The Travel Thread

[Natboy]

Just returned from a month away driving up to Far North Qld from Brisbane to Port Doug, and up as far as Cape Trib (over a week), stayed a week at Port Doug/Palm Cove and then worked our way back down and spent a week at Hamilton Island.

So now we have done the entire east coast of Australia from Cape Trib to Warnambool near the SA border.

Melb - Done
NSW (and regional) - mostly done.
Queensland - effectively done now.
Alice Springs - Done
ACT - Done

This was our last big trip as wife and I need to settle down, buy our own house, and look at other things.

WA/NT doesn't interest me that much. SA theres a bit of interest, but not enough to do a big trip there.

Fiji (our overseas holiday haven) we love, and we are actually hoping to buy our own place, get a few investment properties going, and possibly eventually buy into accommodation over in Fiji, so we just pay for flights when we want to holiday there.

WA & NT are my favourites haha. The two places I would live if I left poo south wales

 

[Özil]

Anyone know the best place to buy American cash?

 

[Natboy]

Anyone know the best place to buy American cash?

Definitely not here & never at airports.
I took about 7k in cash & exchanged it in the casinos as well as my AMEX and used the ATM once.
I found my card the next best thing after Aus currency & the fees were very close to travel money cards etc

 

[Natboy]

Sorry although $100-200 in smaller denominations from the bank here is handy for when you first arrive
Hope that helps mate

 

[Sauce Head]

Just got back from 10 days snowboarding in japan. Awesome place, great people and outstanding value. Lift tickets range from $30-$55 per day and you can get a good on mountain feed for $8-$13.
The powder is superb and the locals just like to ride groomers so it's just the westerners in the trees/off piste.
Onsens are also a god send after a hard day riding.

 

[bulldogsfan_88]

3 months today and I will be getting my kicks on Route 66 in a convertible v8 Mustang. Can not wait it is gonna be awesome!!!!!!

 

[Dogandgunner]

9 weeks today til im off to Bali for 11 days!!

 

[Lady Emerald]

Hey guys!

I've been shopping around, my husband and I want to go to the US around August/September. Planning to head to LA, Vegas and Miami.
Can anyone recommend any good deals in terms of flights and accommodation and any places you suggest is good to stay and visit as well?

Had a browse on Expedia, Helloworld, Web jet and also flight centre but wanted to see what other options we have.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated



​

 

[Lov_Dog]

Hey guys!

I've been shopping around, my husband and I want to go to the US around August/September. Planning to head to LA, Vegas and Miami.
Can anyone recommend any good deals in terms of flights and accommodation and any places you suggest is good to stay and visit as well?

Had a browse on Expedia, Helloworld, Web jet and also flight centre but wanted to see what other options we have.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated



​

Mrs.,
If you haven't tried it yet, check out airbnb.com; great local stay options with vetted folks renting their own rooms/homes. Much cheaper and more grounded experience than hotels.

Qantas flight direct from BNE to DFW is the winner, anything that avoids the god awful LAX is a bonus.

I believe we now require an electronic visa for travel through the States, valid for 90 days in each instance (entry) and lasts ?two years. My visa was for work, so I have not had experience applying, however, it is all online now.

Obviously take out the highest level medical travel insurance.

Can provide information on several US destinations, will come back with some information for you.

~cb.

 

[Lady Emerald]

Mrs.,
If you haven't tried it yet, check out airbnb.com; great local stay options with vetted folks renting their own rooms/homes. Much cheaper and more grounded experience than hotels.

Qantas flight direct from BNE to DFW is the winner, anything that avoids the god awful LAX is a bonus.

I believe we now require an electronic visa for travel through the States, valid for 90 days in each instance (entry) and lasts ?two years. My visa was for work, so I have not had experience applying, however, it is all online now.

Obviously take out the highest level medical travel insurance.

Can provide information on several US destinations, will come back with some information for you.

~cb.

Much appreciated LD.
that extra info would be great and I'll check all that out tonight.

Yeah I heard about the visa requirements now, which isn't an issue my issue is if I can take my prescriptioned dexamphetamine which I need. I heard that this maybe a problem taking over there.

 

[Lov_Dog]

Much appreciated LD.
that extra info would be great and I'll check all that out tonight.

Yeah I heard about the visa requirements now, which isn't an issue my issue is if I can take my prescriptioned dexamphetamine which I need. I heard that this maybe a problem taking over there.

Honestly Mrs., I wouldn't even bother declaring it, I travel to the States so frequently, they don't check like Australia does...if anything, just have your Dr. provide a recent (to travel) dated letter declaring the prescription is from Australia, what it is prescribed for and the quantity you would be possessing. Obviously have your Dr. include your personal details (passport number, length of stay, DOB, etc.) and only present the documentation if queried.

~cb.

 

[The DoggFather]

Mrs.,
If you haven't tried it yet, check out airbnb.com; great local stay options with vetted folks renting their own rooms/homes. Much cheaper and more grounded experience than hotels.

Qantas flight direct from BNE to DFW is the winner, anything that avoids the god awful LAX is a bonus.

I believe we now require an electronic visa for travel through the States, valid for 90 days in each instance (entry) and lasts ?two years. My visa was for work, so I have not had experience applying, however, it is all online now.

Obviously take out the highest level medical travel insurance.

Can provide information on several US destinations, will come back with some information for you.

~cb.

DFW is one of the best airports I have ever been to. Next Cancun trip I'm going direct to Dallas.

 

[The DoggFather]

Hey guys!

I've been shopping around, my husband and I want to go to the US around August/September. Planning to head to LA, Vegas and Miami.
Can anyone recommend any good deals in terms of flights and accommodation and any places you suggest is good to stay and visit as well?

Had a browse on Expedia, Helloworld, Web jet and also flight centre but wanted to see what other options we have.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated



​

I suggest going to Cancun instead of Miami.

 

[Lady Emerald]

I suggest going to Cancun instead of Miami.

My husband may get mistaken for a Mexican. His name doesn't exactly sound indian and I plan to come home lol!
I just realised I'll most likely encounter the same issues whilst in LA and LV

 

[LordSidious66]

I might be going to California, to do Disneyland and universal studios for a second time and then go to San Francisco to go to wrestleman 31

 

[Lov_Dog]

Hola friends; I need some advice on Phuket and surrounds.
I have trawled through the Kennels travel threads and found plenty of ideas...
I would be greatly appreciative if anyone has travelled recently (last year or two), as some of the posts on here date back five years or so.

I see that the Thai New Years (Songkran) is April 13-15th. I will likely be in Phuket around that time.
What's the safety like?
Has there been a crack down on tourist locations as reported in the media?


Any suggestions like favorite cafes / eating establishments / watering holes would be greatly appreciated.

cheers!

~cb.

 

[CroydonDog]

You flying solo, with mates, partner, family?

 

[Lov_Dog]

You flying solo, with mates, partner, family?

Catching up with a friend who's already on her way there, she's in Koh Li Pe currently.

cheers CroydonDog.

~cb.

 

[Natboy]

Hola friends; I need some advice on Phuket and surrounds.
I have trawled through the Kennels travel threads and found plenty of ideas...
I would be greatly appreciative if anyone has travelled recently (last year or two), as some of the posts on here date back five years or so.

I see that the Thai New Years (Songkran) is April 13-15th. I will likely be in Phuket around that time.
What's the safety like?
Has there been a crack down on tourist locations as reported in the media?


Any suggestions like favorite cafes / eating establishments / watering holes would be greatly appreciated.

cheers!

~cb.

I'll be in Chiang Mai for Songkran this year and can't wait!
I've been to Thailand lots but never for Songkran.

So much changes in Phuket and for example an awesome bar you go to one year will be gone the next and replaced by something else.
I've found Thailand to be very safe EXCEPT for the roads. I don't recommend hiring a motorbike or scooter and avoid the jet skis.
The death toll is enormous, especially during Songkran when everyone is drunk!
I love relaxing on the beach with a beer, the bars on Bangla Rd, the shops, muay thai, massages, the food and the people.
Phuket is very touristy but lots of fun. Where abouts are you staying?

 

[Lov_Dog]

At this stage Natboy, I am yet to book my flights ... a friend swayed me away from Patong area, though I thought a visit there would be worthwhile.
Likely hit up Krabi, PhiPhi, Karon, Kata.

I would be super interested in catching some muay thai fights if you have any suggestions.

Hotel suggestions would be welcomed if you have any.

cheers again!

~cb.