Did you stop on the way? - moved to main forum
#1
Did you stop on the way? - moved to main forum
OK we have a 6 & what will be 8 hopfully when we fly and I just wanted to know if you stopped where did you stop off and who did you fly with. When we flew out for a recce we went LAX (through America) - never again, so was hoping other people have done a different way with kids and could offer some advice.
Thanks all
Thanks all
#2
Re: Did you stop on the way?
OK we have a 6 & what will be 8 hopfully when we fly and I just wanted to know if you stopped where did you stop off and who did you fly with. When we flew out for a recce we went LAX (through America) - never again, so was hoping other people have done a different way with kids and could offer some advice.
Thanks all
Thanks all
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Methven, NZ
Posts: 82
Re: Did you stop on the way?
OK we have a 6 & what will be 8 hopfully when we fly and I just wanted to know if you stopped where did you stop off and who did you fly with. When we flew out for a recce we went LAX (through America) - never again, so was hoping other people have done a different way with kids and could offer some advice.
Thanks all
Thanks all
We stopped in Singapore for 2 nights as we had 2 & 4yr olds at time. Wished we hadn't, didn't help the jet lag, has 2 nights with the 2yr old awake most the time. Just wished we'd come direct and got here quicker.
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Sunnynook, North Shore, Auckland
Posts: 104
Re: Did you stop on the way?
We did our recce recently with a three yr old. Flew with Air New Zealand via Hong Kong on way out and LA on way back, both ways without stop over. We did it that way because we just wanted to get on with it and I was sceptical about how much help adapting to another new time zone would be - it worked for us and we enjoyed Air NZ and even LA was ok but then we were expecting it to be hideous.
But I was thinking about the "going over for good" flights the other day and although we fancied trying out someone else, we might need that extra luggage quota Air New Zealand give on the LA route (we'll have a baby with us by then). Not sure if you'll be like us taking the kitchen sink and whether luggage allowance is an issue for you?!
But I was thinking about the "going over for good" flights the other day and although we fancied trying out someone else, we might need that extra luggage quota Air New Zealand give on the LA route (we'll have a baby with us by then). Not sure if you'll be like us taking the kitchen sink and whether luggage allowance is an issue for you?!
#5
Re: Did you stop on the way?
We've stopped in Kuala Lumpar and Singapore and have to say outta the two I would choose KL.
We flew with malaysian airlines and managed to get a side flight to Borneo for 4 days on the way back. it was ridicously cheap ( about £400 for 5 of us) and the hotel was included
http://www.shangri-la.com/en/propert.../rasariaresort
Check out Malaysian website or phone eBookers
We flew with malaysian airlines and managed to get a side flight to Borneo for 4 days on the way back. it was ridicously cheap ( about £400 for 5 of us) and the hotel was included
http://www.shangri-la.com/en/propert.../rasariaresort
Check out Malaysian website or phone eBookers
#6
Re: Did you stop on the way?
No doubt about it - stopover in Malaysia. I have been back and fourth every way possible over my lifetime and the best long haul experience I have had was stopping in Malaysia (especially with children!). The East Asians are really good with children and if you fly with either Singapore Airlines or Malaysian you can hire a car from Singapore or KL and drive up through Malaysia.
On our last trip we had a 3 year old and 6 month old. We flew in to Singapore, hired a car, drove over the second crossing into Malaysia, up the north-south expressway (excellent), and rented a 3 bedroom villa with large pool in the A'Famosa resort just outside Malacca (Malaysia). If you say you have come up from Singapore and ask for resident rates it will cost £45/night. The kids slept in the car and we took our time through Malaysia so it took about 3 hours to get to the resort. If you're feeling more adventurous the coastal drive is very nice. Also, Malacca has a Tesco!
If you do this, you won't want to finish the journey to NZ!
On our last trip we had a 3 year old and 6 month old. We flew in to Singapore, hired a car, drove over the second crossing into Malaysia, up the north-south expressway (excellent), and rented a 3 bedroom villa with large pool in the A'Famosa resort just outside Malacca (Malaysia). If you say you have come up from Singapore and ask for resident rates it will cost £45/night. The kids slept in the car and we took our time through Malaysia so it took about 3 hours to get to the resort. If you're feeling more adventurous the coastal drive is very nice. Also, Malacca has a Tesco!
If you do this, you won't want to finish the journey to NZ!
#7
Re: Did you stop on the way?
Thanks everyone, that has given me something to think about, never thought about going to Malaysia, but will now. Mr CFD, might pick your brains on it later on if thats ok??
#8
Re: Did you stop on the way?
We've stopped in Kuala Lumpar and Singapore and have to say outta the two I would choose KL.
We flew with malaysian airlines and managed to get a side flight to Borneo for 4 days on the way back. it was ridicously cheap ( about £400 for 5 of us) and the hotel was included
http://www.shangri-la.com/en/propert.../rasariaresort
Check out Malaysian website or phone eBookers
We flew with malaysian airlines and managed to get a side flight to Borneo for 4 days on the way back. it was ridicously cheap ( about £400 for 5 of us) and the hotel was included
http://www.shangri-la.com/en/propert.../rasariaresort
Check out Malaysian website or phone eBookers
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Kapiti Coast, Wellington
Posts: 704
Re: Did you stop on the way?
For a different idea: we went on our reccie in Feb via San Francisco. We flew Virgin to San Francisco and then Air NewZealand to Auckland. The only reason was it was cheaper! San Fran airport was MUCH better than LAX. We were able to get out into the airport although we were in transit. The airport itself was spacious and the best attraction for the kids was taking a (free!) monorail on a huge circuit to the car hire place which is a couple of miles outside the airport.
When we go to NZ on a permanent basis we hope to go that way again and maybe spend a few days driving down the LAX. The kids are desperate to go to Disneyland, having said that by the time our house sells and we manage to go they'll probably be grown up!!!!!
When we go to NZ on a permanent basis we hope to go that way again and maybe spend a few days driving down the LAX. The kids are desperate to go to Disneyland, having said that by the time our house sells and we manage to go they'll probably be grown up!!!!!
#11
Re: Did you stop on the way?
We've stopped in Kuala Lumpar and Singapore and have to say outta the two I would choose KL.
We flew with malaysian airlines and managed to get a side flight to Borneo for 4 days on the way back. it was ridicously cheap ( about £400 for 5 of us) and the hotel was included
http://www.shangri-la.com/en/propert.../rasariaresort
Check out Malaysian website or phone eBookers
We flew with malaysian airlines and managed to get a side flight to Borneo for 4 days on the way back. it was ridicously cheap ( about £400 for 5 of us) and the hotel was included
http://www.shangri-la.com/en/propert.../rasariaresort
Check out Malaysian website or phone eBookers
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 647
Re: Did you stop on the way? - moved to main forum
OK we have a 6 & what will be 8 hopfully when we fly and I just wanted to know if you stopped where did you stop off and who did you fly with. When we flew out for a recce we went LAX (through America) - never again, so was hoping other people have done a different way with kids and could offer some advice.
Thanks all
Thanks all
Should keep the kids busy and none of the flights were that long
#13
Re: Did you stop on the way? - moved to main forum
OK we have a 6 & what will be 8 hopfully when we fly and I just wanted to know if you stopped where did you stop off and who did you fly with. When we flew out for a recce we went LAX (through America) - never again, so was hoping other people have done a different way with kids and could offer some advice.
Thanks all
Thanks all
We flew via Singapore Airlines and used the Transit Hotel on the way there. We booked a room for 8 hours. On the way back we used the Transit Lounge here you are able to have a shower and change of clothes etc. This way you do not need to clear immigration so you don't see your luggage. Just take an overnight bag. Plus Singapore Airlines are great with children.
#14
Re: Did you stop on the way? - moved to main forum
If you fly direct to NZ via LAX, then I agree the transit lounge in LA is disgusting and makes for a unpleasant experience.
But if you stopover for a day or two in LA, even in one of the airport hotels which are right next to the runway, then this can be enjoyable. The weather in LA is normally warm, you can swim in an outdoor pool, and maybe take a short taxi ride to Venice Beach for a stroll. Of course, there are other attractions in LA for a longer stop.
Also, going this way, there are numerous stopovers you could try, like Fiji, Cook Islands, Tahiti or even Hawaii. You may not get the chance again! Probably the easiest to do is Rarotonga, where you could pass 4 days or so quite happily doing next to nothing and snorkelling in the lagoon.
Alternative stopovers Ive done on other routes are Singapore and Hong Kong. In both places English is quite widely understood, and they both offer a rich experience for a short stay at least.
But if you stopover for a day or two in LA, even in one of the airport hotels which are right next to the runway, then this can be enjoyable. The weather in LA is normally warm, you can swim in an outdoor pool, and maybe take a short taxi ride to Venice Beach for a stroll. Of course, there are other attractions in LA for a longer stop.
Also, going this way, there are numerous stopovers you could try, like Fiji, Cook Islands, Tahiti or even Hawaii. You may not get the chance again! Probably the easiest to do is Rarotonga, where you could pass 4 days or so quite happily doing next to nothing and snorkelling in the lagoon.
Alternative stopovers Ive done on other routes are Singapore and Hong Kong. In both places English is quite widely understood, and they both offer a rich experience for a short stay at least.
#15
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hamilton
Posts: 11
Re: Did you stop on the way? - moved to main forum
We flew singapore airlines mainly because it was the cheapest and they increased our luggage allowance. We stopped in Singapore (funnily enough) but only for about 2 hours so we got off one plane and got back on another but at least we got to stretch our legs and it was fine.