Love and Heroism, at 13, in Australia
Honestly I don’t even know where to start. I began writing a couple of weeks ago before the floods hit Queensland, Australia. For those of you that don’t know what I am talking about, just Google it and you will see what I mean. At the time I began writing, you would have read something very different and upbeat. I am in the travel industry and excited (and still am) that Oprah is going to show the world how amazing Australia is. I went “Down Under” and filmed all over Australia (you can see the quick recap of my trip in the video above), and I loved everything about my trip. Then things began to change, in late December heavy rains began to fall and by the following week, more than half the state of Queensland was flooded, resulting in the worst floods in Australian history.
This brings me to a story that I read this morning about an incredibly brave young boy, named Jordan Rice. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20028375-503543.html <http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20028375-503543.html> you see, Jordan is one of those rare people that impacts millions because of his bravery and love. This story has impacted me in an incredible way. To love his younger brother so much that he gave his life…could you imagine making that choice? Could you imagine making that decision at 13 years old?
Most people in America might not know where Queensland is, or even about the flood in Australia. First of all, Australia is about the same size as the United States, and Queensland, a state in Australia, is much larger than the state of Texas (as you can see here). If the State of Queensland was a country, it would rank as the 25th largest in the world.
So when I began writing, it was supposed to be a rah-rah for Oprah. Now I am asking for your help; for a country that can really use a hand. The worst is behind us all and now its time to look towards the future, and help our mates in Australia.
Click on the link below to find out how you can help our friends in Queensland and also enter for your chance to win a trip to Australia.
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Queensland-Recovery-Trip-Giveaway.html?soid=1100985143259&aid=i6JOo41zKLQ
If you have any questions, please email me directly at jasonmesnick@duatravel.com or call 1-800-788-6685. We have experts waiting .
Filed under Uncategorized
The Oprah Effect looks to Australia
If you haven’t heard by now that Oprah is going to Australia then you need to get your head out of the gutter. According to CNBC “The Oprah Effect” says, “If you’re lucky enough to create a product she loves – a mention on her show just might make you a millionaire!” CNBC also says, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” reaches 44 million people each week. And those numbers translate into big sales for the products Oprah recommends.
In Seattle we have felt the Oprah effect a couple of times. First it was Ezell’s fried chicken, and then it was Beechers Macaroni & Cheese. Now the little company I work at Down Under Answers is about to feel the boom. It is said Oprah has Ezell’s chicken flown to her in Chicago when she has a craving. Also, Oprah also says of Beechers Macaroni & Cheese, “The best part [is] it comes frozen,” she says. “All you have to do is heat it up, and you’ve got yourself some good eatin’ from Beecher’s.
You know when the entire country of Australia (which is less than Oprah’s weekly audience) is talking about it; it’s a huge deal. My wife Molly said to me the other day “if I could ever get tickets to Oprah, I would fly to Chicago in a heartbeat”. I guess, I just never have realized the power of Oprah. Well, my new friends in Australia are about to.
There are so many misconceptions about Australia that I am sure “The Big O” will talk about. What sticks out in my mind is that people say Australia is too expensive and just too far. As for being too expensive, that is just not true. There was a time when Australia was one of those once in a lifetime trips. I have recently seen packages that include airfare and hotels for $999. That is less than a trip to Hawaii! Americans need to realize that it’s not a once in a lifetime trip anymore. You could actually go time and time again. Now lets address the distance issue, yes its far, but did you know that if you are flying from Los Angeles it will take roughly the same amount of time to fly to Italy as it does to Australia (and everybody goes to Italy). If you have ever thought about going to Australia its time you go. There is no time like the present and its more affordable than ever.
Well I will get off my high horse for now and see what Oprah has to say.
Here’s to exploring the world, Oh… and if you have a comment email me directly at Jason@duatravel.com
Talk to you soon
J
Filed under Uncategorized
