after all the talking, and waiting, and speculation...
caitlin is definitely coming to australia!!!
we just have to get a passport...
settle on a definite date...
and book the ticket.
not having really done this before i'm a little nervous about actually doing the purchasing before i make sure that the timeline of her trip fits with those of you she may be staying with...which is something you guys will have to fight over amongst yourselves...i've told caitlin that she'll more than likely move between homes quite a bit...the whens and wheres of which are up to you...for now here are our thoughts...
(the dates are dependent on the cheaper fare available on or around the dates written here)...so tentatively...caitlin would leave here around august 1st, arrive in sydney and spend a week or so with rebecca and kate, and respective families. i don't know how feasible it is for her to take a trip up to joe and carmen's ? time, airfare cost, etc.? if it's possible i'm sure she would love it!
after sydney she would arrive in adelaide around the 8th or 9th of august and stay with various family until her return home, around september 2nd or 3rd. i guess i was thinking that she would just catch the connecting flight out of sydney to the u.s. and not spend another block of time there. we are open to flipping her sydney stay to the departure end of her trip if that works better. she could also do a few days at each end of her trip if that worked better for all... i know lillie is being baptized somewhere in there, so chris and various family members will be involved with that...we are willing to accomodate where we need to.
just a couple of rookie questions...how should i book her fare? - should i book it all the way thru to adelaide, or is it cheaper to just book her to sydney and then have one of you look for a deal on domestic flights at your end?
also...is it better do the booking online or should i go thru a travel agent? all you seasoned travellers...i need your experience and advice!
believe me when i tell you, caitlin is more than just a little thrilled to be finally coming. this trip as been the one thing she hasn't deviated from when talking about her post graduation plans - she has no idea what she wants to do with the rest of her life...but she knows for sure she's going to australia come hell or high water!!! she is working and saving her money...and she is loving reading the news of the families she will eventually meet. i am so glad that you will already know each other atleast a little bit by the time she arrives because of all this wonderful online communication - it is such a comfort to me knowing that she will recognise family and faces, know names, and more easily figure out who belongs to whom...before she arrives! i mean, i know how wonderful you all are...how warm, loving, and welcoming you will all be, and how quickly she we become part of your families...but i am so thankful that she is coming to know that for herself now!.
i love too, that you are so excited for her to come, and that you have all been so encouraging of her trip - it has really meant alot to her to feel so loved from so far away. i love you all, and thank you for your open arms, warm hearts, and loving spirits...it is such a comfort to me knowing that i can send my baby half way across the world and know how loved she will be, and how well she will be taken care of.
let us know what you think, either here in a comment, or email me...sharonscarlett@hotmail.com
WE LOVE YOU!!!
sharry & caitlin
8 comments:
Oh Caitlin will have such a wonderful time. I wish I was going with her. Sariah and I had the trip of a lifetime. I found it was cheaper to book the international flight myself online, but that was 3 years ago before all fuel prices went through the roof and airlines were grounding planes left and right. Auntie Chrissy booked our domestic flights from her end to Tazzie and Adelaide and that was definitely mush easier. Word to the wise, pack light. I repeat pack light!! And slather on the SPF!! As far as spending money, I had a debit card that I could use at any ATM and the exchange rate was automatically calculated. Sariah had travelers checks in small increments. Each of us carried a small purse with our money and passport that we could keep close, or even under a jacket. We had no really big mishaps, except for being detained in customs for 15 minutes and getting lost in Sidney for a few hours. Watch out for the giant spiders too. I don't know if any of this helps, but don't worry too much. Bec and Melia and Kate and Granny and Chris and Shelley and Dee and Andy and ... will all take care of her when whe gets there. We really do just have the best family. lots of love
We can't wait to see you Caitlin. Its great having family all over the world, so they can show you the best spots, and it feels like home where ever you go. As for dates, I don't have anything in my diary for about a year, so the beginning of August would be great, but the end of your trip would work equally well if it turns out that way. Rebecca and I live almost 2 hours away from each other. So you're welcome to come to both of our places (we have a spare bed in Sarah's room) or if you just wanted to stay at Bec's I could come and stay for a couple of nights. We can work that out when you get here though. How exciting!!! We love you.
I haven't got any advice. I'm just excited to see you are coming here. I'm about to go to Singapore on Thursday. We booked the flights ourselves online because we are going to hang out with friends and be locals, no tours. good luck with your plans.
ok I'll have to tell mum to come on here coz she is the travel QUEEN! as far as advice goes I would say pack light coz I'm guessing you're gonna wanna shop, you HAVE to stay at our house, bring a pumpkin pie :) and be prepared to get bombarded with hugs and love :) ... i hope my advice is helpful... I will start counting down the days as soon as you find out what day you're coming ;)
If she can bear tearing herself away from partying with the younger cousins, we would love to show Caitlin around the Adelaide hills Hahndorf, the big rocking horse etc. She can come for the day or stay for as long as she wants. Just fits us in whenever. We'll pick her up and take her wherever she needs to go. xx
Did someone say party??!!
Caitlin: Just know that you are loved, and have a ball. The family will be LOUD and BIGGGG and thats the way we like it and the hugs will be the warmest.. God Bless...A/di
Dee.. What is the trip to Sinapore about? I have heard you mention it a few times and thought you were joking....we want pictures, lots of them.....A/di
From Aunty Shelley
Great another one to smother with love and family! Come on down! Listen to Ariana and come with an empty case and the clothes on your back, then go shopping but beware of the book shops, hey Ari excess baggage is a bummer!!!
Love auntie shelley
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