Travelling to Tibet - Change of Policy

Earlier this month, the Tibet Tourism Bureau announced changes to their Tibet Permit policy.  Travellers that now wish to visit Tibet must be in a group consisting of minimum 5 group members  that have the same nationality.  The Tibet permit itself is free but you still need to have a Visa for China. 
So if you are planning a trip let us know and we can find a suitable group for you to join.
www.travelg.com/marie

Spa Insights

Miraval in Tuscon, has just opened a new Life Balance Spa  and is offering a Spa Sampler Package including $150.00 nightly credit, complimentary manicure and pedicure, complimentary one room category upgrade and more.  The offer is available for stays through to August 2012.  Miraval also offers a variety of Yoga and Meditation from Pranayam, Flow and Power to Native American Yoga which unites Hatha with the ritual of the Sacred Circle.  But it isn't just about Yoga and Spa - there are special events such as a National Geographic Photography Workshop, Art in Residence Interactive Painting Workshop and lots of ongoing Wellness Programs.  Click here for Website


Canyon Ranch also near Tuscon have a Celebrate YOU special for Solo travellers May 15-Oct 31 and Dec 01-23 2012.  As well as Spa and Yoga you can overcome your fear with the High Ropes Challenge Course and Aerian Adventure, or participate in the Weight loss program or Life Enhancing Program.  Specialty weeks include 'Improve your Edge - Cycling Event, Advanced Hiking and lots more. Click here for Website

Rancho la Puerta is the oldest destination spa in North America and is located across the border from San Diego near Tecate.  Set on 3000 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds there is lots of room to breathe, enjoy a daily hike up Mount Kuchumaa, take cooking lessons at the organic farm, or just relax in the Spa.  They also offer regularly scheduled Yoga, Yoga for Men and Yoga weeks with guest instructors. Click here for Website

Ananda Spa, India set in the Himalayas overlooking the River Ganges, this spa was a former residential palace of a maharajah.  The Spa offers a combination of Wellness regimes including Ayurveda, Vedanta and Yoga, in a tranquil setting to help you unwind and relax after exploring the sights of Northern India.  Also with Rishkesh nearby - known as the Yoga Capital of the World - you can stay in an Ashram and then treat yourself to ending your Yoga vacation at Ananda. Click here for Website

Como Shambala Estate, Bali, located in the beautiful area of Ubud and thought to be one of the best places to practice Hatha Yoga, this Balinese resort features complimentary daily classes and one on one sessions, and visiting masters host specialty weeks.  There is an opportunity to experience a Water Purification Ceremony or Traditional Balinese Healing, or you can just retreat to a quiet spring pool down by the River Ayung. Click here for Website


Gwinganna Lifestyle Resort, Australia - located in Queensland's Gold Coast and surrounded by bush, the resort has 16 different walks each one offering a different perspective and purpose.  Start the day with Qi Gong as the sun rises and enjoy hiking, yoga on the outdoor yoga deck, pilates or try some boxing.  After lunch it is Dreamtime, a chance to unwind, enjoy the Spa, and sit in the Sound Lounge or visit the Organic Garden.  The Spa also offers Tribal Dreaming and Didgeridoo Healing.
Click here for Website

Off the Beaten Track - Southern New Zealand

On one of my trips back to New Zealand I decided to visit Stewart Island as I had never been there even though I grew up in Invercargill!  I’m talking about way down South here now, for those of you who aren’t familiar with New Zealand.  (Most tourists tend not to come any further south than Queenstown) but I love the drive from Queenstown to Invercargill with the endless green hills, poplar trees and of course all those sheep.  Invercargill has a beautiful park (Queens Park) with a rose garden, Aviary and a Museum.   I always like to go check on Henry the Tuatara who is about 100 yrs old by now.  Tuataras are native reptiles and were around when dinosaurs walked the earth.  He can be viewed from the park through bullet proof glass or you can go into the Museum and see these very slow moving creatures from inside.  While you are in the museum you will want to check out the Burt Munro exhibit which was set up following the success of the movie ‘The World’s Fastest Indian’ with Anthony Hopkins.  Burt Munro was also from Invercargill and some of the earlier scenes in the movie were filmed at Oreti Beach about 20 minutes out of town.  

To get to Stewart Island I decided to cross Foveaux Straight by Catamaran and that involves driving to Bluff (about 30 minutes) which is famous for its oysters and signpost reminding you just how far away you are from the rest of the world!  The crossing takes approximately 1 hour and I was a bit apprehensive as sometimes it can be a bit rough.  Fortunately it was a nice day and a smooth sailing. 

Stewart Island is commonly known as Rakiura to the Maori.  Most of the island (85%) is within the Rakiura National Park with unspoiled natural beauty.  The island is very quaint, and abundant with native flora, bush birds, great hikes , and one can also enjoy kayaking, fishing and relaxing.  For the more serious hikers you can walk the (Rakiura Track) which is a moderate 3 day 36km track suitable all year and for anyone with moderate fitness.  There are also a couple of 10 day tracks for the really experienced trampers and weather would also be a factor for these longer trips. 

You can visit Stewart Island as a day trip or spend a couple of nights in a Bed & Breakfast.  If you are a bird enthusiast you can see bellbirds, tui, fantails, parakeets and maybe even a kiwi.  So if you want to take a step back in time, enjoy quiet serenity and amazing coastal scenery you will enjoy this trip.  All season clothing recommended as this is a rain forest and wetland area.

To return to Invercargill I had booked a flight which started with checking in at the office in the town.  I was a bit horrified that they wanted to weight me as well as my bag!  There was quite a discussion of the total weight and finally some of us called to board a van.  It dawned on me that this was going to be a very small plane.  There were actually four of us and we drove to what I would describe as a large field in the middle of nowhere and we just sat there.  The driver radioed the pilot to see where he was and this is when I couldn't help but laugh.  Of all the airports that I'd been in and the airplanes I'd been on, this was the first time I'd had this experience.  After a minute or two the pilot and his plane came circling above,  then landed in the field and we drove up to it and the pilot started loading us in.   I was the last and wasn't sure how I was going to board and then I realized I'd have to climb over the wing and enter the seat next to the pilot which gave me a fabulous front row seat for the 12 minute flight back to Invercargill!