Thinking of a trip to Bali?
You can rest assured you'll be well looked after when you arrive by our very own personal driver, tour guide and all round legend Wombie Driver.
Wombie has taken care of our clients in Bali since our business began and we had the pleasure of getting to meet him on our recent family trip to Bali and wow did he look after us.
And now, there's no chance you'll miss him as he arrives to take care of you with his new MWTC shirts and car signs!
Thank you Wombie Driver for taking such good care of our very special clients. 😃
A great honour to be event sponsor again for this years Morningside Panthers 'Legends Lunch'. Very aptly named with true footballing legend Gary Ablett Jnr as the keynote guest this year, along with fellow football legends Jason Ackermanis and Simon Black.
We are very privileged to be part of this major fundraising event for the club that our son plays his AFL at and to be able to contribute in our small way. Each year we donate a major live auction prize of a travel voucher and 12 bottles of wine thanks to our brand ambassador Tyson Stelzer, this year valued at well over $5,000.
Morningside Panthers are so much more than a football club and such an amazing part of our community, and the enjoyment our son gets out of playing there and that we get from being of amazing events like this, is why we keep supporting the club in any way we can.
AND......I guess it would be remiss of me to not mention that to top the day off, Rachel just happened to buy the winning raffle ticket, taking out the top prize of 2 AFL Grand Final Tickets. Watch out for some gloating pictures to follow from the last weekend in September.😃
Morningside Panthers - you are simply the best!
It's been a while since we posted last, and that's because we've been so busy - and our last post was to announce we were recruiting.
Well, we're very excited to announce that the wonderful Kristy Jenkins has joined our team as a Travel Concierge.
A former Bulimba local, Kristy has travelled extensively on her own, with her husband and now with her 3 beautiful children. She has had the pleasure of travelling through New Zealand (was actually born there!), USA, Europe, South America and Vietnam, with a very special affinity for her trips to Italy, Kristy will bring a wealth of first hand experience to the team.
We're super excited to have Kristy join us and she's already hit the ground running and helping us to create some amazing memories for our clients.
Welcome to the team Kristy! 😃
MWTC is recruiting!!!
Are you, or do you know someone, who is passionate about travel?
Travel industry experience is NOT important, so long as you have travelled extensively, either on your own or even better as a family.
What’s most important is being great with people, understanding their needs, translating that to an amazing holiday and attention to detail in putting it all together.
How we work was summed up perfectly by a recent review a client left us…..
The level of service you provide is outstanding, your attention to detail is exceptional but most of all, your genuine passion and love of looking after people really shines through in everything you do.
If this sounds like something you’d like to be a part of then get in touch!
Don’t be put off by lack of experience or knowledge!! We’ll provide all the training you need and what’s most important is looking after your clients and wanting to be part of, and grow with, something special as we continue to help more and more clients to create their perfect travel memories.
Starting as casual and growing to part time and full time as our business grows, we can be completely flexible with hours, so be perfect for a mum or dad looking to get back into work and needs to fit into school hours or anyone needing flexibility.
Interested??
Email scott@mwtc.com.au
DID YOU KNOW....we keep a database of your passport's expiry date and advise you when it is due to expire?
With everyone beginning to travel again, many clients are pulling out their passport to travel for the first time in a few years only to find it has expired or is due to within the next 6 months.
With the passport office being inundated with renewals and new applications, turnaround times have blown out from weeks to months.
So, if you're thinking of travelling in the next 12months, make sure you dig out your passport and check when it expires AND send us your passport details and we'll make sure you don't get caught out!
After arriving at Canggu, we had days of more relaxing and amazing food. Canggu is very trendy, full of the 'Insta surfing crowd' (far to cool for us! 😂) and amazing cafes and restaurants. The beach is great for surfing but far too rough for swimming, at least when we were there. We did treat ourselves to some fine dining extravagance at Ona restaurant and the food was as good as any fine dining restaurant.
Josh and Scott had a day out at Waterbomb, the huge waterpark in Kuta. It was very quiet so they spent about 5 hrs walking up stairs to go down slides and came back absolutely exhausted, but with a very happy 11yo!
The next day Wombie Driver took us for a tour of Seminyak. Dropping us off at the beach, we walked down towards Legian, before heading into the Padma Legian Hotel. We were able to get a day pass for $15 which included $15 food voucher. Seemed a great deal to us! We spent the afternoon lounging by the pool and making the most of the swim up bar and kids waterslides. Definitely a hotel we'd recommend in the future.
We had 1 night left and we'd chosen to book a night at Le Meridien, Jimbaran Bay to check out the beach and the famous seafood restaurants on the beach. Neither disappointed and we had an afternoon in the ocean before catching the stunning sunset and finished off with a Seafood BBQ extravaganza on the sand. A perfect way to end an amazing holiday before jetting back home.
Bali, you will be missed!
It was a shame to leave Ubud and would have liked more time here to explore and eat at more of the amazing restaurants. Picked uo once again by our expert guide Wombie Driver, we headed firstly to The Bali Swing. It was all a bit corny if I'm honest but made for a good laugh as they made us pose for all their photo's that we never purchased anyway!
We then had quite a drive to Mount Batur which is an active volcano which last erupted in 2000 and the lava field from the eruption in 1968 is still clearly visible. There is a massive lake in the middle and we enjoyed the hot springs and waterslides overlooking the beautiful lake and mountains. Quite a drive but well worth it!!
We passed many rice fields on the way back, stopping for photo's of the fields and Josh's new mates, before getting to our private villa in Canggu for 4 nights of rest, and more amazing food!
Leaving Sanur on route to Ubud, Wombie Driver took us for for tea and coffee tastings, where we got to sample the local Kopi Luwak. This is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet!! Sounds disgusting but they are then boiled, roasted and then ground like normal coffee beans. Was ok but no Bellissimo Coffee that's for sure! The tea was very good and the spicy ginger tea in particular!
Next up was an ATV tour. (All Terrain Vehicle) This is where you need a great driver and guide who knows the best spots and takes you to them, not just the nearest place or where they get looked after best, and Wombie DriverWombie Driver excelled here! We must have driven past at least half dozen ATV tour places and went 30mins past Ubud to Kuber Bali Adventures. All the others he said were just flat and through rice fields but this one is up and down big hills, through rice fields, villages, water falls, caves and has a cool water track at the end for some fun. An boy oh boy was it great fun. It wasn't cheap but worth every cent and all 3 of us agreed it was one of the best things we've done on any holiday! We cannot recommend this place enough for a day out!!
We then checked into The Sankara Resort into our beautiful pool villa where it was then mostly about more relaxing, with 2 hour massages treatments at our hotel only $25 each, (even Josh joined in at that price!) eating amazing food that Ubud is renowned for and a stroll around the Monkey Forest. A 3 or 4 day stay in Ubud is a must for any trip to Bali!
Today we head down to the surfing mecca of Canggu for the next 4 nights, via rice fields, hot springs and the 'Bali Swing'.
Day 2 in Bali was all about relaxing, with some eating, swimming, eating, swimming, a walk and then some more eating and swimming!
Next day we headed out again with our expert guide Wombie Driver and headed to Nusa Dua for some watersports, starting with some tubing, followed by the boys first experience of Parasailing. Pretty hard to contain Josh's excitement! We then headed to the stunning clifftop, Uluwatu Temple.
We drove back via Jimbaran for lunch on the beach before a drive through tour of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak.
Our last day in Sanur and we decided to take the 30min fast ferry over to Lembongan Island, renowned for it's crystal clear waters. We hired a moped for the day and headed off to explore the island. (And yes, we insisted on helmets, a rental agreement and we already knew that our travel insurance included the optional moped cover!)
Stunning beaches with clifftop restaurants and you certainly can't miss the 'famous' Yellow Bridge. (Still not sure how they came up with that creative name.) We took a small boat tour through the mangroves before finding a beautiful beach for a swim and lunch before heading back to catch the ferry back to the mainland. An adventurous day that perhaps isn't for everyone, but there is the option of golf buggy and jeep tours as well to get you to all the best sights!
Next post - we head to the mountains and rice fields of Ubud, with the most amazing ATV tour on route. (According to Josh - the best thing he's ever done in his life!)
WE ARE OFFICALLY ON HOLIDAY!!! 🥰
After many years of not being able to travel overseas, we have taken the plunge and jetted off for 12 days on our first ever trip to Bali. It took a little more planning and extra costs for PCR tests than pre-COVID but that was more than made up for with the great deals available currently.
We all got PCR tests at Brisbane Airport 2 days before departure, which was a breeze. Booked and paid online in advance and was done within 15mintues and results email through within the hour.
Arriving in Bali, we were about 2 hrs from landing to exiting the airport, with paperwork checks, PCR test, visa on arrival and immigration. Pretty much what we'd read to expect and was all pretty smooth.
We finally got to meet Wombie Driver who has been looking after our clients for all their transfers and tours since our business began! A 30min trip to our hotel and we had to isolate in our room until the negative PCR results arrived, which was just over an hour later.
We're spending the first 4 nights at the stunning @mayasanur in an 'Impressive Lagoon Pool Suite - and impressive it is!
A walk along the beach front for dinner took us past many stunning beach bars and restaurants with a very upmarket feel. It is quite heartbreaking to see many of them closed or near empty as travel is only just starting to pick up again.
Just this morning we read that the PCR on arrival into Bali is soon to be scrapped, along with the need for a PCR to get back into Australia from the 17th April, making it even easier and cheaper!
If our first 24hrs is anything to go by of relaxing, amazing food, the friendliest and most gracious staff everywhere we go, we are in for an amazing holiday!
Very honoured to be named Bulimba Cricket Club 'Volunteer of the Season'.
Our son plays cricket there, which is why we wanted MWTC to also be a sponsor at the club, but we said from the start, we don't just want to give money, we want to be engaged in the club and the amazing community they have.
Have we got some business out of the sponsorship? Absolutely!
But to be honest, this award trumps any amount of business we might have got and is what makes everything Rachel and I put into this amazing little club worthwhile.
Thank you Bulimba Cricket Club for creating such a fun and inclusive environment for not only our son, but so many kids in the community to enjoy their cricket.
Happy International Women's Day!!
We celebrated the amazing 2 women in our business today with a bunch of flowers each as a thank you and small token of my appreciation for all they do. (And no I didn't pick pink on purpose - I simply asked the florist to make up 2 bunches and that's what she came back with!)
Rachel and I began our business over 5 years ago and she is undoubtedly responsible for making sure everything is done 'right' with her meticulous planning and attention to detail. We'd have been in a whole world of mess without her keeping everything in order and on track!
Sarah joined us over 3 years ago and has been inspirational in change with what we do. She is solely responsible for launching our fantastic, monthly newsletters, and plans and books clients holidays like a lifelong expert.
MWTC wouldn't be what it is today without both of these inspiring and dedicated women, and I thank you both for truly being the backbone of everything we do.
Yesterday France, today.......Singapore!
It is now a whole lot easier to enter the Lion City with the government announcing from 22 February 2022, arrivals into Singapore via their Vaccinated Transit Lanes (VTL) flights, won’t need to fork out for a PCR test, isolate on arrival or do daily rapid antigen tests (RATs)!
Thinking of your next trip? The time is now. 😀
Valentines Day may have passed but it's never too late to visit the City of Love, and as of today it just got a little bit easier!
Just announced this morning, Australian travellers who are vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test for entry into France!
If you're thinking of travelling, we've got your back. 😉
Borders. Quarantine. Tests.
While this is an ever-changing game at the moment (another reason why insurance is a must!), here are a few updates:
Australia to open borders to International tourists from 21 February.
NZ to open in stages from the end of February.
UK arrival tests scrapped for fully vaccinated.
The restrictions are changing daily!
For reference, visit smartraveller.org.au or give us a yell and we can help you navigate what's required.
Watching the Winter Olympics?
If it is making you want to hit the snow this winter, give us a shout and we can help you plan a winter snow adventure.
With Australian slopes so busy why not look at New Zealand, USA, Canada or Japan?!?!
Kids are back at school. Hurray! 😂
PSA: The Easter Holidays are less than 8 weeks away!!!
Let's start planning your next holiday. Contact us today.
It's not too late to buy the BEST Christmas gift of all......The Gift of Travel.
Available in any amount, we can customise it for you and pop it in a Christmas card and post it too (and if your recipient is local we will also hand deliver it for you!).
* NOTE: We can also do e-vouchers.
Travel vouchers are a great Christmas present, whether you are buying for a family member, a friend, someone special or even an employee or customer, everyone loves to travel.
They are redeemable against any holiday purchase from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to a local short break.
♪ It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Everywhere you go.......♪
This Christmas, give the best gift of all....the chance to GO somewhere!
GIVE THE GIFT OF TRAVEL.
With borders opening up and international travel happening, there's never been a better time to buy someone a TRAVEL GIFT VOUCHER!
And we even provide a free Christmas Card!!
We can have it posted to you or we can even personalise the card and send it directly to them giving you one less gift to worry about.
Contact us today to buy your SPECIAL GIFT for a SPECIAL SOMEONE this Christmas.
CALLING ALL CRICKET FANS - Do you remember Mark Taylor's epic unbeaten 334, equalling the highest Test score of the legendary Sir Donald Bradman......or more importantly where it was and when?
It was Peshawar, Pakistan in the 1998-99 tour - the last time the Australian Men's cricket team toured Pakistan.
For the first time in 24 years, Australia are confirmed to tour Pakistan and YOU CAN BE THERE, for all 3 tests.
First Test: 3-7 March, Karachi
Second Test: 12-16 March, Islamabad
Third Test: 21-25 March, Lahore
This chance of a lifetime tour includes 5 star accommodation, VIP tickets to all days of each test, English speaking guides and authorised security escorts throughout the tour.
Spots limited. Secure your place today!
Start Planning Those Overseas Trips
26 night Round Australia Cruise - 2024!
Includes: 26 night cruise onboard Coral Princess from Sydney return, main meals, entertainment onboard & more
BONUS: Onboard Credit, Reduced Deposit & Launch Savings for Captain’s Circle Members*
Also available from Brisbane - 2 Mar, 2024
26 NIGHTS FROM
$6,739*pp
Holiday Starts: 29 Feb 2024
Holiday Ends: 26 Mar 2024
Ship: Coral Princess
Valid Until: 9 Dec 2021
If you’re planning a trip in the first half of 2022, make sure you don’t miss Etihad’s Black Flyday sale.
Fly to any of the airline’s select worldwide destinations, such as Abu Dhabi, London, Paris and Amsterdam, with fares starting as low as $1079 return from Sydney to Abu Dhabi in Economy and $5,725 in Business.
Fly Sydney to Amsterdam from $1,249 return or London from $1,351 in Economy.
Or how about Melbourne to Amsterdam from $1,284? or London Economy return from $1,334 or Business from $6,416. Bargain!
The sale will run over the Black Friday weekend, from Friday 26 November until Tuesday 30 November 2021, for travel between 1 February – 15 June 2022.
Travellers can also book now, and change their flights later with no additional costs, for total peace of mind.
