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“Perfection consists not in doing
extraordinary things, but in doing ordinary things extraordinarily
well”
Newsletter 62 | November & December 2006
P.O. Box 13600, NOORDSTAD, 9302 E-mail:
info@etniquetravel.co.za
Tel: (051) 406 2500
Fax: (051) 436 3793
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER:
083 461 2561
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Travel Into The Future... |
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When visiting
the WORLD TRAVEL MARKET recently in London, I was not only amazed by
the exhibitions of more than 100 countries competing as potential
travel destinations in the new year, but also by the fascinating
new horizons of interconnectivity and dynamic travel solutions. Some
very interesting seminars on the changing future of travel were
attended.
It is quite
clear that the traditional way of travel agency operations will
cease to exist rather sooner than later. In our striving for
advanced travel solutions and service excellence, we at SURE ETNIQUE
TRAVEL are confident that in the future we can render even more
specialized travel advice people will still be looking for, taking
cognisance of the important role that technology and the internet
will play.
SURE ETNIQUE
TRAVEL has implemented tools to provide the competitive edge in
servicing our clients: our inter-active website is both
user-friendly and informative. Not only can our clients continue to
have access to our existing bank of travel information like travel
destinations, visa requirements, and handy hints, but on our new
website, you will be able to book on line any domestic airline, by
comparing price and availability, without having to visit different
websites of the individual airlines.
Further more
you can convert almost 100 currencies, obtain detailed information
on most of the world’s countries, its cities, visa and health
requirements, airports and transfers, sightseeing etc. You can also
obtain, on line, travel insurance, browse through the multitude of
mouth-watering special travel packages.
Our aim is
to simplify the ordinary straightforward transactions, but still
play the important role of being your travel information expert and
making your travel dreams come true.
- Johann Beukes
From Þingvellir to Akureyri
An
hour’s drive from Reykjavik, the Golden Circle Route
takes you to the Þingvellir Region, renowned for both
the cultural heritage in the history of Iceland as well as the
interesting geological activities still in process where the western
wall of the continental rift is found. The most exciting part of
this visit is to walk on the wall of the fissure itself – standing
on North American land and looking eastward to Europe only a few
hundred metres away across the continental divide. The secluded
crystal clear water pools, reflecting the blue skies and brightly
coloured autumn leaves of adjacent shrubs, let you experience an
almost eerie foreign landscape.
In the same area one will find
the active geysers as well as the Gullfoss (foss
meaning falls), transforming into a total solid ice formation during
the freezing winter months. This is one of the most impressive
sights where the roaring sound of the waters hits you well before
the falls even come into view.
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With the thousands of
waterfalls in ÍSLAND, all being dependent of the huge glaciers
in the centre of the country, most of them are only water falls
during the short summer period.
The most famous geyser in
the world is also found nearby; however it is Strukkur–geysir
that performs at least every 10 minutes day or night. Here one
can enjoy the surrounding geothermal pools and flumes.
When driving the only
vehicle route around ÍSLAND, one is confronted daily by the
ever-changing elements of nature: crystal clear skies turning
into threatening dark storming clouds; ice rain and bright
rainbows bridging the landscape; contrasting colours of changing
autumn leaves and green moss-covered marshes – what a contrast
and diversity of scenic beauty! Monique and I were privileged to
could have enjoyed the weeklong Icelandic experience with our
two daughters, Leandi and Izanne. |
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The drive across many
rivers and streams and past azure glacial lagoons leaves many
unsurpassed memories.
Surrounded by no less than three glaciers, the high valley of
Þorsmörk
is a hidden world and can only be reached by a four-wheel-drive.
The high Alpine scenery is worth the effort with numerous
miniature canyons and cols (a saddle between two rocky ridges)
and the fingers of ice extending down into the melt water lake
of
Markarfljót.
The first thing you notice as you approach Skógar is
Skógafoss, a 60 metres cascade that falls in a pure
white curtain of foam. According to the Icelandic saga
(a unique series of epic accounts relating the history of the
original Viking settlers), a hidden treasure awaits the elect
who dares his life, behind the falls, but still it was not
found, as yet. |
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Birds flock to the basalt cliffs
around Vík í Mýrdal. Here you can enjoy the
impressive offshore stacks and black volcanic beaches. Offshore,
the Reynisdrangar needles have long been a
navigation point on shipping charts.
Iceland’s most celebrated
glacier, Vatnajökull casts its eye over much of
the eastern coast. A vast white cap with many smaller subsidiary
ice flows like Jökulsarlon and Fjallsjokul, rests upon one of
the world’s most active volcanoes; Grimsvötn made
its voice heard as recently as 2004. Jökulsarlon
is one of the most photographed landscapes on Ísland and the
venue for the well-known ice race scenes in the James Bond
movie, Die Another Day. Hundreds of blue-white leviathans
float silently in the limpid waters of the iceberg lake at the
outlet into the sea. A boat trip meandering through the maze of
floating ice-caps is a breathtaking experience. |
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Until the building of the
ring road, Höfn, (pronounced like hope) was
as remote as you could get from Reykjavik, as you had to travel
right around the island past Akureyri to reach this settlement
on the south eastern coastline. This was because the
ice-marshlands of Skeiðarársandur were
impassable. This volcanic flood plain is an ever-shifting carpet
of melt-water streams and soft alluvial sediment, and has always
been one of Ísland’s most mysterious regions. Today volcanology
scientists can tell how it was formed, but can still not explain
the strange beauty of the lifeless plain of gold and grey sand
directly next to the volcanic rocks covered by green moss and
forming clear water pools, and all in an ever-changing colour
spectrum as the day progresses. |
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About 55 kilometres before
Höfn, we turned off on route F985 to the Skálafellsjökull,
where we were met by the snowmobile operators: It is been said
that the first time you take a skidoo (ice jet ski) trip on the
glacier, it is out of curiosity; the second time it’s because
you are convinced you have left something of your soul behind in
the landscape of endless ice.
We stayed our second night
at the Fosshotel Vatnajokull at Lindarbakki, just outside
Höfn. We met Dimitri, who works at reception, originally from
Puerto Aisén in Chile and his fiancée Sylvia who was waitressing
in the restaurant and came from Trogir in Croatia: both towns
have been favourites with us and we spoke as if we knew one
another for many years. It was the last open day of the season
and they were planning a trip to Budapest and Szentendre in
Hungary; by rare coincidence we met them again in the streets of
Reykjavik, prior to our departure from Ísland. |
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The eastern fjords are totally
different geografically from those in the west. With high slender
peaks, rather than plateau summits, the road hugs the water’s edge
at their base and the several tiny settlements, (Egilsstaðir,
Eskifjörður, Reyðarfjörður and Seyðisfjörður) are strung along it
like pearls on a string.
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Twenty-five kilometres east
of Egilsstaðir over a good mountain road, Seyðisfjörður
is an attractive town set at the base of a long, narrow
fjord. Today this little harbour town is one of the most
architecturally interesting of Ísland’s towns with a wealth of
period buildings dating from the late 18th and early
19th centuries, when the town was still in its heyday
as an important shipping port to other Scandinavian trade
routes. Few places in Ísland’s past can boast such a
well-preserved collection of old timber buildings. We stayed at
the Hotel Aldan, a heritage-listed old restored bank building,
offering excellent Icelandic cuisine like pan-fried whale meat
on mushrooms, puffin-pie and cauliflower or Riette of salmon and
lobster. |
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On route to
Mývatn we drove around
Lake
Lagarfljót,
apparently
the only area in Ísland where you will find a forest of trees.
Further on, along the
Jökulsá á Fjöllum, a dramatic scene awaits you when
you get the first glimpse of the Dettifoss
cascading falls in a narrow ravine.
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Ísland stands square at the
heart of the green dilemma. It is one of the least polluted
countries on earth and takes full advantage of what nature has
provided. A good example is the geothermal power plants at
Krafla, providing inexpensive, reliable heating to
most of the country’s towns. On the one hand it is feted as a
forward-thinking example to the rest of the world, but it is
also taking decisions that are unpopular with the international
community, like the policy on whale-hunting. But to the
contrary, Ísland also offers some of the best whale-watching
opportunities in Húsavík, a northern fishing
village in the Skjálfandi-bay.
Lake
Mývatn
is a unique
ecosystem with its volcanic percentage and incredible birdlife.
Around the lake you will find many interesting sights and
activities, motivating you to stay a little longer: the
Hverfjall crater is said to be the largest of its kind
in the world, its walls built up by many smaller eruptions. |
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The lava field of
Dimmuborgir (meaning place of the dead), has some of the
most intriguing and surreal lava pillars and cones and features
lava fields usually found on ocean floors rather than on land.
The Laxá River, which is the only outflow of the
lake, abounds with salmon and trout.
Our last sight of typical
falls on the volcanic island was the Goðafoss,
located in the river Skjálfandafljót, before reaching the sea.
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Akureyri
originally was the trading post with the Danish merchants and
today is the second largest town/city in Ísland, located right
on the opposite northern side of the country. This cultural
capital of the north, boasts a renowned arts scene of
professional theatre and art gallery and centre. Next to the
Edda hotel is a sculpture park, representing most of the
country’s artists.
We returned to Reykjavik
with Flugfélag Íslands, (the main domestic airline to
service most of the bigger towns on the island) having a last
aerial view of both Hofsjökull and
Vatnajökull glaciers. Our long haul flights were on
Gulf Air via Bahrain to Frankfurt (a promotion to agents and
exceptional service and food in both business and first class
cabin) and Icelandair return to Reykjavik.
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- Johann & Monique
TRAVELLING
WITH A LAPTOP TO THE US? KNOW THE RULES
The
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is warning that
under US law, government agents may seize and search a traveller´s
laptop, computer discs, and other electronic media when that person
arrives in the US from abroad or departs the US for a foreign
country. The law applies equally to US passport holders and non-US
passport holders. The association is advising business travellers to
be cautious in carrying proprietary information across US borders.
"The information that US Government officials have the right to
examine, download, or even seize business travellers' laptops came
as a surprise to the majority of our members," said ACTE's Executive
Director Susan Gurley, "the common belief is that there is a right
to the privacy of one's computer." "ACTE´s leadership continues to
ask for clarification from the US government regarding what steps,
if any, are being taken to protect confidential business, privileged
legal, and personal information." said Gurley.
RYANAIR VOTED “THE WORST AIRLINE”
Many passengers
are more concerned about legroom than price. Ryanair has been voted
the world’s least liked airline because of cramped seating,
unfriendly staff and delays. Online travel service Tripadvisor
said it polled 4 000 of its users on a range of subjects from
airlines and airports, to worries and holiday hotspots. Ryanair was
not the only low-cost carrier singled out for criticism, with
Easyjet voted the second worst. British Airways was picked as the
best airline. Ryanair countered that it consistently topped
customer-service indicators. A spokesperson said that Ryanair
expected to carry 42 million people this year, “so we must be doing
something right”.
NEW SAFETY MEASURES FOR HAND LUGGAGE ON ALL
DEPARTURES FROM, OR TRANSFERS VIA EUROPEAN UNION STATES
From 6 November
2006, restrictions have been introduced regarding taking liquids
into the cabin on all flights originating in or flying via the EU.
Liquid and gel-based products such as healthcare products and
cosmetics may be carried in hand luggage as long as they comply with
the following regulations:
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Bottles may contain liquids or similar products up to a
maximum of 100 ml (based on maximum capacity as printed on the
bottle)
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All such products must be carried in a transparent
re-sealable plastic bag (e.g. a "zip-lock") with a maximum
capacity of one litre
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One bag per person
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The bag must be
presented separately at the security check
Medication and
special foodstuffs (e.g. baby food) which are needed during a flight
may be transported outside the plastic zip-lock bag. Any such
articles must likewise be presented at the security check. Items or
bags that do not comply with the stipulations may not be taken on
board.
NEW RFID TECH WOULD
TRACK AIRPORT PASSENGERS
The
inventors of a new monitoring system that uses RFID tags claim it
could improve airport security by tracking passengers as they mingle
in the departure lounge. The plan is to
issue an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag to every
passenger at check-in so human traffic can be monitored throughout
the airport via transponders and video cameras. Paul Brennan, an
electrical engineer at University College London, heads the project,
which features an RFID technology called Optag. Funded by the
European Union, the technology is being developed by a consortium of
European companies and the university. Brennan told Silicon.com that
a prototype RFID tag will be tested in an airport in
Hungary next month. Brennan said that if the trials in Hungary are a
success and the technology attracts customers, it could arrive in
airports within two years.
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Letters from our Customers: |
The following are examples of
satisfied clients saying more than just thank you.
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”Nerina, groete uit Suid-Korea.
Jy het in Junie 2004 vir my ‘n kaartjie Korea toe gereël Nou kom
ek DV in Desember vir 2 weke Suid-Afrika toe en benodig weereens
jou dienste. Jy het my laas so mooi gehelp dat ek net gedink het
ek sal jou eerste kontak. Baie dankie.”
Johan van Rhyn
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”Marié, baie dankie vir al jou moeite
met my reisreëlings!”
Nelia Oosthuysen
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”Dear Tessa, a token of our
appreciation for the trouble you took to get us where we wanted to
go. We had a most interesting week in Istanbul. One day,
hopefully, I will show you the pictures and tell what we saw.”
Prof & Mrs Bannie Britz
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”Nerina, Baie dankie vir alle energie
en hulp met al die Bestuurskool se reisreëlings”.
“Maquida, ek het groot waardering vir jou eindelose geduld en
energie met al my reëlings”.
“Marié, baie dankie vir alle geduld en professionele diens!”
Prof Helena van Zyl, Direkteur, Bestuurskool, UFS
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Although the customs and traditions of Christmas differs
markedly from country to country, it is the time of year when
tourists become aware of how we are inter-linked with one
another - a time when we experience that we truly are brothers
and sisters, children of one Father.
Christmas time brings joy to millions in different ways: the
decorations of houses and trees in the snowy landscape of
Germany or Latvia (where the first Christmas tree was
decorated); the festivity and celebrations, like the carolers
under lamplights in London or the nightly performances by the
giant Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square; the 20 km. of streets
and squares of Torino in Italy illuminated by some of the best
illumination artists in Europe, or the world’s tallest Christmas
tree, made up of 450 lights, near the top of Monte Ingino, above
Gubbio in Umbria, and topped by a star that can be seen for
nearly 50 kilometers. |
The
traditions in which Christmas is celebrated is also precious: In
Alaska a star on a pole is taken from door to door by the children,
singing carols; in Scandinavian countries people move in procession
to the church with lighted candles in hand. What is eaten at the
traditional dinners identify the country: smorgasbord in Sweden, the
special sweet bread with a shape supposed to be like baby Jesus in
Belgium, the salted dry cod-fish with boiled potatoes in Portugal,
or the stuffed cabbage in Transylvania, Hungary.
But all
leads to the midnight masses held world-wide, in small churches or
glorious cathedrals. There the glitter and festivities make way for
the real message of Christmas - that our Saviour has come to this
world, to pave the way for our salvation.
May you
all, wherever you are in the world, experience the Christ in
Christmas! And may the words of Charles Dickens also hold true for
you for 2007: “I will hold Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it
all year”.
FROM US ALL @ SURE ETNIQUE TRAVEL |
