Oceania

Although delays have put the Airbus 380 back a little, the first scheduled flights are guaranteed of the aircraft are guaranteed to be by Singapore Airlines, probably in October 2007, running  between Singapore  and Sydney.   And what’s more, the seats on those flights will be auctioned on eBay!   The airline, the fuel supplier (ExxonMobil Aviation) and eBay themselves are joining forces to raise funds for Doctors Without Borders, Community Chest of Singapore, and two children’s hospitals in Sydney, Sydney Children’s Hospital and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Keep an eye out for the auction – it’s due to be announced once the actual flight dates are finalised.

Sydney-based Blue Sky Design Group have come out with some futuristic-looking wallets made of a semi-flexible, water-resistant polymer called Desmopan. These durable and stylish Dosh wallets  are also wear-resistant and chemical-resistant, and available in four distinct colours, including ‘charcoal’ and ‘red’.   Can be purchased online for AUD$49, excluding delivery and GST.

The Noosa Jazz Festival on the Sunshine Coast in East Australia will shortly run from 30th August to 2nd September 2007.   Some 90 jazz sessions across a variety of indoor (mostly in Noosa restaurants) and outdoor venues will be held, and will cover a variety of different music styles, from modern to traditional.   Tickets can be purchased online.

Why not live the ultimate dream and relax in this stunningly beautiful corner of the South Island of New Zealand? Situated on 60 acres of land designated as an area of “outstanding natural beauty”, Buchanan Lodge provides the perfect hideaway. It has the snow-capped peaks of the Buchanan mountain range on one side and the shores of Lake Wanaka on the other, so in whichever direction you look you are assured of a stunning view.

Marvel at the five star InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort on Matira Point on the main island of Bora Bora.

A Tahitian Escape package  from Accor French Polynesia offers guests an indulgent solution to the question of where to stay, with a three-island package. This specially-designed experience allows you to explore the different facets of French Polynesia. Created for romance, you’ll be showered with VIP extras and experiences for two. The package includes:

For more information on rates for this package, follow this link.

From the  8th to 30th September,  the Northland Kauri Festival  will take place. The event celebrates and honours  the kauri tree, a New Zealand icon.    During the festival you can encounter some of the world’s largest remaining kauri trees  with Footprints Waipoua. Local guides will take you a mythological exploration of life in the Waipoua Forest.   Lonely Planet bill it as “an experience of a lifetime” so, if you’re in the Northland Region of New Zealand’s North Island, you might want to look it up.

Go  and enjoy two days of fun at this weekend’s Auckland Seafood Festival.   Did you know there are 100 edible species to be found in New Zealand waters?   Learn this and more, and share in some wonderful seafood from the Hauraki Gulf, an exciting street party, some first-class entertainment and a VIP lounge for corporate guests. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend.

Rydges Sabaya Resort Port Douglas  re-opens today  after a multi-million dollar redevelopment.  The tropical North Queensland resort  features new spacious hotel rooms and apartments, ideal for business or leisure travel, a lagoon-style pool perfect for enjoying the sun, a modern restaurant and bar, serving sumptuous meals for all tastes, and extensive day spa facilities.

The 7th Annual Hawaiki Nui, the only sailing regatta in the world with more lay days than races,  takes place from the 14th to 26th October 2007. It’s a chance to party with a passion, as sailing crews battle across the islands and, thanks to Accor’s six exclusive resorts in French Polynesia, you can to choose from Sofitel Tahiti Resort, Sofitel Moorea, Sofitel Bora Bora Resort, Sofitel Motu Bora Bora, Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort and Novotel Rangiroa Lagoon Resort from where you can enjoy the spectacle.