www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday January 17, 2009 - 15 Working on a beach in Australia could be cold and wet M y daughter phoned two nights ago from Australia to say I should apply for the best job in the world. I didn't because I like the job I have, but more than 200,000 people applied within the first 24 hours. Lazing around Australia's Great Barrier Reef for six months is tremendously appealing. The $150,000 US ($123,057) salary for doing that, is appealing too. Billing it the Best Job in the World, Australian tourism officials want someone to spend six months on Hamilton Island, in the Whitsunday Islands, while promoting the destination on a blog. The eager reaction -- and worldwide media attention -- delighted tourism officials, who listed the job as part of a campaign to publicize the charms of northeastern Queensland state. "`The global response in the first 24 hours has outstripped even our expectations," Australia's Tourism his or her experiences on a weekly blog. Applications are open until Feb. 22. The job begins July 1. If you're serious -- you're going to have to be creative. I flew to Hamilton Island in June of 2007. June is winter and it and a mini-golf course -- and a World Heritage List natural wonder -- the was cold and wet. The pool was heated, Great Barrier Reef. But my trip was chilly and wet. So, there was lots of bush walking (hiking), restaurants and accommodation. There is a nice spa, tennis and squash courts, a golf-driving range if you do win the job, pack a raincoat and some warm clothes, just in case. -- Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca. INSIGHT / TRAFALGAR TOURS "BOGO" Minister Desley Boyle said. Boyle said the campaign had already reached some 29 million people through television and print media coverage -- worth millions of dollars in publicity. The ad is a stunt, but the job is genuine. Applicants must submit a 60-second video application and 11 finalists will be flown to Hamilton Island in May for final selection. In exchange for the plush salary, free accommodation in an oceanfront villa and airfare from the winner's home country, the employee will be required to stroll the island's white sand beaches, snorkel, maybe take a dip in the pool -- and post photos and videos of u outt A Ask ab o y art y art our P o s ates Pass rate P Buy One Air Seat, Get One Air Seat Free on British Airways in conjunction with your Insight Vacations or Trafalgar Tours Europe, Britain or Egypt tour including pre/post tour options. Reserve your Insight or Trafalgar tour and pay in full by 28FEB09 and you will receive one free British Airways seat for each seat purchased. This offer is valid for departures from 02APR09 to 21OCT09 and 21DEC09 to 23DEC09 and is combinable with the Early Payment Discount. The first passenger pays airfare, taxes and surcharges while the second passenger pays only taxes and surcharges. Seat inventory on British Airways is limited for this promotion, so book early and take advantage of the Buy One, Get One offer and the Early Payment Discount. Itineraries can be viewed at www.insightvacations. ca or trafalgartours.ca. Call our office for brochures, availability and reservations. Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford Rates valid to Mar. 31, 2009 (fuel surcharge is applicable) Book a Seabourn cruise and enjoy all-suite accommodations, open-seating dining, complimentary wines and spirits, personalized service and exceptional savings. This is the perfect opportunity to p g experience Seabourn yachting on one of the four 208-guest Seabourn yachts - Seabourn Spirit, Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Legend or Seabourn Odyssey. Enjoy 60% savings in all categories on all Seabourn European cruises reserved by 19JAN09. Or combine a USD1,000 reduction with Early Booking Savings on suites in all categories reserved by 28FEB09. Or go yachting in Northern Europe to/from Copenhagen aboard the Seabourn Odyssey and enjoy Early Booking Savings of 45% plus an additional USD1,500 reduction until 28FEB09. Seabourn was voted World's Best Small-Ship Cruise Line in the Conde Nast Traveler 2008 Reader's Choice Awards. Visit www. seabourn.com for itineraries. Certain restrictions apply to these offers. Call us for availability and reservations. Sunwing's "BUY 1 HOLIDAY AND GET THE 2nd AT 50% OFF" continues until 23JAN09. Valid on select departure dates until 31MAR09 for air-inclusive packages from Toronto via Sunwing Airlines except Las Vegas and Florida and are capacity controlled. Contact us for availability and reservations. THE YACHTS OF SEABOURN SUNWING OFFER TO 23JAN09 Jetways offers daily one-way and round-trip airport shuttle transfers from/to, Burlington, Hamilton and now Brantford to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com (1-866-953-8929) Voted Best Travel Agency Best Cruise Company Best Travel Agent Thanks Oakville! Hopedale Shopping Centre Relax... you're with us 221 Lakeshore Road E. (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville 905-337-2228 www.hookedoncruising.com To advertise here call 905-845-3824