Mina

Hello all...<BR><BR>I think the Australia/Pacific forum is an example of quality versus quantity. Not a lot of traffic here, but the responses are good. Not a whole lot of questions asking about lightbulbs here. <BR><BR>I try to help where I can, but being only a tourist for three weeks makes me limited on where I can help.<BR><BR>So I was thinking...who are the people on this forum who can help with Australia (or other areas pertaining to this forum)? I ask because I often try to "refer" questions to posters who have been helpful. For instance...<BR><BR>-Alan for Sydney<BR>-Liz F for Queensland (when she used to post...I think she stopped posting as frequently after someone insulted her)<BR>-Caro for Port Douglas<BR><BR>Are there others? (I know Patti had a great time in Oz and posts) Do you use your real e-mail address? There are so many "experts" on the European board, I thought it'd be nice to get an idea of who is knowledgeable about certain areas for this board...and who is open to being e-mailed for questions.<BR><BR>I loved my experiences in Australia, largely due to the help of the people on this board. That's why I keep coming back to help where I can...<BR><BR>So anyway I'll start....<BR>

Mina

Name: Mina<BR><BR>e-mail address: [email protected]<BR><BR>Open to being e-mailed for help? Yes<BR><BR>Age: 29 (I added this question because I want to say I'm 29 as much as possible while I'm really 29)<BR><BR>Live: Los Angeles, CA<BR><BR>Areas toured in Australia: Port Douglas, Melbourne, Sydney (1 week in each)<BR><BR>Areas of expertise in Australia: Umm, er....none.<BR><BR>Special interests for Australia: Solo travel, scuba diving<BR><BR>How often do you check this forum? At least once a day<BR><BR>Best tip received from this forum: Stay in Port Douglas over Cairns<BR><BR>Best tip to give to this forum: Stay in Port Douglas over Cairns

xxx

Mina- while I like your idea of identifying ourselves, I really hate to think of everyone privately emailing each other. The whole benefit of a forum is that even after you are long gone, those guests who actually use the search feature can benefit from your advice.

Mina

I agree...it's just that some people prefer to e-mail, and I have no problem being e-mailed. <BR><BR>But...I think you're right on the "leaving info for eternity" idea. <BR><BR>So if anyone else up for offering help, let's do this without the e-mail addresses. <BR><BR>I just would be interested on who is knowledgeable about what...because I plan to go back, and will probably need info!

Liz

Its true that I don't post as often as I did and you are right Mina in saying that I did slow down after some rather nasty insults, mainly because I was running 3 businesses at the time and had enough on my plate without adding any more hassles from unwanted and unhelpful people on this forum. <BR><BR>Since then I have sold two of the businesses and have been on an ATW trip followed by selling my house and moving, still getting things in order as its only been 6 days since I did that. So you see I have been gainfully employed elsewhere but hoping that I will soon have more time on my hands to do things just for the fun of it. <BR><BR>I have lived in all states of Australia with the exception of Tasmania ( but I have been there 6 times and love it). Raised in Bundaberg, Queensland, moved and lived in the South East for most of my life ( which is fairly long) <BR><BR>I have also lived in Canada, USA and in England and have travelled overseas about twice every year. The only place that I have not been is Africa and I doubt I will get there because I feel too old for that adventure.<BR><BR>I have worked in the hospitality industry for many years but was previously a nurse. I am passionate about what we have ( lifestyle) in Australia and hope that by helping people on this forum they too can see a little of what we know and love. <BR><BR>I have answered a lot of emails people have sent to me personally but now I don't post my email address because of the nasties who seem to enjoy making waves particularly if you don't agree that their part of the world is up to international standard and has enough interest to amuse an ant for more than an hour. Those of you who do know my email address are more than welcome to refer questions to me personally because I know that you have the tourist's interest at heart. <BR><BR>Keep up the good work Mina together with all the others that do a wonderful job...... where is Alan now?

Mina

Liz, good to hear you're alive, and that you're still helping people with travel questions!

Patti

Hi Mina - Hi Liz<BR><BR>Two of my favorite people!! Now if we can get Alan up here - i'm sure he'll join in soon.<BR><BR>Mina - I agree with Liz - I don't like giving my real e-mail address. I don't like nastiness of any type so it's easier to stay incognito.<BR><BR>I live and work in the Washington DC area - work DC - live Annapolis MD.<BR>My hubby and I went to OZ and fell in love with: Sydney - Hobart, Tasmania - Melbourne - Uluru -Great Barrier Reef and the South Island of New Zealand. I check in often - but on occasion I'm off on business. Expert - sorry I'm not but I'll be happy to give my opinion (for whatever it's worth) on places I've stayed. I'll also be happy to comment on OUR nation's capitol.<BR><BR>I got some very valuable info from this forum while planning our trip to OZ and when we go back - I'll hope for the same great advice (hopefully Liz, Alan, and Mina will be available)

Mary

Live in Melbourne and run Australia's Open Garden Scheme - a volunteer based, charity organisation that opens private garden. <BR>I've spent lots of time in Fiji (have visited most of the smaller resorts) and travel interstate and in country Victoria regularly.<BR>I'd rather ?'s were directed through the board.

Caro

Hi there, caro checking in to be duly accounted for...<BR>Live in Port Douglas and have done for 8 years<BR>used to be the Dive Specialist at Radisson Reef resorts in Port Douglas, worked on the tour desk there for 5 years or so.<BR>Need advice on Port Douglas Restaurants, ask me i used to also be a chef and i go out a lot!<BR>I know most of the accomodation places and resorts, I also have a good tour knowledge base.<BR>My focus is to eradicate misinformation which prevails. I am always honest.<BR>i am very proud of where I live and I want all visitors to the area to enjoy the beauty of north qld as much as I do<BR>Email me any time<BR>

Kay

Mina, I'm sure your heart is in the right place, but surely the point of a forum on the internet, is for anyone, at anytime, to answer questions, not just so-called experts. Anyone who replies is only giving their opinion anyway, and what appeals to one person would not appeal to someone else. I agree with the other poster who said the information should be available later to others who use the Search function and if private email is used, all that is lost. I used to use my email address but have been getting too much spam.<BR>Kay

Mina

Hi Kay:<BR><BR>I used the term "expert" loosely. I obviously am not one, but indicated the areas where I visited. Also, I meant "local" as in "knows this forum"...not a resident of Oz. But oops...I can see that totally came out the wrong way. I was a stinkin English major too...you'd think I'd know how to phrase things better!<BR><BR>I honestly am inquiring because there aren't too many regular posters on this board. Which isn't to say that's bad. I agree...of course, what people post is simply their opinions. My curiosity was to see how many people are out there who do post information to some degree of regularity here (or who monitor it enough to answer questions...it was nice to see Mary's name...I had not noticed her posts before).<BR><BR>And my reason for this? If one is just starting to get the hang of these forums, it takes a while to see personalities of the consistent posters. For instance, on the Europe forum, I have an idea of a few posters who are my age, and have similar tastes.<BR><BR>I like to do searches based on the poster to see what other insight they may have on a particular area. Someone on this board made the suggestion to a poster to use my name for post searches. I thought, if my name is recommended as a search, uh oh! There must be others out there who may know Australia better than I do who could be used for a keyword search! <BR><BR>So yes, I did think of the idea with my heart in the right place. My apologies to you, and to those who may think this was a call for experts only, or an opportunity to be a "clique-fest". I see that the ones I had noticed have posted already, but I know there must be others who help out. <BR><BR>I was interested really in ANYONE who had experiences in Oz, and who likes to post information on this forum.<BR><BR>Or perhaps the bottom line is that I was selfishly curious to see who I could pull some info out of! ;-)

Aussie

I to am like most of the above, not giving over my true e.mail due to insulting results in the past.<BR>I live in South Gippsland, Victoria. Australia. I have travelled over seas, & to most parts of Australia, however not to Western Australia or beyound Alice Springs. N.T.<BR>I like to offer help when I feel I can. I am very impressed with Kaye as most of her posts I can relate to fully. I am 50...like to stay at 5 star accom & eat at good restaurants.... I'm not happy with poor service ( which doesn't happen that often.) in Australia.<BR>Mina loved your reply to travelling alone. Good luck.

lcuy

Its me, checking in from Hawaii...I'm certainly not an expert either, but did do a lot of research before we went to Palm Cove, Brisbane, Surfer's and Sydney last year. In addition, I have a brother who's lived in Mermaid Beach for 25 years. We grew up thinking a summer was not complete without some far flung adventure, and carried it into our adult years by dragging our own kids all over the world. <BR>We usually are pretty happy with our travels-- we try to get off the beaten path, talk to the locals, yet are not too proud to also hit the tried and true tourist traps as well. I look for good value for our travel dollars- when there are 4 of you, you have to do some comparison shopping!<BR>I'll have to admit that my first question after stumbling onto this site was "Whats the weather like in Cairns in June?" (cringe :-\). <BR>I didn't get flamed, though, and was able to get lots of good info for our trip, so I'm here to give back within the perspective of my very limited experience.

lcuy

Oh and I am female, and its Lucy, despite the spelling!

bill simpson

This is for Liz. My wife & I went on a 7 week trip to New Zealand & Australia in Mar & Apr this year. It was a wonderful trip. This site was wonderful for information. We posted our planned itinerary & let everyone critique it. I remember Liz give us some good info. For example we were going to drive from Adelaide to Surfers Paradise but Liz recommended using that time to a better advantage like inserting Tasmania into our itinerary. The advice couldn't have been better. We spent 4 very nice days in Hobart & area, in addition to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Ayers Rock, Surfers Paradise, & Port Douglas. I must say the Aussie posters were all very friendly & helpful as the folks were that we met in Australia - they are obviously very proud of Australia & have that desire for others to enjoy it too. Thank you Liz & all you other posters too. This is a very valuable site for all that info you can't get from the books.

Mina

Glad to see people are posting. I thought this thread would sink to its death (although sometimes this board is so slow, it might have taken a week!) <BR><BR>Lucy, I do remember reading your posts...I wondered about the lcuy thing...good to know definitively you are "lucy".<BR><BR>Aussie...sorry if you've gotten insulting emails! I haven't gotten one yet..but if I did, I'd probably find it amusing. The whole "no life" concept. <BR><BR>Bill, did you post a trip report? 7 weeks, wow...you lucky person. I searched, but didn't find one for you. They certainly are time consuming to write though.<BR><BR>For the U.S. posters...have a great 4th of July. For the rest of you...have a great July 4 (and 5-7 too!)

bill simpson

Hi Mina. No I didn't do a trip report & yes I was so lucky to be able to take such a trip. I could write pages on each one of those places I visited. Each place was different having its own special treats & attractions. I don't think my words would do the places I visited justice. Not only that but you folks would fall alseep before you got through it.

Mina

Bill, I doubt that.

lcuy

Yeah Bill, don't hold out on us! <BR>Just a quick review( Day 1-3 Sydney Regent- loved the view. Highlight of city was the aquarium; Days 4-8 Cairns, sort of thing)would be great...<BR>If we were the type to fall asleep over postings, we wouldn't be here! ;-)<BR>

bill simpson

O.K. you talked me into it. It was a great trip & to describe the enjoyable experiences at each location would entail writing a book so the abbreviated itinerary does leave a lot out. We saw great attractions, met great people, & drank our share of wine & brew. We can't afford to have a bottle of wine with dinner in the States - too expensive, but not in Australia. Needless to say dinners were always special. This was a once in a lifetime trip but now we are talking about doing it again on a more limited basis. We started the trip from Alaska on March 7 & returned on April 26. Days 1-3: Christchurch - beautiful city - day trip to Akaroa, highly recommended. Days 4-6: Auckland - city just O.K., however the Bay of Islands was great. Days 7-12: Sydney - The most beautiful big city I have ever visited. Foreshore walks, the zoo, South Head, beaches, The Rocks, ferries, etc, etc. St Patrick's Day was wild. Days 13-14: On the road to Melbourne - Great drive on the Princes Hwy, Central Tilba was neat. Days 15-18: Melbourne - among other things the Shrine of Rememberence was impressive. Days 19-20: On the road to Adelaide. A beautiful drive via Great Ocean Rd, Capt Otway, Port Fairy, etc. Days 21-25: Adelaide - best kept secret in Australia, loved this place. Glenely, Kangaroo Island, Hahndorf, Barossa Valley, etc all laid back & super. Days 26-29: Perth - Did Fremantle & Rottnest Island in addition to Perth. This was one of our favorite places. Days 30-31: Ayers Rock. The outdoor barbecue at the Pioneer Outback & the Sounds of Silence should not be missed. Had a ball. Days 32: Overnight in Adelaide. A 6 hour layover in Alice Springs enabled us the see some of the town & took a taxi to The Telegraph Station Historical Reserve which was very interesting. Days 33-36: Hobart - Rented vehicle. Villages such as Richmond & Ross were interesting as was Freycinet Nat'l Pk, Port Arthur & Hobart itself. Days 37-41: Surfers Paradise - Rented vehicle in Brisbane. The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary was enjoyable. Surfers was loaded with tourists but we loved it. The beaches were great. Days 42-49: Port Douglas - Rented vehicle in Cairns. Did the GBR & that was a highlight of the trip. Did the train & Skyrail to & from Kuranda, drove to Cape Trib, etc but the village of Port Douglas was nothing short of terrific - absolutely loved the place. Sydney & Port Douglas, quite opposite in their features, however each with their different features captivate the soul.