Yes, we leave tomorrow for Sydney for 4 action-packed days, moving on to Katoomba and the Blue Mountains for 2 nights before flying to Bali to spend time with our Japan travel friends Bob (rhkkmk), Karen (kmkrnn), Peter (hawaiiantraveler) and Linda for most of our 5 nights there. I imagine I'll post a short trip report on the Bali experience on this forum (this will be our second time in Bali) and a detailed one on Sydney/Katoomba on the Australia forum. Similar to the USA board, the locals "down under" provide more information than those who travel there, but I will take a shot at it from a foreigner's perspective, when we return.

For those interested in complex flying itineraries, we fly Hartford - Chicago - LA - Sydney. The last flight is 15 hours - plenty of time to catch up on sleep. We have 4-hour layovers before both the Chicago - LA and LA - Sydney legs, so I am hoping for no problems with missed connections or lost luggage. From Australia, we fly Sydney to Bali (6-1/2 hours). Returning home, it's Bali - Taipai - Seattle (sorry Kathie, no time to visit) - Charlotte - Hartford. All in Business Class by the way, except Hartford - Chicago, which uses a small aircraft and does not offer it. Probably too much time in the air but not really as bad as it sounds - it is a 15 day trip.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time! I look forward to reading all about it.

Yes, it sounds like a lot of flight time, but there really isn't a quick way to get to Australia/New Zealand.

Sorry you have no time to visit on you Seattle stop, but I certainly do understand!

Travel safe guys, I always enjoy your reports Craig, so will look forward to your take on Sydney - one of my favourite cities.

Have a great trip, Craig. Enjoy traveling while you can!

Safe travels, Craig and Jeane, and have a wonderful time in Australia and Bali. Cannot wait to get your take on Sydney.

looking forward to meeting up in ubud... we should have fun and plenty of good food..

fly safely

Enjoy, Craig & Jeane! Look forward to hearing all about it!

Hope you all have a great GTG!

Bon Voyage Craig and Jeane!

Big storms in Chicago tomorrow - first flight already cancelled - thank goodness for e-mail alerts. Working on rerouting via Washington Dulles, apparently not easy for the agent as I was on and off hold for 45 minutes to get it done (thank goodness I am all packed and ready to go)...

The good news is we'll have to leave an hour earlier, but now in business on the first leg and still in business to LA so hopefully it all works out.

I hope the flight changes all work out well for you!

Good luck with those flights!

Have a wonderful trip!

I think you are going to like your EVA flight 26 from Taipei to Seattle.

Bon voyage. Have a wonderful trip.

Safe travels! Looking forward to reading all about the trip!

safe travels....I envy the four hr layover. We only have 45 min in Zurich between our BOS flight and the one on to Singapore. I envision one or both suitcases not making it, or a weather related issue. Then we still have to go onward to Bali. See you in Ubud. We will have the Bintang cold.

Safe travels and enjoy! Looking forward to hearing about the trip and particularly Bali, which is on a very short list for next year.

It's a good thing you were able to change your flight and not connect here (Chicago) this morning. This will not be a good day at ORD!

Have a wonderful time, so sorry we miss you in Bali... Weather was just perfect.... If you make it to Seminyak you MUST go the Sardine, fabulous restaurant in a lovely setting.....
Have fun and I look forward to the updates.

Made it to LAX - 5 hour layover...

Yay! Wish you and Jeane a comfortable transpacific flight.