am into everything from like r & b to alternative indie kinda music.

depends who im hanging around with and where iam and what im doing.
I like alot of english music too and small local bands.

My work know i want to travel but i ahvent told them im going yet.
But i just have to resign coz im going tobe living over there fora couple of months. itsj ust easier.

anyways im off out to the pub now but will be back on later.

I need to figure out a budget here i go to blow more money haha

so been looking at some photos of my gf who did this exact tour same dates and everything last year.

there is one place where it looks hellll cold.
not really sure what to take clothing wise.

Yeah I've been told it's going to be quite chilly but not snowing yet.

I've never seen snow but I really really wanna!

I think we'll be living in jeans and hoodies and stuff. Just take one warm jacket. Like one that the wind can't get through.

I'm the crappest saver ever!
I had to borrow $10 off my Mum this morning cuz I spent all my money on the first weekend I got paid

There is a new guy for our tour!
Did he add you on facebook?
His name is Matt Lewin..

Hey!
Yep. I got an add for a Matt Lewin too. I thought I'd check here to see if we had heard from him. I'm sure Nick will be thrilled to have at least one confirmed guy. He is not into straighteners!

Nick and I are flying into Madrid, then doing some Spain. My Mum flew into Heathrow 2 years ago. She said it wasn't so bad (a big thing coming from my Mum).I'm sure you'll be fine. There is bound to be heaps of signage.

I finished paying for the tour, now the bank account is depressing! I felt sick handing over so much money!!! Still, I am SSOOOO excited! I'm trying to read heaps, and get so much advice. It is going to rock!

Bek, you are hillarious! It would have been an odd thing, looking for a tiger wearing a purple jacket! I love that thing. I got it from Target last winter for about $30. It is awesome, with like 5 pockets. i THINK i'll be taking it. But it takes up so much room! The dilemma!!!!!

My suitcase is blue, like summertime bright sunny blue sky. I love it!!! I'm not going to get anything else. I'll just make do. If I have to carry it, so be it.

Danni M, if you just type 'Contiki Escapade 2009' into the search box, top right of screen, it will bring up our group. Easy Peasy.

Danni W

mm i seem to be borrowing $5 here $10 there too.
my mum keeps track of it all.. so im still in chronic debt.

Im into the small payouts of things
like insurance adn getting my british passport.
thats kinda sucky.

Bek i arrive on the 01/09/2009 and am so keen to go around places with you!!
and then when Danni and Danni u get there ill come looking for you haha.

hav u got a night after the tour or whats the go.

I hav been looking at my money the last couple of days am trying to have 100 pound a day.
so $200 australian. for the 25 days on tour.
but idont wanna spend all that coz ill only have $1000 pound left to last until i get a job. so kinda freaking out (


mmm i want a colourful suitcase ( i got boring black.

I've got a boring black suitcase too!

When I go overseas I usually tie a colourful ribbon around the handle so I can spot it when it's doing laps of the carousel

My folks paid for my holiday so I have to pay them back before I go as well as save up spending money...

KILLING MY LIFE!!

Totally awesome that you guys will be there like a day before me!
You can show us the way!
Woo Hoo!!

mmm im hungry! hahah

not sure what time you are flying in to heathrow but http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/page/Heathrow%5EG...M200000357e120a____/
there is a site.


have also found this site to be pretty helpful with some stuff. like arrivals and stuff
http://www.moving2london.com/

Danni, unfortunately i have now changed tour, and doing a slightly longer one.But im sure Nick will find someone else not into straighteners...I wanted to do urs but my mate who i am travelling with convinced me otherwise.

ok guys.. feel like I need a pat on the back...

I have not spent a cent in the last 7 days that wasn't travel related (excluding the 2 beers I bought this arvo to calm me after a shocker at work.. hehehehe)! HUGE achievement for me!

Have you all organised travel insurance? If not you guys should check out www.1cover.com.au

I got a quote from like 4 other places and this was the cheapest one by far.. Saving like $300

Also, handy tip, flight centre will match prices on insurance and their insurer is pretty reputable so that's good. I sent them the quote from 1cover and they matched it, it was like 1/2 the price of their normal premium.

Question: Does anyone else not want to go to the concentration camp? Don't think I could handle it and wanna know if I'm going to be a loner that day...

Danni W I know how you feel about your jacket... I have a deep emotional connection to my hair dryer but alas it is like 100 years old and is the size of a small elephant so she will have to stay at home... Woe is me Gunna have to go get one of those gay travel ones...

Anyway, I've had my rant now. Hope your all well and are suffering as much as I am on the savings front!

Bek

Omg i dont know how u can not spend in 7 days
hahah
i havent spent a thing in 48 hours!! which
im pretty proud about but am back at work tomorrow
so ill be buying drinks or food or something (

Im so impressed Bek haha

Question how much are u allowing to spend a week? or a fortnight?


and how much did u pay for ur travel insurance?
and how many days is it for.
I work at an insurance broker so i could try get something cheaper for anyone that wants it.
but we havent been that competitive in travel quotes.

as for the concentration camp I heard it was really good.
emotional but good.

Im taking a hairdryer so if u dont want to bring one u can use mine haha even if u hate me ill let u use it!
mines a travel one its allright.

Evening!
This is a busy little forum! I leave it to go to work, and come back, and everyone has had a say!!

Thats ok Matt. I understand. Nick feels a little abandonned though. I think he was keen to have a drink with you and avoid all of us girls for a while.
Alas, it just isn't to be. Meh. He'll be fine. Hope your tour kicks ass. I know ours will!!!!!!

Nick and I have our insurance. Cant remember what it cost, we booked it at the same time as everything else. If something goes wrong between now and the end of the holiday, we are looked after. It just made sense to do it that way. My travel agent is affiliated with Flight Centre (I think it is the Jetstar to it's Qantas), so the cover is pretty awesome.

I do want to see the camp. I think it will be a pretty heavy day, but I know I'll hate myself if I miss it. However, I don't think you'll be alone Bek. I think it definately is not everyone's cup of tea. Will need a drinking buddy at the end though!

Your hairdryer will understand! It is contiki. I think you are allowed to get personal with another hairdryer, and no one will think any less of you!
As for my coat, I'm thinking I'll just get a lighter one, and a really awesome scarf, and a thermal shirt thingy. Must save space/ weight!

And no, my savings are taking a few punches. I crashed my car on Fri the 13th (unlucky, i know!), and have to pay $650 excess, PLUS the cost of daily public transport to work (about $8 per day). AND the stupid repairer is taking their sweet time. GRRR! Don't they know that I need that money for shoes?!

It totally sucks. I could cry!! :P
Danni W

holy crap. u crashed ur car!!
thats so weird. when i first booked my trip my car got smashed.

was it ur fault? lol.

well im taking a hair dryer and anyone is invited to use it.

I am pretty sure there is another guy coming on the tour called Chad R. he is in one of the very first forums i opened.
but it seems like he doesnt check it much.

am back at work tomorrow people so send me your emails!!

am so unsure what to pack .. trying to think of things.. BLAH

I'm totally loving this forum!
It's keeping me entertained while I'm at work

What's your work email Laura?

Hey

If you couldemail me at work lmorris@australrisk.com.au tat would begreat
I cant check this forum much tody so email would be great!!!

That is freaky! Maybe contiki is bad luck for cars! Yes, my fault, but it could have been worse. I'm dealing with it, it just hurts my pocket.

So I'm thinking about the clothing situation.....

Hmmmm......

I like clothes. I really love them, I have so many they don't fit into my cupboard. I have moved a heap into Nick's place, and they are still on the floor! Don't even get me started on shoes!

But doing this trip I'm limited to not only what I can carry, but how much they'll let me take. So I've been looking for advice, and it all seems so vague! They say stuff like "1 pair of jeans, 3 pairs of shoes, etc". Do you have any thoughts?

I have heard the 3 shoe rule is pretty good. 1 walking, 1 everyday, 1 dressy. Maybe some thongs for showers. But the clothes seem so much harder. How dressed up do you get? I know we're on a bus alot and you want to be comfortable, but then you get out somewhere incredible, and do you want to look at a photo of yourself in fat-bum-trackies?! I dont think so!

I want help! I have 6 months to get this stuff sorted. I am so glad I have a bunch of girls to discuss this with. Nick just gives me this bored look, like he can't believe I'm agonizing about a summer dress 6 months away. Boys don't get it!

Danni W