From the monthly archives:

March 2010

“Sparky you will be proud of me, i ate chicken gizzards!!!! OMG they tasted exactly like chicken meat but like a big piece of grisle. YUK!!!!”

Kelly with her awards

"The hard work was worth it"

Whoa…

It has been a bit over a week now since I last wrote to.

Far too long… considering I have so much I want to share…that just might be the key to your next travel.

So what was happening?

In a word…I was… PONDERING!

  • pondering what to write,
  • what order to write it in
  • how to write it.

Frankly I had no idea just how challenging creating content for this blog would be…I was warned though!

To me it would be simple with all my personal travel, plus the vast numbers of very happy clients and our great relationships with key suppliers. In my mind I had access to untold valuable content by any stretch of the imagination!!!

But first, if you are a new here you may well benefit by visting this post which is pretty much what I am building onto today.

OK…

We are all together now…onwards and upwards!!!

Now let’s get to the bottom of my pondering and see if you can help through this.

But where do I start?

My resources are huge which I can tap into. There are literally thousands of clients we have assisted over the past 26 years from our 9 locations. So many in fact that when I tried to figure it out the best I could do is make an educated guess that between these businesses clients have entrusted us with somewhere in the region of $250,000,000 in travel. That’s a lot of travel and a lot of people whose learnings to call on.

Wouldn’t you agree?

Our learning’s never seem to stop.

Which is gold

Our role has been to thoroughly research travel so you become comfortable with your decision. We are in a way acting as your travel guide to create the as near as possible the perfect holiday for you.

Over time our aim for you has evolved into “How we can work with you to create not just a great travel experience …but how to define a PURPOSE so your travel now becomes a way you can possible gain a life changing moment.”

Now I want to be right up front…PURPOSE travel may not be for everyone.

It can happen quickly!

One moment you are doing what you do… then bang! In a flash you decide to do something differently.

For example you could be contemplating eating a dish you would not of remotely considered before you set out on this trip …a great example that comes to mind is and I quote direct from the email I received just this morning from Kelly Spinks our award winning travel planner who is currently in Japan with her family…

“Sparky you will be proud of me, i ate chicken gizzards!!!! OMG they tasted exactly like chicken meat but like a big piece of grisle. YUK!!!! (These are Kelly’s exact words.)”

Could this be a life defining moment for Kelly…who knows time will tell? What I can say though is that whatever it took Kelly in her mind to pluck up (pardon the pun) the courage to try something she has not done before is the difference.

Think about this…if you do or try something that you have not thought possible whilst traveling…how might it impact a future situation you could be faced with where that mindset may very well be the inspiration to a better outcome?

You are probably thinking… sure John eating something unusual can hardly be a life changing event…or could it be?

I have personal experiences which over the course of time I will share. There is no doubt that I now look on food differently and with a much more open mind…I am enjoying all kinds of food which makes life more interesting. That’s got to be good for anyone in my eyes!

The result…I love cooking and food in a way my Mum could only have wished for when I was a youngster who was so picky with his food. The Mums reading this will know what I am talking about for sure.

I firmly believe it was visiting other countries and trying the local dishes that have conditioned me in such a way I would less likely have ventured down if I stayed at home in my comfortable zone.

Can you think of a time or experience from past travel where you stepped out of your comfort zone in a way that shocked or surprised you? If you can how about sharing it in the comments below…you just may be the inspiration to a fellow traveler…How good would that make you feel?

Just a little side note here…Kelly has traveled a great deal in the last 10 years and on her return one of the first things she shares with me is the unusual food she tried. I am sure Kelly will not mind saying so, but 10 years ago she was a meat and potato’s girl.

This has been huge for Kelly.

Has trying different foods changed Kelly…maybe not…what I can say though is she enjoys a much wider variety and styles if food now that more than likely would of taken a lot longer to be accepted into her life.

My next post I will explore even more how you can take your next holiday and quite possible turn it into a life changing or enhancing experience all from using a PURPOSE mindset.

Please leave a comment and tell what you want from this blog that way I will be able to be of greater service …is that fair enough?

Until we next meet…

enjoy good time.

John C Spark

Expert Travel Planner

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Ask anyone who has been to Queenstown if they visited “The Cow”

I would be surprised if less than 1 in 10 could say YES!!!

What a crying shame…

“The Cow” is one of the most unique restaurants you could imagine…and did I say the food is absolutely awesome?

Why is it over looked by the so many and yet very well known by those in the know…

Take a look at where it is situated…smack in the center of Queenstown (google map)

It is tucked away but should not be ignored.

WARNING: be early as this former cow shed is rather small and fills up quickly.

Check out what else I have to say in the video…

Enjoy a great day

John C Spark

Expert Travel Planner

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It’s interesting how sometimes things seem to happen randomly…

and yet they are connected!!!

Yesterday a client came to my  office, which lead to a conversation talking about how travel seems to set people apart.

He said, you can tell instantly from a conversation whether that person has travelled or not.

That’s interesting… as I just wrote about how I believe travel can be such a great vehicle to teaching people more about life.

He went on to say people who are fortunate enough to travel usually have a more balanced perspective because of what they had experienced.

Maybe you agree with this or perhaps you don’t.

Either way I encourage you to read the post below and then watch the video to see what I had to say.

Then why not share your take on travel and what purpose it serves in your life.

Here’s to your purpose travel

John C Spark

Expert travel planner

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View from Nelson Harbour

A fresh fall of snow on Mt Authur-"Lord Of The Rings" Country

It is Friday arvo and very hot outside…like 39 plus.

Not your usual Albany day.

Thankfully my aircon is working.

I have resisted posting this post for 3 days now…

Not anymore!

You see I have been wrestling with how to talk to you no matter whether you are a first time or  a repeat traveller to New Zealand.

My goal is that you immediately see value for yourself.

After all that is why you are here isn’t?

Originally I was just going to cover in detail each of the questions I use when helping people with travel planning.

That was until I read what I thought I was going share to a couple of my colleagues.

They made some suggestions…I listened.

There’s got to be a better way!!!

So what is the best way in the world…

The best real way to…

CREATE THE ULITIMATE NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL PLAN-

” PURPOSE TRAVEL

  • No matter if this is your first trip or your 10th…
  • No matter if you hire a car,motor home or take a coach holiday…
  • No matter if you are limited or have unlimited time
  • No matter if your budget is tight or bulging.

Wow! Can you you really cover all this with what I am about to show you?

Even if you are not interested in New Zealand?

YES YOU BET I CAN!

I’ve helped more people than I care to count (people just like you) to come back as raving fans after what they experienced while in New Zealand…the results speak for themselves.

And today, I am going to start a journey for you that is dear to my heart and could quiet literally be life changing  for you…

THIS IS NOT YOUR EVERYDAY TRAVEL!

No way…

That’s not for us!

Now before I go any further, let’s define “Purpose Travel”

For simplicity sake – we’ll define purpose travel thinking as a way of getting much more than a holiday experience. This is a mindset for travelling that will make a difference in your life and to the people you come in contact with…no matter when or where!

You might want to read that again…it says much more than it looks.

Of course we could expand that definition…and we probably will in future posts-but for now this will do.

So, lets begin…

I promise you I will be do my utmost to make this interesting and exciting on how you can…

ELEVATE YOUR THINKING, AND ELEVATE WHAT TRAVEL CAN REALLY DO IN YOUR LIFE!!!

In other words, you can now start to consider what other wonderful and powerful ways travel will serve you and your family.

Imagine…

You can still have a great holiday, but now it is possible with the right mindset and some thoughtful planning to add with minimal effort a life changing experience.

You may need to consider this just a bit…after all few people ever actively plan travel in this way. I actually think it is thought about much more than we let on. We just don’t plan for it.

So that’s what we are going to do…

More specifically I am going to show you why it’s so much more rewarding to…

FOCUS ON PURPOSE TRAVEL

Yep, you read that correctly…

And the good news it is easy to do with a little thought.

You just have know where to start and that is what I will show you.

But first…

And I am aware this is getting a little long…

So what I would like to do is to finish off today and leave you with a question we always ask our audience  at each of our in office presentation evenings:

What difference can travel make to…

  • Your life?
  • Your Family?
  • How you are with your friends on your return?
  • Your appreciation of others culture?
  • Your ability to communicate more effectively
  • Your own personal growth?

While you quietly ponder these question…think back to past travel and recall how perhaps one or all the above may have been impacted positively or negatively.

You will be surprised at how in fact the negative experiences…were possibly the most powerful.

I will be covering this in much more detail as we move forward in the coming weeks.

On my next post I will share a personal story to better illustrate what I mean…

Along with all important first question you absolutely MUST ask.

The temperature is dropping and Nilla is hurrying me along.

Remember to comment as I am sure a dialogue will be more powerful than a monalogue in serving us all.

I have a confession…it is now Sunday evening 10.55 pm… not Friday night.

Yup I have not pushed the publish button as I read and reread this just to make sure I am saying what I want in a way that can be very useful to you…I certianly hope I am.

Tomorrow I start on part 2…so stand by to learn some  things about travel planning you will not only be able to put use with a New Zealand Holiday…but any holiday for that matter.

Guaranteed!!!

So until next time…

enjoy all things good.

John C Spark

Expert Travel Planner




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Most Australians I know have either been or are going to New Zealand one day:Can you relate to that statement?

Now let’s put this into context…most people stay less than 3 weeks. Spending time in the main centres Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with perhaps two days in Queenstown.

As you read on I will share my personal experiences as to why New Zealand is the jewel in my travel crown and why it could well become the same for you.

Lake Daniles near Springs Junction South Island New Zealand

Stunningly Beautiful...thank god you cant see the sandflies!

Let’s start with a little story if I may…

Back in September 09 my son Jason, his partner Lisa and 2 friends went snowboarding in the South Island. I joined them in Wanaka after they drove down from Mt Hutt. Every day there was a fresh dump of snow while at night we enjoyed the great tastes of local food and wine.

One evening our conversation turned to New Zealand as a destination. And this is where it got interesting…you see before Jason and his friends arrived in New Zealand each agreed they were “pretty much over New Zealand” and wouldn’t be back for quite some time.

That is until now…

“What changed you ask?”

The answer…New Zealand.

Ok… I know New Zealand didn’t just change… what I mean is it is constantly changing …man, the Kiwis are forever coming up with new attractions, exciting activities and eating experiences.

I personally have traveled to New Zealand more times than I can remember in the last 30 years and just love sharing my many tips and inside secrets. And that is what I am going to do for you.

But first here is a perspective that will give you some sense of what lies ahead…

My sister and her partner have been exploring New Zealand now for the past 5 years using their bus as a home while branching out on foot, bike or Suzuki 4×4. I will be posting some   incredibly beautiful pictures they have snapped over the next couple of weeks. These pictures are from vantage points the main stream traveller often never gets to.

I mention my sister Wendy because when I was last home I asked her how much longer would her and Peter need to complete their New Zealand odyssey? Wendy said we figure it will take us 10 years to fully explore New Zealand.

"A touch of paradise"

Probably just like it looked to Captain Cook back in 1769

They are missing so much…just take a look at Queenstown on Google maps…this is the self proclaimed adrenaline capital of the world. What it also has is quaint hidden secrets like the cow shed…which the majority of people miss and to think it is smack in the centre of Queenstown.

I digressed sorry about that. Back to Jason and his friends…in the space of 6 days they had gone from “Over New Zealand” to wanting to buy an investment property in Wanaka (thanks Google maps). All because of what they experienced and the many new attractions they were able to try.

Treble Cone, Wanaka New Zealand

We are not over NZ...just kidding!

My point is that New Zealand is perhaps one of the most underutilized and misunderstood  destinations because people simple don’t know how to create a customized travel plan so they can optimize their time, budget and experiences.

So I am going to do something about right here…

  • Over the next couple of weeks I will walk you in detail through how we would go about planning memorable travel just as though you sitting in front of me in to our office.
  • I will include video travel tips.
  • I will share the 6 key questions that I guarantee once you consider these questions you will feel very comfortable in either going to New Zealand for the first time or revisiting with a renewed sense of adventure.

Finally I will bring it all together with a webinar that condenses everything into one easily to follow system covering the car hire, motor home and coach travel. It will be obvious just what is best for you.

Of course you can ask any questions you have about your travel so please use the comments area to ask away.

Until we next meet…“when I share the very first question all travelers must ask themselves” and doubt you can guess what it is.

Here is a thought…why not write you think my very first question could be in the comments box and I will give away a $50 travel vouchure for each correct answer. So be sure to leave your email.

That’s it for today.

Enjoy all things good.

John C Spark

Expert Travel Planner

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13% happy to sleep with strangers on flights

Really!!!

Couldn’t help myself when I saw this headline…

Just had to ask your thoughts.

First here in part is what I recently read  in an article …

13% of people would be happy to share a Skycouch with a stranger they met in queue, according to the latest poll from flight comparison site Skyscanner.

The Skycouch, which has been developed by Air New Zealand, works by converting a row of three airline seats into a bed. It is being heralded as the first ‘lie-down economy bed’, and the first major improvement in economy class travel comfort in 20 years.

Now I for one would be very happy to see some more comfort in economy.

It goes on…

Three seats must be purchased together, with the third seat offered at a discounted rate. Each of the seats has a cushion that folds up from beneath, and arm rests all tuck away, creating a flat mattress that will allow two adults to stretch out.

Stretch out…you certainly get my vote!

73% of the people who voted in Skyscanner’s poll said that they would happily pay the extra for a Skycouch, of which 60.5% said they would share with their partner. 25% said that they wouldn’t pay the extra and would rather save their money.

Nearly 500 people voted in the poll, and the overall results show that Air New Zealand’s innovation is a winner with long haul flyers and a lucrative move for the airline.

Where is this taking us…must say I certainly would have to give a lot of thought before considering  this  option…with a complete stranger…mmm. Nah …cant see me doing it myself.

What about you?

Lets see what others are thinking shall we…take the pole…might be surprising.


(polls)

That’s it for today just a quickly…as I said really could not help myself  when I read that article.

Cheers

John C Spark

Expert Travel Planner

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