Category Archives: Before Leaving Home

‘Pimp Your Ride’ with the ‘Masters of the Self-drive Holiday.’

Posted by Brent

It isn’t easy planning the perfect holiday, especially to a place you have never been. Sure there is an overwhelming number of resources available to help you gather information, but what is the difference between good and great? – anyone can write a review, the question is “did they have the same expectations as you?”

Here’s how you can have a vacation, that not only surpasses your expectations, but eliminates all the guessing and hard work. Better still, this service is absolutely free.

Ten Great Reasons to use First Light Travel to “Customize” Your Self-drive Holiday.

Continue reading →

Posted in ABOUT US, Art, Australia, Before Leaving Home, Caving, Culture, Diving, Fiji, Hiking, History, Humour, LOTR, Nature, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, Surfing, The Hobbit, Wintersports | Leave a comment

When is the Best Time of Year to visit Australia? – There is not a Short Answer.

Posted by Brent

The sheer size of Australia means there is a wide variation in climate. These range from a ‘wet’ and a ‘dry’ season in the tropical north, an area that is also prone to cyclones to the outback ‘the Red Centre’ that experiences blistering temperatures with severe droughts.  At the same time down south in Tasmania, an icy breeze from the Antarctica can prevail – So planning your holiday is essential.

When the ski season kicks off in the Northern Hemisphere, Australia starts to bask in the Southern Hemisphere’s summer. Midwinter in Australia is July and August, and the hottest months by far are November through March. But remember, unlike in the northern hemisphere, the further south you go in Australia, the colder it gets…

Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Before Leaving Home, Nature | Leave a comment

New Zealand Customs – Bringing your medication into Middle Earth.

Posted by Brent

In a previous post we discussed the reasons behind the extreme measures Biosecurity New Zealand take to stop you bringing food into New Zealand and the possible consequences for both you and the country.

Today we are looking at your personal medication and how to bring it into New Zealand with the least amount of hassle.

Continue reading →

Posted in Before Leaving Home, Customs, New Zealand | Leave a comment

A Short Lesson in Time Travel

Posted by Brent

Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521) was the leader of the first expedition to circumnavigate the world. When his men arrived at the Cape Verde Islands near Africa at the end of the journey in 1522, to their surprise, they were one day later than they had worked out in their logs.

The International Date Line has confused navigators, explorers, and the everyday traveler for nearly five centuries since humans first began circumnavigating the globe  – don’t let it baffle you!

Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Before Leaving Home, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands | Leave a comment

An American Perspective….

Posted by Brent

You like tomahto and I like tomato!  We call an Eraser a Rubber – and you grin?

Culturally we may be similar, but a lot can be lost in translation.  So its time to take a stand and speak for yourselves….

22 “pearls”, written by and dedicated to North Americans. A string of advice to guide your planning process when contemplating a holiday to New Zealand.  

Continue reading →

Posted in Before Leaving Home, New Zealand | Leave a comment

The Art of Speaking “STRINE” – Australian slang

Posted by Brent

Australian English is also referred to as “Strine” The word derives from saying the word “Australian” through clenched teeth – a local accent that some scholars claim arose from the need to try and keep ones mouth closed when speaking, in order to keep the flies out…….

Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Before Leaving Home, Culture, History | Leave a comment

Safe and Aware while enjoying your holiday in Australia

Posted by Brent

Australia is a very welcoming country to travel to and appeals to a broad range of visitors from families with children to gap year students, and with wide open spaces, beautiful beaches, glorious sunshine, low crime statistics, and a vast and diverse landscape, it is one of the safest countries in the world to visit.

Topics Covered: Driving, Snakes, Spiders, Crocodiles, Swimming, Sharks, Mosquitoes and Stingers.

Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Before Leaving Home | Leave a comment

Driving in Australia – A Bigger Deal than You Might Think.

Posted by Brent

Driving on this “Great Southern Land” is an experience to be savored. Get into the wide-open spaces and see nature at its best. Drive hard and see if you can put an end to that massive horizon – Some adventures can only be found by car.

But before setting off you should make sure you are well prepared to ensure you have a great road trip.

So “Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel!”

Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Before Leaving Home | Leave a comment

3 Things You Didn’t Know, You Didn’t Know

Posted by Brent

PAYING WITH PLASTIC ABROAD - There is plenty of advice on exchange fee’s, effective concealment when on the road etc… But here are three situations that can really derail your holiday and leave you up that proverbial creek or billabong.

1) The Doozie: This is a crowd stopper and could stop your holiday in its tracks.

If you use your Visa or MasterCard debit card for the car, motorbike or motorhome bond, be warned – they don’t just take an imprint, like they do with a credit card, they swipe it and put a freeze on your funds for the duration of your hire or stay. This reduces the amount of funds available to you and if unaware of this it could seriously limit the amount of funds you have at your disposal. However, if you use a credit card, they will only take an imprint. And you can only use your own credit card – third Party credit cards are not accepted. If the renter does not hold a credit card, they will be required to leave a deposit in cash. Cash deposits are only accepted on specific car classes and at specific locations.

Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Before Leaving Home, Cook Islands, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands | Leave a comment

We’re on Top of the World – Come on Up and Visit

Posted by admin

Who are we…

Lost in the Sahara and low on water, arrested in Zaire for spying (Long Story) or unashamedly stuck in an unpronounceable airport with not a penny to thy name. The industry can put you in some interesting situations and teach you a trick or two, including the power of a bit of local knowledge. We have owned and operated an African safaris company, set up a dive training school in the in the Middle East and founded an adventure centre in the UK. Now, we are celebrating our 10th year of bringing people into the South Pacific with our company First Light Travel –  So you’re right in guessing we are passionate about what we do.

 

What this blog is about

Life’s far too short for bad wine or bad holidays. You can contact Suzie here at First Light Travel if you want advice with your wine selection when travelling Down Under, but if you’re interested in time-tested advice that will stand you in good stead when travelling, then read on…

Continue reading →

Posted in ABOUT US, Art, Australia, Before Leaving Home, Caving, Cook Islands, Culture, Customs, Diving, Fiji, Hiking, History, Humour, LOTR, Nature, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, Surfing, The Hobbit, Wine and Food, Wintersports | Leave a comment