Daughter heading to Aus
Discussion
It's another one of those things you come to face as a parent.
Youngest Daughter has decided to head down under for a working type trip of a lifetime with 3 friends. They have the relevant visas, are starting in Perth where one of the girls sister is living. I've just been told that they go at the end of Nov and come back next August. Whilst there will be tears I'm very excited for her.
I know nothing about this level of adventure. I suppose I am looking for the real basics that I can do as a remote parent to help. I will buy her luggage, but want to get the best based on experience rather than advertising. Is there anything in particular I need to make sure she takes. She's not sure what balance of clothes to take or even how best to dress when travelling (stop over in Hong Kong).
Any advice from PH'ers that have done it or are over there now?
Youngest Daughter has decided to head down under for a working type trip of a lifetime with 3 friends. They have the relevant visas, are starting in Perth where one of the girls sister is living. I've just been told that they go at the end of Nov and come back next August. Whilst there will be tears I'm very excited for her.
I know nothing about this level of adventure. I suppose I am looking for the real basics that I can do as a remote parent to help. I will buy her luggage, but want to get the best based on experience rather than advertising. Is there anything in particular I need to make sure she takes. She's not sure what balance of clothes to take or even how best to dress when travelling (stop over in Hong Kong).
Any advice from PH'ers that have done it or are over there now?
This is all brilliant stuff people and exactly what I was hoping for.
I'm trying not to interfere too much as part of the adventure is her doing all this for herself but I wanted the knolwedge to guide with a degree of confidence.
She has a return ticket (or will have). I have already spoken to her about an exit or escape route if things don't go right. They are getting tickets through Trailfinders adn I understand that although the return flight home is booked for a date in late August it can be changed for a fixed fee of £100.
To be honest though I console myself that if there is some sort of disaster I can go and get her or at least get her home somehow.
We have already spoken about the skype thing. Casting her adrift just isn't going to happen so we will be speaking with her regularly. She is leaving her iphone here (and I'm apparantly paying the blessed contract while she is away!!)as her provider were less than helpful. I rather presume she would get a pay as you go phone over there and we'll work out a way of texting to trigger a skype call.
We have various friends and contacts in the areas they plan heading to awho are all happy to act as emergency contacts, which as a parent is a considerable comfort.
Wish we'd done it to be honest but when I were a lad the only option was a trip round europe on a train! Wasn't prepared to give up my 1275gt for that though!
I'm trying not to interfere too much as part of the adventure is her doing all this for herself but I wanted the knolwedge to guide with a degree of confidence.
She has a return ticket (or will have). I have already spoken to her about an exit or escape route if things don't go right. They are getting tickets through Trailfinders adn I understand that although the return flight home is booked for a date in late August it can be changed for a fixed fee of £100.
To be honest though I console myself that if there is some sort of disaster I can go and get her or at least get her home somehow.
We have already spoken about the skype thing. Casting her adrift just isn't going to happen so we will be speaking with her regularly. She is leaving her iphone here (and I'm apparantly paying the blessed contract while she is away!!)as her provider were less than helpful. I rather presume she would get a pay as you go phone over there and we'll work out a way of texting to trigger a skype call.
We have various friends and contacts in the areas they plan heading to awho are all happy to act as emergency contacts, which as a parent is a considerable comfort.
Wish we'd done it to be honest but when I were a lad the only option was a trip round europe on a train! Wasn't prepared to give up my 1275gt for that though!
Well, we are gradually getting things sorted.
She is going to buy a payg phone when there. She will have a netbook to Skype and an iPod touch to facetime and use for wi-fi.
I am going to get her some insurance but not decided which type yet.
What advice is there about taking and getting access to money? I have asked her but not convinced that they know what is best.
Sorry for all the questions but I feel a bit out of my comfort zone.
She is going to buy a payg phone when there. She will have a netbook to Skype and an iPod touch to facetime and use for wi-fi.
I am going to get her some insurance but not decided which type yet.
What advice is there about taking and getting access to money? I have asked her but not convinced that they know what is best.
Sorry for all the questions but I feel a bit out of my comfort zone.
Oi! 
Under 3 weeks to go now and I think all the ducks are lined up.
She has bank account opened, luggage purchased, dentist visited, party arranged. Got her first Australian Dollars as well. I thought the money you saw on 'Neighbours' was pretend....turns out it's all pretend!! Who'd a thought it.
Anyway, just travel insurance to sort out. And tissues for SWMBO at Heathrow.
We dropped our youngest at Uni on Bournemouth and on the way home she cried from there until 20 miles up the M3! I predict weeping all the way back round the M25 from Heathrow to Chingford!
Under 3 weeks to go now and I think all the ducks are lined up.
She has bank account opened, luggage purchased, dentist visited, party arranged. Got her first Australian Dollars as well. I thought the money you saw on 'Neighbours' was pretend....turns out it's all pretend!! Who'd a thought it.
Anyway, just travel insurance to sort out. And tissues for SWMBO at Heathrow.
We dropped our youngest at Uni on Bournemouth and on the way home she cried from there until 20 miles up the M3! I predict weeping all the way back round the M25 from Heathrow to Chingford!
Well, thought I'd bump this thread as she has been in Perth now since late November.
She looked as the first couple of months as a holiday and she has now got a job in a coffee shop which she loves.
The 3 girls she went with are turning a bit strange. Rather insular and not seeming to want to do much other than mix with boys at the hostel. Anyway, they may move on without my daughter. She doesn't seem worried about that and gets on better now with some others from the hostel. I'm pretty relaxed about this but SWMBO is a little hissy about it.
All in all Perth sounds like a great place to start this sort of trip.
She looked as the first couple of months as a holiday and she has now got a job in a coffee shop which she loves.
The 3 girls she went with are turning a bit strange. Rather insular and not seeming to want to do much other than mix with boys at the hostel. Anyway, they may move on without my daughter. She doesn't seem worried about that and gets on better now with some others from the hostel. I'm pretty relaxed about this but SWMBO is a little hissy about it.
All in all Perth sounds like a great place to start this sort of trip.
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