We are going to Australia!

[KittyPaws]

We finally booked our tickets yesterday to go and visit my brother out in Australia. He has been there for 10 years and I have not been yet. So DH, my parents and I are going for Christmas.

It was so stressful purchasing the tickets...they are not cheap! The travel agency quoted us a price which sounded good but then I searched on my own and found tickets that were half that price on the same airline I called her on it and she said it was a sale that just started. Anyhow we got 2 tickets for around 4k which is decent since we were expecting from 5-6k to go.

So now comes the stressors...I do not want to leave my kitties for 3 weeks I have a friend staying with them but I hate leaving them. We are leaving December 14th and returning January 5th. I have a client due to have her baby on December 1st so I hope she is not too overdue or I will miss her birth.

So, has anyone been to Australia? Can you offer any suggestions of places to visit, tours etc?

I am super excited to go but the thought of a 20 hour plain ride has me like this Usually I cannot sit still for more then a few minutes

[tidytaurus]

How exciting, 20 hr plane ride OMG I could never do that. We keep saying when we win the lottery we will travel. Saving a couple of G on this trip is awesome.

[Natalka]

Awesome, KittyPaws! Oh, I know it will be hard to leave the furballs, though!
There's someone on here who was from Australia and going back soon, I think, so hopefully she will see your post and help you out!
I haven't been there - but where will you be going?

Just think, a hot weather Christmas!!!

[RobynCD]

That sounds like a fantastic trip! Hopefully everything will work out so that you can enjoy the trip and not be too stressed out. Have a great time!

[AmberLab]

Oh wow, that will be a great adventure! I've always wanted to go there.

[anisa]

very nice, enjoy your trip!

to break up the long flight, can you do a 1-2 day stopover on the way there?
maybe explore one of the cities you are flying through. nice option especially if you don't need a visitor's visa to do it.

[Littlemoe0]

Do you have a extra large suitcase that will fit someone? I'll be quiet I promise. Congrats on the great adventure ahead of you, sounds wonderful to see the country, and your brother.

[ginger150]

Nice! I lived there for a year, and did lots of travelling. What area are you going to be in (state?)? I have lots of suggestions, just depends where you are going to be!

[travelgeek]

I've been there a few times. You don't need a tour for big cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Australia is a large country..... I can give a few suggestions if you post which areas you're going to be in.

As for the flight, I'm assuming you're going to be connecting in Vancouver/San Fran/LA? If so, try very hard to stay awake for the originating flight (Winnipeg to ?), otherwise the connection will break up your sleep and it will be difficult to sleep on the long 14-16 hour flight to Australia. Most flights from North America depart at night and arrive in Sydney in the morning; it will be easier to put in a full day and cope with jet lag if you had a good night's sleep on the flight.

[Littlemoe0]

still wondering about that large suitcase.

[KittyPaws]

still wondering about that large suitcase.

I would love to take you Do you fold in half?

My brother lives in Victoria and we are flying Winnipeg to Denver, Denver to LA, LA to Melbourne. We leave mid-December and return first week of January.

I am already stocking all of the vegan restaurants that I want to visit. I want to travel as much as I can and we are staying with my brother so we do not have to pay for a hotel which is awesome! Plus we do not have to eat out every night.

[thecountess]

Hope this link helps KittyPaws

www.happycow.net/australia

[Natalka]

Countess, thanks for the link - for the recipes!!!

[thecountess]

Countess, thanks for the link - for the recipes!!!

Don't mention it Natalka!

[fire_earth_air]

Oooo that's exciting!

I would suggest investing in a nice neck pillow so you can try to catch some Zzzzs on the plane. I love them, I cannot fall asleep without one. Wear comfie clothing and socks so you can fold your legs or stretch them out and still be warm & comfortable.

Enjoy your trip