Hi DEBRA: we are kind hook with this site, I have also being looking at all the beautifuls photos, but I need to stop, need to go to sleept. Airborne Tablets taking with litle bit of water to prevent getting a cold when you have the first symptoms, it works for me. only 2 weeks + 4 days for my Tours.
CHIAO VictoriaR

With Dubai, if you are in the airport for 5 hours all the shops take Euros. We had about 150 Euros each to start with. Once we were confident with the ATMs had no worries using them. We used an ANZ Euro travel card which was very good.

We also took muesli bars - which you probably won't need to take - we did because we were in Egypt first and it was harder to buy snacks. We also had the hand cleaner and toilet wipes (didn't need to use these).

Looking forward to hearing how Liz is getting and not long for the rest of you. Keep counting the sleeps!!!

In my little!!! first aid kit we had paracetomols, Nurofen (don't take codeine into Greece as it is a prescription drug there), bandaids, a bandage (in case we sprained an ankle), a heat rub e.g. 'Deep Heat', Imodium tablets, single use eye drops 'Refresh' and nasal spray.

Happy travelling.

Yon Yon
Good to hear from you - are cold tablets ok to take into Greece? I cant take codeine anyway.
We have 5 hours in Dubai, did you buy anything? Someone suggested we go for a taxi ride to see some of the place, but I wouldnt think you could leave the airport? I know we will want to WALK around, although I would like to think we could have a shower.... am I dreaming....will ask my travel agent.
Started to read some of posts about your events in Egypt. As much as we would love to see the pyramids it isnt for me. You have certainly travelled around. You are a great person to have on this forum.
27 sleeps to go. No word from Liz yet, but then think she will be otherwise occupied ah!!
Debra J

Hi Janelle,

Photos were great to see. Thanks for posting them on the site. They are really wetting the appetite now. 39 days to go before we fly out. Our Hotels are probably going to be what. are listed in brochure as we are now on Heritage Bus from Athens. Your hotel in Venice looks great - googled it on webite to check it out - that was before I found out we were joining the Heritage.
What was the Ferry like? Did you have any stops along the way to Italy?
Did you get to do Delphi as an optional. I want to really see Delphi - one Hertiage tour tale said they did it on the way to Athens and another Tour tale said they did it after the Island Cruise on the way back to Athens. We have a couple of Days in Athens before the tour and we could organize to do it then but I would rather do it as an optional with Insight but I don't want to miss out on seeing it. Was the Monestery Dinner ok? I have a water heater element and I was going to take cofee and sugar in my main port when going to Athens as Hubby wakes up really early and likes an early coffee. Can you tell me if this would be allowed?

Hi Yon Yon,

I had a couple of days away from the computer over Easter and boy has there been some action since I was last on. I have just seen some great photos Jan posted from her Classic Tour and lots of helpful information has been given out once again.
It is good to know we can use Euros in Dubai Airport. I was thinking of getting some Dubai money at the Brisbane International Airport before we flew out. Can you use Euros throughout the city as well if you go to the Gold markets etc.
I was shopping today and I couldn't resist buying a Jillaroo hat and the lady I purchased it from said she was going to Europe next week and had just got her English Pounds. She went on to say her friend has booked them a Dune Bashing Tour in Dubai as they will be stopping off there for a few days on their way home. It was so exciting talking to her and all the staff in the store were joining in having a great chat about it all. 38 days to go I can't believe it. The Plane trip is starting to phase me out a little but on pain no gain as they say. I am working on conquering that fear. You must have taken these long flights may times.
My husband if fascinated with Egypt and seems to watch so may documentries and I know he would very much enjoy going there. First thing first though. Europe is first.

Deb & Gary

Hi Victoria R,

Thanks for you posts I enjoy reading them a great deal - it is like I can feel your excitement. Two weeks to go for you how exciting we have 38 days to go and I am worried about getting colds and flus on the bus and my sister-in-law took antiboditics with her in case of sickness. I can't wait to see Mykonos I hope we can arrive in the daylight. It was a shame your ship was late but I have heard other people say that has happened to them . Some have mentioned that it was to rough for the tenders to go to shore. I have my fingers crossed that we make to Mykonos.
I have just bought a large shoulderbag to take
on the plane and use when I need to when over there. I will pack a smaller shoulderbag as well and my husband is taking a backpack. I am looking at booking a few extra things now like a theatre show in London, Dune bashing in Dubai and maybe a London Travel Pass. Will do a little more research before deciding though.

Deb & Gary.

Hi Debra,

I am starting to get really organised - have done some packing over Easter. 38 Days to go.
26 Days for You & Pip. I wish I was teaming up with you guys. How much fun would we have?

Went and checked around for Euros today and think I will still hold off for while to hope they will rise a little more.
I am going to get a letter from the Doctor and I might get a few things while I'm there as people are saying sickness can spread through the bus. I am thinking I might get a flu shot as well.
Bought a hat today - had one that squashed up but wasn't happy with it so I bought a Jillaroo hat the down side is if I'm not wearing it I would have to carry it. Probably have to carry it on the plane and that is going to be a pain as I have quite a large shoulderbag. I have packed my shoulderbag and now I can't wait for our travel documents. Jan's photos have made it seems so real - I can remember when Jan was on the forum nervously waiting to hear that her departure was a DEF so seeing her photos was awesome. Oh to be so travelled as some people that write on the forum like Yon Yon & VictoriaR - wonder if this trip is going togive us all the travel bug. Jan sounds like she is ready to come with us again.
Hope everyones tours work out for them.

Deb & Gary.

I can feel the excitment in these posts. I hope everyone has a wonderful time and gives lots of feedback on your return.

I just wish Insight would make a firm decision about our tour. The 22nd July is now a DEF....but nothing about the 29th yet. I feel I am in limbo at the moment. Going.... but not sure when.

We are lucky that our employers are quite flexible with dates otherwise we would be in a pickle.

Jen

Hi Debraj
Emirates has built an enormous terminal which has absolutely everything - I'm sure you would be able to arrange a shower. I definitely wouldn't leave the airport as you just don't know what might happen while you are away. The only things I bought at the airport were duty free alcohol and chocolates. I did lash out though and buy a ruby bracelet at the Gold Souk. As we had two days in Dubai we did take and use the local money.

Not sure about the cold tablets - if you do feel a cold coming on speak to your TD and they will be able to advise and help you find a chemist. I did take a Drs letter which listed my medications. Probably not needed but I'd rather be safe than sorry - I will say in all my travels I have never had to show it but you never know.

I'm sure you will have some vaccinations before you leave - definitely make sure your tetanus is up to date. We also had Hep A & B, Typhoid and a Polio booster but that was mainly because we did visit Dubai and Egypt.

Deb & Gary you will enjoy Dubai - the architecture is absolutely amazing and we felt like millionaires as the exchange rate for the A$ was phenomenal. An example we hired a car and driver with our friends for 4 hours and it cost A$30 a couple. He drove us where we wanted to go, waited for us and picked us up when we were ready to leave. We visited the Mall of the Emirates, a huge huge shopping complex full of wonderful shops. There is a supermarket that had 56 working checkouts. It is also the centre that houses the ski school. We didn't do the dune bashing but anyone we spoke to who had said it was fantastic.

As far as the long flights are concerned mostly they don't worry me too much as now most airlines have individual TV screens and have heaps of movies to watch. The worst flight was our 16 hour flight coming home from Dubai, we were seated next to the window and there were no footrests. As hubby and I are not tall, for the whole flight our feet were dangling, when we landed in Melbourne our feet were like watermelons and I could barely get my shoes back on. Having said that, Emirates is an excellent airline and, apart from that, were well looked after.

As for Egypt - I am smitten - I loved everything about the country and would go back in a heartbeat.

I look forward to reading everyone's posts each morning to see what's new.

Happy travelling.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Yoni,

Hi Everyone,
Deb you are so right we would love to go again. We have the travel bug totally, booked on an cruise from singapore in september. But my back is not good again so might have to have an operation.
We took cold & flu tablets, panadol, claratime, antibiotics (we used these on the river cruise after insight trip) and medication and vitamins. I gave a list to our doctor with everything I was taking and he typed up a letter for us to take. Only needed the list at Frankfurt airport when I said I had a letter they let me go, that was after 7 weeks away wasnt much left by then. We found the anti bacterial handwash great.
Last year 2 tours before ours and 2 after ours was cancelled, I think maybe they shouldnt list so many dates to start with.
Ferry from greece to italy is overnight. Boat was ok but there is a lot of backpackers on board with no accommdation so they sleep in hall ways and on the decks. Our room had a window looking out to the funnel for overnight it was ok hate to spend any longer on board, we just made the most of the time with our new friends.Jan