Steamy Tale of Sydney Aystralia

Imagine this... You're in Sydney, Australia driving across the "Coathanger" which is the local nickname for the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. It's your first drive over the bridge but entering it you can't see the other side. You're managing well enough among the many, many lanes of very busy traffic. Perhaps you even take an admiring look at the Sydney Opera House & it's magnificent harbour setting.

Half way across you notice your temperature meter creeping up. Having no other choice, you carry on but soon there's a wisp of something on the bonnet of your little red, box-shaped Triumph Dolomite. While you're driving the last third of the bridge steam erupts from the bonnet in a full-blown radiator revolution. Sydneysiders give you more than one odd look as they drive by in their Australian made Holdens, Japanese cars & other apparently reliable vehicles. Those repeated ads for the Holden come to your mind through the steam. Their motto? "Should'a bought the Holden".

Sydney Opera House Desktop

Years ago I went to Australia. For 18 months I lived and worked in the Sydney metropolitan area of New South Wales. My work was in Hurstville, in Sydney's south, then later it was in Gosford, on the Central Coast just north of the city. I lived in Annandale, Lugarno & Woy Woy.

As a result, the Sydney Opera House became one of my favourite buildings in the world. It was the first building I spotted from the arriving airplane and the first place people pointed out after I disembarked. A few months later I realized that my radiator overheated any time I took my car near the Sydney Opera House. (The car was otherwise fine. Strangely enough it didn't overheat elsewhere. ) Despite this strong association with my bizarre steaming vehicle, I will always be a huge fan of the Sydney Opera House. People who contend that Sydney Harbour is the prettiest in the world just might be right!

Today's post highlights a photograph of the Sydney Opera House taken by Carl Henderson, a travel industry colleague & friend. This image of the Sydney Opera House is also on my desktop. For more great images of an architectural wonder as well as its magnificent harbour setting, just browse the Photo Gallery at the TPI - Janus Travel website. Look for the Australia album.

2009 Travel Facts & Figures #2

Today's facts & figures are included because they tell us Canadians are traveling more, despite the recent economic news. Overseas travel is defined as trips to countries other than the United States. The following figures were originally posted on February 20, 2009, at travelweek.ca, a credible website within the travel industry:

• Canadian travel overseas increased 4.4% in December over November


• Canadian travel overseas increased 9.7% for the year 2008 as a whole


• Canadian residents made 2.3% more trips to the United States.

2009 Travel Facts & Figures #1

I read some interesting facts & figures recently. They included a travel industry press release stating that 41% of the information on travel websites is either incorrect or outdated.

Given my experience, it wasn't a surprise... It makes a lot of sense, even though I don't know the origin of that statistic. More important than the number itself, is the implication for travellers. It helps explain why some of the most computer literate and internet savvy people use a travel agent. Our clients often use the internet for travel research.

Having a travel agent on your side is wise. In the end, do you really want to take that 59% chance of inaccuracy with your vacation time & dollars?

Blog labels are up to date

I finished my homework. Blog labels are available throughout the TPI - Janus Travel Blog. Now these tiny tidbits of information categorize the blog posts... all the way back to the beginning. With more material on the blog, the labels will help us find specific items. Happy reading.

Now is the Time to Book Europe & Canada for Summer

Do you take your vacations in the summer? Are you going to Europe this summer? Do you want to explore Canada & the U.S.A.? Do you prefer to travel on your own, in your vehicle or camper? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, then now is the time to start planning your trip with TPI - Janus Travel.

Why? It's all about having choices. The Rocky Mountains, National Parks, Kelowna & Europe are popular summer destinations. It's best to book early for the best choice of hotels, other accomodations, or even campgrounds.

You know who you are, don't you?

I was looking at the "Happy Travellers" album recently. There are a lot more of you out there with no picture in the album. You know who you are, don't you? There are terrific pictures on your digital cameras or your computer, right? So, this post is for all the TPI - Janus Travel clients with a special emphasis on those who travelled recently. Next time you are uploading, downloading or otherwise managing those photos, please pick one or two for the "Happy Travellers" album at this website's Photo Gallery. Then send them to me at any of our email addresses. Thanks!

Spot the tourist!

Ron took this picture at the beach in Mazatlan. The pelicans had a fishing fiesta. Can you spot the tourist?

"Blues, Grass, & Grits" in Mazatlan

Ron enjoyed the music of "Blues Grass & Grits" in Mazatlan. They play at restaurants around town, including Twisted Mama's & The Purple Onion. They play a wide variety of music: from blues & bluegrass to folk, rock 'n roll & country-rock. If you like music, there'll be something for you in their repetoire. If you're of the right generation, ask Phil to play "The Ballad of the Uneasy Rider" or "MTA". Watch for their posters which look like this...

Travel Brochures Available for Reuse

A few times every year we have beautiful travel brochures to reuse. We select only the "good stuff". Do you know anyone who wants a gift of these print materials? It might be you, a craftsperson, someone you know, a school, daycare or another organization. If so, let me know. Post a blog comment or send me an email.

P.S. For any CBC fans, this is my contribution for today towards "One Million Acts of Green".

Reducing reusing & recycling at TPI - Janus Travel

Travel is one of many industries that create significantly more printed material than most people realize. Here at TPI - Janus Travel, we make every effort to work "green". Environmental efforts are part of our commitment to sustainable travel & the global community in general. Examples of how we reduce, reuse & recycle the printed travel materials we receive are:

• We accept less travel material & strive to it reduce the amount of unusable material
• We reuse as much of it as possible
• Our clients are familiar with the hand-made paper gifts that I create from it
• On request, we provide materials to our clients' schools, daycares, & other causes for reuse
• We recycle the rest.

How Do You Eat an Elephant?

When I tell Ron there's a lot of work involved in a task, he always gives the same excellent advice. He asks "How do you eat an elephant?" Then he provides the answer "One bite at a time."

We have a system for storing & retrieving brochures, pamphlets, handouts, CDS, & other materials. What you may not realize is the vast quantities involved. Of course, there's a good reason for it. We give it to you, our clients. The trick is getting it's a lot of work to keep on top of this filing. I was behind. Yesterday a friend with travel industry knowledge & lots of energy helped us out. So, today I want to thank Beth for ousting the "elephant" that was hiding in our brochure room.

P.S. In case you are wondering, we do make every effort to be environmentally responsible about these materials.

Tip 6 - Take Photos of Home with You

Load a few well-selected photos of home onto your digital camera for out-of-country trips. Your pictures might help you build a new friendship, answer a question, or just break the ice. Choose pictures of your home & family, snow scenes, scenic wonders such as the Rocky Mountains, or some distinctly Canadian plants, animals, or buildings. Include some warm-looking photos. Otherwise it gives the impression we have no summer at all.

The operative word here is a few pictures: 10 to 20 is plenty. Other tourists are on vacation. Staff at hotels, restaurants or elsewhere usually like seeing your photos but remember they are at their job. Our experience in Mexico showed us these professionals are far too polite to stop you or say it's too much time away from their tasks.

TPI Named "Agency Chain of the Year"

Press Release
For Immediate Release
4 February 2009

TPI Named “Agency Chain of the Year”

Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, is proud to announce its receipt of “Agency Chain of the Year” in the Awards of Merit 2008 as presented by TRAVELHotNews.com (published by Logimonde Inc./Act Communications Inc. – also publishers of Canadian Traveller Magazine).

According to the organizers of the yearly awards, the “TRAVELHotNews.com Awards of Merit 2008 recognizes the best of the best - travel industry companies and individuals all across Canada.”

“To be honoured by our industry peers is a major accomplishment for our agents across the country and their support team,” exclaimed Phil Sproul, TPI’s Executive VP & COO.

Voted on by members of the Canadian travel industry, the “Agency Chain of the Year” award represents the network of travel agencies that garners the most number of votes cast.

For over fourteen years, TPI’s independent travel consultants have been helping thousands of Canadians turn their travel dreams to reality by sending them to destinations around the world. Backed by a head office support system with over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 700 TPI Associates are ready and available to provide full-service travel solutions. Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, is proud to announce its receipt of “Agency Chain of the Year” in the Awards of Merit 2008 as presented by TRAVELHotNews.com (published by Logimonde Inc./Act Communications Inc. – also publishers of Canadian Traveller Magazine).

According to the organizers of the yearly awards, the “TRAVELHotNews.com Awards of Merit 2008 recognizes the best of the best - travel industry companies and individuals all across Canada.”

“To be honoured by our industry peers is a major accomplishment for our agents across the country and their support team,” exclaimed Phil Sproul, TPI’s Executive VP & COO.

Voted on by members of the Canadian travel industry, the “Agency Chain of the Year” award represents the network of travel agencies that garners the most number of votes cast.

For over fourteen years, TPI’s independent travel consultants have been helping thousands of Canadians turn their travel dreams to reality by sending them to destinations around the world. Backed by a head office support system with over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 700 TPI Associates are ready and available to provide full-service travel solutions.

"Waiting to See You at Las Palmas" with Names

On January 9, 2009 my post was titled "Waiting to See You at Las Palmas". Ron & I have known some of the wait staff & bar staff at Las Palmas for almost twenty years. Here's the picture again, this time with the names. Some staff were not on this shift. The terrific people in the photo are (left to right): Lupé, Gladis, Antonio, Azucena, Yolanda, Ismael, Ramon, Adrian, Leobardo, Jessica, Leticia, Ignacio, Manuel. Gracias a todos!

Next Stops - Hawaii & the Photo Gallery

Aloha! Ron & I picked our next destination last year. We're going to Hawaii in the fall of 2009. It will be our first visit. Yesterday night we attended a very impressive presentation with the Hawaii Tourist Board. The photos were outstanding & irresistible. Traditional music & hula dance brought the culture & history to life. Normally I don't use a lot of stock photos on our website but I made an exception for Hawaii because:

1. I love great travel images & these are terrific
2. TPI - Janus Travel can't bring Hawaii or the cultural show to your home
3. We CAN use the Photo Gallery to create a virtual Hawaii for you.

Happy browsing in TPI - Janus Travel's new Hawaii album!

We are Your Certified Adventure Travel Specialists

It's official. TPI - Janus Travel specializes in Adventure Travel. I'm pleased to report that Ron completed his recertification January 26, 2009. He continues to hold the Certified Adventure Travel Specialist designation. Trek Holidays awards this designation & it is recognized by the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC).

TPI - Janus Travel

Certified Adventure Travel Specialists

We'll take you there!

Tip 5 - Picassa for digital photographs

Do you use the internet & digital photography while you are travelling? If so, have you ever thought you were wasting too much vacation time uploading those photos on the road? If you're like me & don't yet travel with a laptop, internet cafes are not the highlight of your trip. Using the Picassa photo management software is one position solution. For me, it was love at first use with Picassa. Plus it's free. It handles multiple image formats & stores for my camera's digital videos too. It can be a great timesaver & organizational tool at home or on the road. The export functions, editing capabilities, & sensible photo storage routines are a fewPicassa features that are particularly relevant for travellers. Download it onto a memory stick & take it for a trip. You'll be able to use the extra time for going places to take more photos!

Blog labels are here

I realize it's getting harder to find things here at the TPI - Janus Travel blog. There are more than 80 posts. Today's task was to add labels to the posts, starting with the most recent ones. Let's just say this was a significantly larger job than I realized. Today I went back to November 26, 2009. There's only one more month's worth until I reach the first posts from early in the fall. Eventually there will be labels for them too. Now, if I only knew then what I know now.

For Judy & Andrew's Tour d'Afrique

Two more links were added to the TPI - Janus Travel website today. One of them is for our friends Judy & Andrew who are currently on the Tour d'Afrique Cycling Expedition. Now you'll be able to use our Resources page to find:

• Picassa , a photo management program &
• Andrew & Judy's Tour d'Afrique Blog.

On January 30th, the expedition was in Khartoum. They've bicycled between 100 & 168 km most days. After starting in Cairo there were stops in Safaga & Rezeiky enroute to Luxor, Eygpt. After crossing into Sudan, Judy & Andrew's group cycled to Dongola. It took four days to go from Dongola to Khartoum in Sudan. Can you imagine riding through any desert on a bicycle in 50 degree heat for any length of time? Next, the group will cycle through Ethiopia.

If you don't read their blog, I'll explain later why Picassa photo management program is a travel resource.

New at Great Canadian Links - The Blue Chair Cafe

Today's featured addition to the Great Canadian Links is the Blue Chair Cafe. Typically referred to as just "The Blue Chair", this place is very well known in Edmonton as a great venue for live music. The owner, Harold, supports local musicians & features some great touring musicians.

Tip 4 - "How to Make a Global Community"

In Edmonton we have a store called Ten Thousand Villages that sells only fair trade items. Recently we hung a laminated poster we bought there. It's called "How to Build a Global Community" in our travel agency office. Here are a few tips for travellers from the list:

• Know your heritage
• Imagine other cultures through their art, crafts, poetry & other endeavours
• Play games from other cultures
• Watch films with subtitles
• Look at the moon & imagine someone else, somewhere else, looking at it too
• Talk to strangers
• Help build local economies from the bottom up in your destination
• Listen to music you don't understand. Dance to it!
• As travellers there is no "us" & "them". We are the visitors.