Hi Glenn
-Fantastic-thanks for the response-obviously food is dependent where you eat -but its the currency-obviously i will take the trusted cash (half amt) and travellers cheques-Are you taking it in sterling?? or aussie dollars??-also credit card-if you are doing the latter apparently nationwide and post office credit cards are best as they dont chrge conversion fees-but double check-be great if you can give me any idea of the cost of extra tours and fees on your return i would be gratefull-if i dont speak to you-have a fantastic time
Medicine man

Hi Glen
Did you have a good 31 days holiday -are you back-if you have time i would like some feedback on "go touring" and what additional trips you did with them or by yourself and what are your recomendations.
Can you go me any tips that would be useful?
Thanks for your help.

I am also interested in booking with Go Touring, but as a single lady traveller please could you tell me if there were many singles on your recent trip Glenn or was it mainly couples travelling? I note, no evening meals are included - does the group meet up every evening to seek out local restaurants etc or do people generally do their own thing please? I look forward to reading your review and any possible tips.

Hi Pafosluver,
I know people have gone on their own with this company-I too would like to know what people do for meals etc my wife and i go on 7th march so if u r going then -we happy to meet you.-Otherwise we r awiting Glens reply

Thank you very much Medicine Man. I have not booked my trip yet I am still trying to plan a bit more to see if Go Touring is for me. I usually spend my hols cruising, but longest I enjoy is 2 weeks on ship, any more and I would roll off! Would love to cruise to Australia but way too many days at sea, so am looking at this option. I can't wait to hear from Glen, as his advice will be very useful to us. Your trip will soon come around, what are you looking forward to the most? Apparently you can climb the Sidney Harbour bridge, eek!

HI
I think i am looking forward to the whole trip-only issue is living out of suitcase for a month-I too am waiting for feedback from glen-what ever you decide -hope you have a good journey

Hi everyone,

i have not forgot about posting a reply. spent an hour yesterday, writing about the trip, but for some reason, my post has not been submitted - i will try again..

so keep looking.

best wishes,

glenn.

Oh dear Glen. Is it possible you pressed Preview instead of Submit?

Perhaps type your reply out in Word or similar first if it's going to be a long one.

luci

HI Glen
we wait in anticipation-i have loads to ask you-but will await your reply
especially around what extra trips you did /and who with
Medicine Man

HI Everyone,

Sorry for being so slack in answering your questions. i will do my best best to write about all the places visited, optional tours, money & anything else you need/want to know before the end of this week.

in the meantime, i have started putting some pictures on my facebook account, if you'd like to take a peak, at what you can look forward to.

find me @ 'glenn jamie'.

best wishes,

glenn.

Hi Glenn - great photos on your facebook page, thank you. The scenery looks wonderful. On the tramcar photo there seemed plenty of fun ladies, as a single female traveller it would be nice to have some laughs with a friendly bunch of people. Were you pleased with the company you were with, or did you tend to go off on your own for a pint or two!

On a negative side, was there anything that you feel was not value for money or would do again if you had the opportunity? Thanks for all your info.

p.s. apologies just seen in my earlier post i created a new spelling for "Sidney" - too much wine that day

Hi Glenn
Just seen photos -mainly of barrier reef -I assume you went snorkelling and had underwater camera-love to see rest of the photos -we got what about 6 weeks to go -\Cant wait!!
Await yout info in anticipation

hi glenn again
Just seen another 200 phots to look thru!!
so ignore previous comment

Hi to everyone who has left a message. for those of you have visited my facebook page - i hope you enjoyed the pics - although i can't take credit for the underwater snaps, these wre taken by a professional, although all the others are 100% mine.

As for the holiday - it was FANTASTIC, scenery, excursions, people were all fantastic.
As a single traveller (been travelling alone for the past 8years), i still get nervous, before the holiday.
But every year, i come home, after making alot of new friends (both fellow travellers & 'the locals'), and still keep in touch
with many of the people, i've met on previous trips.

The holiday:-

Singapore. Peninsula Excelsior. A great hotel, centrally located. Only 10-minutes walk to both Clarke Quay & Boat Quay (both these are good places for food and drinks - plenty of bars, restaurants & vendors). Also the place to catch a boat for a cruise down the river, with fantastic views of Singapore. (Drinks can be expensive - so look out for happy hours, they seem to be at different times, depending on which bar you visit, also alot of places have lunch-time specials (3-course meal for approx. £15).
I recommend the 'Crazy Elephant' on Clarke Quay - live band every night, and a great atmosphere.
Excursions/Places:- I didn't partake in any of the trips, apart from the morning tour, but would recommend the 'Chinese Junk River Cruise (which i did in 2000), to see more of Singapore. Also worth seeing is 'The Singapore Flyer', Singapore's equivalent to the
'London Eye'. Singapore has numerous shopping centres, just remember though, that you have another 29days left - so don't fill your suitcase just yet !!!

Christchurch. The Chateau on the Park. Located next to Hagley Park. About a 30-minute walk to the city centre, although the hotel does run a shuttle bus, or a taxi costs approx 10nzd. A few bars/restaurants, just around the corner from the hotel but it's well worth the walk/taxi to the city centre, where there are numerous places to eat and drink.
Excursions/Places:-a morning sightseeing tour. No excursions to book. So buy a multi-ticket for the gondola, tram & punt along the river (approx 50nzd). Also worth seeing, is the Cathedral - where you can climb the tower, the Museum and Botanical Gardens. Take a walk from the Museum to the Cathedral, street entertainers perform all along the road that leads from the museum.

Fox Glacier. Heartland Hotel. A very basic hotel - but your only here for 1-night. Take a walk around the town (one main street). There's a walk through the forest, just follow the trail - it takes about 30minutes from the time you leave the hotel, do the walk and return back. Only one or two restaurants here, so get there early, they do get busy, with people arriving back from the glacier.
Excursion:- Did not go on the helicoptor flight. weather was very cloudy (not sure that the flght operated)..

Queenstown. Kingsgate Hotel Terraces. A 10-minute walk down a steep hill to the town centre. (get a bus or taxi back, unless your energetic). The bus stops not far from the hotel. Another steep walk takes you th gondola. Approx.25nzd, takes you to the top, with fantastic views over Queenstown. The luge costs extra, and you can also take a helicoptor flight from the top of the gondola, or try bungee jumping.. Plenty of shops, bars, restaurants take-aways in the town centre.
Excursions/Places:- Fiordland National Park & Milford Sound:- A fantastic trip (bit cloudy on the day we went), pass waterfalls, sea-lions, dolphins, and spectacular scenery. Was told by other travellers that the flight back was excellent - and highly recommended. (You will travel with another group if you take the flight back option). Another trip worth booking (we were pushed for time) is the TSS Earnslaw - A cruise on an old steamboat to Walter Peak. Take a walk around Queenstown - there are great views from all area's of the town.

more to follow...

Wellington. Ibis hotel. Good location. Only 5-minutes walk to the waterfront. Visit the TE PAPA museum - for a look at New Zealands heritage, interactive displays, galleries, etc (free entry), guided tours are available. Take a cable car upto the Botanic Gardens. See the Beehive, Government Buildings & Parliament House. There's plenty of good restaurants on the waterfront, Lambton Quay & Courtney Place. Also worth taking a fery across to one of the bays/islands (prices start at about 25nzd).

Rotorua. Sudima Hotel. Located on the lake. Only minutes from the town centre, spa's, and hot springs. (Watch out for the seagulls on the lake, next to the hotel - they will divebomb at you, if you get too close). Happy Hour starts at about 6.00pm, and it's a great chance to catch up with other people on your tour. An eggy smell follows you wherever you go - but you'll soon get used to this.
The visit to TE PUIA is excellent. Here you'll see the geysers, mud pools, and learn a bit more about the Maori culture. At the hotel, you will have a Maori dinner & concert, this finishes about 9-9.30pm. Visit the Government Gardens, the Rotorua Museum or relax in the mineral baths. If your missing the footy - O'Malleys irish bar record all premier matches, and will put a pre- recorded match on for you. Or take part in their quiz night - a great way to meet the locals..

Auckland. The Sky City Hotel. A hotel & casino, in the heart of Auckland which also houses the Sky Tower, and numerous restaurants & bars. A 10-minute walk to the harbour. Lots to see and do in Auckland, so i did not book any opional excursions. The Art Gallery, Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World, Government House. For the adventurous,try the Sky Jump or Sky Screamer. At the harbour, book a trip on one of the ferries.

I will write about Australia soon. if you have any questions, please post them.
For those who have asked:-

1). do not worry about travelling alone, you'll soon get to know everyone else on the tour, and wherever you go, the locals are very friendly.
2).evening meals are not included. the guide will recommnd places whilst on the city tours. You will find that alot of tour members, will eat in the same restaurants.
3). you will pay the same for a meal in New Zealand as you do back home. Singapore can be expensive, but there are plenty of bars & restaurants to choose from, so there's something for all budgets.
4). ENJOY YOURSELF !

Loved your photos Glenn, we were in NZ in Jan 2007 and it was a fantastic holiday
If you are interested I have some NZ photos on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12218943@N00/sets/72157594538806993/

Hi glenn
What a fantastic summary of each place and things to do and see
where you put no excursions -doe this mean none available or you did not do any and also where you did (or suggest to do )other things do you go with GOTouring or did you do it vai other sources-let us know!
Medicine Man

the holiday (continued)...

Australia.

Melbourne. Vibe savoy hotel. Close to the Southban, Yarra river, and Docklands area. We were here at christmas (eve/day), so alot of the tourist buildings were closed and the excursions were not available. As for the excursions that 'go touring' offer:
Philip Island Penguin Parade:- A long (full day) tour to see the penguins. Alot of stops are made along the way, before takng your seat and waiting for the penguins to leave the sea and make their way up the cliff back to the nests. (You are not allowed to take any photographic equipment to the site, where the penguins return - so if you want a picture of yourself with them, you have to stand against a blue screen). Stunning scenery at Philip Island, but you do miss out on a full day in Melbourne, and given the choice i personally would recommend the Great Ocean Road excursion.
Things to see and do in Melbourne (there's plenty) include:- A cruise on the Yarra River, Melbourne Gaol to see Ned Kelly's death mask. take a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), view Melbourne from the Eureka Tower. a tram ride, pick up a bargain at the Queen Victoria Markets..
Another excursion worth booking is Sovereign Hill & Ballarat - a recreated gold mining town, where you can pan for gold, take a train through an old gold mine, see demonstrations including seeing gold being poured, watch actors perform in 1850's costume, (for those who watch Neighbours - some of the cast have appeared as tour guides at ballarat).
For meals in Melbourne - visit Lygon Street, if you can't find a restaurant to suit your taste buds here - Give Up Looking..

Alice Springs. Lasseters Hotel. A hotel casino located approx 2km from the city centre.The hotel has excellent restaurants and bars (i would recommend the Juicy Rump restaurant). If you want to look around 'Alice' town centre, you can walk (just remember though - it can be over 40degrees during the day), or book a taxi at reception. Alice Springs is one of my favourite places in Australia. Here you will see Aboriginals , meet cattle rangers & rodeo riders, and get a real taste of the 'Aussie Outback'.
Alice Springs town centre is relatively small - just a few streets. A great pub in Alice is 'Bojangles', a western saloon style bar, that serves great food, good beer, and always attracts a good crowd of people.
Excursions. The included sightseeing tour will show you, The Od Telegraph Station, School of the Air, Royal Flying Doctors, and also give you a great view of 'Alice' from Anzac Hill.
Western Macdonnell Ranges. Stunning scenery from start to finish. I would recommend this excursion to everyone. One thing to be aware of though - this trip does include a 20-minute walk over rocks & logs, with loose gravel, but the scenery and landscape at the end makes it worthwhile. See the sun strike the rock walls at Standley Chasm and the chance to see Rock Wallabies at Simpson's Gap.
Hot Air Balloon. Another fantastic trip, where you are picked up (early), from the hotel, before watching the balloon being inflated before your flight over the Outback, with the chance to see kangaroo's. After your flight, help your pilot pack away the balloon, before meeting up with other 'flight attendants', at a remote spot for champagne breakfast, chicken drumsticks & chocholate cake.

The Outback Bush BBQ. i did not go on this excursion, as i have been to Outback BBQ's on previous visits to 'Alice', but these are normally a great night out under the stars with fellow tourists, with good entertainment, good food and free beer..

back soon..

We returned last week after a 7 week trip down under. We stayed 3 nights in HK outbound, then did a Titan escorted tour of New Zealand followed by an independent drive up the east coast of Oz from Sydney to Port Douglas. We ended with 3 nights in Singapore. If anyone would like to know anything specific I will try to help, it would take forever to write a complete review and Sydney has done pretty well on that score already.