Packing Seminars
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Locations
South
#480 WillowPark Village
10816 Macleod Trail South
Calgary, AB T2J 5N8
(403) 777-1767
North
#165 Dalhousie Station
5005 Dalhousie Drive N.W.
Calgary, AB T3A 5R8
(403) 239-7084
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Because Cruise Season is coming up, I thought you might like some interesting facts about cruise ships.
I picked these ones up from the Cruise Bulletin on www.cruise.co.
These facts are almost guaranteed to make you sound super smart over dinner on your next voyage, so read on!
Ever wondered what that big X on
Celebrity ship funnels (chimneys) means?
Well, it's the Greek letter chi and it stands for Chandris, the group who founded
Celebrity in 1988.
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Karin Stahre-Janson from Sweden was the first female captain for a large line.
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MV Lyubov Orlova was built in 1976 and sailed for a good 30 years before retiring in 2010.
She was then sold for parts in 2012, but on her way her tow line snapped and she was set loose!
She was last seen on Feburary 23rd, 2013 - 1,300 miles off Ireland's West Coast.
Where did she go? Did she sink? Or is she still out there? No one knows!
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Retiring on a cruise ship could actually be cheaper than staying in a high end retirement home, there's even been various studies that confirm this!
I'm in - how about you?
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The first cruise ship built in Finland is now owned by the Church of Scientology.
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On board
Princess Cruises' Royal Princess ship, a staggering 250,000 eggs are used each week!
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A multi-millionaire from
Australia is currently building a replica of the Titanic, called the Titanic 2.
It's due to launch in 2018 and is promised to be the exact replica of the original ship (bar a few feet on the length).
I guess he wants to feel like the King of the World!
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Disney have really thought of everything with their cruise line, right down to the sound of the horn.
Whenever the horn is signalled, the first seven notes of a
Disney song such as Pinocchio's 'When You Wish Upon a Star' is played.
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You may have heard of the breath-taking carousel on board
the Royal Caribbean ship, Oasis of the Seas.
But did you know that it took 6 weeks just to carve the wooden animals on the carousel?
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When
Carnival first launched in 1972 they only had a second hand ship and just enough fuel to get from
Miami to
San Juan.
They're now one of the biggest cruise lines in the world!
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Travel Tips
Here are some random Travel Tips to keep in mind on your next trip.
Here's hoping it's coming up soon!
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Enquire about the price BEFORE you take public transportation!
It's always a good idea to ask about the price before you hop on a bus, tuk-tuk, or other form of public transportation.
Otherwise, you may end up paying a fortune for your 10 minute ride!
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When passing through airport security, put anything valuable and visible, like a laptop or iPad, on the conveyer belt last so it doesn't get to the other side of the X-ray long before you do, leaving it sitting out for anyone to grab.
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Got a camera phone?
Use it!
Take a photo of your room number, your rental car and license plate, parking lot locator number, and anything else you might forget while out and about.
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Shop in local grocery stores, not only for inexpensive gifts but for locally made items that bring home the flavor of the destination.
You'll never be sorry you passed up that little tchotchke at the souvenir stand.
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Try new food.
Don't ask what it is. Just put it in your mouth and see if you like it.
If you put your guard up, you might miss out on some unusual and delicious local cuisine.
I had soup with hand-made noodles in Malaysia, and it was one of the best things I've ever eaten!
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Keep your expired credit cards, don't cut them up and throw them away.
Some hotels are using security safes that are open and closed via a credit card.
If you are hesitant to use your active card, try your expired card.
That way, when you swipe the card, you'll feel secure knowing any data that may be stored is incorrect.
That same out of date credit card has another good use.
Buy yourself the cheapest wallet you can find, place the expired credit card and approximately $10 of the local currency in it, and put it in your back pocket.
Your other money and valuables should be with you underneath your clothes in a security wallet.
If you are pick pocketed you can rest easy knowing that your credit card has not been lost and the cash they got will make them feel it has all been well worth it.
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Watch Out
For These Scams
The Tumbling Woman
London - but it could happen anywhere!
How it works:
Generally speaking, anytime there's some kind of a commotion, assume it's a fake to distract the victim of a pickpocketing or purse snatching.
One example this has been known to happen in the London Underground Tube Station: Someone, usually an elderly looking woman, 'falls' down an escalator in the London Underground.
While you are distracted, or go to offer help, someone is pickpocketing you or stealing your bags.
What you can do:
Step back from all the kerfuffle, and watch your valuables.
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The Snatch and Follow-up Steal
Barcelona
How it works:
As travelers with suitcases wait for a cab, a man rides by on a bicycle, slices the strap of a
seemingly random woman's purse, and rides off with it.
As the sympathetic travelers drop their bags to give chase, an accomplice swoops in and makes off with the abandoned luggage.
What you can do:
Hide your valuables - money, passport, and credit cards-in your inner pockets, in a money belt, or anyplace else where they are difficult to grab and always on your person.
And never, EVER leave your bags unattended!
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The Airport Scam
How it works:
In the post-9/11 era, many of us would be wary if a stranger asked us to watch a bag at the airport.
But unfortunately, there are still plenty of people not quite wary enough.
In the airport scam, when the owner of the bag you agreed to watch reappears, he or she will often be accompanied by someone
appearing to be a police officer.
Often, when we travel overseas, we aren't accustomed to different kinds of law enforcement uniforms, and that makes it hard to tell if the uniform is in fact a costume.
The bag will end up containing drugs or other illegal items and the perpetrators will attempt to extort money from you, on threat of having you arrested.
What you can do:
This scam has become especially prevalent in Russia, so travellers to Russia are urged to be extremely cautious when in any of its airports.
Never agree to watch any belongings of a person you don't know.
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The Pipestone Patter
January 2018
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Welcome Back Loyal Readers!
Welcome back everyone.
And Happy New Year to you all! 
Well, the holiday season has come and gone. I hope you all had a wonderful time with food, family and friends.
I sure did!
And now, we have entered 2018.
Somehow, that just sounds so much more futuristic than 2017, doesn't it?
Not to mention, we are now only two years away from 2020, which still blows my mind.
Nevertheless, it's time to start remembering to change the year every time you sign something.
It's time to get back on track after a holiday season of too much eating and not enough moving. Now, if you don't happen to fall into that category - GOOD FOR YOU. I salute
you! Unfortunately, I'm not one
of those people who
can make that claim.
But, it's a new year; and that can be time for new beginnings.
For reflecting on the past year and making plans
for the future.
Not resolutions, necessarily. Maybe just some goal setting.
Like keeping in better touch with your friends and family.
Like watching what you eat.
Like taking more time to relax and enjoy life.
Like travelling.
Whatever you do, and however you do it, we want to wish you all the very best in 2018.
And to say thank you very much for being such great customers - and, of course, such loyal readers!
We really do appreciate you.
We have always said we have the best customers in Calgary, and 2017 proved us right again.
Thanks!
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Spotlight On ...
Are You Ready For This?
Okay everyone, hold onto your hats!
I am about to share something with you that will blow you away!
Now, some of you out there already know about the absolutely amazing David Cline brand.
In fact, some of you out there may even own some David Cline clothing.
However, if you've ever purchased a piece of his clothing, I'm willing to bet that you very likely did not get it at a discounted price, am I right?
Well, if you love David Cline as much as I do, have I got some great news for you!
We are having a stupendous David Cline sale!
It's a BOGO sale.
When you buy one David Cline item at full price, you can purchase another one - or as many more as you like - at an incredible
30% off each additional item!
That alone is just about enough to make you salivate, isn't it?
But wait . . . it gets even better!
The "official" sale will run in our stores from January 22nd - 31st.
Even though currently we have lots of styles, colours and sizes in stock, it goes without saying that once the "official" sale starts, all these pieces will be flying out the door!
But, because you are such a loyal Newsletter Reader, and because we appreciate you so much - we're going to give you first dibs.
So, as of right now, you are eligible for the special discounted price.
Come into our stores and shop the sale before it's available to the general public. That way you'll be shopping from the best selection available.
All you have to do is mention the secret phrase to our staff when you check out - and the 30% discount on your additional items is all yours.
Right now - with no waiting.
And what is the secret phrase, you ask excitedly?
Let's see . . . how about . . .
"This David Cline is all Mine!"
And ta-da, it will be all yours - at a discount!
Just a friendly reminder, the sale
ends January 31 and
all sales are final.
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Cruising the High Seas!
It's that time of year again!
In January and February, many people say good-bye to their cold winter blues and head off on a warm, sunny cruise.
If you are one of those people, congratulations!
I'm not - but I'm happy for you. Really. I am!
Well you lucky cruisers, I'm here to tell you that Pipestone Travel
 Store has everything you need for your vacation.
From breathable, light-weight, and oh so fashionable clothing (David Cline is
perfect for cruising!), to hats and beach shoes and sunscreen - we've got you covered!
We have shorts, short sleeved shirts, capri pants, skirts and light jackets.
We have clothing for sitting on the deck, exploring your port of call, and enjoying a delicious dinner.
Because at Pipestone Travel Store, we carry warm weather clothing all year long!
(We even have a lanyard to wear around your neck so you never misplace your ship ID card again! And it's only
$4.95!)
All Aboard!
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We are very excited to announce that Pipestone Travel Store has added a new position to our roster!
We now have someone who will be working with Travel Groups of all kinds.
She will be liaising with the co-ordinators of School Groups, Athletic Groups, Band Groups, Scout Groups . . . in fact, any large groups of people who are taking a trip together.
She will be able to offer advice on items to take with them - fun and functional things from the store, as well as putting together discount packages for these groups.
The wonderful, and very experienced person who has agreed to take on this task comes from our WillowPark Store. In fact, she's probably helped most of you out at one time or another.
So, if you know anyone who is travelling with a group, why not pass this information along to them so they can have their Co-ordinator contact us?
Corinne would love to work with them!
Corinne Willerth
587-577-5151
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Tales from the Road
A Little Off the Beaten Path
Several years ago, my Wonderful Husband and I decided to go to South America.
We were going to see Peru, Bolivia and Chile.
Now, at that time, I was a bit of a travelling novice. As well as being a little bit geographically challenged.
The only thing I knew about Peru was that Machu Picchu was there.
And, as I had always wanted to see Machu Picchu, I was super excited about this trip!
That was, until I remembered that our itinerary also include Chile and Bolivia.
Honestly, Chile I didn't really know that much about.
But Bolivia?
Well, everyone knows that Bolivia is ho
me of Drug Kings, Drug Runners and Drug Users, right? Everyone knows that people get murdered there all the time, right? Ev
eryone knows you'd pretty much have to be out your mind to want to go there, right?
I wasn't so sure I wanted anything to do with that country!
But, my Husband was adamant that he wanted to go to Bolivia, and as everyone knows, marriage is all about compromising. So, because I am such an incredibly good wife, I agreed.
Reluctantly, but I agreed.
In my mind, I thought it would be worth it to spend a few days in Bolivia, in order to be able to get to see Machu Picchu.
If I knew then what my Wonderful (?) Husband's real reason was for wanting to go to Bolivia, I would never have agreed!
If you're scratching your head in confusion over that last sentence, you haven't read my post called "Just a Little Bike Ride".
If you're interested, you can find it here.
Once you've finished my missive, I think you'll agree that the above statement is more than valid!
In any event, as I contemplated our upcoming trip - I remembered I did know one more thing about Peru - the fact that Lake Titicaca was there.
If any of you are Trivial Pursuit fans, you may remember the question 'What is the highest navigable body of water in the world?'.
The answer, of course, is 'Lake Titicaca'.
It's also South America's largest lake, border by both Peru and Bolivia.
So, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca were definitely on the agenda for our trip.
Unfortunately, so was Bolivia, but a deal is a deal.
Besides, a little time in Bolivia surely wouldn't be the worst decision we'd ever made in our lives.
Right?
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Handy Gadget
Travel Size Products
One of the difficult things about travelling is how much ding dong stuff we have to take with us.
Of course, we all know we take too many pairs of shoes and underwear (by the way, 3 pairs of shoes and 4 pairs of underwear will generally do for you), but there's another area that can fill up our suitcase all too quickly!
Can you guess what it is?
Well, it's toiletries and laundry things and hair care items and just plain old stuff!
And while we all know we should take smaller amounts of these products - and not the big bottles we buy for home - it's just not always so easy to find them.
In fact, we get asked for them all the time in our stores.
So, we searched and searched, and finally found what we think is the perfect solution to this problem.
Because, not only do our customers want travel size items they can stash in their carry on bags, they also want brands they know and trust.
I mean, let's face it - you may not want to give up your Oil of Olay Body Lotion for some no-name brand.
Well, guess what?
There's a company right here in Calgary that offers brand name products in travel size containers.
Brilliant!
They can supply the top brands from major drug and
pharmaceutical companies, as well as other consumer product companies, to offer a full line of travel products.
They also work closely with these companies to develop new and innovative products with globally recognized name brands.
Brands like Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble and Unilever just to name a few.
Best of all? We have all kinds of items to choose from
, and prices vary from
only
Come in and check it out and you'll find everything from sun screen to deodorant to hairspray to disposable razors to Immodium!
And, there are so many more products, but I don't have room to list them all here.
Our customers asked us for these products, and we finally found them for you.
Enjoy!
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Children's Luggage Sale
You may have seen this children's luggage in our store before, but did you know that now you can pick up one of these super cute bags for your little one, or grand-little one, at a discount?
These fun, Disney themed bags are now on sale at a whopping
30% off!
And what little one wouldn't want to travel with their favourite Disney friend?
This 18" soft-sided upright bag is made of printed polyester with a vinyl front.
It features in-line skate wheels for easy mobility, along with a zip away locking pull-handle.
There are easy-grip zipper pullers ideal for little fingers, and the large interior features a mesh pocket and compression straps.
Bright and colourful, these bags are ideal for the younger traveller!
Themes include: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Frozen,
Cars and The Avengers
Regular Price: $54.95
Sale Price: Only $38.47!
Just one thing though.
Supplies are limited, so if you know someone who would love this bag - make sure you come in sooner, rather than later!
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