p.s folks, dont forget to also join the facebook group! 'Contiki Grand Explorer - New Zealand, September 2008' !!

I won't be taking a sleeping bag, i hope we don't need one. it's not on the list though, so, we should be right.

hey all, time for another question!! Are you taking walking boots or trainers?!!!

LOL take both...........u can never go wrong if you've got everything hahahaha!!!! n i dnt think the sleeping bag is needed either eh. Mandy1982 what are you thoughts hmm??? =] shes actually BEEN on a contiki befor, havnt ya sis?

I have been on Contiki before!! Nah you shouldn't need a sleeping bag - as far as I know, the only contiki tour you need a sleeping bag on is the European camping tour. As for shoes, take whichever is most comfortable. If it's anything like my last tour, there will be heaps of walking but most of it will around the various towns. Unless you're going to be doing hiking, trainers should be fine - that's what I'm taking.

cool, thanks for the info!! Think i'll bring trainers then!!

hey all, not long to go! for those that are staying in the mecure hotel shall we meet in the hotel bar the night before the trip?

yer only just over a week to go!! come around so fast eh!
so are u's all doing a hotel meet up instead of a contiki meet up????

I've actuallay not heard anything about a Contiki meet up so far,i'm easy.

i dont know anything about a contiki meet up. from what i've read tho does everyone not meet in the Mercure?!! i dunno! How about all that are staying in the Mecure meet there? Shall we meet for dinner or shall we just meet in the bar at 7.30/8pm? then we could meet others elsewhere or something?

That does sounds like it would be the way it goes... I was told by the travel agent there'd be an organised one the night prior (so the 26th).
I was actually responding to Stacey's post re: hotel/contiki meet up.
I'm glad i've heard from another on the subject. Mecure meet sounds like the way to go; I guess we can meet eachother and see who wants to do what and play it on the night.
I'm really looking fwd to the escape right now; I'm rushed off my feet until i depart early Friday morning... leaving the house at 4. AM AHHH see you all soon

my boyfriend and i will be at the mecure friday as well we fly into new zealand bout 2pm. im sure we will see a few people floating around, but would be good to meet a few people before the tour starts the following day......

we're my sis n i are staying we arent far from mercure..infact im at an internet cafe across the road from ther now!! the weather so far has been beautiful ey.. nice n sunny, no rain!! hopefully it lasts ey ladies lol
neway, so is everyone meeting up at mercure?? hahaha we're at the rydges!! becareful to go near quay st at night tho ey.. woo hoo c u all in a few days!!

why dont we all meet up at the casino? bar 3 looks the best n apparently it goes off on a thursday night.
mercure isnt too far, pretty much just straight down one road and one corner..walking distance!! how many people are actually on this tour? ne1 hav ne idea?

hey all! i have arrived! woo hoo!
i think the best thing is for all that are in the mecure to meet here?!

not to be a spoil sport but i dont think i'll be heading out tonight, pretty jet lagged and only had 4 hours sleep in nealr 2 days so will just be chilling this eve all in good stead of the next two weeks!

I'll probably head to the bar about 8ish so if you see someone strangely looking around its me! I'll try and find out now i'm here if there is a pretour mtg! see u soon! Kat