Hi there!

So on a "you only live once" impulse, I just signed up for the Grand Explorer trip that departs Auckland on March 19th! It's my 1st tour with Contiki & I'm a little nervous, but I've heard nothing but great things about this trip.

Anyone else sign up for this trip? I live in NYC & since its such a long trip, I think Im planning on arriving to Auckland the day before the trip begins.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Hi

I'm planning on doing the grand explorer in march, not booked it yet but the 19th sounds good.

I have already been on a contiki trip to australia this year, IT WAS GREAT, THE BEST 3 WEKKS OF MY LIFE. That's why i'm planning my next one.

See u

Rob from London
rob_cran@hotmail.co.uk

Hey Rob!

Good to hear!! Let me know if you do end up booking this same trip.

Glad you had an awesome experience on your last tour--I've heard good things from everyone I've spoken with. I cannot wait! It will not hit me till I get there. I think I am getting to Auckland a day before the tour starts and MAYBE going to Sydney for 3 days before flying back to NYC. We'll see--still have to buy the plane ticket.

Anyways, hope to chat more as we get closer!

Angela

angelabarlie@gmail.com

Hi Angela

Just to let you know I've booked the tour today, so see u there!

I arrive in Auckland on the 17 March and leave Christchurch on the 4 April. Not sure where to stay before and after the tour at the moment. What about u?

After the tour I'm going to check out Melbourne for 4 days, a mate been there before and he said it's great. He ended up working out there for a year so it cant be that bad.

See u!

Rob

Hey you,

I'm going on the Grand Adventurer from 21st March to 2nd April. I'm not sure if our two tours hook up but so far no-one on the forum seems to be going on my tour!

My trip doesn't include Auckland so I think I'm just going to check the city out myself when I get there on 18th/19th. Any ideas where you're going to stay in Auckland?

Soooo excited about this, although still need to book my flights!

Cat
x

Hi Cat!

I'm almost positive you will be on my same tour. The Explorer leaves Auckland on the 19th, but then after the Bay of Islands, we swing by Auckland & pick up everyone doing the Adventurer on the 21st

I'll be landing in Auckland at dawn on the 18th, so I'll have that whole day to check it out & rest up before meeting up for the tour the next day. I'm debating between 2 places right now. Either going to stay at CityLodge (http://www.citylodge.co.nz/) or Aspen House (http://www.aspenhouse.co.nz/) I figure after the long trip, I'd love to have my own room & both of these places offer cheap single private rooms. (Id love to stay at the Contiki hotel...Mercure I think? But its a bit expensive) I may end up going with Aspen, even though City Lodge looks nicer, just cause its really close to the harbor. What are you thinking??

I'm very excited also Counting the days already! Where are you from?

Hey Angie,

Thanks for those hotel tips. They look like a more viable option as I just checked out the Mercure and it is too expensive. Haven't really thought about it properly though so need to get myself into gear and book somewhere.

I'm from London and can't wait to get out of rat race! Are you on Facebook? I just joined the Contiki group but haven't found anyone that's going on this trip yet.

HI!

Yeah, Id love to stay there, but wow, way too pricey for 1 night (where I'll probably be so jet lagged that I could just sleep on the floor & it wouldnt make a difference)

Ah, the 2nd person from London on this tour. Very nice! Rob is also from London. And yes, both of us are actually on facebook. I think you can just look me up with my email (angelabarlie@gmail.com)

Chat soon!

Hey everyone, i'm coming on this tour aswell so excited that it's getting close and now i'm talking to others about it... Yeah!!!

Just to let you all know we have a big celebration cause not only will it be good friday its also my birthday...

We fly in the day before and leave the day after.

I'm from Melb Australia and the guys that were thinking of coming here defiently should...

so excited

Erin

Yay! Finally someone else on our trip!! Haha I was beginning to worry! Called Contiki again yesterday & I guess they cant "guarantee" it until 30 days before...ugh! Oh well, hopefully it will be fine. How many of your friends are coming?? I know me & Rob are definitely getting there the day before (I booked at Citylodge--nice place!)

Wish I were going to Melbourne after the trip! (especially after just watching all the Australian Open matches) but I am going to Sydney--which will also be great!

Cant wait! 7 weeks...

Angela

I'm coming with my sister, its our first contiki tour so were just a little excited. Coming third hand but apparently our trip is now guaranted.

i think we get in to Auckland around 2 were staying at the contiki hotel. got a deal throught the travel company we go through so doesn't work out to costly.

You'll have a blast in Sydney.

EC

Hey hey hey! Six weeks. Just bought my Rough Guides book. Huzzah!

Glad you and your sister are also coming on the trip Erin. It'll be a blast to celebrate your birthday in NZ.

I hope that in the next few weeks more poeple who are coming on the trip will come on here to say hello. It's going to be awesome.

x

Hi ladies!

Yes, LESS than 6 more weeks! It is going to FLY BY! This is my 1st Contiki too--heard nothing but great things so I guess I'll give it a whirl ya know?

I get to Auckland at 5am (ugh!) But hoping run around Auckland & the nearby islands during the day (weather & jet lag pending), then meet up with everyone we meet on this forum for a drink that night (Theres supposedly a bar at the Mercure)

EC--are you on Facebook? Feel free to add me if you are

Angela

Hi All

I'm booked on the Grand Adventurer tour so will meet you guys on 21st March!! :-) Very excited!

It is my first contiki tour although I am also booked on one in Oz afterwards!! I'm arriving Mar 20th and got a good deal at Mercure so hopefully will get some sleep before meeting you guys!! :-) (not looking forward to the 25hr flight!)

Will be nice to celebrate your brithday Erin!

Look forward to meeting you all! Steph (from just outside London, UK!)

Hey all!!!

NOT LONG TO GO NOW!

Steph where abouts in london are u? I live in Croydon.
I'm stopping of in Hong Kong for a couple of days. The flight is just 2 much 2 do all in one go. When do u leave London? I depart on the 12th of March.

Rob.
See u all soon!