Karmen's Going to Australia

Originally posted by Keith Webb
Great disguise, Tony!

I'd recognize him anywhere ... there is no hiding from Ma Yappy

Ma Yappy!

Hello again,

I found this little "comments" by others about visiting Australia. Funny how often the spiders, snakes and crocs are mentioned

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...alia-BR-1.html

Karmen

[Keith Webb]

The "Look right or die" one is particularly helpful. I have to consciously remember to look left when visiting places like Canada.

Originally posted by Keith Webb
The "Look right or die" one is particularly helpful. I have to consciously remember to look left when visiting places like Canada.

Actually, I'm really glad I read that too, as I hadn't even thought about, or noticed in any photos, which side of the road people drive on in Australia. I have NEVER been anywhere but where they drive on the right ... so ... I hope I'm paying attention when crossing streets there!

I read through about 8 pages of those "comments" and some are very good to know. All very fascinating. I'm going to read through more. Looks like about 23 pages all total, though many comments are same-same stuff.

I feel pretty reassured about the deadly critters ... except for the spiders

And I certanly will need a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. Looks like those pesky flies will be a bother too? And will I need to carry a bottle of vinegar against the jellyfish, or are they not in the areas I'll be visiting?

Karmen

[Keith Webb]

As mentioned elsewhere, if we were meant to drive on the right, CMPs would have been made left-hand drive.

Originally posted by Keith Webb
As mentioned elsewhere, if we were meant to drive on the right, CMPs would have been made left-hand drive.

Then I am surprized that you survived your visit to Canada if you crossed any streets or drove while over here

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Vets Dottir
Then I am surprized that you survived your visit to Canada if you crossed any streets or drove while over here

I'm surprised I survived BEING driven over there!

(Just kidding of course)

[Tony Smith]

Originally posted by Vets Dottir
Actually, I'm really glad I read that too, as I hadn't even thought about, or noticed in any photos, which side of the road people drive on in Australia. I have NEVER been anywhere but where they drive on the right ... so ... I hope I'm paying attention when crossing streets there!
Karmen

That won't matter when you're at Corowa. The Yass boys drive on the footpaths given half a chance!

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Tony Smith
That won't matter when you're at Corowa. The Yass boys drive on the footpaths given half a chance!

Especially when they've got a load on...

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Tony Smith
That won't matter when you're at Corowa. The Yass boys drive on the footpaths given half a chance!

And up and down riverbanks too. Some even try to drive through dams.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
I'm surprised I survived BEING driven over there!

Hay there sport, when we weren't going sideways, I generally kept us on the black stuff between the trees!

[John McGillivray]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
The "Look right or die" one is particularly helpful. I have to consciously remember to look left when visiting places like Canada.

The first time I attempted to cross a street in London I almost got ran down.

What is it about living on Islands that makes people want to drive on the wrong side of the street? The British Isles, Japan, Oz, NZ, Indonesia, Montreal….

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Hay there sport, when we weren't going sideways, I generally kept us on the black stuff between the trees!

I was thinking of the last time with Skag driving in the snow.

Actually Jon, Brian and yourself were exemplary drivers.

Soon it'll be my turn to drive you so watch out!

Originally posted by Keith Webb
[B]I was thinking of the last time with Skag driving in the snow.

Well, Jon and Betty live in Snowen Sound ... I found some photos by Googling ...

http://flickr.com/photos/enchantedga...7594063735362/

Originally posted by Keith Webb Soon it'll be my turn to drive you so watch out!

Will you be driving is crazy then Keith? Your new (nice looking) vehicle looks like it can carry a lot of Tim Tams and Vegemite tucked around us Canadians Will Keefy Minor be driving me/us?

Ma Yappy

Hello all,

I've had too much coffee (after an evening nap) so am up and browsing online a bit. I came across this interesting bit of information about "Stinging Trees!!!" ... am I correct in thinking that I/we will see some of these trees and bushes in our visits and driving?

http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/s243639.htm

We don't have stinging trees around here, but we do have "Stinging Nettles" - and thistles - poke you and sting of course. Also Poison Ivy and Poison Oak (severe itch and rash) )

Stinging Nettle:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/cro...bkq00s07a.html

Thistles:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/cro.../fab05s00.html

Poison Oak and Poison Ivy:
http://www.wildfirenews.com/fire/articles/oak.html

Karmen

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Vets Dottir
Will you be driving is crazy then Keith? Your new (nice looking) vehicle looks like it can carry a lot of Tim Tams and Vegemite tucked around us Canadians Will Keefy Minor be driving me/us?

Ma Yappy

Minor won't be driving - 14 is a little too young for the road.

Who was talking about the road?

FYI to everyone, I now officially have a Visitors/Tourists ETA (visa thing) for Australia and am good to go for the Australian Customs folks, thanks to Geoff doing the transaction and walking me through the process online via the telephone. It registered instantaneously on my passport

Karmen's going to Australia and they'll actually even let her in!

Karmen

Hi Folks,

One of the places I may get to be visiting is the Australia Zoo ... now, normally I just get really sad at zoos to see animals caged and often looking neglected, sick, and pathetic (like the Zoos I'm used to ) and I don't want to spend time at them, but visiting the Australia Zoo website, well, this zoo is a whole new ballgame, and started out as ........
http://www.australiazoo.com.au/

Until VERY recently, I had never heard of Steve Irwin, his family, or the Australia Zoo ... not until Steve Irwin's recent death by the barb of a stingray and seeing bits about the story on the news, and hearing mention in MLU by our Australian friends in here. I also watched a program recently where his wife talked about him and his lifes work and dreams, and his little daughter talked about him as well. Wow.

I found a Memorial video to Steve:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpAYbleB2UQ&NR

The more I see and read, the more amazed I am. This Irwin family has really made an impact on Australia, it's people and animals ... and the world.

Amazing, is all I can say.

Karmen

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

FYI, DO NOT USE TRAVELOCITY. I've found several flights to Oz on them for a good price, taken the printout over to my local Flight Centre (whom I've been dealing with since '99) to match, and they've proven to me that some of those flights don't exist.

My girl over at Flight Centre is working on a package for me, expect to have confirmation one way or another NLT 0900 tomorrow. I'm flying Quantas with Karmen no matter what. Will advise ASAP.

[Col Tigwell]

Come on lad you can do better than that.

It is

Qantas

Queensland and Northern Territory Air Service.


Unfortunately in my opinion, it is not the airline that we used to enjoy. Now run by a bunch of bean counters, who would not know the front from the back.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Regards

Col

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by herkman
Come on lad you can do better than that.

It is

Qantas

Queensland and Northern Territory Air Service.


Unfortunately in my opinion, it is not the airline that we used to enjoy. Now run by a bunch of bean counters, who would not know the front from the back.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Regards

Col

Actually, it's not the Quantas link which is the problem, it's the Toronto-San Fran and LAX-Toronto links. I'll work it out one way or another. Shame we can only get there through the States, costs a lot more that way; if, for instance, there was a direct link between Vancouver and Sydney, we'd be laughing.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Actually, it's not the Quantas link which is the problem, it's the Toronto-San Fran and LAX-Toronto links. I'll work it out one way or another. Shame we can only get there through the States, costs a lot more that way; if, for instance, there was a direct link between Vancouver and Sydney, we'd be laughing.

Jif..
Hop a bus and catch the Buffalo-LAX flight there..It will be half price..

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Alex Blair
Jif..
Hop a bus and catch the Buffalo-LAX flight there..It will be half price..

You might have something there, ya old bugger... but it's San Fran outbound and Sydney-LAX inbound. I'll ask tomorrow.

BTW, my new travel agent is a REALLY cute long-haired, blue-eyed blonde, closer to my age than my beloved Jessie and for once, no ring!

PS: Of course it doesn't change the fact that I'm in love with Jessie...

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

AND HERE SHE IS

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Oh, Bob.... you're in trouble now....

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Yeah! Catch me if you can.
Bob

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
Yeah! Catch me if you can.
Bob

Hehehe... be careful what you dare me to....

I'm officially booked on the same Quantas flights as Karmen, so it looks like this is happening! Cost me a bloody fortune (ref back to my Travelocity comment, $500 more than they quoted for non-existent flights ), but what the hell. This'll be the experience of a lifetime. I look forward to seeing all of you Aussies... Corowa, look out, here come the Canucks!

And Bob, you'd better learn how to duck...

Congrats, Geoff ... your long time wishes of going to Oz are finally coming true. Now you can do your own Oz ETA and insurance stuff and you'll be good to go.

[cliff]

Excellent news mate. I look forward to seeing you as well as Carmen and then I can give you that US 20 dollars I owe you LOL

Cheers
Cliff