Conscription used to be the way to twist young men's arms into taking up military training. Now it seems people are prepared to pay for the dubious privilege of being put through their paces in an army camp. Hong Kong's Concorde Travel, which always seems to have something a little different up its sleeve, is now offering Korean Military Camp packages. Concorde says: 'The rigours of training are offered in this four-day/three-night package near Seoul.' The cost is $4,990 per person, and Concorde says it includes air ticket, military training with shared accommodation (barracks?), and all meals. If you are interested in a dose of masochism, and paying for it to boot, call Jack Smith at 2526 3391 for more information. We are assured you won't have to shave your head or end up being posted to the DMZ if you put up a good show.
Ansett Australia will begin flying direct to Melbourne from November 1, and is offering a special for this and its Hong Kong to Sydney route. Customers purchasing a round-trip business class ticket will get two complimentary nights at the executive floors of the five-star Le Meridien in either Melbourne or Sydney, with daily breakfast, morning and afternoon tea, and evening cocktails. The lounge of Le Meridien Sydney is located on the 31st floor, with views over the harbour and city. Both hotels are offering early check-in, access to the business centre and boardroom, in-room Internet access and laptop data portal. For details, call Ansett at 2527 7883.
Thomas Cook has a few specials lined up, including return air tickets. Three nights in Tokyo costs from $4,580 or two nights in Bangkok from $2,390. Both deals offer daily breakfast and airport transfers and are valid until December 15. Two nights in Singapore under a similar deal is priced from $2,399. Call 2853 9933 or fax 2545 7477 for details.
A Tasmanian campervan hire company has introduced 20 vehicles equipped with solar panels in the roof that boost the power for internal lighting and refrigeration and help top up the auxiliary battery. 'Tasmania's reputation as clean and green can only be enhanced by adopting this recently improved technology,' says AutoRent's manager, Ken Upchurch. AutoRent manufactures all its own motorhomes locally. The campervans can be plugged into power points at many caravan sites, which provide power for microwave ovens and even built-in television sets, but the solar panels give a boost when parking overnight off the beaten path, when cooking can be done on a gas oven.
The autumn newsletter for Shangri-La's Golden Circle members gives a few tips on how to avoid jet lag and relax more in-flight. Most frequent flyers will know that in-flight alcohol and coffee are irritants, and that you should wear loose clothing and move about the plane. But the newsletter believes aromatherapy helps, and recommends putting lavender oil on pulse points to aid sleep, using cool gels on the eyes. It also advises passengers to soak a cloth in warm water, add a few drops of cedar wood and cypress oil, and to place the towel over swollen joints for relief (pressurised cabins cause swelling.)
The newsletter also recommends scotch pine and pink grapefruit oils to relieve tiredness, and Roman chamomile, geranium or ylang ylang for insomnia.