IT 2008 Roundup ...

Hello friends. As you know I was one of the lucky 25 Stampin' Up! Demonstrators who earned the 2008 Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip which was an all expenses paid trip for 2 people to the beautiful Angsana resort and spa in Palm Cove. We've just returned, so I thought I would let you know all about it. I took my downline Ros along with me. Unfortunately I was sick for some of the time, but I still managed to have fun and be spoilt!

The place we stayed was really lovely. Ros and I had a FAB apartment overlooking the pool each with our own room and bathroom. It was just gorgeous. They had the oil burner going before we arrived and there was a pressie from Stampin' Up! and the resort waiting for us, as well as a sign on the door indicating we were a trip achiever.

 

On the first night we had a welcome dinner at the resort restaurant which was absolute beachfront! It was great to catch up with everyone over a yummy beachside BBQ.

 

We then hopped on the bus for our first group activity which was a lawn bowls party and we were divided into teams based on Stampin' Up! colours, with shirts waiting for us in our room. I DID score the much coveted (NOT) Yoyo Yellow team shirt. Our team got to play against Shelli (bowling below) and Stirling's team (our wonderful US CEO and here husband who were delightful company the whole trip), so that must have been consolation for the colour choice, lol.

 

It was a fun night, but we were all exhausted from a long day and early morning flights. When we got back to our room there was another gift waiting for us of a lovely lightweight hoodie with the trip logo. Too spoilt!

I totally missed Thursday as I was sick, but the lovely Ros spoilt me with momentos from the trip. We actually had a really relaxing Thursday night in with room service (the resort food was amazing) and watching the DVD we were given of the WOW presentations from US demonstrators. That was our gift for the day - it was all set up on the telly when we came back into our room.

Friday morning was when we all got to swap the cards we had made for the other demonstrators. We also got to do some make and takes using a brand new stamp set and a play with the NEW scallop border punch which will be here in Australia very soon (there were very loud cheers to that announcement!). I'll share the swap cards and the projects we made soon, but here are some shots of our goodies and the gorgeous Sarak Klass from Perth having a peek for the first time.

There was also lots of opportunity to mingle with Shelli and have a group shot with all the demonstrators and Shelli, Aaron (our Australian Manager) and Emma (New Zealand). That's me second row from the top, in the middle between Jayne Mercer and Yvonne.

Friday afternoon I had the most luxurious 2 hour Thai massage at the resort spa. It was amazing and the room was beautiful with open doors leading onto the beach so I could hear the waves. There was even an outdoor courtyard shower but there seemed to be a few too many people on the beach and not much between me and them so I wasn't game for that!Our gift Friday night was a gorgeous monogrammed bathrobe which is so soft and luxurious. One of the highlights photo wise was on Saturday, all the demonstrators dressed in their robes and had their photo taken as a group down by the pool (with the fearless Aaron throwing himself across the demonstrators!).

I also had a chance to take a few pics around the resort including this gorgeous flower. If you know what it is can you tell me please? The beach wasn't exactly picture perfect blue and calm, but it was very relaxing still if that makes sense?

Saturday night was our farewell dinner, which was amazing. We took a bus trip for 45minutes up into the hills and dined at the Cairns wildlife park, in a wire caged enclsure between two very hungry and energetic prides of lions. Ros got some great pictures of the lions I think. The meal was a BBQ and there were lots of delicious things to dine on including Barramundi and Wild Bore sausage! The only pictures I have from this night are of the karaoke on the bus on the way there. Wow, some of these husbands can sing. Here we have Tim (Sarah Klass's partner) crooning a song I can't quite recall, and Dave (Marelle's husband) with a very energetic version of Summer of 69 (he can sing like Marelle can stamp which is a huge compliment to him!).

By far the most amazing thing about the trip though was not a 'thing' at all. It was just the opportunity to spend time in the company of the other lovely demonstrators who had made the trip. It was so nice to just chill out and chat and have fun together. I loved spending time with Linda and Vanessa from NW as i seem to always gravitate to them fro friendship and support and they are even more lovely and fun and caring in person. It was also great to see Sarah from Perth after emailing back and forward. I could go on and on, they are all lovely people and the partners were great fun as well. Here's a few more pics to finish up:

Vanessa and me (with our other gift - a gorgeous mongrammed canvas bag), Sorry Linda - our pic was too dark :(

Alisa and Marelle at the lions

Makeesha and I (and then with Teresa from ACT

and here is Janelle from the US, who along with Christa, wa responsible for the planning and day to day operation of the event (and OMG, what an AWESOME job they did. No detail was overlooked, we were so well looked after. Thankyou!

As much fun as I had, I really missed Paul and the boys and was very eager to get off the plane when we landed in Melbourne. Sam ran into my arms the second he caught sight of me and that was so cute. I came bearing gifts of course, and the boys were VERY impressed with their crocodile hats and pen holders.

Well I think that's all for my roundup. If you have made it this far you deserve a medal! Back to normal programming and some cards over the coming days!

Comments

[Robyn A]

Thanks for sharing all your news Claire, and so very glad you had a great time, so well deserved.

[Ros Oakes]

Huge wrap up Claire and yes I did get some good lions photos. Will have a closer look at the better ones and they will be making their way to you soon.

[LindaL]

Wow Claire, what a gorgeous resort...b e a u t i f u l. Sounds like a great time....glad you had fun....and got spoilt:-)

[Zarna]

Congrats on winning!
Some one is asking on the demo section of scs who made the shoe swap on shelli's blog and where to find a template.
Thought you might know who made the shoe? http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=376333

[Zarna]

oops not winning earning! sorry long day

[Christine Blain]

Welcome back Claire! Looks like it was BEAUTIFUL. Well-deserved, my dear, and thanks for sharing all those gorgeous photos (almost felt like I was there - oh but the bed looked GREAT!).

[Sue Madex]

Ooh thanks heaps for posting the great pics and trip news. Very much enjoyed reading all about it. Congrats, congrats. Sounds like you were nicely pampered!

[Marlene]

OMG, WOW, what a fantastic reward to a great demo lady. Well done. Glad you had a great time. Marls

[Sandra Smart]

wow, that sounds like it was an awesome trip, ...so happy for you that you were able to experience it all!

[Makeesha Byl]

It was so great to spend time with you Claire!! Hopefully we can do it again next year!!! Take care, Love Keesh x

[michelle le breton]

Congratulations, sounded like you had a terrific time. I would love to earn this trip one day. You are forever an inspiration.
Michelle