ISSUE 53 APRIL/MAY 2018 ISSUE 53 APRIL/MAY 2018 THE MAGAZINE FOR CORPORATE AND LEISURE TRAVELLERS
U.S.A. Anaheim Las Vegas
New Orleans
Best Festivals Best Beer Capitals The Killing Fields Cambodia
9
771176
461001
$9.95 inc GST
Tahiti French Decadence A Taste of NZ Nelson/Marlborough
contents 7
8 58
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
57 ASIA 83 PACIFIC ISLANDS 97 AUSTRALIA 111 NEW ZEALAND 125 CRUISING 137 BEYOND 149 BUSINESS SECTION
120
21
4 www.letstravelmag.com Contents
United States of Amercia New Orleans 8 Anaheim 24 Beer Capitals 42 Las Vegas 48 Best Festivals 52
Destination USA, New Orleans
New Orleans…A Brief History Before the founding of the city, Native Americans of the Woodland and Mississippian cultures lived in the area that is now Greater New Orleans.
E
xplorers passed through in the 16th and 17th centuries, but it was not until 1718 that Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, founded New Orleans on high ground 100 miles from the mouth of the Mississippi River. The original city was centred around the Place d’Armes, which is now Jackson Square. A hurricane destroyed most of the young New Orleans in 1722, and it was after this that the streets were laid out and rebuilt in a grid pattern, creating what we now call the French Quarter.
The colonists who populated New Orleans in those early days contended with many adverse circumstances, such as illness, swamp land and intermittent supplies. They also brought with them the practice of slavery, and enslaved not only the local indigenous population, but also imported slaves from Africa. The French ruled over the city until 1763, when they ceded the territory to the Spanish. Another 40 years later, the French regained control of the colony in 1803, and shortly
8 www.letstravelmag.com U.S.A., New Orleans
thereafter sold it to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase. By the middle of the 19th century, New Orleans had grown to a population of 170,000, it had become the wealthiest city in the United States, and was a bustling port of strategic importance. The city was also home to many free people of colour…a business and property owning population, unique in the United States. During the Civil War New Orleans was captured by Union forces only a year into the conflict.
Destination USA, Anaheim
Anaheim For Adults By Tim Roxborogh Visit Anaheim
24 www.letstravelmag.com U.S.A., Anaheim, California
Visit Anaheim
N
ormally I don’t need too much arm-twisting to get up and sing. It was an open secret during my pre-marriage, inner-city bachelor-pad years that I was a visitor to Auckland karaoke venues with a near alarming frequency. While married, suburban, cat-tastic life may’ve curbed my Saturday night urges, it hasn’t wiped them out altogether. As I say, I don’t normally require much encouragement, but this was different. Not only was this California – unquestionably the epicentre of the American entertainment industry – but more specifically, this was the famed House Of Blues in Anaheim. Yes indeed, the same House Of Blues where everyone from BB King
Destination USA, Anaheim
Newport Beach & Huntington Beach By Tim Roxborogh
K
nowing you’re about to snore while getting a massage is fairly embarrassing. I was doing everything in my power to stay awake, but it was a losing battle as I started to drift into semi-dreams. For a non-snorer this wouldn’t be an issue, but for someone who sounds like they’re chopping down a rainforest almost the instant they’re asleep, it’s definitely ‘a thing’. Face down in that little circular hole in the headrest of the massage table so you can breathe, it happened. I’m not entirely sure how to spell out the exact phonetics of the noises I make while sleeping, but it is something of a whirring honk. A whirring honk I normally block out with ear-buds and that against all odds my wife can sleep through.
34 www.letstravelmag.com U.S.A., Anaheim, California
Asia Cambodia Raffles Phnom Penh Uzbekistan Malaysia
58 64 68 74
Australia, Hamilton Island www.letstravelmag.com 57
Destination Asia, Cambodia
Bloodshed in Cambodia Words & images by Gayle Dickson
It was only the week before that I was at Cu Chi and admiring the ingenuity and cunning of the Vietnamese. I thus booked in for a tour of the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. At this point, I’ll say outright that this had to be one of the most depressing explorations I’ve ever conducted. Intriguing, but quite miserable.
58 www.letstravelmag.com Asia, Cambodia
Destination Asia, Malaysia
The St. Regis Hotel, Langkawi, Malaysia Words & images by Tim Roxborogh
The main complex of the St Regis
74 www.letstravelmag.com Asia, Malaysia
7 PM
Pacific Islands New Caledonia 84 Malamala Beach Club, Fiji 90 Tahiti 92
Australia, Hamilton Island www.letstravelmag.com 83
Destination Pacific Islands, New Caledonia
The Lagoon’s Big Five Five aquatic animals you can (and should) see when visiting New Caledonia
84 www.letstravelmag.com Pacific Islands, New Caledonia
Destination Pacific Islands, Fiji
Malamala… The World’s First Island Beach Club
S
urrounded by Fiji’s famous crystal clear waters, Malamala Beach Club introduces you to the world’s first beach club located on its very own island, just 25 minutes from Port Denarau. Experience one of the beach club’s day passes and enjoy white sand beaches, beachside cabanas, a resort style infinity edge pool, and views across the Mamanucas from Fiji’s best located island. Malamala Beach Club offers a delicious a-la-carte menu from light bites to tame your craving or pacific inspired meals and shared platters, an array of hand crafted cocktails and a club like atmosphere with laid back tunes mixed all day long.
90 www.letstravelmag.com Pacific Islands, Fiji
Australia Mornington Peninsula 98 Queensland 102 Jackalope Hotel 108
Australia, Hamilton Island www.letstravelmag.com 97
Destination Australia, Victoria
Mornington Peninsula Eats and Drinks – From Paddock to Palate! Words & images by Shane Boocock
Jackalope Hotel
98 www.letstravelmag.com Australia, Victoria
Destination Australia, Victoria
The Jackalope Hotel An Escape from Reality
J
ust a one-hour drive from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula has long been known as Melbourne’s summer playground. Framed by two spectacular coastlines, the region offers some of Australia’s best food and wine, adventure and leisure activities. However, beyond the selection of sumptuous food and wine dished up by more than 50 cellar doors, the region’s array of surf and sheltered bay beaches, natural hot springs, national parks, and the region’s rating as Australia’s top golfing destination, contribute to the perfect mix of coastal and country reverie. The first thing you notice on arrival at the Jackalope Hotel is the seven metre high black Jackalope (a mythical creature) sculpture sitting at the entrance.
108 www.letstravelmag.com Australia, Victoria
New Zealand Nelson 112 Cordis Hotel, Auckland 116 Camp Glenorchy 120 Top Ten Best B&Bs 122
Australia, Hamilton Island www.letstravelmag.com 111
Destination New Zealand, Nelson/Tasman
Top 10 Experiences in Nelson/Tasman
Wharariki Beach, Golden Bay
N
Kahurangi National Park
112 www.letstravelmag.com New Zealand, Nelson/Tasman
elson/Tasman – a place with palpable energy, where all the best bits of New Zealand are distilled into a single destination, where a world-class cider experience, consistently high sunshine hours and the clearest lake in the world are just the beginning. A vibrant culture and arts scene sits alongside stunning landscapes, which include beaches, rivers, lakes and mountains. It’s a place where it’s easy to connect and where connection breeds innovation and creativity. Clever businesses thrive here. More and more people are choosing to move to Nelson/Tasman to enjoy a life where extraordinary is ordinary.
Destination New Zealand
New Zealand’s Best B&Bs
1. Acorns Wellington B&B, Wellington www.acorns.co.nz
TripAdvisor has recently announced the Travellers’ Choice awards for the best B&Bs across New Zealand. Taking out the number one spot is Acorns Wellington Bed & Breakfast, while Twizel’s Matuka Lodge and Matamata’s Chestnut Lane Cottage came in second and third respectively. The full top ten list of New Zealand’s B&Bs is as follows: 2. Matuka Lodge, Twizel www.matukaluxurylodge.com
122 www.letstravelmag.com New Zealand, Best B&Bs
Cruising Tauck 126 MSC Cruises 132 APT Touring 135
Australia, Hamilton Island www.letstravelmag.com 125
The 120m zip-lines are easily the longest aboard any ship at sea
MSC Cruises certainly adheres to the motto ‘big is beautiful’ with more and bigger launches planned over the next few years. Her sister ship, MSC Seaview, is due this year and will embark on Mediterranean cruises. At 323m long and 72m high MSC Seaside certainly is a big ship. She will carry more than 5,000 guests in luxury, feed them in 11 separate dining venues, relax them in 20 bars and lounges, cool them in 6 pools and entertain them in a 1,000-seat theatre. But, as if prepared for our scrutiny, MSC is at the forefront when it comes to environmentallyfriendly technology. Power-saving LED lighting is widely used throughout the ship. All waste water is filtered and recycled, resulting in zero effluent discharge to the sea. Scrubbers are installed to neutralise the most harmful of exhaust gas emissions. “We build our ships to exceed all the most stringent regulations,” CEO Gianni Onorato told us when our little group cornered him in the exclusive Yacht Club bar, “The sea is our environment and all of us at MSC
Retro-themed and funky…The Garage Club
bring a personal commitment to protecting it.” It could be argued that despite her size, the environmental impact per guest is less than many of the current (regular sized) cruise ships with older, less sophisticated technology. The ship’s design also features a wide promenade lined with bars and restaurants on Deck 8, that’s likewise designed to put people closer to the sea. MSC
Seaside will offer the brand’s distinctive entertainment program with innovative, high production value shows as well as a host of new international dining concepts, including the signature Asian Market Kitchen from renowned Pan-Asian chef Roy Yamaguchi. Other foodie highlights include a fancy seafood restaurant, Ocean Cay, a good ol’ American-style steakhouse, the Butcher’s Cut and a chic French bistro, La Bohème.
Cruising, MSC Cruises www.letstravelmag.com 133
Cruising Europe’s Waterways with APT
APT has launched their Europe Pre-Release Brochure for 2019, including exclusive Superdeals and pre-release prices - featuring a new Royal Signature Experience.
The leaders in luxury cruising and touring, APT, launched their 2019 Europe Pre-release brochure detailing the perfect journeys for guests looking to explore the best of Europe in refined indulgence. Embark on APT’s flagship 15-day Magnificent Europe river cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest, starting at the special pre-release price of $8,295 per person, twin share. APT are offering a Fly Free SuperDeal offer on return economy airfares but you’ll have to be quick, as their exclusive pre-release prices
and SuperDeals are only on offer until 30 April 2018. For 2019, APT is proud to offer a new Royal Signature Experience like no other on its Magnificent Europe itinerary. Following in the footsteps of Elisabeth of Bavaria, affectionately known as Sisi, guests will embark on an imperial rail journey aboard the Grand Empress steam train. A welcome reception awaits at Budapest Station’s Royal Waiting Room, then it’s time to board the elegant steam train, which features some original carriages from the early 1900’s.
A traditional game lunch worthy of royalty is served, before disembarking for a private tour of Gödöllő Palace. The palace was a coronation gift when Franz Joseph I and Sisi were crowned King and Queen of Hungary, and was also known to be a favourite palace of Sisi’s. APT’s brand new 15-day Imperial Europe river cruise celebrates the festive season in style between Amsterdam and Vienna, with enticing visits to Vienna’s spectacular Christmas markets, as well as a special private concert at Vienna’s regal City Palace, showcasing some Christmas classics.
Cruising, APT Touring www.letstravelmag.com 135
Beyond Cuba 138 Back-Roads Touring 144
Australia, Hamilton Island www.letstravelmag.com 137
Destination Beyond, Cuba
Cuba’s New Revolution Words & images by Roderick Eime
The Caribbean island nation of Cuba has been a hotbed of revolution for nearly 500 years. Now with the passing of the controversial hero, Fidel Castro, it is poised for yet another. Roderick Eime settles in with a mojito and a Cohiba to explore the new Cuba.
Immaculate 1950s-era us vehicles used as taxis
138 www.letstravelmag.com Beyond, Cuba
Destination Beyond, Europe
Experience Europe with Back-Roads Touring Imagine winding through the idyllic countryside, ancient towns, windswept moors and wild coastlines of the UK and Europe via the scenic back roads rather than busy highways.
144 www.letstravelmag.com Beyond, Europe Coimbra
Business Section Air Vanuatu Aircalin Sofitel, Darling Harbour Trisara Hotel, Thailand New Products Casa Angelina
150 153 154 156 158 160
Australia, Hamilton Island www.letstravelmag.com 149 New Caledonia
Air Vanuatu…Discovering What Matters Air Vanuatu, the national airline of Vanuatu, was established in 1987. Today the airline boasts 7 aircraft and flies to 36 destinations…28 of them around the beautiful archipelago that make up one of my favourite countries…and all only 3 hours from Auckland. Here are just 4 places within Vanuatu that Air Vanuatu fly to. You’ll want to visit them all.
150 www.letstravelmag.com Business, Airline - Air Vanuatu
Trisara Phuket Launches Private Yacht Culinary Experience
Trisara Phuket, awarded World’s Best Resort Cuisine by the discerning readers of the Gallivanter’s Guide, is launching an immersive culinary experience that takes guests on an exhilarating foraging discovery by private yacht and into heritage homes to meet local Phuketian ‘Mamas’ who share authentic recipes that have been passed down the generations. During the 4-day stay in one of the resort’s breathtaking Ocean View Pool Villas, guests will stroll down to the resort’s secluded beach to meet Executive Chef, Chalermchai Prakobkitand, also known as Chef Kla, who has worked alongside Michelin-star chefs from around the globe. Together they will step onboard a luxury cruising yacht from Trisara’s dedicated jetty, cruise along Phuket’s
West Coast and finally arrive at Koh Racha, a tropical island South of Phuket known for its abundance of Sailfish, Tuna and Mackerel. Following hours of fishing and intermittent
156 www.letstravelmag.com Business, Hotel - Trisara
snorkelling in Koh Racha’s crystal clear waters, guests join an onboard Thai cooking class with Chef Kla using the freshly caught fish before returning back to Trisara.
300 YEARS OF STORIES
In New Orleans, there’s something amazing around every cobblestone corner. Explore the Spanish, French, African and Caribbean influences found in the food, music, architecture and culture of the city. Celebrating our 300th birthday, New Orleans is rolling out the red carpet for a year of festivities.
NEWORLEANS.COM
Come join the parade and start creating your New Orleans story today.