stop press - Cathay Pacific

Regional Assistant Marketing
Services Manager – South Asia
Desiree Dubier soaks up the party
atmosphere of the casino capital
If you are looking for a crazy, fun holiday,
then Las Vegas is the place for you.
The Las Vegas strip is home to some of
the most unbelievable hotels in the world –
The Venetian, Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace and
Luxor to name a few – and it’s a treat to walk
through these pleasure palaces and take in
their authenticity and grandeur.
Many of the hotels are themed
and each one has taken an
idea and run with it – the
Paris Las Vegas Hotel
is built like the city of
Paris, complete
with a miniature Eiffel
Tower, while the
pyramid-shaped
Luxor leaves the
visitor in no doubt of the
fact that Egypt was the inspiration.
Casinos, of course, are
the lifeblood of Las Vegas
and it’s impossible not to
try your luck.
The best part is when
you sit down at a slot machine
– the drinks are free
and if you pick up a drink in
one hotel you can drop off
your glass at another!
Las Vegas is also known
for its numerous shows with entertainers
ranging from Criss Angel and David Copperfield
to Celine Dion and Rod Stewart.
The Cirque du Soleil shows are a must.
Their performances combine acrobatics
with music, dance and take creativity and
imagination to a whole new level.
The Bellagio, Mirage and Treasure Island
hotels stage free shows practically
every hour. The magical dancing
VIVA LAS VEGAS: (Clockwise from top) The world at your fingertips;
the Bellagio’s dancing fountains; and indulging in a shoe fetish.
fountains at the Bellagio or the Fire & Water
show at the Mirage are mesmerising.
For the brave-hearted, try the rides at the
Stratosphere Hotel which offer heart-pounding
thrills high above the building.
You can also experience a sky jump from
the 108th floor or the X-Scream ride that
propels you headfirst 27 feet over the edge
of the 886 foot-tower.
For me, Vegas was everything I’ve ever
seen in the movies and much more.
This month’s contribution comes from
Systems Specialist Francesca Law and is a
sunset shot of the Gaomei Wetland Preservation
Area in Taichung.
The wetlands have been set aside as a
nature reserve and a wide variety of wildlife,
including migratory birds, can be seen
throughout the area.
“We made a trip there over a long weekend
and saw many different animals. There
is also a windfarm with18 turbines and the
view of the sunset there is amazing,” says
Francesca.
The area also has biking paths and hiking
trails which enable visitors to go exploring.
Southern stays
The Indaba Hotel – Fourways
in Johannesburg is offering
CX staff special prices from
810 ZAR (US$93) for a single
room with breakfast.
The 260-room country-style property
is located north of Johannesburg and is
nestled beneath the Magaliesberg Mountains.
Guests can enjoy a range of massages
and beauty treatments at the Mowana Spa
before sitting down to a traditional African
cuisine buffet of game meats at Chiefs
Boma. The property also has an all-day
dining venue called Epsom Terrace with
international buffets available all day.
More information on Travel Desk.
It’s coming
down
Christmas
The festive
season is fast
approaching
and
thousands of visitors will descend on the
medieval Belgium town of Bruges for the
annual Christmas Market.
Running from 23 November to 1 January,
the Christmas Market is held in the
main square and forms a ring around an
open-air ice rink.
The festive stalls are crammed with
elegantly packaged chocolates, brightly
coloured sweets, unusual hand-made
decorations and a range of toys.
After a day of browsing, visitors can
relax in one of the many bars and restaurants
surrounding the square.
Go to www.christmasmarkets.com for
more.
Lighting up the centre
The 80th Rockefeller Center Christmas
Tree will be lit by 30,000 energy efficient
LED lights on 28 November and will remain
on display until 7 January.
The ceremony signals the start of the
Christmas season in New York City and
is loaded with live entertainment and
celebrity glitz.
See www.rockefellercenter.com
SHOW US YOUR TIPS!
CX World welcomes staff travel tips from
across the network – email us at CCD#SCT
Every month, CX World invites all CX staff
to tell unusual, interesting or just downright
quirky tales of travel moments around the
world.
Sponsored by Inflight Sales, the lucky
sender of the main story receives HK$500
worth of inflight sales
products of their choice
from the ever-changing
collection of over
260 items on offer
(excluding liquor and
cigarettes).
Go shopping at
www.cathaypacific.
com/dutyfree