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MERLIN JAKE MERLIN JAKE’ ’S S ARTICLES ARTICLES Merlin Jakes
Corporate Christmas Party Planning The Office Christmas Party has quite the reputation - it’s, on one end, either an absolute snoozefest for everyone (except the extremely drunk accountant) OR to the other extreme, it’s the one annual event everyone’s waiting for! The highlight of any event eventually boils down to three elements: Food & Beverage, Venue and Entertainment. Food & Beverage; a wise option would be to opt for catering. When it comes to venue, budget is the primary factor that one needs to look into. On the more economical end of the spectrum would be an in-office bash. All it would take is a few streamers and decorations, perhaps a fun photo-booth and we can call it a day! For a more extravagant affair, renting a banquet hall or a unique venue (museums and zoos are quite the rage now) might work out well for you. However, for a mid-budget Christmas Party, of late, harbour cruises in Sydney are quite popular. The advantage with a Christmas Party cruise is that you wouldn’t need to worry at all, once you secure your booking, you only need to show up. A Sydney Showboats Christmas Party cruise will spoil your guests with a traditional Christmas feast, incredible roving views of the harbour and an hour-long spectacular cabaret show. So, it’s as good as hitting three birds with one stone! Now, coming to the most important part of the Christmas Party. Don’t fight me on this - imagine now that all your guests are gathered at your premium venue, enjoying delicious
food and drink. And staring idly at the walls as a pin-drop silence surrounds them? Doesn’t sound too good now, does it? Entertainment is just as important as any other aspect of party planning - this is especially the case for corporate parties since all the guests know each other only in formal-controlled settings. It’s going to take a lot of liquid courage (Christmas-sy mulled wine, anyone?) to get them to loosen up! Let’s explore some of the best (tried and tested) entertainment options ideal for corporate Christmas parties. 1.Venue-based Entertainment - These are definitely the easiest of the lot. Your entertainment options are integrated into the venue and theme of the party! Here are two of our favourite options: Paintball - Corporate paintball parties are certainly not unheard of, but celebrating Christmas playing paintball with your colleagues is quite the experience. Also, build morale and encourage working together as a team, all while having a great time! Showboat Christmas Party cruise in Sydney - Booking or chartering an authentic paddlewheeler for your corporate party is sure to get heads turning. The highlight of Christmas Party cruises in Sydney are plenty - the ease of booking online, all-inclusive packages with dinner and a cabaret show! The cabaret show is the showstopper; this hour-long masterpiece in colourful costumes and captivating choreography is sure to get your guests’ feet tapping and hands clapping! 2. Santa Claus and his elves What’sa Christmas Party without a jolly Santa and his elves? There’s two ways you could go about this. Persuade someone in the office to be a sport and don the hat and beard! If you fail to convince someone, there’s always the option of hiring a Santa Claus to grace the occasion - extra points (and funds) for song & dance performances by the costumed Claus! 3. Magician Bring magic to your event - quite literally. Hiring a magician seems like something out of a kid’s birthday party but it needn’t be. An illusionist or even a hypnotist with ample experience of performing in front of a crowd may keep your guests on the edge of their seats! 4. Stand-up Comedian There’s nothing better than free-flowing alcohol and laughs to get everyone to loosen up and get the party started! And this is where a stand-up comedian comes
in. You could get someone with an observational sense of humor or a performer who focuses his jokes primarily on the corporate life - relatable & winning! 5. Tarot Reader Hiring a Party Psychic is a fun way to invite the mystical power of magic into your party. Their mind-boggling insight is sure to have your guests wowed. Also, keep your concerns at bay since most psychics are inclined towards giving positive readings so no one’s goinghome thinking too hard and long about their reading! It’s all in good fun. 6. DJ and Dancing This is probably the easiest to organise for your party. A great sound system, party lights and a local DJ hired for the evening! Watch your coworkers bust out their best dance moves! The annual party planning shenanigans are not just an uncalled expenditure of money - a well-executed Christmas Party boosts morale among the employees, enhances interpersonal relationships between teams and is a fun way to blow off some steam at the end of the year. So, get planning. It’s never too early to start! The Blue Mountains Are Calling! So close to Sydney, yet so different. The Blue Mountains are the perfect escape from the fast-paced city life - it’s time to slow down..
Mountain Dew (and Views) The very definition of magic, regardless of the time of the year - soothing orange hues in autumn, flowery freshness in spring and sunny skies in summer! The Blue Mountains always seem to be covered in a lightly clad blanket of dew knit with the aromatic scent of oil rising from Eucalyptus trees. Formed over a million years ago, the Blue Mountains have now become one of the most popular destinations for day trips and tours from Sydney. Tourists and locals looking for a serene escape from the hustle of city life, respond eagerly to the call of the mountains. From a distance, the mountains are painted with a bluish tinge, thus earning its characteristic name. As you ascend the Blue Mountains on a bus or sightseeing tour, take in a breath of fresher air and incredible views of a million hectares of fragrant eucalyptus forests, wild walking tracks and secret waterfalls. The Greater Blue Mountains Area comprises eight UNESCO World Heritage protected areas, home to significant Australian biodiversity in terms of flora and fauna. Sister Sister Sister Every Blue Mountains day tour is incomplete without a visit to the iconic Three Sisters rock formation. This spectacular landmark looks stunning, no matter the time of day - vividly painted against the morning sunrise hues, or magnificent evening colours. At around 11pm every evening, the floodlit Three Sisters offering a stark contrast to the night sky, is truly a sight to behold. These sandstone cliffs moulded by seasonal weathering over the course of a million years, offer a different vista every single day - owing to the play of lights & shadows and the painted skies. The most popular vantage point to admire this piece of nature’s beauty and the Jamison Valley is the Echo Point Lookout. Your FitBit will thank you! Hikers, rock climbers and those who love filling their travel itineraries with fitness related activity - you’re sure to have a field day (quite literally!) with a Blue Mountains day tour. This paradise for bushwalkers has close to a hundred hiking tracks and bushwalks for you to
choose from varying in difficulty levels - beginners as well as advanced hikers - there’s something for everyone! All of these hiking tracks eventually lead to incredibly beautiful views which make the tough trails all the more gratifying. The walks leading up to Katoomba Falls and the Grand Canyon walk are the paths most commonly taken. Why not take the path less travelled - that’ll probably make all the difference (Thank you, Robert Frost)! On top of the world with Scenic World Wilderness, Waterfalls in a Wonderland of sighs- with views from every possible angle! The Skywalk allows you to enjoy aerial views as you float mid-air on the largest and steepest cable-car in the Southern Hemisphere. Traverse the dense temperate rainforest as you journey across the Jurassic walkways for an adrenaline rush unlike ever before. Ascend into the hills on board the steepest incline railway in the world. Like the Scenic World tagline says - get ready to ‘feel small’ today! It’s time to unwind- Book now and head on out on your Blue Mountains day tour soon! Spectacular Dinner Cruises on Sydney Harbour Sydney Harbour dinner cruises offering delicious food menu, drinks and spectacular views of World Heritage Listed edifices have taken over Sydney’s dining sector. Dusk or day, the iconic Sydney Harbour and its attractions stand out from the rest. Seeing the vibrant city of Sydney on a luxury vessel is on the must-do list of almost all visitors who
travel to the harbour city and the Sydney Harbour dinner cruiseis a very popular way to do it. These spectacular harbour cruises allow you to take in not one but many highlights of the city, namely, Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Luna Park etc. as you cruise along the famous Sydney Harbour. Not only dinner options, but there are also daytime cruises available on the harbour. Informative sightseeing cruises & classic lunch cruises are a step ahead than the usual Sydney day tours. Sydney Harbour has a large fleet of unique vessels to choose from. Charter a cruise that caters your event requirement. However, deciding on the right cruise may be difficult as there are several cruising operators that provide similar tours on the harbour. Find the most popular sightseeing or dinner cruises in Sydney and decide which one suits you the best depending on its inclusions. One of the best ways to experience the nightlife of this destination is by boarding a stunning Sydney dinner cruise. These scintillating cruises that serve delicious dinner not only take you on an eventful journey along the harbour but also show the magnificence of a city through its vibrant night-time attractions. So if you’re planning something special with your friends or your family, we recommend you to include these fantastic dinner cruise options on your holiday itinerary. The city of Sydney is visited by 10 million international & domestic tourists each year. The beaches, weather, European history, harbour cruises, food and diverse lifestyle is what makes Sydney so special. See how the city is divided into two by the Sydney Harbour, namely North Sydney and South Sydney, connected by the magnificent Harbour Bridge. Sydney offers an array of great tourist attractions, from the world-famous Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge to the ivory-tinted sandy shores of Bondi Beach. A great way to experience the best of the city is by taking part in one of the many Sydney day tours. This cosmopolitan hive of activity also boasts gorgeous beaches, fantastic weather and mild winters. With over 4 million residents, Sydney is the most visited destination in the country and not without reason. Get the ultimate Sydney experience from the decks of amazing Sydney Harbour cruises. The food on offer is delicious and the unique ambiance adds up to the name, the Emerald City. Darling Harbour is also a popular recreational complex adjacent to Sydney’s city centre, with breathtaking harbour views and plenty to keep you well-fed and entertained.
There are a massive variety of attractions on the harbour, but some favorites include the serene Chinese Garden of Friendship and its lovely teahouse, the Carousel, the National Maritime Museum and the beautiful Dockside Pavilion. Also, explore the unique night spots and pubs near the harbour, Harbourside Shopping Centre (including laser tag), Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and much more. It’s best to dedicate at least a day to experience the harbour and enjoy this iconic heart of the city to its best.
