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My dilema


Crouchie's Lawyer
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My mate who emigrated to Australia about 5/6 years ago is getting married in March. Myself and my fiance were invited, along with most of my other mates and their other halves.

 

Due to costs, a lot of my other mates cant go, however, my parents have me £1000 of travel vouchers for my 18th which I have had for years now and never got around to using them. The idea has always been to use them for a holiday to Oz. When we were invited, I was in a different job, earning double what I am now and agreed that me and teh Mrs would go. My mate and his Mrs also decided to go.

 

Since then, I have now switched jobs and am not earning as much. My Mrs is not a big fan of flying at the best of times and going to Oz doesnt really appeal to her, however at the time she agreed to it. Now money is tighter, she has suggested I go on my own, saving us more money and saving her the fear of a long a$$ flight! Plus, she doesnt know anyone over there and would feel a little unconfortable. This was fine by me, however, my mate has now said him and his Mrs cant go, as he has a training course for his new job which he cant get out of, which is smack bang in the middle of the wedding.

 

So I would be going on the 3 week break on my own. I only know a couple of Tom's (My mate who is getting married) mates from when they have come over here, however, they will all (presumabley) be at work during the day time while im out there. Ill arrive a week before they tie the knot and leave 2 week after. Obviously the week before will be manic for him with wedding plans and his family visiting too, so I wont be spending a lot of time with him. Again the week after he will be spending with his new Wife, understandably, and his family too so I will feel like a spare part.

 

My dilema is that I dont know if I should still go. Its a lot of money to spend for potentially just sitting around in the background??? Im not a big fan of doing things on my own at the best of times, and dont wanna go to the other side of the world to sit by a pool doing nothing, but I want to go over for my mates wedding!

 

:confused:

 

Ideas?

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just man the **** up and go

 

And waste the best part of £1500 - £2000 sat around not doing much?

 

The whole point is to go and see my mate and see the sights of Oz. I feel going alone in March when he is getting married will result in not seeing much of him and not seeing much of Oz.

 

The alternative being going later in the year or even next year, making sure him & his Mrs gets time off to a) spend time with us and b) show us around Oz!

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Guest Dark Sotonic Mills

Use the vouchers and get an internal flight pass as well. Spend two weeks travelling around and staying at backpackers lodges. Bloody brilliant time.

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Don't you DARE miss the opportunity to go there. And drag your woman screaming onto the plane.

 

Do like DSM suggests and get a travel pass - Sydney, Hunter Valley, Daintree Rain Forest, Ayres Rock, Perth & Margaret River and finally Exmouth & Ningaloo reef.

 

Aus is a fantastic place (just shame it's wasted on the Aussies) I did the same as you, made excuses, found reasons and never went until 7 years ago. Now I just love the place and have been down 5 times and use to scrimp and save all my airmiles from work.

 

A lass I know from here was moving back to the UK, she decided to go down there, all on her own, she did the whole Backpacker hostel thing, took trainms and buses internally as well as flights and found she always had new friends to travel with and talk to.

 

Buy a Lonely Planet and get down there (oh and Autumn - the weather will be great) and 3 weeks is nowhere near enough

 

FYI you CAN take a flight down and have a one night stop over to break the journey and see some part of Asia. Singapore, Cathay & Emirates all do a special stop over and it costs about 30 quid a night (They are cheaper than BA & Quaintass as well)

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I would go. And take the wife, kicking and screaming, with you. She'll enjoy it once you're over there. Have a two day stopover in Singapore, or somewhere else oriental. I can personally vouch for Singapore as a cracking city to spend a couple of days in, and Singapore Airlines as a cracking airline. You'll not be able to take your eyes off the stewardesses, and Chiangi Airport is amazing. Plus, Singapore is a mecca for electronic goods. Some of the wonder kit from Japan that never makes it to Europe, but is perfectly OK, is sold there, and you can practice haggling a price. And there's no problem plugging anything in, IIRC, as they use British 3 pin plugs and sockets.

 

No brainer really.

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I would go. And take the wife, kicking and screaming, with you. She'll enjoy it once you're over there. Have a two day stopover in Singapore, or somewhere else oriental. I can personally vouch for Singapore as a cracking city to spend a couple of days in, and Singapore Airlines as a cracking airline. You'll not be able to take your eyes off the stewardesses, and Chiangi Airport is amazing. Plus, Singapore is a mecca for electronic goods. Some of the wonder kit from Japan that never makes it to Europe, but is perfectly OK, is sold there, and you can practice haggling a price. And there's no problem plugging anything in, IIRC, as they use British 3 pin plugs and sockets.

 

No brainer really.

 

If a person doesn't enjoy plane travel there is little you can do to get round it tbf, I hate flying and have to take bloody drugs (prescribed) to do it but there is no way in the world would I ever fly that far.

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i really don't understand people having a fear of flying......:smt102

 

surely it's the 'crashing' part that they should have an issue with????????

 

 

 

only yokin!!!!

 

 

do your best to see the world whilst you can..........you're getting married next year, then kids may be on the way (?) .....one day you'll look back and kick yourself for not doing it when you (sort of) had the money.

tell your missus that you have decided to do a 4 day stopover in Bangkok to do some,ahem, 'sightseeing'.....she'll be packing her bags quicker than you can say "sukky,f*kky fo 5 dollar?"!!!!;)

 

HTH

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Why do you have to go for 3 weeks

 

Max holiday I can take.

 

The dilemma is you can't spell dilemma.

 

Yes quite, spelling is not one of my forte's! :)

 

Give your girlfriend a chinese burn and make her come with you. Get flights with Emirates stop in Dubai and Singapore and you'll be splitting the flight into three fairly equal parts.

 

How much extra will this cost?

 

Are one way tickets cheaper?

 

:smt042

 

I woudn't go. Not much fun by yourself and plus your mrs will cheat on you whilst your away.

 

Is that a promise?

 

She's probably too old/fat/sane for you.

 

I hope thats a dig at Shane rather than my Mrs!

 

If a person doesn't enjoy plane travel there is little you can do to get round it tbf, I hate flying and have to take bloody drugs (prescribed) to do it but there is no way in the world would I ever fly that far.

 

This is the point. I may try and work on her though, only issue is cost. It will be v.v.v.expensive if we both go!

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do your best to see the world whilst you can..........you're getting married next year, then kids may be on the way (?) .....one day you'll look back and kick yourself for not doing it when you (sort of) had the money.

tell your missus that you have decided to do a 4 day stopover in Bangkok to do some,ahem, 'sightseeing'.....she'll be packing her bags quicker than you can say "sukky,f*kky fo 5 dollar?"!!!!;)

 

HTH

 

Yes kids after marriage is the plan, and as you say, if we dont go soon, it wont happen for ages!

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How much extra will this cost?

 

 

 

:smt042

 

 

 

 

Fare structures vary but in siimple terms the two national carriers (BA & Quaintass) are the most expensive. They both stop over to refuel in Bangkok. Virgin also have direct rights and will likely be the same cost maybe a special offer.

 

The "Transit" airlines are always cheaper (depending on actual availability) So the main airlines that are "almost decent" from UK to Aus would be Emirates, Singapore, Cathay Pacific (who have a special at the mo) Etihad and then Qatar.

 

Others who do the tickets but are pretty grim would be Gulf Air, Thai Airways, Malaysian.

 

Royal Brunei deserve a mention, they will be cheaper fly older 767's without all the entertainment gismos and do NOT serve booze. BUT you are allowed to take your own on board and the aircrew will serve it for you. BUT check the rules on taking liquids onto flights to Aus, they do have a thing about it!

 

With these airlines you get somewhere between 3 and 5 hour stop overs at the airport. As others have said you can do a stop over Emirates charge about US$40 off peak up to about $100 in busy season. But Bangkok for 2 nights or Hong Kong is great even WITH the missus just for shopping & food!

 

Again, with all these it depends on things like demand. School hoildays and special events in their countries - for example Emirates could be full up London - Dubai so could appear more expensive than BA direct.

 

Another thing is for example it is often cheaper to fly into Perth or Brisbane with Emirates then start your touring from there. With a travel pass it works out cheaper. You should do lots of internet research before heading for a travel agent

 

As for the flying fear - many hypnotists do CD's to relax people who are scared of flying. Normal stuff like the sound of screams and crunching metal........

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If a person doesn't enjoy plane travel there is little you can do to get round it tbf, I hate flying and have to take bloody drugs (prescribed) to do it but there is no way in the world would I ever fly that far.

 

Obviously, if someone is that fearful, then a compromise has to be reached. I have an elder sister who's a real white knuckle plane user. But she knows it's the only way to see the world in today's time allowances, so she overcomes her fear. Not everybody is at the mercy of their fears, real or imagined, and we don't all have the time or money to go by P&O ship.

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Oh and personal airline ratings

1 Singapore

2 Cathay

3 Virgin

3 Emirates

5 Etihad

6 Qatar

7 BA

8 Quaintass

9 Brunei

10 Gulf Air

Last resort Thai

Stay at home Malaysian

 

haahahahah Indian or Jet Airways

May make it Vietnam Airlines

 

but all of them are better than Lufthansa or Air France and KLM on long haul and they are all better than Alitalia & Turkish

For the latest update on Pakistan Airways ask Roman .....

IMHO of course

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Cheers Phil, ill look into it. That or some drugs to knock her out!

 

Jokes aside my mate is a hypnotherapist. Fear of flying can be many things but if it is not claustrophobia then it can often be sorted out.

 

My brother HATES flying, but eventually came down here, the whole flight out was a nightmare for him, but ONCE he saw the reward for the risk he was fine with the whole going back home and managed to board the plane without even knowing what he was doing

 

 

Or of course that MAY have been the Bullfrogs

 

(Oh and watch the medication - may be legal in UIK but could get you 4 years here (eg Codeine) or 10 years in Thailand - ask the GP

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For the latest update on Pakistan Airways ask Roman .....

 

PIA would definitely cure anyone's fear of flying. Survive them and you can survive anything. It's the flying equivalent of those repulsive tasks they get to do on Get Me Out of Here, I'm a Celeb.

 

Oh, and +1 on the going to Aus at any cost.

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Jokes aside my mate is a hypnotherapist. Fear of flying can be many things but if it is not claustrophobia then it can often be sorted out.

 

My brother HATES flying, but eventually came down here, the whole flight out was a nightmare for him, but ONCE he saw the reward for the risk he was fine with the whole going back home and managed to board the plane without even knowing what he was doing

 

 

Or of course that MAY have been the Bullfrogs

 

(Oh and watch the medication - may be legal in UIK but could get you 4 years here (eg Codeine) or 10 years in Thailand - ask the GP

OMG!!!! really!!!!

what the hell do you take when you have a bad back or similar painful injury/condition? (serious question)

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OMG!!!! really!!!!

what the hell do you take when you have a bad back or similar painful injury/condition? (serious question)

 

More scientific types than me can answer technically properly but basically it is part of the .....in family that can be addictive such as morphine heroin etc

If you get a bad back then Panadol or Ibuprofen or Cataflam works well - we can just buy that you guys need a prescription.

Anything else is a problem, they can issue some stuff on prescripton, but anything "mind altering" including most uppers, downers, sleeping pills are a problem.

If coming through Asia/ME region and on medication ALWAYS check with a doctor or the local embassy.

 

I kid you not 4 years for a Brit with Nurofen Plus a few years ago. Might as well have been "doing a Grooverider"

(Actually and usefully you can buy just about most medications here without a prescription. Useful (and cheaper) if you get recurring bad back or bad knees!) Just their "banned list" is longer

Here endeth part 1 of "the World isn't all like the UK" lesson.

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Emirates

 

This airline doesn't have very much leg room in cattle class, not good on long flights

 

They actually have more legroom than BA, but less SPACE.

Unfortunately on their long haul 777's they squash 10 seats across the plane instead of the 9 on Singapore/BA & Cathay. So you get squashed by the fat bstd next to you (oh and the tv system takes away foot space).

Oh and because of the number of seats the aisles are narrow so even with an aisle seat you get smacked in the shoulder by trolleys all night long

Etihad have 9 across but quite a bit less leg room than even BA.

 

(Long Haul lesson #2 always remove the magazines, flight safety card etc from the seat in front, gives you an extra half an inch, which is always useful anywhere in life:-)

Then ask for a second cushion and stuff it down the side of the seat and use it as your arm rest means the fat bstd next to you cannot keep elbowing you in the ribs!)

 

Sadly I used to do return long hauls in cattle class every 10 days. I'm getting better now, the therapy helps

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More scientific types than me can answer technically properly but basically it is part of the .....in family that can be addictive such as morphine heroin etc

If you get a bad back then Panadol or Ibuprofen or Cataflam works well - we can just buy that you guys need a prescription.

Anything else is a problem, they can issue some stuff on prescripton, but anything "mind altering" including most uppers, downers, sleeping pills are a problem.

If coming through Asia/ME region and on medication ALWAYS check with a doctor or the local embassy.

 

I kid you not 4 years for a Brit with Nurofen Plus a few years ago. Might as well have been "doing a Grooverider"

(Actually and usefully you can buy just about most medications here without a prescription. Useful (and cheaper) if you get recurring bad back or bad knees!) Just their "banned list" is longer

Here endeth part 1 of "the World isn't all like the UK" lesson.

 

And what about that poor Danish bloke who's in prison in UAE 'cos he had poppy seeds on his jacket from a bread roll he ate at Heathrow? Madness, I say!

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And what about that poor Danish bloke who's in prison in UAE 'cos he had poppy seeds on his jacket from a bread roll he ate at Heathrow? Madness, I say!

 

I assume you don't really mean the UN anti-drugs campaign chief who was caught at the airport with seeds.....

Or the Aussie Stewardesses who smoked while on vacation, had a car crash 2 weeks later and got banged up for 4 years because it was still in their system so that equalled possession.....

 

It IS madness but then when you look again it is not. No drugs culture reduces crime dramatically. And that is without mentioning the fact that the Koran has issues with mind altering substances.

 

We're just happy to be able to get booze, we don't worry about the other stuff

 

Anyway enough of this sh*t. This thread is about getting INS down to Aus

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Well I have spoke with Tom's (getting married) mate, who has come over here before and he has said, providing it's the school holiday (he is a teacher), he will happily take me around Aus to show me the sights. He has also offered me a place to stay for the 3 weeks (providing I chip in with the food cost) so I should find out tomorrow if he has any holidays. Tom also has another mate who has come over here which I maybe able to rope into travelling round Aus with me.

 

Ill keep you posted.

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I know this is your way of showing us affection cabbage, its ok, we know deep down your a loving person and this is all a facade

 

It's "you're a loving person" not "your a loving person" you odious leach-covered blob of quivering slime, you're pretty smart alright...for a grinning, drooling gimpzoid with a gaping hole in its head.

 

:D

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