I know it is usual for teenagers to have gap years and go travelling. Well having retired this year, John and myself have decided to do our own mini "gap year".
It would be wonderful to meet up with Bookobsessors especially ones that I am in VBB's or do swaps with.
Here is our itinerary, starting 17th Nov.
South Africa - Cape Town, Garden route, don't think we have any members in SA.If there are please contact me and I will give more defined plans.
Australia - Arrive Perth 7th Dec then drive down to Albany to stay with daughter for a week.
Ayers Rock for 2 days then off to Cairns 9th Dec.
We are driving down to Brisbane down the coastal road so happy to meet up with folks any where along the route. We are going via Airlie Beach, Fraser Island, Bundaberg. Brisbane for Christmas then fly to Sydney for New Year.
New Zealand - Arrive Christchurch 2nd Jan to Mount Cook
Queenstown -4th Jan - meeting up with Veganmedusa (hope that date is fine with you)
Don't think there is anyone else in New Zealand, if there is we are happy to meet, we are off to North island 11th Jan to Wellington.Leave Auckland 17th Jan for Fiji.
A relaxing few days there til 24th Jan, let me know if any of you are there then.
Next it is Honolulu 24th til 27th.
This is the part where we are more likely to see folks and any help for places NOT to be missed gratefully accepted. We have sort of planned this but apart from flights nothing has been firmed up.
Arrive LA 27th Jan - any info on where to stay would be useful. We have been told to be careful where we stay and it's a bit difficult booking just from the net knowing which places are safe to be in. We were thinking of booking near the airport and then using the metro or bus into LA cos we want to do the Hollywood bus tour.
Included in this plan of ours is :
Williams - Grand Canyon
Page - Bryce Canyon - St. George
Las Vegas
Death Valley- Ridgecrest
Oakhurst - Yosemite
San Fransisco
Carmel/Monterey
La
Depart 11th Feb.
We are not sure if we are trying to squeeze in too much, we don't want to be spending all the time driving and not having time to see anything, but on the other hand we don't want to miss out any mustsee's.

If any of you live near any of these places we would love to meet up with you - give us a break from just talking to each other!


ADMINISTRATOR EDIT: Adding link to Teachie's Travel Blog to this top post.
John-Vanda's Traveler Profile

Gosh, this sounds wonderful!!!

Wow, I am really envious! Too bad you're not coming towards Memphis ...

This sounds like a great trip , I have visited each of the places you mentioned, except South Africa and in Australia the Brisbane site.

I stayed in LA in a Hotel near the ariport when we came back from New Zealand, or always near Disney Land. If you in a need of a hotel name I can look them up for you.

Also if you are at facebook, you can see my Fiji pictures I made when I was staying for 5 days there.

I'm the Utah area but I'm over at the Moab/Arches National Park area

Nvangel looked at the map and you are a bit further out than where we are going.
Nikel thanks for the offer of pics of Fiji. I am on facebook and will go and take a look.

That's quite a trip! Unfortunately nowhere near me, but I have been to the Grand Canyon (it's a must see) and would LOVE to go to Hawaii... alas, some day! Have a wonderful time and take pictures for us!

I am in the Northwest US but travel fairly frequently to Las Vegas. I would say that your itinerary for Calif and the southwest is pretty ambitious. I put at about 2000 miles (over 3000 km) in two weeks. Something like driving from London to Athens and back (of course you won't need a ferry!) Quite a road trip!

I'm near San Francisco now, about 15 miles outside in the South Bay/Silicon Valley area, and could take the train into the city to meet you one day. Assuming it jives with my own schedule, which as you know given my situation is really hectic right now, plus we're going to Hawaii sometime in November or early December on top of it all. (a work trip for Mike, pure enjoyment and stress relief for me.)

I do agree with itpdx that your US West Coast itinerary looks pretty ambitious, but I suppose if you spread it over 4-6 weeks you might be able to fit it all in. But there's definitely a lot to see on this coast. Actually the same could be said for the east coast as well though the weather's not as nice this time of year.

Thanks for all your helpful comments. If we find it is too much then I am sure we can just cut out bits cos we aren't booked in to anywhere other than LX, Las Vegas and San Fransisco. Cheriepie it would be brilliant if we could meet up. We are taking the laptop with us so can keep you posted on our trip,