Unbelievable cost of flight from Perth to Ercan North Cyprus

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 12:29

I went into Emirates web site to find out about booking a flight from Perth Australia to Ercan airport in NC, I nearly dropped at the price for Economy class, this is what I copied and pasted from the make a booking/ review trip.

Flight 2 Passengers, Economy AUD 31712.00 TAX AUD 303.68 Total AUD 32015.68

Total price in Australia DollarsConvert



to book the same flight to Larnaca total price for two Passengers $3557.70, whats going on with the price difference, this is absalute robbery don't you think







Robert

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 12:40

Try Ebookers site. You might find it cheaper to buy a cheap ticket to London then outward bound to Cyprus with a different carrier. Do you have a Trailfinders branch in Perth? They are very good. Turkish Airlines fly to Australia but not sure whether to Perth, transfer at Istanbul to Ercan. Send an email to Tom at info@flightholiday.co.uk and see what he can come up with.



Richard

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 12:53

Thanks for the info Richard will have a look and see if we have a Trailfinders branch in Perth.



The Emirates Flight flies to Dubai, Ataturk, and then onto NC, but the flight to Larnaca from Perth goes staight to Dubai and then direct to Larnaca and at a lot less time with only 1 stop instead of 2 stops, had a look at another airline and the price was $16000.00, so I will book the direct flight to Larnaca, when it's time to come over





Robert

zcacmxi


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 12:57

I just searched on ebookers.com from Perth to Ercan and then to compare from Perth to Larnaca for some dates in late January.



Ercan return was £1200 per person

Larnaca return was £1125 per person



So not much in it really.

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 13:11

zcacmxi just went into ebookers.com and found this price £1,356.00 not a bad price to get to Ercan Airport direct from Perth, I'm lost on how I got such a price when I went into the Emirates site.





Robert

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 13:21

zcacmxi I went back into Emirates and The price is now $4200.00 for 2 passengers, so do not know what happened the first time, as I said I copied and pasted the price for the web page, and I couldn't believe it so I think this post should be deleted now







Robert

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 13:32

went back in again and I'm back to the first price of AUD $31.712.00 TAX AUD $303.68 Total AUD $32.015.68 I just don't know whats wrong.





Robert

Chegwin


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 775

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 14:09

It's a Middle East thing......................

scruffdog


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 742

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 18:43

When I went last year, it was cheaper to fly to UK and from there to Perth, just under £700 total. Pegasus to UK, Air Asia via KL to Perth.

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 18:50

My son came home from Perth this summer. He flew Perth/Stansted via KL. The price he paid was very reasonable, although Air Asia is a bit 'basic' apparently. However, the good thing about using this airline is that there are frequent flights from Stansted to Ercan and there are some bargains to be had (if you're in the right place at the right time, that is). Well - there were last year - Pegasus don't seem to have any prices beyond March 2011 at the moment.



Hope this helps.

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 07:19

I had a look again today and I think I will book a flight from Perth to Dubai and direct to Larnaca, seems an esier option and price around 2625 pounds return for two people, that way it's only a changeover at Dubai, thanks for all the information.







Robert

eagleyemonkey


Joined: 21/03/2010
Posts: 184

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 09:39

Try skyscanner they are usually the cheapest

Rottolover



Joined: 21/06/2009
Posts: 519

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 09:50

G'day Robert,



Although my wife and I currently live in Saudi Arabia, I come from Perth and so we go back there every summer vacation time. We always fly Emirates from Bahrain to Dubai to Perth, and the prices are usually around A$1000 to A$1200 return. Those prices you got were clearly a mistake.



We've done the trips to TRNC both ways...Bahrain-Larnaca and Dubai-Istanbul-Ercan...and it's obviously quicker and cheaper to go in through Larnaca.

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 10:32

Rottolover yes it must have been a glitch in the system, but went back in today and put down the dates ( Feb22 2011 return Sep13 2011 ) arrive Ercan 11.00 outbound, return inbound Perth arrive 1725 cost for 2 passengers $32.015.00



I typed this into google( http://www.emirates.com/au/english) arrived at this page ( Emirates Official Site ) then it went to the flight search page, I typed in ( From )Perth ( to ) Ercan and thats the price I got. but when I use Ebookers then the price is cheap around $2100 each, so I just don't know whats happening.







Robert

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
17/10/2010 21:20

Are you sure you aren't aCCIDENTALLY getting a First Class Quote! I have done the tirp a few times, firstly viA iSTANBUL, before the border was open, but subsequently, there is only one way to fly, and that is Emirates - greater seat rake, greater comfort. It is only worth coming via U.K if you have the stamina and it is worth your while to see folk in U.K. Otherwise, Perth to Larnaca is always the best option and a good price.



Strangely though, if you fly Business Class, it is cheaper to Larnaca than to London, but Economy is the other way round.



And would Rottolover give my regards to Freo!!!!!

Rottolover



Joined: 21/06/2009
Posts: 519

Message Posted:
17/10/2010 21:45

G'day Maz,



I'm guessing you're a Rotto lover too...

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
18/10/2010 00:27

I just want to win the Lotto so that I can go back to Perth and enjoy all that Iloved about life there, including Rotto! Life is good and interesting here, but Perth it ain't! But the weather is prettymuch the same so when I sit and drink coffee at Gloria Jeans I am back in Oz.

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
18/10/2010 01:19

Hi Maz



We're off to Perth this coming Christmas to visit our son. It will be our first visit to Oz and we're really looking forward to it.



Regards.



Jean

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
18/10/2010 06:16

good to see that you all like Perth, weather today around 32 deg just lovely, and a two week holiday on Rotto would cost as much as a holiday to NC, prices are just unbelievable over here, to fly and book a holiday anywhere in Australia cost an arm and a leg. (example, Man Wife and 4 kids cost for 2 weeks in Broom over $10.000, to Bali 2 weeks $4.000, how can they justify that cost for only going up the coast of W.A) house prices through the roof, one of the most expensive countries for food, but I suppose if you are poor you will not die of exposure here as the weather is not cold enough for that, and there are a lot of street people over here, W.A has the highest crime rate of all states, prisons are full, but for a months holiday great, best place in the world, same as any country on the planet when on holiday, Perth is a vast place, it can take you 2 hrs to get from one end to the other, but don't go by train or bus after 9 oclock you will get mugged, we all look for Utopia, Robert

sloan



Joined: 24/02/2009
Posts: 808

Message Posted:
18/10/2010 07:28

We had a week on Rottnest Island a few years ago. Loved the quokkas!!

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
18/10/2010 11:01

sloan.



Loved that one, keep them coming.





Robert

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
18/10/2010 11:07

I never understood why West Coast Ozzie's are far more convivial then their counterparts in the East!



Richard

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 00:51

Cos it is smaller, friendlier and more homely. Sydney and other cities over East are vast and like all big cities get impersonal. Mind you, I found Alice Springs in the centre kinda friendly and warm too.

And one thing I regret about leaving is that our unit overt there is now worth $900,000 which would transform our lives. As it is we bought here and the value is the same meaning that we would have money for a chicken hut! But pric\es have gone up over there, but tell me Rottolover, don't Woollies have their sell of time at 4p.m. on a Saturday. We used to spend Sat afternoons at Subiaco filling up the fridge for a week on reduced items. Nothing like that here!



But don't moan about the cost of hols. I had some great ones to N.Z, Singapore, Kota Kinablu, China etc - much cheaper than from U.K!

YOu wouldn't like to do a houseswop would you???

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 00:53

To Jeannie - enjoy! Enjoy the Christmas decorations of the animals around the Christchild - kangeroos, koalas etc! Great stuff. Enjoy the barbie on the beach! Try an outdoor Christmas Carol singing experience!



But tell me - where in Perth?



Shame you won't be there for the Perth Festival - that is a great experience. But guess you will have to make do with seeing the 'rats' on Rotto (quokkas)

Rottolover



Joined: 21/06/2009
Posts: 519

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 06:53

Yeah Maz, that used to be on, but the Woolies in Freo hasn't done that for years. The place certainly has become expensive to live in, which is why I can't.



Richard, I think you may be correct about the differences between the east and west coast...bit like that between north and south island Kiwis.



And the cost of holidays on Rotto is ridiculous. The only way I got there was because I built a yacht and used to sail it there and anchor in Longreach Bay. At that time anchoring was free, although I wouldn't be surprised to learn it now costs a small fortune even to drop a pick.



But Longreach Bay was a little taste of heaven...

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 08:14

Msg 25

More sheep in the South Island hence more happiness!



Richard

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 23:33

Everything changes I guess, but I know my first Christmas I was very impressed by the Christmas decorations outside Myers in Central Perth (where I lived!). Everywhere gets expensive, and had we stayed I reckon our strata fees would be absolutely impossible, as would medical insurance. Prices up and income static = misery! But of course if you are a rising career staff then income is comparative to expenditure.Of coufrse if I win the Lotto and go back, then I won't need Woollies Saturday cheapies!

Last time I was over the price of coffee was up, but Gloria Jeanes out in Oz is cheaper than Gloria Jeanes over here, although I preferred The Dome which does not exist here.

North Cyprus is getting pricier and more and more people are cutting down on outings. Eating out is double what it was about 6 years ago and people are finding that tough.

So, as I say, everything changes - but happy memories cannot be taken away.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 23:36

aussie i beleive you are in rockingham. My sister lives there. we have been many times and i just love it. Cant beleive the fares though. God no trip for me for a while x

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
20/10/2010 00:05

R.U, in Rockingham, or Freoitself? Know both well - but like Lilli 'no trip for me for a while'.

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
20/10/2010 12:43

Re msg 28 29.



no I live in Cockburn just outside Freo, about 4 mins away, Coogee beach is only over the hill from us, a lovely spot, nice beach, fully grassed area with shade and about 7 electric Barbques all free, plus a user friendly play area for the kids, and next to the Coogee beach caravan park. Rockingham is around a 20 min drive from us, and I was there last week at the foreshore it was just lovely with all the cafe's, restaurant's, and play areas around, Rockingham is where all the British live, and yes they call it little Britain, and no they do not have Woollies Coles or IGA Saturday cheapies any more, Freo is open 7 days a week, and we will soon have all day shopping 7 day's a week all over Perth soon, The 3 Supermarket's chains in W.A have all the monopoly, and charge what they want, so things are very expensive.





Robert

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:38

Progress is what I think they call it.



But how long have you been there? I have some mates in Coogee and they love it.



Perhaps you would like to do a house swop with us - but at the moment can't spare the time, or are you renting your place out.



Guess you are talking of Woollies, Coles and ??? who have the monopoly. Shame that, but then everywhere progresses and the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Unfortunatley some of us in the second category.



But do have a coffee in Freo Dome on me!

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 10:06

Maz

House prices over here doubled around 2004 we have a 4x2 800 sqm block of land and the value on our house is around $600.000 $650.000, around 840.000 lira, I had it built at a cost of $60.000 so as you can see the cost of property has gone through the roof, no we will rent our house out, we got 700.00 lira a week last year when we rented it out, plus I will have a pesion of around 400.00 a week that gives us around 1100.00 lira a week to live off. we will sell our house If we decide to move to NC







Robert

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 10:45

aussiejock/msg 32 'we will sell our house If we decide to move to NC'



Don't sell your house, Robert!



I can tell you about heaps of jokers who've p1ssed blood thinking about the day they did after sampling life and soon getting a gutsfull in Cyprus - North & South.



I sold my property in NZ - big mistake!



You live in a civilised country - never mind the Abo's, T.I.'s and boat people - TRNC is deffo 3rd world, and you are sure gonna discover that - about as soon as the froth settles in ya Efes, or Foster's, brewed in Turkey, but tastes like swamp water!



Easy to buy in TRNC - trying to get rid of the b@st@rd is like a wart on ya d1ck!

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 12:10

Hi Tenakoutou



it's the same in N.Z very expensive, My wife is a Kiwi, we lived there for a year and a half, ( Mount Maunganui ) and house prices are high, as you say rent and if after a while if it's not what we want then move off, we thought about Spain, but thats a basketcase as well, lots of property at knockdown prices, all the banks are trying to offload the repossessed properties they own, not good, I will take all the advice that I can get from anyone on this forum, we just want to retire have a nice life with no problems,







Robert

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 13:05

Hi Ozjock - we lived in Tauranga, too - Cameron Road! Had a coupla three of cobbers over at the Mount - used to go to the spa pools!



We left in 1999, and can see that house prices have rocketed in NZ, as well.



All I can say is that our problems started when we set foot here - refusal of PTP on the pre '74 [genuine] Turkish Title - then we lost half our life savings through the inadequate legal system. In Oz, or NZ, we'd have won our case - no question.



So, your wife's a Kiwi - so she'll know that 'tena koutou' in Maori means 'greetings' [plural]!



Catch yas later! - Eh, and DON'T sell up, or you'll rue the day - for sure!

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 13:37

hi Tenakoutou



My son was born at the Tauranga hospital, we went back 2 years ago to the mount, nice place but price wise gone skyhigh, brother inlaw lives in Tepuke and works at the Pukepine sawmills, plus all my wife's family live all over N.Z, but a lot are comming over to Perth W.A for the mining work, lots of money to be made over here if you are a tradesman, but we wouldn't go back to NZ to live, we are now Aussie's, but we will give NC a go, and for your advice keep our money in a Oz bank.









Robert

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 13:55

Have been reading these posts with interest. As I posted earlier, we are visiting Perth at Christmas to visit our son and very much looking forward to it. He has told us that the cost of living is pretty high in WA, but reading some of the posts, I'm beginning to wonder whether we'll have to take out a mortgage to cover our spending



Please keep the posts coming.



Maz - I would be most grateful, if you have the time, if you could maybe e-mail me with any tips? We are relying on our son, obviously, to point us in the 'right direction' about certain things, but all additional info would be most welcome. paul@millfield27.fsnet.co.uk .



With many thanks.



Jean

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 18:19

Hi Jeannie

You will love Perth and If you are only going for a holiday you will have a lot to see, down south is lovely, Margaret river, Dunsborough, wine tasting, Freo, Perth city, North of the river, you have Hillarys Boat Harbour, Underwater World, Australia’s largest aquarium and underwater tunnel, the lovely beaches, Restaurant's, cafe's, if you are being shown around then just sit back and enjoy yourself, because there is so much to see. but it is quite expensive for the people that live here, food can be high, petrol is reasonably cheap its about 72 pence a litre, spirits are getting expensive, the weather will be lovely at that time of the year, so it's a BBQ outdoors or at the beach, I would hire a car, you can go North, south, or go to Kalgoorlie about 8 hrs drive away a mining town, and worth a few days stay, Aussies travel long distances, go to New Norcia the Monastery Guesthouse provides simple accommodation and meals, a lovely place to relaxing with great food and wine.

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 18:51

Hi Robert

Thank you so much for the information. My son has lived in various placed in Oz since first visiting on a gap year after leaving university some years ago. He fell in love with Australia and has returned time and time again, working his way around and hoping to get a job with a company who would, hopefully, sponsor him. Fingers crossed, this is hopefully happening with the company he's with now. He loves Perth and its people (he didn't like the 'Sydneysiders'). He also likes Melbourne, where he spent some time a while ago, working. As I say, he loves Perth but says it's a bit "provincial", i.e. like GB was some years ago (but with higher earnings and, of course, much better weather and open spaces). He invited us to stay with him during our visit, but since he shares a house with another bloke and seems to live the life of the eternal student, we decided to book a self catering apartment, rather than a hotel. We felt this would give us more freedom, too. Cont'd

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 18:58

Dan (our son) says it's in a good position and he is arranging a car us while we're there. There doesn't seem to be much point in travelling to the other side of the world without getting around. We are also hoping to get an internal flight whilst we're there, possibly to Melbourne, but, again, they seem to be expensive. This is not helped by the fact that The Ashes are being played around then (I think). This will have pushed the prices up, of course. He has never mentioned The Monastery Guesthouse, but that sounds right up our street! I know what you mean about Australians thinking nothing of driving long distances. Some of the journeys he's undertaken while he's been there over the years have amazed me. Again, thank you very much for the information and please feel free to e-mail us with anything else you think we may find of interest. I am very grateful for your help.



Warm regards.



Jean

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 19:05

The Wicks

If you're visiting TRNC before you go to Oz change £ to $ Aus here at an exchange shop, NOT bank. Far better rate than either UK or Oz.



Richard

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 19:07

Jeannie

a self catering apartment is quite expensive, they have them in Freo I think it was in Adelaide St Fremantle, and all over Perth for around $100 a night, I would think about B/B some lovely places around Freo and would only cost a few dollars more, and you only pay for the day's that you spend in the B/B, but if you have booked then forget what I said.





Robert

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 19:15

Richard - many thanks for the advice on exchanging money. Unfortunately, we will not be visiting TRNC before December, but thank you anyway. Having said that, where would you suggest the best place to change currency? We will also need some Singapore dollars for our stopover there. Many thanks in advance for any advice.



Robert - again, thank you for the advice. We have already booked - I think it worked out to around A$80.00 per night, so maybe not too bad? Mind you, I'm not expecting the Ritz for that sort of money, just hopefully clean and comfortable. We did check that it had aircon, by the way Trip Advisor reviews are quite favourable. Also, we do not (hopefully) plan to spend too much time there.



Thank you both.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 19:27

The Wicks

Today's rate is £1 = Aus $ 1.60, not good! Best place in the UK is the online Post Office and from memory has to be £500 plus to avoid extra charges. Google for the full information. Do NOT use credit cards in Oz or Singapore, penalty charges are horrendous. Nationwide have changed their rules, so no longer cheap. Australia is now seriously expensive.



Richard

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 19:36

Richard - again, many thanks for the info. We were planning to use credit cards, but, obviously, a re-think is in order. We will look into the other options. We are reluctant to take too much currency, as we would not be insured for loss/theft on anything over £250.00 each. Maybe the good old Travellers Cheques, although, as you point out, the exchange rate against the Aus$ is poor. Good job this is a 'once in a lifetime trip' - at this rate, we'll be trying to recoup the money for the rest of our born days



J

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 19:48

when we went to Turkey the first time the dollar was worth 38 pence in March 2007, and Feb 2009 when we last visited Turkey it was 45 pence, it's now worth 62 pence, how long that will last is anyone's guess, I hope for a long time, god save the chinese and India, because no one else will save us, if they have a hicup,







Robert

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 20:02

The Wicks

Charge everything to your son as he, no doubt, owes you a huge sum for the cost of educating him, board & lodging for a couple of decades, clothing etc. etc!

Get your son to apply for an Oz credit card or cheque account in your names through his bank, himself acting as guarantor. If he can do this in time you can TT monies from UK to Oz. You'll need to fax him copies of your passports. Also, make sure you have adequate health insurance, the cost of hospital care is on par to USA. I think any monies more than $Aus 10K in cash has to be declared on arrival, not a problem unless you don't declare it. Buy duty-free's in Singapore, NOT Australia on arrival, half as much again than Tesco, Asda etc!



Richard

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 20:06

Jeannie

no one uses travellers cheques any more over here, we have a new card from the Commonwealth bank called the travellers card, you put a certain amount into it, say $5000.00 and everytime you use it there are no fee's to pay like transaction fees etc, it's a one off charge if you take out say $1000.00 from a bank you pay $4.00 if you take out $50.00 its still $4.00 thats all you pay, and you can top it up by netbank anywhere in the world, at the moment it's only good for the Pound, Euro, The Oz dollar and a few other curencies, talk to your bank and see if they have anything like it over in Britain, I will get one when I travel overseas it will save me a lot of money, if I use it to get out say 1000.00 pounds in London all it cost me in charges is 2 pounds that's a big saving.









Robert

PaulW



Joined: 20/07/2009
Posts: 651

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 20:21

Message 47

Richard - he has certainly cost us a small fortune over the years! 4 years at uni, cars, car insurances, holidays, food, lodging, etc. etc. Thanks for the info - food for thought and we'll certainly be looking into all possibilities. Thanks also for the info regarding Duty Free out of Singapore. I have read that the duty free shops in Singapore airport are excellent value for money. The strange thing I did find, though, when looking into it was that it's OK to take stuff OUT, at a very good price, but that they are very strict on taking stuff IN - you are, apparently, not allowed to take cigarettes into Singapore with the exception of 2 x packets of opened cigs and you cannot take anything out of the airport in the way of fags, just a couple of bottles of wine - have I got that right? Unsure as to how much you take take out of Singapore into Oz?



Thanks



Jean

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 20:25

Message 48

Hi again Robert

Yes, I had a feeling that Travellers Cheques might be somewhat out of date We haven't used them for years ourselves. We do have a card available in the UK that you can 'load'. It seems to be quite a safe way to go. We'll be checking on the viability of both yours and Richard's suggestions. Many thanks - even though I can see differences of opinion looming



Richard - forgot to say - yes, we have arranged some excellent travel insurance. Hopefully, we won't need it but when you get to my age, you can't be too careful!



Jean

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 20:41

The Wicks

Do NOT load your credit card as every transaction still incurs a penalty charge for being out of the Country even though you're in credit!

Duty-Free into Oz, 200 fags & 1 Litre of spirits. Do NOT exceed, even if you wish to pay the extra tax because they will charge duty on the entire amount and it's huge!

My information is reasonably uptodate as I was in Brisbane January/February this year. I can't offer any information about Singapore as I went via Korea.



Richard

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 20:45

Richard - thanks again.



Will report back on our return from what will hopefully be a great holiday.



Jean

scruffdog


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 742

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 09:25

Jeannie I don't know whether you realise the distances from Perth to next nerest towns. You can be travelling for 6 - 8 hours, passing the same scenery, I did not appreciate it until I was there. There are loads of places around, travel down the coast, take a boat trip on thev Swan River from Perth, and visit the wineries and chocolate factories in the Swan valley. You will enjoy every minute I can guarantee it. The mint in Peeth is worth a visit, see how they melt a gold nugget, and see more gold than you can imagine.

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 09:54

Jeannie

the card is called the travel money card, at the moment we can only use it with 9 different curriencies, max amount you can top the card to up is $25.000.00 and max you can withdraw in anyone day is $2.500.00, but you can top up with netbank from anywhere in the world, your bank should have a similer card in the UK, if we use it in the UK total costs are 2 pounds, withdraw euro and it cost 2.20 euro, withdraw American and it cost $2.20 US, NZ cost $4.50 NZ, thats the only charge that you have on your card, better than a credit card, where they now charge withdraw fee, plus 3% of the amount that you withdrew, which can work out quite a bit during your holiday, I will get this card but at the moment they do not have Lira, but have been told this will come soon.





Robert

Rottolover



Joined: 21/06/2009
Posts: 519

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 12:16

Hi Jeannie,



I only have a couple of tips for you, as everyone else has given you some good oil.



You must get down into the south-west, for that is one of the most beautiful parts of the world, let alone Australia. The karri forests are unique, and the coastal scenery is stunning. Go and sit on Canal Rocks for a while and enjoy the surge of the water. Visit some of the many fine wineries there while you're in the area.



The other tip may be more for your son...regarding a car, the cheapest by far are Backpacker Rentals in Hampton Rd, South Fremantle. Very reliable and well-maintained. Tell Maxine (a dreadful Kiwi) I recommended you and ask for a discount...

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 12:43

Thanks all for the information - I'm sure it will prove invaluable. I very much appeciate the time you have taken to pass this on.



Although my son has lived in Perth (well, Fremantle) for over a year, it is always good to hear others' 'take' on a place.



I'm wondering now whether we'll have the time to pack in all in



Jean

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 20:17

Don't forget Bayswater Car Rentals - they are in Freo too! Used to be the best, but maybe superceded now.

Where in Freo is your son, Jeannie? And as to packing it all in, I am sure your son will tell you the best places to go and you will choose the priorities to suit. That means you will HAVE to return to do the rest.



You can spend a whole day in Freo just doing a coffee bar crawl from The Dome, to Mackers and loads in between.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 20:25

The Wicks

Keep off the beer, weak and now very expensive. Oz wine from the grog shop is excellent and very, very cheap going upwards to being bloody expensive! Not really reflected in restaurant prices but that was Queensland. It's very strange, Australians are very much 'State' first and national identity second.



Richard

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 20:29

Hi Maz



Nice to hear from you. I am not sure of the actual name of the place, as he has recently moved house. He's not much of a one for supplying details, etc. which is why my husband joined Facebook - to get some idea as to where he is and what he's doing



Does 'Spearwood' sound right?



Will post again when further details are available - don't hold your breath But thanks for the information. Keep it coming please all of you 'Perth people' - the more information, the better, although I know you're right Maz in that my son will tell the best places and we can, indeed, prioritise to suit.



Regards.



Jean

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 21:38

Spearwood sounds about right. A couple of kms outside Freo. Know folk who live there - been there etc etc.



Wish it was me!