Life Begins At Magazine is the ultimate lifestyle magazine for the young, sprightly and active over 50 and retirees. Featuring daily news, celebrity interviews, travel adventures and lifestyle tips and hints from our rotating experts. It has also feature health and well-being to pets and finance.
Did
you ever think going to Hawaii with the family this Easter holidays was
a bit far-fetched, let alone travelling on a ‘free’ return ticket? With
some frequent flyer point-hacking magic, it is entirely possible.
If you belong to an airline rewards program
and know how to leverage your everyday spending and expenses to boost
your point earnings, you can fly from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to
Honolulu on economy for 222,000-280,000 points – depending on the
airline points program and departure point.
Read on below for my 7 hacks to earn your family of four a return flight to the Aloha State.
Sign up to a rewards credit card that offers bonus points. The American
Express Platinum Charge card offers 80,000 Membership Rewards points
upon sign up, which can be redeemed on any of its airline partners
including Virgin. Earn up to 3 Membership Rewards points per $1 at
restaurants in Australia and 1 point per $1 on everything else. You
better sign up fast as the points per dollar offer expires 14 April
2019!
Have meal kits delivered straight to your door. If
you feel like trying out a new meal kit plan, sign up to a weekly
HelloFresh box where you can get 5000 bonus Qantas Points and $25 off.
You can earn another 5000 bonus points on the second box and a further
5000 points when you order your tenth.
Switch to points-earning insurance policies. Thinking
of reviewing your health insurance policy? Consider switching over to
Qantas Assure Health Insurance to quickly earn Qantas Points. You can
also rack up points through purchasing a Qantas Travel Insurance policy
before going on your next trip. If you take out an Annual Multi-Trip
policy, you can earn 1000 Qantas Points on sign up and 5000 points when
you sign up through the Qantas Wellbeing App.
Shop at points-earning malls. When looking to buy
big-ticket items, purchase through points-earning online malls such as
Qantas Shopping, Velocity eStore and KrisFlyer Spree. These online malls
cater brands including Apple, Bing Lee, and eBay where you can earn up
to 8 points per $1 spent. Buying a new, quality espresso machine can
earn you around 7000 points through Qantas Shopping!
Share the credit cards, share the points. Set up
supplementary rewards credit cards for your family instead of having
separate credit card accounts so you can rack up the points fast for a
family holiday. An added benefit of supplementary cards is that it
minimises the additional annual fees on each credit cards. Velocity
allows you to set up selected family members as contributors, so you can
receive their points earnt from flying.
Change up your car insurance. Whether you’ve just
purchased a new car or you’re reviewing your insurance policy, consider
taking one out with Virgin Car Insurance. You can earn 20,000 bonus
Velocity Points and get an additional 5000 points if you hold the
insurance for more than 65 days. If the policy is still active six
months down the track, you’ll earn another 15,000 points.
Earn points through energy. Who knew energy bills
can earn you frequent flyer points? Simply sign up to a Qantas Red Plus
energy plan to earn up to 10,000 and 5000 points for electricity and gas
respectively. Link your Frequent Flyer number to the account to start
earning 7 Qantas Points per $1 on your bills when you pay on time.
Life
Begins At Magazine is the ultimate lifestyle magazine
for the young, sprightly and active over 50 and retirees. Featuring daily news,
celebrity interviews, travel adventures and lifestyle tips and hints from our
rotating experts. It has also feature health and well-being to pets and
finance.
Are you thinking of
taking a cruise to Yangon (formerly Rangoon) Myanmar? We have got some
great Q & A on helping you to select the best cruise to Yangon.
Yangon is a wonderfully colourful melting pot of culture, religion and
food and there’s no better way to enjoy the Yangon experience than to
arrive in Yangon via a cruise liner.
Background on cruising to Yangon
Yangon is an emerging city that is developing so fast. Our
recommendation would be to get there sooner rather than later (before it
overdevelops) and resembles just another Asian city. For the time being
it isn’t overly crowded with high-rise apartments, malls and pollution.
The local people are friendly and welcoming and somewhat curious about
visitors to their city.
The city is a juxtaposition of somewhat dilapidated British colonial
architecture and new high rise construction. The former colonial
grandeur of the city is evident when you visit a few of the
reconstructed British constructed buildings. The High Tea at The Strand will leave an indelible impression about the former Rangoon’s (Yangon) history.
Of course, Yangon is best known for its array of Buddhist pagodas such as the Shwedagon. There’s plenty of pagodas to see in and around Yangon and for the more adventurous, you may like to head to Bagan for a balloon ride over one of the many hundreds of pagodas.
The city was founded by the Mon ethnic group who is one of the eight
major ethnic groups in Myanmar. It has evolved from a small fishing
village in the early 11th century where it was known as Dagon. By the
way, you can still visit a Mon ethnic village on one of the great tours
in Yangon.
Following two 19th-century Anglo-Burmese wars, the British seized
Yangon and all of lower Burma in the 1850s. The Brits (as they do)
turned Yangon into their seat of power in Burma, building an
infrastructure that was said to rival London at the time.
Unfortunately, the city fell to Japan in World War II and entered
years of political turmoil following independence in 1948. The military
took power in 1962, and the repressive regime only began to relinquish
control in 2010.
Yangon has an estimated 6 million residents (mostly the Burman ethnic
group) and the city spreads northward from the Yangon River. It truly
is a cultural smorgasbord and you won’t be disappointed when travelling
to this great city.
When should I go to Myanmar by cruise ship?
Cruises typically travel to Yangon during its dry season (December
to March) because of the high temperature and humidity outside of this
time. If you travel between December and March the temperature range is
typically very pleasant around 18 deg Celcius overnight and 32 degrees
Celcius during the day. On average, July -August are the most humid
months (average >80%) and January is the least humid month averaging
just over 60%. So plan on a December – January cruise to Yangon if you
can.
What are the port facilities in Yangon like?
Well…as we said before, Yangon is developing and so are its’ port
facilities. They are quite simple and essentially are somewhere where
you can disembark and embark. Don’t expect too much.
There are two locations for docking in Yangon and your cruise liner
will typically be limited to its docking location based on its’ size and
depth of the draft.
The Yangon City Dock
If your ship isn’t too large you’ll be able to cruise up the Yangon
river and dock in the city. Ships around 190m can dock in the heart of
Yangon, at Bo Aung Kyaw Jetty (or, in some cases, nearby Nanthida
Jetty). It’s a great location (just below Strand Road) (Look for the
label “Myanmar Port Authority” on Google Maps.)
From the dock, it’s a couple of hundred metres walk to the Port gate.
Obviously if you head out on your own make sure that you carry your
Ship ID documents to re-enter the port area. There is no covered
terminal or services at the port so don’t have too high expectations.
Thilawa Port/ Hutchison Port Terminal
Ships of up to 260 metres with larger drafts, unfortunately, have to
dock at the deeper port 25 kilometers south of the city. With the
current roadworks, it can take an hour to two hours drive to the city
centre so be mindful of the time when travelling. Most cruise companies
will offer transfers to the centre of Yangon on the hour from Thilwa
Port. Bear in mind the port has no facilities and it is an industrial
port so once again, keep the expectations low.
Before you book, ask your cruise company where the ship will dock as
if you’re only on a short stay, a couple of hours travelling to and from
the port can be a little frustrating for some travellers.
The Yangon River is tidal and so you sailing times can vary accordingly (at low tide, you won’t be going anywhere).
Which ships offer cruises to Yangon?
Firstly over the next several months, there are a number of ships that offer cruises to Yangon including:
The Silver Shadow from Singapore or departing from Yangon.
Of course, all of these wonderful ships offer a vast variety of
quality experiences that will get you from your point of embarkation to
disembarkation with relative ease.
One of the key motivators for which ship to take maybe your point of departure
For Australian travellers, Singapore is one of the better departure
points because of its proximity to Australia. A short 8-hour flight
from most Australian airports will have you in Singapore enjoying a
Singapore Sling, enjoying Chilli Crab or just taking in the wonderful
shopping experiences that Singapore has to offer.
Plenty of millennials
have decided to rent for almost their entire lives, some even going as
far as buying investment properties over buying a house for themselves.
Plenty of young buyers opt to buy investments suited to tenants and
continue to rent themselves to maximise their first purchase. Some
millennials have given up on the property market entirely and have
decided to invest in other endeavours. This is great news if you’re
already a landlord: the emerging market for you is the millennial! Here’s how to please your new, younger demographic:
Be a bit more relaxed with the rules
If you want your young tenants to stay long term, then it’s best to
give them options to make your house their home. If they want to hang
art on the walls, prepare the walls with hooks or oblige them when they
ask if they can hang their favourite pieces. If that’s too much, then
suggest temporary hooks that they can remove when they leave. Also,
consider accepting young tenants with pets if they apply with one: many
millennials who plan on renting for several decades don’t want to wait
to get a fluffy family member. So, being relaxed with pets will
definitely get you some brownie points with young renters.
Have the extras
Gone are the days of settling for the bare necessities, if
millennials are looking for a long-term home, they want the lot. Things
like air con, outdoor entertaining areas, and energy saving features are
a big plus to young tenants and they’ll be more likely to rent from you
long-term if you offer these extras. With internet searching being the
dominant way to advertise rental properties, it’s very easy to compare
all the available homes and calculate which property has more value for
money. The best outcome you as a landlord could hope for is great
tenants who will stay in the property for several years. To achieve
that, consider re-vamping your property to cater to the emerging market
in the rental industry.
Prepare your online listings
We all know that millennials are very tech-reliant and are used to
high-quality websites. That means that you can no longer get away with a
bare-bones approach to online listings. Previously, your property
manager could upload amateur photos with a minimal description online
and your home would get rented. But millennials are less likely to apply
for a rental property if the photos are sub-par and the specifics are
not included there. If you invest in quality photos by a professional
real estate photographer and provide as much detail about the features
your property offers as possible, you’re more likely to peak younger
applicants’ interest. The best part is you only have to bare this
expense once – you can save your new photos for the next time you have
to list your rental property.
Life
Begins At Magazine is the ultimate lifestyle magazine
for the young, sprightly and active over 50 and retirees. Featuring daily news,
celebrity interviews, travel adventures and lifestyle tips and hints from our
rotating experts. It has also feature health and well-being to pets and
finance.
Renting out an investment property can be a highly lucrative way to better manage your capital and grow your wealth over time. However, one of the biggest issues you’ll face is finding consistently great quality tenants.
2. Be a great landlord. Your reputation proceeds you and tenants will use online record searches, review sites and talk to neighbours. Just as you’re vetting tenants, tenants will and should vet you.
3. Complete a tenant background check. Lodge offers this for $25 in 90 seconds and call their employer as part of the process.
4. Cast a wide net. While it only takes one great tenant to lease to, having several to choose from helps find the right tenant.
5. Be flexible – allow a dog, let a migrant pay rent upfront.
Life Begins At Magazine is the ultimate lifestyle magazine for the young, sprightly and active over 50 and retirees. Featuring daily news, celebrity interviews, travel adventures and lifestyle tips and hints from our rotating experts. It has also feature health and well-being to pets and finance.
Pitch a tent, sleep under the stars or wake up to sounds of the bushland in a private cabin – holiday parks and campsites provide some of the most impressive locations in Australia and now cater to all budget levels and types of holiday-makers from families to groups. The Grampians The Grampians National Park and surrounding …
The Grampians
The Grampians National Park and surrounding state parks offer some of Victoria’s best free camping spots. The park, three hours west of Melbourne, offers a great base for day-trips to waterfalls or challenging hikes to renowned rocky escarpments. Visitors can get closer to nature and meet resident wildlife.
Jimmy Creek Campground located in the Southern Grampians, offers an outback camping experience just a short drive to Dunkeld. Campers can stock up on wood fired bread, locally produced yoghurt and honey from the Dunkeld General Store.
Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park is surrounded by the picturesque beauty of the Grampians National Park and is only three kilometres from the centre of Halls Gap township. The park features a heated outdoor pool, new amenities with individual bathrooms and modern facilities. Halls Gap Zoo, Grampians Adventure Golf and Brambuk the National Park & Cultural Centre are just some of the family friendly attractions visitors can experience within Halls Gap.
Wimmera Lakes Caravan Resort is ideally located on the Western Highway at the eastern end of Horsham with the Grampians National Park as a distant breathtaking backdrop to the park. Visitors can enjoy a barbecue in the camp kitchen, a swim in the solar heated pool or some fun on their outdoor playground Jumping Pillow.
BIG4 Parkgate Resort located in the foothills of the Grampians National Park is a short drive from the town centre of Halls Gap. Ensuites and powered sites, set in idyllic locations with modern amenities are ideal for enjoying the great outdoors.
The Murray
With temperate climate and spectacular wilderness areas, The Murray region provides idllyic bushland and riverbank camping along the Murray River.
Gunbower Island in Gannawarra is an expansive island situated alongside the Murray River, well suited for the adventurous camper. There are three free camping sites set among spectacular bushland, with access to the river for water skiing, swimming and fishing.
The Murray River is lined with 12 BIG4 holiday parks offering cabin, caravan and camping accommodation. Big 4 Riverside Swan Hill offers riverside camping and deluxe cabins surrounded by breathtaking scenery, as well as pool facilities and golf packages for the award winning Murray Downs Golf Course which is located nearby.
Just a short drive from Swan Hill, Lake Boga Caravan Park offers the visitor magnificent lake views and easy access to the iconic Lake Boga. The lake is a great place for all water sports. The Caravan Park has its own boat ramp with other facilities including laundry, camp kitchen and a BBQ area.
Gippsland
For the combined bushland and coastal camping experience, Gippsland offers striking terrain, ideal for a range of adventurous activities.
Nestled between the river and the ocean beach, near Point Hicks, the Thurra River is the largest camp ground in Croajingolong National Park. With 46 campsites, the Thurra River is shallow, making it a popular spot for families to relax on hot days.
Cape Conran Coastal Park has 135 camping sites spread over one kilometre along with a range of accommodation including cabins and a large lodge which sleeps up to 17 people. The Park fronts on to 60 kilometres of isolated sandy beaches facing the rugged Bass Strait.
For those wanting a, ‘glamping’ option Parks Victoria Wilderness Retreats are ideal. Located at Wilsons Promontory National Park, Cape Conran Coastal Park and Buchan Caves, the comfortable safari-style tents combines the “close to nature” experience of bush camping with the comforts of modern park cabins.
From Torquay to Port Campbell, visitors will find a range of camping options from luxury ‘glamping’ at remote and secluded beaches to wilderness camping at sites nestled deep in the Otways.
A popular camp ground in the region is Johanna Beach, located in the Otway National Park among sand dunes, excellent for camping with dogs, caravanning and catching the surf.
Pebble Point is another luxury camping experience situated at the end of the Great Ocean Walk in the small coastal village of Princetown. The exclusive bush retreat has five luxury tents with quality king-sized beds, linen and towels with spacious ensuite bathrooms and private decks.
Those looking for a more leafy green camping experience can stay at Bimbi Park in Cape Otway. Bimbi Park is sheltered among tall manna gums with many resident koalas spotted in the area. The Park caters for a range of camping options with powered camp sites, on-site vans, bunk rooms and standard and deluxe cabins.
For a camping experience with all the bell and whistles, visitors can pitch a tent at the award winning Big4 Beacon Resort in Queenscliff. Much more than just a holiday resort, Big4 Beach Resort is home to an onsite day spa – Mud Day Spa, a gym, heated swimming pool, modern amenities and full kitchen facilities. For a gourmet glamping experience, guests can stock up on supplies at the onsite shop, which is full of locally grown produce and local beer, wine and cider from The Bellarine region.
Tucked off the main road between Barwon Heads and Torquay is the tiny hamlet of Breamlea. The Breamlea Caravan Park is nestled off the main road in its own hidden piece of paradise, looking onto the picturesque Thompsons Creek on one side, with a surf beach the other side. Secluded and quiet, civilization feels hundreds of miles away, although it is located only 25 minutes from Geelong or 90 minutes from Melbourne. The Caravan Park is home to powered and unpowered sites, on-site cabins, a general store and Post Office, plus all the other usual amenities.
Located little more than an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the Brisbane Ranges National Park is where you can find the state’s richest wildflower habitat. Set in a low range of mountains dissected by rocky gullies, the unusual geology of the National Park has preserved plants that have long since vanished from other parts of the region. The park is home to a handful of off-the-beaten-track camping sites -some of which are walk-in only – and an excellent base for bushwalking, wildflower and wildlife studies and exploring the historic gold mining area of Steiglitz Historic Park.
Brisbane Ranges
High Country
Camping within the High Country region offers pristine natural environment combined with proximity to bountiful towns boasting vibrant food and wine as well as plenty of outdoor adventures with cycling and walking trails.
Porepunkah Pines Caravan Park is an award winning park conveniently situated on the Great Alpine Road, just minutes from the beautiful township of Bright. The park features two solar heated pools with a shaded water park for the little ones, also a large camp kitchen, barbecues, games room and kids playground. Accommodation ranges from powered sites to well-maintained cabins and two houses that sleep up to 12 people.
Campers can enjoy sweet seclusion in Victoria’s far north east at Colac Colac (Clack Clack) Caravan Park, near Corryong. Located in a beautiful valley, Colac Colac Park boasts tall trees, sprawling lawns and a great swimming hole for the kids.
An hour’s drive from Mansfield, Sheepyard Flat in the old gold-mining Howqua Hills Historic Area, is one of several flats along the Howqua River, with open, grassy campsites arrayed on either side of the Howqua Track. A popular spot for picnics, horse riding, bushwalking, fishing and 4WD driving.
Goldfields
The Goldfields region is rich with things to do and see, especially within the towns of Ballarat and Bendigo. From beautifully preserved architecture, some of Victoria’s best galleries and museums to quality local produce at many top restaurants. Holiday parks just out of town provide the best of both worlds – enjoying natural surrounds and located only a short drive to the region’s many family friendly attractions.
The multi-award winning BIG4 Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park is situated in Ballarat, within close proximity to the city’s major attractions. Caravan and camping sites, budget cabins, spa cottages and villas are available, along with a solar heated swimming pool, giant jumping pillow, giant checkers, indoor heated spa, tennis, go-karts and more.
Bendigo Park Lane Holiday Park located within close proximity to Bendigo’s CBD, offers powered sites, cabins and luxury villas. Families will keep entertained with Bendigo’s largest indoor play centre, Parky’s Wonderland – a four level indoor play structure – as well as pedal karts, a sand volleyball court, plus much more.
The scenic beauty of lush forest, bush settings and clear mountain streams make for the perfect backdrop for a camping holiday. Visitors can stay in a forest park or choose a holiday site with full facilities.
Big 4 Badger Creek Holiday Park is surrounded by 24 hectares of peace and tranquility, immersed by natural bush land in the Yarra Valley. The Holiday Park offers quality caravanning, camping or self-contained park accommodation. Hillside Cabins are nestled amongst the native trees and the Park cabins overlook the creek.
The Warburton Caravan Park is located on the banks of the Yarra River, in the Upper Yarra Valley, surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. The Park includes a tennis court, laundry and shower facilities, children’s playground and electric bbq and shelter areas. There are many scenic campsites as well as cabins along the kilometre of river frontage which is ideal for canoeing or fishing.
The beautiful Port Phillip Bay coastline of the Mornington Peninsula, from Rosebud to Rye to Sorrento, boasts 13km of foreshore camping with white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. There are excellent facilities with shower and toilet blocks, barbeques and kids’ play areas, as well as top dining destinations and many places to pick up gourmet foods in nearby coastal villages.
The Rosebud Foreshore Reserve stretches approximately 7km from Anthony’s nose in McCrae down to Chinaman’s Creek in Rosebud West. There are 665 camping sites available, both powered and non-powered, all with great access to the beach, amenities and various shops.
Camping at the Rye & Sorrento Foreshores is available from the last weekend of October to April. There are 315 camping sites available with both powered and non-powered sites for caravans and tents.
The Mornington Peninsula Shire manages camping along the natural foreshore reserves with all bookings to be made via the Foreshore Camping Team.
Visitors to the region will be rewarded with lush parks, rugged river gorges and dramatic rock formations in state and regional parks. Days are filled with waking up to panoramic views, energising springwaters along with plenty of walking tracks to explore.
O’Briens Crossing camping area is located beside Lerderderg River in Lerderderg State Park and flanked by steep, wild slopes. It offers a true bush experience and walking is the best way to get to know the park – there are several tracks for a range of walks from short, easy strolls to strenuous overnight hikes for experienced bushwalkers.
The sheltered extinct volcanic crater of Mount Franklin in Hepburn Regional Park provides ideal surroundings for a picnic or short term camping. Panoramic views can be obtained from the summit and there is a scenic walking track along the rim of the crater.
Phillip Island
Phillip Island has all the elements for a memorable seaside holiday with plenty of family attractions, friendly wildlife and sheltered bays perfect for a spot of beach cricket.
BIG4 Phillip Island Caravan Park is nestled amongst the sand dunes of the Newhaven Beach in a natural landscape setting of trees and gardens, and is conveniently located within 500 metres of restaurants, cafes and shops. There is a wide variety of accommodation, ranging from shady camping sites to three bedroom deluxe villas as well as entertainment rooms, a children’s play area and sport facilities and washing vicinities.
Cowes Caravan Park offers beach front sites, only one kilometre from Cowes township. The park offers a full range of accommodation with cabins and powered and unpowered camp sites. The park is well equipped with a camp kitchen, recreation hall with open fire, playground and full amenities.
Bali is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Australian tourists. It’s easy
to understand why. Cheap flights, short travel times, beautiful
landscapes, friendly people, and the low cost of living make it an
extremely desirable place to visit. However, due to the “Bali experience,” many Australians have a perception that Bali is Indonesia.
Most Australians have never ventured into other parts of this vast
network of islands, and only a small percentage have spent any length of
time in the capital city of Jakarta.
As a tourist, this is fine—the bars
and beaches of Bali are perfectly set up to ensure visitors to the
island have an amazing holiday. The problem lies in translating this
perception to your business mindset.
When the island of Bali informs your
thinking about what Indonesia has to offer, you limit your understanding
of the numerous opportunities that are available for you and your
business.
The views of Indonesia as nothing
more than Bali is a little like the story of the blind men and the
elephant. If you have only ever touched the elephant’s tail, you will
have no idea of its true size and magnificence.
Indonesia is the world’s largest
archipelago. With over 17,500 islands and a population of over 250
million people, Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the
world.
According to the World Bank, of the
250+ million consumers, one in every five Indonesians, or around 52
million people, are considered to be middle class. Think about it.
That’s twice the entire population of Australia!
Due to Indonesia’s increasing wealth
and expanding population, this middle class is projected to grow. The
result of this will be a continuing growth in economic prosperity and a
reduction of poverty in Indonesia.
It should also be noted that around
60% of the population are below the age of 40. And, approximately 50% of
the population (~ 125 million people) represent Indonesia’s labour
force.
In terms of Indonesia’s growing
economy, Indonesia has consistently delivered a GDP growth of 5% pa
every year since 2008 and has a purchasing power ranked 10th in
the world. Indonesia is also a member of the G20 and an economic giant
with the ASEAN group of countries. It is projected that Indonesia will
become the 4th largest economy in the world by 2050.
Indonesia has a reputation as a
difficult place to do business. There are a number of factors that have
fuelled this perception. These include government red tape, a
protectionist trade policy, restrictions for foreign investment in
certain sectors, legislative & regulatory uncertainty, and pockets
of corruption.
It is easy to see why Australian
businesses might think twice before expanding into the region.
Historically, there is some justification for taking the view that there
are difficulties when it comes to doing business in Indonesia. Over the
last four years, though, things have changed dramatically in the
Indonesian marketplace.
The result is that it is now a
much-improved business environment to a politically stable and vibrant
economy with reduced layers of Government regulation, eased import &
export restrictions, and an extensive investment in public
infrastructure.
Most of Indonesia’s population live
on one of the five main islands, which are Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan,
Sulawesi, and Papua. As you can see, Bali doesn’t even make the top
five!
The variety that you can discover
within Indonesia is almost as multitudinous as the islands themselves.
Here are just a few of the many attractions throughout the archipelago
that will appeal to Australian businesses.
Jakarta is a bustling business district and the main financial centre
for Indonesia, with all the amenities you would expect from a modern
city. Indonesia is not just pretty countryside and beautiful beaches.
Once you know your way around Jakarta, it can be an amazingly fun and
rewarding city to live and work in.
The province of Kalimantan on the island of Borneo is rich in
resources and therefore dominated by the oil & gas and mining
industries, and so there are many oil and mining companies based in the
city of Balikpapan, on the island of Borneo.
The recent Indonesian tsunami has caused devastation on the island of
Sulawesi, particularly in the city of Palu. This means that there is a
need to rebuild, and Australian businesses can play a critical role in
this process, particularly in terms of supplying heavy plant equipment.
The benefits to both the locals and to the Australian companies are
extensive.
Manado in North Sulawesi has a population of around 700,000, and is
the most beautiful place in the whole of Indonesia. The surrounding
mountainous landscapes and views out across the crystal clear, sapphire
blue waters are stunning. The island does attract divers but is not
widely visited by tourists.
There are also gold mines in North Sulawesi, near Manado, creating a
number of interesting business opportunities. The people are of
Portuguese heritage and are predominantly Christian in a country with an
overall Muslim majority, which brings a very different flavour to the
culture.
In North Sumatra, the Aceh people are regarded as being tougher than
most other Indonesians, as opposed to the Javanese, who are viewed as
being particularly gentle. If you want to have a strong operations
person on the ground, someone from Aceh will rule the factory floor with
an iron fist, whereas if you want someone heading up customer
relations, a Javanese would be the ideal candidate to fulfil the role.
As you can see, Indonesia is a rich and varied tapestry with
offerings to suit many different requirements, and the greater the
knowledge you have of the different aspects of the country, the easier
it is to ensure your requirements are met.
Our guest writer, John Ninness, took a short journey with
Silversea to Yangon and return aboard the Silver Muse and was
pleasantly surprised by the outstanding service and hospitality aboard.
John writes…..
There’s a romanticism with ocean
cruising that seems to tug at the heart of all of us at one time or
another. Ever since I first watched the Titanic movie, there’s been an
inward yearning to stand on the bow of a cruise ship like Jack and Rose,
feel the wind in my face and the romance of a cruising journey.
Yet like many Australians, who have
heard the horrifying cruise tales over the last few years, I have been
left with a somewhat tainted view to take a vacation aboard an ocean
cruise ship. Until now…
This story begins in the thriving metropolis of Singapore where I boarded as a guest of the Silversea Cruises’ iconic flagship, Silver Muse, headed for a journey up to Yangon in Myanmar and returning to back to Singapore. Singapore is a thriving modern metropolis and the perfect location to begin my Silversea adventure to YangonAs an aside, I think it’s appropriate
that I set the context of my travel journeys. Over the last thirty odd
year’s of my working life, I’ve had the privilege to stay in some great
five star hotels around the world (generally as part of a work
assignment where I often failed to venture outside the hotel bounds).
Cocooned in a five-star hotel isn’t that much fun for me I might add.
The sterility of the food, the beds, the inherent odour of hotel rooms
and the windows that don’t open just don’t do it for me anymore. They’re
so indistinguishable that sometimes you can forget which city or
country you’re in. So you can imagine my hesitation to partake on a
cruise on a luxury five-star ship. It turned out I was very wrong…
Boarding Silver Muse
in Singapore, I was greeted by some smiling faces (as you would expect
on a luxury liner). But there was a sense of honesty and integrity in
the staff as I passed through the several checks before boarding. An
earthy friendliness that you’d seldom see in a five-star hotel. There
was something different…almost like catching up with a distant family
that you haven’t seen before. There was a formal familiarity that didn’t
make you feel uncomfortable. An instant connection. A connection that
would continue throughout the voyage…and even leave me missing some of
these fabulous people over the past few weeks as I returned to my normal
routine.
The well-appointed luxury suite with
its’ private balcony, walk-in closet and every luxury amenity (including
a pretty cool range of Bvlgari products, a tantalising chocolate
selection, Illy Capsule machine and an excellent Bose Sound System) were
consistent with what you could imagine within the expectations of a
five-star experience.
The Butler and Room Attendant was not…they were both far beyond my expectations.
Not long after my arrival in the
suite, a pleasant gentleman in Butler’s attire knocked graciously at the
door. He introduced himself and provided an introduction to the
features of the suite in a thoughtful and caring manner.
This guy (Andrew) was apparently a
pro butler, and his sense of enthusiasm and graciousness didn’t stop the
whole cruise. Yes, that’s right! Silversea Cruises provide full butler
service to every suite on the ship for the duration of the journey.
Andrew, like many of the other staff aboard Silver Muse,
is a significant point of difference for this cruising company. Their
attention to every minute detail to assist you in feeling comfortable
was nothing less than outstanding.
The staff of Silver Muse
became an extension of me as the cruise progressed. They knew my coffee
wants and needs…and, of course, they knew which wonderful sweet morsels
that I would desire during morning and afternoon tea sessions.
They knew my cocktail preferences in
the evening, the choice of drinks as the evening progressed and even
down to setting my preferred alarm time on the clock in my suite.
Even the bed turn down was better
than my mum used to do as a child. These guys had silver service nailed,
and whenever and wherever I went on the ship, I was always greeted with
a friendly courteous style that reflected the connection and the
integrity of the experience. It never ever stopped over a twelve-day
cruise.
Seriously you say, it couldn’t be
that good? I have to say that it was better than “that good.” There was
not one day passed by when I felt I needed to think about anything
(apart from which dining experience to enjoy) aboard Silver Muse…my new big Silver Muse family always had my back.
Getting fit and losing weight are consistently among the top New Year’s resolutions, and January is the boom period for the billion-dollar gym industry. While any attempt to incorporate more exercise into our lives should be welcomed, it’s time to rethink the reasons for joining the gym. And, in particular, the way we measure success when it comes to exercise writes Simon Rosenbaum, UNSW Australia.
Weight loss is one of the most common reasons why people start an exercise program, linking sweating it out with reduced fat. Sadly, they’re setting themselves up to fail because there’s good evidence that exercise in the absence of dietary modification is not all that effective for weight loss. In other words, “you can’t outrun a bad diet.”
In fact, the idea that exercise will lead to weight loss is potentially dangerous because it acts as a disincentive for people who stick to their exercise goals to only find the scales haven’t turned in their favour – and throw in the towel.
A better measure
Research published a few months ago shows the likelihood of an obese man achieving normal weight without surgery is one in 210. And the chances are only a little better for women, at one in 124. Among those who manage to lose significant weight (at least 5% of bodyweight), at least half will regain it within two years.
Weight loss is very important for improving health and reducing risk of chronic disease. But when focusing on the reasons, people should be physically active and engage in regular exercise, fitness, as opposed to fatness is a better focus.
Exercise can directly improve fitness independent of changes in weight. And it may be protective of developing chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, even for people who are overweight or obese. But the importance of trying to lose weight through broad lifestyle change shouldn’t be ignored.
A recent study of over 1.3 million Swedish men found that when it comes to risk of dying early, high fitness isn’t protective for people who are obese. But it showed fitness was an important factor nonetheless and didn’t measure other key health outcomes. Most importantly, improving fitness is a tangible and achievable outcome, so it’s more motivating.
When you’re in the habit of exercising regularly, it’s easier to keep going and find the motivation to continue. But when you’ve been inactive for a while, such as over the holiday season, it’s often difficult to overcome the mindset of feeling overwhelmed and out of touch with exercising. This often leaves people feeling unsure about where to begin.
To avoid feeling lost, try setting some realistic, and achievable goals that can be written down and achieved every day. Plan for the worse-case scenario (such as those extra long lunches). Even one set of squats, five minutes of yoga, or a brief walk around the block may be enough to avoid the build-up of post-holiday exercise fear.
Use other ways of measuring progress, such as how breathless you feel after walking up that set of stairs or how much easier it is to carry the groceries, as well.
4. Don’t forget resistance training (muscle building exercise). Working muscles is not only for young men; it has considerable benefits for men and women of all ages.
Most importantly, the best exercise program is the one that’s realistic for your situation, enjoyable and progressively more challenging. And it’s not necessarily one limited to the gym.
Energy bills have almost become a permanent burden on the budget but the good news is that there are simple hacks you can apply to keep your energy costs down and make sure you’re getting the best value energy deal.
Summer energy consumption checklist:
A healthy temperature: Setting air-conditioning to 26 degrees is comfortable while keeping costs down2
Consider the alternatives: Try to use fans instead of the air-conditioner for a more cost effective option
Keep the sun out: Close windows, doors, curtains and blinds in the morning and keep them shut until a cool change arrives
Opt for the clothes line: Take advantage of the warmer weather and use a clothes line instead of the dryer
While cutting back around the home can help reduce your energy usage, for many households it may just be a ‘Band-Aid’ solution. Unfortunately how much you pay isn’t determined purely by how much you use – along with usage, your energy bill is also made up of supply charges and service fees. It’s important to speak to an energy expert to make sure you are on a plan to suit your needs.
Many Australians have adopted a set and forget mindset and have not reviewed their energy plan in years. This means they’re probably paying more than they need to for their energy and missing out lower rates which should ease the pressure on the household budget.
iSelect’s top 5 hacks to finding a better value energy deal:
Don’t set and forget – Retailers are now required to notify you when your rate changes or your discount expires. This should prompt you to compare other plans in the market to ensure you’re getting the best value deal.
Look for flexible payment options – Pay your bills weekly, fortnightly or monthly, or sign up for bill smoothing, which will divide your annual usage into even monthly instalments, to avoid bill shock
Don’t be distracted by discounts – Many retailers advertise heavily discounted rates (up to 30% off) but are often conditional. Opting for a retailer that offers a lower ongoing rate without discounts can be cheaper in the long-run, especially if you often pay your bills late.
Look out for special offers – Some retailers will offer you a better deal if you pay on time, manage your bills online or pay by direct debit. Keep an eye out for these special introductory offers but beware they generally expire after a year or two.
Shop around –Use increased energy competition to your advantage by comparing current offers. Call an energy comparison service like iSelect3 and make sure you have a copy of your latest bill handy.
The health benefits of stretching go well beyond improving flexibility and looser, more limber, and longer muscles.
Being more flexible gives you more stamina,
allows for increased physical output and performance and because you
use less energy, you’re saving it for other more important tasks.
Regular stretching increases your overall energy levels and makes you
more alert by increasing the circulation of blood and amount of oxygen,
minerals, and proteins flowing to your muscles and increasing production
of beneficial neurochemicals. Muscles can work harder and longer as
muscle fatigue is reduced so you move faster and lift more.
Stretching reduces the risk of injury as
tight muscles have trouble achieving their full range of motion which
can cause you to pull or tear a muscle. Increased blood flow
also decreases recovery time after a workout because more oxygen and
nutrients are delivered to the muscles.
Increased circulation also helps your
organs function better and more efficiently which means lower blood
pressure and resting heart rate and reduced levels of bad cholesterol in
your veins and arteries. Studies have shown that a 40 minute stretch
lowers blood sugar levels by 26%. The Journal of Medical Science
recently reported that stretching may be the “new exercise paradigm for
cardiovascular medicine” describing it is a novel and alternative low
intensity, therapeutic intervention capable of improving several
parameters of vascular function.
Stretching also makes you feel happier by
increasing the brain’s production of endorphins and neurochemicals such
as serotonin, helping with depression and anxiety. Increased physical
performance also makes you feel happier and more confident which tends
to make you eat better and look after yourself more.
Particularly important as we age, and for
conditions like Parkinson’s and MS, stretching is great for your
balance by improving fine muscle coordination and increasing the
reaction time of your proprioceptors that cause your balance to shift
weight.
Stretching has advantages for specific
sports people. For golfers for example, a compact powerful swing is
dependent on the relationship of shoulder and hip rotation and we have a
number of very excited clients who find it greatly improves their
game. Stiff shoulders, tight hips and hamstrings impact your ability to
perfect your swing. For cyclists, stretching helps improve range of
motion to ride efficiently and generate more power. And there are
obvious benefits for runners, walkers and a whole range of other forms
of physical exercise.
And appealing to our sense of vanity, tight
muscles can cause your back to hunch and limit mobility, which affects
your walk. Stretching improves your posture by keeping your whole body
in its natural position and your spine in proper alignment.
Stretch Studios clients book by the Stretch
S app, phone or drop by for a 20 minute, 30, 40, 50 or 60 minute
assisted stretch, a form of static stretching in which a ‘flexologist’
(professional assisted stretcher) exerts gentle force upon the limb to
move it into a new position, holding for a specific amount of time to
lengthen and stretch the muscle fibre and tissue. Stretch studios is
open Monday to Friday 8am-7pm, Saturday 8am-4pm, Sunday 10am-3pm
