THAI Advises Passengers Travelling From Bangkok To Allow Extra Travel Time

In the view of the Political Rallies from the 12th March 2010 onwards, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited has an Operational Plan prepared for the situation. Passengers are reminded to spare time to get to Bangkok Airport early.

Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, THAI President, said that due to the political rallies starting from Friday 12 March 2010 onwards, for passengers' convenience and as there may be traffic congestions, THAI requests passengers traveling by THAI on domestic routes to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport three (3) hours prior to the flight time and those traveling on international routes to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport four (4) hours prior to the flight time.

THAI's Ticket Offices on Larn Luang and Silom Road will be closed on Saturday 13 March and Sunday 14 March 2010. Passengers may contact and purchase tickets at the THAI Headoffice on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road as following details:

Saturday 13 March 2010 Opening hour 08.00 – 17.00 hrs

Sunday 14 March 2010 Opening hour 09.00 – 13.00 hrs

Furthermore, THAI will temporarily close the THAI Contact Center at Larn Luang during the political rallies and will transfer THAI Contact Center staff to THAI Headoffice until the situation is back to normal. THAI apologizes for any inconveniences caused.

For more information on traveling information, flight schedule and reservation, please contact THAI Contact Center at Bangkok 0-2356-1111, 24 hours or at www.thaiairways.com or www.thaiairways.co.th.

For Australian travellers, THAI reservations 1300 651 960 or reservations@thaiairways.com.au. Australian online offices are closed Sat/Sun but staff are reviewing the Bangkok situation.

See www.thaiairways.com.au for updates and check DFAT's Smart Traveller site for traveller information : www.smartraveller.gov.au.

VIRGIN BLUE TO LAUNCH BRAND NEW DIRECT SERVICES FROM SYDNEY-AYERS ROCK (ULURU)

Virgin Blue has announced plans to launch flights to one of Australia’s most iconic and revered tourist destinations.

From Monday 2 August, the airline will begin direct flights from Sydney to Ayers Rock (Uluru), providing some much needed competition on the route.

Both Australian and international leisure travellers will have the opportunity to fly with Virgin Blue to visit the landmark that is undeniably Australian and recognised both in this country and globally.

Virgin Blue will commence with a daily flight, operating an EMBRAER E-190 aircraft to carry 104 Guests to and from this iconic attraction.

Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “Virgin Blue turns ten in August and what better way to celebrate than with the launch of new services to the heart of Australia.”

“The timing is right for us to launch a new route as we take delivery of a new E-Jet later this year and we looked at a number of options before deciding Ayers Rock (Uluru) was the ideal destination to commit our new resources to. The decision reflects our view regarding the importance of Ayers Rock (Uluru) to the tourism industry and indeed to visitors from our own backyard, as well as from all over the world, who flock to the rock each year to marvel at the natural landmark.”

Virgin Blue will launch a special “Rock Across to Ayers Rock” celebratory fare of $149* one way on the internet which is on sale from now until midnight 21 March 2010 for travel between 3 August 2010 – 23 September and 12 October - 16 December 2010. Everyday fares will start from $199* one way on the internet.

Brett Godfrey added, “We expect to find the only airline currently operating on the route will see fit to suddenly offer more reasonable fares. As the airline that introduced low fares to Australia ten years ago, we are excited to be expanding our route network to include Ayers Rock.”

Connecting flights will also be available from a number of other Australian destinations including Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth.

Virgin Blue has worked closely with the Ayers Rock airport authority to ensure the airport infrastructure will be ready in August for Virgin Blue flights to commence. The airport will upgrade existing check-in counters as well as build additional baggage belt facilities.

Premium Economy will also be available on the new route.

Alice in Wonderland locations on show in England

Don’t Be Late – You’ve Got a Very Important Date with VisitEngland

It’s time to follow in the footsteps of Alice and enjoy an essentially English Wonderland!

To celebrate the release of the much-anticipated Disney’s Alice In Wonderland, National Tourism body VisitEngland has created a dedicated website to showcase various locations associated with the great English children’s tale, as originally penned by Lewis Carroll more than 140 years ago. There is no longer a need to be curiouser and curiouser about what inspired the adventures down the rabbit hole, as all is revealed at www.visitengland.com/alice

Disney’s latest adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, released March 4, brings a wealth of comedic talent to the big screen and depicts the essence of wry English wit, with renowned actors such as Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen, Matt Lucas as Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Stephen Fry as The Cheshire Cat and Alan Rickman as the Blue Caterpillar. Not forgetting of course, Johnny Depp as the ultimate English eccentric, the Mad Hatter and Australian newcomer, Mia Wasikowska playing Alice - see www.disney.com.au/disneyfilms/aliceinwonderland

The National Trust’s Antony House, a classic, 18th century mansion in Cornwall, was the main ‘real’ site for the filming of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. To commemorate this, the National Trust is transforming Antony into the fantasy land envisioned by Lewis Carroll, comprising a rabbit hole entrance into a magical garden (where everyone will feel smaller than usual!), giant caterpillars, croquet on the lawn and Mad Hatter tea parties, from now until end the end of October.

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, or Lewis Carroll as he became known once published, is said to have based his fictional colourful characters both on people he knew, as well as experiences he had during his time living in Cheshire, Yorkshire and Oxford. His legacy lives on throughout all corners of England.

Take a trip to Daresbury, Cheshire, to the birthplace of Carroll and the church where he was christened, which houses a stained glass window of Alice in Wonderland characters, including the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter. The nearby Hat Works Museum is a shrine to fancy headwear – no need to be as mad as a hatter to enjoy a visit there! It’s claimed, however, that the cat with the incredibly large grin was not from Cheshire, but from Yorkshire, where a carved face of a smiling feline can be seen in St Peter’s Church in Croft on Tees, where the author spent the latter years of his childhood.

A very important date for Carroll was his move to Oxford, where he met Dean Liddell, whose daughter Alice was to become the protagonist in the enchanted tale, after a memorable river trip. After messing about on the water, why not stop off at ChristChurch College, where Carroll studied and lectured, for an Alice tour (by appointment) and view the original rabbit hole? Make time to visit the Oxford Museum and see the White Rabbit’s fob watch and the famous drink me bottle on display. And be sure to pop in to Alice’s Shop, to discover an emporium of curiosities, see where Alice Liddell used to buy barley sugar sweets and view original artwork illustrations on the Alice in Wonderland theme.

Elsewhere, Alice fans can shop ‘til they drop at Selfridges in London, where a magical pop-up shop has transformed the Wonder Room into a Wonderland, selling such desirables as Stella McCartney specially-designed Alice jewellery and a host of other memorabilia to coincide with the launch of the Tim Burton re-make of the film.

And finally, what better way to end the adventure, than with the great English tradition of afternoon tea? Head to The Langham London’s prestigious Palm Court, a spectacular setting for the Wonderland Afternoon Tea, which absolutely screams eat me!

For further information see www.visitengland.com/alice

Cruise Ship Hit by Tsunami-like Wave. Two dead.

Freak tsunami-like waves measuring almost 30ft high ploughed into a Mediterranean cruise ship today, sweeping two passengers to their deaths and injuring many others.

Cyprus-based Louis Cruise Lines says the incident occurred aboard the 1,790-passenger Louis Majesty as it was sailing from Barcelona to Genoa, Italy. The line says the "abnormal" waves smashed windows as high as deck five on the vessel.

"The windows in a public area on deck 5 on the forward part of the vessel smashed resulting (in) the fatal injury of two passengers of German and Italian nationality while 14 more passengers suffered light injuries," the line says in a statement.

The horrific tragedy unfolded on the Cypriot-owned Louis Majesty near the French port of Marseilles after the walls of water appeared from nowhere.

‘There were at least three abnormally high waves which broke windshields and cascaded along the decks,’ said a local coastguard spokesman.

There were around 1350 people on the ship, including crew. The casualties were very serious, with a German and an Italian passenger dying. At least six other people suffered injuries.’

The Marseilles coastguard spokesman said the waves were approaching 30ft high and may have been part of an isolated tsunami.

Source: ETN

PACIFIC BLUE ANNOUNCES DIRECT BRISBANE-QUEENSTOWN FLIGHTS FOR THE SKI SEASON

SWAP QUEENSLAND FOR QUEENSTOWN!

SALE FARES AVAILABLE NOW FROM JUST $249*

Thursday 4 March 2010: Pacific Blue will be flying Queensland skiers straight to the slopes this winter with two direct flights a week from Brisbane to New Zealand’s ski capital of Queenstown from the end of June.

The seasonal flights on Fridays and Sundays will double Pacific Blue’s international services into the winter resort, which are currently two flights a week from Sydney operated on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

To celebrate the new services snow bunnies are invited to hop aboard early with internet sale fares for the non-stop flights from just $249* one-way, available now until midnight 11 March or sold out.

Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey said Queenstown was an iconic ski destination for Australians and he was sure the new low fares to fly direct from Brisbane would be warmly welcomed.

“We know that many Queensland skiers currently fly via Christchurch to get to Queenstown so we’re sure they’ll be delighted to be able to get across the ditch in a single hop.

“Since we began our Sydney and Auckland services to Queenstown in September last year we’ve seen very good loads and we expect these to be even stronger during the ski season, especially if New Zealand experiences the fantastic snow conditions it had in 2009.”

The seasonal Brisbane-Queenstown flights will begin on 25 June and the last seasonal service will be on 12 September, providing a total of 22 return ski flights and adding over 3,000 seats to the Queenstown market from Australia.

Getting back to nature in the Barossa Valley

by Courtney Alderson for Barossa Blends


With national parks, passing vineyards, historic towns and areas of stunning natural beauty, the Barossa is a dream destination for hikers and nature-lovers alike.

Start your nature escape by exploring the gateway of the Barossa – Gawler. The town’s many parks, gardens and walking trails offer visitors a truly serene experience.

A must family visit is the Clonlea Recreation Park, home to Gawler first settlers. Enjoy a picnic on the lawn, while taking in the nearby Indigenous species garden, as the children take pleasure using the onsite recreational facilities.

Pack up the picnic hamper and head to Pioneer Park. Best known as the Remembrance Garden, Pioneer Park was the original site of Gawler’s first cemetery. Jodie Granthan, Gawler’s Manager of Economic Development says many of the town’s natural wonders hold historical significance also.

“Gawler has a range of park areas in which to get back to nature with,” she said. “Apex Park is a beautiful picnic and barbeque area that lights up during the festive season with its Christmas Riverbank display.

“The historic Dead Man’s Pass has a great walking track for the family to enjoy, as well as, barbeque facilities and nesting boxes for birds located by the North and South Para rivers. A project undertaken by the Rotary Club of Gawler to promote habitats for wildlife. “

Once you’ve spent a few hours in Gawler, it’s time to drive approximately 15 kilometres north-east of the town and stop at the Lyndoch Lavender Farm. Take a stroll through more than two hectares of this multi-award winning lavender farm, touching and smelling more than 90 different varieties.

“We provide scenic walks and gourmet food tasting,” Manager Mat Allanson said. “There’s a sheltered cafe offering light meals and wine tastings and a shop with a fantastic range of lavender products including toiletries, household products, plants and gifts.”

Fresh lavender scents will linger as you make your way to discover the wildlife and unforgettable scenery that’s to be found along the tracks of Mount Crawford Forest, near Williamstown.

Enjoy picnicking, bushwalking, camping and more at this 12,000-hectare belt of planted pine and native forest on the edge of the Barossa Ranges. With hundreds of kilometres of paths ranging from forest management tracks to ambling trails, it’s an ideal spot for hiking and mountain bike riding.

Close by, and very much suited for the fortune hunter, the Barossa Goldfields can be found within the Para Wirra Recreation Park. See the remnants of the gold-hunters labours by following along two interesting walking trail loops (1.2km and 5km). Each trail has interpretive signs that illustrate mining techniques, geology, treatment of ore and the lifestyles of people who lived there.

While in Williamstown, visit the Whispering Wall. Be fascinated by its unique acoustic effect that allows you to whisper at one end and have a friend hear your whisper more than 100 meters away. It is in fact, a retaining wall for the Barossa Reservoir and provides a scenic view of the reservoir.

Escape from the reservoir and let yourself wander away from the hustle and bustle of the main roads to the tranquillity of the Barossa’s less-trodden areas, starting at two of the state’s most well known long-distance trails, the Heysen and Mawson Trails.

Both trails have undergone re-developments allowing more options than ever for undertaking day trips and short overnight stays along the trails that conveniently start and finish in towns and make use of rural facilities on offer.

“Both trails offer a broad range of experiences and scenery as they traverse different landscapes, from the rolling valleys and orchards of the Mount Lofty Ranges and the famous vineyards of the Barossa and Clare Valleys, to the ancient rocky peaks and gorges of the Flinders Ranges,” Office for Recreation and Sport’s Project Manager Marty Krieg said.

The Kidman Trail also touches on the outskirts of the Barossa and offers visitors a multi-use horse riding, cycling and walking trail that traverses 269 kilometres of roadsides, forest tracks, private land and unmade road reserves, providing a scenic trail that highlights the natural beauty, cultural history and major points of interest.


Trail and Tour Listing

• Altona CSR Landcare Reserve and Walking Trail
• Barossa Bushgardens Regional Native Flora Centre
• Barossa Goldfields Walking Trail
• Barossa Heritage Trail
• Barossa Scenic Heritage Drive
• Church Hill State Heritage Walking Tour
• Gawler Historic Main Street Walking Tour
• Gawler Driving Tour
• Jenkins Scrub
• Lavender Federation Trail
• Little Kaiser Stuhl
• Mount Crawford Forest Summit
• Mount Pleasant Summit
• Para Road Wine Path
• Steingarten
• Tanunda Heritage Trail
• The Heysen Trail
• The Kidman Trail
• The Mawson Trail

More information about Trails and Tours
http://www.barossa.com/experiences/walkingtrailsscenicdrives.aspx

Costa Europa accident kills three in Egypt

AL-ARISH, Egypt – A luxury cruise liner carrying nearly 1,500 passengers slammed into the pier as it docked Friday at an Egyptian Red Sea resort in fierce winds, leaving three crew members dead, officials said.

The ship's owner, Costa Crociera, said the vessel sprung a leak on the right side after banging into the dock at about 4:45 a.m.

"We sadly have to confirm the deaths of 3 crew members," the company said in a statement. "The ship is now safely docked in port."

Other passengers were being put up in hotels and arrangements were being made to return them to their home countries, according to the company.

Witnesses said fierce winds had rocked the area overnight and the ship was slammed part way onto the pier.

Bad weather was believed to be the cause of the collision, which left a 2 meter (yard) hole in the body of the ship, according to an Egyptian security official.

The Costa Europa ship had been on an 18-day cruise from Dubai to Savona and had 1,437 guests on board, Italy.

Police and rescue officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to release the information, said the three killed include an Indian, a Brazilian and a Honduran, but the company did not confirm nationalities.

Mohammed Fayez, head of South Sinai ambulance services, said the bodies were still being removed from the ship. The vessel had arrived in Sharm el-Sheik from another Red Sea port in Safaga, local officials said.

The 55,000-ton ship, which was built in 1986, was restored and entered into service with Costa in 2002, the company said.

It's one of 16 cruise ships belonging to the Genoa, Italy-based Costa Crociera line, the Italian subsidiary of Carnival Corp.


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