SB Video

January 27, 2018

Learn more about Sonja Bernhardt OAM via this video:

The impact of advertising decades later

October 13, 2017

“Tahiti looks nice” I grew up with an ad for imperial leather soap where a family are having luxurious baths and the women says “Tahiti looks nice” the husband then picks up his phone and says “Simon – Tahiti” and then the ad zooms out to a view of a plane turning around.

That ad created an impression on me, that until the other week, I have always believed. Then I cruised into Tahiti on a luxury cruise ship and: DISAPPOINTMENT – Papeete – Tahiti was terrible. On the hillside were abandoned Hilton and Sheraton hotels that were decaying. The place was depressive and no signs of innovation or get up and go (e.g. why were the hotels abandoned and not turned into hospitals, schools or even housing for the homeless?).

It fascinated me how one ad could have created in me so much imagery that I retained for years. It fascinated me how something that was once glorious (I assume) allowed decay to eat away and let itself slide backwards…

Luckily Moreea and Bora Bora more than made up for Papeete:-)

Inspiring 50 Interview with SB

February 19, 2015

Was delighted to be invited to interview for inspiring 50 initiative.

Here is the profile and interview.

PS scroll down the list a little – read other profiles as you go you’ll find me there September 15 2014.

Champagne Blind Tasting

October 19, 2014

I’m a champagne girl – have been since I was old enough to discover alcohol. For a while now I’ve wanted to blind taste a variety of champers just to see what I REALLY liked, versus being confused by the label and what I think I like.

Usually when we get champagne in it never lasts long (I drink it) but for whatever reason I noticed we had started to get a nice stock of some champagnes. SO….Last night we did it we had a blind champagne event.

We had 12 to sample (each clothed so not able to be recognised, plus we were armed with a rating sheet). Here’s the list in order of how much they cost (so a nice range from low low price to medium high).

Krug – Vintage	400
Dom Perignon – Vintage	300
Bollinger	63
Veuve Cliquot	55
Moet & Chandon	48
Lanson	44
Piper Heidseck – Vintage	39
Chandon	24
Jansz	24
Croser – Vintage	24
Grandin	13
Wolf Blass	13

I’ve been drinking Moet for ages now so assumed I’d know it and it would rate highest on my list. I don’t know much about wine, and associated terminology, but I THOUGHT I knew what I liked. The blind tasting was VERY VERY INTERESTING.

RESULTS:

The Wolf Blass was ghastly (all 6 of us voted that YUCK!)

Turns out my favourite (and husbands second)) was the $13 Grandin – WHAT A future saving we can make buying that for everyday drinking now instead of Moet:-)

I (and partner) did NOT like the 2 very expensive vintages at all. Too strong a flavour, unusual finishes. which is GREAT TO KNOW (re: don’t waste future $)

Lanson scored second for me (first for husband) – it’s similar price to Moet but another alternative.

Bollinger that I thought I didn’t really like rated 3 for husband and 4 for me, (my 3rd was Moet) so it may become our special event champers.

Overall summary well worth doing. Of course there’s plenty of other champagnes and years and vintages but a good start that immediately can help us save $ by swopping to Grandin!

In case you are interested no headaches nor hangovers as we only had small shot glass size samples of each – BUT we have HEAPS of left over champagne to get through the next few days!

River Cruising versus Ocean Cruising

May 4, 2014

After the grand sum of 2 major ocean cruises (one Mediterranean, the other Caribbean) and 1 European River Cruise with my husband and daughter (now 11 years old) I feel adequately informed to do a comparison. I hope this may assist others looking at these options.

In the end it’s really up to you (OF COURSE) and what you are looking for. My comments below may help add info to aid your decision making.

The obvious differences are there to see: river ships are far far smaller than ocean ships. They look large in the advertisements but are in fact quite small. By way of example (at least on European waterways) ships are limited by the locks they go through in terms of length and width, bridges limit their height plus the river depth limits their underwater depth which severely restricts not only their size but the creativity and innovation of design of the ships.

My comparison is:

	FEATURE	RIVER	OCEAN
*Logistics*	Passenger no.	Approx 150	Thousands e.g. 2,000 upwards
	Decks	3 plus open top	Differs but average 13 -16 decks
	Length		At least 10 river ships long
	Arrival	You are on board before you even realise it you simply walk on, amazingly breezy process.	A lengthy queue and counter based process.
	Departure	Both for excursions and at cruise end are so so easy. Day trips you simply collect a day pass walk off and walk on.	Can be tiring and stressful, plus at cruise end you need to pack the evening before and place luggage outside your door.
*On Board*	Crew	Due to smallness tend to get to know and see all crew members, including the captain and second captain.	Naturally see hospitality staff however other crew members are mostly invisible and unknown.
	Shops	Nil to small items at the reception desk.	Can overwhelm you there are subtle and not so subtle messages to spend, spend, spend – it’s like in app purchasing:-)
	Locations	You are so close to the waterline and river bed you can hear the birds see the trees and people. Although not all stretches are attractive.	The power of the sea or arriving at a new port is always there to view.
	Dining	Tend to have one dining area that is bistro style, however they make attempts to compensate by offering some different dining options eg. BBQ’s, meals on the top deck for small numbers, degustation menus in the lounge area for small groups – however you may need to be fast to ensure you sign up for them.	A common all you can eat buffet, and al la carte restaurant(s) (with limited menu’s) included plus specialist restaurants and eateries that vary per ship. Can be a wide variety on board including sushi bars and romantic restaurants – note however specialist options often incur additional fees.`
*Activities*	Internet	Freely available	At a charge
	Entertainment	They try to add variety however it tends to be small scale, it’s nice and sweet but lacks pizzazz. It’s more like one lounge on an ocean ship.	Can include surprise wonders, each lounge/bar area offers different styles, and the theaters are a delight in themselves.
	Excursions	Included in your price – a great bonus. Additional excursions are also offered at a price.	Additional cost and can be expensive, plus due to sheer volumes can be tedious. (and too many shopping and eating places built into excursions).
	Schedule	You are at a port every day and into at least half-day excursions.	Can include some days at sea which means you are able to have some days ‘off’ reading, relaxing, doing nothing
	Exercise	Small gym area and equipment is provided.	Variety including running track and gym equipment
	Children	Generally not catered for, top deck games (chess, backgammon etc) older children may enjoy.	Some cruises offer children under certain age for free, child mining toddler and pre teen activities and play areas provided.

(PS I neglected to include that a casino is only available on ocean cruises).

Major bonuses of river cruising we found were:

Free easily available internet (that doesn’t work at times – eg in locks, but is mostly there and reasonable speed – not mega fast but workable to remain in touch)
Getting on and off the boat is a breeze compared to ocean cruising it’s simple easy walk day pass on and off process. Which creates less stress and almost zero queuing
Land excursions are included in the price – a super bonus and it’s not that they are poor trips they are thoughtful and interesting. There are options for additional paid excursions as well.

Major bonuses of ocean cruising we found were:

The entertainment options are extensive and generally good to high quality.
The overall feel is excitement and glamour
The free gelatos:-)
The swimming pool options
Having some rest days (at sea).

The disadvantages of river cruising

The jolting and jerking of navigating locks, which sometime occur during the evening, is disturbing. Although you need to weigh this against the lack of waves and swaying movement you get with ocean cruising.
If you are seeking to meet and talk with people you may be restricted by numbers available.

The disadvantages of ocean cruising

The volume of people, pushing, shoving, queuing
So many add ons and in cruise selling add to the cost.

Sonja B Chats

March 20, 2014

It is time for my own site and blog home. This is it – enjoy!