Nov 09
Nov 07
My actions were PURE! Michael King’s thoughts on Marrakech and London
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I am currently somewhere over the north Atlantic heading home after spending 6 nights in Marrakech Morocco and two nights in London. Why, you say, this combination? Well what drew me to Marrakech was my first invitation to attend a travel conference called PURE- ostensibly for the “purist” who plan experiential travel- which I try to do.
We (my love of my life – Barbara and I) believe in order to be the best at helping people to experience a great time while they are traveling, must not only travel ourselves but go to the meetings where providers of travel go and meet with them to be as prepared as possible. Hence, I traveled to Marrakech with Barbara, who intended to rest up a bit while I attended the conference.
Arriving in Morocco I was reminded of Arizona- lots of sand and a few green areas, and mountains off in the distance. However this was where the similarities ended. We were greeted at the airport by one of the representatives of the company we decided to use to tour the city and surrounding areas before the conference began. Once outside I noticed the mountains off in the distant were snowcapped and while the climate was dry it was not hot with temperatures in the mid-60s.
I looked around thinking we might take a camel to town (really only kidding – but I did think it), but there were modern vehicles and off we went to the Four Seasons. (Yes- that Four Seasons) I was certainly impressed- apparently the hotel had just opened a couple of months ago. Alarm bells should have been going off – maybe I was still a bit groggy from traveling so far – who knows. I was in for a bit different experience than what I was use to – this property wasn’t quite ready for prime time. Very slow check-in, went one day without the room having been serviced, difficulty with room service- i.e. filled out one of those little cards for breakfast that tell you to hang it on the door before midnight and then your breakfast will be served in your room at the time requested- when it didn’t arrive I thought I would check the door before calling room service and voila – there was my card still hanging from the door knob. However on the very positive side – the staff was very warm and friendly and I figure given a couple more months the other difficulties would be corrected.
None of this had put me off- I was in an exotic land and determined to see all that I could. The tour guide was young (again alarm bells should be blazing away) and inexperienced with groups – I was traveling with Barbara and some other travel advisors. Despite the guide’s youth we did experience much of Marrakech and the countryside including a beautiful property in those mountains I mentioned (the Atlas Mountains) owned by Sir Richard Branson (made a mental note that if I came back next year I was going to try and stay there for a couple of nights) and even visited a Berber home in the mountains. The people of Morocco speak French and Arabic and many also speak English and they are a very welcoming people.
Now I had been warned by another advisor to be very careful what I ate- and I always follow a few rules- no unpeeled fruit, or uncooked vegetables; and definitely I do not drink the water or use it to brush my teeth – must be bottled water only; but I try to experience the local cuisine everywhere (after all this is part of the travel experience) and the food was great! And I did not get sick (Yahoo!!) – little things like enjoying the food without a bad experience, having your luggage arrive when you do, people to meet you and get you to your hotel etc… are good and go a long way to adding to an overall good experience.
The conference had (I believe) a couple of hundred travel companies of which I met with approximately seventy over three very long days. Let me tell you- there are some incredible travel locations and itineraries to experience throughout the world! You know you are in the right place when your conversation with your fellow travel advisors is all about how there are so many places and so little time. I mean every continent was well represented – and the trips were spectacular – I found at least a ½ dozen I would take at the drop of a hat. I concentrated on some of my specialties – Africa, Australia, New Zealand, China, and adventure and I came away with some great ideas and learning about each area (which is why I go in the first place). I don’t know how other agencies plan travel without going to conferences each year. Yes, these take me out of the office and cost Great Getaways money and time – but wow they are so important for me to have knowledge and additional contacts and ideas for great travel options!
On Friday night Barbara and I headed off to London (we had to fly through London anyway) to spend a couple of nights in one of our absolutely favorite hotels- the Goring (one hundred and one years in business – same family ownership- in the very heart of where I wanted to stay). Saturday we strolled around Buckingham Palace, and Knightsbridge (of course we visited Harrods- even I love walking through Harrods) and then in the evening we visited the Taj properties – a hotel and suites located in a very private cul-de-sac just a couple of blocks from Buckingham. The suites offer great alternatives for families traveling together and we book the suites for our clients so Barbara and I wanted to see the accommodations first hand. Afterwards we had dinner at a wonderful restaurant (see Barbara’s blog) and retired early for our morning departure home. I was reminded how much I enjoy London – fun city, great to walk around, etc…
Which brings me back to heading over the Atlantic and wishing somehow I could avoid flying altogether and just be Dorothy (you know- click my heels …).
If you have stumbled on to this abbreviated capsule of my week and are just dying of curiosity, call me and I will share my favorite places I learned about (we can all travel vicariously!. )
Nov 07
A Mulligan for the Misguided
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Meet Hassan, a well-groomed, kind young man who was our guide for two days in Marrakech. On our day trip to the High Atlas Mountains, Joel Zack, CEO of heritage Tours Private Travel, joined us so we had both Joel and Hassan. Poor Hassan had to cut his teeth on guiding a group of travel advisors AND he had “da Boss” along, too! Geez!
Guiding a group is a learned skill and guiding a group of travel advisors on an educational tour could be compared to trying to herd a swarm of bees. We want the “honey”, the essence of our destination, in quick, concise bits. We ask questions, lots of questions about culture, history, current events, best places to see or avoid and we are not an orderly group. Blink and you’ll miss the advisor who just had to duck into the shop to bargain for “that to die for” pashmina. Drone on and half the group will be through the museum waiting for you to catch up. No, guiding travel professionals as your first group experience is trial by fire! Add having your employer tag along to really make a guy sweat, figuratively and literally. Hassan did okay, actually more than okay. He could have been a little more informative, a trait we were confident he’d mature into.
Next day paired us with Hassan sans Joel. We knew he’d be more relaxed, but that wasn’t the case. Somehow we skipped the sightseeing and headed straight to the Medina for some serious shopping. We were told we’d see the snake charmers and people expecting to be paid to have their picture taken. Didn’t happen! Instead, we followed Hassan, whose walking pace qualified him for an Olympic event. Our stroll through the souks was like watching a movie in fast-forward. We did spend a significant amount of time at one shop (fact-all guides in Morocco have relationships with certain shopkeepers-get used to it!). Understand when you are buying things in the Medina, you are buying because you like it not because it is old, antique, extremely rare or valuable-none of those descriptors may hold true.
Michael and I tried to buy a few things at “the shop-the best shop-you can trust this place” but we failed to agree on price. Leaving the shop, we continued at breakneck speed, the souks appearing through peripheral vision, a kaleidoscope of color. Darting down James Bond style alleyways, we found our way to Riad Joya, our lunch destination, gem of calm and a wonderful place to stay right in the center of the Medina.
Our luncheon was delightful and we felt fortified for the afternoon sprint! Bravely, I asked Hassan to slow the pace down, which he did. We could have shopped more but the whole group decided to use our regained strength to stop at the convention center and register for PURE Life Experiences, the reason we were in Marrakech.
Registration was a breeze for those attending PURE and we returned to the Four Seasons. Because I had scheduled a private shopping tour while the PURISTS did what they were here to do, I wasn’t particularly disappointed with the adrenaline inducing dash through the Medina. However, I was concerned that Hassan might behave like this with our clients-not good!
When we got out of the multiple personnel transport vehicle a/k/a the van, Hassan told us he had an emergency in the family and had to say good-bye to go to Fez. We learned that his uncle was in the hospital and had only a few hours left. Was this why we moved at Mach speed? Most likely! Joel’s company is known for its quality guides and in-depth immersion into Morocco.
Our guide the next day, Jalil, was excellent! He shared wonderful stories about Morocco, past and present, and suddenly Marrakech and its culture began to make more sense to me. Three days later I returned to the Medina with another guide, Aziz, an absolute delight and a seasoned veteran guide with Heritage Tours. Aziz regaled me with stories about Marrakech. We ambled through the souks on this trip and I managed to find some mementos to send home. When I asked about Villa des Orangers, where Michael et al dined one night when my body said, “Stay at the hotel and rest!”, Aziz arranged for me to have a private site inspection.
My morning with Jalil and the 2 1/2 hours with Aziz turned my discomfort with Marrakech into a fondness for the quirkiness and intrigue of this destination. It turned my “been there, done that” into “I will probably return someday, armed with my new found knowledge and my list of preferred hotels. Thank you, Jalil, Aziz, and thank you to Heritage Tours, who seamlessly provided us replacements for Hassan, and such high quality replacements, too! These types of situations, a guide suddenly departing or maybe a client not meshing with a guide, can dampen or even ruin a client’s journey. How our partners in-country handle the situation makes all the difference. Heritage Tours proved it knows its stuff, is professional, and our clients would have been totally unaware of any changes or hiccups in the itinerary. To borrow a phrase from one of the major credit card brands, our relationship with Heritage Tours is “priceless”!
The moral of this story? First, this experience underscored a fact I already knew, the importance of a superior guide. Also, I accepted a new self-discovery, I no longer enjoy a diet of unpredictability, that this travel advisor prefers to have certain constants-a welcoming place in which to rest my weary body and a host who honors my desire to experience a destination while avoiding the rough edges.
If you have been following my hectic travel schedule of the past several weeks, you’ll know I’ve been to China on two separate occasions, to Morocco and London. Thank you, Joel Zack, for sharing your passion for Morocco with me. Thank you,Guy Rubin and Nancy Kim, of Imperial Tours, for the ultimate, personalized experience in China, twice in a month! You are simply the BEST. Nothing more need be added.Xie, xie (thank you, in Chinese).
And as Toto wrote in a note to Dorothy, “Done with Oz, took the shoes, and going back to Kansas!”
Nov 04
The votes are in-Raves and Rants on Marrakech hotels
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Marrakech is an exotic destination, a bargainer's heaven, a culinary feast—all garnished with an inconsistency that is sometimes charming and sometimes unsettling.
Michael decided to attend Pure Life Experience, an assemblage of purveyors and buyers of unique, enriching and often life-changing experiences around the globe. While we are familiar with some options, we are always on the lookout for the what's new and different or a fresher experience than was previously available. PURE, in its 3rd year of operation, is held in Marrakech in November and I wasn't about to pass on this destination! So, I planned a week of R&R while Michael spent his days forming new business relationships and cementing the existing ones.
Joel Zack, CEO of Heritage Tours Private Travel, invited us to experience the newly opened Four Seasons Marrakech, using it as a base for exploring the area-the Medina, the new city, many properties and the beauty of the High Atlas Mountains. Joel fell in love with Morocco when he was part of a group of architects sent to Morocco to restore some synagogues. What we learned is that Joel KNOWS Morocco, he gets it, he understands the nuances and quirks and relishes in them.
My take:
I like Morocco and, now having experienced this uneven culture, I enjoy it—but it took awhile. I had to suspend my stand on women's rights (I am not so ambitious to try to change an Arab/Berber culture). I always wore conservative clothes (not a problem because I'm not into the latest trendy styles—come on, I'm 63 not 23!) and yet I found some men eying me, perhaps wondering what a younger version of me would look like (surely they can do better than lusting after a woman soon to receive Medicare!).
The Four Seasons Marrakech is an attractive structure, but it is not ready for "prime time " yet. Service, on the best day, is uneven. I know, I know, you're going to remind me that I am complaining about a phenomenon of Morocco. I disagree! This property is a Four Seasons and that brand comes with certain givens, one being exceptional service. Even if the employees are not used to the service standards that are de rigeour elsewhere, the middle management and upper management should be (no housekeeping one day, turn down service offered at 10:30 PM, really?). The other recommendation is to add some wonderful Berber carpets to the long marble hallways to soften the echo effect of footsteps and conversations.
Those comments from the viewpoint of a travel advisor who wants to ensure her clients enjoy every detail of their journey aside, we next spent 3 nights at Naoura Barriere, a definte DON'T(so much a "don't" that my mind refuses to remember the name, resorting to looking at stationery to recall the proper name and spelling!). This property was assigned to us during the conference, so we had no choice of accommodations. We were told it is a contemporary Moroccan hotel, an option for groups. I haven't seen or felt a whole lot of Moroccan, contemporary or otherwise, and feel more like I'm in a Marriott that still is decorated in the 1980's.
After visiting several hotels, villas, and riads, I recommend you avoid the more recognizable names. La Mamounia, historic and elegant, with magnificent grounds might appeal to some, but I felt it was stuffy. Royal Mansour, owned by the royal family, is over-the-top and not subtle, it's riads are a nightmare of stairs.
My favorites for in-city stays are Villa des Orangers, minutes from the Medina, and Riad Joya, a new hidden gem within the Medina. At 21 rooms and 7 rooms respectively, book early! Both are totally charming and each is an oasis of calm in an otherwise bustling city.
You can't come to Marrakech without at least a day trip to the High Atlas Mountains. The beauty of the area, dotted with Berber villages, is unforgettable. We visited Villa Malika, a nice option for a couple of nights (request the junior suite on the top floor with walls of windows). Then we visited Kasbah Tomadot, one of Richard Branson's tony resorts, and a MUST STAY in my book. Okay, you're correct, I eschewed recognizable properties en ville (don't you love it when I speak French?); but come on, folks, this is Richard Branson! Have you ever known something branded with the Virgin name not to be stellar? Opt for one of the tented suites and be prepared for some serious pampering!
Now that I have my picks firmly in place for our stay during PURE next year, I'm off to London for a couple of nights of serious British luxe, staying at The Goring, now famous for Kate Middleton's locale for her last night as a single woman, but more famous for its lovable and sometimes outrageous Managing Director and friend, David Morgan Hewitt. Good-bye sweet mint tea of Morocco, hello proper English breakfast tea.
Oct 30
Arrival in Marrakech: Am I being deported?
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When I was in Tibet, I learned that tourism can be affected by the whims of the "government", a word used to describe any form of regulatory body from local to national. We were supposed to picnic in one area and the "government" forbade it, so we dined elsewhere in alovely spot under the shade of a tree. I shrugged off the experience as insignificant.
Fast forward six weeks—When planning our flights to attend PURE, Michael and I chose to fly Easyjet from Gatwick to Marrakech. Easyjet, known for its pared down service and it's menu of service fees, has garnered a loyal following. I see a place for this type of offering for a short haul, but not for a flight over 1 1/2 hours. All coach and minimal legroom are doable, but seats that don't recline at all are the deal killer for me.
We arrived in Marrakech, enduring 3+ hours of sitting "at attention", and looked for our airport butler, a service offered in some countries that help new arrivals through the immigration lines and passport control. Not spotting our name on any placard, we darted o the shortest line. We waited obediently behind the designated line and, when our turn to be submit our passports came, we promptly stepped forward.
"No!" admonished the clerk sternly while straightening her uniform, "One!" Michael stepped back and left me to fend for myself with this impersonator of Attilla the Hun. I offered my best "suck-up" smile and hoped for the best. "Flight?" barked the Grand Inquisatrix. Oh my God, I forgot to write the flight number and fear coursed through my veins. A young woman a couple of people behind Michael volunteered the number. "8855," I told the wicked Witch of Morocco. She glared at me and shoved the form and a pen towards me. I scribbled the digits where instructed and after a moment more of glaring and a loud pounding of official stamps, I was allowed entry into Marrakech. She must have found Michael more to her liking because she processed his entry card quickly.
We were about to exit the area when a man, dressed in a suit, stopped us. I panicked-had Miss Congeniality alerted the "muscle" to teach me a lesson? "One moment, please" he said. "He said 'please' " I thought, "a good sign," I hoped. He motioned to another government-issue suited gentleman. The man joined our little conversation. "Mrs. King?" he inquired. "Yes," I whispered. "Follow me!" He grabbed my carryon and headed off at a rapid clip. He stopped in front of a baggage carousel piled with luggage recently unloaded from Paris. "Stay here." Giving me back my carryon, a better sign than the "please" of the other suit, he once again scurried off. A few moments later he reappeared carrying a luggage cart. I breathed a sigh of relief—we just met our airport butler! He quickly went in search of our luggage, definitely a challenge considering we were standing by the off-loaded Parisian bags. Emboldened by my realization of freedom from deportation, I moved our cart to the right carousel and quickly found our luggage. Our butler wheeled us and our cart out the door and into the waiting arms of our driver, who pleasantly drove us to the Four Seasons Marrakech.
Joel Zack, president and CEO of Heritage Tours Private Travel, our host for this brief 3 day introduction to Marrakech, asked us how our airport butler arrival was. Answering his question with a question, I asked if the person ever greeted people as they disembarked from the aircraft. "Well, they can't walk on the tarmac, of course, but are always at the top of the entranceway to the terminal," he responded, still waiting for my assessment of the butler, then added, "Where were you met?" We laughingly described our entry past Her Highness, the Growling Passport Agent, and Joel smiled. "Welcome to Morocco! This airport greeting service is fairly new here and sometimes these services are subject to those hiccups that are so distinctly Morocco." I shared with Joel the way the government in China may change tourism rules without notice. Joel explained that the Moroccan version, "It might be that a mid-level airport official had a fight with his wife, maybe a lousy night's sleep and for a moment procedures change."
Heritage Tours Private Travel's documents, as extensive as those offered by our favorite Chinese company, Imperial Tours, highly suggest in the paragraph about life in Morocco, "a sense of humor, a bit of patience and a smile go a long way." How right they are and not just in Morocco! Wouldn't we all be happier if we wore life like a loose garment?
Blogger's note: any exaggeration of the situation is purely coincidental and does not, in any way, reflect on the charming, thin-lipped Passport Control agent above (in case she reads this!).
Oct 25
It’s about time, don’t you think?
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On November 6 at 2:00 AM the US will begin its ritual of “falling back”. No, I’m not talking economics, I’m talking “TIME”. Daylight Savings Time becomes Standard Time, or those who embrace acronyms would say, “CDT become CST”. Have you ever wondered why we have this routine? I’ve read different reasons and, thanks to alltop.com, I found this interesting video.
My problem is more than time change, it’s time change mixed with jetlag. I’ll be coming home from Morocco on November 6 and my body will have no clue whether I’m on Moroccan time, CST, or ABC! Maybe coming home the day the time changes is a good thing!
Oct 23
Space Bulletin: A New Dawn
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Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space
 Dancers Perform for the Crowd
 Gov. Susana Martinez & Sir Richard Branson
 Buzz Aldrin & Sir Richard Branson |
A NEW DAWN… October 17th, 2011 saw passage of a major milestone in the fast-developing arena of commercial space operations. Fledgling space line Virgin Galactic held a dedication ceremony for their newly completed Terminal Hangar Facility. As the anchor tenants at Spaceport America, the company worked closely with the New Mexico Spaceport Authority to design and build a truly unique structure for their new base of operations. The LEED Gold certified building was designed by renowned architects Foster + Partners, who went to great lengths to ensure the structure blended in to its natural surroundings while still evoking the new space age. Those attending the event agreed these objectives have been achieved. Hundreds of Virgin Galactic customers, dignitaries and international media gathered at the gleaming new facility to witness another historic stop along the road to commercial space tourism. The group was welcomed by Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson. During his remarks he spoke about the imperative behind the cause and the need to be pioneers at the dawn of a new phase in human achievement. The customers in attendance were acknowledged for their crucial role in paving the way for a future of affordable space tourism and transport. During the ceremony, it was announced that new flight reservations have been made by research and education institutions to support research initiatives and inspire students. Purdue University, Space Florida, The Challenger Center for Space Education and Southwest Research Institute were recognized as the most recent participants in this new growth area for Virgin Galactic. During the ceremonies, Richard Branson invited the group to enjoy a performance by two very special guests at which point WhiteKnightTwo carrying SpaceShipTwo taxied out to take off from Spaceport America for a stunning flight demonstration. To conclude the events of the day and as part of the ceremony to formally name the new building ‘Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space’, Richard and his children Holly and Sam, who will be the first commercial passengers on SpaceShipTwo rappelled together from the balcony of the striking new building, bringing the event to a spectacular conclusion. To find out more about Virgin Galactic and how you can become a part of history, contact your Virgin Galactic Accredited Space Agent… Barbara King
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The VIRGIN GALACTIC name and logos, the GALACTIC logo and IRIS device are trademarks of Virgin Enterprises Limited. |
Oct 18
What do you see when I say Aman and Opposite?
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Okay, so where was I in describing the 2011 Virtuoso Chairman’s Event when my eyes slammed shut last night? Right, now I remember. We had the opening meeting, an event so positive that we all kept discussing it on our ride to Opposite House, a unique hotel in the Chaoyang District. It sits among shops that are the originals that are copied in the Pearl Market and Silk Market . Opposite House, owned by Swire, the largest Coca Cola bottler next to Coke itself and owner of Cathay Pacific and a myriad of other recognizable named companies. Opposite House’s name derives from the placement of houses in a hutong
Entering Opposite House is walking into an organic piece of art! Reclaimed wood floors, native sandstone walls, rooms on the perimeter of a soaring roof high lobby that features two ribbons of woven stainless steel suspended from the center of the ceiling. Anthony Ross, Area GM, and his staff converted the lobby area into a contemporary dining venue and he hosted a most amazing contemporary Chinese luncheon. Service by servers dressed in eggplant tops and ballooning black jumpers was impeccable and the food (things I recognized and those that were a mystery to me) was a foodie’s delight! Meg Maggio, owner of the art gallery, Pekin Fine Arts, described the art scene and private art tour options available in Beijing. Meg, originally from Boston, practiced law in Beijing before turning her passion for collecting art into a full-time vocation.
The site inspection at Opposite House was no less spectacular than the meal and, I might add, cleverly tucked between the main course and dessert! Rooms and suites, 99 in total, are minimalist yet warm and inviting. Sweeping floor to ceiling windows provide a meld of inside and outside with electrically operated black-out shades ensure a good night’s sleep. A lower level restaurant and bar cleverly use the diffused light offered by the main structure and even provide light to the subterranean and spectacularly unique swimming pool. Can you tell I was impressed by this property? Who wouldn’t be?
We returned to Raffles with just enough time to layer up for our ride to the Summer Palace. Raffles, an iconic property, in the center of everything and a short walk to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, has a historic presence in Beijing. As Diane Baker, Raffles VP, described this property and the other unique properties in the Raffles group, as offering emotional luxury. How true! Scattered around the property are photos that provide a history of Beijing in the 20th century and all photos were taken on site!
We had a police escort on our drive to the Summer Palace, a replica of the West Lake area of Hangzhou (which I had the joy and privilege of visiting on a trip to China last month with Imperial Tours). We arrived in record time, actually ahead of schedule, and only Aman, who operates a hotel adjacent to the Summer Palace, could host this event and make it look effortless! We gathered at the edge of the lake and slowly watched the sun set. We also had a demonstration of a man practicing calligraphy on the pathway, using only a long handled brush and water, as his medium of choice. Just in front of the setting sun stood the famous bridge, 17 steps so at the top the emperor could be at 9, a number associated with the emperor and meaning longlasting.
After the sun had set we strolled through the grounds of the Summer Palace and came to an area cordoned off just for us Virtuosos. We then spent a fascinating couple of hours dining our way around a small lake while being entertained by traditional dance, chamber music, ancient Chinese music, dancers with swirling fabric, all accompanied by dramatic changes in the hues of the lighting. It was one of those evenings that I wanted to capture in my heart and mind to adequately describe it to you AND to my grandchildren. I can hear myself telling them about it when they are old enough to understand the rare opportunity their grandma experienced. In fact, someday they will probably say, “Grandma’s on her reminiscing roll again! Let her roll!”
Appropriately clad for an outdoor event (layers and more layers), I was still grateful to move indoors for the site inspection of the Aman Summer Palace. Having been newly baptized as an Aman junkie after my stay last month at Amanfayun, I was equally impressed with this property…and the warmth, too! Dessert, along with painting and craft demonstrations, was provided in the main hall before we reluctantly boarded our coaches for our ride back to the city.
This morning provided a very special shopping opportunity because Nancy Kim, Managing Director of Imperial Tours, assembled a group a vendors, offering us a chance to purchase some select items of clothing, jewelry and décor. You know, of course, that I had to purchase a few baubles, right?
Now we’re off to a luncheon ON the Great Wall of China, hosted by St. Regis hotels. Stay tuned!
Oct 17
Holy Chopstiks, Batman, it’s the 2011 Virtuoso Chairman’s Event in China!
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Hi, I’m back! It’s me, Barbara King, for twitter followers it’s @travelingking1, and my regular blog is www.travelingking.net, or you can follow me on our website, www.greatgetaways.travel. Last year I blogged my way through the Virtuoso Chairman’s event in Kenya. This year I have the honor of sharing the Virtuoso Chairman’s Event 2011 in Beijing and Shanghai.
The prequel: Along with my guest, Ms. Sam Wehunt, I arrived in Beijing on Saturday afternoon after a 12 ½ hour flight from SFO. Greeted by an airport butler, we were taken to China World Summit Wing Hotel, and we enjoyed a lovely night’s sleep followed by a private and very tasty breakfast hosted by the hotel for Virtuoso event attendees. Next, Nancy Kim, managing partner of Imperial Tours, took 37 of us on a fast-paced shopping tour. First stop was the Pearl Market and we all appreciated Nancy’s expert assistance in bargaining. Imperial Tours takes no commission from shop vendors so the original asking price is significantly lower than the average tourist is quoted.
Next, we strolled through the Antique Market and our tired feet and burning credit cards enjoyed a wonderful respite at the Park Hyatt Beijing. A “OMG” (oh my God, for those not Facebook or texting inclined) lunch was followed by a site inspection of their “contemporary feel” rooms. Many of us were ready to be dropped off at Raffles, our home for 3 nights of the Chairman’s event, while the veteran shoppers continued on to the Silk Market.
Virtuoso Chairman’s Event: The opening – Last night, Raffles hosted us at the Opening Cocktail Reception. Signing the guest book in traditional Chinese inkstone, ink and brush, we were escorted inside by beautifully gowned hostesses. Food stations offered dim sum, Peking duck, succulent crispy pork, a variety of fresh, cold noodle salads, and passed hors d’ouevers of pate, shrimp, and ,and, and….It was so fun to see friends I had shared previous Chairman’s events as well as connect with “first timers”, those new to the event. I remember the first time I “qualified” for a Chairman’s event, 2008 in India, and how overwhelming it felt and yet totally wonderful. Now I feel like I am attending a family reunion with family members who all get along! While we see each other at Travel Mart every year, we are so busy interacting with vendors we don’t get to spend much time networking among ourselves.
This morning began with a complete breakfast buffet followed by a meeting for members and activities for guests. The theme was summed up by Guy Rubin, Managing Partner (along with Nancy Kim) of Imperial Tours and our Beijing host, “China-the lure of the past and the impact on our future.” Speakers included the Vice Chairman of the China Tourism Administration; Lijia Xhang, noted author; David Ben Kay, who cemented the relationship between China and Microsoft, now owner of a gallery and art incubator; and two college students, Shuai Yang-age 22 and an undergrad at Communications University, and Yan Wanqiu-a 27 year old grad student at Remnin University.
Focus on our industry came from Guy Rubin’s talk focused on the importance of China in the travel world as well as the great value offered in China. Patrick Macleod, Managing Director of A&K Hong Kong, focused on the new opportunities and new cities to visit in China. Virtuoso’s CEO, Matthew Upchurch, reminded us of the immense effect our industry, in total, has on the world GDP and David Kolner and Scott Ahlsmith, of 23 Touchpoints, showed how mining our data offered valuable insights into the profile of the Virtuoso traveler who visits China.
The takeaway message from this morning is that China is growing and changing. It is an exciting source of fresh ideas, possibilities and new solutions. What impressed me was the fact a person who visits China is likely to return at least twice more. This journey is my 4th visit to China and I already am mentally planning my next China itinerary!
I know this was a more “reporting of the facts” kind of blog post today-short on clever, long on details. That’s the price I pay for blogging while exhausted AND there are two more wonderful experiences to describe from today, lunch at Opposite House Hotel and Aman’s dinner at the Summer Palace. Alas, those will wait until tomorrow when, hopefully, I will be less prone to crashing my head onto the keyboard of my laptop. I’m so tired that almost every other word is misspelled, or is it Miss Spelled, or is it…oh who cares, that’s it for tonight!
Barbara S King l Co-President l www.greatgetaways.travel l 913.338.2244 l Virtuoso Member
Oct 13
NASA SIGNS DEAL WITH VIRGIN GALACTIC!
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What great news for both NASA and Virgin Galactic! Below is the official press release. For more information about Virgin Galactic and to reserve your flight, go to this link: http://www.greatgetaways.travel/things-to-do/space-travel/
Virgin Galactic signs deal with NASA for Research Missions on SpaceShipTwo
Space Agency places order to carry technology payloads to space
MOJAVE, CA – Virgin Galactic has confirmed an order from NASA for up to three charter flights on its privately-built spacecraft to provide opportunities for engineers, technologists, and scientific researchers to conduct cutting-edge experiments in suborbital space. The agreement calls for NASA to charter a full flight from Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline, and includes options for two additional charter flights. If all options are exercised, the contract value is $4.5 million.
This arrangement dramatically increases the access researchers currently have to space. Each mission allows for up to 1300 lbs of scientific experiments, which could enable up to 600 experimental payloads per flight. Virgin Galactic will provide a Flight Test Engineer on every flight to monitor and interact with experiments as necessary, a capability that has never before been available on suborbital vehicles. If requested, these experiments can be quickly accessed after landing, a feature critical to many types of experiments.
These research flights mark an important milestone for Virgin Galactic. Although generally referred to as a space tourism company—Virgin Galactic has already collected more than $58 million in deposits from 455 future tourist astronauts—providing access to space to researchers and their experiments is viewed by Virgin Galactic as both a future mission segment and a significant business opportunity.
“We are excited to be working with NASA to provide the research community with this opportunity to carry out experiments in space,” said George Whitesides, President and CEO of Virgin Galactic. “An enormous range of disciplines can benefit from access to space, but historically, such research opportunities have been rare and expensive. At Virgin Galactic, we are fully dedicated to revolutionizing access to space, both for tourist astronauts and, through programs like this, for researchers.”
NASA’s charter for these flights comes through the agency’s Flight Opportunities Program, managed by NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, CA. Through this program, NASA has already arranged the flight of a broad range of innovative scientific payloads designed by NASA labs, universities, and private companies across the United States. To date, none of the experiments flown via the Flight Opportunities program have crossed the boundary into space.
With the flights secured, NASA will be able to select from a variety of proposals currently being solicited from the research community, which has already expressed strong interest. The Flight Opportunities Program will be responsible for selecting the payloads to be flown.
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo is the only crewed suborbital vehicle in flight test today, and the only such vehicle based on a commercial spacecraft that has already sent humans into space, the X Prize-winning SpaceShipOne. Virgin Galactic offers a significantly larger cabin than any other company taking deposits today, allowing for unique technology demonstrations and research.
About Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic, owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Aabar Investments PJS, is on track to be the world’s first commercial spaceline. The new spaceship (SpaceshipTwo, VSS Enterprise) and carrier craft (WhiteKnightTwo, VMS Eve) have both been developed for Virgin Galactic by Mojave-based Scaled Composites. Founded by Burt Rutan, Scaled developed SpaceShipOne, which in 2004 claimed the $10m Ansari X Prize as the world’s first privately developed manned spacecraft. Virgin Galactic’s new vehicles share much of the same basic design, but are being built to carry six customers, or the equivalent scientific research payload, on sub-orbital space flights, allowing an out-of-the-seat, zero-gravity experience and offering astounding views of the planet from the black sky of space for tourist astronauts and a unique microgravity platform for researchers. The VSS Enterprise and VMS Eve test flight program is well under way, leading to Virgin Galactic commercial operations, which will be based at Spaceport America in New Mexico.