Best way to see Australia / New Zealand?

[kyshel]

EFG is so right about how much worse it is on the passenger!! I completely forgot how stressful it can be.
The visual "issues' with the rear-view and side mirrors for the person on the right are really difficult to master, but with that said--it's all in your mind!! (or in the eye of the be-freaked!)

[shygirl724]

EFG and Kyshel,



Loved your replies. We are both here having a laugh at your perspectives.



Hubby, being "the thoughtful, ever-seeing, foreplanning husband" (HIS description of himself...lol) wants to know......since driving on the left, do you go around the roundabout clockwise or counter clockwise?



Shy ~

[kyshel]

turn left to enter a rotary, drive left ergo the "orbital" as it's called in SA goes clockwise, towards the right, of course
you can't enter a rotary to the right and still go CW because it's only one way--you'd always be wrong or left or not right...ergo, it's a left entry rightabout
maybe your husband should go with you and flush the toilet-much more fun than driving!!
I suppose he could enter a rotary to the right but he'd have a bit of a shock
Oh yeah--more fun stuff would be terminology bits like "robots" etc

Message Edited by kyshel on 02-28-2010 04:43 PM

[betsyv]

Oh, shygirl, I can so relate! When we went to So Africa last year, I drove and although everything went fine, it drove my husband bonkers. He was so nervous about me driving on the left and just the whole thing. He could not relax. We were BOTH so glad when that portion of the trip was over (we used the car for the Cape Town and Garden Route)!! I said if it lasted much longer that we might of gotten a divorce even though we went for our 25th wedding anniversary. Seriously, the worst part was me turning on the wipers for my blinker every time. Other than that, it was pretty easy. But I am kind of used to that being in Asia a lot.



I have never been to either but I have heard from others that Australia is great but New Zealand is magnificent. Most people have New Zealand as an afterthought but when they go, they love it. I wish you all the luck and lots of fun. If you get a chance go for an extra week and go to Bali, Indonesia. One of my favorite places in the whole world.

[exflygirl]

shygirl724



Did you see the Bill Peach package:



http://www.luxurylink.com/luxury-hot...50&pkid=257524



Is it too soon for your intended travel dates?



efg

[shygirl724]

I did. Last year I opted for Europe and a Uniworld cruise instead of the Bill Peach offer. This year, unfortunately, my hubby can't get the dates off for the offer. (sigh). Guess I will have to try next time. I would love to go with them at some point. I keep hoping the stars will align for me to take this trip and we will be off. For now, it is in my bucket list. Shy ~

[psgirl]

Our family of 4 went to Australia in Feb. of 2008, and I absolutely lovedthe country and the people!Places we stayed: Echoes Boutique Hotel in the Blue Mountains - wonderful, charming place; Sails in the Desert in Ayers Rock/Uluru - just ok, I expected better from a 5-star; Sebel Reef House Palm Cove in Cairns - a beautiful place with lots of old world charm; Hayman Island - very nice but didn't quite charm me; Marriott at Circular Quay in Sydney - small room but nice.



Remember that Australia is a very large country. We were there for 2-1/2 weeks and flew to each location due to the extreme distances and short time span. We missed 2 nights in Sydney due to weather problems, so I am definitely going back someday, and would love to include New Zealand too.

[LL_Travelfan]

Hi shy,

I have 2 friends (2 couples) and both took the cruise around Australia and New Zealand with a number of land options, for instance Sidney, Perth, Barrier Reef. They loved it. The only thing they complained about was the long flight to get there.

When are you planning to go?

[shygirl724]

When we go is now up in the air. Hubby wants to go to the Mediteranean this coming year, followed by Australia the next year. I want to do both (did I mention we are retiring the end of September? haha).



Who did your friends cruise with?



Shy ~

[LL_Travelfan]

Hi Shygirl,

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. It's time to smell the roses!



I asked my friends and so I have more information.

They went on the Celebrity cruise. Their ship was the Millennium. They really liked cruising with Celebrity. They said that Holland America was right behind them on the same itinerary so you can check both companies.

They were on a 14 day cruise..........They arrived in Sydney 3 days before the cruise departed so that they had time to explore around Sydney. The ship left Sydney harbor and went to the following ports: Melbourne, Tasmania, the Fiords to see the marching penquins, then over to New Zealand to the following ports: Dunedin, Christchurch, Tourunga, Wellington and final port of Auckland. They flew home out of Auckland. They said that they really loved New Zealand.

Our friends thought it was a great itinerary. If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask and they would be glad to assist. Their cruise included air and gratuities for an ocean view cabin and it cost $7,000 for two in 2009. They went during the Australian fall which was February 28th.



Where in the Mediteranean do you want to go? We spent a fair amount of time in Southern France, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.



Kind Regards
Message Edited by LL_Travelfan on 07-23-2010 05:39 PM