Women's Travel Club Offers Advantages

Illawarra Mercury

Monday August 14, 2006

By GAY MACKIE

ALTHOUGH Enid Sherwin is having perhaps the best time of her life travelling constantly, she would like to have a companion to share the experiences and cut down on costs.

"I really don't mind travelling on my own at all but particularly on cruises, the extra costs for a single supplement are quite high, up to 60 percent, so it makes for an expensive holiday," she said.

Mrs Sherwin has been globe trotting for more than 35 years after she and her late husband Arthur won a trip to Malaysia.

"That started us off and two years after that trip we returned to Malaysia with our teenage sons and had a ball. After that came three return trips to the United Kingdom to visit family, China, Norfolk Island, the South Pacific (five times), New Zealand and a few cruises closer to home."

Mrs Sherwin is about to embark on her sixth cruise, an 11-night trip aboard Pacific Star sailing from Brisbane in October taking in the South Pacific region.

"I'm hooked on cruising and this time I'm going with my 11-year-old grandson Jacob who I think already has his bag packed."

In conversations with her travel agent Bruna Taylor of Coastline Travel at Unanderra, the fun loving livewire identified a need among women wanting to travel but who did not want to do it alone.

"Bruna has had a few inquiries from women who said they would love to go somewhere but did not want to go by themselves so we are trying to get like-minded women together in a very informal and friendly group to throw ideas around and hopefully match up people interested in the same things or who want to go to the same destinations," Mrs Sherwin said.

"Initially we are aiming at mature-aged women but if there was interest from younger people or from men who also would appreciate a travel companion, maybe we could facilitate group meetings for them.

"The idea is that we meet say once a month for a cup of tea or coffee during the day, get to know each other, discuss our travel ideas and see what happens."

Ms Taylor said that either due to nervousness about travelling alone or because of the extra costs involved, many women missed out on the fun and experiences of travel.

"It could be as simple as wanting to go to Sydney for a show or joining a coach trip or something more complex such as flying off to another country and we think that forming a travel group could be a very rewarding experience," she said.

Anyone interested is invited to call Ms Taylor during business hours on 4272 7599 or contact her by email on ctravel@hotkey.net.au.

Meanwhile, regardless of the outcome, Mrs Sherwin continues to plan at least a couple of trips away each year.

"I've entered a competition for past P & O passengers to win a trip on the maiden voyage of the newest liner the Pacific Dawn sailing around the South Pacific late next year and I've got my sights set on a 42-night Cherry Blossom voyage in March 2008 to Brunei, Japan, China, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and South Korea although I'd definitely like to find a travel companion for that one," she said.

Mrs Sherwin has no plans to stop travelling and said at 70 years of age next year she has to fit in as much as possible.

"Besides, I'm having a lot of fun spending the kids' inheritance so maybe we should also start a SKI club."

© 2006 Illawarra Mercury

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