Travelling

So....after waiting for the day to come around for almost a year (we booked last Summer) - we're off to Australia and New Zealand.

EXCITING!!!!

We tried to keep the packing way down as I knew we'd be in the camper van once we got to NZ and I didn't want to be tripping over cases for three weeks!  Christopher was beside himself...

Trying to pack 'light'

I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it...

Bag went on at 8.30am - even though we weren't leaving until midday!  Christopher is also wearing his 'Wiggles' T-Shirt because they're from Australia!

Alex was an awful lot more relaxed about the whole thing!

So - flying to Kuala Lumpur - then change at KL to go on to Gold Coast - lots of hanging around!

So we arrive at KL ready to board the next plane, when a rather unexpected twist occurred!  We were under the impression that as British Citizens we didn't need a visa to visit Australia (that's what the website says) - BUT if you read on...it says you do need an eta (electronic travel authority) which we hadn't realised!  Aaargh!  What to do - they ask us for it at the desk...

They call for assistance....we begin to panic....

When a lovely lady called Nik came to our rescue - I will be writing a letter of thanks to the airline.  She took us to the business class lounge, phoned the Australian Embassy, found the right website, helped us fill in the forms, then phoned the Australian Embassy AGAIN to check the travel authority was granted (it normally takes up to two weeks to come through).  THANK YOU NIK!!!  The picture below is of the kids camped outside the business class lounge while we waited to find out what was happening.

So, from here on to the flight (about 7 hours 30 minutes) on to Australia.  Not a bad flight - through the night - would have been perfect if it wasn't for the annoying toddler two rows in front who just wouldn't shut up!!!

Anyway...we are here :-)