LAN Ecuador will commence daily flights to the remote and unique Galapagos Islands from September. This will be the airline’s fourth destination in Ecuador, joining Cuenca, and the cities of Quito and Guayaquil from which the new Galapagos flights will operate using modern Airbus A320 aircraft.

“This is a big milestone for us,” said Rodrigo Contreras, General Manager Australia, New Zealand & Asia for LAN. “The Galapagos Islands have been growing in popularity, but until now have been poorly served by air,” he said. “Our new flights will make it much easier to access”.

ECO PARADISE: THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
It’s 1,000 kilometres from mainland South America to the Ecuadorian territory of the Galapagos Islands, but it feels like a world away. These 13 remote islands boast a rich mix of flora and fauna, and breathtaking volcanic geography ranging from lava tunnels to soaring peaks.

Local wildlife ranges from the Galapagos Hawk and the Swallow-Tailed Gull to Galapagos Marine Iguana and Sea Lions, making this one of the world’s most authentic eco-tourism destinations. Galapagos wildlife also played an important part in the theory of evolution espoused by the famous anthropologist Charles Darwin, who arrived on the island of San Christobel in 1845. Darwin noted physical differences between Galapagos creatures and similar mainland varieties, and concluded that the Galapagos wildlife had physically adapted to the local environment.

Quito and Guayalquil in Ecuador can be reached with easy connection opn LAN Chile from Sydney.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport
http://www.klia.com.my/

Check in at KLIA

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is one of Asia’s key aviation points. It’s located at the top of the southern peninsular of Malaysia, bordering the states of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.  It’s found in the Sepang area, around 50 km from the capital city, Kuala Lumpur.

KLIA is a fantastic airport as it has all that one would need for business, entertainment and relaxation.  Its long benches are ideal for long haul travellers looking to put their feet up between flights.   A wide range of restaurants, lounges, spas, hotels, smoking lounges and children’s play areas are available.  KLIA was built with a welcoming, homely feel in mind, which is echoed throughout the entire complex. 

Hong Kong International Airport
http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/index.html

Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong International Airport is situated 40km from Hong Kong city and has a extensive and varied range of facilities and venues suitable for all ages and needs.  Terminal 1 offers great shopping from eyewear, to jewellery, to duty free liquor and tobacco, to audio visual equipment and clothing.  The dining options are almost endless with high end restaurants, bakeries, fast food and traditional Asian eateries.  Terminal 2 offers the same great choices, but also provides entertainment options including the Aviation Discovery Centre, Asia Hollywood (an interactive entertainment centre), Playstation Gateway and the incredible 4D Extreme Screen. 
One of the best features would be the premier lounge  where you can pay to stay in the lounge or take a nap in one of the rooms. Ideal for transit stops on long haul flights from Europe or the USA: http://www.plaza-ppl.com/hk_en/packages.php

Transfers are available from both terminals and can be taken by car, train and bus.

Changi International Airport, Singapore
http://www.changiairport.com/changi/en/index.html

Shopping at Changi Airport, Singapore

Singapore’s Changi airport is known as one of the world’s best airports, winning over 250 awards.  Located approximately 19km from Singapore’s city centre, there are a range of choices when it comes to making your way into the hustle and bustle of the CBD – public trains and buses, Airport shuttles, taxis and car rentals are all available and vary in price.  If it’s shopping that you’re after, Changi Airport has a vast array to suit every budget and taste.  Whether it’s sportswear, luxury brands, souvenirs and gifts, wine and tobacco, lifestyle electronics, cameras and computers – it’s all available at Changi Airport!  If you’re feeling a bit peckish, there’s a wide range of dining options including fast food, high-end restaurants, Halal choices, cafes and bistros.  There’s also a great selection of bars and lounges for travellers looking for something a bit harder than soft drink.

Changi features a full service hotel in the transit area where you can book rooms by the hour or you can use their pool and Gym for a small fee and stretch out on a comfortable deckchair next to the pool.

All in all, if you have a stopover on your way through to your final destination, having a few hours to kill at any of the above mentioned airports isn’t necessarily a bad thing!  Although you may want to get to your final destination as soon as possible, exploring these incredible places will offer another dimension to your travel and allow you to recharge and revive before the next leg of your trip. 

This will give travellers from Europe a great alternative to visit Fiji’s magic dive resorts!

UPDATED TAXES FOR PNG PACKAGES 22JUL09

With lower fuel cost and increasing competition on international flights to Port Moresby, Air Niugini has substantially reduced it’s tour based airfares to PNG, home of the world’s best tropical dive locations.
This has allowed DIVERSION DIVE TRAVEL to substantially drop the cost of dive tour packages from Australia to PNG in April this year.

A revision in airline taxes has lead to slight changes in the total package costs:
Here is a price comparison for 8 top dive destinations in PNG:
We have chosen 7 night packages in twin accommodation with transfers, all meals included (unless stated otherwise), 10 boat dives, return airfares from Australia:

• Madang Lodge: accommodation in Garden Terrace Rooms, (no meals) 
  ex Cairns AU$ 1954 , ex Brisbane AU$ 1984, ex Sydney: AU$ 2234 
• Kabaira, Rabaul: accommodation in Double Rooms, 
  ex Cairns AU$ 2249, ex Brisbane AU$ 2279, ex Sydney: AU$ 2529
• Lissenung Island Resort, Kavieng: accommodation in Beach bungalow,
  ex Cairns AU$ 2464, ex Brisbane AU$ 2494, ex Sydney: AU$ 2744
• Loloata Island Resort, Port Moresby: accommodation in Beach bungalow,
  ex Cairns AU$ 2529, ex Brisbane AU$ 2559, ex Sydney: AU$ 2799
• Walindi Plantation Resort, Kimbe Bay: accommodation in Plantation room,
  ex Cairns AU$ 2594, ex Brisbane AU$ 2634, ex Sydney: AU$ 2884
• Rapopo Plantation Resort, Rabaul: accom in Double Rooms, all meals,
  ex Cairns AU$ 3069, ex Brisbane AU$ 3099, ex Sydney: AU$ 3349  
• Tufi Resort: accommodation in Airconditioned Bungalow,
  ex Cairns AU$ 2944*, ex Brisbane AU$ 2974*, ex Sydney: AU$ 3224*
  *Additional overnights in Port Moresby required on way up/and or down – depending on travel date.   
• Tawali Resort, Milne Bay: accommodation in Airconditioned Bungalow, unlimited dives
  ex Cairns AU$ 3220, ex Brisbane AU$ 3240,  ex Sydney: AU$ 3500

Please contact DIVERSION DIVE TRAVEL on 1800 607 913 or info@diversionOZ.com  to get your deal for PNG!