.

Withdrawing foreign currency at an overseas ATM attracts fees up to A$3.30, while additional fees may also be charged by the ATM operator.

In addition to being available for domestic use, the Aussie wallet serves as as a ‘master account’ into which funds are deposited as credit using methods such as BPAY. Each loading transaction carries a $1 fee.

TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014 | 19

AIR FORCE ONE FIVE FUN FACTS With US President Barack Obama having visited Australia on Air force One last month for the G20 Summit, here are five fun facts about his VIP ride.

1. Air Force One isn’t a plane, it’s a call-sign We all know Air Force One as a majestic white-and-blue Boeing 747, but ‘Air Force One’ is actually the call sign of any US Air Force aircraft carrying the President.

So if the Commander-in-Chief bums a ride on the rattiest Air Force mail delivery plane, that aircraft enjoys a brief moment of glory as Air Force One. In the unlikely but not unheard of instance that the President travels aboard a regular commercial airline, that aircraft adopts the call sign of Executive One. An aircraft carrying members of the president’s family, but not the president himself, can assume the call sign Executive One Foxtrot.

2. There are two ‘Air Force Ones’ Only two of the highly-modified 747-200Bs – officially known as the model VC-25 – were ever built, and both were bespoke jobs for the White House.

Practically identical but for their tail numbers of 28000 and 29000. Because, you know, it’s always good to have a spare...

3. The President lives and works at the pointy end While you’d think the upstairs cabin of the 747 would be well suited to serve as the President’s working or sleeping quarters, the upper deck is given over to the communications room (as well as the cockpit, of course).

20 | TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014

The very front of the Air Force One serves as private quarters for the President and the First Family, including two couches that can be converted into beds. Next door to this an ‘Oval Office in the sky’ where the President takes meetings.

Further along the aircraft are meetings rooms, various private quarters for staff and guests, two kitchens and a ‘medical annexe’ capable of surgery.

4. There isn’t an escape pod As entertaining as titular movie ‘Air Force One’ may have been, the real Air Force One lacks the escape pod into which President Harrison Ford was hustled to escape Nasty Russian Terrorists.

Nor does the roster of extensive modifications made to the real Air Force One include the parachute ramp from which many Air Force One passengers in the movie also slipped from the grasp of those previouslymentioned Nasty Russian Terrorists.

5. The President is getting an upgrade The current 747s are already over 20 years old, having first been wheeled out in 1990 during the reign of President George H. W. Bush (aka Daddy Dubbya).

Starting in 2017, the US AIr Force will replace both 747s with a trio of factory-fresh Boeings.

It’s suggested the stretched 747-8 Intercontinental will get the gig over the more advanced but smaller Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

You can pretty much forget about the President upsizing to an Airbus A380. it would be political suicide for the US President / Government to buy the European-based made Airbus.

(Interestingly, Airbus declined to bid for the Air Force One renewal contract!).

TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014 | 21

HOT FARES HURRY! THESE WONT LAST LONG!

Virgin Australia USA SALE!

AIR FRANCE/KLM EUROPE

Return Fares From AU$

Return Fares From AU$

FROM

TO

Melbourne

Sydney

Adelaide

Perth

Brisbane

ECONOMY

PREMIUM

BUSINESS

FROM

TO

ECONOMY

BUSINESS

Los Angeles

$1,424.41

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Paris

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$2,274.85

$4,265.65

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$1,498.90

$3,739.70

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$1,917.90

$6,026.10

UNTIL SOLD OUT

Terms and conditions apply. Fares valid for low season travel between 17 January 2015 and 31 March 2015 on the first departure. Surcharges apply for other dates. Fares available for all 2015 subject to availability. Valid for a maximum stay of 12 months. Changes permitted to return only for a fee. Fare is non-refundable and non-transferable. Fares available until sold out. Other destinations in the USA are available - please request pricing from your travel expert. (Fares correct as at 15 December 2015)

Sydney

Adelaide

Perth

Brisbane

FARES AVAILABLE UNTIL 15 JANUARY 2015

Terms and conditions apply. Economy class fares valid for low season only, between 15 January and 30 June 2015 on the first departure.

Surcharges may apply for other dates. Valid for departures until 30 October 2015. Valid for a maximum stay of 3 months. Changes permitted to return date only for a fee, subject to availability. Fare is non-refundable and non-transferable. Fares available to over 70 destinations in Europe, please ask your Travel Expert for details. (Fares correct as at 15 December 2014)

For all ENQUIRIES email enquiries@seanstravel.com.au 22 | TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014

ECOMMENDS

SEAN SIMMONS

We would like to take a moment to thank Everyone who featured in Sean Simmons Recommends throughout 2014.

It has been a massive year and we look forward to an even bigger 2015! See you next year!

Tom Jones Massage Therapies

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Bockers and Pony

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Emerging IT

emergingit.com.au

BTS – Business Telco Solutions businesstelcosolutions.com.au

Check My Trip checkmytrip.com

Little Black Dress Group littleblackdressgroup.com.au

MBE RICHMOND

mbe-richmond.com.au

TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014 | 23

To the POINT

Loyalty program news and updates services and on Qantas QF codeshare flights including with Emirates, Canada’s WestJet and China Airlines.

Qantas Frequent Flyer Silver: the unofficial guide As you begin to notch up status credits in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, Silver membership is quickly yours and gives a taste of what’s to come if you continue travelling with Qantas and its partner airlines.

Among the perks: earn up to 50% more points on flights, pay no seat selection fees when heading abroad and receive one free visit each year to the Qantas Club lounges.

How to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer Silver status Just 300 status credits in a single membership year lands you a Silver membership, and you’ll only need to earn 250 status credits in the years that follow to keep your shiny card.

Status credits are earned when flying with Qantas, its Oneworld partners such as British Airways and Cathay Pacific, on Jetstar flights with a Plus Bundle or above, on Fiji Airways 24 | TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014

You’ll also need to take at least four pointsearning flights with Qantas or Jetstar each year, otherwise you’ll be stuck at the Bronze tier.

A single return trip from Sydney to London in premium economy combined with just one economy return trek to Melbourne gets you over the line for Silver, as would 15 return economy trips on that same domestic route.

If over the years of your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership you travel enough to have earned 7,000 status credits, you’ll be granted Lifetime Silver status.

Lounge access for Qantas Frequent Flyer Silver members As the first stepping stone towards the top of the Frequent Flyer food chain, Silver members don’t enjoy lounge access before every flight.

Instead, they receive a single-use lounge invitation that can be redeemed for access into any domestic Qantas Club, Qantas international business class lounge or the new hybrid

lounges in Hong Kong and Singapore when flying with the Red Roo or Jetstar.

They can also be used to access Qantas lounges when travelling with other airlines such as Emirates and China Eastern, although you’ll need to have a Qantas flight number on your ticket to get past the front door.

For further lounge access, members can pay for Qantas Club membership at the prevailing rates.

Checked baggage allowance for Qantas Frequent Flyer Silver Within Australia on Qantas domestic economy flights, Silver frequent flyers can cart along one 32kg bag – a 9kg boost on the usual 1x23kg limit – and receive the usual 2x32kg allowance in business class.

On Qantas and Emirates international flights, that grows to an extra 12kg of total weight in every class of service, except to North and South America where an extra 23kg checked bag can be taken.

Silver members also receive two free electronic Q Bag Tags to attach to their luggage, which can be used in lieu of a traditional paper baggage tag on many Aussie domestic hops.

Higher baggage allowances on carriers such as American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair and US

Airways don’t apply to Qantas Frequent Flyer Silver members, which means paying extra to travel with checked luggage on most fares in The Land of the Free.

Other perks for Qantas Frequent Flyer Silver 50% more points are served up when travelling with Qantas and Jetstar, along with 25% more points with American Airlines and US Airways – including eligible codeshare services booked through Qantas, AA and US Air with non-alliance partners such as Emirates and Alaska Airlines.

Silver cards also come adorned with a Oneworld Ruby gemstone, which lets you side-step the queues by using the Premium Service Desks ahead of Qantas domestic flights and the Qantas Club and premium economy check-in lines before jetting abroad.

When you’re flying with Qantas’ Oneworld partners and with Emirates, you’ll instead be able to use the business class check-in lanes to save time at the airport.

You’ll also be able to grab a seat slightly closer to the front on Qantas domestic flights, while the $25/ person ‘advance seat selection fee’ is waived on Qantas international flights for the Silver member and any travellers booked on the same itinerary.

“Own only what you can always carry with you: know languages, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.”

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Flight upgrades, online award bookings for Qantas Frequent Flyer Silver Silver members booked in economy can ask for an ‘on departure upgrade’ at the Qantas Club service desk whenever they have access to the lounge – great when you’ve booked at the last minute or where upgrades weren’t available online or over the phone.

Where upgrade requests to premium economy, business class and first class are queued, those from Silver guests are processed ahead of Bronze members, although after Platinum One, Platinum and Gold members.

Also, these travellers have a slightly higher chance of redeeming their points for a free flight with a small selection of seats withheld for Silver members and above, so always remember to log in before searching for award flights via the Qantas website.

And if you’re stuck at the airport on standby or on a waitlist, you’ll again be closer to the front of the queue than non-members and Bronze frequent flyers – which could mean the difference between taking off on time and waiting hours for the next departure.

Virgin Australia, Singapore Airlines swap frequent flyer points Members of Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer scheme can now transfer their points over to Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer miles scheme at the rate of 1.35:1, opening the door on award bookings and flight upgrades across the Star Alliance.

Likewise, KrisFlyer miles can now become Velocity points at the same 1.35:1 ratio, allowing Aussie travellers to indirectly earn Velocity points with airlines such as Thai Airways, United, Air Canada and Lufthansa by firstly crediting points to KrisFlyer and then sweeping them across to Velocity.

It’s the first time that two airlines have arranged a direct transfer of points between their frequent flyer schemes.

Using the 1.35:1 conversion rate, 10,000 Velocity points become 7,407 KrisFlyer miles; while 10,000 KrisFlyer miles ship across to Virgin Australia as 7,407 Velocity points.

credits and KrisFlyer Elite Miles aren’t interchangeable.

You also can’t swap your Velocity status with the equivalent in KrisFlyer, so Velocity Gold members can’t give up their Virgin Australia membership for KrisFlyer Gold status with Singapore Airlines.

Eligible members of both schemes continue to enjoy reciprocal benefits when travelling with either airline such as lounge access and priority check-in.

KrisFlyer miles: advantages over Velocity points

“There’s a certain segment of the (Australia/ Singapore) market that has often had dual membership, and what happens then is you have points orphaned in one program or another,” Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Neil Thompson told Australian Business Traveller.

“We thought we would take that creative step of bringing the two programs together, and for that particular market, make the option for people to switch into one program – creating choice.”

Transferring Velocity points and KrisFlyer miles: the basics You’ll need to have at least 5,000 points or miles in the kitty before you’re able to transfer them, although there’s no upper limit on the number of points that can be converted between the schemes.

No fees apply when moving points between either airline, and while the initiative extends to the trading of Velocity points and KrisFlyer miles, Virgin Australia status

Velocity members can already redeem their points for flights with Singapore Airlines, yet they can’t use them to upgrade to business class with Singapore Airlines or to book award travel with most Star Alliance carriers.

Velocity points also can’t be redeemed for flights in SQ’s luxurious Suites Class on the Airbus A380, or the new First on the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER fleet.

That’s where KrisFlyer now steps in. By converting your Velocity points into KrisFlyer miles, you’ll be able to book award flights across the breadth of the Star Alliance with TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014 | 25

“In America there are two classes of travel. first class, and with children.”

Robert Benchley

partners such as Thai Airways, Air China and EVA Air, and can also swap your KrisFlyer miles for those A380 Suites with Singapore Airlines.

When asked if these bookings would eventually become available directly through the Velocity scheme, Thompson was understandably tight-lipped, instead remarking that travellers should “watch this space”.

Further, your KrisFlyer miles can be used to upgrade to business class, or even first class, when travelling with Singapore Airlines and its alliance partners, but if that’s your plan do check that your flight is eligible for an upgrade before making the transfer.

active indefinitely as long as a member earns or redeems points at least once every 36 months.

Mix and match: Velocity eStore and KrisFlyer Spree Both Velocity and KrisFlyer allow members to earn points on their online shopping, either through the Velocity eStore or the KrisFlyer Spree Mall.

Each virtual store maintains its own list of earning partners, and you’ll find that some merchants are only linked up with one of the two airlines – such as domain registrar and web hosting provider Go Daddy.

If you’ve booked with directly with Singapore Airlines, you can load up your reservation through the Singapore Airlines website and hunt down the ‘redeem an upgrade’ button: On the cheaper fares and all codeshare services – such as flights on a Singapore Airlines aircraft booked with a VA flight number – you won’t be able to upgrade, so keep your points in Velocity for another day.

Velocity points: advantages over KrisFlyer miles In a similar fashion, KrisFlyer miles can’t be used to upgrade to business class with Virgin Australia, which is where the Velocity program really shines.

Velocity points are also considerably easier to earn on Australian soil, given that it’s the airline’s home turf.

While KrisFlyer miles can be piled up through credit card spend, on Virgin Australia flights and with partner hotels, Velocity points can be earned on your home loan, when going out to dinner and soon at BP service stations when filling up your tank.

Velocity points also don’t expire in the same way as KrisFlyer miles, which vanish three years from the month in which they’re earned – whereas Velocity points remain 26 | TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014

Every US$10 spent returns a whopping 185 KrisFlyer miles...

Crunching the numbers, a US$100 payment becomes 1,185 miles with SQ, and ultimately 877 Velocity points through the new exchange system.

On the other side of the fence, Velocity members currently pocket four points per dollar spent with Angus & Robertson, while KrisFlyer members wouldn’t earn anything as the store isn’t part of KrisFlyer Spree.

Again, a $100 transaction serves up 400 Velocity points or 296 KrisFlyer miles after making use of the new transfer facility – a welcome bonus to your KrisFlyer balance when shopping with a partner that isn’t on board with Singapore Airlines.

The bottom line: if you can’t earn points on a flight or other transaction through Virgin Australia Velocity, look instead to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer – or vice versa – and then combine your balances to redeem for that next award flight or upgrade.

Virgin Australia, BP partnership lets you earn points on petrol Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer members will earn points when buying fuel at BP service stations under the airline’s latest partnership.

Kicking off in early 2015, it’ll be as simple as presenting your Velocity membership card when paying at the cash register to rake in a nice haul of points.

Of course, using a Velocityaffiliated credit card such as the Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer Card can add an extra 1.25 Velocity points per dollar spent into the bargain.

The deal covers all of BP’s 1,400+ fuel outlets in Australia, including independent franchise locations and those managed directly by the petrol giant.

However, Virgin has not yet revealed exactly how many points you’ll pick up for each dollar spent at

the bowser or in the servo buying drinks, snack food and the like.

The points-for-petrol hookup is part of Virgin’s push to boost the appeal and membership of its frequent flyer program against that of Qantas, which already allows members to earn points at the pump with Caltex/Woolworths via the Everyday Rewards scheme.

Velocity currently counts 4.6 million members against over 10 million on Qantas’ books, although Virgin Australia’s CEO John Borghetti wants to drive Velocity membership to seven million by 2017 and use this as a tool to help dislodge the Red Roo and become “Australia’s favourite airline”.

Earlier this year, Virgin sold one third of its Velocity Frequent Flyer program to private firm Affinity Equity Partners for $336 million in a deal aimed at accelerating the growth of its loyalty arm “and to realise its full potential.”

Planet of the Apps

Look out each month as we showcase the vintage, the new, the cool or the just downright quirky travel related apps out there in the market today.

LOUNGEBUDDY – Your best friend at the airport LoungeBuddy unlocks the mystery of airport lounges and helps to make your air travel experience infinitely better. With LoungeBuddy you’ll instantly have all of the information you need to determine the right lounge for your needs based on amenities, reviews, location, and cost/access requirements.

As a part of the LoungeBuddy community, you can view real photos and reviews from fellow travellers for over 1900 airport lounges worldwide in over 550 airports.

LoungeBuddy takes the guesswork out of figuring out how to get into a lounge. Whether you’re a casual traveller looking to access a lounge on your occasional trip or a road warrior who passes through airports every week, simply tell LoungeBuddy a little bit about your trip, and they’ll tell you the lounges you may access.

Thanks to their “Lounge Access Wizard,” which combs through thousands of access rules, you are presented with the lounges accessible to you on all legs of your journey.

LoungeBuddy not only tells travellers which airport lounges are available and where they’re located, but also showcases the lounges accessible for free or for a one-time fee. They have compiled a database of thousands of elite statuses, credit cards, and lounge memberships so that the majority of possible access methods are covered in their system – with new content being all the time to increase your travel experience.

LoungeBuddy is available for free from the iTunes and GooglePlay stores.

TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014 | 27

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. But if the white runs out, I’ll drink red.”

WINE TIME with Brett Huxtable EXCLUSIVE DEAL FOR TURBULENCE Subscribers Every couple who books a Yarra Valley Wine Experience through Sean Simmons Travel will receive a free wine cooler bag valued at $18.00* *One cooler bag per 2 person booking.

Valid until 30 June 2015.

28 | TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014

Brett is a tour guide with the Australian Wine Tour Company and, in their own words, ‘one of our favourites’. Just in time for Christmas, Brett has provided his top wine selections that will help you be a sure hit at the dinner table – or anywhere else for that matter.

BRETT’S BEST PICK

CHAMPAGNE + SPARKLING

HUXTABLE’S HOT TIPS

Soumah Viognier 2013 $30.00 from Wine Selectors “Devine! A delicious wine that is amazing!”

“Bubbles! You’ve got to have bubbles at Christmas!”

“If you’re a wine club member and buy your wine by the dozen, the price per bottle can come down remarkably and you’ll also have plenty on hand!”

BEST VALUE Red Knot by Shingleback Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre $10.90 from Dan Murphy’s Yalumba Y Series Viognier $10.99 from Dan Murphy’s “Proof that decent wine doesn’t always come with a hefty price tag.”

WHITE WINE Seville Estate 2011 Chardonnay $28.99 from Dan Murphy’s “A fantastic Chardonnay that has won many awards!”

RED WINE Seville Hill Pinot Noir $30.00 from Seville Hill “Simply delicious!”

Local Sparkling Taltarni Brut 2010 $26.00 from Taltarni Wine “My personal favourite local sparkling. A ‘methode traditionelle’ vintage for under $30 – it’s a bargain.”

French Sparkling Cave de Lugny Cremant Blanc de Blancs NV $15.99 from Vintage Cellars “My all-time favourite bargain buy. In my honest opinion – the best French sparkling wine!”

For True Champagne Lovers Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut $39.95 from Dan Murphy’s “A rich, fresh citrus and caramel palate with a long, elegant finish.”

Sparkling Red D’Arenburg’s Peppermint Paddock Chambourcin $29.99 from Dan Murphy’s “An absolute must on Christmas Day either to start or with salmon. Even goes well with the turkey!”

“Cooler climate shirazes are now starting to appreciate and are not so heavy and bold like their Barossa cousins. Clare Valley and Tim Adams come to mind.

Other cooler climate reds include Blue Pyrenees Estate (delicious!) and Mt Langi Langi Cab Shiraz.

Also, you can’t go wrong with Penfold’s. Bin 28, St Henri and 389 are all amazing and notable wines.”

“The best tip I can give is to buy what you like and enjoy! If you don’t know what you like - explore!”

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN WINE TOUR COMPANY Established in 1998

by Matthew Noble, Australian Wine Tour Company are the market leaders in winery tourism offering both public and private touring options.

They pride themselves on offering the best value winery tours out of Melbourne. Their Yarra Valley Wine Experience has an affordable price with an incredibly high quality product that has made them the most popular winery tour from Melbourne. Tours to the stunning Yarra Valley cater to everyone’s needs from beginner to expert, mixing a fun social environment with entertainment and education.

All of their driver / guides have extensive wine industry experience as well as exceptional customer service skills. They have come from positions such as viticulturists, wine makers and sommeliers.

They are passionate and enthusiastic about all things wine and are eager to share their knowledge with you.

TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014 | 29

UPDATES & NEWS INTRODUCING INNOVATIVE NEW CHRISTMAS MENU OPTIONS TO CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON

COMPLIMENTARY FOOD ON ADELAIDE SERVICES

Virgin Australia has announced a range of Christmas themed treats will be introduced in the airline’s domestic lounges and on board to mark the start of the festive season.

Designed by the airline’s internationally acclaimed resident chef Luke Mangan, Christmas Puddings will be served today in the domestic lounge in Sydney, and in Melbourne, and Brisbane in coming weeks. The specially designed puddings have been created using vine fruits, aromatic spices and a generous dose of brandy and stout.

In the week leading up to Christmas, Virgin Australia will also offer Business Class guests mince pies on board selected flights and Christmas lunch with all the trimmings on 25 December.

Virgin Australia Group Executive Danielle Keighery said: “We are constantly looking at ways to evolve the customer experience both on the ground and in the air and we believe these unique festive treats will be very popular with our customers.

“Every year we fly thousands of Australians domestically and internationally over the Christmas and New Year period and it is great to be delivering a range of special Christmas options to the menu during one of the busiest times of the year.”

Virgin Australia resident chef Luke Mangan said: “The Christmas period presents us with an opportunity to deliver bespoke recipes and unique treats to guests when travelling.

It is great to be working so closely with Virgin Australia to roll out pop up food options such as these at a key time of year.”

Virgin Australia also introduced a new Business Class menu earlier this week which included more choices of main meals and the introduction of ‘The Pantry’ which offers complimentary premium snacks throughout the flight. The Pantry will be available on flights of up to 6 hours and 30 minutes in duration.

Virgin Australia has announced it will offer guests complimentary snacks on all domestic flights out of Adelaide.

From 4 February 2015, guests travelling from Adelaide to Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Coolangatta, Perth and Sydney will be offered something light to accompany the complimentary tea, coffee, juice and water already offered on board.

A Happy Hour service of complimentary wine,

Key dates: · Christmas Puddings will be served in the Sydney lounge on 5 December, in Melbourne on 10 December and in Brisbane on 19 December. · Mince Pies will be served in Business Class domestically and on short-haul international routes between 17-25 December. · Mince Pies will be served in Economy on triangle routes (including Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne) on 25 December · Christmas Lunch with all the trimmings will be served in Business Class on domestic flights and international services on 25 December.

30 | TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014

AWARD WINNING BUSINESS CLASS NOW ON SALE FOR TRANS-TASMAN AND PACIFIC ISLAND ROUTES Virgin Australia has announced travellers can now purchase Business Class tickets on TransTasman and Pacific Island routes, enhancing the airline’s premium service offering in these markets.

The Sydney to Auckland route will be the first to offer Business Class, with flights launching on 28 February 2015 fares with start from AUD699. All other services will come into effect on 31 March 2015.

A progressive refit on 10 of the airline’s Boeing 737 fleet will see the aircraft reconfigured with the 2-2 business class configuration.

beer, cider and soft drinks is also available to all guests between 5 and 7pm Monday to Friday.

Virgin Australia Group Executive Public Affairs Danielle Keighery said: “Adelaide is a very important market for Virgin Australia and we are thrilled to introduce complimentary snacks in order to enhance our customer offering on board.

Complimentary snacks include items such as a slice of banana bread, a bacon and spring onion muffin or pumpkin dip served with lavosh bread.

Features include: • Luxury leather seating with 38” seat pitch on the Boeing 737 • Comfort packs with luxurious blankets, pillows, and International-style amenity kits including Australian organic cosmetics by GROWN for flights over three hours • Coat check-in service with complimentary coat bag • Newspapers until noon daily • Exclusive Luke Mangan gourmet full service dining experience • Premium Australian wines, beers, and spirit selection • Gourmet tea selection from Madame Flavour • Priority check-in

SEAN SIMMONS TRAVEL MOTOR SHOW CALENDAR 2015 January 2015

April 2015

European Motor Show Brussels

Auto Shanghai

Brussels Expo, Brussels, BELGIUM www.salonauto.be

Shanghai New International Expo Center, Shanghai, CHINA www.autoshanghai.auto-fairs.com

North American International

New York International Auto Show

Auto Show (NAIAS) Cobo Center, Detroit, USA www.naias.com

February 2015 Chicago Auto Show McCormick Place, Chicago, USA www.chicagoautoshow.com

Canadian International Auto Show Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Rogers Centre, Toronto, CANADA www.autoshow.ca

March 2015

Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, USA www.autoshowny.com

Beijing International Automotive Exhibition New China International Exhibition Center Beijing, CHINA www.chinaexhibition.com/trade_ events/3636-Auto_China_2014_-_13th_ Beijing_International_Automobile_ Exhibition.html

September 2015 International Motor Show Germany Frankfurt Exhibition Grounds Frankfurt, GERMANY www.iaa.de/en

International Geneva Motor Show

October 2015

Palexpo, Geneva, SWITZERLAND www.salon-auto.ch/site_provisoire/ index_en.php

Tokyo Motor Show Tokyo Big Sight Tokyo, JAPAN www.tokyo-motorshow.com

TURBULENCE NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2014 | 31

ROW 75

Articles of interest

QANTAS TO LAUNCH SYDNEY TO TOKYO HANEDA FLIGHTS Qantas will shift its SydneyTokyo flights from Narita to Haneda airport from July 31, 2015, while also beginning direct Brisbane-Narita flights.

Qantas ends hunger games Qantas has rolled out a suite of new options and 50% larger servings as part of its new inflight dining menu for economy passengers, to be progressively introduced on international services from late November.

The national carrier CEO, Alan Joyce, unveiled the details of its improved “travel experience” for its annual 5 million international Economy passengers yesterday, saying the changes are costing the airline 40% more - but are able to do so with by “eliminating waste” in measures that include pre-buttered bread rolls, saving the airline costs for individual servings of butter.

Also part of the overhaul, is customer training, meaning faster service and more “face time” with passengers. While servings will get bigger, choices also increase from two to three main meals ranging from a healthy option, comfort food and a destination-inspired dish.

“We have worked closely with Australia’s leading producers and suppliers to deliver what we believe to be the best inflight economy dining experience offered by any international carrier,” Joyce said.

Economy passengers into Australia will also be able to take advantage of Select on Q Eat at no additional cost from March 2015, enabling them to pre-order meals online with access to an “exclusive” dish such as 32 | TURBULENCE DECEMBER 2014

Wagyu beef as a fourth option, a service which was once only available to premium passengers.

The Sydney-Haneda service will remain daily on a Boeing 747 while Brisbane-Narita will run four times a week on an Airbus A330 with the new Business Suite business class seats and upgraded economy seats.

“Together with new serving plates, which remove the need for trays, our crew will be able to serve and clear meals up to 30 minutes faster giving them more time to interact and assist passengers,” Joyce said.

Qantas says it will also fly to Narita “on three alternate days from another Australian port, which will be finalised shortly.”

Within 5 minutes after the passenger seat-belt sign is turned off, Joyce said customers will be served a Bickford’s cordial “signature welcome drink” including flavours exclusive to Qantas. The airline also serves Australian-owned Weis icecream bars and Ruby and Roy’s traditional Greek yoghurt with granola.

The existing daily SydneyNarita flights will shift to Tokyo’s Haneda airport, which is preferred by business travellers due to its closer proximity to Tokyo’s city centre.

“Qantas buys from more than 1500 Australian providers of foods, wines and beverages, helping many small Australian companies grow, develop and find new markets,” Joyce said.

Dishes on offer include smoky barbecue beef with roasted sweet potato, broccoli and corn or honey roasted chicken farro salad and seasonal vegetables with pumpkin and sesame seeds. Beef sliders, fresh fruit, Maltesers and Carman’s muesli bites are part of the self-serve and grazing options to be introduced.

“We expect the Sydney to Haneda services to be particularly popular with business travellers” predicted Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, “and this traffic is likely to keep growing off the back of the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and Japan.”

“In both business and personal life, I’ve always found that travel inspires me more than anything else I do. Evidence of the languages, cultures, scenery, food, and design sensibilities that I discover all over the world can be found in every piece of my jewellery.”

Ivana Trump Revealed! Rio’s first nudist beach It is a city where the locals have long enjoyed showing off a bit of bronzed flesh, but the people of Rio can now go all the way.

Abrico beach, an hour’s drive west of Rio’s centre, has been officially designated the Brazilian city’s first nudist site.

GARUDA RECEIVES SKYTRAX’S HIGHEST FIVE STAR RATING Garuda Indonesia, the airline of Indonesia, has been named the newest member of the exclusive group of 5-Star Airlines

by Skytrax.

The exclusive, top-tier 5-star rating is only awarded to airlines achieving the highest quality performance, and importantly, this focuses on the airline’s ability to deliver this on a consistent basis.

“This is a courageous decision by the mayor and it will help Rio become a cultural and tourist reference point, especially with the city about to celebrate its 450th anniversary and the 2016 Olympic Games,” said nudist activist Paula Nogueira.

Last year, Nogueira and another activist, Ana Rios, organised a topless “protest” via Facebook to celebrate the start of summer - but only six women showed up at Ipanema beach near the city centre.

Despite Brazil’s reputation for frivolity and sensuality, topless bathing - never mind nudity - is frowned upon by many.

Garuda Indonesia today becomes the seventh airlines earned the prestigious award, joining Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Hainan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.

“I have always found strange this puritan attitude in Brazil where you see naked women everywhere during carnival and on magazine covers - yet going topless on the beach is a crime,” Rios said during last year’s protest.

Garuda Indonesia president and chief executive officer Emirsyah Satar, said that being named a 5-star airline by Skytrax marks another milestone as a firm recognition of the ongoing transformation at Garuda.

Claudio Hailuc, representing a group of Abrico naturists, welcomed Tuesday’s move.

“It is certainly an honour for all of us at Garuda Indonesia, and the achievement becomes even more meaningful as we are now reaching towards the completion of our “Quantum Leap” journey. For the past years, we have been striving persistently to provide a world-class travelling experience for our passengers,” Mr Satar said.

“We’d been lacking security and respect for a long, long time,” he told Rio daily O Dia.

This 5-Star Airline rating also takes account of planned airport and service changes in 2015, when Garuda will transfer to the new Terminal 3 at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, its home base hub.

A 5-star airline rating represents “ultimate” quality recognition and approval, which is only awarded to airlines that achieve an exceptional front-line quality performance, it also recognizes airlines at the forefront of product innovation that sets quality benchmarks and trends that are often followed.

The airline rating systems assess the standard of an airline’s product and service delivery quality, using more than 800 assessment categories, applied across both the on board and airport environments.

Previously, Garuda Indonesia was also awarded “The World’s Best Economy Class” in 2013, “The World’s Best Regional Airline” in 2012, and “The World’s Most Improved Airline” in 2010, also by Skytrax.

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