The cost.

[TWR]

Health permitting, we are going to visit my brother is OZ in 2013, I have priced between 10 companies for a month, 4 days H.K. & 4 days on the return in H.K. with transfers Etc, price started at £3.700, after a lot of web searching down to £3100 with transfers / Oz visa, pick up from Lancs to Man A/port, Isn't it surprising what you can do by doing your homework

[EcclesCake]

I assume you are going to an exhibition of the Terracotta Warriors and not actually travelling to Xi'an?

Have you booked both hotels and flights for your trip?

[TWR]

I'm glad you have said that, we would have stopped there in years to come if i knew the bloke upstairs did not give me the invitation lol lol

[TWR]

Yes Eccles, the Cosmo + the Plaza, but they phoned up this afternoon saying the staff at the Cosmo were on a dispute so we will be stopping at the Plaza Going & on our return.

[237SJ]

TWR -when it comes nearer the time for you to go (to HK) then post again here. I know HK quite well but only the island (Hennessey Road area) but I work with HK colleagues and I can get recommendations for you (eating, shopping etc).

[Wharton]

I've never been to Australia but I've been in York so I tend to agree with the missus! Whatever happens or how you get there I hope you have an enjoyable visit :-)

[TWR]

I gather there is a good Museum in Kowloon Eccles?

[TWR]

Thank you Wharton, we have been there twice before ( We are not millionaires by any mean but at that time I had a good paying job, now an old retired fart) lol lol

[Wharton]

TWR - Watching 'Bullseye' at the minute (yes, I'm a boring old fart too) and the question was 'How much was the assisted fare to Australia in 1951?" - uncanny eh?

[jno]

while it's nice of them to include an Australian visa, these are free.

Nicest meal I had last time I was in HK was at an Outback Steakhouse, but not strictly Oriental food!

HK and Kowloon are about five minutes apart by ferry. If they reclaim much more of the harbour you'll be able to walk across.

[excelsior-1]

Well done TWR
Always worth looking around.
Have a good time when you do go.

[chris1957au]

Hi dependent on were in Oz you are going other options for great stop overs are Dubai, Bangkok, KL, Singapore.

I have flown OZ to the uk many times and currently would surgest Emirates or Qatar air ways for value although Cathy, Malaysian, Virgin and Ethad are also good.

Try to get as much of your flight on the new airbus 380 as you maximise you confort the boeing dream liner 777 aree also good, but try to avaiod the older aircraft as the seat layout offer less leg and bum room and on flight legs of around 11 or more every inch counts, if you can afford it bussness is the way to go of priemum economy, some airlines (emirates for example allow you to split you flight classes allowing you to book business on some legs and economy on the rest, also may airline provide cars home to airport if flying BC so factor this in to the cost.

Don't book to early wait for specials, also pre book any internal domestic flight you may need as it cheaper if you do it at the same time as you international flight.

Who ever you decide to book with go to there web site and check your prices compard to any agents it may be cheaper to book your self, also joint their frequent flyer club it will be free and may allow extra luggage ect that can come in handy when you fly back.

Also if you do not whish to wait for your meals, book a special meal, low fat vegeterian, as these meals are served first, that way you finish first and can get to the loo before the after dinner que, lol.

www.seatguru.com

The site address above take you to a site that will allow you to look at all airline seat lay outs for there plans so you can pre book the best seat that suits you.

Hope you go and enjoy yourself, if you have health issue you could also book wheelchair assisted it free.

[BlueToffee]

1. If you're over 60 you can use your bus pass on the HK Star Ferry

2. Top of the escalator on HK Island there's a wonderful Thai restaurant, sadly can't remember what it's called, but it is opposite the top point.

3. Have you thought of Tokyo on return?

[chris1957au]

Unless you fly back via the Amerca's Tokyo is a bit out the way I would have thought

[jno]

last time I checked with a stopwatch, Tokyo was actually the quickest route; but that would depend on stopover times, which do change.

[dotty.]

I'm sure my sister's return flight stopped over in Bali after HK on outward flight

[TWR]

237SJ, I will take you up on that, thanks for all the advise points taken, thank you all, Chris, Its now done, paid & sorted regards the flights etc, Dotty, the first time we went we stopped at Hawaii it was a 4day stop over then on to L.A. En-route to the UK, at that time I was on very good money as a Cement Tanker driver.

[TWR]

To add Chris, The Airline Is C.P. We have flown B.A. S.A. M.A.