Jason's Job Blog

It doesn’t matter if you are flying from London, Africa, or the USA; the fact is that if you want to go to Australia you are going to have to travel far from home.  People ask me all the time, “how long does it take to get to Australia”?  I have heard many travel agents say, “the flight is not that bad”, the bottom line is, it’s far.  Lets be honest 14 hours on an airplane is a long time no matter how you look at it.  However, I will say that through my travels I have gone many more excruciating hours that the flight from the USA to Australia.

I am in the early stages of planning my next trip to Australia, and imagining the flight reminds me of a few of my LONGER trips.  So, I thought it would be interesting to share 5 agonizing travel experiences.  I sure wish they had iPads back then.

5.  Ferry & Bus ride form Italy to Greece, Total of 18 hours (Ferry = 15.5, Bus = 2.5)

I was young, but doubt I could do this one again.  (Although it was interesting to see the young Italian men continuously hit-on the American girls.

4.  Krakow, Poland to Paris, France. Grand total = 24 HOURS ON A TRAIN.

I will say that this one was probably the most painful.  It was a choice that I made to save some money to take the train, but this ride was just awful.  By the way, the flight would have only taken 5 hours.

3.  Flight from the USA to Israel, Total flight time = 26 hours

Once again I was pretty young and didn’t know any better.  Although, I was lucky that the plane wasn’t full as I split time with a group of travelers lying across 3 seats (to try to get some sleep).  I loved my trip, but it was a VERY VERY long flight.

2.  Seattle to South Africa Flight time = 29 hours

My wife Molly & I were on our honeymoon and we wouldn’t change our experience for anything, but 29 hours? Are you kidding me?

1.  Knoxville, TN to Seattle, Total time in Car = Unimaginably long

Road trip with my family from Do I need to say more?  We were actually moving from Tennessee to Seattle at the time.  The one thing I will say it that it took me 10 years to step foot into another Denny’s restaurant.

In the end, every trip was worth it, and Australia is no different.  If you are reading this you have probably always dreamt of going to Australia.  If the long flight is holding you but, let me just don’t worry about it.  As they say, “its just a dinner, a couple of movies, and a nap away.”  There are much longer flights and this once is well worth it!

Jason

www.duatravel.com

Most people I know have always wanted to go to Australia.  Why wouldn’t you?  The people are “Incredible”, the country is “Amazing”, and the scenery is “Extraordinary”.  In today’s economy it might not seem like the best time to go on your dream vacation, but the truth is, this might be the perfect time to go.  If you look around (or call me) you can find some incredible deals.  The question is, “where do you go” & “what do you see”?  I am fully aware the typical American has only 2 weeks of vacation.  The tough part about Australia is it’s almost the same size as the United States, and that is a lot of land to cover in two weeks. What would you tell a friend that only had two weeks to explore the United States?  My first trip to Australia could have been daunting, but because of some great advise it was perfect.  So, I thought I would put together a few ideas of what to do on your first Australian Adventure.

In my opinion Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef are “must do’s”.  Most people already know this, but let me explain why.  Sydney is the city that has it all.  For those that enjoy the city life, Sydney is an incredible metropolis of food, shopping, and fun.  During my first trip to Sydney, I spent an entire day exploring the city and loved every minute of it.  While walking around the city you will see two unforgettable icons, The Sydney Opera house and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Most recently the Sydney Opera House was featured on Oprah (say that ten times fast).  Oprah actually filmed two episodes on the steps of the Opera house.  The Opera House has over 40 shows every week (that’s well over 2,000 per year), there is something for everyone to enjoy.  I went on a back stage tour of the Opera house and had an incredible time.

Next is the Sydney Harbour Bridge; and why all of the fuss over a bridge?  The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the greatest engineering masterpieces of its time.  According the Guinness World Records it is the worlds widest long-span bridge and is the tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 440 feet from the top to water level.  The bridge is made of over 52,000 tons of steel and has 6 million hand driven rivets.  Oh and did I mention you can climb it?  In 1988 the Sydney BridgeClimb opened.  This is definitely a “must do”.  In all honesty I am scared of heights and have climbed it twice.  Both times were incredible!  Before my first climb, the guide informed me that a 100 year old woman climbed the bridge just a couple of weeks prior, and last fall I had the opportunity to see the most incredible rainbow I have ever seen.  There is so much more to do in Sydney including the Taronga Zoo, the famous Bondi Beach (as seen in the Olympics), and the Rocks district.  Trust me you will love it!

The next must do is the Great Barrier Reef!  The Reef is probably the most well known attraction in all of Australia.  There are several ways to get to there including day trips from nearby cities such as Cairns or Port Douglas, or staying at one of the nearby islands like Hamilton Island.  The Great Barrier Reef is the worlds largest reef system with almost 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching over 1,600 miles.  CNN labeled it as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, not to mention it can be seen from outer space.  It doesn’t matter if you like to scuba dive, snorkel, or just relax on a boat; everyone should experience The Great Barrier Reef while in Australia.

There are so many more fantastic things to do in Australia such as, Ayers Rock, Kangaroo Island, and the city of Melbourne.  If you have a month or more you will be able to see so much of it.  Although, if you are like me and only have two weeks of vacation per year, then do not miss out on Sydney & The Great Barrier Reef.  The biggest concern people tell me is that Australia is just too far away.  It is far, but don’t worry about the long flight.  The flight attendants on all of the airlines that fly to Australia are head and shoulders above our domestic flight attendants.  The flight is actually very easy; just enjoy your dinner; watch a couple of movies, take a nap, and you will be there when you wake up.

If you are thinking of going to Australia give me a call, I am happy to share my experience.

Jason

www.duatravel.com

Have you ever used a travel agent before?  If you are like me, most people that I know never have.  I mean, why would you when you can go on a website like Priceline or Expedia and get most of the information that you need.  In a lot of cases I agree. If you are going to Vegas and see a screaming deal for $250, then of course you consider it.

Let me ask you this, “Why wouldn’t you use a travel agent when planning your once in a lifetime trip to Australia”?  First of all, booking through a travel agent is about the same price as purchasing online, and many times cheaper.  My wife Molly’s father Mike Malaney has been in the industry for over 30 years and in the past two years there have been several times he has helped my wife and I out from airline issues.  Frequently, he logs into his Travel Agent system and helps my wife get on a flight after hers has been cancelled (for those of you that fly through Chicago you know exactly what I mean).  I guess I am just wondering, if it cost the same why wouldn’t go to a professional like Mike Malaney, and have “A REAL PERSON” that actually cares about you, and the travel experience you deserve.

Let me tell you a quick story that happened just a few weeks ago.  My wife’s best friend was on her way to her honeymoon in Jamaica.  Upon arrival in North Carolina from Milwaukee, the happy couple found out that their flight to Jamaica has been canceled because the airport in Jamaica went on strike.  The couple immediately calls their friendly travel agent Mike Malaney.  Mike quickly puts them on another flight, hoping the airport may stop the strike quickly.  The airport is ordered to go off strike, but just for a short time.  In that time only one flight gets departs to Jamaica, and Mike was smart enough to book them on that flight.   If they had booked online, our happy honeymooners would have been out of luck and be sent home to honeymoon in their own hometown of Milwaukee.

I know things like this don’t happen every day, but they do happen more than you think.  Why wouldn’t you want a Travel Agent like Mike Malaney when planning your once in a lifetime trip to Australia?  He will be there for you in the way those online sites cannot.

Here’s to all of you hard working travel agents out there!  Keep the passion alive, because the value you add to your customers is more than just one little click.

Here is to your next adventure!

Jason

http:’//www.duatravel.com

People ask me all the time, “Where’s your favorite place you have ever been” or “What’s your favorite thing you have ever done?”  So, I thought I would take the time to share some of the things I love about one of my favorite places in the world, New Zealand. A little secret…. The last thing on this list is my favorite thing I have ever done on a vacation.

I’ll admit I probably travel more than the typical American.  I love to get off the plane in a new country and take it all in.  I enjoy trying new foods, meeting new people, and most of all exploring new cities all around the world.  My life has taken me on an interesting journey thus far and I look forward to many more adventures along the way.

In my early 20’s I would pick up my backpack, go just about anywhere, and for that matter, sleep just about anywhere.  As I creep into my mid thirties, the excitement for sleeping in a dorm room full of bunk beds and backpackers has lost some of its luster, but my passion for seeing the world is still as strong as ever.

I have had the pleasure of going to New Zealand 3 times over the past couple of years and have enjoyed every single minute of if my trips.  Many people say if you are going to the South Pacific, you need to take two trips. Spend a few weeks in Australia and go back for a second trip to New Zealand for two more weeks.  But, is that realistic for busy working Americans with only two weeks of vacation a year?  Most people I know say when they go to the South Pacific, they will probably only go once in their life.  Without a doubt if you do have the time and money, definitely take two trips, or one long trip to explore as much as possible.   With that being said, I could not imagine flying all the way across the globe and not seeing the beautiful country of New Zealand.  Honestly, if you are flying that far, New Zealand is a must.

Glad I got that out of the way…

First are foremost, if there is one place you need go it in New Zealand, its Queenstown.  To give you a quick visual, imagine picking up Alaska and dropping it on Lake Tahoe.  That’s the beauty of Queenstown and I get excited just thinking about it.   For adventure seekers the fun never ends; from bungee jumping & skydiving, to luging and jet boating.  For those that are a less adventurous, Queenstown has some of the most incredible views and scenery that I have ever seen, which is why the filmed part of the movie Lord of The Rings there, and walking the quaint small town is just flat out charming.  If you miss going to Queenstown, New Zealand you will regret it.

Secondly, if you are a wine lover like my wife and me, you need to spend the day on Waiheke Island.  Auckland gets a bad rap at times, as some people think all big cities are the same.  The thing is Auckland is great, and you will most likely fly in or out of Auckland on your trip, so exploring Waiheke Island is easy to do, and it’s a quick ferry ride from the waterfront.   There are 2 things that I like most about Waiheke.  First you get some of the most amazing views of Auckland.  Second, their wine (and I’ve had my fair share of wine in my life) is on the top of my list.  The MudBrick winery has been featured on several television shows and they have my favorite wine in the world. So, when you go you need to stop at Mudbrick for a glass of their Shiraz and lunch.

Not superimposed, this picture is real!

Finally, let me tell you about my favorite thing I have ever done on vacation.  We have already talked about Queenstown, but the one thing you must do in Queenstown is take a helicopter ride from Queenstown to the Milford Sound.  I can honestly say it’s the most incredibly beautiful experience I have ever had the fortune of seeing.  My jaw was dropped the entire time.  The views of Queenstown you get from a helicopter are unmatchable, the awe of the Milford Sound from up above is breathtaking, and when you land for your lunch and champagne on a glacier, you know that you have just experienced something most people never will.  It does cost more than driving to Milford, but this is truly a once in a lifetime ride. If you can find a way to save a few shekels for this, its something you will never forget.

In one word, "AMAZING"!

Here’s to Queenstown, Waiheke Island, and my friends at The Helicopter line that took me on the trip of a lifetime.

For frequently asked questions about New Zealand please go to: http://duatravel.com/faqs/destination/new_zealand

Jason

For those of you that watched the television show The Bachelor, you may have gotten to know my lovely wife Molly.  This article is dedicated to her and Fiji.

Being on a television show definitely has its perks and has opened many incredible doors for my wife Molly and me.  Between the two of us, we have had the fortune to see parts of the world most people only dream of.  Together we have experienced New Zealand and South Africa, not to mention conquered the many adventures it has to offer.

I have always been the adventurous type and am a little more Survivoresque than my wife.  Although, I need to admit that Molly is beginning to influence me (shhh, don’t tell her).  You see, Molly’s idea of a perfect vacation has always been a bit different than mine.  She enjoys the simple things in life, a little sunscreen, her iPod, and crystal clear water under a beautiful sunny sky (not so simple if you ask a Seattleite like myself).

The past couple of years have been pretty busy for Molly and me, and we have been talking about a relaxing vacation to Fiji for a while.  Even though I am the adventurous type, I feel like its time to just chill out.  Fiji is known as one of the friendliest vacation destinations and Fijian’s are among the friendliest people in the world.  I love the fact that Fiji has over 330 islands and only about 100 are inhibited.   I can’t wait to take Molly scuba diving for the first time, then spend the reset of the day under the sun, with a cocktail in hand.  I am sure we can find time to go fishing, surfing, and sailing on our trip to Fiji. Although, I am guessing Molly will be spending a lot of time at the spa as well.

If we bring my son Ty, I would love to stay at Castaway Island Resort.  The movie Castaway starring Tom Hanks was filmed right across the way.  Castaway is probably the most popular resort for kids because they have an amazing kids club.  Castaway also has incredible water sports like sailing, waterskiing, and snorkeling.  This would be a perfect spot for the family.  For more information go to: www.duatravel.com/hotels/destination/fiji/C125

My son would love the Fiji Castaway Resort

On the other hand, if it’s just my wife Molly and me, I have narrowed it down to two resorts.  The first is the Likuliku Lagoon resort. It’s the first and only resort in Fiji with overwater bungalows.  Honeymooners say it’s hard to describe how beautiful it is. Likuliku isn’t far from the airport, but you can only get there by speedboat, seaplane, catamaran, or helicopter.  It sounds like getting there can be our own little adventure.  For more information go to: www.duatravel.com/package/destination/fiji/fiji_in_style_-_likuliku_lagoon_resort

My wife would love the Fiji Likuliku Resort

The other resort on my list is The Royal Davui Island Resort.  Its off the southern coast of Fiji’s main island, and is surrounded by a barrier reef, which has been declared a marine sanctuary.  If we go to Royal Davui then I am definitely going to the nearby Naceva village.  When I go to a new country I absolutely love experiencing the culture, and if you are lucky enough to be in town on a Sunday you can take part in a Fijian church service, I have heard the singing is the highlight of the service.  Since Molly and I just passed our one-year anniversary, I think I owe her a trip like this to Fiji just for putting up with me for the past year.

Maybe as I approach my mid thirties I am beginning to slow down a bit, or maybe my wife is beginning to influence me more than I expected, or maybe, just maybe, I simply want to go to Fiji.

Do you think they will let a tourist try this?

Here’s to your next exploration!

Check out all Fiji Vacation ideas at:

http://www.duatravel.com/themed_vacations/destination/fiji

Jason

P.S. Rumor is you will see Fiji on this season of The Bachelorette!