I am from New Zealand and will be travelling solo, first time overseas!!! Anyone else doing this tour? So nervous and excited at the same time!!

Also GS May 31 and Big Apple Explorer April 29!!

Hello!

Im going on both of these tours, as well as the GS starting in LA on April 5.

Its my first time overseas as well and ill also be solo! Have to say im feeling exactly the same - super excited and just a little bit nervous. Should be loads of fun though!!

Cheers,
Carlie

Hi Carlie

How awesome, where are you from??
I havent booked flights yet but hope to be in NY around the 27th April!! You will be able to tell me how the Grand Southern went!!

I am even more excited now!!

Cheers Rachel

Hi Rachel,

I haven't booked flights yet either, am trying to scam frequent flyer points off my parents, ha ha! I think I get to NY on the 28th, should be so crazy - one of my mates went in August and had a very good time!!!

Im from Wollongong - back at home with the olds to save money for the trip - but was in sydney for a while.

Are you on facebook?

I'm from Christchurch, living at home with my parents to, always have, definitely alot easier to save as well! I will be 22 when we do the tours. No I'm not on facebook or any of those chat websites either.

Hey what type of luggage are you taking? I still have to by mine and I'm thinking a suitcase on wheels, as I'm not really treking anywhere. I'm planning on staying in NYC for 10days after I do the Grandsouthern as I love NYC!! Then back across to Denver and home from San Francisco. So I'm pretty sure a suitcase will fine.

Rachel

Yeah, I am the worst saver in the world, it is such a slow and painful process but it will be worth it in the end! Im 25 now but ill be 26 when i go there.

i think im going to take the same as you, it will prob be easier that way, and maybe just a small backpack for day trips,etc.

How long will you have in la after the GN and before your GS tour starts. Im looking at having about 2 weeks so i can check out san fran and san diego/tijuana as well

I have 5 days 6 nights in LA before my grandsouthern, so looking at doing Disneyland the first 2 days, then a city tour and universals tour which leaves me 1 free day. I would love to go to San Diego, dont know if I will have time though.

I've been looking at suitcases today with my mum. They are bigger than what I imagined which is good. Also been to a UK and Europe expo, came home with loads of brochures, including the new Contiki brochure!! looking at going in 2009 don't know if I will work over there though. But its the USA first, so looking forward to it!!!

Hey, I'm a single kiwi girl too & looking at doing this trip as well. Will be spending a few days in NYC before the tour and a few in LA seeing Universal etc afterwards

Hey KuneChic

Great to see another Kiwi doing the trip, where in NZ are you from? Are you just doing the Grand Northern? or any other trips?
So looking forward to it, 6 months and we will be there!!!

Rachel

Hey, I'm from Ohakune in the North Island. Just the Grand Northern at the moment and saving up to do some Europe trips either 2009 or 2010.

Can't wait

Ali

Hi Ali

I'm also wanting to do europe in 09 or 10, the 46 day camping europe sounds awesome.
When do you plan on arriving in NYC? I havent booked flights yet but planning on getting there the weekend of 26/27 April, then doing then Big Apple Explorer.

Rachel

Hi Rachel

Yeah I was looking at the 46 days eurpoe camping to - looks like fun.. Havn't yet finalised my flights but hoping to fly in to NYC a few days before the GN - was also looking at the New York Explorer - looks like a good way to see the city, bit scared of going to NYC on my own.

Ali

Hey Guys

Just confirmed and paid for my flights!!! I arrive in NYC on Sunday 27th at 1015pm, so probley wont get to the hotel until midnight.
A bit nervous about flying by myself, but looking forward to getting there, I fly CHC-AKL-LAX-JFK!!

Cheers Rachel

Hey, confirmed my flights to

I fly AKL-LAX on 27th, spend the 27th in LA and then LA-JFK on the 28th get into NYC about 8pm.

Should be good - only sad thing is waiting 6 months to go!!!

Hi Guys,
I am 25yo F from Perth and I am on 02 may GN and 31 may GS traveling solo too. I'm not bothering with a tour in NY, I arrive on 28 april and Im just booking into a hostel dorm and Im gonna see the sights at my own pace. When I get to L.A. I'm thinking of just hiring a car so I can see as much of Cali as possible before I have to leave on the GS.

Im glad to know I wont be the only solo person on this trip. Cant wait to meet you all. My Facebook is under "Chemie Bok" and I'd love it iif we could all chat a bit and get to know eachother so it wont be so awkward and daunting when we get to NY.

I'm also hoping to meet some like-minded intrepid travellers on this tour that might want to join me on a mini roadtrip through Cali. I'll spend a day or two at disneyland in Anaheim, then hire a car and check out the big three over the remaining three days- L.A., San Fran and San Diego. It'll be cheaper then another mini-tour and there will be more freedom.