To all you lovely people -- Thanks you so very much for all the information and suggestions. Your help has been invaluable and given in such a friendly manner. We are really looking forward to our brief visit. Upon our return we hope we can help someone as much as you have helped us.

Now, I must practise, so --- G'Day, Mates!!

Enjoy your trip, and be sure to post a report when you return!

Lee Ann

Thanks for the thanks, lorhp! Now it's time for Advanced Australian 1.01. "G'day, mate" (sing.) is fine, and you can refer to a group of people as your mates (plur.), but you wouldn't walk up and salute them as "Mates!" So, "G'day, mates" doesn't work. Maddening stuff, isn't it? Don't worry, though - nobody will even expect you to address them as "mate" (sing.), much less the more affetionate "How ya goin', y'old bastard?"

"See you later" doesn't necessarily mean the speaker expects a return engagement. It's just a more casual way of saying, "Goodbye".

"No worries" = "You're welcome".

"Cheers" = multi purpose word: "Prost, salute," etc when drinking, "Goodbye", "Regards (if written)".

"Boot" = "trunk" (of car)

.... and, of course, "She'll be right" - "Don't worry, everything is/will be alright".

Have a wonderful holiday

Oh please, no-one talks like that any more - it's no wonder the rest of the world thinks that we all live in the outback with the kangaroos and drink beer all day (lol).

Jeez! I talk like that - and I'm a Sydneyite - although a westie.

Actually I don't use the "mate" much! I was at the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne last week - and watching Jonas Bjorkman play on an outside court, where you're much closer to the players. He tossed the ball up to serve, it went a tad sideways, and he just said to his opponent "Sorry" - and - memories of Pat Rafter - I just added "mate" - without thinking. I thought it was most endearing of Pat Rafter that he always apologised to his opponent when his ball toss went awry!

Anyway - some Swede sitting near me gave me a filthy look. Sheesh! Uneddicated lot!

In my office we have "no worries mate" spoken with so many accents it makes my heart sing

I know just what you mean tassietwister!
It is a hoot and fabulous to hear "No worries, mate" from our two Russians, and the Indonesian, Armenian and Egyptian in the office where I work.

Thanks Guys, Gals, Mates, Whoever!!! All I know is you are one fine lot! We will be leaving on our trip in a few short days and thanks to all of you, we have a pretty good idea of where to go, what to do and we're not going to worry too much if we don't have something planned for every minute. We'll just go with the flow and have fun.
One thing I do know is that when we return I will be spending alot of time reading your responses when you are helping others plan their trips (whether I'm planning any or not). I especially enjoy the camaraderie between yourselves.

Once again, thanks and Kudos to you all.

Loretta