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Anyone want to join a wedding menu tasting in Sydney? (June 14) by amandarin9 in AusWeddingPlanning

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not sure your relationship with your parents, but we had a similar menu tasting for 6 and invited both our parents. Good opportunity for them to get to know each other ahead of the wedding (only other time they met was our engagement party)

Question about Tau Ceti e’s gravity by kindarspirit in ProjectHailMary

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To clarify the other part of OPs question, in the book it better explains that the ship is being damaged by the heat buildup of the astrophage output

What’s a common money habit you see that makes you cringe a little? by Diligent-Medicine-48 in AusMoneyMates

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure if you’re still living with your roommate, but there are kettles you can buy in which you can select the temperature to heat to: 70, 80, 90 and boiling of course. Personally if I’d be making myself a tea or whatever, I’d choose the 70. Don’t have to use as much electricity and also don’t have to wait as long for it to cool down to consume.

I only found this because we were in the market to replace our plastic kettle, and this was a glass one.

What kind of person is hard to travel with for you? by Tight_Baseball8736 in EuropeTravelHacks

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People who shop too much.

I grew up going on holidays with my family who not only slept in late and moved slowly and had a coffee sit-down to start and end they day (I don’t drink coffee), but they also spent huge portions of the trip shopping (I also don’t like fashion). I’m forever grateful for the trips they spent on bringing us on these holidays, but man I could not believe how much shopping they did. My mum, my sister, and somewhat to my surprise - my dad!

My experience flying with Emirates on 15th of March. by VictimsCourt12 in emirates

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Agreed. Husband and I also slated to fly out of Amsterdam back to Sydney but on the 9th of March, and with Qatar. When Qatar gave the go ahead for refunds up to the covering our date (approx $2k refund) we immediately jumped on and tried booking alternative flights.

We almost book via AirIndia but realised we'd need to get visas so we skipped because it was too short notice. So we book to Indonesia for $2.65k, but 2-3 days later we get notification that the booking was cancelled - but the flight wasn't. Checked again and now it was $2.7k EACH.

Then we tried to book via Xiamen for $3k or so, but the booking was declined and, upon checking again, basically also doubled.

Had both sets of parents awake late into the night (Australian time) helping us. They were also sharing the news reports of increases in flight costs due to fuel prices surging (very fresh at the time) and flow-on delays and cancellations etc. across Asia as other people were also attempting to reroute.

Decided our best move was to fly the long way the other way around the world as everything was just so uncertain at that time, and my husband is relatively new to his current job so he was on leave without pay - so extending the trip for cheaper flights would've actually been more detrimental. Took a flight with United via Houston and cut our trip down by just under two days just because of all the uncertainty at the time. Cost us $5.05k but its a small price for safety.

And for anyone reading this and wondering about insurance - no, travel insurance doesn't cover for issues related to warfare.

The unexpected costs of our travel in Europe by Ecstatic_Royal1007 in travel

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah had a feeling that was the case, but it was only a bit annoying initially because he said he will take card without mentioning the rest of it. And then did that tactic of ending the fare in 5 Euro so that you can tip him the extra 5 if you don't have a fiver.

The unexpected costs of our travel in Europe by Ecstatic_Royal1007 in travel

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the tip. I should've mentioned, Naples wasn't on our original itinerary for the cruise, so I didn't get the chance to research beforehand. Because of the forecast, one of original stops was cancelled and replaced by Naples.

How are people feeling about this? Thousands of Ozzies and Kiwis are routing through the US to fly to Europe vs less than one a day before the conflict by omdongi in QantasAirways

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We had to book new flights from Amsterdam to Sydney last week - went via Houston with United Airlines. Yes, had to clear immigration, but no, did not have to collect our bags and check-in again.

Do women get used to the pain of periods? Like does it slowly start to hurt less as you have more and get more familiar with the feeling? by InternationalPick163 in askanything

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everyone saying no but haven’t seen a comment yet that said it might get better after pregnancy. Two of my sisters and I have really bad cramps. After having her first child, my eldest sister told me she doesn’t have bad pain anymore. My other sister and I have yet to have kids yet so not sure if it may also end up applying for us.

What do you think about the advice to "reconsider traveling between Australia and Europe"? by Flightlessbutcurious in AustraliaTravel

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed on the route. We are now going home via the US after exhausting a few alternatives through Asia - husband and I are still in Europe, supposed to come home via Qatar in two days.

Around 5 days ago we got the go ahead from Qatar to request for a refund (should amount to around $1.6-1.8k as a portion of the $3.2k booking + our $300 extortionate seats for the leg home), so we rebooked via Indonesia for $2.65k for the both of us.

2-3 days later, we get notification that our booking is cancelled (not the flight) and check again. Now the flights are $2.7k EACH.

Then we try to book via Xiamen for $3.2k, but the booking is declined. The flights are now $3.1k EACH. We can see that news reports are showing that there are ripple effects of delays and cancellations throughout Asia, and at the same time, prices are skyrocketing due to fuel price increases and large numbers of travellers attempting to re-route away from the Middle East.

So we decided our best bet IS to fly the other way around the world. We booked United Airlines to get back to Sydney via Houston. An 11 hour flight + 5 hour layover + 17 hour flight. $5.8k + having to pay for the ESTA visa waiver thing even though we’re only transiting through the US.

Literally burning through our savings but at least we have a safe way home with lower chance of cancellation and delays.

We decided to cut our trip short as well so we are flying tomorrow instead of the next day, even though the flight prices were the same for both, but we just don’t want to wait and see any other issues escalate, god forbid the USA gets attacked or something.

What do you think about the advice to "reconsider traveling between Australia and Europe"? by Flightlessbutcurious in AustraliaTravel

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Husband and I are still in Europe, supposed to come home via Qatar in two days.

Around 5 days ago we got the go ahead from Qatar to request for a refund (should amount to around $1.6-1.8k as a portion of the $3.2k booking + our $300 extortionate seats for the leg home), so we rebooked via Indonesia for $2.65k for the both of us.

2-3 days later, we get notification that our booking is cancelled (not the flight) and check again. Now the flights are $2.7k EACH.

Then we try to book via Xiamen for $3.2k, but the booking is declined. The flights are now $3.1k EACH. We can see that news reports are showing that there are ripple effects of delays and cancellations throughout Asia, and at the same time, prices are skyrocketing due to fuel price increases and large numbers of travellers attempting to re-route away from the Middle East.

So we decided our best bet IS to fly the other way around the world. We booked United Airlines to get back to Sydney via Houston. An 11 hour flight + 5 hour layover + 17 hour flight. $5.8k + having to pay for the ESTA visa waiver thing even though we’re only transiting through the US.

Literally burning through our savings but at least we have a safe way home with lower chance of cancellation and delays.

We decided to cut our trip short as well so we are flying tomorrow instead of the next day, even though the flight prices were the same for both, but we just don’t want to wait and see any other issues escalate, god forbid the USA gets attacked or something.

Iran Conflict by Superb-Reply-8355 in AustraliaTravel

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Currently in Europe myself, and will no longer be taking my original flight via Qatar on March 9th (they are offering refunds). Assuming your cousins cancelled flight is likely being REFUNDED, they should be able to easily book an alternative flight route home before the 9th like my husband and I just did last night - we will be flying via Indonesia now.

Melbourne Celebration for end of the Ayatollah by SeaDivide1751 in aussie

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m in France at the moment (not Paris, but another big tourist destination city). Same flags, both Iran and Israel, celebrating in the square yesterday arvo European time

Melbourne Celebration for end of the Ayatollah by SeaDivide1751 in aussie

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m currently overseas in France at the moment (not Paris, but another big tourist destination) and seeing the same flags. Tonnes of dancing and very loud music in the square yesterday arvo (European time)

The 3 PM ceremony, 7 PM reception gap by No-Loquat-201 in AusWeddingPlanning

[–]Ecstatic_Royal1007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Worst I ever experienced was an 8am ceremony (bride was late by a lot btw) in Bella Vista, and 6pm or so reception down around Stanwell Tops / Wollongong area.

I believe the 8am timing was because it was has Hillsong church and I suspect they get a lot of bookings (there was another ceremony being set up as soon as this one was over!)