so who's going to be on this tour?

i'm from syd, australia and will be travelling solo...

will be in the US for 7 weeks from mid july till september, on a working holiday. (1 week work, 6 weeks holiday )

and which other tours meet up with this one?

i believe western highlights/la to the bay/wild western all start off together for the first week am i right???

Hi,

I'm going on LA to the Bay starting 22nd July.

Fran

Hi,

I'm also going on the the LA to the bay starting 22nd July. I will be travelling solo....

Céline

G'day all,

This is a message to 'i love kangaroo stew'. I am from NSW, Australia, and i have booked to go on this tour, on july 22nd.

I will be travelling on my own too. But, my husband is asking me not to go due to the swine flu.

Do you have any concerns yourself about the epidemic?

I am very concerned, and am very confused as what to do. Would appreciate any response from you. I would be flying out of Brisbane, as i live closer to the QLD border.

I so want to go on this trip, but very worried.

Hope to hear from you soon
Kate

Hey Kate,

Your husband has every right to be concerned. Lol.

But in all honestly, i'm not that worried about swine flu.

I work in the health/medical field and I of all people are very concerned, albeit paranoid, with all health issues. But I think this swine flu epidemic has been made worse by the media - just like how the SARS issue made everyone paranoid about travelling to asia.

I am not cancelling any of my travel plans to the US. I will just be travelling as normal and taking extra precautions - the usual things like eating healthy (well maybe part of the time, i am on holidays after all), washing and cleaning your hands (you won't believe how much crap you pick up off door handles or elevator buttons!), but just in general take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep and don't put your body in an 'unhealthy' state that will make it easier for you to get sick. I.e. don't go out drinking every night and not getting enough sleep. I'm not a prude or anything, trust me i will be out hitting the cans as well, but i probably won't want to do it every single night!

If you're really that paranoid, get yourself a standard flu shot before you go just as a precaution (although this doesn't protect you from swine flu). I do know of a few people who have a dose of Tamiflu on hand just in case, and from what I've heard it's not a cure for swine flu but it does help.

And the US is not a 3rd world country either. Just make sure you get travel insurance and if you ever come down with something and don't feel exactly well you can just seek medical attention.

This is just my opinion, i'm sure other people here will have similar or other views. If in doubt I think the best thing is to go and speak to your GP about it - and get a standard flu shot just in case.

Also, i've created a Facebook group for anyone on these 22nd July tours.

Would be great to see who we're travelling with.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=109539376968

Message for "i love kangaroo stew"

thank you so much for your response. I appreciate your opinion!!

I have joined your Facebook Contiki group. what a great idea!

anyway, looking forward to meeting you. (i hope)
Kate

Hi All,

I'm also going on the LA to the Bay tour, travelling solo as well. I'm from Brisbane, Australia.

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Bel

quote:

Originally posted by K8 the gr8:
G'day all,

This is a message to 'i love kangaroo stew'. I am from NSW, Australia, and i have booked to go on this tour, on july 22nd.

I will be travelling on my own too. But, my husband is asking me not to go due to the swine flu.

Do you have any concerns yourself about the epidemic?

I am very concerned, and am very confused as what to do. Would appreciate any response from you. I would be flying out of Brisbane, as i live closer to the QLD border.

I so want to go on this trip, but very worried.

Hope to hear from you soon
Kate

Hi Kate,

When are you flying out of Brisbane? I depart on July 19 and spending a few days in LA before the tour starts!

Can't wait!

Bel

Seems to be quite a few single travellers on this tour... and to think I thought I was going to be the only one!

Is anybody else struggling to figure out how to get from Santa Monica / anywhere in LA to Anaheim for the start of the tour???

X Frances

quote:

Originally posted by Frances B:
Seems to be quite a few single travellers on this tour... and to think I thought I was going to be the only one!

Is anybody else struggling to figure out how to get from Santa Monica / anywhere in LA to Anaheim for the start of the tour???

X Frances

Hi Frances,

I looked into staying at Santa Monica but ended up deciding to stay at the hotel in Anaheim that the tour leaves from to save the hassel of trying to get there! Also staying an extra 3 nights at the hotel in San Fran at the other end!

Have you got plans for your extra time in LA/San Fran?

Bel

Hey,

Got loads that I want to do but nothing booked yet... In Santa Monica, I'm going to do a cheesey LA tourist tour, just so that I get to see everything easily and then I want to spend at least a couple of hours on the beach... InSan Fran there's absolutely loads! Alcatraz, cycle the GG Bridge, wander around Haight Ashbury, visit Napa Valley, Sausalito and maybe Berkeley... not sure I'll have enough time!

How bout you?

x Frances

so what date does everyone get into LA?

i get in on the friday 17th july and spending time with family and friends before the tour starts.

anyone keen on meeting up before the tour so we all get a head start on getting to know everyone? maybe for a few quiet drinks at a pub somewhere?

hi there,

I am also doing this tour, im travelling solo as well (I'm from Adelaide)Spending an extra two nights in San Fran. I don't arrive in LA till 10pm the night before the tour starts so will miss the pre-departure meeting - oops! Also Kate, I too was a little worried about swine flu, but asked my doctor if anything can do and all they said if get the flu shot which I've done - Just Victoria alone has over 1000 cases so we are not immune to it here by any means, just get travel insurance and try stay healthy!

See you all soon!

Hey,

I get into LA on the 19th July and am staying in Santa Monica. I'll miss the pre-departure meeting too though as I have things booked for the 21st and so won't be able to get to Anaheim in time. Will get into Anaheim at about 6.30am on the 22nd... hope I'll be able to find breakfast somewhere????

But if anyone wants to meet up anywhere around Santa Monica before the 22nd, then yeah am up for that!

x Frances