They were so proud to show Paul and his colleague, Briony, around their tiny bamboo house and generously offered them tea, before sitting and talking. At one point, one of the local ladies gestured towards her sister in law and explained that the reason her hair was so short is because she was sick with cancer. The sister in law opened up to Paul and Briony about her battle with cancer, and even showed them the scars from her recent mastectomy. She explained she had started skipping some of the ongoing chemo treatment, as she could not afford to pay $60 USD for each round.
Paul remembers being rendered speechless and Briony reaching into her purse to pull out all of her remaining money – some $200 or so – and insisting the woman take it. Paul recalls the moment very vividly and says this kind of compassion is unique to travelling and meeting people from different walks of life. “Get out there and see the world,” he says. “It will make you appreciate all that you have.”
From meaningful encounters in Myanmar to trekking through Nepal; sipping cocktails in the Caribbean and seeing the sights of Scandinavia, Paul has covered a lot of territory during his 18 years in the industry.
If you’re planning a getaway to Bali, you might like to pick Paul’s brain first, as he’s been there 25 times! You’d be forgiven for thinking that’s his favourite destination, and yet, he says it’s probably Peru that takes the cake. “I love the stunning mountains – it’s one of the few things we just don’t have here in Australia,” says Paul. “I also love the Latin America culture.”
Paul says it’s impossible for him to settle on just one favourite; he is forever curious and loves every new place he experiences. To rediscover your fervent love for travelling, you know whom you need to speak to.
Testimonials
Well where to start.. Trying to book flights during COVID-19 what a nightmare. I had been trying to get my son home from Canada and was working with a travel agent over there thinking that would be easier, but after weeks of emails back and forth and lots of dead ends I called Paul hoping he could help. Talk about amazing. With in days he had already found flights that no one else could and although we had a few cancellations due to no fault of anyone's, it never deterred Paul to keep searching. Not only did Paul successfully bring my son home in time for Christmas, he also organized the refunds for the cancelled flights. With out Paul and his team at Egan and Turner Travel Associates, my son would still be in Canada. Thank you so very much. Couldn't have done it without you.
Paul helped me find the last flight out of London in March 2020 - when Covid in the UK became a reality and all the transit airports were closed. He got me on a London - Darwin - Sydney flight with 2 days notice. I don't think London / Darwin non stop had ever been done before. But Paul had his fingers on the pulse and got me home 2 days before Hotel Quarantine began.
I returned to London on Cathay during the European summer, but had to switch airlines and fly home again when the UK strain knocked out Europe at the end of 2020. Again Paul managed to find me the only airline (JAL) to get me hime at short notice. Bloody miracle worker!
I have been using Egan / Turner for years - but didn't expect a travel agent would be so essential trying to navigate the ever changing landscape.
Fantastic working with The Egan & Turner team. I provided an outline of what we wanted to achieve and Paul worked his magic developing and delivering a fantastic itinerary.
Personal and faultless. Have got us out of disaster a number of times
