From two to nine, we are now a Group

So how do we go from a couple to a group? One word. Friends!

We were pleasantly surprised when Steve and Fran Day almost immediately said they wanted to go with us when we told them of our planned trip. The first thing that happened was Steve called and said "guess who your neighbors are on the ship?". He was able to get the same deal we had and literally has the cabin next to ours. We gave them our extra set of Australia and New Zealand books so we could have some joint planning meetings. First thing we landed on was what dates to fly and where we are going. So roundtrip to Sydney, 3 days in Sydney, then to Cairns for 3 days to see the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest, then finally to Auckland to catch our cruise.

My sister Debbie and her husband Joe had just returned from a trip to Spain that was delightful and while they were sharing their adventure, Joe mentioned that he actually liked traveling and would do some more. Striking while the iron was hot we suggested they come with us. After a trip to AAA travel, they along with my mother Gigi who has always wanted to travel there, had booked the cabin next to Steve and Fran. So now we became seven.

At Gigi's 85th birthday party, Jeff and Babs Carson were there and we all talked about this great adventure we were heading off to to see the land down under. Jeff kept saying how much he would love to go, but timing wasn't good. And there was no way he could ever get Babs on a plan for 15 hour flight. Joe decided it was in Jeff's best interest to join our party on this adventure. It seemed like every ten minutes Joe had Jeff cornered trying his hardest to persuade him. Jeff held firm and we all departed Los Angeles. No sooner than we got to Barstow and we get a text from Jeff asking what the dates of the cruise were. Baited......bit.....hook, line, and sinker! Like a bulldog who won't let go within 24 hours Jeff had the cabin on aft and booked on the same flights as Joe, Deb, and Gigi.

Now we could field a baseball team! 

The Genesis

Somehow these trips start with a simple idea and then mushroom into an event. I have always wanted to go to Australia, and so has my mother, Gigi. My mom and dad never made it while he was still with us and I was beginning to think that after our Grand Tour of Italy (The Best Trip EVER!!) that we may not make it either. Then about 18 months ago, while spending my retirement time browsing through the internet, I realized that US Air merger with American meant that Quantas airlines was now a partner through the One World Alliance and I have beaucoup miles....... Australia here we come.

Men at Work: Down Under

Travelling in a fried-out Kombi,

On a hippie trail, head full of zombie,

I met a strange lady, she made me nervous,

She took me in and gave me breakfast,

And she said . . .

"Do you come from a land down under?

Where women glow and men plunder,

Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder,

You better run, you better take cover."

Buying bread from a man in Brussels,

He was six-foot four and full of muscles,

I said "Do you speak my language?"

He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich,

And he said . . . 

"I come from a land down under,

Where beer does flow and men chunder,

Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder,

You better run, you better take cover."

Lying in a den in Bombay,

With a slack jaw and not much to say,

Said to the man "Are you trying to tempt me?

Because I come from the land of plenty?"

And he said . . .

"Oh! Do you come from a land down under?

Where women glow and men plunder,

Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder,

You better run, you better take cover."

Coincidentally, I also received an email from Holland America alerting me to a sale on cruises to Australia/NewZealand that featured a free Veranda category upgrade and a free all inclusive drink package. So, I jumped in and got a cabin on the aft of the ship like we had for the Panama Canal cruise and started plotting out all the things I needed to do on the calendar as I only had 18 months to get it all done and frequent flyer miles are always difficult to use. First thing was that if the flight is essentially 21 hours from Phoenix including Los Angeles layover there and back, then might as well stay for longer than the 2 week cruise. Besides, the cruise doesn't give me enough time in Australia and focuses on Melbourne, Tasmania, and Sydney. How can I go all that way and not go dive at the Great Barrier Reef?

Joan and I talked and we decided that 3 weeks was our minimum and considering that she is the ONLY one working, covering our Health Insurance benefits (Thank You!), 3 weeks plus travel time is most she might be able to get off of work. Actually getting the time off approved from the hospital and her tyrannical managers is a horror story best seen on an HBO true Crimes segment. 

So the plan is we will fly to Sydney spend 3 days, then fly to Cairns and spend a few days then fly to Auckland and board the ship for 14 days. So for Christmas 2014 we both buy each other the exact same Christmas gift. Eyewitness Guides to Australia and New Zealand. 

And our planning begins.......