Is anyone going on the Aussie Explorer that leaves darwin on July 19 and ends in Sydney?

Hi--

I am not doing the full Aussie Explorer, but I am doing the Beaches and Reefs that begins in Cairns on July 29th.  If I have done my math right, we should be on the same bus for the Cairns to Sydney leg of your tour.  My name is Tracy and I am a 26 year old Canadian female.

Hoping to hear from you soon,
Tracy

Hey Tracy,

At least there will be one person one other person on that bus.  From the looks of this message board, no one is going on my tour.  Oh well, guess I'll have to be surprised again.  Last tour I did everyone was from Australia.  I was one of two Americans.  It was a great time anyway.  I'm hoping we have good weather.  I'm also staying to do 4 days in Sydney and then flying to Melbourne for another 4 days.  I'd hate to travel half way across the world and miss the 2 biggest cities. 

Adam

Hey Adam!

I was glad to hear from you!  I was beginning to wonder if I would meet anyone before I left!  My last tour (of Europe) I only knew the friend I went with.  This time I am totally solo.  By the time I get to Contiki, I will have already been in Oz for almost three weeks and by then will have seen a bit of Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.  At the end of our tour, I am staying for another week and a bit in Sydney with a friend I made on my European Vista tour from the summer of 2003.  I am a 26 year old teacher from Winnipeg, Canada.  Where are you from?  How old are you? and all those usual questions.  It's great to know someone ahead of time!

Cheers!

Tracy

Hi there. I just booked my Aussie Explorer from Darwin to Sydney, just wondering who else will be joining us. I leave on 19th July too.

Also if anybodies got any tips on what to take with me?



Cheers

Spencer

Hey Spencer!

It is so exciting to "meet" some of you before hand!  I leave in 11 days and am getting really excited!  I have no tips on what to bring, as I have read what everone else has said here and done my own thing.   When I did contiki Europe, I packed 19.5kg and I am sure I will be there again.  Just bring a mix of warm weather and cold weather with a few nicer items to wear out.  It'll be all good! 

See you soon!  Can't wait to meet you!

Cheers!
Tracy

Hi there,
    I am going on the Aussie Explorer from Darwin to Sydney July 19th with a friend of mine.  It is almost here!  How excited are you!?  This is my first Contiki experience, I am so excited and nervous.  My friend (who has posted previously), Ali has done a contiki tour already.  I have heard nothing but amazing things about Australia!

Well, hope to hear back soon!
Jodi

Hey Jodi,

Good to see there will be other people on this tour from the states.  Last tour I did in Europe, everyone was from Australia.  I am counting the days till I leave NY.  I'll be spending a few days in California before leaving for Australia.  I will second what your friend has told you.  I did a Contiki tour last summer by myself and had an amazing time.  It will be difficult to top but I am looking forward to this tour none the less. 

Just out of curiousity, being as how the tour ends in Sydney without much time to see it, is anyone else staying on a few extra days?  I am doing the 4 day add on in Sydney and then flying down to Melbourne for 4 days.  I figure its gonna be tough to travel this distance again.  I wanna make sure I get the most out of it.

Adam

Hey  Everyone

My name is Cori Nicol and I am on the tour from Darwin to Sydney as well.  I am so excited..only 11 days.  I was wondering if anyone is going to be around the night before to go for drinks at the hotel or in town and get to know each other before we leave the next morning.  Let me know.. See you all really soon, I look forward to meeting you

Cori

Hi Adam,
    Let the countdown begin!!  I have a feeling this trip is going to be the trip of a lifetime!  

My friend and I are staying in Sydney a few extra days at the end of the tour to check it out further.  I am sure more people will as well.  That is awesome you are extending your trip even longer and going to Melbourne. 

Well take care and SEE YOU SOON,
Jodi   

Hey Jodi, Adam, Cori, Tracy and Spencer! Im Ali, Jodi's friend. I
posted messages before but I wrote the wrong dates. .I was wondering
why no one was replying!! HAHA Anyway, I am so excited for this trip.
Last summer I went solo on European Impressions and had the time of my
life. This time I thought I would bring a friend along. We are
traveling with another friend also but she hasnt written yet. She is a
friend of mine; her and Jodi have yet to meet. Anyway, I would love to
start a mass email. I spoke with people before my trip last summer and
it was cool because once we met it was like we were old friends. My
email is siegs109@hotmail.com . Someone email me and we could keep
adding on more and more people as they email! So, Jodi adn I will be in
Darwin to go for drinks before the tour and we are staying in Sydney
after. Im trying to get in touch with Aussie friends from my last tour
to meet up with us but who knows. Well, thats about it for now. Im
getting nervous thinking about packing. I dont even know where to
start! Talk toyou all soon

Ali

Hello again,

It's good to see people posting.  I will also be coming in a day before and would love to meet up in advance.  I've spoken with so friends from my last tour and we will be getting together when we get down to Sydney.  The more, the merrier. 

I too am having difficultly with the whole packing thing because I've been getting different stories about the weather situation at this time of year.  I also heard that the weather at the beginning of the tour will be quite different then when we get down towards Sydney.  Anyone have any ideas on packing?

Ali,  here's my email address if you wanna add me to your mailing list:

ASmithcwp002@yahoo.com

See everyone soon,

Adam

Hello Adam, Jodi, Spencer, Ali and Cori!

There more peple reply to this post, the more excited I am getting!  I leave in 6 days!  I can barely believe it-- I still have so much to do!

As per the packing question, I suck at packing light and think everyone who says you only wear half of what you take is lying.  I brought a shitload of stuff last time and I wore it all!  So, my plan is to bring jeans, skirts and shorts and then tank tops and tshirts with some dressy tops for going out.  I will also pack some cardigan sweaters and jackets, and voila--  I can layer it on for colder areas!  I have a lot of Aussie friends who have told me that the coldest we will see would likely be around 15 degrees celsius--  I'm a Canadian, so that doesn't scare me!  I say pack whatever makes you happy.

One last thing all--  you are all doing the Aussie Explorer, while I am just doing the Beaches and Reefs which means you will have 10 days together before I get there.  Don't forget I'll meet you in Cairns!  Don't get too close and have too much fun without me!!!!

My email for the email list is tracy_rettig@hotmail.com

Can't wait to meet you all!!!

Cheers!!

Tracy 

Well, I've reached the one week mark.  I'm spending a few days in sunny California before I head down under.  With the weather being as it is in New York the past few weeks, this trip can't come too soon.  I going to start getting my things together so I can pick up anything I need this weekend.  Up to this point I've been to busy to really get excited but now I'm starting to feel it.  This trip is something I've wanted to do for many, many years and now it's going to finally become a reality.  One of those lifelong goals getting accomplished.  I have no doubt that it will be everything I expect it to be.  I'm sure that the company on this tour will make it all that much more enjoyable as well. 

Adam