the jourknow: Holidays

Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts

Saturday, 2 March 2013

Medway students to meet man behind new theme park plans

Students on the Medway Campus will get to meet the man behind Kent’s answer to Disneyland in March.

Project leader Tony Sefton will be talking about the £2 billion project which could create up to 27,000 jobs in the local area.

Under plans unveiled last October, London Resort Company Holdings wish to build a “Disneyland rival” on the Swanscombe Peninsular, near Dartford in Kent.

The company were successfully granted a license from Paramount Pictures to use their name for the entertainment resort, which would include Europe’s largest indoor water park, live music venues and hotels.

The park, which if built would be the fourth biggest resort in the world, would be right next to Ebbsfleet Station, which is on the London St Pancras line from Gillingham.

Mr Sefton will be talking about the impact the park will have in the local community, as well as the difficulty in developing and planning a resort.

Kent Business School, who have organised the event, said on their Facebook page: “This event would also be a great chance to network with the project leader regarding the 27,000 jobs this development is estimated to create, to help get your foot in the door early.”

The talk by Tony Sefton is from 4pm to 5.30pm on Monday, March 4 2013 at Kent Business School on the Medway Campus (Room M3-04), and is open to all students. To attend, email kbsm@kent.ac.uk or attend through the Facebook event.

(Written by Kieran Watkins for the Medwire)

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

Risky game for British Airways

I love a good commercial, and with viewers flocking to their screens for events such as the Euros and the Olympics this summer, it's gonna be a bumper year for advertising agencies. Companies are putting big amounts of money on the table to get a slice of the precious minutes of screen time available for advertisers.

Which is why I was a little confused at the new British Airways advert released this week, which urges the British public to stay at home this summer and enjoy what's on in their local area and in London.

The one minute long ad sees a British Airways plane 'drive' around London, passing all the iconic sites, before reaching a halt outside the Olympic stadium.

Ultimately, the motive behind the campaign must lie behind the sponsorship deal British Airways has for the Olympics. It's an Official Partner for the London 2012 Games, and will heavily benefit from the games, one presumes.

Maybe then, one could presume that British Airways are benefiting from new advertising campaign, maybe from the government? They would have paid millions of pounds into the London 2012 Olympic Games, so why would they risk losing more money by promoting families to stay at home and not use their planes? I'm not suggesting what they're doing is wrong, in fact I think it's right of them to promote the UK during this special year. But British Airways is a business, and business doesn't play nice - which makes me think they're getting something in return for this deal.

Who knows, all I know is that the advert and the intense advertising campaign surrounding it (British Airways is using both Facebook and Twitter to promote their new campaign) must have cost them a lot of money to pull off. Time will tell when they release their end-of-year revenue figures early next year.

You can watch the advertising campaign here. You can also check out their Facebook page and Twitter too.

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia

Friday, 13 April 2012

The New Zealand Diaries: No.10 - There he blows!

Please, no giggling with this post. For any immature people out there, who struggle to hold it together at times of double entendre, tighten your stomach muscles and take a deep breath. You may need it.

Because my next diary entry from my New Zealand adventure is all about blowholes. Jack's Blowhole, to be precise. Located a twenty minute walk from Jack's Bay, the blowhole is a totally new concept, and certainly something I was eager to find.

Jack's Bay is on the edge of the south-east coast of the South Island, with picturesque landscapes, golden sands and deep blue seas. It's a gorgeous place to be, and with a slight fresh breeze brushing through your hair, it was a fabulous set up for what proved to be quite an adventure.

To get to Jack's blowhole, you walk through herds of sheep (literally right through them), across gates and fences and through meadows, slowly climbing the mountain side. Spotting wildlife as you go on your way, it was generally sad when we reached the famous hole.

So what is a blowhole? Well, it is a hole in the land, of quite a gigantic size, with water trapped inside. The waves and surf from the water, depending on the strength of the current, crash together, sending spray from the hole up into the air. On an unsettled day, the water has been known to hit those peering down into the hole.

Luckily for us, we managed to stay dry. From the various viewing spots around the perimeter of Jack's hole, we got magnificent views of the blowhole. Like a gigantic geyser, it was full of clear blue water, surrounded by sea birds and plants of all different species.

There was something quite mystical about the place. Being so far away from the actual coast (although, underground, it's a different story), the hole was certainly fascinating to peer down and get a feel for the atmosphere.

On reflection, it might have been seen as a big whole in the middle of the ground, but what it turned out to be was a place of intrigue and mystery. A whole full to the brim - literally - with history and interest, which with the stunning landscape and gorgeous walk, made for a fantastic few hours in the Catlins.

Friday, 16 March 2012

The New Zealand Diaries: No.7 - Golden Nuggets!

If I could take anything away from my trip to New Zealand, it would be the fantastic, picturesque scenery of the South Island. Golden beaches, deep blue oceans and cloudless skies. Sounds like heaven right?

Which is why a three day trip to the Catlins was magical. Like walking through a fairytale, the trip was magical. The sun was shining, the atmosphere was calm and the views were to die for.

Nugget Point, on our first stop across the Catlins, is on the coast, one of the iconic points on the Otago coastline. A walk along the side of the mountain brought us out by a lighthouse, where you can view the Nuggets.

The Nuggets are a 'collection' of boulders forming a bay, and are teaming with wildlife. Dolphins, seals and penguins are often found frolicking in the surf, surrounded by various sea birds and fish. I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a family of seals sunbathing on the rocks, as well as a pod of dolphins swimming majestically towards the horizon.

The lighthouse is the focal point at Nugget Point, with a panoramic view of the nuggets and the side of the mountain. The sun glimmers off the clear blue sea, and makes for a beautiful picture. Camera's are recommended.

The footpath to the lighthouse is both scenic and educational, with various stop off points on route with information points. It's great for families who want a free, adventurous and memorable day out. I cannot stress enough however, do not forget your camera!

Friday, 3 February 2012

The New Zealand Diaries: No.2 - The Good Life

One thing that we British take for granted is our villages. Quaint, thatched houses surrounded by fields and woodland, with a traditional free house nestled in the centre. The local shop provides you with all the essentials, the local butcher fills you up with a succulent joint every Sunday, and the historic church with its staple ivy-covered tombstones keeps the cogs of village life ticking. As British as the union jack.

Or is it? Because, even on the other side of the world, similarities can start to be drawn. In the South Island of New Zealand – home to a population of just 1 million – family-orientated villages are all the range. Quirky styled cottages alongside neatly pruned wisteria. A friendly, welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel more of a ‘regular’ than a ‘tourist’, as you settle down outside the blazing sun for a pint of the local bitter.

On my travels, I was fortunate enough to go and visit some of these ‘midsummer-esque’ villages. If you work in the city, it is often cheaper – and a lot calmer – to live in a house outside the city. With plenty of land and views to die for, you would be mad not to want the village way of life. Chilling outside, with sheep as your neighbours, you can see why many of the locals, and even foreigners, envy the laid-back lifestyle of the NZ village scene.

Outram, where my father lives, is your standard New Zealand village. A mix of modern and traditional buildings, with its very own High Street, featuring; two coffee shops, one convenience store, three gift shops, a garden centre, two garages, a bar and a butcher. Elsewhere in the village, the various churches and halls suggest a friendly, active community is at the heart of this picture-perfect village.

Elsewhere, other villages provide a glimpse into the rich heritage of New Zealand’s culture. The village of Lawrence is a favourite for tourists, with its various coffee shops and emporiums adding a cosmopolitan feel to a place full of history. It also boasts its own museum, which is a must-see for any sightseer. On the other hand, Tapanui, resting by the side of the Blue Mountains, offered a completely different atmosphere. A quiet, peaceful place where everybody knows one another. If you do get the chance to visit, make sure you try the world-famous Hokey-Pokey ice cream from the local shop. I guarantee you have never tried anything like it before!

In an ever-changing world that we live in, one dominated by technology and mass culture, it was more than a welcoming change to go back to basics and settle for the harmonious lifestyle of yesterday’s world. Which is something we take for granted in UK, and makes me wonder if the UK village scene is all a bit superficial, clinging on for dear life. Because, with the various villages dotted all over the South Island, and across New Zealand, you will find the one that is just right for you - and they will all have their own story to tell!

Pictures taken from Outram.