2 Meals, 2 Movies and a Nap!

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How to survive a long flight.

The long flight is the biggest obstacle or objection I often face when planning an Australia vacation package.

I have never met a person yet who hasn’t wanted to go, but the first thing they say to me is “the flight is too long”. Granted it is longer than a shot to the Caribbean, but what it lacks in convenience it makes up for in luxury and service. Truly, airlines such as Virgin Australia, have brought an art to crossing the oceans. After flying domestic for so long, you will think the economy on these flights is “first class.”

I know, I know your saying, but still it is so many hours in the air. I don’t know if I can be in a plane that long. My answer is you need to change your mindset and think as we do, “2 Meals, 2 Movies and a Nap” and voila you are there! Seriously, if you break it down into chunks the flight is quite manageable and the rewards of your Australia vacation make it well worth the effort.

Here are several of my tips on surviving a flight overseas.

Fly First Class! Yes, this is one time if you are going to splurge you should. The design of first class seating, business and premium economy make it well worth the upgrade.
Can’t fly first class, no worries. Try some of these other tips and enjoy the freedom of travel.
Break the flight up. There are several options where you can stop over on your way to Australia such as Hawaii, Fiji or the Cook Islands. Spend a night or two exploring these islands before arriving in Australia
Drink your Water. Staying hydrated while flying is key.
Consult with a physician. Do you have anxiety. Can’t sleep. Consult with your doctor before flying. I personally take Melatonin when flying after my dinner meal to help me get a restful sleep . I have had clients who have been prescribed something stronger to ease their nerves during the flight. They said it worked like a charm.
Creature comforts. Wear clothing the moves with you and doesn’t bind. If you have the option to slip into a pajamas or lounge wear do so. Take off your shoes and put some slippers on. This will help your body realize it’s time to rest.
A neck pillow. I love mine. Even though the headrest are now designed to keep you from falling on your neighbor, I like the comfort and support of a pillow.
Adapt to the time zone. For example, if you have a 15 hour flight and it will be morning when you arrive at your destination, do not go to sleep when you first get on your plane even if it is evening time. You want to work your way back from your arrival. So, in this example, I would want to stay up until I am about 10 hours from my destination and then take my sleep.
Stretch. Get up and move about the cabin when you can. These longer flights often have an area on board where passengers can walk grab a drink do some stretches. Great spot for making new friends.

These are just several of the tricks that have worked for me. I have to say I have been very blessed and experience minimal jet lag when I travel. Find what works best for you because the experience that awaits is to good to miss!


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa Rossmeissl2 Meals, 2 Movies and a Nap!
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It’s in the Bag!

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Packing can be one of the most daunting tasks of going on vacation. Your mind begins to wheel, what to bring, how to pack it, and will I make the dreaded weight limit. And, what happens if your tour limits you to one bag?

Yes, that’s right, one bag weighing only 50lbs. Well, for my upcoming trip to Australia, I was given this challenge. Due to the nature of our travels and the number of domestic flights within Australia that we will be taking, we were limited to one bag each. Now, how does a person fit 2 weeks of clothing for multiple functions into one bag you may ask? I am here to share a few of my packing tips that I have picked up over the course of my travels to make packing one bag feel like a breeze.

Lisa’s “It’s in the Bag” Packing Tips

It’s all about color. Pick a solid color that you can mix and match. Black, Navy, Gray and Brown work well as base colors for the wardrobe.
Pick clothes with wrinkle resistant fabric. Reversible options are also great. Versatility is key!
Layers! Pick items that you can layer for different looks or temperature change throughout the regions you visit.
Don’t fold, roll! Roll your clothes. Not only will they fit better in the suitcase, but they will be less prone to wrinkling.
Plastic bags are your friends. Use small quart size bag for your travel liquids. Use larger gallon size bags for shoes. This is great if you are visiting a sandy area and don’t want sand all over your clothes after a day at the beach. Large kitchen garbage size bag that can be used as a laundry bag for items that get too soiled.
Limit the number of shoes you pack. If you have followed tip one, you should be able to just take a few pair of shoes and not one for every outfit.
Pack heavier items at the end of the suitcase that the wheels are on, so that when you are rolling it the heavy items don’t squish and send the light stuff to the bottom. When having to take a Jacket with you, carry it on to the plane instead of using the space in your suitcase.
Plan your outfits out by your itinerary. I usually look at my activities and plan an outfit for each specific day or event. I do this for each day and then throw in one or two extra pieces that I can substitute if a change in weather or plans for the day change.
Use a packing list. I like to have a list out when I pack to make sure I don’t forget anything such as passport or phone charger. One of the lists I have used with regularity can be found at Organized Home.

I have to say in most cases we all tend to overpack. I know I certainly do. I can, however, proudly say I have never been over weight limit. Bonus, the space I save packing for the trip leaves me room for my vacation purchases. Who doesn’t like to get a bit of shopping in while on vacation?

Happy Packing!


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslIt’s in the Bag!
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Follow My Amazing Aussie Adventure

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Follow My Aussie Adventure

My #amazingaussieadventure is about to begin…

you will be able to see what I am up to by following my social media pages as well as popping over to Travel2 ‘s facebook page. Follow the following hashtags #amazingaussieadventure, #myhappyplace, #boomerangescapes. I along with 60 other agents are headed Down Under for an #amazingaussieadventure.

We have been divided into 6 groups. Each group will be experiencing a different Australian experience. My adventure is “Reef, Rainforest and City”. My trip includes two world heritage sites located next to each other, the Daintree Rainforest, and the Great Barrier Reef.

My journey begins by traveling from Memphis to LA via Delta Airlines to catch my Virgin Australia flight that will take me across the dateline. Once we land in Sydney on August 20th, we will catch a domestic flight and head to North Queensland.

Hello, Australia! Let the adventure begin.

Day 1- The first stop will be the Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa. The Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa is a five star resort located on Four Mile Beach-gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. This spacious retreat features a range of Port Douglas accommodation styles, situated around one of the largest lagoon pools in the Southern Hempisphere. Once checked in, the remainder of the afternoon is mine to rest, relax, have a swim in the pool, or take a walk on famous Four Mile Beach.
Day 2- Kicks off with a leisurely breakfast. After breakfast, I will be picked up from the hotel for my Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Cruise. This will be an experience of a lifetime as the Quicksilver’s wave-piercing catamarans and friendly crew take me out to the reef at the very edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf, to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. I will be located on Agincourt Reef, where I will not only snorkel and explore the living natural wonder below the waters, but I will also be going to see this amazing world from above in my helicopter tour. The day will end with a casual dinner and site inspection at the beautiful Thala Beach Resort before my return to the Sea Temple for a good night’s rest.
Day 3-Pack my bags and grab some breakfast and prepare for my Down Under Tours Daintree Walkabout including Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime Walk a Mossman Gorge. A unique expereience as I join the Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime Walk at Mossman Gorge, learning of dreamtime legends, bush tucker sources and traditional plant use before tea, damper and question time with my indigenous guide. The tour will include a delicious lunch at Silky Oaks Lodge overlooking the beautiful Mossman River, before taking an informative cruise on the Daintree River before returning to Cairns. Upon arriving in Cairns we will check into the Pacific Hotel Cairns. After a dinner, sponsored by Pacific Hotel Cairns, I will be able to walk the Esplanade and experience Cairns by night. Possibly picking up some bargains at the Night Markets, or win a fortune at the Reef Casino, all 5 minutes walk from the hotel.
Day 4-After breakfast, I will be picked up by Down Under Answers Tours Kuranda for a an all inclusive tour. The morning will begin at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park where an indigenous guide will show me the park, including bush food demonstrations, didgeridoo demonstrations, movie theatres, fire making demonstrations and the famous Tjapukai Dance Troupe. All followed by a buffet lunch at Boomerang Restaurant. The day continues with a rid on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Eventually arriving in Kuranda Village with free time to explore. Finally, I will board the Kuranda Scenic Rail, winding through hand-hewn tunnels, across bridges and around curves, all the time appreciating what an amazing engineering feat this is. The evening returns us to Cairns with dinner at Barnacle Bill’s Seafood Restaurant and free time after to further explore the Esplanade.
Day 5– Time to grab my bags and catch my flight to Hamilton Island. Hamilton Island is the largest inhabited island of the Whitsundays Islands in Queensland, Australia, positioned approximately 887 kilometers north of Brisbane and 512 kilometers south of Cairns.
Day 6-Time for agents to work as we spend a day in Trade Training with a dinner hosted by Tourism Queensland.
Day 7-Play day. After breakfast, I will take a cruise out to the famous Whitehaven Beach for a day of snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing. Plus, a highlight as I get to partake in a scenic flight over the Whitsundays. The evening is free as I get to explore and select one of Hamilton’s Island’s restaurants with one of my new friends.
Day 8– Time to depart this amazing island and head for Sydney. In Sydney, I will be checking into Holiday Inn Old Sydney. Located in the heart of The Rocks, this heritage-listed hotel enjoys spectacular view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera house. My dinner will be aboard Captain Cook Cruises on Sydney Harbour. The evening will be spent exploring some of the famous old pubs in The Rocks with my travel mates.
Day9-Grab a good breakfast before being picked up by AEA Luxury Tours for their full day Blue Mountains tour. Here I will get to revisit Featherdale Wildlife Park, view the famous 3 Sisters and lunch at Blackheath Golf Club. After lunch, I will spend the afternoon visiting a selection of lookouts including the famed Govett’s Leap. The remainder of the afternoon will be left open for some souvenir shopping before heading to Lavendar Bay for dinner.
Day 10-Time to return home. Goodbye Australia!

Any or all of these experiences can be customized for your own Australia Vacation Package. I would love to talk to you when I return and tell you about my #amazingaussieadventure!

 


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslFollow My Amazing Aussie Adventure
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Andrea Ward-Boomerang Escapes Beach Vacation Planner

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Andrea Ward is not only one of Boomerang Escapes,

veteran travel planners, but also has the special title of being my one and only sister. She officially joined my travel agency in November 2013 after our opening in May. She has become our resident expert in planning of All-Inclusive Beach Vacations.

Andrea is a mother of three young adults and currently resides in Burlington, Wisconsin. There she not only plans amazing beach vacations, but continues her role as business administrator for Harris Pet Hospital. Besides being an avid beach lover, she has an amazing love for animals and in her spare time helps out with the puppy breeding at Dale Creek Gundogs . She even fits time in to go horseback riding with her friends. Andrea says she “thrives on living!”

Much like myself, having moved around the country most of our childhood, she too developed a love of travel. Her passion….the BEACH. She said, “I use to dream of tropical resorts while sunbathing at the pool. Today, those dreams have become a reality and I now want to share my passion for white sandy beaches, warm sunny days, and cool breezes of the blue waters by planning vacations.”

Andrea took time to share two of her favorite resort experiences.

Sunscape Curacao Resort Spa & Casino (Formerly Breezes)

-Food was very good, but only 4 restaurants on site.
-Beach was clean and beautiful!
-Loved the water. It was calm and great for diving and snorkeling
-Staff was friendly and helpful. They helped me to arrange a renewal or our vows during our stay.
-The rooms were clean and the decor was bright.
-Shopping was nice in town. Safety was not an issue and I had a very positive experience.
-The colors of the town were breath taking!
-There are tons of activities at the resort, particularly a lot of water activities.

I would love to go back here and see Curacao again!

Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa

-Excellent variety of food with six restaurants, a buffet and a cafe!
-A very friendly staff.
-There were lots of activity including volley ball on the beach, work outs in the water or on the beach, archery, and horseback riding.
-I chose to do the horseback riding, and the experience was okay. I felt that once you left the beach area the scenery was not very appealing. As a horse owner, I probably have higher expectations of what I want from the horse and my ride.
-Dancing and other daily night life activity available.
-The beach is decent and a cool thing was you could fish right there in the ocean.
-My experience off the resort wasn’t the best. I wouldn’t recommend venturing too far. People are friendly, but the poverty level is very evident.
-​The rooms were clean and decor was bright.
-Great resort to go with a group of friends! I would recommend the resort for a destination wedding!
-It has one of the longest free form pools to float in.
-I would definitely visit again.

“There is nothing better than fun in the sun!”-Andrea

Thanks to Andrea, she and Boomerang Escapes, are one of the helpful businesses that belong to “Celebrate Our Town”, a welcoming program for new homeowners to the counties of Racine, Walworth, and Kenosha, Wisconsin.

 

revised 8/17/2020


Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

She has been planning vacation escapes for the company since 2013 and specializes in Caribbean Destinations. Her primary focus is on the all-inclusive vacation experience for adult or family getaways for individuals and small groups. Sandals and AMResorts are among the specialist certificates she holds.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslAndrea Ward-Boomerang Escapes Beach Vacation Planner
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