So, who's going??
I thought someone should initiate this topic while there is still time to share ideas, plan and find availibility. Myself and 5 other guys are planning on attending the Closing Ceremonies(Nov 9th)in Sydney, spend about a week touring the Sydney area/Blue Mountains/Hunter Valley, etc., then fly up to Cairns and stay at Turtle Cove(gay resort) for 4 days to check out the Great Barrier Reef, and other sights. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif
I have been researching flights from Toronto to Sydney. The lowest quote I've found is C$1,850, but that's with OW. The boys would prefer to stick with http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/starsmilie.gif Alliance.
Has anyone found anything better?

Thanks,
Kevin

Whats australia like this time of year? I have some miles that I could use for a trip to Australia, and maybe this would be a fun event to go to.

I am planning to use my Qualifyer 240K bonus (on teh assumption that the airlines don't go bust AGAIN!) to do Oz in November. I was there at that time of year once before and teh weather was great (although as a Scot my weather expectations are low!).

Stephen

This is a timely thread....just finished booking 2 end-to-end SQ awards (using DL miles from YYZ/SIN and UA miles from SIN/SYD). Total of 230k miles for first class YYZ/SIN, and business class SIN/SYD. Really looking forward to seeing if the actual SQ F experience matches expectations...
A friend was able to get a coach seat on AC for 75k miles, but availability was a problem, so he's doing an open jaw (YYZ/MEL, SYD/YYZ), with a stopover in YVR on the return. There still seems to be decent hotel/apartment availability...
Should be a busy/hectic time during the games, but i would imagine that there will be enough of us there to warrant an FT get-together!
Still not sure what the story is re: tickets to events and ceremonies...
Who else is planning on going at this time?

What dates are you guys going? I'd like to get an idea of when to go.

Chris

We are departing YYZ Nov 6th, arriving in Sydney Nov 8th(via ORD & LAX).
Departing out of Cairns Nov 22nd(via AKL, HNL).
Its a hell of a long way, but it'll be worth it! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

-Kevin

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by life4fun:

We are departing YYZ Nov 6th, arriving in Sydney Nov 8th(via ORD & LAX).
Departing out of Cairns Nov 22nd(via AKL, HNL).
Its a hell of a long way, but it'll be worth it! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

-Kevin</font>

I'm going to call and check in a bit.

Check out this site:

http://www.abovebeyondtours.com/group/gaygames02.htm

If anyone is interested in going I can post the name and number of my lesbian travel agent. She actually started a lesbian owned travel service and said she has a few other clients going to the gay games. She also does all the RSVP/Atlantis type of bookings too.

[This message has been edited by catwood (edited 04-03-2002).]

If I'm not mistaken, the opening ceremony for the games is on 2 November; the closing ceremony on 9 November.

More info via the following links:

Official Site of the Gay Games (http://www.sydney2002.org.au/index.asp)

Official Tour Operator (http://www.rainbowhighvacations.com)

Am leaving YYZ on 29 October, arriving in SYD on 31 October, via LAX, NRT and SIN. Don't even want to think about the return on 10 November http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

There will be quite a few athletes from Toronto competing, I'm told....

I'm sure the games will be a blast, and November should be a beautiful time of year there, but I was disappointed when I went to Sydney last year, as it seemed so average.

I said it was like flying around the world to visit downtown Denver. Not picking on Denver, but it didn't feel like a foreign country at all.

huh? what about the beaches, the harbour, the ferries, the men, the food, the quirky humour? the wildlife parks, the bridge climb, the botanical gardens, the opera house, oxford street, licensed sex-on-premises clubs? the rocks, the pubs, the wine--did i say the men? and the parties?

downtown denver??? whatever did you do in sydney? wherever did you go?

OK, so I found this a little late....
10/26 TPA-PHX (Not booked yet. Hopefully UA)
10/29 PHX-LAX UA
10/29 LAX-SYD NZ arrive 10/31 8 nights in SYD
11/08 SYD-CNS QF 5 nights in Trinity Beach
11/13 CNS-MEL QF 4 nights Melbourne
11/17 MEL-CHC NZ 9 nights motorhome South Island.
11/26 AKL 3 nights Auckland
11/29 AKL-LAX NZ
11/29 LAX-PHX UA
11/30 PHX-TPA UA hopefully...not booked

Anyone around?



[This message has been edited by swflaboy (edited 10-04-2002).]

Sounds great. My gang plan on flying up to Cairns as well after the Games. I've booked myself and two friends at the gay resort outside of Cairns,Turtle Cove, Nov18-22.
Then to Auckland for a few days to visit friends. Sydney will be inundated with boys!! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

cheers,
kevin

We tried to stay at Turtle Cove but it was sold out. We are at the Blacket hotel ( www.blackethotel.com.au/index.htm (http://www.blackethotel.com.au/index.htm) ) in SYD and then On-the-Beach Holiday Apartments in CNS.

Was there enough response to have a Flyertalk gathering or are there too many other distractions? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

E

My partner and I will be participating in the Games(tennis). It is our 3rd Games, having met at the New York Games in 1994.

Oct28 AMS/SYD
Nov10 SYD/CNS
Nov15 CNS/BKK
Nov24 BKK/AMS

We will be staying in Port Douglas, just north of Cairns and doing all the tourist sites. Friends will be hosting us in SYD. We are already planning for Montreal in 2006.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by topspinner:
My partner and I will be participating in the Games(tennis). It is our 3rd Games, having met at the New York Games in 1994.</font>

I will be umpiring at the Gaymes - can you email me, we might be able to work out a get-together. (AFTER the final, of course!) :-)

just_me AT austarnet DOT com DOT au

Dave

[This message has been edited by thadocta (edited 10-09-2002).]

Some tough going for the games organizers http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=101&e=3&cid=101&u=/po/20021008/co_po/financial_doubts_trip_up_gay_games

fyi..
I just cancelled one double room at Turtle Cove if anyone is still looking for accommodation near Cairns, although there is probably a waiting list. We will only be needing one room, a couple of friends couldn't make it.
cheers,
-kevin

If anyone doesn't mind me prying a little bit, but what are some basic budget numbers for a trip to Australia like this? Were there some good deals on packages, etc.

While I won't make this event I have been looking at going to Australia with Award miles and was curious what people are paying for hotels and stuff on the ground.

Thanks,

Chris

Not exactly sure what the budget price would be. Most of the $$ are spent on airfare. Hotels are pretty inexpensive IMO. We are doing 4 weeks in AU and NZ for about $2800 each. Price includes air (PHX-LAX-SYD-CNS-MEL-CHC-ground to AKL-LAX-PHX), hotels (4-4.5*), trip insurance and a motorhome for 9 days in NZ.

E

life4fun, Too bad we can't make changes at this point. We wanted to stay there. But we would need 2 rooms anyway.

E

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by catwood:
If anyone doesn't mind me prying a little bit, but what are some basic budget numbers for a trip to Australia like this? Were there some good deals on packages, etc.

While I won't make this event I have been looking at going to Australia with Award miles and was curious what people are paying for hotels and stuff on the ground.

Thanks,

Chris</font>

Hi Chris

In my experience. Oz is one of the world's cheaper destinations with accommodation and food being particularly good value.

As you are used to travelling in Europe you'll find Oz a bargain.

Stephen