FOCUS ON MACAO | VOL 1, 2019 - PAGE 46 -
- PAGE 90 -
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Macao’s centuriesold fascination still beguiles visitors
Summer cruising - retro cool on two wheels
Signing on for South Seas freighter adventure
The Pacifica penthouses sit high above the sparkling waters of Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour. These expansive penthouses boast 360 degree views and a luxury previously unseen on these shores while offering immediate access to the unique experiences that New Zealand is famous for.
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Contents #62 NEWS
Luxury Escapes: New Caledonia celebrates lagoon’s UNESCO anniversary
LIFESTYLE: MOTORCYCLES
#12
World News
#82
Indian FTR 1200 flat track racer
#22
The Pacifica - new level of luxury for Auckland
#84
BMW Heritage range – distinct DNA
#28
Hotel News
#86
Yamaha T7 recreates adventure icon
#88
KTM Adventure R – new benchmark
#32
Airline News
#40
Flight Reports - Qantas’ new 787-9 direct to New York - KLM’s Amsterdam to Southampton
#42
Airline Spotlight - Malaysia Airlines, connecting to 22 countries
COVER STORY #52
Macao’s Centuries-old fascination – still beguiling visitors
LUXURY ESCAPES #54
Oaks opens doors to healthier business travel
#58
Auckland Seaplanes – new base on Waiheke Island
LIFESTYLE: CARS #92
News – stars on the horizon
#94
Corvette crowns its new king
#96
Volvo’s premium compact SUV
#98
Citroen’s trademark unique twist
CRUISING #100 Aranui 5 – South Seas freighter adventures #104 Med cruise spoiled by gym thunder #106 Viking River Cruises – exploring Europe by longboat #108 Circumnavigating the British Isles LIFESTYLE: WINE
WORLD FOCUS
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#66
Cook Islands – retracing Coral Route romance
#80
Innovative tools of the travel trade
#110
Rose - wonderful summer quaff
#46
Cover Story: Macao - rich culture, more bling than Vegas It’s a compact enclave, an area of just 16 square kilometres at the mouth of the Pearl River on the South China coast. Macao used to be the richest place on earth, one of Portugal’s great trading posts along its sea road to the East.
#72 World Focus: Harvesting travel plums – US & eastern Europe Paul Schoffelmeer demonstrates the rewards that are gained by keeping our eyes – and camera lens – on full alert.
#90 Motorcycling: Vespa Sprint 50 - modern urban chic
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| IMPRINT |
EDITORIAL PUBLISHER: BRUCE LAYBOURN | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: TRUDY PARSONS-SMITH EDITOR AT LARGE: ROB PRINCE | TRAVEL EDITOR: PAUL SCHOFFELMEER | MOTORCYCLES EDITOR: DAN MCGRANE GOLFING EDITOR: KELSEN BUTLER | WINE EDITOR: LIZ WHEADON | PROOFING: MARK BARRATT-BOYES CORRESPONDENTS: ANTONELLA KANN (SOUTH AMERICA), GERARD HINDMARSH (NEW ZEALAND)
CREATIVE & MEDIA CONSULTANTS AGENCY: BAHL+TANNA
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CORPORATE TRAVELLER MAGAZINE LTD CORPORATE TRAVELLER PUBLISHES FOUR TIMES EACH YEAR. THE CONTENTS ARE COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER. MOST ARTICLES ARE COMMISSIONED BUT QUALITY CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE CONSIDERED. CORPORATETRAVELLERMAGAZINE.COM
ON THE COVER: Photo by Holger Mette MACAO, PAGE 46 ‘What a delightful fact that Macao, with its centuries of colourful history, can out-trump a presumptuous upstart like Las Vegas with an estimated gambling revenue more than three times the Arizona city.’
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| OUR WORD |
With a 40,000 km waistline who says it’s a small world? PUBLISHER | BRUCE LAYBOURN
We’re pleased to report that the tired old axiom that “it’s a small world” needs to be retired. In fact Planet Earth, generally regarded as having a waistline of 40,075 kilometres, is thought to be putting on weight by followers of the “growing Earth” hypothesis. The implication that a “smaller world” and easier travel has somehow made special travel experiences more elusive is also not true, in our view.
For the road warriors, Dan McGrane delivers a huge menu of very special motorcycles and cars that have just arrived or soon to be seen in our showrooms.
Take for example our cover story, Focus on Macao, a destination attracting voyagers for five centuries – and still charming travellers today.
Rob Prince takes us cruising in the Mediterranean and also around the British Isles. We also ship out aboard a South Seas’ freighter to explore and supply remote islands. This voyage is, however, completed in utter comfort aboard Aranui 5.
Incidentally, what a delightful fact that Macao, with its centuries of colourful history, can outtrump a presumptuous upstart like Las Vegas with an estimated gambling revenue more than three times the Arizona city. Macao flourished as the Portuguese gateway to China in the 16th century. Today Macao’s greatest asset and attraction is the heritage of the cultural hub established 500 years ago. Also in this edition we explore the South Pacific, with visits to both the Cook Islands and New Caledonia. Gerard Hindmarsh takes us on an exploration of the Cooks, retracing the romance of the Coral Route flying boats while we celebrate the 10th anniversary of UNESCO listing New Caledonia’s magnificent lagoon as a World Heritage Site.
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Those who love new gadgets to take travelling will love Rowena Bahl’s “Tech Talk” column – highlights ranging from a real portable coffee maker to a robotic suitcase that follows its owner.
You deserve to be professionally driven Corporate Cabs deserves its reputation as the best in the business. Luxury vans for transfers or tours Professional business service Smart phone booking app Airport transfers All your city locations: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin
To book call us now on (09) 377 0773 visit us at www.corporatecabs.co.nz or download the Corporate Cabs app
| NEWS |
Facial recognition to charge Moscow rail passengers
‘Facial recognition will theoretically screen people and automatically charge them for the service, thus streamlining the flow of people.’
The operator of Moscow’s passenger railway service is testing a system that would use facial recognition to identify and charge passengers. Similar pilot projects are underway or planned in other areas in the Russian capital. As computer power and broadband communications become more accessible, using biometrics identification for screening of people gets cheaper and faster. So it’s natural that the technology, initially meant for security and law enforcement, is finding its way to new applications. The company responsible for most rail passenger traffic in the Russian capital is the latest player trying to use facial recognition as a payment method. The TsPPK has introduced a system for this as a pilot project, its head Maksim Dyakonov said at a recent panel on the development of public transport in Moscow. “We are testing a prototype on a
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couple of stations and want to see if it makes sense or not,” he said. At the moment rail travellers in the Moscow region may use either a printout ticket or a plastic travel card to pass through a fare gate at the station to get to a train or to leave one. It understandably creates some clogging at the gates during rush hour. Facial recognition will theoretically screen people and automatically charge them for the service, thus streamlining the flow of people. The system in the test run however simply saves commuters the effort of taking out a travel card at the gates. The test will presumably provide data on how accurate the recognition can be and whether it can work fast enough to identify people at stations rather than through train’s CCTV cameras. The pilot system was introduced at the Kievsky terminal station in Moscow and at one of the stations inside city boundaries connected to the terminal, the company’s press told the agency.
Only employees of TsPPK may subscribe to the payment method, they said. There is a base of over 8000 people working for the company, but scaling the system up to the 1.6 million passengers served each day would be a technical challenge. China, the leading nation in facial recognition algorithms, has been testing the technology for collecting travel fares in public transit system in a few cities for several years now. Beijing announced plans to introduce it as a payment method for its subway system earlier last year. Moscow too has plans to integrate payments through biometric identification with its already existing public transport CCTV system. It was upgraded with facial recognition system for this year’s FIFA World Cup as part of an overall security boost. There are however not only technical and economic, but also legal obstacles, since the city transport would have to meet privacy standards if it wants to handle this kind of date for payment.
| NEWS |
The world’s most popular cities - Hong Kong lures 30 million Hong Kong yet again - with close to 30 million visitors - topped the list of world cities for 2018. United Kingdom-based market research company Euromonitor International released its Top City Destinations 2018 report, an annual ranking of the world’s most popular cities by international tourism arrivals. More than 50 percent of Hong Kong’s arrivals were, unsurprisingly, from the Chinese mainland. Asia continues to be the biggest player in the rankings, with 41 of the top 100 cities being on the continent. Bangkok holds onto its place as No 2 in the rankings, with close to 24 million visitors, while Singapore, Macao, Kuala Lumpur and Shenzhen are all the top 10. “Japan and India stand out for their strong growth in in-bound city arrivals growth,” says Euromonitor, highlighting that “cities such as Osaka and Chiba have shown average annual growth of 43 percent and 35 percent, respectively, between 2012 and 2017.”
Top 20 cities arrivals 2017 and 2018 1. Hong Kong: 27,880,300 arrivals (2017) / 29,827,200 arrivals (2018) 2. Bangkok, Thailand: 22,453,900 arrivals (2017) / 23,688,800 arrivals (2018) 3. London, England: 19,827,800 arrivals (2017) / 20,715,900 arrivals (2018) 4. Singapore: 17,618,800 arrivals (2017) / 18,551,200 arrivals (2018) 5. Macao: 17,337,200 arrivals (2017) / 18,931,400 arrivals (2018) 6. Paris, France: 15,834,200 arrivals (2017) / 16,863,500 arrivals (2018) 7. Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 15,790,000 arrivals (2017) / 16,658,500 arrivals (2018) 8. New York City, USA: 13,100,000 arrivals (2017) / 13,500,000 arrivals (2018) 9. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: 12,843,500 arrivals (2017) / 13,434,000 arrivals (2018)
Another non-mover, London, hangs in there in third place, with just under 21 million international tourists. Its European rivals - Paris, with 16.9 million, and Rome, with 9.7 million - are ranked sixth and 15th respectively. Megahub Dubai is in seventh place.
10. Shenzhen, China: 12,075,100 arrivals (2017) / 12,437,300 arrivals (2018) 11. Phuket, Thailand: 11,613,100 arrivals (2017) / 11,945,500 arrivals (2018) 12. Istanbul, Turkey: 10,730,300 arrivals (2017) / 12,121,100 arrivals (2018) 13. Delhi, India: 10,157,000 arrivals (2017) / 12,505,300 arrivals (2018) 14. Tokyo, Japan: 9,549,400 arrivals (2017) / 9,896,300 arrivals (2018) 15. Rome, Italy: 9,531,600 arrivals (2017) / 9,703,200 arrivals (2018) 16. Antalya, Turkey: 9,482,400 arrivals (2017) / 10,729,300 arrivals (2018) 17. Taipei, Taiwan: 9,273,300 arrivals (2017) / 9,783,300 arrivals (2018)
Euromonitor names Mumbai, Porto, Osaka and Jerusalem as its cities to watch.
18. Guangzhou, China: 9,004,800 arrivals (2017) / 9,392,000 arrivals (2018) 19. Mumbai, India: 8,984,900 arrivals (2017) / 10,670,100 arrivals (2018) 20. Prague, Czech Republic: 8,806,700 arrivals (2017) / 9,038,900 arrivals (2018)
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| NEWS |
Japanese passport now world’s most powerful Global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners’ quarterly report on the world’s most desirable passports has determined that Japan’s is now the world’s most powerful passport. Having gained visa-free access to Myanmar earlier this month, Japanese citizens can now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 190 destinations around the world. Singapore, with 189 destinations, takes second place. Germany, which began 2018 in the top spot, is now in third place with 188 destinations, tied with France and South Korea. The United States and the United Kingdom, both with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 186 destinations, are in fifth place. With neither having gained entry to any new jurisdictions this year, it seems unlikely that either will soon reclaim the No.1 spot they held in 2015. Russia has fallen to 47th position, despite having
The top ten passports from around the globe 1. Japan: 190 2. Singapore: 189 3. Germany, France, South Korea: 188 4. Denmark, Finland, Italy, Sweden, Spain: 187 5. Norway, United Kingdom, Austria, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, and United States: 186 6. Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland, Canada: 185 7. Australia, Greece, Malta: 183 8. New Zealand, Czech Republic: 182 9. Iceland: 181 10. Hungary, Slovenia, Malaysia: 180
received a boost in September when Taiwan announced a visawaiver for Russian nationals. The United Arab Emirates is the decade’s biggest success story when it comes to travel freedom. It’s risen from 62nd place in 2006 to now being No. 21 in the rankings. It’s also recently signed a visawaiver agreement with Russia, due to come into effect in the
coming months. China recently obtained access to St. Lucia and Myanmar and is now in 71st place, having climbed 14 places since the start of 2017. Joint last place on the updated Henley Passport Index list are Afghanistan and Iraq, with visafree or visa-on-arrival access to 30 jurisdictions, just below Syria and Somalia (32) and Pakistan (33).
People travel more, spend less The 2018 Global Traveller Report reveals that despite record numbers of air travellers, up from 415 million in 2012 to a projected 808 million this year, the size of the travel retail market is slowly shrinking. Global travel retail spending has dropped by $15 billion from $397 billion in 2016 to a projected $382 billion this year. The average travelling consumer is now spending $491 per trip,
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almost $170 less than in 2012, says the report. Bucking the trends in almost every category is China. Between 2016 and 2018 Chinese travellers increased in outwardbound traffic by a staggering 50 percent and now account for 40 percent of the money spent on travel retail around the globe. Chinese travellers are not just spending more in airport duty-free, but also increasing
in numbers - and keeping travel retail afloat while many other nationalities decrease their spending and their travel abroad. The lowest spenders are western Europeans. South Americans are most likely to be shopping for a bargain and North Americans and eastern Europeans are more interested than other nationalities in buying items the country they are visiting is known for.
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| NEWS |
Capitalising on cannabis – pot-friendly B & Bs?
‘The consumption of cannabis should be seen in the same light as the consumption of alcohol.’
consumption to young people, for example, but mass emails to an age-verified database should be acceptable. Canada may have legalised the recreational use of cannabis but laws governing the promotion and consumption of the drug remain murky.
largest cannabis company.
Attendees at the annual congress of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada were told that this lack of clarity, along with expected evolution of the law, provide opportunities for the tourism trade to build expertise and leadership by innovating with new ways of folding consumption into the tourism experience.
Cannabis lawyer Trina Fraser, a partner at Toronto legal firm Brazeau Seller, made similar points as she ran through the specifics of legalisation in Canada - where there’s a patchwork of national and provincial responsibility. For example, she said, promotion is banned except for a limited number of exceptions - but what constitutes promotional activity is not defined.
“There’s a limited time when Canada can establish international leadership and expertise before the rest of the world catches up,” said Mark Zekulin, president of Canopy Growth Corp, the world’s
“It is this restrictive environment that actually creates opportunities in the area.”
“Because it’s undefined, it invites creative ways to get around the restrictions,” she said. She noted that one couldn’t promote
“But you have to be very careful,” she added. For his part, Zekulin also ran through some existing cannabis tourism offerings in North America and elsewhere, including pot-friendly bed and breakfasts, vaping lounges, farm gate stores, wellness centres, and resorts. He said consumption of cannabis should be seen in the same light as the consumption of alcohol. “The image of the tie-dyed stoner is the same as the idea that someone who uses alcohol downs six or seven shots of tequila. Most people consuming alcohol have a drink or two. The same is true of cannabis.”
Israel breaks record for inbound tourism Israel broke its annual record for incoming tourism with the arrival in the previous year of 3.6 million tourists. This new record follows on from
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the October, 2018 record as the highest monthly record ever registered in Israel for incoming tourism - with nearly half a million tourists visiting Israel. An increase of tens of percent
in incoming tourism over the past two years has placed Israel among the world’s fastest growing countries in tourism.
FIND OUT MORE
| NEWS |
Fujita Kanko to launch new hotel brand targeting millennials such as an Ai concierge and automated check-in/check-out as well as minimal staffing, Tavinos can offer average room rates of 10,000 yen/night for a twin/double room at premier urban locations.
Fujita Kanko Inc, a Japanese hospitality company headquartered in Tokyo, announced the launch of “Tavinos,” a new hotel brand aimed at adventure-seeking millennials and like-minded travellers from around the world. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of international visitors to Japan has increased in recent years, hitting a record high in 2017. Fujita Kanko is adding this brand
to their portfolio of 70-plus well-established properties to target international visitors and millennials, a fast-growing, yet relatively untapped segment for the company. With a state-of-the-art blending of design, space, and technology, the company is positioning Tavinos as a sleek hub for international visitors to meet fellow travellers, gather local information, and have fun during their travels. By implementing technologies
“There are already affordable accommodations throughout Japan, but travelling millennials are hungry for the community of a hostel and the professionalism and expertise of an experienced hotelier,” says Akira Segawa, president & CEO of Fujita Kanko. “Tavinos will offer what outgoing and adventurous travellers want - the opportunity to meet interesting people, plan activities together, and explore.” Tavinos’ design concept is based on Japanese pop culture, with eye-popping Manga (animation), covering the hotel. The stylish guest rooms, 12 square metres on average, are minimally furnished with smart storage to maximise space.
Airbnb says ‘no’ to Israeli settlements in the West Bank Airbnb’s decision today to remove listings from Jewish-only settlements in the occupied West Bank is proof that support for Israel’s separate-and-unequal apartheid regime is becoming more and more untenable, says Ramah Kudaimi, director of Grassroots Organising, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights. Airbnb said it has developed a
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five-part checklist to evaluate how it handles listing in occupied territories and based on that checklist, it “concluded that we should remove listings in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank that are at the core of the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians.” More than 150,000 people from around the world joined a
petition urging Airbnb to stop listing vacation rentals in Israeli settlements built on Palestinian land and deemed illegal under international law. Thousands of people also left reviews on a microsite parodying Airbnb rental listings and calling attention to the fact that the vacation rental company continued to list Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
| NEWS |
Increasing demand may see hotel rates rise in 2019 Travellers can expect a hotel rate rise of up to 5 percent for some of the key corporate city hubs in Australia and New Zealand in 2019. Accommodation prices in Sydney and Queenstown are both likely to feature on the upper end of hotel rate rises next year compared to Brisbane and Perth where room rates are tipped to stay flat. Demand for Sydney hotel rooms is impacting rates with an increase in international visitors and cruise ship passengers to the harbour city pushing occupancy levels and prices upwards. In Queenstown it’s the town’s key events and conferences that will fuel demand for local hotel accommodation. These are a few of the findings in the latest 4th Dimension
Business Travel Consulting report. 4D’s Accommodation Focus Report on Australia and New Zealand 2019, provides unique insights to help companies budget for the predicted rate and occupancy increases that could impact business travel budgets. FCM Travel Solutions General Manager, Melissa Elf said the trends and market analysis in the report would help to keep companies and their travellers abreast of the latest pricing and occupancy trends in the fastmoving accommodation sector. “We’re anticipating mixed results across the board with the average room rate across Australia set to increase by an average 3-4 per cent, or $6-8. “Sydney can expect rate rises of about 5 per cent with close
to 90 per cent occupancy, while Melbourne can expect a 3 per cent rate increase with supply to be constrained despite a substantial pipeline of new developments.” The 4D report focuses on eight cities in Australia and five in New Zealand and reveals which cities will see the biggest increases in Average Room Rates (ARR) and occupancy level increases next year. A 2018 trend that saw visitor numbers increase in Australia of over 6 per cent and more than 4 per cent for New Zealand, looks set to continue. The boutique hotel revolution that emerged in the past year continues to gain momentum across many cities with both Perth and Brisbane welcoming new and unique properties to the market such as the W Hotel Brisbane.
Corporate Cabs new fleet wins enthusiastic feedback Corporate Cabs is delighted with feedback to its new fleet cars and livery, with customers and owner operators themselves delighted with the new, blue livery.
as well as owner-operators, have come to expect and enjoy, and it’s been great to hear the overwhelmingly positive feedback both to the car and the new look.
Corporate vehicle.
“It’s the same professionally driven service, just in a slick new luxury car - the Skoda Superb Corporate - with new signage and top light in an updated font and introducing a dark blue colour, in addition to the traditional black and white,” explains Corporate Cabs chief executive, Colin Samson.
“We pride ourselves on the topnotch standard of our service – our drivers are courteous, knowledgeable and we’re always consistent - and this refresh of our brand reinforces our ‘professionally driven’ motto.”
For him, Corporate Cabs ticked all the boxes when looking for his own franchise.
“It’s been an extensive process to make sure it was a car with all the benefits that our customers,
Former experienced engineer and now Corporate Cabs owner operator Paul de Abaitua embodies this, and loves his new career. He was one of the early adopters of the Skoda Superb
“They’re more comfortable, more economical, a better drive and have more space,” he says.
“It had to be a good investment with a sustainable income stream, have sound management at the franchisor level, and have well-established processes and procedures in place to enhance profitability and ensure safety. Corporate Cabs is all that, and I still get to enjoy meeting other professionals.”
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| NEWS |
China outbound tourism to exceed US$163 billion by 2024
The expected growth of outbound Chinese tourism to more than US$163 billion by 2024 can be attributed to factors such as increased affluence of Chinese citizens, increased air connectivity, the easing of visa restrictions around the globe, consumer confidence and an
appetite for outbound travel. The report “China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market Analysis 2012 - 2017 and Forecast 2018 - 2024” offers the most up-to-date industry data on the actual market situation and future outlook for China outbound tourism market.
The report uses data and analysis to discuss potential lucrative opportunities and future trends related to China international travellers’ visitation, spending, purpose of visits and main destination markets. The report provides clear insight into current and future tourism developments of the China outbound tourism market. Furthermore, this report uses country-focused analysis to explore China outbound tourism market. A detailed country-wise analysis of the market is provided, covering a total of 11 nations - Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Korea.
St Helena awaits return of whale sharks for wildlife spectacular Every year, the tiny island of St Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean becomes a hub of excitement as locals and visitors prepare for one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences - the annual arrival of whale sharks, the world’s largest fish species. These magnificent creatures are drawn to the island during the summer months, particularly in January and February, to feed on plankton and small fish with their colossal gaping mouths. Despite reaching lengths of up to 12 metres or more, the sharks are docile creatures and St Helena is one of the best places in the world to swim alongside them to observe their behaviour.
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The waters around St Helena have been designated a Marine Protected Area and the island is undoubtedly one of the world’s finest destinations to discover the wonders of the sea. Divers and snorkellers can swim with whale sharks, explore historic
wrecks and marvel at the many species under the sea, while those who prefer to keep their heads above water can still discover a myriad of species, with regular sightings of large pods of dolphins among the highlights to visitors.
The Pacifica – elevating Auckland into a new stratosphere of luxury
The Pacifica – a landmark luxury high-rise apartment tower - will be one of New Zealand’s tallest towers when completed in late 2020.
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Construction began in November, 2017 for the 57-storey tower that will elevate Auckland to a new level in matching similar luxury residences in thriving world cities. Construction cost is in the hundreds of millions. The developer, Hengyi, expects The Pacifica to be a standout on Auckland’s skyline not just for its size - but also for its architectural beauty. Hengyi has hinted that there may be further developments in New Zealand. The Pacifica is located close to Britomart, noted for its vibrant restaurants, bars and exclusive retail stores. The spectacular tower is also right next to the Waitemata Harbour and just minutes from marina havens for the nautically minded. It will provide a magnificent grandstand for the 2021 America’s Cup. The Pacifica comprise one, two and threebedroom apartments. They start at 60 sqm and have more than 130 floor plans. The apartments, located from the seventh floor upwards, all enjoy floor to ceiling views over the city and harbour. Crowning these is a $35 million two-storey “super penthouse” that covers 1188 sqm and features four bedrooms. It also has a separate guest suite, formal lounge, chef-style kitchen, butler’s kitchen, banquet style dining area, wine cellar and tasting room, media room, library, gym, sauna, spa and steam room, sky garden with double height ceiling, personal office and board room and up to 12 car parking spaces. Alternatively, there is a penthouse floor of 636 sq m that can be purchased for $18.5 million. To date 90 percent of sales have been to domestic buyers but the developer believes more overseas’ buyers will invest in The Pacifica with the lifting of restrictions on foreign purchasers for The Pacifica project. Residents will have access to an indoor-outdoor lap pool, spa, gym, media room, library, residents’ lounge and 24-hour valet and concierge services. The top five levels are reserved for the exclusive penthouses that come with the promise of levels of luxury to match that found in exclusive international cities. A small luxury boutique hotel will occupy the levels below the apartments, with a restaurant and café at ground level.
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Hengyi (NZ) General Manager Liz Scott, discussed the project with Corporate Traveller. CT: Why Auckland for this very spectacular skyline statement? Hengyi’s original intent when it explored project opportunities was not to necessarily construct an iconic landmark building in Auckland. However the location of the site purchased and the existing urban landscape was deserving of delivering a building with x-factor. CT: Aside from Pacifica’s obvious recording-breaking scale, what else will be unique about it? The building offers residents amenities and services not seen in a New Zealand residential tower before.
Alongside more familiar gym, pool, sauna, spa facilities are media room facilities, meeting and function room spaces and terraces, and 24-hour concierge and valet parking services. The apartments are freehold unit title, and are of a size and quality that attracts a majority proportion of owner-occupier purchasers. CT: What are the most significant challenges in proceeding with a project of this size - and how are these being addressed? The most significant challenge in delivering a building of this size in New Zealand is procuring a building contractor that you have the confidence in their ability and financial capacity to deliver something of this scale, quality and speed. We have contracted with an Australian builder, Icon. Icon meet all our requirements, and I expect are pleased to use The Pacifica as their platform to enter the New Zealand market.
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CT: You clearly made projections about exciting growth for Auckland and New Zealand. Can you share some of your thoughts in this regard? Hengyi invested in Auckland, perceiving the city as an up and coming global city. There was an identification that there was a demand for quality housing into the market, and Hengyi was well qualified to deliver quality CBD housing, on the back of its numerous successful Melbourne apartment projects.
is the first New Zealand project to be granted a Transitional Exemption from these restrictions. The number of projects potentially able to be eligible for this exemption is believed to be limited. CT: The project marks a significant investment. Can you quantify this? The cost to deliver The Pacifica development is very significant, hundreds of millions.
CT: What has been the feedback in the short time that Pacifica has been in the public eye?
CT: In building so tall (by New Zealand standards) are there any special challenges?
Feedback has been very positive, people are amazed at the speed at which we have been able to come into the market and deliver what we said we would deliver, and in the time frames we committed to. This sounds simple, but unfortunately is not the norm for New Zealand.
Hengyi has built a number of tall towers over recent years in Melbourne, towers much taller than The Pacifica. Many of the consultants used in our Australian projects have been involved in The Pacifica project, and have brought with them tall tower project expertise to New Zealand. New Zealand consultants have also been a key part of the project team, bringing specialist New Zealand building code and seismic experience to the table.
CT: What is the balance of potential purchasers in terms of domestic and international? To date, 90 percent of purchasers in The Pacifica have been domestic. However we may see a growth in international purchasers on the back of recent OIO approval for foreign purchasers to be able to buy apartments in The Pacifica without any of the occupancy restrictions that came into force in New Zealand from October 22, 2018. The Pacifica project
CT: Any plans for additional developments in other parts of New Zealand? Hengyi is looking at further investment and joint venture opportunities in New Zealand.
Visit: thepacifica.co.nz
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| HOTEL NEWS |
World Resorts of Distinction adds World’s Best Resort to portfolio
Indonesia’s luxury wilderness resort, Nihi Sumba – which has been voted the best hotel in the world in all categories by Travel & Leisure readers for the past two years consecutively – is the latest addition to World Resorts of Distinction’s (WRD) stable of world-leading resort brands. CEO, Tess Willcox, said the resort operates according to a responsible luxury ethos that makes it a complementary fit for WRD’s collection of likeminded properties around the world. “Our goal is to transform the tourism industry by working with resorts that are pioneering the conscious travel space and
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Nihi Sumba is one of the first names that comes to mind in that regard,” she said. “Home to the Sumba Foundation and a slate of sustainability practices, including organic gardens that produce the majority of the resort’s food and an impressive composting and water recycling system, we are proud to market this innovative property to the Australian and New Zealand markets.” Located 400 kilometres east of Bali on Indonesia’s most unexplored island, Sumba, the resort is easy for Antipodean travellers to access.
“Most metropolitan airports in Australia and New Zealand offer direct flights to Indonesia and there are three flights per day from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar to Sumba Island’s Tambdaka Airport.” Nihi Sumba was originally developed as a surf resort to provide guests with access to the region’s most sought-after waves. Today, as the brainchild of American entrepreneur, Chris Burch and South African-born hotelier, James McBride, it has been reborn as a luxury resort with a conscience, featuring
| HOTEL NEWS |
27 pool villas built in the traditional Sumbanese style; set on 467 acres of tropical forest, rice terraces and grasslands wrapped around the stunning 2.5 kilometre long Nihiwatu beach. Nihi Sumba has evolved into one of the most coveted resorts in the world and is an example of a sustainable operation in harmony with the environment and the Sumbanese people. According to Willcox, it is a soulful destination, where rugged meets unregulated freedom: “If travellers are looking for a place to unplug from their hyperconnected lives and connect with earth and
community, this is definitely the place,” she said. “The activities at the resort are designed to immerse guests in the resort’s two most important pillars: nature and community.” Guests can enjoy horseback riding on the beach, private surf breaks, spa safaris, and signature excursions including visits to local Stone Age sites, picnics under waterfalls and treks along butterfly trails. Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities to experience Sumba’s magnificently preserved ancient culture on the island, such as trips to local villages to
see traditional arts and crafts, megalithic burial sites and exquisite Ikat weavings. The most rewarding experience of all, however, is visiting the Sumba Foundation, which was founded in 2001 to help alleviate the crushing burdens of poverty the locals were living under, by focusing on water, health, education and economic projects. Key achievements include treating 407,000 patients across four clinics; reducing malaria rates by 93% in core project areas; developing more than 65 wells and 260 water stations; and supplying water, toilets and supplies to 22 primary schools.
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| HOTEL NEWS |
Marriott sued over data hack of 500 million customers A national class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States against Marriott International on behalf of over 500 million consumers whose personal information was hacked. This data included their names, birthdates, addresses, locations, gender information, email addresses, payment card information, and passport information. Marriott is one of the largest hotel chains in the world and its brands include W Hotels, St Regis, Sheraton Hotels, and Westin Hotels. In what is one of the largest data breaches to ever occur, cybercriminals broke into Marriott’s servers in 2014, obtaining the personal information of approximately 500 million Marriott customers. The hackers then roamed freely throughout Marriott’s system, with unfettered and undetected access, for four
years. Marriott did not discover the breach until September 8, 2018 - but then did not notify its consumers until nearly three months. The lawsuit alleges Marriott failed to ensure the integrity of its servers and to properly safeguard consumers’ highly sensitive and confidential information. Marriott knew that that it had an obligation to protect the personal and financial data of its guests and customers, and it was also aware of the significant repercussions to its customers if it failed to do so. It knew that this data, if hacked, would result in extensive injury to millions of Marriott guests. Despite this knowledge, Marriott failed to take appropriate measures to protect and secure its customers’ personal information. The lawsuit claims its conduct violates consumer protection statutes, constitutes a breach of confidence, and was reckless and grossly negligent.
“Marriott is one of the largest hotel chains in the world. That such a corporation would fail to properly safeguard the highly personal and sensitive information of its guests and customers is inexplicable,” said Hassan Murphy, managing partner at Murphy, Falcon & Murphy. “Even more egregious is the fact that Marriott did not discover this breach for nearly four years, and then for months after that discovery failed to tell its customers what had occurred. This conduct constitutes a significant breach of trust and confidence unparalleled in the hospitality industry. “Marriott’s conduct has compromised every aspect of its customers’ personal identities, exposing them to identity theft, fraud, and harm for years to come. We will continue working until Marriott fixes this problem and appropriately compensates its victims for their losses.”
Kenya’s first 100 percent solar hotel Kenya’s first fully solar powered hotel is the Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, located in Tsavo West National Park. Owned by Serena Hotels, the lodge has a fully-fledged solar power plant to provide for its entire power requirements and enhance environmental sustainability.
Solar off-grid technology with 670kWh of usable lead acid battery storage, with the capacity to supply all energy requirements during normal weather conditions. During adverse weather, additional energy needs are met using synchronized diesel generators that were previously the main source of energy before the commissioning of the solar plant.
The solar power plant is installed under a lease arrangement and produces 307kWp using SMA
Serena Hotels adhered to sustainable development goals set out by the United Nations’
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Development Programme. In October, 2018 Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge won the award “Extraordinary Business Case and CSR,” at the official Global Best Practice Awards 2018 ceremony in Milan, Italy. Kilaguni Serena won this award for using eco-friendly practices in providing professional textile care through sustainable and energy efficient laundry services as a result of the solar power plant.
| AIRLINE NEWS |
All Business Class airline to fly New York–Nice Four years after launching as an exclusively Business Class boutique airline with flights between New York and Paris, La Compagnie has announced the launch of a new seasonal route between New York and Nice with the first direct flight scheduled for May, 2019. This announcement comes as the latest in a series of positive developments for the airline, which is awaiting the delivery of its first Airbus A321neo in April, 2019. With the arrival of the new plane, La Compagnie will grow its fleet to three aircraft, further allowing the airline to develop its offer with a new trans-Altantic flight and direct access to the South of France during prime season. The new route will operate five times weekly, Wednesday until Sunday, between May and October. As with all La Compagnie
flights, passengers will be welcomed with lounge and priority access for a painless and exclusive pre-flight experience. Onboard the Boeing 757, guests will enjoy reclining lie flat beds, refreshing amenity kits with Caudalie
skincare products, personal iPads, a seasonally-curated menu by Michelin-starred Chef Christophe Langrée, a selective list of French wines and champagne and artisanal croissants by famous French bakery, Maison Kayser.
Heathrow launches app for visually impaired passengers Visually impaired passengers at Heathrow now have access to ondemand, personalised assistance via the Aira app. Access to this app and its established network allows passengers to enhance their independence throughout the journey at Heathrow and forms part of the airport’s multi-million pound investments to improve the journeys of all passengers regardless of their requirements. The app, available free of charge, will connect passengers directly to a trained professional
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agent for advice on navigating through Heathrow and assist with finding specific locations including gates, special assistance facilities, retail outlets and restaurants. It will also provide live information on news affecting their journeys. Once the app is loading onto mobile phones an agent can be arranged to provide guided assistance at Heathrow. Alternatively, passengers can also book special assistance through their airline and seek information on the app at the same time. The number of passengers requesting special assistance
at Heathrow is rising by approximately 8 percent each year, with more than one million requests in 2017 alone - more than any other European airport. Heathrow is taking steps to transform the service it provides for these passengers, backed by an investment of £23 million in a revamped, upgraded contract with its special assistance partner, OmniServ. Last year, the airport launched the use of the SignLive app that connects passengers to trained British sign language translators on demand, before and after their travel through Heathrow.
| AIRLINE NEWS |
Boeing delivers its 2000th airplane to China Boeing delivered its 2000th aeroplane late last year to a Chinese operator, a 737 MAX for Xiamen Airlines. The milestone and the pace at which it was reached reflect the accelerating growth in the world’s largest commercial aviation market. Boeing delivered its first 1000 airplanes to Chinese airlines over four decades. The next 1000 Boeing jets have now been delivered over the past five years. The rapid pace continues as one in four Boeing-made commercial jets goes to a Chinese operator, either through direct purchase or lease. “We are deeply honoured to have achieved this delivery milestone in close partnership with our great partners in China.
Our long-standing industrial relationship in this market has been mutually beneficial, fuelling significant growth in Boeing’s business, the United States’ economy, and the Chinese aviation industry,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing’s senior vice president of commercial sales & marketing.
the largest all-Boeing fleet in China with more than 200 jets.
“We are grateful for the trust and confidence of great customers like Xiamen Airlines. Our teams are focused on supporting them by designing and delivering the best airplanes and services in the industry.”
China’s commercial fleet is expected to more than double over the next 20 years. Boeing forecasts that China will need 7690 new airplanes, valued at $1.2 trillion, by 2038. Boeing also forecasts China will experience strong growth in the commercial services market with demand growing $1.5 trillion over the next 20 years, accounting for 17 percent of world demand.
The new 737 MAX sported a special logo commemorating the milestone. It is the eighth MAX airplane to join fast-growing Xiamen Airlines, which operates
Xiamen Airlines is one of Boeing’s more than 30 commercial customers in China. In all, Boeing-made jets comprise more than half of the more than 3000 jetliners flying in the country.
TAP Air Portugal takes delivery of its first A330-900 jet TAP Air Portugal has taken delivery of the world’s first new generation wide body A330neo and, as the launch airline, will be the first to benefit from the aircraft’s leading operating economics, increased range, and Airbus’ new Airspace cabin offering passengers the “best in class” comfort. The Portuguese carrier will take delivery of a further 20 A330900s in the coming years. TAP Air Portugal’s first A330900 is leased from Avolon. It features 298 seats in a threeclass lay-out with 34 full-flat business class, 96 economy plus and 168 economy class seats. The Airspace by Airbus cabin offers more personal space, larger overhead storage bins,
advanced cabin lighting and the latest generation in-flight entertainment system and connectivity. The aircraft will be deployed on routes from Portugal to the Americas and Africa. “I am delighted to welcome the first Airbus A330-900 into our expanding fleet. Its unbeatable economics and efficiency will power our business forward,“ said Antonoaldo Neves, TAP Air Portugal CEO.
best product in the industry to our passengers, “he added.
“The A330neo will give us a lot of operational flexibility thanks to its commonality with the other Airbus aircraft in our fleet. This aircraft will be the first equipped with the new Airspace cabin, which is a new concept shaped to meet TAP’s ambition to offer the
TAP Air Portugal operates an Airbus fleet of 72 aircraft (18 A330s, 4 A340s, and 50 A320 Family aircraft). The singleaisle fleet includes 22 A319ceo, 21 A320ceo and four A321ceo, one A320neo and two recently delivered A321neo.
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| AIRLINE NEWS |
Fiji Airways receives its first 737 MAX jet nautical miles farther, while providing 14 percent better fuel efficiency. The MAX 8 can seat up to 178 passengers in a standard two-class configuration and fly 3550 nautical miles (6570 kilometres). “We are delighted to welcome Fiji Airways to the MAX family of operators and we are thrilled they will be the first 737 MAX operator in the Pacific Islands,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing’s senior vice president of commercial sales & marketing.
Boeing delivered the first 737 MAX for Fiji Airways, which plans to use the fuel-efficient, longerrange version of the popular 737 jet to expand and modernise its single-aisle fleet.
These new aeroplanes will enable us to offer a world-class customer experience through the new Boeing Sky Interior cabins with in-seat entertainment for all guests.”
“We are thrilled to take delivery of our very first 737 MAX 8, named Island of Kadavu,” said Andre Viljoen, managing director and CEO of Fiji Airways.
Fiji Airways plans to take delivery of five MAX 8 planes. The MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, and other airframe enhancements to improve performance and reduce operating costs.
“The introduction of the 737 MAX is the beginning of a new chapter for Fiji Airways and we look forward to taking advantage of the aeroplane’s superior performance and economics.
Compared to the previous 737 model, the MAX 8 can fly 600
Based at Nadi International Airport, Fiji Airways serves 13 countries and 31 destinations/ cities including Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands (Oceania), the United States, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore. It also has an extended network of 108 international destinations through its codeshare partners. The 737 MAX family is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating about 4800 orders from more than 100 customers worldwide. Boeing has delivered more than 200 737 MAX airplanes since May, 2017.
EasyJet orders additional 17 Airbus A320neo jets Airbus has reached an agreement with easyJet that extends the airline’s fleet plans into 2023, exercising purchase rights to firm orders for 17 A320neo. This takes its combined order for the NEO to 147 (including 30 A321neo) and means easyJet has ordered 468 A320 Family aircraft to date. “This repeat order cements easyJet’s position as the largest
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European operator of our leading A320 family,” says Christian Scherer, Airbus CCO. “We are delighted that our aircraft keep contributing to easyJet’s ongoing success.” The aircraft are configured with 186 seats in a single class configuration and powered by
Leap CFM engines. EasyJet currently operates a fleet of 316 A320 Family including 17 A320neo and three A321neo, making it the world’s largest airline operator of Airbus’ single aisle aircraft. EasyJet serves over 130 European airports in some 31 countries operating over 1000 routes.
| AIRLINE NEWS |
Latin America air travel set to double over next 20 years Latin America and the Caribbean region will need 2720 new passenger and freighter aircraft to meet this rising demand.
Latin American air travel is expected to double in the next two decades thanks to anticipated growth of the region’s middle class from 350 million people to 520 million by 2037, and evolving airline business models making travel more accessible. Passenger traffic in the region has more than doubled since 2002 and is expected to continue growing over the next two decades - increasing from 0.4
trips per capita in 2017 to nearly 0.9 trips per capita in 2037. Historically, domestic traffic was the fastest growing segment, but in 2017 intra-regional traffic grew faster. Less than half of the region’s top 20 cities are connected by one daily flight, creating a great potential for the region’s airlines to build intraregional traffic. According to the latest Airbus Global Market Forecast (GMF),
Valued at US$349 billion, this forecast accounts for 2420 small and 300 medium, large and extra-large aircraft. This implies that the region’s in-service fleet will almost double from the 1420 aircraft in-service today to 3200 in the next two decades. Of these aircraft, 940 will be for replacement of older-generation aircraft, 1780 will be accounted for growth, and 480 are expected to remain in service. Airbus has sold 1200 aircraft, has a backlog of nearly 600 and nearly 700 in operation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, representing a 56 percent market share of the inservice fleet. Since 1994, Airbus has secured nearly 70 percent of net orders in the region.
Air turbulence forecasting – a smoother future? An air turbulence forecasting algorithm co-developed by British researchers has helped make flying safer and smoother for up to 2.5 billion passenger journeys.
forecasts that are used by the aviation sector to plot safer flight routes. These low turbulence routes are also helping to make flying greener by reducing CO2 emissions.
Professor Paul Williams, from the University of Reading and the NERC National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS), together with his team from the United States, developed an algorithm to predict in-flight turbulence using gravity waves in the atmosphere.
Tens of thousands of planes encounter severe turbulence every year, with an estimated cost to the global aviation sector of around a billion dollars annually through injuries to cabin crew and passengers as well as structural damage to aircraft.
The United States National Weather Service has used the algorithm every day since 2015 to create air turbulence
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Turbulence is increasing as global temperatures rise due to climate change, and Williams has been working with aircraft engineers at Airbus to make sure that the next
generation of planes is fit for a warmer and bumpier airspace. “Turbulence is unpleasant to fly through and can be very distressing for nervous fliers,” said Williams. “In severe cases, it can be dangerous, and we know it will become worse over the coming decades as the global climate warms. By developing better turbulence forecasting methods, and working with Airbus to ensure future aircraft design is informed by our climate change turbulence projections, we should have safer skies and help pilots avoid things that go bump in the flight.”
| AIRLINE NEWS |
Aviation industry expects $38 billion profit for 2018 to expand by 7 percent in 2018. This is slower than the 8.1 percent growth recorded for 2017 but still faster than the 20-year average (of 5.5 percent) for the sixth consecutive year. Demand is getting a boost from stronger economic growth and the stimulus from new city-pair direct services.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects airlines to achieve a collective net profit of $33.8 billion (4.1 percent net margin) for 2018. This is despite rising costs, primarily fuel and labour, but also the upturn in the interest rate cycle. These rising costs are the main driver behind the downward revision from the previous forecast of $38.4 billion in December, 2017. In 2017 airlines earned a record $38 billion (revised from the previously estimate of $34.5 billion). Comparisons to this, however, are severely distorted by special accounting items such as one-off tax credits that boosted 2017 profits. Profits at the operating level, though still high by past standards, have been trending slowly downwards since early 2016, as a result of accelerating costs. “Solid profitability is holding up in 2018, despite rising costs. The industry’s financial foundations are strong with a nine-year run in the black that began in 2010. And the return on invested capital will exceed
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the cost of capital for a fourth consecutive year. At long last, normal profits are becoming normal for airlines. This enables airlines to fund growth, expand employment, strengthen balance sheets and reward our investors,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO. In 2018, the return on invested capital was expected to be 8.5 percent (down from 9 percent in 2017). This still exceeds the average cost of capital, which has risen to 7.7 percent on higher bond yields (7.1 percent in 2017). Providing some offset to accelerating costs is a strong revenue environment, as demand from passengers and shippers continues to expand well above trend, and pricing has turned positive. Overall revenues are expected to rise to $834 billion (up 10.7 percent from $754 billion in 2017). Unit revenues are expected to rise by 4.2 percent in 2018, lagging the 5.2 percent rise in unit costs. This will squeeze profit margins. Passenger air travel is forecast
Capacity is expected to grow by 6.7 percent (the same pace as in 2017). The passenger load factor is expected to be 81.7 percent, up a little on 2017 (81.5 percent). Total passenger numbers are expected to rise to 4.36 billion (up 6.5 percent from 4.1 billion in 2017). Passenger yields are expected to grow by 3.2 percent in 2018 after a 0.8 percent decline in 2017. This will be the first year for strengthening yields since 2011, driven upwards by the 5.2 percent rise in unit costs. Cargo demand has benefitted from the largely unexpected acceleration in the growth of the global economy over the past year. As businesses rushed to respond, they turned to air transport to replenish inventory, producing strong air cargo growth in 2017. That restocking cycle has come to an end. Cargo demand is expected to grow by 4 percent. This is a major drop from the 9.7 percent growth experienced in 2017, but it remains in line with the 20-year trend growth rate. Total cargo carried is expected to increase to 63.6 million tonnes (from 61.5 million tonnes in 2017). With more than 1900 aircraft delivered to airlines in 2018 (up from 1,722 in 2017), there will be a boost in capital expenditure.
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| FLIGHT REPORT |
Flying Qantas’ new 787-9 - direct to New York As a travel industry professional, our travel editor Paul Schoffelmeer spends a lot of time in the sky, in the pointy end of the aircraft. He writes …
Ok, as a Platinum frequent flyer my journey is not a unique one on today’s connecting flight to New York’s JFK. However what is special is doing so straight through on one of Qantas’s recently added 787-9 aircraft. We have a slight delay in departure from Brisbane, as new maps are required to be downloaded every 28 days. The Captain tells us at the gate is that these new era planes feature equipment that is more reliant on a software update as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. The software holdup does not make us at all late for our connection in Los Angeles as some time is taken up in any event funneling the Sydney and Melbourne connecting passengers off the much larger A380 services onto this flight.
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I am seated in 1K for my initial leg to Los Angeles, and 1A for my onward connection to JFK - both being great seats. Our departures are quiet, with a feeling of more space, fresh air and comfort than the 747 that has worked this route for more than 25 years. These newly configured business seats are well thought out. I like the small tweaks that have been made, coupled with the excellent personalised service from both crews that are not at all new to managing the expectations of regular and infrequent travellers. This, I find as a seriously frequent flyer, is the magic factor key. It is the crew that makes the difference. In my experience they deliver in 90-plus percent of the time - so what more can any of us expect? This upgrade in hardware was well overdue. Qantas, keep this up for the remainder of the network.
| FLIGHT REPORT |
KLM’s city hopper – by Embraer Amsterdam to Southampton The Brazilian-built Embraer 190 is a favourite of our editor at large, Rob Prince.
The scheduled flight time is just one hour and 10 minutes, revised by the captain to just 50 minutes – demonstrating the short distances between European cities. Seating 100 passengers, KLM has 27 of this Embraer variant and 18 of the Embraer 175s seating just 88 passengers. It would appear that they use these aircraft as their workhorse in Europe. My seat 7C provides extra legroom seat and, for the cost of only $17.20, I feel is well worth it. Holland Herald, the KLM inflight magazine, and my Kindle are the entertainment and with a 50-minute flight time what more do we need? With food and beverages being served I only have time for the inflight magazine. Soon after take off we are offered tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer or wine. Being only a one-hour flight this was not expected but really welcomed. Once again we would not expect food to be served on a short flight like this, but a cheese and lettuce wrap proves quite palatable and hits the spot. Our scheduled take off time was 4.35 pm. While the
actual departure is 5 pm, we arrive in Southampton only five minutes behind schedule. It is a very smooth flight with the captain keeping us well informed. Although these are small aircraft, with only 100 passengers, the service is both efficient and served with a smile - all achieved with a cabin crew of only two. We use the Aspire lounge. Along with our MasterCard we are given a priority lounge access card to use at various airports worldwide. Nearly every airport has a lounge that accepts the priority card. The lounge at Amsterdam has hot and cold food on offer along with a good assortment of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. This is only a short flight but gives us an insight into flying with KLM. We had to pay for an extra bag which we did online, I thought the cost was very reasonable at only NZ$60.40. Although we really enjoyed the flight experience it was not so pleasant on arrival. Be warned there are no taxis at Southampton airport. We stood in a queue for 20 minutes only to be told by the taxi dispatcher that we would have to wait another hour for the next available vehicle, bus and a long walk was the only option.
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| AIRLINE SPOTLIGHT |
Malaysia Airlines - the preferred airline to Malaysia & beyond Malaysia Airlines (MH) is the national carrier of Malaysia, operating 57 weekly services from Australia and New Zealand to its hub in Kuala Lumpur.
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| AIRLINE SPOTLIGHT |
Beyond KL, Malaysia Airlines connects 60 destinations in 22 countries with a modern fleet of Airbus A380-800, A350-900, A330-300, A330200 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The network includes extensive domestic and regional coverage across Malaysia.
cooking stations where chefs will create Malaysian and international gourmet dishes while interacting with travellers and customising meals to their personal tastes.
No other Malaysian carrier offers a comparable domestic, regional or global network solution for travel to, from and within Malaysia for both business and leisure traveller.
Following Malaysia Airlines’ journey to digitalisation, Malaysia revealed the following new digital initiatives:
Being a member of the leading global alliance - oneworld - Malaysia Airlines understands the importance of a global footprint. Through this partnership the airline connects their network with that of other oneworld partners providing access to almost 1000 destinations in more than 150 countries. Malaysia Airlines’ Enrich frequent flyer programme provides travellers with a range of privileges and lifestyle rewards, the Enrich Blue card being the entry level of membership. With regular travel on Malaysia Airlines and oneworld member airlines and partner airlines, Enrich cardholders can move up to various tiers such as Enrich Silver, Enrich Gold and Enrich Platinum. The Enrich programme is affiliated to the oneworld Alliance, which offers more opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer rewards. Top tier members of oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programmes (Emerald - Enrich Gold) and (Sapphire - Enrich Platinum) card holders and passengers flying in First Class or Business Class are eligible to use more than 650 airport lounges offered by member airlines before their oneworld flights.
Journey to digitalisation
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MHassitant app is now available for download. This mobile application allows customers to provide real-time feedback on every customer touch-point. The information provided is anonymous and passengers can give their feedback, rate the airline’s service or upload photos of areas that require improvement. Through artificial intelligence (AI) cognitive services, the images and comments submitted are classified and analysed for sentiment and immediately directed to the responsible service unit.
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MHchat is an interactive Facebook Messenger BOT. It empowers all Malaysia Airlines’ passengers to make bookings, payment and retrieve their flight itinerary. Through the integration of AI, the BOT delivers and experience similar to a real customer service agent. Malaysia Airlines is the first airline in Asia to allow users to book and pay for flights through Facebook Messenger.
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MH on Whatsapp. This service enables customers to receive their flight booking confirmation and flight status directly through the popular messaging app. Malaysia Airlines is the first airline in Malaysia and the fifth in the world to integrate with the WhatsApp Business solution. This service will further enhance the customer experience for Malaysia Airlines passengers worldwide.
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MHguardian is a mobile application which enable parents or guardians to track unaccompanied minors throughout their travel with Malaysia Airlines. MHguardian will also be offered to support unaccompanied elderly passengers and passengers who require assistance. The airlines will be the first to this service in Asia, which will be implemented in 2019.
Hospitality brand campaign Malaysia Airline’s latest brand campaign, “Malaysian hospitality begins with us” aims to elevate travel into a distinctly Malaysian experience by offering warm and genuine service. Malaysian hospitality encompasses all aspects of customer experience that is reflected in its products and services - including the refurbished Golden Lounges in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, a range of digital innovations, and the introduction of the “Best of Malaysia” menu on-board. The revamped satellite, regional and domestic Golden Lounges bring travellers a modern feel with an overall design concept that showcases Malaysian heritage.
MH Fleet
Travellers can choose to dine buffet style or place their order for cooked-to-order dishes from the live-
Malaysia Airlines saw the arrival of the first A350900 in November last year. The A350-900s has
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| AIRLINE SPOTLIGHT |
replaced the A380s on the London route. The flagship A350 aircraft include new in-flight entertainment system with modern and improved functionality, more spacious seating and refreshed Business Class amenity kits. The A350 is equipped with wifi, the first for Malaysia Airlines. Currently, the A350 is also operating on the Tokyo and Osaka route to Japan. The A380s will be used primarily for pilgrimage charter services as well as seasonal upgrades during peak travelling seasons. As part of the fleet expansion, the airline has also received six A330200s in 2018 that will be operating on secondary Asia-Pacific cities from Australia and New Zealand to ASEAN and the south Asia subcontinent. All New Zealand services (Auckland to Kuala Lumpur) are serviced by Airbus A330-200s configured with 19 fully flat seats in Business Class, 42 Economy extra legroom seats and 226 seats in Economy.
Business Suite Malaysia Airlines announced on in December 2018, the rebrand of its First Class cabin to Business Suite, offering passengers new levels of luxury with ample cabin space and privacy. The Business Suite is
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available on all of the airline’s A350-900 and A380800s. The Business Suite is in response to the high traffic of business travellers on Malaysia Airlines, a product that offers an enhanced Business Class service at an attractive price point for passengers. The suite comes with a dedicated check-in counter, access to Malaysia Airlines premium Business Suite Lounge, 50kg baggage allowance as well as fine-dining experience onboard. “The new Business Suite was introduced in response to the growing demand of our guests,” said Malaysia Airlines Group chief executive officer, Izham Ismail. “Our target is to enable the frequent flyer, looking for enhanced comfort, to now be able to enjoy a premium experience at competitive prices. We are confident that our new Business Suite will change the way people travel in business class.” The Business Suite cabin will be available on the London, Tokyo, Osaka route and on the Sydney and Seoul route during the winter season. The Business Suite on A380-800 is located on the
| AIRLINE SPOTLIGHT |
main deck with 1-2-1 seat formation. There are a total of eight seats with enclosed monument (four individual seats and two double seats). There is a seat pitch of 89 inches and bed width of 40 inches, full flat-bed length of 87 inches, individual 23-inch IFE screen with widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9. Each seat comes with its personal closet and stowage for coat, luggage, laptop and personal belongings. The Business Suite for the A350-900 has a 1-21 seat formation with direct aisle access, a total of four seats with enclosed monument and retractable privacy door (two individual seats and two double seats), a seat pitch of 83 inches and width of 23 inches, full-flat bed length of 83 inches, capacitive seat control offering personalised lounge position, independent adjustable leg rest, and massage and lumbar system, individual 24-inch IFE with capacitive touchscreen and multi-touch gesture, video handset, widescreen, high-definition clarity (1080p) with LED backlighting. Each seat comes with meal and cocktail table, feature light, vanity mirror, console stowage and magazine rack.
‘Our target is to enable the frequent flyer, looking for enhanced comfort, to now be able to enjoy a premium experience at competitive prices.’
To experience the “Best of Malaysian Hospitality” from Auckland to Malaysia and beyond: malaysiaairlines.com
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MAGICAL MACAO RICH IN CULTURE - WITH BLING TO ECLIPSE VEGAS WORDS: GERARD HINDMARSH
LOCATION: MACAO, CHINA
| COVER STORY |
It’s a compact enclave, an area of just 16 square kilometres at the mouth of the Pearl River on the South China coast. Macao used to be the richest place on earth, one of Portugal’s great trading posts along its sea road to the East. Luanda, Mozambique, Mogadishu, Goa, Macau, Nagasaki - the Portuguese could sail from Lisbon all the way around Africa to Japan without losing sight of land. Their reign of trading lasted nearly 400 years. Portugal affamicably handed Macao back to China in 1999. Macao still retains the benevolent flavour of its old colonial master in the form of street names, imposing forts bristling with cannons, ruins of old Jesuit churches, a wonderful cuisine, and most of all its beautiful Macanese inhabitants that demonstrate how successful Portugal was at colonising - through the bedroom. Delightful days can still be had exploring the heritage parts of this former colony. Walking around, locals will call out to you in their peculiar dialect of Portuguese: “Bem vindos a Macao” - Welcome to Macao. Taking a Bus 3 from the Hong Kong-Macao
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Ferry Terminal gets us to a wonderful open square of Largo do Senado and the church of St Dominic and Lou Kau Mansion - the latter with an intriquing maze of open and semi-open spaces which cleverly blurs one’s perception of inside and outside flow. Only a few hundred metres west is Rua de Felicidade or Street of Happiness. Its red shuttered terraces were once Macau’s red light district, recognisable today more as where several scenes from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom were shot. From here it’s easy to saunter up to the Ruins of St Paul. Built in 1602, only the facade and stairway still exist these days. Nevertheless, the statues, portals and engravings of this once great church make it the greatest remaining monument to Christianity in all Asia. Wandering through the narrow streets towards the inner harbour, a fascinating hour can be spent at the 60-room Mandarin’s House. This was the ancestral home of influential merchant-writer, Zheng Guanying, whose work influenced both Dr Sun Yat Sen and Chairman Mao.
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COVER PAGE: Interior of a temple. Photo by Pai-Shih Lee LEFT: from behind the ruins of St. Paul Church is the modern skyline of Macao. Photo by Andy Enero
BELOW: People taking photos and walking towards the Ruins of St. Paul’s during twilight. Photo by Holger Mette
The ancient A Ma Temple overflows with tour groups of Chinese visitors, keen to offer up family intentions to the earliest known Goddess of the Sea. Nearby are the Moorish Barracks, still used by the Macao Maritime Administration. We can enter and look around, as long as we are quiet. It’s the layer upon layer of history that grabs us in Macao. This all said, it would also be fair to say the old Macao is adjusting to the impact of modern China. Huge land reclamation has increased the territory by one fifth, and hotels that thought they had uninterrupted views out on the harbour and delta now have bigger hotels going up in front of them, while the two islands of Coloane and Taipa are effectively part of the mainland now. But no change is more evident than as the only place gambling is permitted in all China, and into this tiny enclave the Chinese pour. Forget Las Vegas, Macao generates more gambling revenue every two months than its American counterpart does in a year. And the gamblers just keep coming.
‘From here it’s easy to saunter up to the Ruins of St Paul. Built in 1602, only the facade and stairway still exist these days. Nevertheless, the statues, portals and engravings of this once great church make it the greatest remaining monument to Christianity in all Asia.’
The long-awaited Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge
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| COVER STORY | opened in late 2018. The 55km (34-mile) bridge and undersea tunnel system, costing $20 billion, consists of a series of three huge cable-stayed bridges and a 6.7km undersea tunnel connected by two massive artificial islands. Initially at least, private cars will only be able to use it with a special permit, the crossing limited more to private shuttle buses carrying tour groups, and freight trucks. These sort of controls are nothing new. China for years has instigated various ways to limit the number of gamblers coming from the mainland, like preventing them entering Macao more than once every two months. Fully 80 percent of the gamblers in Macao are mainland Chinese. The percentage is greater for the high rollers - with nearly 90 percent being Chinese. There has been talk of slowdown, with revenue down 23 percent over the last two years, but the fact is Macao still takes at least 30 billion patacas (around NZ$5 billion) annual revenue just from gambling alone. Casino mogul Stanley Ho had a stranglehold on Macao gambling until 2002. Only recently retired, the popular billionaire openly had four wives and 17 children. When his monopoly ended, franchises from Las Vegas moved in. Now there are approximately 30 casinos in Macao, each with a hotel attached. Compared to the gambling dens of Las Vegas, the Macau ones are relatively quiet affairs with less than five percent of the areas dedicated to pokie machines - compared to 60 per cent in Las Vegas. In Macao, table games rule, baccarat, roulette and a dice game known as Sic bo or dai sui (big small) and Fan Tan the most popular. Forget drinking alcohol – we’re more likely to see punters with cups of green tea. Chinese believe alcohol dulls one’s skill. Super serious high rollers play in private rooms, wagering huge amounts with every round. The biggest danger for small time recreational users are the tip hustlers who hang around the tables, acting like trusted friends or long lost buddies. New Zealand expat Grant Baird has made himself a reputation setting up some of the very finest contemporary restaurants in Asia. His latest project, six years in the running, was masterminding the Food & Beverage (F&B) side for what is being touted as the world’s most extravagant hotel ever built “The 13,” in Macao. It rises from the Cotai Strip like a giant polished curved red ruby, with all its interiors meticulously modelled on King Louis XIII’s lavishly decorated Palace of Versailles, the undisputed pinnacle of art achievement for 17th Century France. Ambitious to say the least, Baird’s job to date has been creating from scratch all the hotel’s dining establishments including a 24-hour café with glittering crystal décor, an exclusive Japanese
restaurant (Tokugawa) specialising in rare and extraordinary ingredients, a sumptuous Cantonese restaurant (Chinoiserie) offering regional cuisines specialties from Sichuan, Shanghai and Beijing, and a haute cuisine French establishment (L’Ambroisie) representing its 3 Michelin-star namesake in Paris. Also thrown into the mix are separate bars, a dining lounge in the invitation only shopping complex, and last but not least, the team Dining Room to feed the 2000 staff required. Initially behind the project is one of Hong Kong’s most flamboyant deal makers, 59 year-old billionaire Stephen Hung, whose signature look includes streaks of bright red dyed hair, tight-fitting Versace casuals, conspicuous Dunhill cigarettes and gold plated lighter. His £20m order of 30 bespoke Rolls Royces for the hotel was the biggest order ever for the luxury car company. Two of the Phantoms will be gold plated while another will be diamond studded. So far the hotel has only opened it rooms, invitation only, while its gambling license gets sorted out. Mainland China is the new boss in Macao, and everyone is still learning to adapt. Some casinos have gotten around the complex limit on gambling licenses by adding another layer of gamblers who bet not on the tables, but on the gamblers themselves. For centuries Macao has always taken what is, and stretched the limits. It’s part of what makes this high roller place such an exciting place to visit.
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Macao’s centuries old fascination still charms today’s travellers
Macao is a unique destination with a rich historical and cultural history, combining centuries old Portuguese and Chinese customs, traditions and celebrations. For five centuries, travellers have been journeying to Macao, seeking adventure and sanctuary, knowledge and excitement - as well as pleasure and trade. With this in mind, Corporate Traveller’s business development manager, Trudy Parsons-Smith, journeyed to Macao to savour a taste of this fascinating destination (see links at the foot of this article). Her five-day menu comprises “challenging” activities such as unique shopping and dining experiences along with fascinating historical and cultural treats that leave her with indelible memories. Early travellers found far more than they expected in this tiny outpost that was once the most important commercial and cultural crossroad between Europe and Asia. It began as a marriage of convenience between East
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and West and was established in the 16th century when the Portuguese sought a gateway to China, the fabled land Marco Polo had called Cathay. They settled on a tiny peninsula at the mouth of the Pearl River estuary that they named Macao. The colony prospered and rapidly became fabulously rich. Its greatest asset and attraction now, however, is the heritage of a cultural hub where the arts and lifestyles of ancestral China have flourished alongside those of colonial Portugal and, happily, a remarkable number of historic buildings, streets and squares has survived, quite at home in the shadow of high-tech skyscrapers and modern cultural and convention centres. First inhabited by fishermen from the provinces of Fujian and Guangdong, Macao was given various names by the Chinese, such as OuMun (meaning “the door of the bay”), Hou Kong and Hoi Keang but when the first Portuguese arrived, they were told they had landed in A-Ma-Gao – the “Bay of A-Ma,” the goddess of seafarers whose temple stood at the entrance to the inner harbour. So they christened the new settlement “City of the name of God in China, Amagao.” This name was unwieldy and it was soon
| COVER STORY | popularly known as Amacau and later Macao. Macao is located on the western banks of the Pearl River delta of Guangdong Province, some 60 kilometres south west of Hong Kong, Macao’s territory has a total area of only 28.2 sq kilometres, comprising the city of Macao, built on a peninsula, and the two islands of Taipa and Coloane, all linked by two bridges and a causeway. At the extreme northern end of the peninsula, a narrow isthmus leads to the Zhuhai and Zhongshan areas of mainland China. Main areas of interest for today’s travellers include: Downtown: Senado Square is the historic heart, paved with wave-patterned mosaic that extends to the ruins of St Paul’s, Macao’s most famous landmark. After a fire in 1835, all that remains of this early 17th century Jesuit church is the magnificent Italianate stone façade and the grand staircase. Adjacent is the Monte Fort from the same period, its platform and foundations now occupied by the Museum of Macao and providing a panorama of the city. Other attractions include the Provisional Municipal Council of Macao, one of the finest examples of neoclassical Portuguese architecture, and the baroque church of Sao Domingas. Guia: The 17th century Guia Fort, its chapel and lighthouse - the first built on the China coast - is situated on Guia Hill, Macao’s highest point, which can be ascended by cable car. Nearby is the Macao Grand Prix Museum and is display of winning cars and motorcycles, along with memorabilia of top drivers such as the late Ayrton Senna. For quieter reflection, there is the fascinating Wine Museum, telling the story of viniculture and the introduction of wine into Asia by the Portuguese. North: The old stone Barrier Gate at the northern end of the peninsula marked the border with China and located alongside it is the beautiful Sun Yat-Sen Park, created in homage to the founder of the Chinese Republic. The Taoist Lin Fong Temple was once used as an inn for visiting mandarins and is decorated with elaborate friezes, while behind is Mong Ha Hill where stands the last fort built in Macao, its massive walls and old cannons still looking north to mainland China. The Kun Iam Temple, actually a complex including prayer halls and funeral parlours, was founded in the 15th century and is dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy whose 20 metre-high gilded bronze statue stands at the edge of the Outer Harbour. Behind the temple is an extensive garden where the first US-Chinese treaty was signed in 1844. South: The impressive Maritime Museum is situated on the site where Portuguese traders originally made
landfall in Macao and has countless exhibits relating to the country’s long relationship with the sea. The A-Ma Temple, the most famous and picturesque temple in Macao, rises from the inner harbour waterfront as four levels of pavilions linked by winding paths and moon-gates. On any street we can find a Taoist temple and a Catholic Church, Chinese shop-houses decorated with Mediterranean stucco, people practising Tai Chi in a Portuguese park, European-style pavement cafés and clattering Chinese restaurants, classical Chinese gardens and solid stone fortresses. When its Golden Age came to an abrupt end, Macao could easily have slipped into oblivion but, thanks to its location, it has not only retained its place in history but has created a unique society that has readily adapted to its 21st century role as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
Some highlights: Legend Palace Hotel - legendpalace.mo Macau’s Fisherman’s Wharf - fishermanswharf.com.mo Litoral Restaurant - restaurante-litoral.com Macau Venetian Resort – venetianmacao.com Parisian Hotel – parisianmacao.com Okura Hotel – hotelokuramacao.com Macao Government Tourist Office - macaotourism.gov.mo
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| PROMOTION: OAKS HOTELS & RESORTS |
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Making the most of work travel - with the right accommodation
Whether we venture to work meetings once a month or a conference once a year, travelling for work can either be a highlight or a low point on our calendar. While long flights and compulsory networking events might be out of our control, our choice of accommodation can impact our overall experience in more ways than we think. We can make the most of our work travel in 2019 by tapping into these helpful tips to avoid common pitfalls and expand our “bleisure” experiences.
The health effects
A 2018 study found that higher levels of work-related travel resulted in poorer health outcomes for workers. And it’s little wonder, with stress associated with travel and being in unfamiliar environments, sleep disruption, reliance on convenient and unhealthy food options, and a lack of exercise all common while travelling for work. But it doesn’t have to be this way. A simple way to start to mitigate the above effects of business travel is to stay in accommodation that provides the everyday necessities to support our regular routine. Spacious rooms can encourage us to relax. When on an extended trip, especially for work, having space to sprawl can minimise/reduce the feeling of living out of a suitcase. Speaking of room to move, a fullsized kitchen provides the facilities to store food and prepare our own meals, enabling us to shop and cook for ourselves. There’s no excuse to not eat consciously while travelling for work and save our hip pocket in the process. Our exercise regime doesn’t have to fall by the wayside while travelling either. Having access to onsite gym facilities, and accommodation situated in locations ideally suited to outdoor exercise, can help to make exercising a priority.
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| PROMOTION: OAKS HOTELS & RESORTS |
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A relaxing and spacious environment, access to healthy food options and exercise - along with comfortable bedding - will ensure we sleep soundly so we can make the most of our work activities. And by ensuring our accommodation ticks the above boxes, we can go a long way to avoiding the health pitfalls that can easily come with corporate travel.
When business meets leisure
The expression “bleisure” has seen a significant rise in the last few years, as workers look to take advantage of their location and add an element of leisure to their business travel. It might be an extra day or two either side of a conference, a weekend to round out the week, or even a week of annual leave to make the most of the opportunities that the local area presents. A report from Expedia found that 60 percent of business-related trips also incorporated an element of leisure travel. This was an increase on previous years, with the trend predicted to continue, especially as Generation Z joins the workforce and looks to maximise their opportunities for travel. Having suitably appointed accommodation in a key location can make all the difference to our “bleisure” experience. As with the benefits to our overall health while traveling for work, having a home base that we can return to and relax in at the end of a big day of exploring can assist in recharging. Imagine experiencing the newest culinary delight in Melbourne after a presentation or taking a dip in the tepid water of the Gold Coast after a long meeting. Perhaps hitting the slopes of Queenstown after a week-long conference is more our pace.
Take that extra day, or week, and make the most of our “bleisure” opportunities. There are countless adventures, culinary and cultural experiences at every doorstep.
Home suite home
With all this talk of accommodation in ideal locations, designed to make us feel like our home away from home, and with direct access to some amazing leisure activities, we could be forgiven for thinking this was impossible to find. However, the perfect home for travellers who value freedom, quality and service can be found at Oaks Hotels & Resorts. Specialists in self-contained, apartment-style accommodation, Oaks Hotels & Resorts have more than 50 properties worldwide, including three in New Zealand. From the centrally located Oaks Auckland Harbour, with sweeping views of the Waitemata Harbour and Auckland City, to Oaks Club Resort and Oaks Shores in the stunning and exciting Queenstown region, our next business trip - or “bleisure” experience - is sorted. Travelling outside New Zealand? Oaks Hotels & Resorts can be found in some of the best city, coastal and country destinations in Australia, including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, along the Queensland coast, and even at Broome’s famous Cable Beach. If we’re travelling further abroad, we’ll find Oaks Hotels & Resorts in Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and India. So, embrace our next opportunity to travel for work and choose to stay with Oaks Hotels & Resorts. It might just be the best business decision we make.
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AUCKLAND SEAPLANES LAUNCHES WAIHEKE ISLAND LAND-BASED OPERATION
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A spectacular sight over the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf for five years, Auckland Seaplanes has begun operation wheeled aircraft from Waiheke Island. After receiving New Zealand CAA approvals to expand their commercial flight services, the company is operating two four-seater Cessna Aircraft. The new operation, Waiheke Wings, will provide scenic flights around the island and the Hauraki Gulf as well as transfer flights to many locations in the North Island, including Auckland Airport. Since 2013 Auckland Seaplanes has operated from Wynyard Quarter and the Auckland Harbour Aerodrome. Currently rated the ninth highest on “Things to do in Auckland” by Tripadvisor, the company won the 2017 New Zealand Tourism Industry Association Award for business excellence. Their flight to Rotoroa Island was one of three finallists for the global award for “meaningful travel”. In the same year the company became the first ISOcertified carbon zero air operator in Australasia. “Our seaplanes have been flying to Waiheke Island for five years and we are very grateful for the welcome and support that we have received from the local community,” said CEO Chris Sattler. “We love to showcase the jewel in the Auckland crown with flights to Waiheke’s beautiful beaches, vineyards and restaurants. With our new base and two additional aircraft we will be able to deepen our connection to the island and provide the visitors and residents with a new and even more convenient way to appreciate the beauty of the area from the sky. Our strong environmental credentials as a “pestfree” and carbon-zero operator and one of the first signatories to the Tourism New Zealand sustainability commitments will be applied to Waiheke Wings.” The company will also offer premium fly-anddine packages with the vineyards bordering the airfield as well as half and full-day excursions to the Coromandel, Matamata/Hobbiton, Rotorua and Northland. Highlight packages operated by Auckland Seaplanes include luxury VIP gaming, a Mahurangi oyster adventure or a visit to a remote island to view some of the world’s rare native wildlife. The oyster-lover’s adventure to Mahurangi was described by one company CEO as the most fun he has had in New Zealand in 35 years. The aircraft departs downtown Auckland and flies along the northern beaches for their rendezvous with the
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‘We love to showcase the jewel in the Auckland crown with flights to Waiheke’s beautiful beaches, vineyards and restaurants. With our new base and two additional aircraft we will be able to deepen our connection to the island and provide the visitors and residents with a new and even more convenient way to appreciate the beauty of the area from the sky.’
famous oysters. After touching down at Scott’s Landing the guests are transferred to the “shuckle ferry” to view and sample the delectable farmed oysters. The seven Takahe on Rotoroa Island await those who choose the “Treasure Island Wildlife Experience.” The fact that there are just 300 of these birds left in the world demonstrates just how special this excursion is to this working wildlife sanctuary. Some of the new services by Waiheke Wings will include: Waiheke Buzz Around, a 30-minute scenic flight experience that takes off from Waiheke Aerodrome for spectacular vistas of the beaches, ocean and the coastline. The flight follows a path along the shore to Oneroa for view of this iconic beach and the main settlement. Passengers will then enjoy views of Rangitoto volcano and Auckland city in the distance before continuing on the south side of the island past Surfdale, Kennedy Point to the oyster beds and mussel farm on the eastern side of Waiheke. They then fly past Ponui and Pakatoa Island as well as Rotoroa Island, one of the important nature reserves in the Auckland region. After Man O’War Bay the flight will continue along the northern coast to Onetangi for landing back at our aerodrome.
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Hauraki Gulf Explorer Flight, a whale and dolphin spotting opportunity, is a 45-minute flight experience. The Auckland region is home to about 45 Brydes whales all year, plus migrating whales and large schools of dolphin. The route of this flight will track from Waiheke to the Coromandel Peninsula, which is an area often frequented by our marine mammals and other wildlife. The route will also overfly the “Treasure Islands” and the mussel and oyster farms of the coast.
Waiheke Wings will provide the most direct and convenient option to many coastal locations in the North Island, including Coromandel, Great Barrier, North Shore and Ardmore Aerodromes, Rotorua, Taupo and Northland. In co-operation with Fullers360, Wings will also offer a day package, “Waiheke by Sea, Land and Sky.”
Auckland Seaplanes – the beginning in 2013 When Chris Sattler was deciding on seaplanes back then he could have chosen a bland, modern, aerodynamic model. Instead he chose a rugged, barrel-chested bush plane built back in 1961, the de Havilland Beaver. Its romantic, “Indiana Jones” look makes it ideal for flying into wilderness areas, and the man himself, Harrison Ford, who owns and flies one, says it’s his favourite aircraft. Sattler said the two eight-seater workhorses were the most suitable craft for taking off and landing on the waters of Auckland Harbour and the gulf. “Given Auckland’s climate and wind conditions, we need an aircraft that can handle bigger waves.” “We also know that the distinctive sound of the 23-litre, nine-cylinder radial engine is more pleasant than a lot of other aircraft engines.”
• Return Waiheke Ferry • All-day Waiheke Explorer Hop on Hop off tour • 30-minute scenic flight with Waiheke Wings Waiheke Wings launches from the success of the seaplane operation on Auckland harbour.
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New Caledonia celebrates 10 years since lagoon listed by UNESCO New Caledonia is celebrating 10 years since a huge part of its 24,000 sq kilometre lagoon was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in recognition of its natural beauty and abundance of marine life.
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The UNESCO recognition applies to six parts of the lagoon - approximately 15,700 sq kilometres. A place of considerable natural importance, the lagoon is a giant magnet for visitors to New Caledonia who are drawn, along with locals, to explore and enjoy this magnificent natural playground. Trade winds sweep the shores year-round, making it the perfect spot for water sports like windsurfing and kite surfing. Restaurants and bars line its shores, ideal vantage points for the lagoon’s legendary sunsets. More than 100 coral species and native flora and fauna make it a snorkelling hotspot. With Noumea only three hours from Auckland and with so many options available to enjoy in and around its spectacular lagoon, it’s no wonder that more New Zealand travellers than ever before are heading to New Caledonia. Travellers are drawn to New Caledonia for many reasons. Here are a few highlights:
Foodies Taking their taste buds on an adventure is a favourite pastime for visitors - to enjoy a fresh-cooked meal or ice cold drink at one of Noumea’s many waterfront restaurants and bars. With the lagoon such a central part of life in New Caledonia, it should come as no surprise that fresh, delicious seafood is a must-try during a trip to the island. Try Le Roof restaurant in Anse Vata. Not only does it serve delicious dishes featuring local-caught seafood including mahi mahi, scallops, prawns, oysters and more, but it also sits out on the water and has a lagoon viewing “cut out” in the middle of its dining room. Guests can enjoy their meal while looking down on turtles and fish swimming in the lagoon. It makes for a memorable meal. If we’re looking for something more traditional, discovering the ingredients and flavours of the local Kanak culture is a unique and welcoming experience. Kanak cuisine focuses largely on a huge, drawn-out feast, often involving a “bougna,” the traditional Kanak meal with meat, fish and vegetables wrapped in coconut leaves and slowly cooked on hot rocks. If we head out to the Goro Tribe in the Great South (about two hours’ drive from Noumea) not only will we be treated to tasty bougna, but also we can experience beautiful views of the lagoon and learn about locals’ life on the water.
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‘Get out on the lagoon and set sail - there’s no better way to experience the water than on a boat, surrounded by the beauty of this UNESCO site.’ Why not enjoy a tasty cocktail while watching the sunset. For this we can head to Noumea’s L’Endroit, which overlooks Lemon Bay. A favourite amongst locals and visitors, the bar serves a great selection of wines, beers and cocktails – along with uninterrupted water views. If we stay into the evening there are live DJs and music. Time to dance the night away. Water sport When it is time to get out on the lagoon and get that adrenaline pumping the year-round trade winds that sweep New Caledonia’s lagoon make the destination perfect for windsurfing and kite surfing. And the action can be enjoyed just off Noumea’s shores too - windsurfing around Anse Vata is a popular pastime for locals. For visitors, there are many stores hiring and selling wind and kite surfing gear around Anse Vata. We’ll also find companies offering kite and windsurfing lessons here too. Out of Noumea, Bourail is another top spot for enjoying the best of the lagoon’s activities. If we head to Nekweta Fish and Surf Camp in Bourail, we
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can try our hand at both surfing and fishing while learning from local professionals. Guides also conduct eco-discovery tours, exploring the Néra mangroves, Green Island, the beaches and cliffs of Roche Percée, the “Bonhomme” rock formation, and Turtle Bay. These are sites full of myths and legends, often accompanied by dolphin and turtle viewing.
Out on the lagoon What’s the No 1 recommendation for those who like to be immersed in nature? Get out on the lagoon and set sail - there’s no better way to experience the water than on a boat, surrounded by the beauty of this UNESCO site. With one of the few reefs in the world to be considered in relatively good health, and one of the biggest marine reserves in the world with
more 1000 species of fish and 146 types of coral, New Caledonia’s lagoon is a paradise that’s worth exploring both under and above the water. There are many charter options available in Noumea that can take visitors to the lagoons just off shore. At Bourail, we can try a glass bottom boat tour to visit the area’s reefs and underwater trails. Whether we’re a beginner, or an expert, New Caledonia is home to an array of world-class diving spots that allow us to get up close with the lagoon’s marine life. New Caledonia’s barrier reef is, in fact, home to a myriad of shipwrecks that are a favourite, amongst both locals and visitors. At Amédée Lighthouse, the “Dieppoise” is a famous site, as well as the “Sun Burnt Country” site, near Goeland Islet.
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| WORLD FOCUS |
COOK ISLANDS
RETRACING THE ROMANCE OF THE CORAL ROUTE FLYING BOATS
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| WORLD FOCUS | If we wander into the famous Trader Jacks bar on the waterfront at Avarua Harbour in Rarotonga, we’ll see framed on the wall an original TEAL advertising poster for The Coral Route. The detailed illustration shows a cutaway Short Solent flying boat above Aitutaki lagoon, inside its three dozen or so passengers. This flying route connecting Tahiti to Auckland was set up by the predecessor of Air New Zealand, Tasman Empire Airways Ltd, and operated from 1952 until it stopped in September, 1960. Flying boats on this route featured first class dining with silver service, starched tablecloths and even a powder room. A dedicated chef cooked dishes from the menu upon request. Women came aboard wearing furs and men their ties. But passengers were also advised to bring swimming attire for the stops, advice never given by any other airline, ever. The unpressurised seaplanes had a 45-person capacity over two decks and were flown relatively low (around 5000 feet) at a cruisey 225 knots. Passengers could make out the waves, spot sharks and whales, and generally had the grandest view of boundless blue Pacific. Aitutaki lagoon, now routinely billed as one of the world’s most beautiful, was one of the sensational stopovers, a place remembered by many who flew the route. It was the last big multi-day air adventure, and it was enjoyed by the likes of Cary Grant, John Wayne and Marlon Brando. The romance of air travel may have ended with those island hopping flights, but some sense of it can still be had in this part of the big blue Pacific by hopping on Air Rarotonga flights around the 15 far flung specks of land that make up the Cook Islands. Spread over two million square kilometres of ocean, diversity is what typifies these islands.
WORDS: GERARD HINDMARSH
A lucky few wanderers make it to the Northern Group, but there’s never any guarantee when they’ll make it back in a hurry. Planes to Pukapuka leave only every couple of weeks, we put ourselves on the wait list and when our plane is full it leaves. As with the flying boats, it is not cheap either, more than NZ$3000 one way these days Rarotonga to Pukapuka. As they say up there - It’s cheaper to fly to London than it is get to Pukapuka. Every island has its flavour. All the 60 or so residents of Palmerston Atoll, 500 kilometres northwest of Rarotonga, are descended from one man – prolific Englishman William Masters, a ship’s carpenter who settled there with two Polynesian wives in 1863 before adding a third. Today his descendents still speak with a thick
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| WORLD FOCUS | Gloucester accent and greet visitors with a hearty “ahoy.” The only way to get to the Cook’s only true atoll is by freighter or private yacht. With a culture of cafes, bars, restaurants and tourist resorts, Rarotonga is one island that lives confidently in the 20th century. But beyond the island’s buzzing vibe and modern feel, it is underpinned by a Polynesian values. One of the best attractions is Punanga Nui Market held every Saturday morning along Ara Tapu in Avarua. Here, along with all the usual pareu, clothes, hats and souvenir knickknacks, we will find stalls bursting with fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and seafood, barbecued snacks, along with freshly baked bread and Polynesian delicacies. These include ika mata (raw fish marinated in lime and coconut), rukau (steamed taro leaves), poke (banana with arrowroot and coconut), and mitiore (fermented coconut with onions and seafood.). The island of Aitutaki is the Cook Island’s second most visited destination. From the air coming in or down at beach level, the views of the lagoon can take our breath away. Shaped a bit like a fishhook, the island gently curls around the lagoon, its aquamarine waters, deserted motu (islets) and necklace of foaming breakers around the outer reef make this a glorious scene like few others. The plushest resorts are along Aitutaki’s western coast, as is the main village of Arutanga, which boasts the oldest church in the Cooks. The impressive coral concrete CICC (Cook Islands Christian Church) was opened on October 26, 1827 by founding missionary Papeihi, and was fully restored in 2010. Worth admiring even just through the clear panes in the stained glass windows are the fine carved wood panelling, and the big and heavy old anchor suspended from the ceiling. Belief in god can be staunch on Aitutaki. Signs nailed to trees protest Sunday flights and even protestors bearing placards are known to turn up here at the airport on Sundays too. Michael and Kuraono Henry opened up Are Tamanu resort with 12 chic bungalows in 2000. Working from photos in magazines, they built the first infinity pool in the Cooks. Today their son Nicholas is the general manager to the expansive Tamanu Beach resort. There’s a big breezy open sided restaurant, and their Island Night on Thursday evenings is a show worth seeing, especially the fire dancers. Casual luxury is this resort’s slogan. Most accommodation places offer courtesy bicycles. With the breeze keeping us cool, they’re better than walking in the heat, the perfect way to get around. To get takeaways, check out the market, or pick up some fruit from a stall.
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‘The island of Aitutaki is the Cook Island’s second most visited destination. From the air coming in or down at beach level, the views of the lagoon can take our breath away.’ A 20 minute-hike up a steepish track gets us up to the island’s highest peak, Maungapa (124m), where the effort is rewarded by the 360 degree views out over the slopes down to lagoon and outer reef defined by its necklace of breakers. Stunning. Fishing tours are big in the lagoon, most sought after sport fish being the fighting bonefish. The TEAL lodge was located on the flying boat motu of Akaiami at the southern end of Aitutaki Lagoon. Showers were rigged up under the coconut palms and passengers could relax in the deckchairs while being offered crisply cut sandwiches and tropical fruit and drinks. Indelible made to order memories for the rich set. The island of Atiu makes the perfect triangle with Aitutaki and Rarotonga, with encouraging threeisland fares too. Landing on the coral airstrip is like going back in time. A steady trickle of tourists come here, with Atiu Villas picking up most of the custom. Five separate villages occupy the top of this well wooded island characterised by its makatea or raised sharp coral platform around its shore. This makes the little sandy coves a joy to explore,
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like Orovavu Beach where Captain Cook came ashore in 1777. The same paved trail taken by the crew and Omai, Cook’s Tahitian interpreter, to the main village of Orongo can still be followed, with signs of the old village by Orongo Marae. New Zealand Army 1FD Squadron engineers built the heavy concrete breakwater at Taunganui Harbour over 1975-76 to assist with the export of pineapple and tomatoes, but as these crops became more and more uneconomic the island exports little now. New Zealand aid just put in a solar farm which now generates all the power on the island. Nowadays it would be fair to say tourism brings in the only steady money. Eiree Anataketake cave is worth seeing. It is billed as Atiu’s most spectacular cave, a multi-chambered cavern surrounded by bayan roots and thick jungle. It’s also home to the rare kopeka or Atiuan swiftlet, which locates its position in the dark with echo sounding clicks. News is getting out. In the last few years George “Birdman” Mateariki has became famous for his backof-the-truck bird tours, while Beckham who works for Air Raro by day, now earns some of his income now by shuffling tourists to the tumunu or bush beer drinking club. Originally Whalers taught the islanders to make the fermented orange beverage that the missionaries promptly outlawed only to have it come back into fashion. The barman who passes around the cup requires great skill, for its his job to make sure everyone gets drunk at the same rate. There must be few experiences as unique as the tumunu, and only in Atiu.
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The juiciest travel plums await the active & adventurous WORDS: PAUL SCHOFFELMEER
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Whether travelling for business or pleasure, Corporate Traveller’s travel editor, Paul Schoffelmeer, demonstrates the rewards that are gained by keeping our eyes – and camera lens – on full alert.
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Cycling the Golden Gate Bridge - Fisherman’s Wharf to Sausalito What a brilliant place to get back on a bike, especially if we’ve just arrived from downunder after a 14-hour flight. Getting straight back into it from Fisherman’s wharf as I did at Blazing Saddles near Hyde Street Pier. This local bike hire shop proves just the opportunity to see so much more of this spectacular harbour than a walk. After 20-plus years I surprise myself, but as they say once you get back onto a bike it’s five minutes and you’re away. Fisherman’s Wharf most definitely is a great place to base ourselves if we’re here for a short city stay. Heading to Sausalito is another must, as is crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. The trail to the bridge is a great ride along the shoreline, passing parks, beaches that are full of people enjoying the outdoors. Mindful of the skateboarders, strollers, skaters, scooter riders and walkers is not too challenging despite being distracted by the scenery that is ever changing as we make our way along Chrissy Field toward the Fort Point National Historic site on the southern end of the bridge. The sheer scale of the Golden Gate Bridge quickly registers as we’re greeted by this majestic sight.
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The experience stays with us as we feel both the surges of road traffic overhead and the surges of the waves below in the narrow part of the harbour. Those riding or walking the Golden Gate Bridge, will note that it is as busy as they’d expect. However, on a number of occasions, I find myself alone looking at the sea, ships, and scenery as if somehow I’m alone on the bridge. Once we finish our first journey across the bridge we wind our way down from the Vista Point and around under the north side of the bridge all the way back to the water’s edge into Horseshoe Bay. Cycling past Fort Baker we get a great view of downtown San Francisco as we wind down into the harbour side village of Sausalito itself. Here I experience a similar “chilled out” feel to our very own Akaroa despite all the visitors. There are folk just watching, art shopping and experiencing food along the waterfront of this quaint spot where we get to recharge our batteries in preparation for the ride back.
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Slovenia’s “hidden Prague” - seriously interesting Ljubljana – what a find on my latest journey. Arriving at Ljubljana, the capital of independent Slovenia is like entering a medieval town, with the Ljubljana Castle at its heart. We note lines of cafés along the curving Ljubjanica River that winds its way through the centre of the old town as we cross numerous bridges exploring its true soul. What strikes me most is that this is almost a hidden Prague - without the crazy summer crowds and selfie hunters. Leafy parks in and around the old town make for a softening of the architecture that looks like it’s from a fairytale. Markets selling fresh produce, flowers, crafts and everything in-between offer a real insight into what makes this superb jewel of a place tick. Being a university centre also ensures its focus is very happening, with a conscious nod to its most interesting past as well as its current crop of sculptors and artists. We can easily get lost here for more than just a day trip. For me this is seriously worth adding to my favourite destinations to enjoy in Central Europe, especially on my way to Croatia.
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Gdańsk a real maritime town on Poland’s Baltic coast Arriving into the central railway station I expect it to be a small taxi trip into the port area of the old town of Gdańsk. With good weather we can most certainly walk, and soon be making our way along the canals - an area repaired and rebuilt after the devastation of the Second World War. It’s also quickly evident that this Baltic seaside trading town looks a lot like others of a similar ilk - especially Amsterdam. My thoughts are on it being an industrial shipbuilding city, where the Solidarity movement led by Lech Walesa emerged in the 1980s, with Walesa later serving as the president of a Poland free from Soviet rule. I assumed it would be an austere place - but far from it. In the old town, walking along Dluga Street and looking at the terraced houses we immediately see the similarity of this architecture to other cities that are based along canals. Other than a great deal of walking, it’s best to get ourselves a bike to explore more - from the Museum of the Second World War to the
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European Solidarity Centre itself. Two or three days here will most certainly keep visitors busy, the variety of seafood being almost as interesting as the vibrant night life and live music scene.
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Georgia’s Tbilisi – a jewel so full of surprises Landing at Tbilisi International Airport reminds me of days gone by, more aerodrome than international airport. The taxi into town is relatively quick considering it’s a 17-kilometre trip. Suddenly our eyes are opened to a city built along a river that has been here since its foundation in the Fifth century. Full of surprises is an understatement - the people are friendly, the food is varied, delicious and fresh, while the wine offers more options that we would have ever expected.
Classic and ancient with a sprinkling of some modern architecture is how I would best describe Tbilisi itself. Great value - even cheap - is another accurate description, especially for first class food, wine and ambience within the old town. Those who like caviar are in the right place. Here they can have as much as they wish without breaking their budget. I stayed a week, nowhere near long enough.
The countryside - the mountains, lakes and sea are all spectacular. Getting around to savour all this is so easy. Exploring beyond Tbilisi itself is highly recommended, and a great deal more interesting that I had anticipated. While English is not that widely spoken, I never got stuck with not being able to be understood. Russian would be a help - not that the Russian global view is admired by this proudly independent nation. Georgian’s love rugby, that is certainly obvious here whenever we catch up with locals and mention where we are from or the sport in general.
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Rovinj a fishing port gem on the Croatian coast Making our way into Croatia from the marina in Portoroz, Slovenia, the drive is both easy and interesting. It’s not long at all before we turn off the highway toward the coast - and what a spectacular view Rovinj provides as we approach. Rovinj is principally a fishing port on the west coast of the Istrian Peninsula. It is also officially bilingual with Italian and Croatian spoken. The old town stands on a headland, with houses tightly crowded down to the seafront. A tangled web of cobbled streets leads to the hilltop church of St Euphemia, whose towering steeple dominates the skyline. It is a quintessential fishing village atmosphere, walking being the only sensible option to explore, with a bike to get to the surrounding beaches, bays and parks. Visitors can enjoy days of relaxation, exploring and just chilling out here. Sailing, and any other water-based activity, is all easily accessed. The seafood is as great as the local wines, superb and not over the top expensive. Rovinj is an authentic gem of a destination that caters to all wallet sizes.
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Castle town Carcassonne inspires flood of superlatives A flood of superlatives come to mind as we experience this dramatic medieval citadel sitting at the centre of hilltop Carcassonne in southern France’s Languedoc area. As castles go, it’s certainly picturesque, easy to get around as well as full of life. If staying in the town or nearby it’s definitely worth a visit at different times of the day to experience views of the citadel and its surrounding area with a different aspect and light. The town itself has a very relaxed French charm that is difficult to pinpoint. Naturally, summer shows so much more of how life is very relaxed here in the south. This ancient walled town has a sufficiently interesting set of cafés, restaurants, shopping to keep all engaged. There is a lot to enjoy here as we relax in Carcassonne - and not just the wonderful food and wine.
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TECHTALK
WORDS: ROWENA BAHL
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#1 Nebula Capsule: presentations on the go
#2 Sleepy Ride Airplane Footrest: when we have to travel economy
Impress clients at business meetings with a portable projector that is the size of a soft drink can yet projects crisp imagery of up to three metres using DLP IntelliBright™ technology. The Nebula Capsule also has a built-in 360 degree sound system, allowing sound to pump out in every direction. The projector has a micro-USB for charging and content can viewed via HDMI, wifi and mirroring, or controlled directly through Android (the capsule itself runs on Android 7.1). For those wanting to use the Nebula with their iPhone, there is the option of downloading an app called Capsule Control by Power Mobile Life.
With companies continuously having to watch their bottom line and find new ways to save, flying staff business or first class is usually out of the question. That doesn’t mean they can’t be equipped with the right gear to help them forget their economy woes. The Sleepy Ride Airplane Footrest is made from memory foam and is essentially a mini hammock for the feet. It takes pressure off the legs and reduces the pain that can come from blood pooling in leg veins. Combine the Sleepy Ride with compression socks and it may just become the most economical first-class experience.
#3 Porta Presso: a caffeine hit anytime, anywhere
#4 S’well: the only time bottling it up is good for us - and the planet
Barista-made coffee anytime, anywhere, sans barista might sound like a dream to coffee lovers but in the case of the Porta Presso, coffee-dreams do in fact come true. The Porta Presso looks like a portable speaker in terms of its size and shape, but within it live revolutionary mechanisms that have transformed the coffee-making experience. The cylindrical shape holds a planetary geared grinder and compactor that is tuned to the perfect setting (don’t worry, coffee experts, this can be adjusted at will), a tank to add water and milk, and a detachable drinking cup. Users can either add their own coffee beans or order via the Porta Presso website. That caffeine hit never got easier.
The idea behind S’well, a BPA-free, eco-friendly steel water bottle, came to entrepreneur Sarah Kauss when she was hiking with her mother one day. Her mother asked her what she would do if she could do anything in the world. Her answer - she would create a water bottle that reduced single-use plastic consumption, looked good and actually kept beverages cold. S’well, one of the best-looking and well-designed water bottles in the market, is as equally sustainable as it is fashionable. The inner walls of the bottle use the brand’s trademarked technology, ThermaS’well™, that comprises two layers of high-grade stainless steel and one layer of copper, resulting in a condensation-free exterior. The bottle comes in a variety of sizes and eyecatching designs, keeps beverages cold for up to 24-hours and hot for 12. This makes it the perfect vessel for an ice-cold beverage mid hot yoga session, champagne for a celebration, or coffee on the go. Cheers to a bottle that isn’t harming the environment and an entrepreneur who has created a 100-million-dollar enterprise.
#5 Ovis: the robotic, hands-free suitcase
Autonomous vehicle technology is all the hype at the moment - the industry is predicted to be worth a whopping seven trillion dollars by 2050 - so when Forward X, a Beijing start-up founded by entrepreneur Nicholas Chee, put forward Ovis, an autonomous, AI-powered suitcase at the 2018 CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, interest was piqued. So much that the suitcase went on to raise nearly 1.5 million dollars on crowdfunding platform, Indiegogo. Ovis uses a facial recognising, body movement-tracking algorithm that allows it to follow its owner around without assistance. On first look, Ovis seems to be like any other suitcase but on closer inspection, USB ports for charging gadgets and a 170-degree wide-angle camera lens (in essence its eye) can be seen. Although Ovis is not in market yet, its crowdfunding page reveals that it is currently in production and founder Chee says its first port of arrival is the United States.
#6 Fancii Cool Mist Personal Humidifier: say goodbye to dry Waking up in-flight or in a hotel room, parched, with a dry throat and itchy skin, is an experience we never have to endure again. The Fancii Cool Mist Personal Humidifier is a palm-sized, cordless contraption that runs on AA batteries and uses a bottle of water to release its magic. Working just like a regular humidifier, it forces moisture into the air in the form of an invisible mist. Wake up refreshed while travelling, with a personal humifidfier that’s as fancy as its name.
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Indian delivers on the demand - the FTR1200 flat track racer Right here, for all of who said “Just build it, Indian, and take my money,” the moment of truth finally has a date. WORDS: DAN MCGRANE
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Indian has announced that a production version of the FTR1200 flat-track-inspired custom shown last year will be available in 2019.
‘This new Indian will truly break new ground for American motorcycles. Right now, American bikes are almost exclusively cruisers and for Indian to bring this flat-track-inspired bike into production changes the game.’
While it seemed everyone expected Indian to build a street tracker to cash in on the phenomenal success of its FTR750 race bike in the American Flat Track series, we could never know for sure in this business as hopes have been shattered on the ice-cold rocks of corporate reluctance before. But now the FTR 1200 is more than just a one-off custom and is going into production. This comes in response to months of speculation and demand for a street version of the company’s wildly successful FTR750 - a purpose-built flat track racer that has dominated the American Flat Track professional racing series since its introduction in 2017. The FTR 1200’s specification will embody a flat tracker style, housed in a trellis frame and powered by a new V-twin engine. This new Indian will truly break new ground for American motorcycles. Right now, American bikes are almost exclusively cruisers and for Indian to bring this flat-track-inspired bike into production changes the game. It’s entering the market with arguably no direct competitors at all. We’ve seen the scrambler segment of motorcycles blow up in the last few years with entries like the Ducati Scrambler, BMW R nineT and Triumph Bonneville Scrambler, but this Indian is slated to be quite a different bike from any of those with a distinctly American attitude that was born on the flat track. So it’s time to grab our flat caps, turn them backwards and hold on for one of the most awaited bikes for 2019.
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BMW’s Heritage – a range waiting to be customised The Heritage range of motorcycles from BMW reflect the unmistakable DNA from the company’s past. The motorcycles are uncluttered, distinct, designed for purpose - and built with the finest materials. WORDS: DAN MCGRANE
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All models share the basic principles and are designed to facilitate customising to the customers own individual tastes. Welcome to the nineT family.
The BMW R nineT Racer The R nineT Racer lets us relive the era of legendary superbikes. Far removed from obsessive retro romanticism, instead this is a customisable bike with innovative technology. The design of the R nineT Racer unmistakably takes inspiration from the 1970s motorsports. The elongated proportions extend through the entire design. The distinctive half-shell fairing, the tank and the seat shape the slim silhouette. The long wheelbase and the low-slung handlebars positioned far to the front complete the low, sporty seating position. Then there the high-set, far back footrests. As a rider, we literally lie on the bike. Sporty and dynamic, the R nineT Racer’s handlebars are positioned low on the upper fork bridge. The cushion on the rider’s seat is slightly raised at the rear. This ensures perceptible relief for the back on long rides. Just like the dynamically designed half fairing - especially at speeds of over 90 km/h. As standard, it only has room for one - completely solo and pure. It is focused - and it shows. The retrofittable pillion frame quickly makes it into a two-seater. Just one of many possibilities to make our bike look however we want.
The BMW R nineT Scrambler The unique sound of the R nineT Scrambler is a real attention grabber. The classic 1200 cc boxer engine and its high-positioned dual silencer give the bike powerful propulsion and ensure that its voice is heard. Compared to the R nineT, the handlebars are placed higher and the comfortable seat is repositioned. That ensures a confident but relaxed sitting position for every rider. In combination with the slightly longer spring travel, riders will overcome any rough spots with ease. Offroad tyres, a high-positioned exhaust system, typical pair of bellows and a relaxed, upright sitting position - even at a first glance, we can see that with the typical Scrambler design no tour has to end where the street does. The 19 inch front wheel, the analogue tachometer, a purist steel tank in stereo metallic matt and other unique details turn the Scrambler into a high-quality classic.
The BMW R nineT Urban G/S The design of the R nineT Urban G/S is eyecatching. Distinctive stylistic elements make it a powerful, robust bike that pays tribute to the original G/S design: the 19-inch front wheel, the telescopic fork with the familiar bellows, the headlamp mask with the windscreen and the raised front-wheel cover define the front of the bike. The profile is defined by a pronounced horizontal line. White body elements and the narrow, slightly longer red seat revive the spirit of the legendary R 80 G/S from 1980. The black engine and frame highlight this effect. The new classic round instruments also show that the Urban G/S is part of the R nineT family. The R nineT Urban G/S also excels on everything from unpaved paths to gravel roads.
The BMW R nine T Pure The BMW R nineT Pure is perfect for everyone who loves the classic roadster design and is looking for a pure motorcycle experience. It is reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s. But its roots go deeper. Even the very first motorcycle from BMW was simple, reduced and dynamic. Back then, in 1923, the BMW opposed-twin engine was already the heart of the entire concept. The design of the R nineT Pure is reminiscent of a typical roadster. The circular headlamp with a chrome ring, varnished housing and the new circular tachometer influence the look of the front. The proportions are determined by the three-part bridge frame together with the new classic looking telefork. The supporting element - the opposedtwin engine – is just waiting to roar. The steel tank and the typically narrow rear complete a silhouette that is both stylish and elegant. The maximally stripped down design has nothing to do with faddish nostalgia. Rather the R nineT Pure allows us to customise the bike to the full - equip it, modify it, design it - our bike, our personal style.
The BMW R nineT A machine born to be customised. Right from the outset, the focus when developing the R nineT was its modular concept - for the highest degree of customising possibilities. Countless professional and private modifications prove how much potential the R nineT has.
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Yamaha’s T7 – recreating the perfect adventure Whatever kind of Adventure motorcycle we may ride it is likely that it has been influenced in some way by one of the most significant models in the history of Yamaha. That model was the legendary XT600Z Ténéré, launched 33 years ago at the Paris Show. WORDS: DAN MCGRANE
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‘A committed team composed of Yamaha’s engineers, designers and product planners from the Official Rally Team in France, the R & D in Italy and GK Design in the Netherlands have developed the new T7 concept.’
The iconic XT600Z Ténéré appealed to a wide range of riders who loved its rugged simplicity and racebred pedigree. Based closely on Yamaha’s factory Dakar Rally competition machines that were raced by legendary riders including Stéphane Peterhansel, this tough adventure model went on to become one of the best selling motorcycles around the world. In the first 10 years of its life - between 1984 and 1994 - this remarkable motorcycle achieved 61,000 sales, and today the Ténéré continues to attract a loyal following amongst many proud owners who are members of dedicated owners’ clubs. The original Ténéré spirit that made Yamaha one of the greatest names in Rally and Adventure riding has never gone away, and is forever in the company’s DNA. Adventure represents a very pure and essential way of enjoying motorcycle riding for Yamaha - offering feelings of utter freedom and discovery, travelling to stunning places even when there are no roads to get there. Now Yamaha are about to give the world a glimpse of the future with the T7. Many existing mid-size adventure models are perceived as being too road oriented and too sophisticated, and are unsuited to real off road riding. The adventure world needs a new kind of motorcycle that can offer the genuine long distance versatility and pure durability of the original Ténéré, combined with contemporary design plus cutting edge engine and chassis technology.
A committed team composed of Yamaha’s engineers, designers and product planners from the Official Rally Team in France, the R & D in Italy and GK Design in the Netherlands have developed the new T7 concept. Each member of the team is driven by a desire to create something that would fit the needs of the adventure traveller and represent the Yamaha vision for the next generation of adventure bikes. Created using the race-bred DNA that has made Yamaha one of the most successful names in the Rally world, the Yamaha T7 Concept is a fully functioning prototype developed to achieve a perfect balance between road and off road capability. This lightweight machine is based on an all new chassis that has been designed to complement a specially developed version of Yamaha’s highly acclaimed 700cc CP2 engine, delivering strong torque and an easy power delivery for perfect traction in all conditions. Equipped with an aluminium fuel tank, fourprojector LED headlight, a carbon fairing and skid plate, and a custom made Akrapovič exhaust - as well as high specification KYB front suspension - the T7 is a vision of the ideal adventure machine, and is playing a major role in the development of Yamaha’s next generation adventure models. A new chapter from the book of legends will be on the street - and on the dirt. This new model is expected to reach the stores in its final production version later in 2019.
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KTM’s 790 Adventure R - the new benchmark is here The new 790 Adventure R is powered by the 799cc parallel twin LC8 engine, as fitted to the 790 Duke - although KTM say it’s been re-tuned for a wider spread of torque. WORDS: DAN MCGRANE
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The Duke makes 103bhp in standard trim, so the Adventure will be around 90bhp. This will give it plenty of go on faster roads, while also keeping it easy to use once we hit the dirt.
‘So is it a little adventure bike, or a big enduro bike? The KTM is both and it has been designed to bridge that gap. For extreme travel enduro riding it will offer unrivalled performance in its segment.’
Having been developed alongside the latest 450RR Rally bike has obviously had an influence both on its styling and practicalities. The 790 has inherited similar low-slung fuel tanks, that give it a staggering claimed range in excess of 400 kms while maintaining a low centre of gravity for ease of handling, especially on the dirt. Long-time partners WP provide the suspension, which is long travel and fully adjustable, so it can handle the hardcore off-road work. The shock absorber will also use KTM’s Progressive Damper System, which does away with a suspension linkage in favour of direct mounting, like in their Enduro bikes. Despite the tall suspension the 790 still has a low seat height and adjustable ergonomics, so that it can be made comfortable for all different stature of riders. Further focusing the off-road intentions, the 790 Adventure R comes with 21 inch front and an 18 inch rear spoked wheels to offer a large range of off-road tyres and has the option of off-road ABS. As well, the 790 will have other electronic rider aids such as traction control and adjustable riding modes. So is it a little adventure bike, or a big enduro bike? The KTM is both and it has been designed to bridge that gap. For extreme travel enduro riding it will offer unrivalled performance in its segment.
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Vespa’s super cool Sprint 50 - modern urban chic Traffic queues in any big city are a nightmare, an annoying fact of life that cannot be escaped without an escape to a lifestyle block in the country – or by riding a scooter - classed as a moped - on a car licence. WORDS: DAN MCGRANE
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‘The Sprint has been around for half a century and more, and the factory made sure that the looks, however updated, pay proper homage to the original.’
That’s right, with a car licence we can legally ride around on a cool and stylish machine that will also save us money on fuel as well. Who can say no to that? So let’s meet one of the most stylish and sophisticated there is - the Vespa Sprint 50. The Sprint has been around for half a century and more, and the factory made sure that the looks, however updated, pay proper homage to the original. Power comes from the “i-get” engines that produce 2.4 kW. As with all their products, the powers that be down at Piaggio/Vespa take the little Vespino very seriously. The cyclops headlight rides within the handlebar housing in keeping with the old school style, but rather than going all the way with a round light, the factory kind of modernised it with a hexagonal face and LED tech. A monocoque structure relies on the tunnel for the stiffness it brings to the table, and that necessarily interrupts the step-through a bit but the factory kept the intrusion to a minimum. The wasp-like taper at the rear makes another direct connection to the original, but thankfully, the factory drew the line at the hoops and chucked on a pair of 12-inch wheels rather than the doughnuts of old. As usual for Vespa, a stressed-skin assembly provides the structure without the benefit, or weight, of a bulky underframe. Steel members come stamped in compound shapes for strength and stiffness with welded reinforcement pieces to soak up the strain at the high-stress points. The end result is a stiff and light, self-supporting body.
Like the old-school Sprints, the steering column is kept narrow by virtue of its aircraft landing gear-style suspension system that uses a single-side connection to the wheel with a trailing link and coil-over shock to absorb the bumps. Another coil-over shock supports the rear end off the back of the swing-mount drive unit to complete the suspension. A pair of 12-inch, cast-aluminum rims round out the rolling chassis. Vespa’s i-get powerplant drives this classic line into the future with Euro 4 emissions compliance and performance commensurate with its vintage. This 50 cc engine measures out at 49.9 cc with a 39 mm barrel and 41.8 mm stroke. Forced-air cooling carries off the waste heat and a single over-head cam times the three-valve head, all of which is appropriately simple. Equally appropriate is the new electronic fuel injection system that manages the induction and helps the engine meet the strict emissions requirements. This littlest Sprint motor generates a total of 2.2 lb-ft and 3.2 hp at 7,500 rpm with the accustomed twist-andgo operation from the CVT gearbox. So, cool enough for both young and old with a touch of Italian chic, and all we need to ride one is a car licence. Anyone for a Latte?
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| CAR NEWS |
Throwing the spotlight on latest marque releases Toyota Supra Toyota was one of the busiest brands at the Geneva Motor Show, and its undoubted star was the GR Supra Racing Concept - the clearest indication yet of what to expect from the forthcoming Supra shown here. Sister to the next BMW Z4, this uncompromising fifthgeneration sports car is being developed by Gazoo Racing. It will be a front-engined, rearwheel-drive coupĂŠ, and its sixcylinder engine could develop up to 330bhp, for a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds.
Mercedes GLB When we see the picture of the GLB, it’s easy to work out how it fits in the Mercedes line-up. Where the new GLA is more of a high-riding hatch focusing on on-road abilities, the GLB is inspired by the classic G-Wagen, with its boxy lines aiming to appeal to buyers wanting on-road style and off-road substance. What it does share with the GLA is its platform. It will be based on the same architecture as the new A-Class, so we can expect front and four-wheel-drive versions, as well as a wide range of petrol and diesel engines.
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| CAR NEWS |
Aston Martin DBX We’ve yet to see the final version of the DBX that will roll out of Aston’s new factory in south Wales next year, but we know it’ll be a high-end SUV to rival the Porsche Cayenne, Lamborghini Urus and Maserati Levante. Although the concept pictured here looks like a two-door coupé, the final production car is described as the marque’s first “family-friendly” SUV and will have five doors. Likewise, although the concept was allelectric and all-wheel drive, we believe buyers will also be offered conventional petrol engines.
Renault Clio The new Clio shown here can’t come soon enough, because a host of new rivals, such as the Ford Fiesta, have landed very recently. To counter them, the Clio will boast the revised looks seen in our exclusive image, a new platform (shared with the Nissan Micra) and the possibility of a “mild-hybrid” version. The big changes will be in the cabin, with a larger touchscreen in the centre of the dash and a big step up in the quality of the materials..
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| LIFESTYLE: CARS |
Corvette crowns its new king - form & function in harmony The ZR1 has returned to the throne to push the Corvette legacy to its highest point ever. It’s a supercar that is at once luxurious and overwhelmingly capable, delivering the icon’s fastest, most powerful, most advanced performance in a production Corvette to date.
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| LIFESTYLE: CARS |
From the commanding stance to the muscular lines to the extensive use of carbon fibre, ZR1 was designed with one purpose in mind - performance. Take, for example, the stunning chevron-patterned carbonfibre halo hood and engine cover. Meticulously crafted to shed weight and house the potent engine beneath - their shapes are every bit as functional as they are stunning. The most powerful production Corvette ever made, ZR1 wields a new hand-assembled 6.2L LT5 supercharged small block V8 engine - an engineering marvel deservingly crowned by the book-matched carbon-fibre cover. The Z1R delivers 755 horsepower and 715 foot pounds of torque - most of which is available from 2200rpm to the redline. A top track speed of 212 mph makes the 2019 ZR1 the fastest production Corvette ever. A new four-mode exhaust system provides a range of sound profiles - Track, Sport, Tour and Stealth. Using variable valves, this system can create either a thunderous performance or an unbelievably covert ride. So it’s up to us whether to announce our presence or fly under the radar. Supreme power finds balance on 19-inch front and 20-inch rear aluminum wheels clad in Michelin Pilot Super Sport P285/30ZR19 front and P335/25ZR20 rear. Or we can opt for the ZTK Track Performance Package to connect to road and track with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 and a uniquely tuned suspension. Standard high-performance Brembo carbon ceramic brakes provide ultimate stopping performance. Front: 15.5-inch rotors with 6-piston calipers Rear: 15.3-inch rotors with 4-piston calipers
customised to give this supercar a “spot on” driving feel and works in tandem with standard Performance Traction Management and Electronic Limited-Slip Differential to give us the control and confidence to push ZR1 to its full potential.
Using technology born from the Corvette Racing programme and engineered through extensive testing, two sophisticated aerodynamic configurations allow ZR1 to channel its supercar strength with precision and poise. The standard rear wing is a significant top speed enabler, offering 20 percent less drag than the adjustable high wing, yet still helping to create more downforce than the standard Z06. The stanchion-mounted carbon-fibre high wing creates about 60 percent more downforce than the current Z06. It can be manually adjusted up to five degrees for different levels of downforce. So what’s it like to live in? Two interior configurations welcome us into a truly driver-focused oasis. ZR1 features standard Jet Black leather seating surfaces with available microfibre inserts and unique ZR1 badging. 3ZR adds the full array of Corvette interior colour options, heated and vented Napa leather seating surfaces, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with carbon-fibre rim, the Performance Data Recorder, Bose premium audio and more. Competition Sport seats are available on both trims. So with performance cars all going smaller motors with turbos, here is some real American metal with a storming V8 soundtrack to boot.
And what about the chassis? Magnetic Selective Ride Control technology reads the road every millisecond and can adjust in under 15 milliseconds. It was
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| LIFESTYLE: CARS |
Volvo’s XC40 – a premium compact luxury four-wheeler The Volvo XC40 is the newest addition to the Swedish automaker’s SUV lineup and it joins a growing segment of compact sport-utility vehicles and crossovers currently dominating the market.
| #96 |
| LIFESTYLE: CARS |
Now eight years into its relaunch as a luxury brand under the Chinese automotive conglomerate, Geely Holding Group, Volvo has launched seven new models, three of which are SUVs - the XC90, XC60, and now the XC40. The 40 is built on Volvo’s proprietary smallcar skeleton, denoted as the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform which was codeveloped with Geely. As automobiles go, being the smallest and least expensive model in a lineup usually means it will have to make some compromises - the evidence of which might manifest itself in lower-quality materials and fewer options than the pricier models.
The XC40 really hits a sweet spot among the current crop compact luxury SUVs. It’s large enough for cargo and crew, but remains nimble and responsive on the road. The available active safety and driver-assist features are well executed.
That is not the case here. The XC40 feels nearly every bit as premium as a compact luxury four-wheeler should.
It’s an attractive and capable vehicle that’s distinctively Volvo, and comes in at a price point that positions the company to reach new customers.
From the moment we pull open its hefty doors, plant ourselves into the sculpted, leather and Alcantarawrapped driver’s seat, and grip the thick-rimmed steering wheel with the stoic chrome-plated Volvo badge planted dead-centre, we realise we’re about to pilot a very capable, exceptionally well-built machine.
All that’s missing is an electric variant, which is currently in development. Given the current obsession for these compact luxury SUVs, and the growing demand for affordable electric vehicles, an all-electric XC40 could conceivably dominate the market once it hits the road.
At the same time, it’s also quaint - and very comfortable. Unlike its larger siblings, the XC40 has no plugin hybrid variant yet. It can only be had with one of two versions of the company’s four-cylinder, turbocharged, petrol engines - available with 187 horsepower, or a more energetic 248 horsepower variant. An all-electric version is currently in development.
So another SUV but from another manufacturer with its own distinct style and history and far removed from the box shaped cars we used to see from them. Roll on summer.
Current generation Volvos are some of the few luxury cars that boast a family resemblance from the front and the back. The upswept tail lights are instantly recognisable. Even from a distance, everyone will know you’re driving Swedish.
| #97 |
| LIFESTYLE: CARS |
Citroen bring their unique twist to the SUV market As always Citroen have their own unique way of doing things. We only have to look at the DS and 2CV, which were both groundbreakers at the time.
| #98 |
| LIFESTYLE: CARS |
Well here is their new offering - the C5 Aircross. At 4.5m long, this new SUV stands out on the road thanks to its non-aggressive, powerful and dynamic personality. Bringing a breath of fresh air into the SUV segment, the C5 Aircross comes with a wide and imposing front-end design, high bonnet and flowing lines punctuated with strong graphic features such as the air bump with its coloured insert, large 720mm diameter wheels, 230mm ground clearance, rocker panel and wheel arch protectors, and stylish, twotone roof bars. It also boasts a panoramic glazed sunroof. The side design shows off a flowing roof design and continuous glass waistline, highlighted by a “C” chrome-finished signature, reflecting the car’s interior space. The rear of the vehicle is stocky, wide and tall, showing elements of the spaciousness and the class leading boot capacity (from 580 to 720 litres). The four rear headlamps create a deep 3D effect on each side of the vehicle. The Aircross is fitted with the Progressive Hydraulic Cushions suspension system, a Citroën innovation driven by the company’s expertise in the suspension field. This technology, which arose from the brand’s experience in motorsport, improves shock absorption, in particular when going over bumps and dips in the road, by reducing bouncing from recoil. This technology provides greater flexibility freedom in the car’s clearance to achieve a “magic carpet ride” effect giving the impression that the car is gliding over the ground. The wide and comfortable seats of new Aircross give passengers the feeling of pure comfort in a portable living room. It has 15mm-thick foam that ensures their softness and durability. The front seats are filled with high-density foam to avoid poor posture after long periods of driving, and can be adjusted vertically. The headrests can be adjusted vertically and length ways. The front seats also offer a multipoint massage system.
With three individual, adjustable rear seats, the C5 is the most modular vehicle in its segment. These seats are all the same width and can be adjusted forward and back, which makes it possible to adapt the interior space or boot capacity. They are inclineadjustable with five positions, and can be easily removed to form a flat floor thanks to the two-level boot floor. It also boasts many storage compartments, including the central armrest, which covers a large cooled compartment. The Aircross also offers a wide range of technologies aimed at increasing on-board comfort. These include keyless entry and start, electronic parking brake, park assist, reversing camera with top rear vision and 360 vision also. It even has a coffee break alert. They must know at Citroen how much we Kiwis love our coffee. In the engine department we have two choices in petrol and three in diesel. These are listed as PureTech 130 S&S 6-speed manual and PureTech 180 S&S 8-speed automatic petrol and BlueHDi 130 6-speed manual, BlueHDi 130 S&S 8-speed automatic and BlueHDi 180 S&S 8-speed automatic diesels. So overall Citroen have certainly chosen their own unique twist to form and function and definitely a style of their own - as only the French can do.
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| LIFESTYLE: WINE |
| LIFESTYLE: CRUISING |
Shipping aboard a South Seas’ freighter Aranui 5 relives the romance - in comfort Shipping aboard a freighter to wander the South Seas is a romantic notion most thought lost in the 21st century. Aranui Cruises’ 125-metre long mixed cargo and passenger vessel Aranui 5 is one of the few remaining cargo cruise experiences in the world and in 2020, the ship will offer 20 scheduled cruises around French Polynesia, mostly consisting of its regular 13-day round trip voyage from Papeete to Hiva Oa, Nuka Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Tahuata, and Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas; Bora Bora in the Society Islands; and Rangiroa and Fakarava in the Tuamotus. While guests disembark and enjoy a range of complimentary guided excursions including hikes, 4WD tours, local feasts and visits to archaeological sites, Aranui’s Polynesian crew unload cargo, with the vessel acting as a lifeline to the remote island ports it visits. Aranui Cruises regional representative for Australia and New Zealand, Laurent Wong, said the cruise line has been offering a unique cargo-passenger experience for more than 30 years and was proud to take international visitors to some of the most beautiful and remote corners of French Polynesia. “Our regular round trip voyage to the Marquesas and Tuamotus is still the best way to access some of the most culturally-rich islands in French Polynesia, all while enjoying an authentic Polynesian experience onboard our special cargo cruise ship Aranui 5.” “To celebrate the launch of our 2020 programme, we’re offering a few discounted cruises to pack even more value into our already great value cruise fare, which includes more than $2000 worth of guided shore excursions, a weekly laundry service, three meals per day, complimentary French wine with onboard lunches and dinners, and calls to nine Tahitian islands including a fabulous picnic on a secluded island in Bora Bora’s blue lagoon.”
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| LIFESTYLE: CRUISING |
| #102 |
| LIFESTYLE: CRUISING |
Wong said the 2020 programme would also feature an encore cruise to Pitcairn Island but it was expected to sell out quickly. There are no cruises in January 2020 as Aranui 5 will be in dry dock. Aranui 5 features a restaurant, two conference rooms, lounges, a library, a boutique, a swimming pool, a gym, a spa and four bars - including the popular Sky bar. The Marquesas Archipelago is one of the most remote island groups in the world, lying 1400 kilometres north-east of Tahiti in the Pacific Ocean and around 4800 kilometres away from the west coast of Mexico, the nearest continental land mass. Believed to have been the home of Polynesian people for almost 2000 years, the Marquesas Islands were discovered and named by Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña in 1595. Since then, the isolated island group has fascinated and intrigued European explorers, including Captain James Cook, with its dramatic beauty and the rich and turbulent history of the Marquesan people. Today the archipelago of 12 volcanic islands is an overseas collectivity of France with a population of around 10,000, and still captures the interest of historians, artists and archeologists due to its impressive collection of petroglyphs, stone tiki gods, sacred ritual sites (me’ae) and limestone platforms. For the last 60 years Aranui’s freighter ships have maintained a vital lifeline between the Marquesas and the outside world. In 1985, Aranui, which translates as “the great highway” in Maori, introduced the first comfortable passenger/freighter hybrid, offering travellers an opportunity to explore the six inhabited islands of this remote archipelago. Thirty years on, passengers can experience the 14day round trip from Tahiti in comfort onboard the modern, custom designed Aranui 5. Equipped with state of the art technology, from the bridge right through to the well-appointed suites and cabins, Aranui 5 accommodates just 254 guests who are looking for a once in a lifetime adventure. During the two-week, 3800 kilometre round-trip voyage, Aranui 5 visits the Marquesan Islands of Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Tahuata, Fatu Hiva, Hiva Oa and Ua Huka as well as Takapoto and Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Archipelago and Bora Bora in the Society Islands. On shore passengers follow in the footsteps of artist Paul Gauguin, novelist Robert Louis Stevenson, adventurer Thor Heyerdahl and poet Jacques Brel
‘Passengers will gain access to villages no other ships visit and learn about a civilisation that is passionate about their heritage.’ and discover why they were so captivated by these islands. The itinerary includes excursions by 4WD, travelling on winding mountain tracks through jungle-like valleys. As well there are guided hikes to sacred ritual sites and churches, a visit to the final resting place of Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel in Hiva Oa. There is plenty of time to explore villages, artisan markets and museums, to enjoy beach picnics, traditional feasts at local restaurants, French and Polynesian menus and some of the finest cultural performances in the South Pacific. Deep-sea fishing, horse riding and scuba diving are offered as optional activities. Passengers will gain access to villages no other ships visit and learn about a civilisation that is passionate about their heritage. And while they relax, Aranui’s sailors take control of the freight. With skillful precision they unload and load cargo at remote docks to an audience of waiting villagers. The precious cargo of food, fishing equipment, building materials, and vehicles is replaced with limes and coconuts, tonnes of copra (dried coconut), fruit, meat and fish for the return journey to Tahiti. Many of Aranui’s Polynesian crew call the Marquesas Islands home and during the journey they will introduce passengers to their land in a manner only they can provide. No, the peoples of the Marqueasas are not Tahitian. While there is a cultural unity between the Pacific Islands, the isolation of the groups dictated a different evolution. The volcanic structure, rough coast and deep valleys of the Marquesas created a tribal society, with each valley sheltering distinct tribes divided between aristocrats, priests, artisans and labourers. The Marquesan language, which includes different dialects, and while related to other areas of the Pacific, is unique, even from the other islands of French Polynesia. Constant conflict between the tribes was inevitable, creating a nation of formidable warriors.
| #103 |
| LIFESTYLE: CRUISING |
Barcelona to Athens - gym noise a nightmare on Crown Princess WORDS: ROB PRINCE
When we arrive at the cruise centre in Barcelona we’re confronted by a large crowd of passengers waiting to board to the Crown Princess. This proves no problem du to the efficiency of the booking staff - within 15 minutes we’re processed and heading for our cabin. The Crown Princess is classed as a large cruise ship with a gross tonnage of 113,561 tonnes, a draft of 8.5 metres and a length of 289.6 metres. She was built by Fincantieri of Italy, the keel being laid in 2004 and the ship delivered in May, 2006. The maximum number of guests and crew on board the Crown Princess carries is 4800, made up of 3599 guests and 1201 crew. We chose this itinerary as at would visit a lot of ports new to us. After leaving Barcelona and having our first day at sea we dock in Gibraltar, followed by Marseille, Genoa, Livorno (the port for visiting Pisa) and then on to Civitavecchia, the port of Rome. At Civitavecchia many passengers leave the ship and new passengers board for the next seven-day voyage. From Civitavecchia we cruise onto Salerno and Kotor in Montenegro before continuing onto Corfu, Chania in Crete, Mykonos and ending up in Athens. Our cabin is on Lido deck. Although this was classed as a premium suite it proved to be the biggest disappointment of our voyage. Upon arriving at our cabin we note it had everything we’d expect to find in a suite - champagne, fruit basket, mini bar and an excellent range of toiletries. Two large screen TVs, one in the bedroom and one in the lounge area, and a larger than usual deck. However we soon realise the cabin is directly under the gym and when the treadmills are in use the noise and vibration in our cabin is unbearable. The gym is open 8am until 8pm – and, sadly, this ultimately ruined our cruise. Although compensation was offered, a lesser cabin without the disturbance would have been preferred, but this was not an option as the ship was fully occupied. It was, after all, not
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compensation we wanted - just a peaceful cruise around the Mediterranean. As in all cruise ships, the dining possibilities are seemingly endless. The Horizon Court is open from 6am until 11pm offering buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Da Vinci Dining Room is also open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while the Michelangelo and Botticelli Dining Rooms are only open for set times in the evening. The two specialty restaurants are Sabatinis (Italian cuisine) and Crown Grill (steak and seafood), each requiring a small cover charge. Also available are the Salty Dog, Slice, International Cafe, Coffee and Cones and of course - if we’re still ravenous - we can always visit the Burger Bar or call for room service. There are 11 bars, clubs and lounges aboard the Crown Princess, the Calypso Bar opening from 6am until midnight. A number of the lounges and bars have entertainment in the evenings and even double up during the day for game shows and craft programmes. There is a wide range of entertainment, as we’d expect
| LIFESTYLE: CRUISING |
on a cruise ship this size. The Princess Theatre holds all the production shows with guest artists featuring with onboard cast and orchestra. The shows at the Princess Theatre are well produced and well worth attending. They have two shows a night timed to fit in with both first and second meal times. Whether we want to listen to a duo singing popular favourites in the Wheelhouse Bar or a piano and vocal entertainer in the Crooners bar most tastes are catered for. My two favourites were The Liars Club game show held in the Explorers Lounge and the Karaoke at Club Fusion. Movies Under The Stars also had a great following, held on decks 15 and 16 on a massive outdoor screen. They have a range of both new releases and old favourites. At the time we were on board they were also showing the World Cup soccer on the big screen - with all the popcorn we can eat. Because of the ongoing problems with the vibration and noise in our cabin we have a lot of contact with both the guest relations staff and the gym. Although our problems are never solved we received a
tremendous amount of support. Dylan, our cabin steward, does a magnificent job keeping our cabin spotless, looking after our laundry and even replacing the flowers in the bathroom. The staff in general go out of their way to be helpful and are a credit to the Crown Princess. In more than 80 cruises on all types of cruise vessels, I have enjoyed every one until now. I have never been so pleased to get off a ship as I have been to get off the Crown Princess. Being in a suite, one of their premium cabins, I thought this would be a journey to be enjoyed. However the noise and vibration from the gym above ruined our whole experience. The cost of these premium cabins is not cheap, and being offered a 10 per cent discount for putting us through 14 days of mental torture I consider an insult. On returning home we have further contact with Princess Cruises and are offered further compensation and an apology. This went a long way any to repairing our differences with Princess Cruises and as we have had a lot of very enjoyable voyages on various Princess ships we will look forward to sailing with them in the future.
| #105 |
| LIFESTYLE: CRUISING |
Exploring Europe by longboat with Viking River Cruises WORDS: ROB PRINCE
A broken suitcase wheel dictates that the five minute walk from the Sofitel Chain Bridge hotel in Budapest is forsaken in favour of a cab ride to the dock to join Viking River Cruises. On boarding the Viking Embla our wounded bag is whisked away and by the time we get to the cabin 10 minutes later is already installed in our cabin. For this adventure, we are to enjoy Viking Longship Embla and Viking Longship Lif .We are told that Viking has 64 ships on the rivers of Europe and at sea. The Embla and Lif are both Longships – all being named after Viking Gods. After sailing aboard both the Embla and the Lif it is very hard to tell them apart, both being identical in most ways. As the name suggests, these really are longships - being 132 metres in length with a beam of 11.6 metres. They comprise four decks, 95 staterooms and carry 190 guests. Weighing in at 2800 tonnes, the longboats are capable of 12 knots. The propulsion on these vessels is diesel electric, the diesel power being supplied by two C18 and two C22 Caterpillar engines. The itinerary we choose is called The Grand European Tour. This starts in Budapest and finishes in Amsterdam. Our first two ports of call in Austria are Vienna and Melk. From here it’s on to Germany visiting Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Koblenz, and Cologne. Our last city before arriving in Amsterdam is Kinderdijk in the Netherlands. In each of these ports a free shore excursion is offered. For those who would like to see a little more there, are many optional tours on offer that come at an additional charge. We are in one of the Veranda staterooms on board. The stateroom is very well laid out with a private bathroom that has heated floors no-fog mirrors and premium Freya toiletries. The Veranda has floor to ceiling glass doors and is furnished with two deck chairs and a table. The cabin has plenty of wardrobe and drawer space and along with a king size bed and a 42-inch TV, telephone,
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safe, refrigerator, hair dryer and individual climate control. Voltage is 220v and 110 volts with USB ports. Bottled water is replenished daily and free wifi is available. There are five types of stateroom available,starting with the standard stateroom at 14 sq m, the French balcony at 12.5 sq m, the veranda at 19 sq m, the Veranda suite at 25.5 sq m and the Explorer Suite at 41 sq m. There are two main dining options - the first appriopriately called the Restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in one sitting. The other is the Aquavit Terrace. Both restaurants serve the same menu which consists of regional cuisine along with classical American dishes. While the Restaurant has a full waiter service the Aquavit Terrace is a lot more informal. The quality of the food and service is of a very high standard, with wine, beer or soft drinks being complimentary during lunch and dinner services. Twenty four hour tea and coffee is available from two areas onboard along with cookies and pastries. The bar on board is situated in the Viking Lounge, a comfortable sitting area with magnificent views and extremely friendly staff. Most evenings at 9pm there is be a show in the Viking Lounge. These range from a talk on Viking
| LIFESTYLE: CRUISING |
Longships by the captain, an operatic evening with four entertainers through to live glassblowing. We are entertained during lunch and in the evening by Julia and Tony. Tony not only plays the keyboard, guitar and violin but also has a great voice. Both the Viking Embla and Viking Lif carry a crew of 51, including the captain. On the Embla we have Helen looking after our cabin and on the Lif we have Anna, both doing a marvellous job in keeping our cabins clean and tidy and looking after any little problems that crop up. It appears the majority of the crew came either from the Phillipines or Romania. It would be hard to pick which nationality was the best as they all treated us like royalty. I have to pick out one of the ship’s company who changed ships and was with us for the whole journey. Leonard was the programme director, and within 24 hours of being on board all the passengers know Leonard. He looks after all the land-based tours, runs the entertainment in the evenings and, at times, is the entertainment. I have never met a programme director as dedicated. All the guests who sail with Leonard, I am sure, will go home with great memories of the sites they have seen in Europe, but will also have the memories of the time spent with this marvellous tour director. This was a very interesting voyage in many ways as it started out as one cruise and ended up as two. Our journey begins in Budapest on the Viking Embla but as the water levels were two low in parts of the Danube for the Embla to navigate we have to go by bus between Passau and Nuremberg. This is a three-
‘As the name suggests, these really are longships being 132 metres in length with a beam of 11.6 metres. They comprise four decks, 95 staterooms and carry 190 guests.’ hour bus trip to join the Viking Lif. The logistics of arranging this detour must have been a nightmare, but thanks once again to Leonard all goes well and we are soon back sailing toward Amsterdam. We did have one disappointment and that was the optional excursion Behind the Scenes at the Lipizzaner Stallions (The Spanish Riding School) in Vienna. We join this tour on a Monday but unfortunately that’s the day the riding school takes a day off. As a result, this tour consists of only 35 minutes - with the horses being confined to the stables. After talking to people who joined the Tuesday excursion I’d advise others to avoid the Monday tour. The lucky Tuesday excursion includes rehearsals and an opportunity to pose with both riders and horses. Overall, If I were to cruise the rivers of Europe in the future I will consider Viking my first choice as their professionalism stands out in every way.
| #107 |
| LIFESTYLE: CRUISING |
Voyaging around the British Isles aboard the Royal Princess WORDS: ROB PRINCE
We’re not looking forward to boarding in Southampton as more than 3000 other guests will accompany us. However we are delighted upon arriving at the pier that our cases are taken by a porter as we get out of the cab. Princess Cruises have got the registering of guests down to a fine art. Within 20 minutes we are at our cabin door. The Royal Princess is another large cruise ship, displacing 142,714 gross tonnes. She was built by Fincantieri Cantieri, Monfalcone, Italy and was launched in 2013. At 330 metres in length the Royal Princess is capable of carrying 3560 passengers spread over 17 decks - and 1345 crew around the oceans of the world at a service speed of 22 knots. Ships of this size are not cheap to build and when launched the cost of the Royal Princess was 775 million Euros. This is a busy itinerary by cruise standards. Of our 12 days on board we only have two days at sea. Starting in Southampton our first port of call is St Peter Port on the island of Guernsey, the next day it is on to Cobh (Cork) followed by Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast and Greenock (Glasgow) before we have our first sea day. We then venture on to Invergorden and South Queensberry (Edinburgh) before visited Le Havre and on back to Southampton. This is a great itinerary covering a range of different cultures. The Royal Princess has a total of 1780 cabins, with 36 suites, 306 Mini Suites, 360 Deluxe Balcony, 732 Balcony and 342 Inside berths. We are in the Tahiti Suite that is located at the aft end of the ship. Being 60 sq m (including the balcony) this cabin is large by any standards. Being at the stern of the Royal Princess, with a wrap-around deck we are spoiled for views. We’re delighted with the choices on board - with 13 dining options. The International Cafe is open 24 hours serving coffee pastries, cakes and the like. The Symphony dining room is only open for anytime
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dining between 5pm and 9pm while the Concerto is open the same hours for booked guests. One of the two main restaurants open for breakfast, lunch and dinner is the Horizon Court, seating 900 indoors and 350 outdoors in the adjacent horizon terrace, serving bistro-style meals from 5am to 9pm .The other, Allegro, is a traditional restaurant for those who prefer waiter service. Sabatini’s Italian Restaurant, The Crown Grill (serving all-American premium quality steaks and grilled seafood) and Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar are also available for a small surcharge. Other venues for dining are Gelato, Alfredo’s Pizzeria, Pretoria Pizzeria, Swirls Ice Cream Bar and the Trident Grill for burgers, fries and fast food. With 12 bars, clubs and lounges on board we never have far to go for that early cocktail or cup of coffee. The Outrigger Bar is open from 6am until midnight. Nearly all the bars offer some sort of entertainment in the evening, and if we’ve nothing planned it is a pleasant stroll through the ship listening and watching. My two choices in the evening are Crooners or the Wheelhouse Bar. There are a lot of added benefits when booking a suite, not only the extra room but also having a separate dining area for
| LIFESTYLE: CRUISING |
both breakfast and dinner - and complimentary laundry service, complimentary dinner in a specialty restaurant on embarkation day, priority dining and shore excursion reservations and disembarkation at tender ports, one complimentary mini bar setup and upgraded bathroom amenities. Also available is the concierge lounge , a very pleasant lounge where tea, coffee and light snacks are always available. The main entertainment venue is the 1000-seat Princess Theatre, the main show lounge. Being two decks high, it is designed for large-scale production shows. As it has no pillars good views are available from all seats, quite a feat for such a large auditorium. Most of the shows in the Princess Theatre are themed to the port we were visiting at the time. My most remembered being the Backbeat Beatles presented while we are in Liverpool. During the evening and on into the night we can find entertainment to suit any taste from classical and contemporary melodies with the Imperial Trio in the Wheelhouse lounge or guitarist and vocalist Ella Ryan in the Crooners Lounge. Always popular are the Movies under the Stars that featured new release movies nightly and during the day. The Royal Princess has a crew of 1346 and as such we are - as the ship’s name suggests - treated like royalty. Our cabin steward, Velinton, is always in the
background tending to all our needs as was Norma in the Suite Lounge, Princess always seem to have crew willing to go that extra mile. The staff, as on all Princess ships, is a bit like the United Nations and coming from all corners of the world. One thing they all have in common is the will to give their very best to the passengers at all times. I don’t think I heard one complaint about the crew during the entire voyage. We picked this cruise because of the itinerary and this turned out every bit as good as we had expected. Being a large resort ship we did not know what to expect of the Royal Princess. As it transpires, we are pleasantly surprised. For a ship of this size with as many passengers as she is able to carry, we never feel crowded. Although the pool areas do get busy, there is always a seat to be had. The Piazza Atrium is the hub of the ship and here we can find specialty eateries along with shopping and passenger services. This area does at times become a little bit hectic as it also has a dance floor and becomes “entertainment central” during certain times of the day and evening.
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| LIFESTYLE: WINE |
Rosé – care needed in selecting our summer quaff WORDS: LIZ WHEADON There are many different styles of Rosé, ranging from full bodied tannic rosé to those that taste a little more like candies from the local store. Some of these stylistic differences come from the way the rosé is made, part from the varieties used and some from the part of the world in which they are produced. There are three main ways to produce rosé wines: • • •
Through skin contact Saignée method Blending
The first is most commonly used when the aim from the start to finish is to make rosé. Red skinned grapes are picked and then crushed, the skin and the juice are left together for a short period. After this the skins are pressed and then discarded prior to the fermentation. In red wine production, the skins would remain with the juice till after fermentation. The resulting colour of the rosé depends on how long the skins and juice have been in contact. This method of producing rosé usually results in wines with tannin and a reasonable amount of colour. The second method – Saignée, or bleeding - is a technique where rosé is made as a secondary product to red wine production. This method of production involves removing some of the pink juices from the initial crushing of the red grapes. This juice is then fermented and a rosé produced. By doing this the red wine being produced has more tannin and colour. This style of production results in very light fruity rosé. The third method is blending. This is where red and white wines are blended to produce a rosé wine. This method is not as common as the first two and is, in fact, banned in Europe, except in Champagne, where some rosé champagne is made this way, predominantly with Chardonnay and a little Pinot Noir added. So, what makes a great Rose and what should you be looking for? One thing is for sure, making the decision based on the colour alone, whilst providing a little guidance, is not all that useful. Being armed with a little more info is always a good idea. Cote du Provence Rose. It’s a very large area and not
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all are excellent in quality, so be very wary of cheap Cote du Provence. Cote du Provence does produce some of the most exceptional Rose in the world, the very best have a gorgeous fragrance, a delicate hue and wonderful texture. Rose made because it was intended to be Rose. The very best Rose are those made year in, year out, those made from grapes intended for Rose, not from grapes that did not make the red wine cut. Large bottles are definitely the way to go and we’ve got that sorted with a wonderful collection of magnums and three litre bottles for this summer. Selected with care. Rose sales are booming and it’s no surprise that there’s a very large number of Rose being made in New Zealand and imported into the country. To ensure that we carry only the best, what
| LIFESTYLE: WINE |
‘The very best Rose are those made year in, year out, those made from grapes intended for Rose, not from grapes that did not make the red wine cut.’
we did this year (as we do regularly) was taste all the potential Rose that we could stock and have selected very carefully. The range then in a Glengarry store is one you can have a high level of confidence in. For me a great Rose will have an attractive aromatic nose, pretty florals with a touch of herbal spice. On the palate, there will be fresh fruit, a lively acidity and a full mid palate with plenty of texture and interest. The finish for me needs to tend towards dry and be very refreshing.
Recommended Rose for this summer
Chateau Leoube Rose and Secret de Leoube are two of my favourites. The Léoube estate was bought by the current owners in 1997. Seduced by Léoube’s history and beauty, they set out to make wines with character that were true to their terroir, while remaining respectful of nature. Following a back-to-basics philosophy, they believe in strengthening the land’s biodiversity and natural defences by employing traditional growing methods and using only natural, non-toxic treatments. As such, the grapes are all harvested by hand, in tune with the seasonal and lunar cycles. Their belief is that if we respect the balance of the plant then we will get the most balanced fruit in return, and the flourishing of the
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| LIFESTYLE: WINE |
vines (and olive trees) at Léoube stand as testimony to this approach. Chateau Riotor is another wonderful French Rose. Château Riotor is located in the heart of the Massif des Maures region. The Château is a Provencal country house surrounded by pine and cork oaks that are more than 100 years old. The property is 85 hectares and home to 48 hectares of vine. Most of the vines are Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. Château Riotor has been owned by four generations of the Abeille family, who were until recently also behind Château Mont-Redon. Since a major renovation in 1988, the estate is equipped with modern winemaking equipment, which has enabled the winery to dramatically increase their wine’s quality. Sticking with France for one more recommendation (the list could be quite long) Chateau Puech Haut is a recent newcomer to New Zealand and is already making waves. Gérard Bru, owner of the Puech-Haut estate, is a man of great personal resources. An industrialist who decided to go into wine production, he returned to his oldest passion working on the land. His habit is to think big. For him, half-measures will never do. He knows where he’s going and how to get there. From his years in industry, he has honed the skills of management and development. He is a man of the “land” and he has always been someone who insists on concrete results and not just talk. While some dream and plan, he is a doer. Starting with a land devoid of any grapes, he has built what is now one of the largest vineyards in the region, and at its heart was born the “Château PuechHaut,” built from the stones of the old Prefecture of Montpellier. This was originally a bourgeois residence built in Italian style between the 17th and 18th centuries, and it was slated for demolition. Grape varieties that were originally chosen for the vineyard were Grenache and Syrah. After that, Gérard Bru bought some neighbouring lands with old Carignans (50 to 60 years old) and planted some hectares with the three white varieties of the Rhône – Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Today the vineyard stretches across 184 hectares, including 92 in Saint Drézéry and 19 in Pic Saint Loup. Their appellation era is Coteaux du Languedoc, Saint Drézéry, which is the name of the community and the smallest of the “terroirs” of Languedoc. Turning to New Zealand, Waipara Hills Rose from North Canterbury packs above its weight for sure. In their relatively short history, Waipara Hills have
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‘Château Riotor has been owned by four generations of the Abeille family, who were until recently also behind Château Mont-Redon. Since a major renovation in 1988, the estate is equipped with modern winemaking equipment, which has enabled the winery to dramatically increase their wine’s quality.’ accumulated more than 200 awards, a glittering hoard that would, no doubt, have the acquisitive Smaug salivating. It’s an impressive record that reinforces just how consistently good their wines are. From their home base in the Waipara Valley, the company operates three vineyards - The Home Block, The Deans and The Mound, source of fruit for the flagship, limited edition Equinox range. Recognising their worth, Waipara Hills have also expanded into prime parts of Marlborough and Central Otago, with their Waipara Hills range showcasing the very best of the South Island. And from Central Otago, Terra Sancta’s Rose is my favourite. Terra Sancta, which translates to “sacred earth” or a “special place,” is located in Bannockburn, Central Otago. The team and owners at Terra Sancta not only aim to create “thrilling and memorable” wines, but also providing people with a great experience. After all, as Terra Sancta puts it, "wine is a part of life, not separate from it."
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