Good to know Melodie. Thanks.
PS What does it take to be a specialist in us? More time in Med School? Less time? Cheers

Some of us do have pet kangaroos. I've reared several joeys.

OK How about:-

PS We don't ALL have pet kangaroos nor do many people ride them."

Peter,

In order to be certified by Tourism Australia and attain the "Premier" Specialist title, agents must go through a comprehensive course of study, pass a final exam and visit Australia at least once every two years, as well as attend one of two industry conventions held in different locations, both in the US (usually LA) and in Australia (this year, Hamilton Island).

You then fill out an application which is reviewed by Tourism Australia; once they determine you fit the criterias, a specific number of agents per state are then certified as Premier Specialists.

Regards,

Melodie

Wow! We are that important? Again, we are flattered that you all think so highly of us as a destination.

Thanks for the summary.

Melodie. Did you know that Waltzing Maltida is half love song half shearers protest song?

And do you know why Banjo Patterson was writing to Clancy?

Cheers.

Respectfully disagree with Melodie. Breaking up the flight only prolongs the ordeal, adds to the cost, and reduces the amount of time available to spend Down Under - the biggest negative of all!

Ralph (Uncertified Aussie Specialist)

Respectfully agree with Melodie. A good night's sleep in a real bed after 5 or so hour flight sets you up well for the next bit.

Agreewith Ralph about the cost and loss of time at destination. But if you are too jet lagged on arrival it is wasted anyway. Horses for courses.

Staying a night somewhere en route isn't going to help that much with jet lag.

A time-consuming and certainly stressful part of flying is the whole check-in and security screening process - plus having to be at the airport 2 hrs ahead of time for an international flight. Why do go through all that twice; plus have to get transportation to/from hotel? Only worthwhile if the stop over is more than a couple of days, in my opinion.

Peter,

no, I didn't know that Waltzing Matilda was a love/protest song, and while I know who Banjo Patterson was, I have no clue who Clancy might be!

Re: breaking up the flight to Australia - obviously we have differing opinions on that and it's really a personal matter because everyone's time clock is different; however, RalphR, you're from Seattle and that's certainly "do-able", but coming from NYC (especially if, gawd forbid, it's not non-stop to the West Coast), I'd break it up. Mind you, I have yet to have a client do this after I've suggested it for exactly the reason you stated - they don't want to shorten their trip!

Regards,

Melodie

"however, RalphR, you're from Seattle"

Sorry Melodie, don't know how you figured that...I'm from Connecticut. Our typical routing to Australia is via Chicago and LA. We have always done the trip all in one fell swoop.

Melodie

The chorus of Waltzing Matilda is the love song part, to the woman who provided the tune. This woman was not Banjo's fiance and as a result he was "ridden" off the station.

The verses tell the story of the Shearers strike of the 1890s. Where there was a few unexplained/poorly explained deaths of shearers. It was such a tense time that police were not allowed to travel in groups of less than three. There were some gunfights and arson. Rollicking time.

Clancy of the Overflow is one of Banjo Paterson's most famous poems and starts with "I had written him a letter..." Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton Paterson) was a solicitor and was writing to Clancy as Clancy had not paid for services rendered.

- and you call youself an Aussie specialist.

I can go into more detail if you want. I would recommend "Clancy of the Overflow" and "The Man from Snowy River".

So sorry Ralph! I was totalling mixing you and another frequent poster from Seattle!

Peter: yes, I'm a specialist, but they don't require us to know SONGS - even if you have a name like Melodie!

"The Man from Snowy River" is one of my favorite movies! I also like "Quigly Down Under" (having Tom Selleck in it to look at doesn't hurt).

Melodie

- and you call youself an Aussie specialist.

Should I have put a smiley face next to it?

nope Peter, I got that you were being funny!
No worries.
Melodie

I always try to get an aisle seat, get up and walk for a couple of hours near the toilets or kitchen, have a chat to the staff. Drink loads of wine, then loads of water.

From UK to Oz I always stop over in Asia for a few days, 12 hours is enough for me.

Listen to music and try to sleep, the latter being impossible for me.

Bokhara, loved the Koala pics you sent...Tks

Muck

May help: For 2 to 3 days before leaving LAX, program your body clock by practising to sleep during the sleep hours of SYD, IF POSSIBLE. Generally, it takes me 5 days to a week to tune my sleep rhythm.. Don't change the time in your watch till you reach the destination and rigorously follow the sleep timings during your journey (if your body clock is already attuned, it won't be difficult, you will feel sleepy at the right times). If all else fails, don't sleep in SYD till it's actually sleeping time there, maybe just a couple of hours early..