Hi Guys and Girls,

My name is Dana and I am 21 from Brisbane Australia. I am heading over to New York for the 31st October Big Apple Explorer. Staying an extra night before and after the tour and then heading to Hawaii for a stopover. Am travelling alone so would love to hear from anyone that is planning to do this trip as well.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Dana

Hi everyone,

I'm Ian, Scooby to my friends - long story, I'm 25 & from Stoke-on-Trent in the UK.  I've just booked onto this trip as well, I'm also staying an extra night before hand & two after.

I'm traveling alone too & would like to hear from other people on this trip.

Can't wait till the end of October for this trip, see you there.

Hiya Dana and Ian and anyone else on the tour!
I'll be joining you two on the 31st Oct Big Apple Explorer tour..im a kiwi gal from lil ol NZ but im living in big ol Turkey at the moment and luvn it! Be cool to meet you, im doin the HUGE Grand Southern Tour first and after the end of our tour will be stayin on in NY for 2 extra nights due to it bein a mission flightwise to get back to Istanbul..
so will be great to hang out with someone then, speshly since i had to book at anutha hotel as the Beacon was sold out!  
Happy Posting
Kat 

Hi Kat,

I'm staying at the Belnord Hotel New York for two nights after the tour. I'm planning on visitng some of the things we wont get chance to see on the main tour.

Ian

Hi Dana and others,

local guy 24/m from caloundra on the sunny coast of qld, doing this tour, getting into to ny on the 30th, so will be at the hotel 1 night prior, then the day we finish on the 3rd i depart the hotel and start on the eastern discovery down to new orleans, should be great.

guys, i am hoping these tours are as good as my last one.

just got back to aus on the 9th august after doing the la to the bay tour - it was awesome, so for any first timers who are scepticle about contikis, don't be.

so i guess i'll see you there.

Hey great to see our numbers grow!!
Reckon were all gonna have a blast..ive travelled to far and beyond but never set foot in the States so i cant wait!
Chris ill be goin to New Orleans just before you and yep all the reviews are glowing
McScooby ill be doin some full on shopping as its my mission to buy a laptop at one of the Apple stores in NY and ill be doin any art museumy stuff we didnt get to see on da tour and of course checking out the NY night scene!!

HI there!!
I'm just on the verge of booking, Im planning a massive USA trip from mid oct to christmas time. I'm looking at that oct 31 new york tour, then going on to the NOvember 3rd Grand Southern from New York to LA straight afterwards!! then I'll be staying in LA for a coupla weeks, probrably in a hostel, then back over to New York in December coz Ive always wanted to see the big apple around christmas time!! Again, hostelling there for another coupla weeks, seeing every broadway show I can!! Im a movee geek, thus my LA stay, and a theatre geek, which is why I'm excited about New York. Im really excited but Terrified about being on my own, but reading up on contiki I know I wont be lonely. Plus the funky hostels Ive read up on are so affordable and look really sociable too!! Has anyonew done something similar?? Oh, im 25, female and from melbourne!!
cheers
JO

Hi Guys,

Can you believe how quickly this trip is sneaking up on us? Really looking forward to catching up with you all.

I am hoping to do a bit of shopping in New York but am really looking forward to sampling to New York party scene.

This is my first trip overseas so all you experienced travels will have to look after me!

Chris, what time do you arrive in NY on the 30th? We might even be on the same flight if you are leaving from Brisbane airport.

Talk to you all soon.

Dana
dbrown@lions.com.au

hey dana

im flying qantas
qf 175
depart brissy at 12.10 in the arvo, direct to la then on to new york.

is that the one you're on?

last month when i went to the western tour i flew into la via auckland and it was delayed by like 4 hours in auckland, so i thought id by pass it this time.

Yeah I've started to do a list of places I want to visit so that I can make sure I don't miss anything out.

My plane lands midday on the 30th so I get half a day more to do what I want.

I'm just workign out how much money I need to take with me for all my spending!

hey ian

in regards to how much you're gonna need for spending, trust me, if you think you are going to spend $50 a day, then take like $100+ thats just for being social.

Just back on the 14th august after doing the la to the bay tour, absolutely loved it, and any optional extras that are offered are a must. i did them all and although it added like US$500, it was well worth the enjoyment.

Look farward to catching up with you

36 days to go!

Better start packing!

Hi Guys,

I can't believe how quick time has gone! I will be on that plane in no time!

I don't get into the NY airport until 7.30pm on the 30th. Fingers crossed I sleep on the plane so that I am ready for four full on days of New York!

Is anyone taking their phone with them? I want to, going to put in on international roaming.

Talk to you all soon

Dana

I'm taking mine. Pick up my money Thursday.

Hey Everyone!
Well I leave for the Grand Southern tour next week! That will bring me to New York, late afternoon sometime on the 30th! Reckon we'll have a blast starting our tour on Halloween!
I will be using the almighty visa I reckon, after all that food down in the South, hee hee..in regards to phones, i just found out that America will only accept Tri Band mobiles, so if you have a dual band it probably wont work..im taking mine anyway, just in case!