ASP > DRW > PER > KUL > HKG > NRT > KIX > HNL > NAN

[benjy]

Hello fellow travellers,

In a little under 7 weeks I embark on a 4 week mostly solo adventure through NT, KL, Japan and Hawaii. I'm going to use this thread to post review of airlines, hotels and anything else I experience. I have very little plans set and most of it I'm just winging it. In each location I want do a little bit of clothes and souvenir shopping, as well as experience the local cuisine.

Below are my plans, including airlines and hotels. I most definitely welcome your suggestions on additional places to visit and activities I should do during my stays.

Edit to add: I've never been to any of the places below, nor flown on any of the airlines except Qantas. I also have Unlimited Priority Pass access thanks to Amex Platinum, so if there are any PP lounge locations I should visit please feel free to mention.

Sat, 6th Oct
Airline: QF, MEL > ADL currently in Y, ADL > ASP in J.
Hotel: Hilton Double Tree. Checking in ~1pm
Plans: Explore Alice Springs local surrounds with father.
Suggestions: What to see or do in afternoon/evening?

Sun, 7th Oct
Plans: West Macdonnell Ranges Day Trip 8am to 5pm
Suggestions: Places to visit for dinner?

Mon, 8th Oct
Plans: Travel on Ghan to Darwin. Check in 5pm.
Suggestions: What to see or do during the day?

Tues, 9th Oct
Plans: Arrive into Darwin, approx 5pm. Most likely visit casino at night.
Hotel: Hilton Darwin
Suggestions: Recommended places to eat dinner at?

Wed, 10th Oct
Airline: QF, DRW > ADL > MEL in J.
Plans: Flight departs at 11:30am, arrive Melbourne 7pm. Leave father behind (he's staying until Friday). Get home, unpack, repack, sleep, prepare for the big adventure
Suggestions: Where to go for breakfast? I'm thinking taking father to the airport and allow him experience the Qantas Lounge as he's never experienced an airport lounge before.

NOW THE SOLO ADVENTURE BEGINS!
Thurs, 11th Oct
Airline: QF, MEL > PER in J. Flight arrives at 12:45pm
Plans: Flight to KUL leaves at 02:05 Friday so about 8 hours free. Nothing locked in
Suggestions: What to see and do?

Fri, 12th Oct > Thurs, 18th Oct
Airline: MH, PER > KUL, in J. Flight departs 02:05, arrives 08:00
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur
Plans: Nothing locked in
Places I'll visit: Petronos Towers, Menara KL Tower, Batu Caves, Canopy Walk
Suggestions: What else to see and do?

Thurs, 18th Oct
Airline: KA, KUL > HKG, in J. Leaves 10:10, Arrives 14:25
Hotel: Novotel Hong Kong City Gate
Plans: Nothing locked in. Next flight leave 10:30 Friday
Places I'll visit: If timing is right, I'll visit Disneyland. Otherwise I'll take a trip into the city centre
Suggestions: What else to see and do in the 14 or so hours I'll have free?

Fri, 19th Oct > Tues, 23rd Oct
Airline: CX, HKG > NRT, in J. Leaves 10:30, Arrives 15:55
Hotel: Hotel Monterery Hanzamon
Plans: Bullet train from Tokyo to Narita on Tuesday.
Places I'll visit: Legoland, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Legoland. Chiyoda area
Suggestions: What else can I fit into this jam packed few days? What days should I avoid the above? Any hints and tips?

Tues, 23rd Oct > Fri, 26th Oct
Hotel: Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka
Plans: Bullet train back to Narita on Friday, plane leaves 22:00
Places I'll visit: Universal Studios Osaka. Osaka castle and museum. Dontonbori
Suggestions: What else can I fit in? What days/times should I avoid? Any hints and tips

Fri, 26th Oct > Fri, 2nd Nov
Airline: JL, NRT > HNL, in J. Flight arrives 10:05
Hotel: Hilton Garden In Waikiki Beach
Plans: Nothing locked in. Definitely want a full day of doing nothing at all
Places I'll visit: The beach. Sealife Park, Pearl Harbour.
Suggestions: What else to see and do?

AND FINALLY
Sat, 3rd Nov
Airline: FJ, HNL > NAD. Flight arrives 08:20, leaves 18:50.
Plans: Nothing
Suggestions: What to do in the 8-10 hours I'll have available?

Thanks in advance for all suggestions. I can't wait for the trip and sharing my experiences.

Ben

 

[OZDUCK]

.Assuming you haven't been in Perth before - get into the CBD (taxi dearer but quick or Transperth bus - cheap but longer) Perth Airport - Passengers | To & from the airport and have a quick look around. Catch the bus 935 from St Georges Terrace (free for that trip) up to Kings Park and have a look around, especially the views from the War Memorial area over Perth and the Swan River. There should still be a good display of Wildflowers in bloom Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority - Home Return to the CBD and have a bit of a wander around the riverfront - Elizabeth Quay, Belltower etc. Possibly go over to Northbridge for some food and then catch a taxi back to the airport. Northbridge | Visit Perth City

If you have a day to spare in KL something a bit different is to catch the train to Port Klang and then take a ferry out to Pulau Ketam Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) - Malaysia It is a relaxed day out but an antidote to the rush in KL.

 

[Major]

Looks like an interesting trip

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

Boarding Pass stamped! Should be a good trip.

 

[Daver6]

Either in Alice or Darwin, I would highly recommend Hanuman Hanuman Restaurants | for either lunch or dinner. I've eaten at both locations and both are excellent.

For the West Macdonnell ranges, make sure you have a swim in Ellery Creek Big Hole. So refreshing on a hot day.

If you want to save yourself the hassle of the 2am departure from PER to KUL, MH now has a 3:50pm flight too.

 

[rleedham]

Just going to comment on the theme park choices and Japan.

DisneySea-yes, Tokyo Disneyland-yes, DisneySea over Disneyland. Legoland in Japan is in Nagoya, don't do this! You could probably do Legoland in KL but I think it is probably similarly bad. Probably skip to Singapore from KL for Universal Studios instead but Universal Studios in Osaka is better (although may have extremely long waits). Don't go on weekends to any of these major parks in Japan.

In terms of a replacement for Legoland Japan, you have a few options. Fuji-Q has the biggest and best coasters in Japan-this is a day trip from Tokyo. Nagashima Spaland which is close to Nagoya, this is also a day trip. There are lots of more minor parks and roller coasters about in Japan-Tokyo Dome City Attractions being an obvious one. The other alternative is going to the train museum in Nagoya, it is more fun and better than Legoland Japan-although you can get to both at the same train station.

To be honest, I'd just cut the Osaka leg completely and save buying a JR rail pass-there's plenty to do around Tokyo. Add a day trip to Hakone (you could stop at Odawara to see a castle although it is pretty cough) or Kamakura/Enoshima for something a little different from urban Tokyo. With this you have a day on the east side of Tokyo, a day on the west side of Tokyo, 3 days to do theme parks and a day trip out of Tokyo, with your last Friday before you fly out spare to do anything else that catches your eye. There's plenty to do in Tokyo, just depends if you love food, shrines, art, anime, sport, drinking and on and on and on.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[benjy]

Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone
Unable to cut out any of the legs due to them already booked and paid for.

I'll conduct additional research regarding the theme park suggestions in Japan, thanks rleedhm

 

[TomCC]

Either in Alice or Darwin, I would highly recommend Hanuman Hanuman Restaurants | for either lunch or dinner. I've eaten at both locations and both are excellent.

For the West Macdonnell ranges, make sure you have a swim in Ellery Creek Big Hole. So refreshing on a hot day.

If you want to save yourself the hassle of the 2am departure from PER to KUL, MH now has a 3:50pm flight too.

Hanumans was nice, my favourite though was Saffron - if you like Indian and if it's no hassle to get out of the CBD to nearby Parap would highly recommend as found it to be the best Indian food I've had in Aus. Moorish in the CBD is also very very good. If you prefer seafood/grill type food then the waterfront has some nice options too and only walking distance from the city.

Breakfast in Darwin, if you get a chance then I think Nightcliff around the beach is the best place to go. There's one place overlooking the water on the point which has great setting and nice food, another really good place a little back from the beach called The Lucky Bat - food is even better, but you don't get the ocean views! But if bound to the CBD then Alleycats is still a good choice.

 

[kevrosmith]

You can get the Osaka Amazing Pass and/or the Kansai Thru Pass for travel in the Osaka and Kansai (Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe area). Provides discounts on lots of tourist attractions in Osaka/Kansai area.
TRAVEL PASSES

There's a good observation deck in Osaka at the Umeda Sky Building. There's a Legoland in Osaka, but really, unless you have children, they're not really Lego world-type displays. It's just games and activities for children themed around the Lego world themes. The Aquarium in Osaka is fairly good.

 

[I love to travel]

Subscribed with boarding pass

 

[Eagles06]

Looks like a great trip .
Everyone has great suggestions . Make sure (if you haven't) to check out the Japan Rail Pass that covers a variety of Shinkansen , Regional trains , Monorail in Tokyo and some metro lines . We found it of value for out travelling outside of Tokyo both from a value and ease point of view .

 

[benjy]

The start of the trip is nearly here. This morning received notification that I was upgraded in first leg MEL>ADL, which means Business class for the entire trip.

First flight, T-10 hours

 

[benjy]

First flight MEL to ADL on QF675 completed. Departed and arrived on time.
Had a very bland and tasteless quiche, which was only option after the three bowls of fruit were taken by Seats 1A,C and D, I was in 1 F

Now on to the second flight QF723, ADL to ASP, which is same plane, in the same seat, nearly all the same crew.

 

[benjy]

Typing this at Alice Springs airport awaiting Dad from the delayed Brisbane flight.

The ADL to ASP flight was much more enjoyable, could be due to not having a seat neighbour, better food, or consuming alcohol on flight, perhaps a combination of all 3. I had the toasted sandwich which had a lot more flavour to it than the quiche.

Choice between taxi or airport shuttle back to Alice Springs, both around the same price for 2 people. I chose the shuttle in dad's absence.

 

[craven morehead]

On board and ready to travel on your money

 

[benjy]

My current location is Perth, sitting at a place called Print Hall waiting for a Facebook friend who I've never met, he's due to arrive within the hour, so perfect time to do some writing about my trip.

Continuing on where I left off, checked into Hilton Double Tree Alice Springs, my experience written in the Hilton thread.

After checking in, Dad and I took a taxi into the town centre and found ourselves a local bar called Sporties, has good reviews and reasonable prices when compared to Melbourne, just had a couple drinks, no food. We watched the few locals passed by. Just like the sign below, dad and I chatted a bit


After our couple drinks at Sporties we went and found another bar that had a happy hour, called Uncles Tavern. This place at lot more livelier in a busier part of the town. They touted that they have the coldest tap beer in Alice, and I'm pretty sure I do. Both Sporties and Uncles were great but I think Uncles won.


We got bored of our drinks and watching the races and so decided to head to the local BWS, but some takeaway alcohol to take back to the hotel. The NT has a banned drinking register (news to me) so all ID is checked of those purchasing takeaway alcohol.

Took our alcohol back to the hotel and went to Lasseters Casino, located about 300m down the road to have dinner. I had a chicken schitzel with bacon and egg, mind the food photo below! Went spent a little longer at the casino than planned, never had that takeaway alcohol this night!

 

[benjy]

So I'm nearly a week behind writing about this trip.
Sunday, I arranged a tour through the West Macdonnell Ranges via Ema Run bus tours.
Was an all day activity from 8am - 5pm.
Dad was amazed at the scenery as well as the places the tour arranged to stop at for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
First quick photo stop was John Flynn grave site.


Then afterwards, a bit of a drive to Simpsons Gap where there is no swimming allowed in the River Bed (when there's water)

Then afterwards off to Standley Chasm for a 30 min walk to check it out and have morning tea

Then another drive to check out ochre walls

All of the stops our driver was very informative. If you didn't like to listen there was always information boards to read.

Our final stops were a couple of swimming holes where we also had afternoon tea



That night, you guessed it, we went casino for dinner, had a delicious steak. A bit on the pricey side but still well worth it

 

[Captain Halliday]

benjy, I was in Tokyo last month. Rather than fill you TR with a list of suggestions, you can check out my tips here: A milestone birthday OW award
Enjoy you trip.

 

[JohnM]

Late aboard, but I notice 1A is free - so that's where I am....

 

[benjy]

Hi folks, something I didn't really think about is washing dirty clothes. So just wondering what you would do to wash your dirty clothes on a holiday such as this?

I know I have the hotel laundry (currently at Hilton DoubleTree) but that is pricey. I'm thinking of just washing my socks and jocks in the hand basin and perhaps arrange a pick up and delivery for everything else https://www.washhouse.my/

Don't think I can wait until I find a hotel that had coin laundry or a laundromat in walking distance (I could but don't want my clothes stinking)