http://www.flyertalk.com/forum en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:47:22 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.flyertalk.com/forum http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1018238-aff-down.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:14:49 GMT I thought it was my connection or browser, but its been down for a while now. I thought it was my connection or browser, but its been down for a while now. ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific haydensydney http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1018238-aff-down.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1018099-found-alternative-high-priced-wifi-hotels.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:19:01 GMT If you're going to be in OZ for a while and need very reliable internet access, and don't relish the idea of paying the $25-$30/day charged by many (most?) hotels, there is an alternative.

In Sydney I went to one of a zillion places that sell Telstra products (Telstra being Australia's biggest communications company, near as I can tell) and picked up their $129 USB 3G broadband solution. It comes initially with a very small amount of included internet usage, but when you register it, within 24-48 hours you have 1 gig at your disposal. I didn't realize this and purchased an additional 1.25 gig for another $50, resulting in way more than I needed. (Please note this isn't a movie downloading solution, but then again neither are many of the hotel offerings, as they're often capped at 500 megs).

For checking websites and downloading emails, the basic 1 gig package is going to take care of you for a few weeks time, and at any time you can buy more if you need.

It's not dirt-cheap but it is reasonable, and it worked in Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne... anywhere I went.

Beware of one little gotcha though- the initial setup requires a phone call that might take 10 minutes for things to get set up. Make sure this is taken care of when you buy it! No reason to waste time on your cell phone (especially if you're roaming) or take a chance that something might not work. The only thing you'll need is some address, any address that you're staying in Australia, and you'll have to provide ID to the seller, and tell the person on the phone that you've read their use rules (which you haven't) and agree to its terms.

You can get $99 equivalents from "3" and one of the other popular phone companies, but if you're going to be in fringe areas, you'll incur roaming charges and your effective amount of data will be reduced dramatically. With Telstra, there will never be a domestic Australia roaming situation, near as I can tell. For this trip, since we were visiting Ayers Rock, roaming was a given for all but Telstra.

Hope this helps a fellow traveler or two. I know there were quite a few folk I came across that were quite jealous of my connectivity in the Outback.

Thanks- ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific Mike Jacoubowsky http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1018099-found-alternative-high-priced-wifi-hotels.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1018098-need-advice-sydney-westin-suite-versus-park-hyatt-harbour-view-room.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:16:52 GMT For five days in Sydney in February, my wife and I can do an award stay at either the Westin in an executive suite or at the Park Hyatt in a harbour view room. Both sound like great rooms in great hotels. FWIW, the Westin is larger (72 sq. meters... For five days in Sydney in February, my wife and I can do an award stay at either the Westin in an executive suite or at the Park Hyatt in a harbour view room. Both sound like great rooms in great hotels. FWIW, the Westin is larger (72 sq. meters versus 45) and includes free breakfast and lounge access, but from what I understand the Park Hyatt has the super location and view.

Any recommendations on which you'd select if given the choice? ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific Thunderroad http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1018098-need-advice-sydney-westin-suite-versus-park-hyatt-harbour-view-room.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1017353-aussie-bush-fly.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:15:01 GMT Is the behaviour and nutrition need of this fly different than the fly I am used to in North America? For the NA flies I am accustomed to, a swat or two would be enough to discourage them away from sticking it to your skin. But my last 2-3 visits... Is the behaviour and nutrition need of this fly different than the fly I am used to in North America? For the NA flies I am accustomed to, a swat or two would be enough to discourage them away from sticking it to your skin. But my last 2-3 visits downunder has had this so-called native fly species harass me to no merciful end. :mad: No matter how much I smack attempt or brush off, these devil of a pest would keep coming at you with such determination. They've successfully plugged into my lips, ears, nose, you name it they want as much of you as they can get it. ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific dbuster44 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1017353-aussie-bush-fly.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1017160-vacation-rentals-perth-area.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:26:32 GMT Looking at ideas for Christmas next year and looking at Perth as an option, reliable sunny weather etc. Would be looking to stay in a house with a private pool, modern clean contemporary design and preferably on a golf course or beach. Can... Looking at ideas for Christmas next year and looking at Perth as an option, reliable sunny weather etc. Would be looking to stay in a house with a private pool, modern clean contemporary design and preferably on a golf course or beach.

Can anyone recommend any websites, estate agents etc that would be worth a look, or just names of any new golf and housing developments in the area I could google.

Cheers ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific westers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1017160-vacation-rentals-perth-area.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1016204-immunizations-fiji.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:48:27 GMT My husband and I are visiting New Zealand and Fiji in March. The CDC recommends that visitors to Fiji get hepatitis A and B and typhoid immunizations. I talked to my doctor about it this week and found out that we don't have enough time to complete the hepatitis A and B series, but that we can at least get partial immunization by getting the first shots.

So, flyertalkers, what should we do. Go ahead and get the shots or just not worry about it? ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific ASflyer http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1016204-immunizations-fiji.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1015693-one-week-fiji-where-go-what-do.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:21:55 GMT Hey All, Fiji is one of our (me and my boyfriend, 28 years old) stops during our RTW trip next year. We will arrive there in April and get into Nadi. We have one week in Fiji before we continue to Cook Islands (Rarotonga), and want to make the... Hey All,

Fiji is one of our (me and my boyfriend, 28 years old) stops during our RTW trip next year. We will arrive there in April and get into Nadi. We have one week in Fiji before we continue to Cook Islands (Rarotonga), and want to make the most of it. Anyone who has any good tips on how to spend one week in Fiji?

We are looking for paradise beaches (of course :)) and fair price hostel/hotel. Since we are on a budget we don't want to spend a whole lot of money on air fair, so we prefer to stay on the islands close to the main island, which I believe we can reach by boat?

Thanks in advance!

/Stina ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific stinas http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1015693-one-week-fiji-where-go-what-do.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1015665-1-hour-long-enough-layover-sfo-syd.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:46:19 GMT I was looking at a flight from Newark to Sydney. The best fare I could find is on United. It has a layover in SFO of close to 1 hour 15 min. Both flights are with United. I wasn't sure is this enough time to get from 1 plane to the other? Does anyone know if I have to switch terminals to international at SFO ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific beth555 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1015665-1-hour-long-enough-layover-sfo-syd.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1015647-devonport-tasmania.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:01:12 GMT Can anyone advise if Devonport, Tasmania has any redeeming features? :) Especially, would a job relocation there be a treat? A challenge? A punishment? Can anyone advise if Devonport, Tasmania has any redeeming features? :) Especially, would a job relocation there be a treat? A challenge? A punishment? ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific kiwibigdave http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1015647-devonport-tasmania.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1015152-guam-airport.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:34:41 GMT I will be doing an end of year MR to GUM with a 10 hour turnaround. Anything interesting at the airport? I will be doing an end of year MR to GUM with a 10 hour turnaround. Anything interesting at the airport? ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific drjazz http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1015152-guam-airport.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1014631-reasonable-currency-exchage-sydney.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:23:52 GMT I'll be arriving in Sydney Monday morning, and will need to exchange US dollars for the Aussie equivalent. Not on a one-to-one basis!:D

Any recommended places to do so? We'll be staying near the Central train station in Sydney. I know from experience in France that rates can vary all over the place.

Thanks- ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific Mike Jacoubowsky http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1014631-reasonable-currency-exchage-sydney.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1014370-clearing-customs-lax.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:16:18 GMT Hello Everyone I am arriving at LAX on V Australia at 5.45pm. Then United to Las Vegas leaving at 8.40pm. Do I have enough time to clear customs and make my check in? There will be a few of us and we are taking our golf clubs as well. Many... Hello Everyone

I am arriving at LAX on V Australia at 5.45pm. Then United to Las Vegas leaving at 8.40pm. Do I have enough time to clear customs and make my check in? There will be a few of us and we are taking our golf clubs as well.
Many Thanks ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific Golden Penda http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1014370-clearing-customs-lax.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1014366-consolidator-j-f-flights-australia.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:57:39 GMT Hello fellow FT'ers,

Does anyone know a good travel agent for business and first class flights in Australia?
Feel free to PM me if you do not wish to name the person/company publicly here.
Many thanks,

fm747 ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific fm747 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1014366-consolidator-j-f-flights-australia.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1014205-london-santo-vanuatu-cheapest-options.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:12:29 GMT Hi, I got a dilemma, my sister wants to do her medical elective out in Vanuatu. She needs to go from London to Santo (SON) in Vanuatu. She is a student so cheapest option on a reliable airline is required. She has British passport so transits in... Hi,

I got a dilemma, my sister wants to do her medical elective out in Vanuatu. She needs to go from London to Santo (SON) in Vanuatu. She is a student so cheapest option on a reliable airline is required. She has British passport so transits in most countries should be easy enough without visas etc.

Also her uni has shafted her by placing the elective period during the main school summer holidays. ie. she wants to fly 24th July 2010 and return to UK by 1st October 2010. Any help would be appreaciated!

Thanks! ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific d3vski http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1014205-london-santo-vanuatu-cheapest-options.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1013534-akl-syd-mel-connection-question.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:54:19 GMT We're flying HNL-AKL-SYD-MEL on ANZ for the first 2 legs and connecting in SYD to UA.

The UA flight we're connecting to is the LAX-SYD-MEL run. We have an hour and ten minutes in SYD to go from ANZ to UA.

Question is: Since we're coming in int'l on ANZ, do we have to clear customs before we go onto the UA flight?

My thought is No because the passengers on the UA flight from LAX don't have to clear, so we'll be with them when they clear in MEL.

Can anyone confirm this? Also any thoughts on checked baggage?

Thanks. ]]> Australia, New Zealand the South Pacific RBradATL http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/1013534-akl-syd-mel-connection-question.html