Literary Paradise
Sun Herald
Sunday September 12, 2004
FIJI'S Daku Resort will host Writing in Paradise from October 10 to 15, comprising a writing course and a look at contemporary Pacific literature.
Cost, including accommodation and air fares, is from $2980 per writer, with discounts for non-writing partners. Writing in Paradise will be hosted by Andrea Stretton, a presenter of arts shows on SBS and ABC TV. Daily workshops will examine various aspects of writing with a view to producing a short story by the end of the week. Daku Resort is in Savusavu, an old copra-trading port on the island of Vanua Levu. For more details phone 9969 4753. Dance like a HawaiianHAWAII'S famous cultural dance, the hula, will be on show at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel on Waikiki Beach during a week-long festival to honour its namesake. From October 10 to 16 the hotel will host complimentary hula lessons, fresh flower making, ukulele lessons and a cooking demonstration. The climax of the celebration is a signature hula event, now in its 10th year in the Hotel's Ainahau Showroom. Performances by 200 keiki (children) aged five to 12 years old from halau (hula schools) on the island of Oahu are scheduled from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, October 16. During half-time the show will feature the cast of Tihati Productions and its tribute to Princess Kaiulani. They will orchestrate an authentic portrayal of Princess Victoria Kaiulani performing in a beautiful sit-down hula, costumed in a replica of the 19th-century gown seen in the princess' life-sized portrait in the hotel's lobby. The event is open to everyone. For more information see www.starwoodhawaii.com.Annapurna by airPEREGRINE has reached agreement with Nepalese carrier Yeti Airlines to provide a reliable, direct and regular flight service between Kathmandu and Pokhara, to link with the start and end-point of the company's treks in the Annapurna region. There will be no increase in trek prices.Previously, passengers undertook a five-hour road trip to reach the lakeside town, which is the starting point for many of the most popular Himalayan treks. This journey, between Kathmandu and Pokhara, was frequently affected by workers strikes, road closures and other hold-ups which added to the adventure, if not the comfort of travellers.There was also a scheduled flight service on the route, but it was not considered reliable enough to be included in the company's trekking program.Peregrine has signed a contract for Yeti Airlines to bring in two 30-seater SAAB aircraft to fly morning schedules. This allows trekkers to arrive in Pokhara by mid-morning, kit up and head out by mid-afternoon, adding half a day on the trail to their trekking experience.The new service will start from the beginning of the trekking season in September. For more details see agents or phone Peregrine on 1300 854 444 or see www.peregrineadventures.com.Boating on the BrentaLA Riviera Fiorita, or the Blooming Riviera, remains one of Italy's most colourful boating events. It takes place on the second Sunday of September on the River Brenta.All the villages along the banks of the Naviglio Canal join in for the regatta that began in 1977 to re-enact the historic passage along the Riviera of Henry III, King of France. It originally took place in 1574, the year he visited Venice. He was warmly welcomed into the city after having followed the course of the river from Padua, passing the great country villas of the Venetian nobility. Along the riverside there were rejoicing crowds and music as the nobles looked on from their prestigious properties. The event begins with a competition for rowing clubs. The presentation for the best team takes place at Malcontenta. For more information see www.turismovenezia.it.Armchair travellerIF you're heading to an unfamiliar city, these new pocket-sized maps from Gregory's will save you the need to rely on wit and strangers to help you find your way around. Gregory's so far has released eight maps in the series including Adelaide, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and Auckland. Each map includes places of interest such as parks, museums, parking, public buildings, hotels and motels. The Barossa and McLaren Vale maps include a detailed winery listing, contact details and hours of trade. Available from book and department stores, motoring outlets and key travel destinations.Auckland Z-Map,Gregory's, $5.95.What a site!REMINISCE about your last holiday to America and count the pennies gained and lost on the forever fluctuating exchange rates with this website www.eh.net/hmit/exchangerates/. You can find the exchange rate for any year between the US dollar and 40 other countries. Exchange rates for Australia cover 1928-1999.READER'S PICKTERESA ATTFIELD and PAULA DEWIS from Coogee, NSW, write: If you're keen for a cardiovascular workout, then the UNESCO-listed village of Manarola within the Cinque Terre National Park, in north-western Italy, should certainly be on your itinerary. Manarola is one of five villages perched precariously on the cliffside, which became our home for five days in May this year. We took this photo as the sun was setting over the ocean, illuminating the warmly painted village, and a thunderstorm was approaching over the mountain from the opposite direction. SEND US YOUR SNAPS: If you'd like a picture considered for publication, send it to Photo Page, Travel, The Sun-Herald, PO Box 506, Sydney NSW 2001, or email dhunter@mail.fairfax.com.au. Include your name, address and 150 words on the story behind it (digital images need to be 15 centimetres wide at 300dpi, saved as a JPEG).NB: Send duplicate snaps or slides as originals will not be returned.
© 2004 Sun Herald
