#travel agents australia

[emc-australia]

Navigating the Path to Immigration Success with EMCAustralia

Looking for the best immigration australia? Our expert migration agent in Melbourne is your trusted visa agent, specializing in Australian immigration.

Discover the best MARA agent in Australia and embark on your journey to immigration success.

Our dedicated team of migration agents in Melbourne, specializing in Australian immigration, are here to assist you every step of the way.

The Importance of a MARA Agent

Before we dive into the specifics, let's first understand the significance of engaging a MARA (, Registration Authority) agent when pursuing immigration to Australia. The MARA agent's role is pivotal in ensuring that your immigration process is smooth, efficient, and compliant with Australian immigration laws and regulations.

EMCAustralia takes pride in being home to some of the best MARA agents in Australia. With their expertise and extensive knowledge of immigration laws, they will guide you through the complexities of the immigration process, making your journey much less daunting. Our team is equipped to handle various visa categories, such as skilled migration, family reunification, student visas, and more.

Your Path to Immigration Success

At EMCAustralia, we understand that each individual's immigration journey is unique, with different needs and circumstances. That's why our MARA agents work closely with you to create a customized immigration plan that aligns with your goals and requirements. Here's how we can assist you in achieving your dream of immigrating to Australia:

Assessment and Eligibility: Our first step is to assess your eligibility for various visa options. We will carefully evaluate your qualifications, work experience, and personal circumstances to identify the most suitable pathway for you.

Visa Application Support: Once your eligibility is confirmed, we will provide comprehensive support in preparing and submitting your visa application. Our agents ensure that all the necessary documentation is in order and that your application is submitted in a timely and efficient manner.

Compliance and Regulations: Australian immigration laws and regulations are subject to change. EMCAustralia's MARA agents stay updated with the latest developments to ensure that your application complies with current requirements.

Professional Guidance: With EMCAustralia, you benefit from the experience and knowledge of professionals who have successfully helped numerous individuals navigate the immigration process. We provide guidance on every aspect of your journey, from skill assessment to health and character checks.

Timely Updates: You'll never be left in the dark about the status of your application. EMCAustralia keeps you informed at every stage, so you can rest assured that your immigration journey is on track.

Preparation for Settlement: Immigrating to a new country is a significant life change. Our services extend beyond visa applications to help you prepare for life in Australia. We offer advice on finding accommodation, employment opportunities, and adapting to the local culture.

Why Choose EMCAustralia?

When you decide to pursue immigration to Australia, you want to ensure you have the best support on your side. EMCAustralia stands out for several reasons:

Expertise: Our team of MARA agents possesses in-depth knowledge of the Australian immigration system and its evolving landscape.

Client-Centric Approach: We prioritize your needs and goals, tailoring our services to ensure your journey is as smooth as possible.

Transparency: EMCAustralia operates with transparency, ensuring that you are always aware of the progress of your immigration application.

Success Stories: With a track record of successful immigration cases, EMCAustralia has helped individuals from various backgrounds achieve their dreams in Australia.

Are you ready to take the first step on your path to immigration success in Australia? Contact EMCAustralia, your trusted immigration agent in Melbourne, and let our team of MARA agents guide you towards a bright and promising future in the Land of Oz.

Contact Us:

Call: +61-390-287-444

Address: Level-14/333 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

[theflightshubaustralia]

Top Tips for Booking Cheap Flights in Australia -The FlightsHub Australia

Discover top tips for booking cheap flights in Australia with The FlightsHub Australia. From flexible travel dates to using price comparison websites, save money on your next trip with expert advice and exclusive deals from the Best Australia Travel Agency.

[eroam]

Travel agent software from E-roam

E-roam sets a new standard for travel agency software by providing an intuitive platform for seamless travel planning. Say goodbye to manual processes and welcome to the efficiency of e-roam. This innovative software allows travel agencies to easily manage reservations, itineraries and customer communications in one place. With e-roam, you can streamline your workflow, increase productivity and provide exceptional customer service. E-roam simplifies all aspects of the travel planning process, from booking flights and accommodation to organizing activities. Experience the future of travel agent software with E-roam and take your business to new heights.

[ghumindiaghum]

#Australia, a vast and diverse nation, offers a myriad of experiences through its unique packages. Nature enthusiasts can explore the stunning #landscapes of the Great Barrier Reef, the vast Outback, and lush rainforests.

[martin-james2121]

Places you must visit on your trip to Canberra, The Bush Capital

Canberra, the capital of Australia is a treasure trove of cultural, historical, and natural wonders. This city’s history, culture, and innovation converge seamlessly to offer its visitors an enriching experience like no other. Often overshadowed by its more bustling counterparts this carefully planned capital city holds a treasure trove of surprises waiting to be explored.

From iconic landmarks to serene natural escapes, Canberra possesses a unique charm that tempts travelers seeking a blend of heritage, art, and outdoor adventures. Also, whether you’re fascinated by politics, art, nature, or science, this place ensures a memorable and enriching journey.

Check out this list of the top eight must-visit places in Canberra that you must visit for an enriching and memorable trip.

1. Parliament House

The Parliament House, located on Capitol Hill, Canberra stands as an iconic symbol of Australia’s political landscape showcasing flawless architecture, stunning landscape, and remarkable art assortment. During your time here, explore this architectural marvel designed by Romaldo Giurgola, housing the nation’s Parliament. Take a guided tour to witness the chambers, and impressive artwork, and learn about Australia’s democratic history.

To Read More Click here...

[travelvisas]

Travel Visas

Travel Visas: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re planning a trip abroad, one of the most important things you need to consider is obtaining a travel visa. A travel visa is a document issued by a country’s government that grants permission for a foreign traveler to enter and stay in that country for a specified period. Here’s everything you need to know about travel visas.

Types of Travel Visas

There are several types of travel visas, and the one you need will depend on the purpose of your trip. Here are some of the most common types of travel visas:

Tourist Visa: This type of visa is issued for travelers who plan to visit a foreign country for leisure or vacation purposes.

Business Visa: This type of visa is issued for travelers who are going to a foreign country for business purposes, such as attending a conference, meeting with clients, or negotiating a contract.

Student Visa: This type of visa is issued for travelers who plan to study in a foreign country, either for a short-term language course or a full degree program.

Work Visa: This type of visa is issued for travelers who have been offered a job in a foreign country and plan to work there for a specified period.

Transit Visa: This type of visa is issued for travelers who are passing through a foreign country on their way to another destination.

How to Obtain a Travel Visa

The process for obtaining a travel visa varies by country and can be time-consuming, so it’s important to start the process well in advance of your trip. Here are the general steps you’ll need to follow to obtain a travel visa:

Check the visa requirements for the country you plan to visit: You can find this information on the website of the country’s embassy or consulate. Make sure you understand the requirements and deadlines for applying for a visa.

Gather the required documents: Typically, you’ll need to provide a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the end of your planned stay, as well as a completed visa application form, a passport-sized photo, and any other documents required by the country you plan to visit.

Submit your application: You’ll need to submit your application and all required documents to the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit. This may require an in-person visit or can be done by mail or online.

Wait for processing: The processing time for a travel visa varies by country and can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

Receive your visa: If your application is approved, you’ll receive a visa that outlines the terms of your stay in the foreign country.

Tips for Obtaining a Travel Visa

Obtaining a travel visa can be a complex and stressful process, but there are some things you can do to make it easier:

Start the process early: Give yourself plenty of time to research the visa requirements and gather the required documents. Applying for a visa at the last minute can be risky and may result in your visa not being approved in time for your trip.

Be honest on your application: Providing false information on your visa application can result in your application being denied or your visa being revoked once you arrive in the foreign country.

Follow the instructions carefully: Make sure you understand the requirements for applying for a visa and follow the instructions carefully. Failure to do so can result in your application being denied.

Be prepared for an interview: Some countries require an in-person interview as part of the visa application process. Be prepared to answer questions about the purpose of your trip, your travel plans, and your financial situation.

Conclusion

Obtaining a travel visa is an important part of planning any international trip. Make sure you understand the visa requirements for the country you plan to visit, gather all the necessary documents, and submit your application well in advance to ensure that you receive your visa in time for your trip. By following these tips and being prepared, you can make the process of obtaining a travel visa as smooth and stress-free as possible.

It’s also important to note that some countries have reciprocal visa agreements, meaning that citizens of certain countries may be exempt from obtaining a visa for certain lengths of stay. For example, citizens of the United States may not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in countries such as Canada, Mexico, and many European countries. However, it’s important to check the specific requirements for your destination country to ensure that you have the necessary documentation.

In addition, it’s important to note that travel restrictions and visa requirements may change frequently, especially in light of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Make sure you stay up to date on any changes to visa requirements and travel restrictions for your destination country.

In conclusion, obtaining a travel visa may seem daunting, but with proper planning and preparation, it can be a straightforward process. By understanding the requirements for your destination country and following the necessary steps, you can obtain a travel visa and enjoy a stress-free trip abroad.

[phaedraismyusername]

Happy International Lesbian Day! Here's some super brief book recs to celebrate

Books dealing with love, loss, longing and abandonment

This is How You Lose The Time War is a short but beautifully written epistolary novel between two agents on opposite sides of a time war as they slowly fall in love.

Our Wives Under the Sea is one of the most beautifully written debuts I've ever read about a woman whose wife comes home wrong after they thought she'd died at sea and how it feels to grieve the loss of someone who's still in your home.

Lucky Red is a western novel about a young girl working in a brothel who meets her first female gunslinger and falls head over heels for her, and the consequences that come with loving dangerous people.

Body horror galore

Camp Damascus is about a young woman living in a super conservative christian town built around the worlds most successful conversion camp and the horrors that are uncovered there when praying the gay away fails.

To Be Devoured is about a woman whose fascination with the local vultures turns into obsession and the urge to know what carrion tastes like overtakes her life and leads her down stranger and stranger paths.

Chlorine is about a girl whose entire life revolves around being a competitive swimmer, and how abuse, neglect, and obsession with being the best takes its toll on the young women caught up in these destructive cycles.

Flawed character studies

Big Swiss is about a woman who has a kitchen floor reset in her 40s, moves away and starts a new life as a transcriber for a sex therapist and becomes obsessed with one of his clients before inserting herself into this poor woman's life.

The Seep is a speculative sci-fi set in a future where there's been a quiet alien invasion that has given people the ability to make almost any changes to their own bodies and what that world feels like to someone who doesn't want to partake.

Milk Fed is about a woman in therapy who feels cut off from almost everything until she meets another woman who triggers in her a melding of sex, hunger, and religion and where that takes her. Huge trigger warnings for ED content. It gets tough, y'all.

Fantastical wlw books

Bitterthorn is an amalgamation of fairytales retold as a slow burn sapphic love story between a sad young girl from a cursed land and the evil witch who takes her as a companion in the latest of the generational sacrifices made to appease her.

All the Bad Apples may be set in contemporary Ireland but it is a fairytale following a young girl as she travels across the country looking for a sister she refuses to believe is dead and the people she meets along the way.

Gideon the Ninth needs no introduction on this site but for the sake of formatting - lesbian necromancers in space who find themselves in an isolated murder mystery plot. It's not a romance but it is a love story and this series will change your life if you let it.

Translated novels

Boulder is a short character study following a free spirited woman when she accidentally settles down with the woman she loves and how love and resentment can take up the same space in your chest when life doesn't turn out the way you hoped it would.

Notes of a Crocodile is a cult classic coming of age story about queer teens in Taipei in the 1980s. It was written in the 90s so please keep that in mind if you choose to read it.

Paradise Rot is about an international student studying in Australia and her growing obsession with her housemate as they share a space that allows no privacy. I've never read anything that feels stickier.

[wosowrites]

Moose (Jessie Fleming x Reader)

warnings: none

prompt: in which the reader and jessie play for chelsea and before they leave for the world cup reader makes jessie a crochet moose which becomes the team mascot for canada.

a/n: based off this request here also a super short fic because i’m still broken.

You were not at all a crafty person. Jessie had grown up with a craft room in her house and she liked to paint, draw, and do artsy things to calm herself down like her mother had taught her. When you started dating a year into her contract at Chelsea, her calmness had rubbed off on you. You had always been a stressed out person and moving in with Jessie had made you into a much more relaxed and happy human. You would go on bike rides, hikes, make crafts, paint the house every time you got bored of it and do everything together.

However the only thing you started doing on your own was crocheting. Jessie had tried it but was never big on it, so all the spare yarn in the house went to you. You loved it. You were horrific at it however. Everything turned into little colourful blobs and your creations were constantly either too loose or too messy. That’s why, when you walked into the house one day and pulled out a beautifully crocheted moose with a Canada jersey on, Jessie was baffled.

For the past three weeks, you would escape to a café every day and crochet for about an hour before going back to your girlfriend. Jessie was not a worried person and as madly in love as you both were with each other, spending a small amount of time away from each other every day just made you closer. Some days you would tell her you were grocery shopping, other days it was a meeting with your agent, a hang out with one of your German teammates.

But today, Moose was finally done.

You finished him a week and a half before the departure of the World Cup and you were in Canada with Jessie and her family. It would make it harder to travel all the way back to Germany and then to Australia but you didn’t care. All you wanted was to be girlfriends instead of rivals for as long as possible.

At the dinner table that night, you picked up your glass and straightened up.

"Um, I’m not big on words as you guys have seen by now but I wanna say a couple words," you said.

Jessie’s entire family put down their cutlery and looked up at you. "I’m terrified for this World Cup. Like… horrified. It’s been four years since I’ve played a major tournament so far from you, Jess. The olympics are in one city so we can visit but in Australia… we’re constantly going to be flying around. So… I made Moose," you said.

From under the table, you grabbed a bag and pulled out the knit animal. He had a red and white swear and big old antlers. Jessie’s mouth fell open and a large smile cracked her freckled face. "I’ve been making him for weeks, and he has like… five half knit siblings that went wrong if you want them," Jessie laughed loudly and extended her hand to take the crocheted animal. "Baby�� it’s perfect oh my god," she said, smiling down at the animal. "Klara taught me how to make him. That’s why I was always out for an hour or so these past weeks," You said.

Jessie hugged the plushy to her chest and then put it beside her plate. The brunette stood up and walked to behind your chair, wrapping her arms around your neck and squeezing you.

Elysse took a quick picture as Jessie’s parents raved over your new talent.

Over the next couple weeks, Jessie was seen carrying Moose during press, in the bus, around the city, at training, everywhere. She always had Moose. And if she didn’t, she had entrusted Christine Sabrina, or anyone else on the clamer side to take care of the little mascot.

After Canadas 2-1 win over Ireland, Jessie was interviewed and eventually, the subject of Moose came up.

"Is that a moose?" the woman asked, looking down at the plushie tucked under Jessie’s arm. The camera followed the reporters eyes and then went back up to the Canadian. "Yeah it is," she laughed shyly, holding up the mascot. "Is there a story benne that? I mean it’s been showing up everywhere. "There is, yeah. My… uh my girlfriend made it for me. She’s at the world cup and her friend taught her how to make it for me. We won’t be seeing each other for a while depending on how the games go so she said she wanted me to have a piece of her. It’s cute, and I didn’t think she was this artsy so it caught me by surprise for sure," Jessie said, shyly and gently.

The reporter awed over Jessie’s story but the midfielders brain was just full of images of you. She missed you so much.

That night, she called you and the whole Canadian team joined the call behind the vice- captain, thanking you for the mascot.

[multifandom--mess]

hannigram x villaneve crossover fics bc hell yes!

mlm/wlw solidarity if you know what i mean 🤭

《☆☆☆》

》 Summertime in Marseille - (12k)(Mature)

Murder wives across the pond? The London area manhunt for pay to play assassin Oksana Astankova continues tonight after the gruesome discovery of the bodies of two M16 agents and the unsettling disappearance of a third. The missing agent Eve Polastri’s checkered history with the femme fatale stirs up a sense of deja-vu to a case stateside involving the (still unsolved) disappearance of a certain disgraced psychiatrist turned psychopath and his companion Will Graham. Both pairs vanished without a trace, leaving behind only a couple of corpses in the hands of, debatetly inept, law enforcement. Longtime readers will remember the debacle on the rumors of the relationship between Lecter and Graham. Fresh faces should expect much of the same insight when it comes to Astankova and Polastri. -Freddie Lounds [Tattlecrime.com] Or: Villanelle takes Eve to visit an old friend.

》 Wintertime in the Atlantic - (10k)(Mature)

Dear Hannibal and Will, [Eve warned me I really shouldn’t write Hannibal and Will but I don’t think you two are stupid enough to let other people read your mail and the consequences are on you if you are.] A recent client has gifted me four first class tickets for a cruise to Australia on the 11th of December! The ship leaves from Lisbon which is a wonderful coincidence since Eve tells me that’s where you’re currently living. We never got the opportunity to repay you two for helping us during our time of need back in Marseille. My fiancé and I would be delighted if you would accompany us. The tickets are attached! -xoxo Villanelle Or: Eve and Villanelle meet up with the Lecter-Graham’s once again.

》 Rhapsody in Brashness - (4k)(Mature)

“We understand,” says Hannibal. The vibrations of his voice rumble against her the way that thunder does through storm clouds. “You are unique, as I am. And she insinuated herself into you, as Will insinuated himself into me. The blind, pearly rootlets of human connection have burrowed themselves too deeply into the fertile soil of your soul to be killed, now, no matter how many times you hack away at the verdant growth which springs anew into the air, again and again. The intricate underground web of them merely spreads implacably further and deeper and will continue to do so until they smother you, or until you allow the leaves to fully unfurl into the light.” “But she stabbed me,” Villanelle exclaims petulantly.

》 A Cannibal, A Dog Lover, and an Assassin Walk Into A Bar - (1.7k)(G)

Hannibal and Will wanted a quick getaway to Rome, but end up with a little more adventure than they anticipated.

》 Murder Pals in Alaska - (1.5k)(Mature)

Eve and Villanelle make their home in Alaska and befriend Will and Hannibal.

》 Cannibal vs. Assassin: The Showdown - (5k)(Mature)

“Obviously, they do kill people based on those dance moves alone,” Hannibal tittered, but quietly enough as to not attract attention. Will stifled a laugh. “That is not a reason to ruin their night though,” Hannibal decided, following Will through the crowd.

》 Taste and Temptation - (18k)(G)

Eve and Villanelle have gone off on their own, traveling and getting to know each other better. Hannibal and Will have too. Both couples happen to have dark pasts and trouble with the law, but that hasn't really put a damper on their vacations. The four of them happen to meet at an opera in Florence but when they keep running into each other, they have to wonder if their meetings are coincidence or something that could put their travels in danger. Villaneve meets Hannigram on the run.

(NOTE: unfinished but still worth the read!)

》 The Professionals Series - (12k)(T)

A Hannibal/Killing Eve crossover AU where Hannibal and Villanelle are best buds. Theoretically set after "The Wrath of the Lamb" and "God, I'm Tired" for parts I and II and after "You're Mine" for part III.

[ghoulie-67-baby]

Newby- Criminal Minds.

Summary: You get into the FBI and meet the BAU team.

Warnings: fluff, slight suggestive behaviour (if you squint).

Pairing: (hinted) Spencer Reid x Fem!reader. Uncle!Hotch x reader. Uncle!Rossi x reader.

Word count: 979.

Translation: You are beautiful, my little ray of sunshine.

It's so good to see you.

This was my first day working at the BAU. Surely it couldn't be that bad, although many would disagree. Not knowing anyone was my worst nightmare; new people weren't my strong suit.

I was incredibly lucky to know a few people here already, having done extensive research on the rest of the team would help me too. My 'adoptive' uncle disagreed with me researching them but it was more for my own knowledge and peace of mind. Trust had to be earned, it was never freely given.

As soon as I walked through the glass door, my already fast heart seemed to speed up but I took a deep breath before walking into the 'bullpen'. I slowed down as I approached a slim, blonde woman I recognised from my uncle's team, smiling as she turned around.

"Hello, I was wondering if you could point me to SSA Hotchner and SSA Rossi's offices?" I gripped the shoulder straps of my satchel and shuffled from one foot to the other.

"Yeah, it's just at the top of those stairs. Hotchner on the left, Rossi on the right." I said my thanks, making my way to the office and ignored the stares I got from two other agents. Raising my hand to knock, I ran a hand over my hair before I did and waited for the call to come in. Wiping nervous hands on my trousers, I opened the door, shutting it quietly behind me, eyes catching on a skinny, fluffy-haired man.

"Y/N, I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow." A smile lit up my face as my uncle stood, rounding the desk before embracing me. He kissed my forehead before resting his chin on my head with a grin. His arms were warm, safe, and familiar. "I'm glad you made it safely, How was your flight?"

"Probably about 16 hours too long." I laughed, squeezing my arms around him. I always felt at peace when I was with him. We had always been close, my parents were friends with him since childhood, but then my dad got a promotion and we had to move to Australia. I never broke contact, my parents drifted into a new life but I always called and texted when he was free. Occasionally I travelled to see him, that was how I met David.

We stayed like that for a few minutes before he stepped back and looked over me, a smile on his face. A small blush rose on my cheeks as he chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.

"You're so grown up." I shook my own head, he was never one for nostalgia but it had been a long time. "You look great." After a lengthy conversation we stood from our seats and he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"Dave's barely going to recognise you, we should find him and then you can meet the team."" Wandering out of his office, I waited as he locked the door. Most of the agents in the bullpen were trying to not so subtly look at us and I self-consciously gripped my bag, eyes sticking to the floor until I felt a tap on my shoulder. I raised an eyebrow at my uncle as he pointed to the bullpen entrance.

A gasp fell from my lips as I saw David walk through the door, a huge grin on his face when he spotted me. I ditched my bag and slid down the bannister, sprinting the length of the room and launching myself into his open arms.

He stumbled back at the force but chuckled as he spun me around. My feet met the ground once more, my squeals of laughter slowly coming to a stop as he kissed my head.

"Sei bellissimo il mio piccolo raggio di sole." I couldn't stop smiling as his arms squeezed me, returning the notion.

"È così bello vederti." We followed as Uncle Aaron called the team to the conference room for introductions. Uncle David stood by my side as I got introduced, each member stepping forward one by one.

"I'm Emily, it's nice to meet you." The dark-haired woman smiled at me, shaking my hand firmly.

"Hello again," The blonde woman pulled me into a hug as she smiled. "I'm Jennifer, everyone calls me JJ." I pulled back, smiling and blushing at the contact.

"Aren't you just the cutest thing," An African American man sauntered forward, taking my hand in his and pressing a kiss to my knuckles. "I'm Derek, Maybe you'd like to go out sometime." He teased, ignoring the daggers from my uncles.

"Hey! No hogging the Newby, I want a hug too." A brightly dressed woman pushed past Derek and pulled me into a tight but comforting hug. "Honestly he needs to learn to share. I'm Penelope, we're going to have so much fun together." The suggestive wink at the end caught me off guard, laughter escaping before I could stop it.

The skinny, fluffy-haired man stepped forward, a hesitant look on his face as he approached. He smiled, waving awkwardly as he seemed to take me in. It was almost an analytical look, taking in my satchel and cardigan as if to make sure I was safe.

"I'm Spencer, it's nice to meet you." With a glance towards David, he leant forward and kissed my cheek gently. My eyes widened slightly as he retreated, blush staining his cheeks. "Kissing transfers a lot less pathogens than a handshake, it’s actually safer." I nodded seriously at my uncle Aaron as he glared at his agent. Guess I was safe then.

The room filled with lighthearted laughter and conversation as I got to know a little more about them. I found couldn't control the butterflies in my stomach when I spoke to Spencer. I could get used to his company, so long as my uncles didn't end him first.

[butterfrogmantis]

Explorer Magellan was born in Sydney, Australia, to two travel-agent parents. At four years old, his maternal grandmother fell ill and so the family relocated to care for her back in Lancashire, England. This is where Explorer was raised.

Explorer had a .. fairly normal childhood all things considered. Loving parents, popularity - oh and a hefty inheritance left to him by his ailing grandmother. Flipping through his parent's travel-agency booklets gave Explorer little insights into the wonders of the world, and he longed to see them. And, in learning about treasures, coveted them. As a young man, Explorer enrols in an archaeology degree in Yorkshire where he ironically ends up in the same class as Archie Baines. But they don't really interact during their time at university. Both were good enough students, just hung out with different crowds. Archie was here with a genuine interest in history and what could be learnt from it. Explorer was here to find what he could take from it, as he feels the degree would be useful (and perhaps grew up with unrealistic expectations handed to him from the Indiana Jones movies)

Post-Uni, Archie, his brother and Archie's then boyfriend Miner all move to Belgium for an assignment, whilst Explorer takes his degree to a different market. The black one, if you will. This was no coincidence. You see; behind the scenes Explorer had had some tip offs from some buddies about certain … items certain people wanted retrieving. And with his grandmother's inheritance giving him easy leverage on bribing security and officials, Explorer began to develop quite a knack for retrieving artefacts. After all his archaeology degree helped him with background knowledge of ancient buildings and whether artefacts were worth anything at all, stuff the average person would overlook. And I mean if this ancient ruby is just sitting right there in the ancient pyramid of the pharaoh why SHOULDN'T Explorer keep it? It's only gathering dust.

It wasn't until a few years down the line that Explorer and Archie met again. Explorer was on his way across Europe when he needed to stop and rest for a while, and ended up in a little village in the woods run by a Mr.Smurf. Here, he runs into Archie Baines again. A little surprised, but cordial at first, they exchange polite convo and catch up on some old memories. Explorer even asks Archie to join him on his next expedition - that way he can take double the treasure, but he doesn't tell Archie that. Archie thinks 'hey ive met a fellow archaeology nerd this will surely be an insightful trip'.

So they go, and it's successful! They find the stuff Explorer theorised was there. Awesome, Archie can't wait to hand this into the local authorities and get some archaeological recognition. Maybe write a paper on the finds.

Local authorities? says Explorer. No way. He's taking this stuff back with him and finding the highest bidder.

Archie is appalled at the clear difference in their attitudes. Thus begins a lifelong rivalry. Of course, Smurfverse Explorer has no use for money but he's still adamant about keeping stuff, and maybe trading for high bidders from other species like fairies, goblins etc after stealing artefacts from other races. Archie continues to try and be noble about preserving history. Papa just kinda .. well its all going on behind his back, see? Explorer puts up a cute front and so Papa keeps sending him on these missions and thinks he and Archie are buddy buddy even when they're fighting behind his back.

Anyway their day to day rivalry can get kind of boring so we're gonna skip ahead to something exciting!

One of the many marvellous misadventures leads them to an ancient temple where, surprise surprise, Archie warns Explorer not to tamper with the stuff because this particular temple belonged to ancient goblins and BELIEVE him you do not want to mess with ancient goblins, they were rather particular about their treasure, even after death.

So of course Explorer ignores this bcuz he wants to wind Archie up and grabs a random bracelet and slips it on to tease him. But uh oh spaghettio thats how you get yourself a nice little goblin possession curse!

Thus begins a thrilling chase. Explorer thinks Archie is boring and pretentious as all hell but a Smurf is a Smurf, he'd never actively try and KILL Archie until now. Goblin curse overrides that. Pick up a sword. Aim between the ribs. He's got Archie backed up against a wall now, this might be the end of Archaeologist Smurf.

Except of course it isn't because this is Butterverse.

And quite frankly Skelly hasn't been too fond of Explorer either since he insinuated Skelly could be sold to a high bidder for a private museum so recently Skelly has been tagging along after ol' buddy Archie to keep an eye on him. And it's just as well because Archie is on the verge of being killed in an … unsettlingly familar way. Luckily Skelly has an advantage this time- no organs!

Explorer's sword raises, Archie's life flashes before his eyes, Skelly jumps … and the sword hits ribs. Giving Archie just enough time to snap out of it, and beat the shit out of Explorer. Don't worry, it was for a good cause, he was able to break the goblin bracelet that was possessing Explorer. He'll be fine once he wakes up.

Skelly on the other hand has a couple broken ribs and some scratches. Luckily his bones restore themselves so for now all Archie has to do is wrap them and thank him for saving his life. Alls well that ends well.

Explorer hasn't necessarily learnt his lesson. Learnt not to slip cursed bracelets on, yes, but that just makes him more careful about how he handles stuff. He and Archie are still bitter rivals, but neither has tries to actively kill the other again yet so there's that.

Other Explorer info:

Doesn't really have AS big of a rivalry with Pal. Pal thinks he's a jerk yes but Pal's not super confrontational and doesn't end up on dig sites or in temples the same way Archie and Explorer do so most of it is just Pal getting tea later on.

Verdict is still out on his sexuality I haven't decided if he's got any exes going for him or if he has some current, messed up relationship or if he couldn't care less about romance and is legit only after treasure so for now it's ?? This is not an enemy to lovers thing, even if Explorer were to repress stuff about Archie deep down Archie still finds him despicable. So the occasional joke is fine .. i guess? But very much not going to be endgame here anymore than Smooth and Jokey would be and Smooth has a positive view of Jokey unlike Explorer who finds Archie self-righteous

Smurfverse Explorer obviously just grows up in the village and he and Archie are on OK terms as kids but then he gets involved with some black market fae behind Papa's back and the story progresses the same.

If Explorer isn't doing his whole 'stealing' thing he's actually … considered fairly charismatic by other people. His whole morally bankrupt thing is tied into his work, he's not actively jerkish to anyone apart from Archie and co to the point a lot of Smurfs consider him quite friendly, and really he does have a genuine passion for exploration and discovery, it's just overshadowed by the greedy side of his personality.

Also the accent thing … inside joke mostly

Explorer and Archie (c) The Smurfs

Skelly is mine

Oh PS - I've been thinking about it, and even if Skelly doesn't remember his death and wouldn't know up till coming to the village, that's kind of Archie's whole job. From the rip in his cloak and some original damage to the ribs I think it would make more sense for Archie to have a good theory about his death than to not. It's also why that spot is a little more fragile than the rest of his bones. They'll still magi-heal but only to how they were before.

[louisupdates]

The Habit He Can’t Break 4/4

IQ 123 | Gordon Masson | 9.11.2023

If I Could Fly

With the production traveling to Australia, in early 2024, before shifting to Latin America, Andy Lovell at Freight Minds is gearing up to become involved with Tomlinson once again.

“We did the Central and South America dates on the tour last year, and onto Mexico,” says Lovell. “It was very challenging back then as we were still coming back from Covid, and various systems and infrastructure were in pieces. But it all went well in the end, as we kept an eye on things and worked on it every day to make sure we had solutions to everything that was thrown our way.”

Lovell continues, “Things on this tour kick in early next year for us. Historically, Australian services were quite reliable, as we could use any number of airlines. But post-pandemic, the number of long-haul flights still aren’t as frequent as they were. As a result, the production is being reverse engineered with the budget being worked out before we can see what we can afford to take as freight, and then we try to plan accordingly.”

“Similarly, in Central and South America there are still just a fraction of the flights operating, compared to pre-Covid, so that makes it very challenging. If there aren’t the flights to handle the gear, then you have to start looking at chartering aircraft, or alter your schedule, and that can become very expensive, very fast.”

With everyone working on the artist’s behalf to make sure the tour remains on track, being able to call on such experienced production experts is paying off on a daily basis.

Sherwood notes, “There are a few back-to-back shows over long distances that occasionally mean we don’t arrive at the next venue until 11 AM, rather than 6 AM. But we’ve never failed anywhere to open the doors on time, so we know we’re capable of getting things done, even if we have a late start at mid-day.”

Such dilemmas are not lost on agent Rowland. “It’s not so much the routing, it’s more like the timings, because Louis does have two support acts, so the shows start at 7 o’clock, and then when we’re done, we need to load out to get to the next show in good time for loading in the next morning and soundchecks, etc.”

Nevertheless, Sherwood admits that he loves the trickier venues and schedules. “Because I’m a dinosaur, I relish anything that makes things difficult or awkward for us on the production side of things,” he says. “I think everyone on the crew looks forward to challenges in finding the solutions to problems.”

Common People

Having amassed millions of fans through his association with One Direction, Tomlinson very much has a ‘pay it forward’ attitude to music and is building a reputation as a champion for emerging talent, wherever he performs.

“He’s a great advocate for alternative music,” says manager Vines. “Louis realizes he’s in an incredibly privileged position in terms of what he can create in terms of awareness. He loves alternative music and indie music, and he understands how hard it is for that music to be heard. But we have this amazing platform where we can put these bands in front of these audiences as a showcase that allows them to build these authentic new audiences. It’s a huge part of his love of music, wanting to help younger bands.”

Rowland agrees. “He took an act called Andrew Cushin - a very new artist – on the road in America with him as a support, and he’s doing the same for Europe. Louis is a fan and is championing his career.”

Indeed, Tomlinson’s A&R skills have knock-on effects for his agent, too. “He asked me to confirm the Australian band Pacific Avenue as support for his Australian tour last year. The music was great, and they didn’t have an agent, so now I’m representing them,” says Rowland.

Perfect Now

As the European tour speeds towards its conclusion, agent Rowland is enjoying every minute of it.

“It’s incredible – they’ve really stepped things up,” she says, fresh from seeing the show in Athens and Paris. “They’ve got six hanging LED screens on the stage, and the whole production just looks polished and professional.”

And Rowland is especially excited about next year’s Latin America dates, which will deliver her first stadium shows as an agent. 

“The return to Latin America is going to be huge – Louis is playing arenas and stadiums in South America and Mexico 15 shows across 11 countries,” she says. 

Vines is similarly enthused. Harking back to the Covid situation, when the show would go on sale, sell out, be postponed, and then re-scheduled in a bigger venue, Vines says, “For example, in Chile, originally the show was scheduled at a 5,000-cap, half-capacity arena in Santiago. And what we ended up doing with three nights at 10,000-cap in that same venue.”

Vines contends that Tomlinson’s work ethic is outstanding. “He loves his fans, and he loves performing for them, it’s as simple as that,” he says. “He just loves being on the road and seeing how the songs connect live. In fact, the second album was very much written with the tour and live shows in mind – ‘This song could work live,’ ‘This one will open the set,’ ‘This is the one we can do for the encore.’”

Fearless

Another element to Tomlinson’s psyche has been his decision to visit places off the usual tour circuit.

“Louis has a real desire to perform to fans in markets that are often overlooked,” says Rowland.

Manager Vines explains that while the Covid-delayed first tour allowed them to upgrade venues pretty much everywhere, “On this tour, we are a bit more competent on venue sizes, but we still speculate a little bit in different territories. In Europe, for example, we’ve gone into the Baltics in a number of different places to test the markets there, while in America, we’re looking at A and B markets, but also tertiary market as well – we go to places where people just don’t tour in America, just to see what the reaction is. That was something that very much interested Louis - to play in front of people who don’t normally have gigs in their town. So there’s been a lot of experimentation on the tour in terms of where we go and what room to play.”

That concept is something that Vines has employed before. “I manage a band called Hurts, who were pretty much overlooked by the British radio system, and we have spent 15 years building a business outside of the UK. And that was built on going to play at those places where people didn’t normally go. They built to multiple arena level in Russia, for instance.”

“If you can build fanbases in lots of different places, you have festivals that you can play every summer, as well as touring those places. It allows you to have more consistency over a number of years, by having more opportunities.”

Such a strategy found a convert in Tomlinson. Vines tells IQ, “Louis also is extremely fan-focused in everything that he does. He comes at it from a perspective of ‘I want to take the show to them,’ meaning he’s always more willing to take the risky option to try something out.”

And the result? “It’s a combination,” concludes Vines. “There have been a couple of places where we now understand why tours don’t go there. But there are more places where it’s worked incredibly well. For example, we enjoyed incredibly good sales in Budapest. And overall, it’s allowing us to get a clearer idea, globally, of where the demand is, which will help us when we go into the next tour cycle.”

1/4, 2/4, 3/4

[ghumindiaghum]

Australia, a vast and diverse nation, offers a myriad of experiences through its unique packages. Nature enthusiasts can explore the stunning landscapes of the Great Barrier Reef, the vast Outback, and lush rainforests.

[martin-james2121]

Discover These 8 Most Stunning Beaches in Australia

Australia, known for its diverse landscapes and stunning natural beauty, possesses some of the most enchanting beaches in the world. From the iconic stretches of the Great Barrier Reef to the secluded shores of the Tasman Sea, the country offers a coastal paradise for every kind of beach lover.

The coastline here is a testament to the natural wonders of the country, and its beaches are a source of pride for both locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re a sun seeker, a nature enthusiast, or a keen surfer, Australia’s beaches beckon, inviting you to discover the magic that lies along its shores.

Check out this list of the top 8 most stunning beaches in Australia that’ll leave you mesmerized.

1. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Queensland

Nestled in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach is a true jewel of the Whitsundays. With its powdery white silica sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, it's no wonder this beach consistently ranks among the world's best. The swirling patterns of sand and the untouched natural surroundings create a sense of serenity that is simply unparalleled.

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