CATHAY PACIFIC EXTENDS ITS RANGE…

YOUR WEEKLY TRAVEL COLUMN “travellers good buys” DAVID ELLIS

Week beginning 13 August 2007

travel tips: with david ellis

CATHAY PACIFIC EXTENDS ITS RANGE…

CATHAY Pacific’s showing it plans on being around for a long time to
come, announcing orders for five more wide-bodied Boeing 777-300ER
aircraft that will give it twenty-three of the extended range planes
and a total fleet of over 130 by 2011. Airline CEO, Tony Tyler says
the new purchases will cement the company’s Hong Kong base as a
leading international hub for passenger and freight operations, and
will give Australian travellers access to over 120 destinations in
Asia, North America, Europe and South Africa.

THEY could probably be called quite rightly the birthplace of
Queensland, but the hamlets of quaintly-named 1770 and nearby Agnes
Waters on the state’s Central Coast are hardly the focus of mass
tourism (which is probably what gives them their appeal, and how the
locals want to keep it.) But there’s plenty to do in and around both
tiny settlements, including visits to Lady Musgrave Island, national
parks, secluded beaches considered Queensland’s most northerly and
least-crowded surfing destinations, and classic fishing. Mantra
Pavillion Mirage on 1770 offers a taste of luxury with prices from
$145 per room per night for minimum 3-night stays to March 31 2008 –
excluding December 14 to January 16 – if booked by September 15.
Details on 13 15 17 or

www.mantra.com.au

FOURTEEN nights on the rare 6-star, 940-passenger Crystal Symphony
from Miami to Los Angeles by way of the British West Indies,
Colombia, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Mexico, is selling from
$8180pp twin-share next February. Price includes return air from east
coast capitals, a night in Miami pre-cruise, transfers, shipboard
tips, and an onboard spending credit of up to US$100pp; details 1800
266 190 or

www.premiumcruiseholidays.com.au

BRISBANE’s 4.5-star Terraces on Wickham overlooking the Roma Street
Parklands and city centre, has a romantic’s special until September
30 of $189 for a night’s deluxe accommodation for two on either a
Friday, Saturday or Sunday, massage oil, sensual candles, car parking
and buffet breakfast. There’s a pool, restaurant and bar; 1800 777
789 or www.terracesonwickham.com.au

AN adventurer’s getaway in Thailand includes a 4WD safari from Chiang Mai through hilltribe communities in the Mae Hong Son Valley, a bamboo raft trip on the Tham Lod River, a jungle walk to the Mork Fah Waterfall, and a visit to the Burma border. With 2-nights twin-share, breakfasts, all touring and admissions

it costs from $713pp. Air and land travel to Chiang Mai is additional. Details on 131 600 or

www.flightcentre.com.au

TRUE: A WOMAN in Poland returned home from a holiday to find the
local council had put a road through her backyard. When she objected
she was told not to complain, as all she had to do was cross the road
to get to what was left of her vegie garden.

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