Christmas/Holiday season plans

[gpl007]

I'm off in QF J on Thursday SYD-PVG. Few days in Shanghai and then a bullet train to Beijing for a further few days, including a day trip to the Great Wall. Then on the train for 3 days up through Mongolia to Irkutsk in Siberia for a couple of days (inc. Christmas). Back on another train for 3 more days through to Moscow, staying another few days including NYE. Flying back DME-AUH-SYD in EY J (AUH-SYD on the A380)! All flights using AA points.

Travelling solo so it should be quite an adventure.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Did that last year (though not as long, jealous!) and had a cracking time. Don't think it has been that slow a start, is looking good up around the Furano area and it only takes one day for it to be epic and with 2 months you will get plenty of it.

Me, I head off in CX J on the coming Saturday. Hong Kong for a few days, onwards to Milan, Christmas in Chamomix, a few days in Berlin, 2.5 weeks in Brazil, a couple of days in Buenos Aires and the long way home in Qatar J via Perth to Melbourne. 2x280k J QF awards coming through with the goods, though I would have preferred to come home via SCL on QF or LAN but availability never showed.

Definitely – Furano last year was "not at its best" and it was SENSATIONAL. Skiing in Japan is like nothing else.

 

[Cynicor]

I reckon last year in Japan was the worst skiing I've had there, but it was ok overall.

Myoko had a dump but then tracked out a bit. Niseko dumped twice but dry for a heap of other days and massive blizzard for another, cut of all but 1 lift on the hirafu side.

A car to chase the pow, or multiple BC/cat trips is essential.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I reckon last year in Japan was the worst skiing I've had there, but it was ok overall.

Myoko had a dump but then tracked out a bit. Niseko dumped twice but dry for a heap of other days and massive blizzard for another, cut of all but 1 lift on the hirafu side.

A car to chase the pow, or multiple BC/cat trips is essential.

The year prior (2013/14 season) was great. It just dumped and dumped consistently all day, every day in Furano. It's just so dry. Nothing like US/Canada (in my experience), and a world away from Australian snow.

 

[Cynicor]

Absolutely. It's why I'm still going back but this may be my last hurrah there. Made it 6 of the last 7 seasons but in 2017 likely (hopefully??) to try Gulmarg or Alaskan heli instead.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Absolutely. It's why I'm still going back but this may be my last hurrah there. Made it 6 of the last 7 seasons but in 2017 likely (hopefully??) to try Gulmarg or Alaskan heli instead.

How fun! Next year it's the Italian alps for me. Know any good heli skiing operators by any chance?

 

[Cynicor]

I have guided with an Alaskan who is very competent, and still alive after around 12+ seasons guiding heli, so that's something.

If you are serious about contact details I can get a card out when I get back home. They also have backup side country and BC ops when the rotors can't turn. They don't fly just for the sake of stats though, so you'll get proper days.

 

[wazza888]

Having 3 weeks off early January .. SYD-BKK-REP-HAN-SGN-BKK-SYD.

 

[burmans]

Xmas at home, Boxing Day JAL SYD - NRT (care of AA in F), then to KIX (care of BA Avios), Kyoto for 5 days, Nozawa Onsen skiing (if it snows soon!) for 5 days, Tokyo for 5 days then back via SQ J (Yep, another reward). Clearly much of this I didn't know about until I joined AFF so truly grateful I found this site 5 or so years ago!

 

[JessicaTam]

And in another last minute change to my roster I now have NYE/D off.

Boy am I gonna pay for that next year's festive season. Everyone will have a long memory, I am sure.

 

[Simo]

Will be doing a road trip from Sunshine Coast to Mky with family dog and push bikes and scooters all in the car. Flying was never a option

 

[911tphil]

No flying for me as just had recent trips to Chicago, then Dubai. Sailed my yacht up to Sydney in between those trips and now up here on the Harbour looking forward to Christmas lunch in Farm Cove then NYE at Cruising Yacht Club. Sailing on Pittwater and beyond until end of Jan 2016 so enjoying a well earned break after a hectic year.
Merry Christmas to all !

 

[colin5353]

We are heading to Siem Rep in Cambodia Xmas day for a week then SIN for three days before back home.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Since I am staying at home.. I expect to be spending my time reading all these T.R's

Me too - I am suffering some serious travel envy after reading these posts. However when we planned Christmas 6 months ago, it was looking like only having Miss FM for Christmas day but now Dr FM is rostered off and Master FM had to come back to renew his visa and another girl whom we have mentored since her Mum died 10 years ago, is also coming back to Canberra to stay with us for a few days, so now we are 12 for lunch ( plus 5 dogs). I shall spend the week after recovering and reading trip reports. Safe travels everyone!

 

[Denali]

We are heading to Siem Rep in Cambodia Xmas day for a week then SIN for three days before back home.

Looking forward to a trip report or photos! We are going to be there for 2 weeks in April

Added a thank you sticker to our gifts for airline/airport staff, our flights point upgrades came through this morning and hopefully Hilton will come through with a room upgrade but OK if they dont.

 

[sergeyvzn]

Going to Brazil for 4 weeks, doing it the long way via Perth and Johannesburg. Going to Sao Paolo, Iguazu Falls, Rio (watching fireworks on Ipanema Beach on the NY eve), Manaus and the Amazon, Salvador and Brasilia. Should be fun -

 

[Denali]

... Ipanema Beach ..

\

Now I have that tune going through my head...

 

[Bindibuys]

Going to Brazil for 4 weeks, doing it the long way via Perth and Johannesburg. Going to Sao Paolo, Iguazu Falls, Rio (watching fireworks on Ipanema Beach on the NY eve), Manaus and the Amazon, Salvador and Brasilia. Should be fun -

Love Manaus. When ever we play the game "what's the first hotel that comes to mind?"
Tropical Hotels in Brasil | Tropical Manaus Hotel | Amazonas Brazil Wins hands down.

 

[Denali]

Gonna need more chocolates. Hubby already given out 28 boxes, at checkin an agent told our agent to give you us good seats but we're already J. Was asked if we wanted to fly ahead but hubby likes the lounge so now chilling.

12 boxes to go but 7 are for our flight crew.

 

[JessicaTam]

And in another last minute change to my roster I now have NYE/D off.

Boy am I gonna pay for that next year's festive season. Everyone will have a long memory, I am sure.

I was too quick to post. I am now spending the next few days working in SW Vic. And as I am on call for the duration, it will be a dry NYE. Oh well.