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52 COROMANDEL LIFE 2016 LATE AUTUMN / WINTER
I n April, Coromandel Life’s travel writer, Monett
Johnston relaunched her Whitianga travel
company (previously United Travel) under the
new YOU Travel brand, part of the cooperative
First Travel Group.
Monett founded the agency in 1984 and knows
the travel business from the ground up. “I started
a very long time ago as a shorthand typist in one
of Auckland established travel companies.”
She loves travelling, of course, and estimates
she’s been to some 50 countries, experiences
she colourfully shares in her travel articles and
with her clients.
As ‘cruise specialists’ this group truly knows their
ships, achieving ‘Cruise Agency of the Year’ status.
“We care about our customers and ensuring that
REBRANDING TO...
YOU Travel Whitianga
YOU Travel director Monett Johnston (second
from left), with travel advisors Brad Wooldridge,
Diana Williams, Jody Simpson and Julie Pepper,
outside their office on Albert St, Whitianga.
their cruise holiday becomes the one of their
dreams”, says Monett.
And it’s what Monett did for Greg and I. Her
experience, insights and knowledge proved
invaluable as she helped us plan our first
holiday in seven years – and it was a ‘dream
cruise’.
Monett is the well-respected head of this multi-
award winning agency. She and four travel
advisors arrange customers’ travel as if it was for
themselves, finding the best trip at the best price!
Stop by the bright red office on Albert Street in
Whitianga and be sure to say you read about them
in Coromandel Life.
Contact 07 866 4397 or or visit
them online at
5 ALBERT ST. • WHITIANGA • 07 866 0323
Open 7 days from 7.30 am – 4 pm
View menus and more at
BLACKBOARD MENU
Good Kiwi kai
CABINET FOOD
CELCIUS COFFEE FOR ALL EVENTS
weddings • corporate
birthdays • special events
CATERING
p: 07 864 8886 m: 021 103 8681 e:
The Coromandel Community Spotlight
Winter makes us all long for summers on the patio or
deck, with warm air, cooking on the ‘barbie’ going on,
and swims. Well, now there’s a way to spend time outside,
even when its raining, creating that ‘outdoor room’ you can
use in all weathers.
Rachel and Julian Lee, Whitianga’s local “decorating
specialists”, have expanded their business from flooring,
draperies, and home decor at the Guthrie Bowron shop on
Blacksmith Lane. They have opened another business there,
Outdoors Covered, meaning that, literally.
The Lees’ new business specializes in overhead cover for
your deck or patio, the dramatic and sturdy Bowranda
Arched Roof. Now “you no longer need to go out of town for
a roof like this”, said Julian.
They were already offering external shades and blinds, so
when the opportunity came along to distribute the arched
roof, they quickly jumped on board, creating the new
business in the process.
“Many people love to live outdoors on the Peninsula,” said
Rachel, “but sometimes it’s too hot, too windy or too rainy to
use the deck or patio, so our area calls for solutions like this.
And it effectively creates another whole room for your
house, protected any time of year,” depending on one’s
choice of siding.
Other options for closing in your space include manual or
motorised awnings, mesh, blockout or clear blinds, shutters,
and the traditional umbrella, so paired with the Bowranda
Whitianga’s Guthrie Bowron opens
OUTDOORS
COVERED
Arched Roof, “we’ve got
you covered. We’ve installed
several now and they are very
successful”.
Yet another new idea that you
can now get locally!
Drop by and see Julian or ring at
027 534-3739.
Rachel and Julian Lee can
now install the innovative
Bowranda Arched Roof
system, with choice of siding.