Where to go *from* SYD over Xmas/NYE? Tonga?
Sep 10, 2017, 12:36 am
#1
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Where to go *from* SYD over Xmas/NYE? Tonga?
Hi all,
I'm currently SYD-based and looking to get out SYD from Dec 23 to Jan 2. I'm very open to suggestions. I have no interest in Fiji (go there for work regularly) - and have done New Caledonia already.
I may have a friend coming from the US and we were thinking Bali/Seminyak (though I've heard it's very crowded over this time) or Tonga.
Of course, NZ, or anywhere else in Oz is an option.
Prefer to go to a more laid-back area than an crowded touristy area - but am open to flying up to about 9 hours or so at most. I've got a ton of AA miles to burn on QF as needed (looking for saver availability, of course), or can do a paid ticket if needed.
Any suggestions on where to escape to?
Thanks in advance!
I'm currently SYD-based and looking to get out SYD from Dec 23 to Jan 2. I'm very open to suggestions. I have no interest in Fiji (go there for work regularly) - and have done New Caledonia already.
I may have a friend coming from the US and we were thinking Bali/Seminyak (though I've heard it's very crowded over this time) or Tonga.
Of course, NZ, or anywhere else in Oz is an option.
Prefer to go to a more laid-back area than an crowded touristy area - but am open to flying up to about 9 hours or so at most. I've got a ton of AA miles to burn on QF as needed (looking for saver availability, of course), or can do a paid ticket if needed.
Any suggestions on where to escape to?
Thanks in advance!
Sep 10, 2017, 2:24 am
#2
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Bali is sold out already for that time period, good luck getting accom. Probably Malaysia and Thaliand are your best bet, or the rest of INdonesia. Lombok near Bali for example. But it is a tough week at the well known and easily reached tourist resorts. Really depends upon what you want in accom and how flexible, flying is the easy part.
Sep 10, 2017, 3:53 am
#4
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I am not sure what Rarotonga is like over the holiday period, but in general it is very laid back compared with some of its neighbors. And if you can find accommodation on an outlying island you are guaranteed an even more relaxed experience. I particularly loved Atiu, although it is probably on the extreme end of 'getting away from it all.' It sure would be interesting to visit a Tumunu over NYE though!
Last edited by CPMaverick; Sep 10, 2017 at 4:13 am
Sep 10, 2017, 5:52 am
#6
Join Date: May 2006
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OP spends a lot of time in Fiji, and is looking for a south pacific island trip in January, so I doubt they are unaware of what the weather can be like.
Sep 10, 2017, 7:47 pm
#7
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Thanks all - yes, been to Fiji in summer time & know how painful it can be (though the Marriott Momi Bay's lagoon helps cool it down!).
I'll check out Cook Islands - the travel may be difficult with limited flights. I've done Thailand way too many times when I was younger, but haven't been to Malaysia (though I'm sure just as humid as Singapore is) - maybe I'll head to the mountains somewhere as well.
Thanks!
I'll check out Cook Islands - the travel may be difficult with limited flights. I've done Thailand way too many times when I was younger, but haven't been to Malaysia (though I'm sure just as humid as Singapore is) - maybe I'll head to the mountains somewhere as well.
Thanks!
Sep 11, 2017, 4:42 am
#8
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Malaysia has Langkawi (island) which is pretty nice, sort of like Bali before over development, and mainland has some highlands as well as Georgetown (world heritage site). I've been to Langkawi and enjoyed it, mainly for Bon Ton/Temple Tree, but have not been to the rest of Malaysia. Villa Samadhi is noteworthy and they've got a remote island getaway which is interesting.
Sep 13, 2017, 1:09 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Fwiw I booked a week in Bali/Singapore a few nights back. Was pretty surprised how much accomodation was available in Seminiyak, very easy to get a good pool villa for 170-250 AUD/night. All up for 2 of us it was AUD 3k + 100k qantas points for business (jetstar) flights to bali, 5 nights pool villa seminyak, jetstar to SIN, 2 nights serviced apartment there then (scoot) business back to sydney
Sep 14, 2017, 3:20 am
#10
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Great to hear that Bali is so readily available (was sold out 2 years ago when I tried similar). Enjoy, that is a great trip, though JQ and Scoot business is a step down from premium economy
Sep 16, 2017, 4:28 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2006
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I know 
But for 6/7 hour flights it's well beyond my economy threshold but short enough to survive in 'fake' business. I was kinda surprised how easy it was to get a deal on good accommodation in Bali as well, especially that week, my only guess is that the people going over at that time are families or the Kuta crowd leaving couples with decent options.
But for 6/7 hour flights it's well beyond my economy threshold but short enough to survive in 'fake' business. I was kinda surprised how easy it was to get a deal on good accommodation in Bali as well, especially that week, my only guess is that the people going over at that time are families or the Kuta crowd leaving couples with decent options.
Sep 16, 2017, 4:39 pm
#12
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I suppose helped by the thousands of new villas that have been built in the boom of the past few years and these are all rentals. Also some of the WA miners who were living in Bali while working in WA are no longer living in Bali so those villas are also up for rental. Sad to see rice paddies disappear but such is progress. The W area is great as the traffic is tolerable. If you need supplies, I usually have my driver stop at Carrefour on the way from the airport.