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May 28, 2010
A month’s worth of memories from “Down Under”
Alan and I couldn’t be prouder of OAT associates. Indeed, we feel quite blessed to have so many dedicated, discerning, and passionate people working with us—both here in Boston and in our worldwide offices—to ensure that our travelers enjoy meaningful and memorable experiences around the globe.
Because our associates work so hard, Alan and I feel it’s essential to acknowledge and reward them for a job well done. That’s why we instituted our popular “sabbatical” program: Associates celebrating milestone anniversaries with the company (beginning with five years of service, and extending to ten, 15, 20, and beyond), receive, in addition to their regular vacation hours, a month or two of paid time off. Our hope is that they’ll take advantage of this period to relax, recharge, and rediscover their love of travel.
That’s exactly what Anita Sinnott, a Senior Revenue Analyst and ten-year company veteran, did this fall. With two months of sabbatical time at her disposal, she and her husband, David, decided to see what life is like “Down Under” and embarked on our 30-day adventure to Australia and New Zealand. “We’d always wanted to see New Zealand,” Anita explains, “since we’d heard so much about how beautiful the country is. And we figured that as long as we were flying all that way, we might as well visit Australia, too!”
Anita says she and David were amazed by the scenic landscapes they encountered. In Australia, they particularly enjoyed spending time in the lush Daintree Rain Forest, in tropical Queensland, and watching the sun set on majestic Ayers Rock, in the heart of the Outback. And in New Zealand, the couple was captivated by the soaring cliffs and dramatic waterfalls of Milford Sound … the snowcapped mountains and grassy meadows, rife with wildflowers, in Arthur’s Pass … and the lunar-like, rock-filled crater of Mt. Tarawera (pictured below), a long-dormant volcano. “Our hike in Mt. Tarawera was probably our favorite activity,” Anita says. “David and I love being outdoors and do a lot of hiking here at home.”
Even more impressive than these natural wonders were the people they met along the way. From the energetic young students at an Aboriginal school in the Outback to the Aussie and Kiwi families who welcomed them into their homes, Anita and David were touched by the kindness and hospitality they encountered.
And they were absolutely amazed by the camaraderie that developed among the travelers in their group. “We were a little nervous at first,” Anita admits. “After all, when you think about spending an entire month traveling with strangers, you can’t help but wonder, ‘What if we don’t all get along?’ But we simply couldn’t have asked for a better group; everyone was pleasant and fun, and we had a really great time together.” In fact, Anita and David formed a special bond with one couple in particular: Gerry and Carole Gariepy, 6-time travelers from Phillipston, Massachusetts—who talk about their experiences in the South Pacific in this edition of Traveler Stories. "They're such wonderful people—as was the entire group," Anita says, "and we've kept in touch with many of them since we've returned home."
Have you developed a special friendship with someone you’ve met during your own travels? If so, I hope you’ll share your thoughts with me—and other travelers—by posting your comments below. (You can also email me at harriet@oattravel.com)
In the coming weeks, we’ll be spotlighting India and Nepal, the Eastern Mediterranean (specifically, Greece and Croatia, and China and Japan. If you’ve explored these destinations with OAT, I’d love to hear about your experiences—and see your photos! Email me at harriet@oattravel.com.
Harriet Lewis