August '08

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HomeLink News 
CNN features Australian HomeLinkers
NEW - Geographic region search

FrontLine - stories from members
English Exchange - Norfolk

SpotlightOn - travel features
Destination you may not have considered

HomeLink News

We always appreciate any media stories about HomeLink, because they help to "spread the word".  And for many prospective members, it is reassuring to see and read media reports on some of the great home exchange experiences our HomeLink members have enjoyed. That's why we try to keep our website updated with each Australian media story that features HomeLink (you can read them here).

However, sometimes international media do features on us too. HomeLinkers John and Marilyn kindly advise us that worldwide news service CNN recently featured a short segment about home exchange, featuring Australian members Ken and Shirley, on exchange to Virginia USA.

To see the CNN video, click here.

NEW - Geographic Region Search

Due to popular demand from HomeLink members around the world, our IT department has been developing a new "Geographic region" Search function.  Lots of HomeLinkers are very flexible with their destination requirements, and have asked for an easier, faster way to search entire regions - eg, Europe, or Africa.

This new search function is also a great way for our systems to bring to your attention many of those smaller, less obvious destinations, places that you may not have considered before.  For example, did you ever stop to consider that HomeLink International has small numbers of members in amazing countries such as Costa Rica, Martinique, Morocco, and Vietnam?

The new "Geographic Region" search function will be active on Tuesday 12th August.  Below is a screen shot of this new function, which will of course appear on the Search page.. just so you know what to look for next week.

FrontLine - stories from members

Our story relates to a non-simultaneous house exchange we arranged three years ago. We were offered an exchange with a couple from Norfolk, England who were planning a series of successive exchanges around east coast Australia and were suggesting a non-simultaneous exchange. Having recently become interested in family history and finding a line of ancestors who originated in Norfolk, it seemed too good an offer to pass up.  We were new to house exchanging so were a little unsure what to expect but are pleased to say we were pleasantly surprised by the friendliness and hospitality we encountered.

We chose May for our visit to Norfolk and were nonplussed by the unseasonably cool and wet weather and this did not dampen our enthusiasm. Our exchangers had already done some background research for us and left us information regarding the local archive and local history office with locations and opening hours. They also left for us a number of tourist brochures for local places of historical interest, some of which proved to be invaluable to our family history research, including the workhouse, library, cathedral, just to name but a few.

Our exchangers were staying on their boat for the duration of the swap, which was their way of arranging non-simultaneous exchanges. This also meant they were kind enough to take us for a day sailing on the Norfolk Broads and a delightful visit to a local pub for lunch. Our only regret was that the weather being so miserable meant that their stay on their boat was not as pleasant as hoped but they honored their commitment to us and we enjoyed a pleasant and most rewarding visit to Norfolk, during which time we were able to visit many villages, churches and churchyards, local icons and historical record centres that helped fill in some of the missing pieces of the family history puzzle.

This visit helped lay the foundations for many successive visits to the UK for both family history and simply tourist reasons. We have enjoyed several house swaps, both simultaneous and non-simultaneous, with overseas and local exchangers, and can say we have been delighted with the friendliness and hospitality of them all. It is something we hope to do for many years to come.

Sandra & Ian Harding

SpotlightOn - travel features

In keeping with the announcement of HomeLink's new "Geographic Region" Search function (see above), this month we wanted to list just a few of the many "less obvious" destinations that you might expect to pop up when you search by Region, instead of by specific country.

Andorra
"A nano-nation with more mountains than culture."
 - Lonely Planet read more

Argentina
"The home of the sultry tango does a good line in fiery soccer and juicy steaks."
 - Lonely Planet read more

Belize
"Belize is good for your blood pressure."
 - Lonely Planet read more

Bulgaria
"An enigmatic country at a very important crossroads in its history."
 - Lonely Planet read more

Colombia
"Begging to be discovered, Colombia's got everything but crowds."
 - Lonely Planet read more

Cook Islands
"Years of missionary zeal haven't dimmed the mojo of this place."
 - Lonely Planet read more

Costa Rica
"Hang ten in this peaceful oasis: the local wildlife highly recommends it."
 - Lonely Planet read more

Croatia
"Pristine beaches, enchanting villages and history galore - Croatia's got it all."
 - Lonely Planet read more

Curaçao
"Dutch colonial village or Caribbean island - Curaçao is an enticing combination."
 - Lonely Planet read more

Cyprus
"Take a bite out of Aphrodite's island...Cyprus will seduce you."
 - Lonely Planet read more

Ecuador
"Ecuador may be tiny, but it sure packs a spectacular punch."
 - Lonely Planet read more

Fiji
"A zesty blend of cultures in a heavenly setting."
 - Lonely Planet read more

French Polynesia
"Lounge about like a Gauguin come to life."
 - Lonely Planet read more