So Anthony and I went to the Travel Expo at the Queens Wharf Events Centre. Man there was so much to think about it gave me a brain-overload. But we definitely got some things sorted.

Basically we’re going to be leaving in May 08 – that’s the end of the ‘shoulder’ season (low, shoulder, high) and we’re travelling with Quantus, because they were giving us the best deal for our money. For $1924 including ALL taxes at all airports, we get our flights to Auckland and 2x stop overs on our way to London. At the moment our plan is this:

- Wellington > Auckland > LA
- Disneyland
- Contiki Tour – LA to the Bay (NZ$1499 p/p)

• Day 1: Los Angeles (Anaheim) to San Diego
• Day 2: San Diego
• Day 3: San Diego to Phoenix
• Day 4: Phoenix to the Grand Canyon
• Day 5: Grand Canyon National Park
• Day 6: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
• Day 7: Las Vegas
• Day 8: Las Vegas to Bass Lake
• Day 9: Yosemite National Park
• Day 10: Bass Lake to San Francisco

- San Fran > New York
- New York for a few days
- New York > London

The best think about the Contiki tour is that it’s giving us cheap accommodation (NZ$75 p/p /night) on the way, especially in LA and San Fran where we’ll be meeting and leaving our tour. Also we get most meals, plus all the travel. And we’re with people our own age.

So I guess the debate is, do we join the Contiki tour in New York (4 days for NZ$915p/p) to get the same cheap accommodation, food etc, as well as entry to all of the places we might want to visit. Or is there a cheaper way to go? Anybody know of any good deals, and/or things we must do while in the Big Apple? How about how many days to stay there?

I also wanted to know about Niagara Falls. What’s the way to get from NY to Niagara for cheap. You do have to leave NYC for that and get into Ontario aye? I guess I’d have to ask my travel agent what we’d have to worry about with regards to visas and passports and things. I’m a little bit worried leaving America because we’ve been told that we won’t need a visa because we’re in the country less than 3 months. I’m assuming this would be the same if we hopped on up to Canada.

We had to pay a deposit on our flights/bookings to get the Expo deals which was fine with us. It’s a bit scary though, knowing that it is all being set in concrete. We have to make our mind up on dates and things by this Friday so we can cash in on all the deals.

So far the trip is costing is NZ$8036 for the both of us. That’s not including spending money, and set-up costs in the UK when we get over there. I’m hoping we can find a friends couch to bunk when we arrive… either that or a cheap backpackers. I really hope that I’m going to be able to save enough money. I have $16,000 of student loan, plus $2000 overdraft I have to pay off before I leave. Not to mention I have to have about $6-8,000 in my bank before I go. Hopefully I can get about $4,000 of that from my car. That’s the part I’m really scared of.

I think I might have to pick up a 2nd job (actually 3rd, because I already work for WeightWatchers) and start really hardout saving. Only problem is, I’m pretty run-down as it is. I’m constantly getting sick, and I’m always tired all the time. So saving money hard out will have it’s drawbacks. I might just burn-out if I try too much harder.

Current Mood: anxious & drained

Tags: America, Bass Lake, Contiki, Disneyland, England, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Niagara, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, travel, Yosemit National Park