Travel Q and A

Q&A'S From our experts at Pack ya Bags
www.packyabags.com

Hi - I'm looking for information or forms for travelling from NZ to Tonga on a Fiji Passport. Thanks

Rosie

Hi Rosie -

Tonga allow any nationality in for 30 days visit but must have current passport valid for at least 6 months and have a return or onward ticket. Over 30 days they will issue a visa at the airport. However if it is a long stay visitors must contact the consulate.

Thanks

Ray




Hi - I read the question about how to obtain a Vietnam visa when you're not booking through a travel agent. You quoted a NZ company that specialises in visas. I'm in Perth, WA, and have the same query. Are you able to assist? Thanks, Mary

Hi Mary

There are two ways to get your visa to Vietnam

First through the Embassy in Wellington.

Republic of Vietnam
Level 21 Grand Pimmer Tower
2-6 Gilmer Terrace, Wellington
Tel 04 473 5912

The other way which is the best way and the one I would recommend with no fuss, is to go through the company who specialise in visa applications

Travcour
Ground Floor
Qantas House
191 Queen Street
Auckland
tel 0900 58472
www.visadirect.co.nz

Cheers
Ray


Please help with the following. Is there a ship from NZ to England I could go as a passenger/. Is there anyone wanting a lady 56 companion to go to England for holiday this year for about 4 weeks?. Is there a sort tour that a lady 56 yrs alone could participate in from London to go to the Isle of Ischia in Italy?

Penny Responds - Hi Lois
Yes there are cruises that can be taken between NZ and UK. They are few and far between and have a definitely limited set of departures during the "cruise season". Generally they tend to depart Auckland in February and the ones that I think would be the most suitable are:

Aurora (P&O Cruises) departing Auckland on 11 Feb 2008. (www.pocruises.com)

Oriana P&O Cruises) departs on the 28th Feb 2008 from Sydney which may also be an option. These both go to Southampton and take around 50 days (approx)

QE2 (Cunard Line) departs from Auckland on 28 Sep for Southampton and takes around 57 days to make the voyage. (www.cunard.com )

Saga Rose departs Auckland on 17 Feb for Southampton, arriving 15 April, and is aimed at the over 50's traveller. (www.saga.co.uk )

That gives a pretty good price range of vessels. We can help with sourcing more information if it's required but the websites are a good first point of reference.

There are also trading vessels which have a cabin or 2 for fare paying passengers. If it's these that you are thinking of, you need to let us know because these take a little more hunting down. I believe that there is a company in Napier that specializes in this type of travel.

The 3rd question is a little more tricky. Saga holidays in the UK specializes in travel for older clients with a wide range of offerings and departures all over Europe and is an excellent starting point for what is on offer, particularly if the person is travelling on her own. (www.saga.co.uk)


Anne asks:
Is there any air transportation from Papeete to Tuomotus?

Ray responds:
Hi Anne

Yes there is a very good air service between Papeete and the Tuamotu Archipelago.

The Tuamotu Archipelago is just the most beautiful of regions. I have been diving a number of times there and love it. Enjoy yourself Anne.

Air Tahiti site is at.
http://www.airtahiti.aero/home.php

Cheers Ray
Pack Ya Bags Wholesale Travel








Hi - I will be going to England in September 07 and coming back to New Zealand end of October 07. My current passport expires at the end of November and I havebeen told I need a new passport before I travel. Is this right and if so why? Maureen

Hi Maureen

Unfortunately this is true, you will need to renew your passport before you travel. This is what the Passport New Zealand has to say.

Service overview

A passport is required to travel to all countries, including Australia. Before you travel overseas ensure your passport is in good order and is travel fit. If your passport is damaged or not valid you may be denied boarding on to your flight by Border officials.

Ensure your passport:
- Has not expired
- Is not within six months of expiry (many countries require at least 6 months validity to allow entry).
- Has the necessary visas for your travel destination (your travel agent can advise you on this). - Is not damaged, defaced or excessively worn (any one of these can mean your passport is invalid for travel).
- Is a machine readable passport if you are travelling to or through the USA.

Despite all that extra messing about, have a great trip to the UK.

Cheers
Ray

Hi Duncan

There are two ways to get your visa to Vietnam.

First through the Embassy in Wellington.

Republic of Vietnam
Level 21 Grand Pimmer Tower
2-6 Gilmer Terrace, Wellington
Tel 04 473 5912

The other way which is the best way and the one I would recommend with no fuss, is to go through the company who specialise in visa applications.

Travcour
Ground Floor
Qantas House
191 Queen Street
Auckland
tel 0900 58472
www.visadirect.co.nz

Cheers,Ray

Hi - Whom can I go to to get travel insurance for elderly parents travelling to England. Thanks, Jill

Hi Jill

There are a number of insurance companies who will organise your elderly parents cover to the UK.

Believe it or not the Warehouse have really good travel insurance coverage in particular one which is for the over 70 year of age.

The web address is http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/Content.aspx?id=100013455 where you can download a PDF file with all the relevant information.

Mike Henry is another https://www.mikehenry.co.nz/policies_index.html again with an insurance cover for over 70 years of age.

Cheers
Ray


Hi - I am going to Australia next month for 2 weeks and am wondering what is the best way to take money? Visa, Travelers cheques, Cash? Edwin.

Hi Edwin

We find these days travellers cheques although safe can be a trifle long in getting them changed and in fact issued also.

I always take a small amount of cash say Aus$100 to $200 dollars then use my Eftpos/Visa/Mastercard in the ATM machines. This is very convenient and the exchange rates are OK. You can receive money in the local currency worldwide which makes this a very convenient way to get your money.

You must make sure you have a PIN number on the card. With your Eftpos/Cash Card the money comes directly from your bank account so is the best way. You will need to look on the reverse of the card and it will have such names as Plus, Maestro, Cirrus. Look for these
names at the ATM and you will be able to get your money.

The advantage of this system is you do not need to carry lots of money with you. Enjoy Australia.

Cheers
Ray

Hi - 3 of us are travelling to Turkey, Europe and UK/Ireland shortly. What injections do we need, particularly for Turkey? We have all had up to date Hepatitis and Tetanus. Do we need anything else? Thanks, Jill

Hi Judy

The best thing when travelling to any country overseas is to check out the Travel Doctors site at http://www.traveldoctor.co.nz/ This will keep you updated on requirements for each country and any alerts which may be issued. It also has a list of the clinics where you would go to if you need any further jabs. Just drop them a line and they will inform you on what you need to do. Your closest Travel Doctor however would be Auckland. You will find your local GP will be
pretty well up on these things and will make sure you go off on your travels with the correct protection.

On the travel doctors website you will find a travel advisory which you will see in a box in a panel on the right side of the screen.

Click that and enter the dates and destination and it will pull up a complete report for Turkey or wherever you want to go. Now don't let the report scare you as it lists a whole range of suggestions. In the end you have to make sure you take the protection you feel you may
need and as you say in your email you have definitely had the main ones you need. The chances of catching all the other deceases that inhabit the world are pretty remote. Mind you maybe my system has become iron clad with all my travels over the years.

Cheers
Ray

Hi - I am travelling to Perth WA in June flying with Air New Zealand. I am 89 yrs and disabled. Would Air NZ permit me carry a wheel chair and if so would they charge me. Thanks Phillip.

Hi Phillip

Yes Air New Zealand will let you take your wheel chair with you, but they will check it into the luggage hold with your other luggage. You must inform them that you will need wheelchair assistance and they will supply one for you on and off the aircraft. Keep in touch with Air New Zealand and they will be of assistance to you. Never spring a surprise by waiting until the last moment to let them know.

If you have booked through a travel agents ask them to assist you, if you have gone directly on line contact Air New Zealand directly on Customer Services.

Perth in July is wonderful. Enjoy yourself Phillip

Cheers
Ray

Hi - We have a adult son Who is Downes he is a very bg fan of Star Wars and we all want to travel to LA late in May to the LA convention centre where they have 5 days of Star wars (normally Known as Armegedon show in NZ) havent a clue about air costs hotels and how to get in the centre can you help ? Regards Cliff.

Hi Cliff

Best to contact the airlines directly to get the best deal for your
family for flights on
www.airnz.co.nz
www.qantas.co.nz
www.airpacific.com
www.airtahitinui.com

There is a massive range of hotels in LA to cover all prices. You can organise these a company such as mine (www.packyabags.com)or any of the travel agents in NZ.

This is the site you need to organise your tickets. You have to register at the site. Open to the fan club on May 24th and general public from 25th to the 28th May 2007. Big event as it celebrates 30 years of Star Wars http://www.gencon.com/2007/swciv/info/general.aspx

Cheers and may the force be with you
Ray

Hi - I have a question re or time in New Zealand in relation to GMT. Is our time exactly the same as GMT (apart from daylight saving time of course)or is there always a slight difference. Thanks & regards Jeff

Hi Jeffery

GMT means Greenwich Mean Time and they have there own site at http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/ which is full of very useful information regarding GMT.

The world from Greenwich is divided into 24 hours called longitude line with Greenwich being 0 and New Zealand is 12 hours forward to this. However due to Daylight saving in both New Zealand and England, when we put our clocks forward or back the difference can vary
between 11 hours and 13 hours.

This is a very simple explanation but if you want to know more in depth go and check out their site. It is most interesting.

This is a subject we have to teach new students coming into the travel industry, otherwise you may be arriving at the airport at the wrong time in the wrong place.

Cheers
Ray

Hi - What hand baggage is allowed on aircraft in the U S A. Gilbert.

Hello Gilbert

The security rules are changing regularly. but the rule at this time for the USA and UK is still only ONE cabin bag per person. This includes handbags and laptops. Recently Penny and I went through customs in both USA and UK. I placed my laptop in a backpack as did
Penny with her handbag. Medicines, cosmetics and so on, must be in a plastic bag and they are checked.

The main thing with Cabin bags is to travel as light as you can. Water is always available on flights if you wish.

Enjoy the USA. It can be a lot of fun once you get through all this, but then these are the rules pretty much worldwide now.

Cheers
Ray

Hi - I am travelling to the UK mid June, I want to rent a car for my first 16 days there, can you tell me the companies in Britain I can contact. I am after a 1.6 or 1.8 Automatic vehicle to collect on arrival at Heathrow Airport? I also want to travel down to Cornwall area first for 4-5 days how much travel should I allow at about 2-3 hours per day and the rest sightseeing? Should I book B&B's before I leave NZ. Or can I just stop when I feel ready at that time of the year. Thanks Sue

Hi Sue

Needless to say there are many car companies in the UK who operate out of Heathrow.

Penny and I hired a car from http://www.1car1.com/ recently on arrival at Heathrow. The price was very good and we found to be the best value. They will pick you up at the airport and take you to their base. Very convenient and good service. However there are many
other companies including all the well known companies such as Hertz, Budget, Thrifty and so on.

The main thing for your 5 days is to get out of London. and on your way to Cornwall. The first day will be the longest drive of perhaps 3 hours, by which time you will be well into the English countryside. Driving around Devon and Cornwall is very easy and one of my
favourites destinations in the UK.

Once there you must try the local cider, called scrumpy and the clotted cream. You might put on weight, but what the heck you are on holiday

As for booking your B&B's, some people would prefer to make a reservation just in case, however it does tie you down and you have to stop in that spot. At that time of year in June you should have no problems getting B&B where ever you want to stop. July/August are
their busiest times and during that period bookings would be advisable.

Cheers
Ray

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