[grady bunch]

Dear Knowledgeable people

We have only got 4 days to go before we fly out for our new adventure down under!:clap Getting very excited now as had well dodgy 70's leaving party last night and all seems a bit real now. My feet having danced all night in high silver boots can testify that, need to recover for thursday!

Getting sore eyes from saying goodbye, another 3 sets of people tomorrow, 3 more Tuesday, packing Wednesday, as well as putting Dads house back together after 10 weeks of trashing his house. He is only one, nearly 70 and very patient golf fanatic, we are 6, noisy and very messy people including 4 kids 10 and under.

I have a few questions for you:-

1. Never flown far before, do you get unlimited drinks (meaning water, not wine!) on the plane or would we be wise to take stuff with us? We fly Korean Air, cheap as chips seats. Do they provide lots of meals?? Sorry, but thinking more of the small people.

2. We have a 3 hr stopover at Seoul, do you just get off for a bit of exercise or do you have to collect all your baggage and then re-board? Is there anything to do there? I imagine we will be a bit smelly and stir crazy by then.

3. As we had to take our beloved dog to a new home a few weeks ago we promised our kids some new pets, but as we are renting (due to no sale, therefore rented out) and thought hamsters would be a good call, but have looked on this font of knowledge and found they are banned!! Is this true? Do they turn into homicidal beasts down there?

4. OH bought hand luggage bag a bit bigger than should, how strict are the airlines? Spoke to Korean Air who said check the BA website!

5. 9 yr old D no. 2 is diabetic, any tips on how to change injection times? Does basal jab at night and 3 others? Bit technical that.

6. What's the weather like over there?

7. Need to buy a car in Auckland and get insurance, any tips of good companies? Do you have to get insurance before you drive

8. IRD number, how do you get this, so as to avoid emergency tax.

Sorry to ask so many questions at once, but suddenly realised we only have days left and starting to panic/lose sleep/get very excited, all at once.

See you soon!!

The Grady Bunch x

[mylesdw]

I'll have a go at a few...

1. Yes unlimitied drinks.
2. Should not have to collect luggage. One of those airports, might be Seoul, you can rent rooms by the hour, have a shower and freshen up. You might not have enough time; 3 hours is a pretty short stopover if the incoming is at all late.
3. Probably a MAF thing; they are paranoid about introducing foreign species. Bit late now in my opinion!
4. Don't know but all that sort of thing has got much stricter than it used to be.
5. Can't help, sorry.
6. Not sure about Auckland, hot and damp I'm guessing.
7. Insurance not required but recommended and cheap compared with the UK. We've had good service from AMI
8. Call into the local office or maybe you can register online these days. Only takes a few minutes to get an IRD number.

Enjoy your flight!

[JandM]

Point 4 - there are metal size-check things at the airport into which your hand-luggage bag has to be able to fit. If it won't, they can and very likely will tell you you have to either leave it behind, or check it in as extra hold baggage, and pay excess. This isn't just bloody-mindedness - the size is what will fit in the space available for each passenger in the plane, i.e. under the seat in front, or in the overhead locker.

How much bigger is 'a bit'? A little bit of squidge would make it, whereas a solid frame 5 cm bigger wouldn't.

[Flutterby]

not flown with korean before but always had plenty of food on long flights

Auckland was hot & sunny a couple of days ago

Car needs to be registered and WOF'ed, insurance is not necessary

[IanW99]

...
7. Need to buy a car in Auckland and get insurance, any tips of good companies? Do you have to get insurance before you drive

8. IRD number, how do you get this, so as to avoid emergency tax.
...


7. You don't need car insurance, but if you get it then bring your No Claims proof to get a discount.

8. You need to go to Automobile Association (AA) Driver Licensing Agents or
PostShops / selected New Zealand Post retail outlets to apply, See IRD numbers (http://www.ird.govt.nz/how-to/irdnumbers/) for more details.

Ian

[grady bunch]

Thank you Myles, J & M, Flutterby and Ian

Most helpful, looking forward to joining you all soon, but not the flight. 2.5 yr olds and flights don't mix!!

Good news about drinks, less to carry. Will ditch bag and make another trip to Argos!

Thanks
Sasha (Grady Bunch)

[IanW99]

...
3. As we had to take our beloved dog to a new home a few weeks ago we promised our kids some new pets, but as we are renting (due to no sale, therefore rented out) and thought hamsters would be a good call, but have looked on this font of knowledge and found they are banned!! Is this true? Do they turn into homicidal beasts down there?
...


No hamsters.

You could try fish, mice, rats, rabbits or chinchillas for some small pets (assuming the rental will take any of them).

Ian

[grady bunch]

Thanks. Do rentals need to be asked to have small furry caged things??

Sasha

[mylesdw]

Thanks. Do rentals need to be asked to have small furry caged things??

Sasha

I wouldn't ask. It is sometimes better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.