Quite a 'feet' - walking on 'water'!

Energetic guests aboard the mega motor-cruisers SeaDream I and SeaDream II who have just crossed the Atlantic from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean for the northern summer holiday season, are boasting something of a 'feat' with their feet – they collectively 'walked' 1500 of the 5600 kilometre journey.

Activities Directors of each of the 110-passenger motor yachts, James Cabello and Richard Jones came up with the idea to offer guests looking for it, some extra exercise – and at the same time to raise funds for the Miami-based Children’s Bereavement Centre that supports children who have lost a parent.

Those guests on each yacht who took part in the 'Steps for Charity' and some crew as well, got sponsors for each kilometre they briskly walked each day around upper-most Deck 6, and made contributions themselves.

In all they collectively walked over 1500 kilometres, and for those who individually covered 26-nautical miles during each yacht’s Crossing, SeaDream Yacht Club added another $26 to their kitty (as CEO, Larry Pimentel and Chairman, Atle Brynestad both have children who have lost a parent, and Pimentel serves on the Board of the not-for-profit charity.)

A total US$10,000 was raised aboard the two motor-yachts for the Children’s Bereavement Centre.

Sydney-based whale watching cruise back in 2008

With whale watching cruises more popular than ever, Captain Cook Cruises is again operating its daily Whale Watching cruises off the coast at Sydney throughout the Whale Watching season of May 27 to November 15, 2008.

The Whale Watching cruise takes passengers past the Sydney Opera House, Fort Denison and all the beautiful homes located in the bays of Sydney Harbour and then out through the heads and onto the open waters. There the direction of the vessel is totally dependent on where the whales have been sighted – north towards Manly or south towards Coogee. Most whales are found within 2km of shore.

The number of Humpback and Southern Wright whales passing through Sydney on the annual northern migration between Antarctica and their winter feeding grounds as far north the Great Barrier Reef, is expected to reach its traditional peak around the Winter Solstice on June 22.

After calving in the northern waters between August and September, the whales will then again head south through Sydney, making their long journey back to Antarctica.

All Whale Watching cruises are held on a 75-passenger, 16 metre super sea-catamaran purpose built for Whale Watching and featuring two decks both offering spectacular open air viewing and a comfortable all-weather lounge for the entire family.

Captain Cook Cruises offers a whale guarantee - if a whale is not sighted in the months of May to November 2008 passengers can rebook another cruise free of charge or for those cruising in June and July they also have the choice to receive 50% of their money back.

Whale Watching cruises depart daily from Circular Quay at 1.30pm and twice daily from Darling Harbour at 9.00am and 1.15pm from May 27th to November 15th, 2008.

Whale Watching Cruises are priced at: adults $69, concession $59, child (4-14yrs) $39, family (2ad+2ch) $179 and additional child same family $30.

For further information and bookings, please contact Captain Cook Cruises on Tel: 02 9206-1111 or visit www.captaincook.com.au

New luxury hotel planned for Brisbane, Australia

The Westin Brisbane Empire Square Hotel and Residences will open in 2012, offering a prime location in the state capital of Queensland.

Adding depth to its rapidly expanding portfolio in Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc has announced an agreement with Metacap Empire Square Pty Ltd to open a new-build Westin hotel and residences in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia.

The Westin Brisbane Empire Square will offer 306 rooms and a sophisticated, refreshing atmosphere in a convenient downtown location.

The new Westin hotel will share a 66-story tower with The Residences at The Westin Brisbane Empire Square – the first internationally branded residential development in Australia.
Both the hotel and residences will open in early 2012, marking the return of the Westin brand to this dynamic Australian city.

The Westin Brisbane Empire Square will offer a prime location on Elizabeth Street, close to Central Station, the Convention and Exhibition Center and Brisbane's Treasury Casino. The hotel and residences will be part of a premier mixed-use development comprised of the hotel, residences and grade A commercial office space.

The third largest city in Australia and most populous city of Queensland, Brisbane (which is my hometwon, I'm proud to say) is a modern, cosmopolitan city offering an appealing blend of historic buildings, beautiful landscapes and waterways. Popular attractions include the Botanic Gardens, King George Square and Queen Street Mall – the entertainment hub of Brisbane.
The Westin Brisbane Empire Square will be the brand’s third hotel to open in Australia, joining the Westins in Sydney and Melbourne.

The Residences at The Westin Brisbane Empire Square will include 98 luxury apartments and six penthouses overlooking South Bank on one side, and the city and ocean on the other. The units will occupy more than 47,000 square feet of residential space from the 47th to the 62nd floor. Residents will enjoy all the benefits of ownership in this premier development, including access to hotel services and certain hotel facilities.

Mauritius - paradise for lovers

Mauritius is a romantic island that offers a lot more than perfect beaches and honeymoons for Australian couples.

The island resorts, run by French managers, import French produce and are among the best in the world for service, cuisine and style. French style and French cuisine merge with tropical flavours.

Mauritians speak French and English. The bureaucracy uses English and legal requirements are simple so marriage certificates and papers are a breeze.

The health spas at Mauritian resorts are beautiful with hints of Middle Eastern, African and Indian architecture, gorgeous pools and health services informed by Aryuvedic medicine and contemporary French cosmetics training. The Indian population of Mauritius today practises Aryuvedic medicine. The Dinarobin Resort with a health spa by Clarins is just one of many resort spas specialising in French products and treatments.

Mauritius is a country with mountain ranges and waterfalls and a charming range of inland activities that includes visits to colonial 'plantation' houses, a large range of golf courses, river activities and forest walks. Visit the Weeping Rock or the Seven Coloured Earth. Mauritius is also a safe country and free of snakes, spiders and diseases.

Mauritius is a mosaic of Indian, European, Chinese and Creole cultures. It is an international destination that adds to its exoticism. Many celebrities holiday in Mauritius and several stars own beachfront houses.

French and European visitors mingle at the resorts with people of taste from South Africa and Australia. The scents and colours and sounds of Mauritius are gentle and exotic, like vanilla and sandalwood. Like tropical fruits in bustling street markets. Like white rum steeped in herbs and fruits. Local musicians excel in European classical, Indian classical and Mauritius’ own favourite, Sega music - an infectious blend of reggae and east African rhythms. At resorts they will serenade you in private.

The beaches are of a higher quality than Fiji or New Caledonia. The sheltered lagoon is wide and the waters are brilliant topaz and aquamarine. Resorts often provide water sports like water skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, snorkelling and sailing free.

Many couples choose to get married on a yacht or a boat or on one of the nearby deserted tropical islands and have the reception on shore with live music, a bonfire and torches.

Mauritius is an intercontinental meeting point and has been an international port since the Dutch occupied it in 1598 followed by the French in 1710 and the English in 1810. Today it is a stopover in paradise between Europe, Africa and Australia.

For adventurous romantics, Mauritius is just a one-hour flight from Reunion Island, a principality of France, beautiful Rodrigues Island and exotic Madagascar. For couples who want a bit of nightlife outside of the capital, Port Louis, there are restaurants and bars at Flic en Flac and Grand Bay.

Mauritius is an eight-hour flight from Perth and connectivity through Virgin makes this Indian Ocean resort accessible to everyone anywhere in Australia.

Mauritian resort packages are great value because of how much they include. Standard packages include extraordinary smorgasbord breakfasts and dinners as well as a wide range of free water activities.

Discounts and packages for honeymoon and wedding or anniversary couples are very generous. All resorts offer discounts and many offer free spas, free nights, free upgrades and even a free wedding ceremony. Large baths and private spas with essential oils, champagne and flowers are mandatory.

For details about Mauritius visit www.tourism-mauritius.mu or TWP Marketing & Communications, the representatives of Mauritius in Australia. For details of honeymoon and wedding packages contact your local travel agency.

Air Mauritius operates the only direct flights from Australia, from Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, with connections via Virgin Airlines. Call 1300 658 572. Or visit www.airmauritius.com