Australian parents voice concern over 'ridiculous' rule allowing schools to deny leave to children for holidays
Australian parents are questioning school policies after influencer Sarah Stevenson, known as Sarah's Day, revealed her child's holiday absence was marked unapproved. Despite providing flight details for a five-day Fiji trip, the school denied the leave. While schools typically accept absences for illness or emergencies, holidays can be deemed unjustified.
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Sara Tendulkar finds serenity and adventure in her Queensland Sojourn
For first-time visitors, Australia is a charming paradox, where glittering skylines meet raw, untouched landscapes. Picture farm-fresh produce, endless sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and a lifestyle that thrives outdoors. It's the perfect recipe for living the good life! Nowhere does this spirit shine brighter than in the Sunshine State of Australia. Bathed in golden sunlight 280 days each year and kissed by the warm Pacific breeze, Queensland has something for everyone! It's no surprise that for Sara Tendulkar, a wellness enthusiast and globetrotter, this was the perfect holiday destination. An explorer at heart in search of mindful experiences, Sara decided to travel to Queensland , Australia with Singapore Airlines (SIA). With convenient connectivity that makes it the fastest way to reach Brisbane from India, choosing SIA was a no-brainer. With state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system loaded with the latest movies and TV shows, impeccable service, seats that recline into fully flat beds and the swanky SilverKris Lounge in Singapore, the journey goes by in a jiffy. As Sara explains, '[SIA's] in-flight entertainment is far superior to most others. A lot of the content was stuff I'd actually watch outside of a flight too, which isn't always the case with airline selections!' Sara chose Queensland not just to unwind, but to soul surf, guided by someone who understands the landscape intimately: Brissie girl Grace Hayden , daughter of Australian cricket great Matthew Hayden. The two bonded over their mutual love for good food, wellness, and adventure. 'Grace has been the perfect host! It was like discovering the best-kept local secrets with a friend. Australia feels like a second home in many ways and discovering it on my own terms this time was special. I've always loved places that offer a bit of everything, nature, adventure, food, culture. I am a very spontaneous traveller. So having someone who knows the place but also rolls with the flow made the whole trip feel really organic,' says Sara. Sara's Queensland experience was anything but ordinary. Every thrill, twist, and turn is carefully mapped out to showcase the destination's wild side. Her adventure kicked off with a ferry ride to the pristine shores of Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island, just off the Brisbane coast. The day was designed to showcase the region's natural beauty from every angle. The standout? A scenic helicopter ride above the ocean with a bird's-eye view of the coast and its aquamarine waters—complete with dolphins, sea turtles, and the haunting Tangalooma shipwrecks floating in crystalline waters. 'I couldn't believe how clear the water was—it felt surreal,' chimes Sara. Back on the ground, the thrills continued with her trying quad biking. In Brisbane, Grace and Sara opted for the iconic Story Bridge Adventure Climb, a heart-thumping ascent that rewarded them with panoramic views of the city and the winding Brisbane River shining bright in the evening sky. Sara confesses, 'I was wondering if I'd be scared of heights but I wasn't—it was actually fun. It was beautiful getting a 360-degree view of the city during sunset. So, we got to see Brisbane in daylight, and then again as it lit up after dark from atop.' Sara soared past fears on the Canyon Flyer Zipline in the Gold Coast and on the Story Bridge Climb in Brisbane. With their fill of Brisbane's bursting energy, the two made their way to Gold Coast, with a scenic drive up Mount Tamborine that led to another thrill: the Canyon Flyer Zipline Tour where Sara faced down her fear of heights on the Canyon Flyer Zipline. She soared through rainforest canopies, zipped over deep gorges and cliffs, and whizzed past gushing waterfalls, all under safe guidance. The duo wrapped up their day with a quick drive up to Curtis Falls in a yellow Mustang Convertible . 'We were just cracking up the whole time. Grace is a great driver! The scenery was beautiful, with these tall trees lining the road. Grace planned it all so intuitively,' Sara explains. Sara's culinary trail through Queensland was as adventurous as her itinerary with every bite curated to surprise. 'I love Japanese and Asian food, but I'll try anything once, and this place had it all. I think I tried more food in a week than I have in a month,' she laughs. In Brisbane, she dove straight into the city's buzzing food scene at Howard Smith Wharves, a lively riverfront precinct tucked beneath the Story Bridge with 13 waterfront restaurants, open-air breweries, and spectacular city views. The ladies soaked up the views at the multi-awarded Felons Brewing Co, as the river lit up in neon hues; while another evening they found themselves at Ciao Papi. At Greca, they fell in love with the Mediterranean-inspired Greek dishes that were perfect for brunch. To further experience Brisbane's playful culinary side, Sara visited Eat Street Northshore, a night market built from shipping containers. This bustling area is a riot of flavours, brought alive with fairy lights, and live music. From pizza to sushi, cookies to ice cream—there's something for every kind of taste bud! For the perfect beach side dining experience in Gold Coast, Sara headed to Siblings Kirra, perched right by the iconic Kirra Beach. With breezy interiors and an impressive wine list, the standouts were the Prawn and Bug Meat Risotto, the pan-seared market fish and a perfectly cooked Angus steak. Queensland's charm is not just in its adventures and flavours, but in its scenic cityscapes—each one offering a fresh perspective of this vibrant region. In the heart of the city, Sara explored its creative veins. In Fish Lane—a forgotten alley reinvented into a buzzing arts and dining hub, she found herself one quiet morning, sipping coffee against the backdrop of ever-evolving street art. A short drive away, James Street unveiled another layer of Brisbane's chic, fashion-forward side lined with some of the city's best restaurants. 'Brisbane surprised me. It's so artistic and outdoorsy at the same time,' notes Sara. The Star Grand Brisbane , is another great pick for a panoramic view. Sara visited the Sky Dec k, 100 metres above the bustling CBD, with an expansive viewing deck where Brisbane unfurls in every direction—bridges, buildings, rivers and ranges bathed in twilight hues. To reconnect with her childhood nostalgia, Grace also took Sara to Warner Bros. Movie World in Gold Coast. 'Grace told me her dad was an ambassador for Warner Bros. about 10 years ago, so she visited as a child. Now, coming back with me as an adult—it's kind of special. It's been nice seeing things from her perspective, revisiting places she loved growing up, but now experiencing them together in a different way.' From riding the heart-racing DC Rivals HyperCoaster to taking selfies with Bugs Bunny, Superman, and the Wizard of Oz cast, it was a day of cinematic magic. 'I love roller coasters! The HyperCoaster did get me a bit nervous at first. But the moment I sat on it, I was completely fine. I love adrenaline rushes,' she admits. From island skies to hidden laneways, Queensland revealed its many faces to Sara Tendulkar. But if she had to pick a favourite? 'If I had to pick one place where I see myself living long-term, it would be Gold Coast because I love the beach,' she signs off. Getting there: Singapore Airlines (SIA) operates direct flights to Brisbane via Singapore. The overall travel duration, including the layover, is approximately 15 hours. There are 92 weekly flights from eight major cities connecting India and Singapore. Currently there are 25 weekly flights between Singapore and Brisbane, which will be expanded to 28 flights from June 14, 2025. Catch the film here .
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Fire on Virgin Australia flight: Blaze erupts mid-air on Sydney–Hobart route likely caused by power bank; airlines to review battery policies
A suspected fire triggered by a power bank in carry-on luggage forced emergency response aboard a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart on Monday, prompting the airline to review its lithium battery policies. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The incident occurred during descent on Flight VA1528, when smoke and flames were seen emanating from an overhead locker. Battery fire on Virgin flight from Sydney | Sunrise Cabin crew swiftly extinguished the fire before the aircraft landed safely. Upon arrival, firefighters removed the affected bag from the compartment. No injuries to passengers or the flight crew was reported according to Virgin Australia, who issued a statement, quoted by The Guardian saying, 'The safety of our guests and crew is always our highest priority, and we commend our cabin crew for their quick action in containing the event. We would also like to thank the emergency services teams who met the aircraft upon arrival.' Matt Cocker, the Chief Operating Officer of Hobart Airport, stated that all passengers safely disembarked the aircraft and one person was assessed by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation. The airline is now investigating the cause of the fire in coordination with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Casa). Virgin Australia indicated that the incident may lead to changes in its battery safety protocols. Currently, lithium-ion batteries, including power banks and spare batteries, are restricted to carry-on baggage. Casa has long advised passengers about the risks associated with lithium-powered devices, which can overheat, short-circuit, or ignite. Casa warns that 'lithium battery fires can be difficult to extinguish' and says that typical Australian travellers now carry at least four rechargeable battery-powered devices. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The agency has also clarified that while items like laptops or cameras may be stored in checked luggage if completely powered off, loose batteries and power banks must remain in cabin bags. According to Casa, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recorded a 92 per cent increase in lithium battery-related incidents between 2020 and 2022. The Hobart incident follows a January fire aboard an Air Busan Airbus in South Korea, which led to the full evacuation of 176 passengers and crew. Investigators attributed that fire, which destroyed the aircraft, to a malfunctioning power bank. In response to growing concerns, several airlines, including Singapore Airlines, have introduced stricter rules. Singapore Airlines now bans power bank usage entirely during flights. Meanwhile, Virgin Australia said that it will 'review its policies regarding the carriage of lithium battery-powered devices' to ensure enhanced safety for all travellers.
India Today
6 days ago
- India Today
Indian man slams ‘embarrassing' behaviour of co-passengers at Singapore Airport
An Indian man's Reddit post slamming fellow passengers for creating a scene at Singapore's Changi Airport Terminal 3 went viral as it managed to spark debate on public behaviour while travelling man, who was waiting for his flight back to Mumbai, shared his frustration on the subreddit 'r/Mumbai' in a post titled, 'Indians Abroad, Please stop embarrassing us.''Changi Airport Terminal 3 (Singapore): Was waiting there for my flight back to Mumbai. Suddenly, I saw a group of 20 people. They were Gujarati (as they were conversing in Gujarati). They were sitting and talking very loudly,' he He added, 'Laughing like they got some seizures or something. Most of them were sitting on the floor. Then one of them opened a huge packet of namkeen. They all started eating it. Most of it was spilled on the floor. They really made a mess of it.'According to him, onlookers were visibly annoyed. 'Everyone was pointing at them and making faces. One of the Australian/British couples behind me said, 'These must be Indian, mate',' he post further detailed how the same group allegedly caused chaos during boarding. 'After boarding got started, the girl on the computer was announcing which seats to be boarded. This group of people were cutting the line and trying to forcefully enter,' he concluded by saying, 'Their seats were not even announced. These people created quite a ruckus. And after creating ruckus, the main guy was laughing in pride as if he had done something really great. Why can't people conduct themselves in a decent manner when abroad?'Take a look at the viral Reddit post here:Social media users shared their own embarrassing experiences in the comments section. '15 years ago, I was on vacation in Europe with my parents. The guide (Indian) clearly mentioned the rules, dos and don'ts but people couldn't be bothered even after being told twice. They were sneaking huge amounts of fruits in their bags. The fruits were set on their breakfast tables,' a user user shared a personal experience from Vietnam. 'Once I was in Da Nang. We were in a 5-star hotel. Everyone was enjoying their breakfast, and suddenly I hear a voice - 'aye Jignesh'. I turned back and saw a fat uncle shouting across the hall in Gujarati to block the seat. All the people there were looking at them and they created so much mess there - cutting queues, shouting at waiters, asking for special treatment and what not. We finished our breakfast and left as soon as we could. We were feeling so embarrassed with the behaviour. Gujjus are worst among all,' the user user added, 'We were in Iceland and there was a glacial lake where icebergs were floating. It was a surreal view! Out of nowhere tourists from Ahmedabad appeared. They started creating a ton of noise, some even tried climbing on top of icebergs that had crashed on shore. Almost every person there was pissed off at the commotion. Iceland is not exactly a cheap destination, so this lack of civic sense is an epidemic that plagues every layer of Indian society.'advertisementA similar instance was recalled by another user, who shared, 'This was a pretty funny but also extremely embarrassing instance I experienced. We were visiting the London Bridge when we were on our visit to the UK. And as we came out of one of the museums just beside the bridge, there was a group of middle-aged to older ladies, all wearing sarees (I don't know if they were Gujarati or not but they were Indian), and they were loudly singing 'London Bridge is falling down' while near the bridge. I felt like hiding my face in embarrassment, even though they were like 100 metres away near the bridge. I walked away quietly. It wasn't only me, even the foreigners were feeling embarrassed. And it was more like screaming rather than singing.'On the concluding note, it is safe to say that this viral Reddit post sparked laughter and frustration in equal measure. It has also reignited a larger conversation on the need for better etiquette and self-awareness when travelling abroad.- EndsMust Watch
