International Women don’t you just love ’em? I even married one.
On today’s International Women’s Day a shout-out then to some of the international women who took me under their wing.
Of course, the international woman of mystery whose oxter always gives me shade is my own English rose.
Boss woman: Mum’s the word, and Sadie too
And there are many more women from our nearest neighbours in Travel who have guided me on my path than I have room here to mention.
Now if anything underscores this year’s message on International Women’s Day #BeattheBias it is the success of those who occupy the biggest positions in our trade.
And so ladies take a bow, I would be nothing without you… you are all worthy Bandanettes.
White knight
Power women: Bandanaman, Jo, Cathy and United Airlines’ Aoife
Organising my life is hard enough left to just one man which is why I leave that job to my aforementioned English rose.
But when you’re on your travels to the good old Oo Es of Eh you really do need someone on the ground.
And that someone is Jo White who heads up the UK & Ireland media delegation for the American Travel Fair.
I know I speak for all of us indulged travellers who have sought her out to help with dodgy dongles, accommodation and transfers.
And who have danced the night away to the best music acts put on by her American counterpart and fellow superstar Cathy Keefe Reynolds.
Now hosts have a right, nay an obligation, to enjoy the activities they put on for us.
And after Attraction Tickets’ Kate Bates had asked me for recommendations for our party to take on in Hollywood she’d have expected me to take part.
Alas, the generosity of a stranger (moi) to take a passenger’s ski bag meant I was out of commission.
For the day Kate, Jon, Helen and Heather trekked up to see the Hollywood sign, check out Warner Studios and go on a boat trip.
I did have more to write about my West Hollywood hotel though that day.
And I did bounce back to see old friends at Universal Studios the next day.
Ms Carter
Get Carter: Cheryl and Bim Jim
I love a strong woman, probably as I’m begotten of an Irish Mammy.
And in the Caribbean they don’t come much stronger than Cheryl Carter, Barbados’s Head of Global Markets.
One raised eyebrow will quickly remind you that there will be no going AWOL on her trip.
And so I was left in no doubt when I asked early leave from our dinner to hook up with my half-Scots/half-Trinidadian pal Jevan for Foreday Morning of my obligations.
To be ready for the next day’s activities.
Now what happens at Foreday Morning stays on Foreday Morning.
But when I turned up for our meeting with my leg gashed open I gritted my teeth… the rum through the day helped.
Of course Happy Ever After can yield another and another and another in the movie fairytale world, particularly when it yields as many dollars as Shrek.
Shrek exploded onto our screens 20 years ago next month and it’s fair enough to say nothing was ever the same again.
More Shrek
And although we thought the release of Shrek Forever After, also called Shrek: The Final Chapter in 2010 would tie up the franchise why give up on the gift that keeps on giving?
Which makes you regret that omelette and stack of pancakes you took at breakfast.
He’ll be all right
No, Shrek 4-D is a tamer, more family fun interactive experience, but no less fun for all that.
Shrek’s ride
When we last left the layered one in Shrek Forever After he was grappling with fame in a Shrek lite theme park.
Before Rumpelstiltskin tricks him into giving it all up for just one day of his old life.
Big in Japan
Spoiler alert here.
But our favourite author extricates himself from his sticky moment and we caught up again in Universal Studios Hollywood on our superheroes’ get-together.
And both being of the Scottish variety, and both sharing some nasty habits we both got on like a swamp on fire.
Hear them roar
He’s invited me back so, of course, with a new film coming and Universal Resorts cranking up again for visitors.
With something new all the rime… I’m talking about you VelociCoaster me.
Shrek around the world
And because Shrek is beloved around the world and is big in Japan, our friends over there are enjoying him too.
Now for 2021 I’m thinking because it’s the Fifth Shrek we can have 5-D!
I’m on my way from misery to happiness ptoday, uhu-uhu-uhu-uhu!
You can check out any time you like but you can never leave
If only! Whether it is the steel pan band at Sunday Service on Tobago or the soft rock house band on the Maldives.
It’s how we would want every holiday to end… not ending that is.
The epic Hotel California by the Eagles with its riff which was voted the greatest of all time by Guitarist magazine has spawned an industry in itself.
Around what the lyrics actually mean, where the hotel is that inspires the song, and the hotel that was used for the cover.
The band credit the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel, the hang-out for party people, as being the vibe for the song.
Turn left out of your WH billet, the Kimpton La Peer Hotel, and you’ll be going in the general direction.
You’ll know you”re in Beverly Hills when you pass the arty sign.
The Beverly Hills Hotel, which predated the town’s existence, was the place to be under vice-president of Bank of America Hernando Courtright.
Galaxy of stars
And Fred Astaire, Cesar Romero, Carole Lombard, the Rat Pack, Humphrey Bogart and Marlene Dietrich were all regular visitors.
Santa Monica
Amazon Marlene even got the Polo Lounge to change its policy on women having to wear a skirt.
I picture Marlene wearing a trouser suit and dominating the room in her husky cigarette drawl.
A day in the life
I’m taken here by CNN’s description of life in the hotel…
Back in the days when celebrity was worn with the elegance and grace of diamonds and mink the Beverly Hills was where the stars played. Humphrey Bogart and the Rat Pack tippled at the bar, Katharine Hepburn did a back flip into the tennis pool in her tennis clothes and Elizabeth Taylor honeymooned in the bungalows out back – six times.
I belong here!
The biggest star of them all
And perhaps the greatest star of them all, Marilyn Monroe, left her mark, staying at the hotel during the shooting of Let’s Make Love.
Marilyn’s back yard
Her favourite bungalow being No.7.
You’ll be surprised though where and who Marilyn is spending eternity with!
Listen here to The Eagles’ definitive version of Hotel California.
And get out your guitar and practise the riff.
And live like a star
Your Ultimate Staycation Offer at the Beverly Hills Hotel will give you a Superior King Room from €575, or the Stanhope Suite from €860.
When they’re back and open.
I might have to bring my own tennis clothes though!
Who’d have thought it? The Fourth of July today is as big a cause for celebration (if not more) here in the UK than it is in America.
I did, of course, tell you months ago that today would be the exact day that we would be coming out of lockdown in the UK (except for Scotland, doh!).
And not just in the last couple of weeks but as long ago as April 21 Wuhoo Wuhan.
Still, when all is said and done I would still prefer to be in the Oo Es of Eh today than anywhere else.
As big an Americanophile as I am I have never managed to time it so that I am there on the Fourth of July, nor for Thanksgiving either but I aim to put that right as soon as I can.
My Travel professional friends are projecting 2021 as the year when travel to America will have begun… and see what I’m doing there giving them the slogan…. We’ve Begun in ’21.
So have a nice day and my gift to you is these American dreams courtesy of our pals, the Travel providers:
American Holidays http://www.americanholidays.com has instilled some much needed confidence with their ‘Book with Confidence’ and ‘Travel with Confidence’ initiatives.
And they have backed that up with an expanded portfolio of itineraries to the West Coast, Deep South, Canada, Road Trips and Mexico.
And you can make a great Road Trip out of either and any number of zig-zags across the continent.
Canada has been in full flow all week as they celebrated July 1 with a virtual Canada Day and Irish landmarks went red in unison. And don’t think they’ve stopped because it’s now the American national holiday.
Miami and Mexico, February 2021: Spend three nights in hip Miami, taking in Little Havana, South Beach and Miami Beach before kicking back and enjoying seven nights all-inclusive in Mexico. From €1849pp.
For glitz-seekers America is all about New York www.nycvb.com and Las Vegas www.lvcva.com and Tour America know it. As well as all the other great offers they have they can give you.
Hit The Strip in Vegas, from Sunday, January 31-February 4 is from €435pp, based on two adults for four nights sharing one room at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino.
While they’re confident that they can get you over to New York before the year is out.
The Carvi Hotel is from €546pp, based on four adults for four nights, Tuesday, December 1-4.
The biggest star of them all
