We have Arrived on our Reccie

**anlopa** · 31-05-2010, 09:23 AM

Well after the long journey and nights stay in an Airport hotel we arrived at our rental property to be greeted at the door by a happy Catherine,
We flew from Manchester via Dubai, Singapore and finally Brisbane. We flew with Emirates and the flights were fantastic could not fault then in any way. We arrived at Dubai at midnight and it was 34 oC HOT. The Airport is amazing and if you have a couple of hours stop over, don’t worry as we lost 3hrs and that was only walking from one end of the terminal to the other it is huge.
Singapore airport was a letdown after Dubai and then on to Brisbane. Note for those that have never travelled in to Aus before keep your passports and address of where you are stopping to hand on the flight as you have to fill out a boarder card that asks for all these details.
We arrived in Brisbane at 1am and stopped at the Novotel Brisbane Airport which was fantastic staff very friendly.
We have hired the car with Avis and got a free upgrade so we are driving round on a brand new (12 Km on the clock) Ford XR6 we purchased damage waiver in the U.K and got no grief or extra sales pitch which was nice.
We have been and got the groceries and food for the week the price is same as U.K on a whole. Some things are slightly cheaper or better value (lettuce the size of basket balls) some are more expensive.
Rental accommodation is fantastic
Waffle over tea is cooked I’m gonna eat then early night cos I think I have found out what jet lag is.

**Jackboots** · 31-05-2010, 09:35 AM

Enjoy your rec have a fab time and don't forget more details !

**bcfrug** · 31-05-2010, 09:38 AM

What a great start to your trip. Well done and dont forget about us all

**The Ropey HOFF** · 31-05-2010, 09:39 AM

Hi anlopa

and congrats to you on arriving in Brisbane. we came back a month ago having had a months reccie and we loved Brisbane, well whats not to love, its modern warm and the beaches are fantastic. we had a great day out at the zoo and we had a 3 park pass for seaworld, wet n wild and movie world and they were great to visit if you have kids. we had some great meals out, sitting outside eating a meal, it was so nice. We loved the surrounding areas and visited Bracken ridge, forest lakes, springfield lakes, redcliffe, margate, varsity lakes, robina and spent 3 weeks at surfers paradise and a week in the city. words can't describe how fantastic it was, but for me walking around in shorts and a t-shirt for a month feeling sooooooooooooooo relaxed was the best thing. Been freezing here in the uk, got the central heating on 9 months in a row. Enjoy yourselves and keep posting on PIO its great to hear others views on such a brilliant place. Traffics a bit bad in places though, but thats like everywhere. All the best jim.

**bryansc** · 31-05-2010, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by anlopa

Well after the long journey and nights stay in an Airport hotel we arrived at our rental property to be greeted at the door by a happy Catherine,
We flew from Manchester via Dubai, Singapore and finally Brisbane. We flew with Emirates and the flights were fantastic could not fault then in any way. We arrived at Dubai at midnight and it was 34 oC HOT. The Airport is amazing and if you have a couple of hours stop over, don’t worry as we lost 3hrs and that was only walking from one end of the terminal to the other it is huge.
Singapore airport was a letdown after Dubai and then on to Brisbane. Note for those that have never travelled in to Aus before keep your passports and address of where you are stopping to hand on the flight as you have to fill out a boarder card that asks for all these details.
We arrived in Brisbane at 1am and stopped at the Novotel Brisbane Airport which was fantastic staff very friendly.
We have hired the car with Avis and got a free upgrade so we are driving round on a brand new (12 Km on the clock) Ford XR6 we purchased damage waiver in the U.K and got no grief or extra sales pitch which was nice.
We have been and got the groceries and food for the week the price is same as U.K on a whole. Some things are slightly cheaper or better value (lettuce the size of basket balls) some are more expensive.
Rental accommodation is fantastic
Waffle over tea is cooked I’m gonna eat then early night cos I think I have found out what jet lag is.

We are travelling from Manchester Airport to Melbourne in just over 3 weeks time. We are also flying with Emirates and stopping off in Dubai and Singapore. Thank you for the tips about the address etc. As I will have 3 children on the plane it would be good to know if the flights have T.V's which show films? Is there a good supply of food/Drink (do we have to pay for these?). And for the last question, did you buy anything at the Airport in Dubai (Would I need to get English money changed into their currency?).

Hope you continue to enjoy your reccie. It's great to hear that you are loving it so early on.
Catherine

**anlopa** · 31-05-2010, 09:57 AM

There has only been 1 thing that has been strange since arriving, this one thing is common sense once you thing about it and I have obviously had my head in a bubble about this one.

Its winter in Aus at the moment yes I was prepared for the fact it is supposed to be cold 21 oc is not bad I’m coping with that. But this other thing that I have totally over looked..........
Those still reading have over looked it as well
It goes dark at 5pm its weird don’t ask why I over looked this fact but I did. So I will find out in the morning what time the current bun comes out to play.

**anlopa** · 31-05-2010, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by bryansc

We are travelling from Manchester Airport to Melbourne in just over 3 weeks time. We are also flying with Emirates and stopping off in Dubai and Singapore. Thank you for the tips about the address etc. As I will have 3 children on the plane it would be good to know if the flights have T.V's which show films? Is there a good supply of food/Drink (do we have to pay for these?). And for the last question, did you buy anything at the Airport in Dubai (Would I need to get English money changed into their currency?).

Hope you continue to enjoy your reccie. It's great to hear that you are loving it so early on.
Catherine

we travelled on a Boeing 777 - 300 and they are great every seat has a telly you get a menu at the start of the flight that gives you a breakdown of the food and meal service the only thing you have to pay for is champagne everything else is free. If you visit the emirates website they have details of all the movies showing you have about 300 channels to entertain you. The kids got goodie bags with,, Well that would ruin the surprise. We did buy on Dubai airport and we used sterling to pay. McD's and airport shop took sterling.

The flights were fantastic don’t worry about anything. When we was boarding at Singapore a family was struggling with children and a baby one of the male stewards picked up the baby and stud their welcoming us on to the flight while comforting this baby. I thought that was fantastic.

**mickyb** · 31-05-2010, 10:26 AM

sounds like its going well for you , where abouts are you renting and how much are they charging , if you don't mind me asking ! we,re validating our visa in 2 weeks and it will seem strange getting dark so early again !

**The Ropey HOFF** · 31-05-2010, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by anlopa

There has only been 1 thing that has been strange since arriving, this one thing is common sense once you thing about it and I have obviously had my head in a bubble about this one.

Its winter in Aus at the moment yes I was prepared for the fact it is supposed to be cold 21 oc is not bad I’m coping with that. But this other thing that I have totally over looked..........
Those still reading have over looked it as well
It goes dark at 5pm its weird don’t ask why I over looked this fact but I did. So I will find out in the morning what time the current bun comes out to play.

Hi anlopa

it only stays light until 6pm to 6.30pm even in summer, we knew this before we went, but it does get light really early. we liked it getting dark early the place seems really serene and relaxed and our kids swam in the pool and we were in the jacuzzi or sat on our balcony having a cold drink and it being daylight no more made us feel more relaxed. Not for everyone though.

jim

**Rudi** · 31-05-2010, 11:05 AM

Sweet dreams!! Glad things are going well. It was lovely to meet you thing morning.

Love

Rudi
x

PS I was VERY impressed by the car and thought you must have splashed out to get such a cool one!!!