NEWSLETTER 10 April 2008
WEEKENDS AWAY TITBITS
I cannot believe that the Easter Bunny has already come and gone this year!!
The first quarter of 2008 in the Weekends Away office has been a hive and hub of wonderful activity.
We have all had our nose buried in a mass of wonderful projects.
I thought that I would take you on a quick visual journey of some of the destinations that we have worked on for some of our clients conferences and incentives and perhaps this might motivate you to chat to us about an exciting incentive or getaway for your team.
“All the pathos and irony of leaving one’s youth behind is thus implicit in every joyous moment of travel: one knows that the first joy can never be recovered, and the wise traveler learns not to repeat successes but tries new places all the time.” - Paul Fussell
I hope that you have been inspired to get in touch with us to chat about your perfect team destination -
With love until next time
The Weekends-Away team.
CONFERENCE BOOKINGS
Let us take that extra work load off your desk and we will guarantee you that we will do the job in half the time and chat to you about more options than you knew were out there. Our largest group to date has been 1 000 people and our smallest 5.
We have a precisely formulated way to find out what it is exactly what it is that you need and then we will match your needs with the perfect venue.
Whilst we have your creative attention now, may we also suggest some out of the box places to conference in rather than the same old place….
What about a venue almost hidden in the forests on the Vaal?
What about a short flight into a secluded game reserve (small groups only)
Email me to book your next conference - jenny@weekends-away.com
TEAM-BUILDING ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK:
What about creating a theme of Mountain Climbing for the next 24 months??
We start off with a wonderful Mountain Climbing team build by two of the worlds greatest climbers - both whom have climbed all seven summits and part of an elite club of climbers that have achieved that.
Three months later we have a follow up talk by some of the country and the world’s foremost climbers. After a series of these talks we end off with another team build and you will see a visible difference in the team’s decision making skills!!
Email jenny@weekends-away.com to book for your next teambuild!
INCENTIVE
Okay, okay - I give up! I have been running the Beijing Olympics for months now as I definitely want to go and watch the Olympics and it would be great watching it with a wonderful South African business team. That however seems not meant to be -
So I will gracefully back down from dangling that carrot in front of you (although I still think that it will be an awesome trip)
So what is next on the incentive list of things to do??
As you can see from our titbits, we have put together a number of interesting packages, and I think that all of them are once in a lifetime trips and ones to put on your goal boards.
Talking about which - has your team put together their goal boards and do you even know what drives the person sitting in the desk next to you?
The perfect person to facilitate this and to help your team work towards their goals - The Fairy Godmother.
Fairy Godmother Inc. is a company that is committed to helping individuals, companies and organisations get clear, inspired and focused on their vision, dreams and goals and we then support them in turning those dreams and goals into reality.
(and of course we wave our wands, make magic and sprinkle fairy dust along the way!)
Email me (jenny@weekends-away.com) to book a session with the Fairy Godmother - our team did it and it was the most wonderful time spent together!!
ADVENTURE NEWS - DIVING IN THE SIMILAN ISLANDS
The Similan Islands are commonly rated as one of the top 10 dive destinations in the world. The islands lie about 100 km Northwest of Phuket and were declared a National Park in 1982. The Similans are comprised of 9 granite islands which run roughly North to South and numerous small rock outcroppings, with white beaches and tropical jungle above the water and spectacular dive sites in warm, clear waters below the surface.
We met the most wonderful local dive aboard team in the Similan. One of the directors is the ex head of the Similan National Park and has 7 000 dives to his credit. If you have a group that would like to go diving, please contact us and we will assist you in putting your dive holiday together.
(Minimum group size 10)
COMPETITION
What a wonderful prize Rhulani has sponsored and the competition will run for the next two newsletters and then the winner will be drawn. Make sure you get your entry in as I can tell you - two nights here will be a complete and utter spoil.
1 x 2 night stay for 2 people at Rhulani Safari Lodge - valid till 31st August.
Includes all meals, and 2 game activities daily. All extras and drinks for own account. This prize is not transferable.
Question: - What does the name “Rhulani” mean? They will have to look at the website for this. Website is www.madikwegamereserve.com
Please also refer to a friend - for each referral, you receive an additional entry. Please let your friend know that you referred them in order to get your extra entry.
We would also love to grow ‘The Balance’ and therefore ask you to please share this with any friends that you think might enjoy the newsletter or receiving information about corporate activities.
Activist Issues
Tibet, Zimbabwe, Eskom
There have been a plethora of things to get active about and thus an overwhelming amount of material to choose from. I will handle one a week over the next few weeks and share my views (if you have a moment) with you -
Tibet
Tibet is high on the list of my most important countries to visit as I am fascinated by the Himalayas which I have trekked before and I am fascinated by the spirituality of the country.
I feel that China has no place ruling Tibet and I agree with all the protests taking place around the world.
My heart also goes out to those carrying the candles though as they are merely messengers and should not be molested by any who are protesting in the name of freedom of spirituality and thus by it’s very nature the protest should be peaceful.
I trust that the pressure brought to bear will get China to start releasing their hold over Tibet.
By the same token I do not feel that we should ban any athletes from the games as it is their once in a lifetime opportunity to achieve what they have been training a life time for and I think it would be an absolute shame for China not to be able to show the world how great their city is which I had the privilege of visiting a few years ago and to share their beautiful new stadium architecture that have worked so hard on the past few years in preparation for this great event.
So in summarizing, I trust that in all that sense prevails and we can look forward to a most wonderful 2008 Olympics -
Thought for the week
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” - Henry Miller
Help keep our country and it’s cities tidy
A tidy city is the sign of a civilized society!