UMTravels

• I equally enjoy traveling with other like minded people as I like traveling solo, I guess that makes me bi-something
• Book your flights so that you arrive at your destination before dark, even if you have to get up in the dark to make those flights.
• You can have to many extra little useful bags (hence, two six-pack wine holders, a Wild Turkey sling bag which fits the laptop perfectly), and a Trendwest canvas shopping bag.
• Packing dress pants and shirt for a trip with Marty and Eric is a waste of space.
• Flip-flops don’t take up much space, pack them when it’s going to be over freezing.
• When visiting WorldMark overseas properties, bring more spices, expect only salt and pepper.
• WorldMark TimeShares tend to provide more amenities than other RCI properties (ie. an umbrella in the closet of the unit in Ballarat)
• If you are leaving early, prep your breakfast the night before.

Australia and New Zealand in Particular:

• Things seem to cost about 25% more than in the US — which is good because that’s about the exchange rate. When I was here last, prices were the same, but the exchange was two to one.
• Like the Brits (and the New Zealanders), the Aussies want to support their switch industry. There is a switch next to each outlet, and they tend to unplug anything not necessary. So, are the electrons going to leak out onto the floor? Do they fear the components were made by Luca (Prince of Darkness — a British automotive joke).
• Australia (and NZ) have four channels of television, eight if you get cable.
• Think the US (or Britain, according to an overheard conversation) twenty years ago, but add cell-phones (still expensive) and internet (broadband metered and expensive).
• Ice requires pre-planning.
• Once you have ice, you can put four plastic grocery bags together, stuff them in the wine six-pack holder, and make a cheeky cooler for those lunch items.
• Those plastic grocery bags that are death for the environment — they make great cling warp, food coverings, you name it — recycle those bad boys.
• Coffee — get used to crystals unless you are headed to a Starbucks — I’d forgotten the Nescafe syndrome
• The “natives” are friendly — overly. No problems. Good on ya. No worries. Slight suffering from “island time”… things tending to stretch out, five minutes turning into ten, turning into twenty.
• There is a serious water shortage in Australia — you see “Bore Water In Use” signs for places with green lawns. Water not suitable for drinking. One city is saying that in the next two years, “recycled” water will be used — just like the space station. Most houses have catchment systems, and it’s amazing the news reports of huge water storage barrels being stolen, or just the water drained into portable tanks.
• The drivers of Australia and New Zealand are exceeding polite.
• Australia has it’s own wave like Lopez Island… but this one if for shooing away flies.
• All timeshares downunder come with egg cups for soft boiled eggs.