Our weekly Hot or Not series, brings you some of the highs and lows in this week’s travel news headlines.
HOT, HOT, HOT!
1. A Splendour surprise from Contiki
Contiki’s guests received a private performance from Meg Mac.
Those who purchased their Splendour ticket through Contiki were given a little treat over the weekend.
Guests were awoken on Sunday morning to a surprise performance by Aussie singer, Meg Mac.
Initial confusion turned to excitement as the 18-35 year music-lovers realised that this was not something they had accidentally skipped over in their event overviews but rather an exclusive sideshow open only to them.
The 2014 Triple J Unearthed Winner performed four of her hits including Be My Friend, Every Lie, St Philomene and Roll Up Your Sleeves on a makeshift stage set up right within the Contiki Campsite, conveniently located right next to the main stage of the North Byron Parklands venue.
At one point Channel V presenter, Carissa Walford, also took to the stage to lend some back-up vocals.
2. MTA ambassador visits Middle East refugees
MTA’s – Mobile Travel Agents – co-Managing Director, Karen and Roy Merricks, say they’re proud of the company’s long-time brand ambassador, Jessica Watson OAM following her recent visit to the Middle East.
As part of her role as Youth Ambassador for the United Nations’ World Food Programme (UNWFP), Watson visited Azraq refugee camp in Jordan and the Qab Elias Refugee Informal Settlement in Lebanon.
Watson said her experience was ‘special’ and ‘wonderful’ while humbling at the same time.
“In Lebanon you have about one quarter of the population as refugees – it’s inconceivable.”
Jessica Watson, MTA Brand Ambassador
3. How P&O plans to takeover Sydney Harbour
When P&O’s bosses said they were planning a big spectacle for the arrival of Pacific Eden and Pacific Aria they weren’t kidding.
The Australian cruise line is so excited its fleet will increase to five in November this year, it has recruited some of Australia’s biggest music acts to help welcome the new vessels.
Jessica Mauboy, The Veronicas, Samantha Jade, Justice Crew and Stan Walker will headline a musical extravaganza when all five P&O ships sail into Sydney Harbour on the 25th.
NOT, NOT, NOT!
1. ‘Stop! Stop! That’s the airport’
Travellers flying to and from Gold Coast Airport on Friday would have received quite the surprise when a stolen white sedan crashed into the terminal.
According to the Brisbane Times, a 34-year-old, who had taken the vehicle at gunpoint, drove into the gateway while trying to escape the local police.
Authorities say the accident didn’t cause enough damage to affect operations, however, it did create a bit of a stir at the gateway.
A former Victorian police officer, Jeff Kremer, who happened to be present at the time, said he heard someone yell out ‘stop, stop’ at noon. That’s when he saw a police officer running after the vehicle, which at the time was careering down the footpath.
“People were literally jumping for their lives.”
Jeff Kremer
The driver brought the car to a stop when the police officer lunged through the car trying to snatch the keys.
Unfortunately he failed and the driver sped up again, slamming into the terminal walls and windows.
The crash gave the officer an opportunity to pull the driver from the car and restrain it.
2. Now that’s a rough landing
This KLM pilot deserves an aviation award after he successfully landed a sharply banking passenger jet in the middle of a rough storm.
The Boeing 777 is seen in the video above shaking violently from side-to-side at its approached Schiphol airport.
Despite the rocky ride, the pilot managed to safely land the aircraft on the runway with some 300 passengers onboard.
According to the Daily Mail, the pilot was flying in ‘Code Red’ conditions with winds of up to 75mph – the most violent storm ever recorded in Amsterdam during July.
3. What would you do if this happened?
A terrified flyer aboard a recent Ryanair flight was left almost traumatised when one of the plane’s window frames fell on to his lap during landing.
37-year-old Laurence Gibson said it was a big shock when the window reveal fell upon touch down at London’s Stansted Airport.
“Landing is the worst part for me and I was already clutching Matt’s hand before,” he said.
“I was absolutely hysterical for a while.'”
Ryanair confirmed the incident had occurred and said it had asked the operator of the leased aircraft to investigate and ensure it doesn’t happen again.
“To be fair to the staff though, they were really nice about it. They couldn’t apologise enough.”
Laurence Gibson
