Total Eclipse 2012 - Australia Nov 13th.
 

I thought this needed it's own thread....

There is going to be a total solar eclipse on November 13th 2012. The best spot on land to view it from is Cairns Australia.

There is not much like a total solar eclipse, the sky goes dark, the stars come out, the sun's corona. The thing I remember most from the one I saw was that you could see the shadow of the moon coming at you as a wall of darkness moving at something like 600mph. Fracking amazing.

Anyone want to come along?

Doing some preliminary budgeting, airfare looks to be about $2,200 (less if you start in LA)

Rooms can be had for $100/night'ish

I'm planning a suicide run (to minimize cost and time off from work) leaving Friday Nov 9th from DC arrive in Cairns on Sunday, see the eclipse on Tuesday, hop a flight later that day and be home in DC in time to return to work on Wednesday (that time/date change stuff is freaky). You might have more sense than me and want to stay longer....

I.WISH.

Have an incredible time.

That sounds amazing. I really wish I could do it as well.

No thanks, but it sounds like a rad trip.






(I'm having trouble renewing my AP, so I'm afraid a trip Down Under is financially out of the question)

Oops... Make that "in time to return to work on Thursday". The Eclipse is on the morning of the 14th down-under not the 13th. My bad.

I do have this right I hope... The sun rises off the East coast of Cairns? Meaning all I will need is a good look out at the Ocean and I'll have a clear view of the eclipse (weather permitting of course)

Don't forget we can accommodate 6 visitors at Green Point if there is going to be a Swank Camp in Forster in adjunct......

Moonie - do yourself and favour and drop in - a flight that long deserves a few days layover...

Right now the plan looks like:

Fly DC to Sydney - Arrive 8am Sunday Nov 11th
Sydney Bridge Climb Monday Nov 12th (10am'ish)
Fly Sydney to Cairns - Tue at 9am
View eclipse Wed 6-7am
Fly Cairns back to DC - Wed at noon.

You can't take even a couple of days to enjoy the land down under or it's two most likable inhabitants?!?

Paul Hogan and Bindi Irwin?

I would seriously look at adding at least two more attractions to the list.

1) Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef (seeing as you're in cairns)
2) Our 60'' 3DTV

In order to accommodate the latter, you could fly from Cairns down to Newcastle or Sydney, and we could pick you up from there, show you a little local hospitality, then drive you back to fly out of Sydney direct.

We might have to Skype in order to convince you. I would hate to not get the chance to meet up.

Ahh. I had not thought about the great barrier reef. So, it's either Sydney and the bridge or Cairns and the reef. Is it too late to move this thread to "First world problems?"

How about you come up to Cairns for the eclipse? I guarantee you ain't never seen nothing like it, unless of course you have...

Hey! Snorkling is fun, but you can SCUBA the great reef. No prior experience necessary.

OK, revised plan....

Arrive SYD Sunday AM, Bridge Climb Monday AM, Fly to Cairns Monday evening, Snorkel/Dive the great reef on Tuesday, Eclipse and fly home Wednesday. I can have it all!!!

Errr, Red Bull is available on the street in Australia right?

ETA - I now see that you are planning on seeing them but I leave this post to make sure that you follow through. :p

Moonie, I think I speak for the entire LoT population of swankers here when I say that if you don't see the LashPair somehow, we will all be extremely disappointed in you. When you wing it down to another continent on a whim, (albeit scientific), there's just no excuse.

Have you met them? They are incredibly fun. I love them forever. You must see them. You have no option here. Understood??

The bridge climb's overrated...

Isn't not seeing them a bannable offense?


I wanna go I wanna go. I need to win the lottery.

From experience or word of Internet?

If it's on the Internet, it must be fact.

Yes ma'am.

No, I have not met them in person, Under the plan of the moment (subject to change of course....) I have most of the day free in Sydney on Sunday, Nov 11th. Hopefully we can work something out for then, or better yet the two of them will drag their butts up to Cairns with me and see something really amazing!

I know, Lincoln told me that.

I did the bridge climb in 1994. It's a neat bridge and all, but it didn't really feel like that big of a deal to climb it.

I Heart CP. :snap:

Matt is right about the Bridgeclimb. It is one of those things that is more for the sake of 'see what I did' rather than 'OMG what a view'

Having said that, you need to hear this Mr Liner.

Is there ANY reason that you cannot spend just one more day in the merry old land of OZ?

The reason being:
Jenolan Caves
The Blue Mountains/3 Sisters/Scenic Railway
Forster (3 hours north of Sydney, a gorgeous seaside resort town, and where we now reside)

If you can squeeze just another (non-Disney) day into your agenda, you won't regret it. The Jenolan Caves system has some of the most richly decorated caves in the world. Particularly the Orient Cave. Check it out. We are ALWAYS up for a visit there when OS guests come to see us. The Three Sisters and the Jameson valley is/are also breathtaking.

If you can get an extra day, I would suggest as an itinerary:

Friday - arrive in Sydney Friday AM - Drive to Jenolan via Katoomba on Fri. Overnight at Caves House, with tour of Orient Cave in evening.

Saturday - Drive to Sydney - spend the day with a daytripper pass seeing all the sights of Sydney with two experienced guides at your disposal. Plenty of biological breaks and beer. Dinner on top of Sydney at the Sydney Tower Revolving Restaurant. Overnight in some hotel in the CBD.

Sunday - Drive to Forster. Plenty to see on the way up, including a stopoff in Ayres Rock (really... although its only a scale model). Arrive in Forster in the afternoon. Forster has amazing beaches, and the Wallis Lake Oysters (Wallis Lake is the body of water at the bottom of our garden) are the best in the world. We can treat you to a real Aussie BBQ complete with Prawns (not shrimps) on the barbie, Kangaroo Steaks, Kanga Bangers (Roo Sausage) and a Pavlova for dessert. All this and 3D Gold Class movies too. How could you NOT do it ??

Monday - Forster touring and get chauffeur-driven to Newcastle Airport where you can fly to Cairns (we may or may not be able to come with you depending on finances)

Tuesday - Snorkel/Dive the great barrier reef

Wednesday = Eclipse and fly home Wednesday PM.

Win-Win.

Believe me, my first choice is not to travel all the way to Australia for three and a half days. There is no shortage of reasons to visit for weeks if not months on end.

The goal here is to see the Eclipse. Getting to experience even a small taste of Australia is a huge bonus.

Good, then we shall expect you on Friday 8th November then?

How about a nice Sunday brunch in Sydney on Nov 11th? Should I book for three?

I've been obsessively checking airfares for the last few days trying to get just the right flights. Suddenly this morning in between refreshing search results on Kayak.com the total price dropped over $1,000.00!!! Woop! That sucker is now booked!

I'll be in Sydney Sunday morning Nov 9th (8am'ish) until Monday evening when I head for Cairns. I have a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef set for Tuesday, the Eclipse Wednesday at sunrise and a noon flight back to home via Auckland.

To quote Mr. Disney:

"It's kind of fun to do something bat sht crazy every now and then"

Or words to that effect....

Eclipse, Oz, LashPair, Diving at the Great Barrier Reef. I WANNA GOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK - you win. We will book a hotel on Sunday night in Darling Harbour - that is central to everything Sydney has to offer. We are trying to get a timeshare exchange for the three of us here. I have to wait till Monday until I can speak to the RCI call centre. We'll keep you updated.

Oh, and go ahead with the luncheon for 3 at Sydney Tower buffet - it's a real treat and the views are unforgettable.

ETA: BTD - Sure, come on down !!!

HOORAY!!! I did it! I'm taking full credit for getting you guys to meet. I'm so happy it's as if I drank from a cup without a lid. *happy dance*

Now I only WISH I COULD BE THERE. I'm wishing REALLY HARD.

Excellent, double plus good! What time should I make ressies for?

Let's talk before you book the room.

Id make the reservation for midday - Customs can take a while....

Looking for you on Skype. Will chat soon.

PS: CP, bring BTD with you. Oh, and Theo, so he can hug a Koala.

Opps, I think my Skype settings were set to block you foreign devils. I was tired of having to tell Natasha and Ingrid I was not interested in them....

Can you see me now?

OMG OMG OMG Moonie has an American accent !!!!!



Why am I surprised by that?


ETA: The sound on my iPhone here is really clear - I should Skype you guys more often.

I wanna hug a koala and a great white sharkie.

I must be doing something wrong. Airfare is over $7k on Virgin Atlantic.

Without too much effort, I found plenty of flights in the $1500-$1700 range and one at $1305 on Kayak.

I second Kevy. Use Kayak.

Even Expedia had the same $1500-$1700 range fares.

Yeah, what's weird is that you have no real accent at all. Are you sure you're not from LA?

No. I'm from the future.

Should I book four for brunch instead of three?

Hey Lash:

How do you feel about bikes?

Also, I see the Sydney Observatory has a night tour. Yip!

Have I mentioned that I am an obsessive compulsive trip planner?

:D Bikes - Not for me - since the bypass Ive been a public transport sort of guy.

We're kinda voracious planners ourselves. See LAPADIGI for proof (if you remember that...) :blush:

I'd recommend a different mode of transport.

I wish.

That would be a tough commute from the US to Australia.

You might have a point, A Google search for "Amphibious Segway" was surprisingly unhelpful.

CP: Thanks. I did look into the Segway tours but they seem to primarily run around the Olympic complex which is not high on my list of places to see.

Ahh.

I found this tidbit on another website.

Fair enough, how do you feel about heights?

Ah, see, the medical declaration will knock me out - but at 60 minutes duration, Stoat & I will be more than happy to mind your stuff while you experience it. I have heard good feedback about it. :snap:

Wait... You tell the truth on those things in Australia? Weird.

That looks dizzying, I'll pass!

Stoat & I are booked into the hotel - there's no timeshare accommodation available for that period, but there are rooms left in the Central Station Hotel which is really handy to the heart of the city, Chinatown, and of course Central Station, hub of all transportation in Sydney.

Check it out if you haven't got a booking already. :cool:

PS: We're checked in on Saturday 10th, and staying through to the Tuesday 13th.

Cool beans!

I have a room about a block away at Meriton Serviced Apartments - World Tower. If you would like to save a few bucks and have a great view of the city/harbour you are welcome to stay with me Sunday night.

We'll keep our room for the Sat - Tues period so as not to have to move rooms (we hate packing and unpacking more frequently than once every 3 days - it's a rule when travelling...), but we'll gladly come and have a squizz* at your digs !

This is getting exciting !!! :D

* Just in case of linguistic concern, that's a look.....

You fellers sure do talk funny.

Have a go ! http://www.amiwrong.com/misc/custom/...70330673.shtml

Hey!

You need a Visa to visit down under. I had no idea. I wonder what other little details I'm missing...

Bring along a Master Card just in case

Yes, it would appear that Visa is in fact everywhere I want to be...

check on the exchange rate charges on the cards. Some have them some do not. If you have the correct Amex they seem to have the lowest fees.

and dont forget that LOTS of places here dont accept AMEX because of the high fees they charge - and those that do accept it usually add an extra 2-3% to the purchase total to cover those merchant fees.

I would stick with Visa.

I checked into the travel visa for Aussiland. Turns out it's less off a background check to see if you are OK to visit down under and more of a "Welcome mate! That's $20 to come in" thing.

...and to make sure you aren't associated with any hedonistic chat-boards.

So, do we have a booking for 3 persons @ Midday on the 11th Nov at Sydney Tower Buffet? Would you like me to call and book if not?

Also - do you want to go to Coney Island that afternoon? The whole CBD is quite compact, and it's a lovely ferry jaunt over to Luna Park from Circular Quay.

We do have ressies for three people on Sunday at the Sydney tower for Midnight, or as you Aussies call it Noon.

I've given up on the Dinner cruise thing, due to a combination of high price and mediocre reviews so riding the ferry over to Luna park sounds perfect. However allowing for a 2 Hour lunch at the tower, plus ferry/travel time we won't get much time at Luna because they close at 6pm on Sunday.

I'm still on the hunt for a good restaurant experience to close out the night with as well as what to do with the 1/2 day I have in Sydney on Monday.

Do you like Asian cuisine? Billy Kwong's is run by Kylie Kwong who is one of my favourite chefs. http://www.kyliekwong.org/BillyKwongs.aspx

For a more special occasion (with a price to match), you can see if there are tables free at http://www.guillaumeatbennelong.com.au/home.html or http://www.tetsuyas.com/index.html

Failing that (and I think they're booked up months in advance) we can try http://www.ariarestaurant.com/defaul...ticle&ID=21609 or if it's a real Aussie Steak you want to experience, then Kingsley's is the place: http://www.kingsleysauststeak.com.au

Half Day Monday, I would suggest popping around to our hotel in the morning, leave your bags there, then off to breakfast (Yum Cha in Sydney's famous Chinatown is right around the corner), and we can then tailor sightseeing for you until it's time to hop the train directly to the airport where we can wave lace handkerchieves at you and bid you a tearful farewell.

Do they have McDonalds down under? You should go there to experience an upside-down Big Mac

Yes they have McD's but Burger King is more fun there because it's called Hungry Jack. At least that's what I remember.

While the "Real Aussie Steak" option was tempting, the location/view at Aria looks like it would be hard to match. So I booked us three for 7:45pm at Aria.

Fantastic - Matt Moran is a very famous chef in Australia, and the restaurant has a great reputation.

Also, see the Burger King / Hungry Jack story here for the reason that they changed the name. It was all because of a single takeaway food shop in Adelaide. :rolleyes:

On the Monday, you're welcome to try our local Aussie junk burger offering, the most classically Australian of which is Hungry Jack's "The Aussie" (now that Maccas has stopped making the "McOz").

Beetroot on hamburgers has been an Aussie institution since Adam was a bachelor, and so rather than try the Americanised one at HJ/BK, we should go to an authentic seaside fish and chip shop on Monday and get you a REAL corner-shop Aussie Hamburger with The Lot (Burger, lettuce, tomato, caramelised onions, tomato sauce, bacon, egg, pineapple and Beetroot). We could take a trip out to Bondi for that, see Bondi Beach, and then be back at Central in plenty of time to get the train to the airport (which is 12 mins from Central Station)

Wait, did you say "seaside fish and chip shop"? Yeah, we can stop right there, we have a winner.

The best fish and chips I ever had was in Australia, one in a seaside fish shack run by the fisherman every evening and the other was a fish shop in Perth. I say skip the burger and have the fish!

I also recommend a meat pie or sausage roll as a snack along the way. I love Aussie meat pies,yummmmm!

The best pie to be had will be from Harry's Cafe De Wheels. It's a Sydney institution!! There's one not too far from where Moonie is staying. Maybe a Tiger for breakfast Monday? (the choice has to be the tiger, as that's the traditional way to have them - with mushy peas and gravy)

That's exactly what I was implying. Skip the burger, I'll take the fish and chips.



Holy carp! That's what passes for breakfast down under? Tis truly a strange and wonderous land. Ok Lash, I'll eat your meat pie.

No, Breakfast is Vegemite on toast, but I thought I'd spare you.

BTW Moonie: beware of Tim-Tams - they are like crack. I had the DTs for several weeks after the Yosemite visit by the Lashies.

Maybe you can sweet talk Moonie into bringing some back !

My cheese is sad that Bear is not about to help me obsess about the impending trip... :(

It's getting closer all the time. I applied for and received my Australian travel visa today. So happy happy on that front.

I am excited for you, does that count? It sounds like you have an amazing and very busy trip planned. Plus you get to see the eclipse from the other hemisphere, how cool is that!! I can't wait to hear all about it.

I'm excited for you as well. Can't wait for all the updates from the future.

*woot!*

I think I just solved the last piece of the puzzle, where to be for the eclipse itself. I found a charter company running an eclipse cruise out to the great barrier reef. Assuming good weather they will be able to dock at one of the stable dive platforms, or if the weather is sketchy move to a spot with better visibility.

I also ordered some fresh Dramamine off amazon. Loving that Amazon prime.

Sweet! Your itinerary sounds awesome and very well scheduled.

Ha!

I knew that some day being a obsessive compulsive traveler would pay off. After checking daily over the last month for availability I finally managed to get a ressie in the hotel I really wanted in Cairns, Australia for the eclipse. It's at the marina where both my dive trip to the reef and my eclipse cruise leave from. Easy peasy!

I love it when a plan comes together.

Nooooooooo!!!!!!

We'll hope that the weather pattern changes and you will have no delays. Your schedule has no room for delays!

I suppose the worst case scenario would be that I would have to leave a day or two early and hang out in LA until my LAX flight to Australia.

Humm what would I do stuck in LA for a day?

We have a new Space Shuttle exhibit that opened this week.

How's it looking Moonie, will you be able to make it out? Have an awesome trip. I can't wait to hear all about it, especially the food!

Things are going about normal... I leave on Friday, snow and high winds are on the forecast, flights are being cancled all over the east coast and I've picked up a bad cold that seems to have gone to my chest. Oh and don't even ask about work. So all in all no worries mate I'm sure it will all work out fine.

Working on a few last second details. Tonight's project: Solar Binoculars




Ready to observe:


Weather forecast for eclipse day: Partly cloudy. High of 86F. Winds from the ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Fingers crossed.

I hope you are feeling better today.

Bon Voyage Mate, safe travels and say hello to the Bear family!

I am feeling a bit better, primarily through force of will. I sound like the Aflac duck from all the coughing.

Still, the weather has cleared and flights from the DC area are running normally, LAX seems to be good as well so I'm optimistic.

Last night I printed out all my paperwork (hotels, car, entry visa. etc...)

Today's task: Add some movies to my tablet for the flight:

The Gods Must be Crazy, The Coca-cola Kid, The Dish, Minority Report (it was on sale and I've never seen it), Lilo and Stitch, and The Incredibles.

For tomorrow we ride!

Still running on half a lung, but I am on my way.

Chillin at IAD jamming to the Rocky Horror soundtrack.

I just realized I can shop duty free when I make it to LAX. Anyone know what kind of booze the lash pair favor?


I don't suppose in-and-out has any LAX locations?

There's an In N Out very close to LAX, but not in the airport itself.

Have a great trip!

Sad.

When are you at LAX and for how long?

Err, now. For a little less than two hours.

I'd forgotten how little fun it is to fly with a head cold... Owww.
Still every great adventure has it's challenges so I am not sweating it.


Thanks for the well wishes. I'm on my way to freaking AUS! F yeah.

If lash should happen to surface in the next 14hours, let him know I left lax on time.

Have an awesome flight, get some sleep!

Woot! I made it to Sydney. Contact has been made with Bear. More later...

W00T!

You should see what he is saying about you on Facebook

How is the future?

Epic first day with lash pair. Tour of darling harbor, lunch at Sydney tower, walking tour of city visit to maritime museum... and the day is still young. Oh and as I posted on G+ hotel lost my reservation and upgraded me to a 76th floor penthouse suite so the lash pair are coming for a sleep over. Freaking awesome day.

Freakin awesome doesn't begin to describe it. I just ADORE a penthouse view…. To quote the fabby ms Gabor.

Tomorrow it's pancakes on the Rocks for brunch, then Coney Island and te Wildmouse at Luna Park, then sightseeing frenzy until airport time. :)

Scuse me now- I'm off to gaze at the view until Bed. Oh and the Emu, Kangaroo & Crocodile at lunch were delicious. Shame the Koala was off the menu though. :p

Ps got in a quick Harbour evening cruise to Manly & back after dinner. Aria was amazing. Yummy.

I bet the view is amazing, so nice of you to invite the Bears over to enjoy it with you!

Don't forget to feed him an Aussie meat pie.

Is there an eclipse somewhere in the schedule?

Moonie's now on his way to the airport. It's been a great tour of Sydney and we had a ball. More details soon.

Moonie is at the airport and ever indebted to the Lash pair for world class tour of a world class city. Many stories to follow

And I am afraid it will only get worse
....

That was close. Flight from Sydney delayed past time connecting flight due to depart. Luckily half the flight from Sydney also booked on same flight to Cairns so they held it for us.

*whew*.

Good to hear ! Have fun in Cannes, Er, Cairns. :D

I have made it to Cairns, aka the site of the eclipse. Time for some sleep and then a dive boat to the great barrier reef in the AM.

I love Worldwide LoT Adventures.

See the hell out of the eclipse for us.

Have you found Nemo yet?

Or Bruce?

A mini Bruce yes. No luck on Nemo

Fyi if you want to watch from home

http://m.gizmodo.com/5959797/heres-w...-solar-eclipse

Wishing you all the best for the weather. *fingers Crossed*

Awesomely jealous beyond measure, loving your travel adventures. Big Virtual Hugs to the Lashpair, too.

That was cool - but I didn't spot Moonie in the live feed I was watching

That looks awesome!

Have a safe trip home Moonie.

Yes! Total success in totality! Egads what a sight.

Now on my way home. Cairns airport a mess. Not sure if I will escape. Aussie land or not.

Trouble in Cairns airport. Long long line at airline checking (no e-checkin). Long line at customs, past customs, 5min till flight loads, long line at screening. Get picked for bag check by hand, dump and repackaged bag. Dash out to gate. Doors at gate closed. No agents present.

LOL, Moonie. Hope your very long flight back is less eventful.

Wait, can you come over for dinner before you go? There's Meatloaf.

My Mom said flights never leave on time in Cairns. I hope you made all your connections. The watch just gets more confusing as you head home!

I made it back to the states. Other than my self created crisis mentioned above everything's going fine. I'm just cooling my heals here at LAX for another hour before one last flight back home. I have stories and photo's to share in a full trip report to follow soon.

In the 'no good trip goes unpunished' category, I was not able to call home upon reaching LA. I figured it was my cell phone, but no. It turns out the power company was digging in the neighborhood and cut the Verizon fiber cable. Goodbye phone, Internet and TV. Joy.

Looking forward to the report, safe journey home Moonie.

Regarding the Power Company, I guess you file this under the end of a perfect vacation!

Ah.... So THAT'S why the sun went out the other morning.....

Did you get to see any of the eclipse?

I made it home, and jurryrigged an Internet connection for the house using our mifi.

Hopefully this will be a short outage.

Australia, Australia, Australia I love you! Goodnight!

Moonie, Moonie, Moonie we love you too ! Goodnight !

Unfortunately it was overcast here in Forster. :( I did see fabulous footage on the telly, though. Can't wait to see you again for the one in Sydney in 2023 or whenever it is...

Oh, and did I casually mention that that Penthouse (I have dubbed it the Gaga Suite) has easily out-swanked all other swankings in the history of LoT. - Partially because of it's OMG-ness, partially because of the super-swanky company, and partially because its in Sydney, which is the prettiest city on earth.

Put it all together and it spells "Come on, the rest of you, where the hell are you?"

No, seriously, who's next? The Bear Suite is waiting to be christened by someone......

I hope someone got pictures of the Gaga Suite.

And maybe the eclipse too

Pictures are HERE.

Love them!!:snap:

Awesome pics, thanks!