Flight Time Changes

As we hit the final stretch before our holiday, we've been advised by our travel agent that many of the flight times are changing. This affects Virgin mainly but it's a good idea to check your flights with all carriers as they may not alert you to any changes.

Also, heard a great story on the weekend about a Bridesmaid who very nearly didn't make it to an international wedding. She didn't realise that when travelling overseas, your passport needs to have at least 6 months left before the expiry date. While there's still time for you to be issued with an emergency passport - please double check!!

Remember to hit Smart Traveller for all the latest information on local security and health issues. While you're there it's a great idea to register your trip.

And of course, ensure you have all the contact details for your travel insurance tucked into your bag. You never know when you're going to need to use it!

That's it for now. Hope your packing is going well and your countdowns are getting smaller. And if you are having a bad day just think, next weekend you'll be in Bali!

VIP Visa

Since our Airport post we've had quite a few people contact us in regards to the VIP Visas that are available. Here's what you need to know;

• The cost of the VIP Visa is $30 per person in Australian currency.
• You still need to pay the Indonesian Government Visa of $25 US. (You can pay in other currencies however this is easiest)
• You will be met in the arrival hall of Denpasar Airport where you'll need to hand over your $25US, passport and visa form to your guide.
• Your guide will walk you through immigration and take you to collect your bag. They will then go back and complete all paperwork on your behalf.
• Once you have your bag, your guide will walk with you through customs and out to the arrivals area.
• Here you'll be met by Murti, the company owner and you will pay your $30Aus for the VIP service.

If you would like to take advantage of this service please email Murti at murti@iprimus.com.au stating your full names, flight number and arrival day and time. Please also mention you are with the Barry Wedding and you may receive a discount.

If you'd like, Murti can also arrange your transfers to the hotel. Once you've paid your $30Aus to Murti, you can be escorted directly to your car and whizzed away to your hotel!
To get to the Pelangi or Breezes will cost around 110,000Rp (around $12) for up to 6 people. If you have more people headed in the same direction we can look at getting a larger transport where required.

Garuda Cheap Flights!

If you haven't booked your flights just yet then here is a great opportunity! I've just checked the Garuda website and return flights for 1 adult are $589.52!

The flights are Saturday 28th April leaving Melbourne at 10:55am and landing in Bali at 1:35pm. Return flight departs Bali at 11:45pm Saturday 5th May arriving in Melbourne at 8:25am Sunday morning.

Considering food, entertainment and drinks (that's Bintang!) are included, this is an amazing price!!!

Get onto Yvonne or go and book yourself by clicking here!

Travel Lesson - Check your passport!

On our last flight to Bali we were ready to pull out of Brisbane airport when two young guys had to be removed from the flight. Unfortunately , they had just waited 6 hours for a delayed flight that they weren't allowed to catch.

You see, they had less than 6 months left on their passports until they expired. These days airlines aren't letting you take the risk of flying to a foreign country just to get shoved on the next plane home. They are denying passage to anyone without the appropriate amount of time remaining on your passport.

Now is a great time to double check the expiry dates of your documentation. If it expires between now and December 2012 - it might be a good idea to get a new one. We don't want to leave a man behind!

Booking - UPDATE

Hi all,

Thanks so much for the lovely feedback on your invites. Glad to hear they made it safely to you! Our travel agent has already had emails from many of you looking for indicative costs which is fantastic.

Here's some of the info that I can pass along;

• A superior room at the Pelangi (this is the one we've stayed in previously and is the most basic) has been quoted at $107 per night for 2 people, including breakfast. This is a brilliant group rate, on previous stays we've paid around $120 and all room rates in Bali increase 10%-15% year on year.        
• A superior room at The Breezes Resort costs $138 per room for 2 people including breakfast.             
• A superior interconnecting room which sleeps 4 including breakfast is $247 per night. Additional roll away beds are charged at $45 per night. There are 9 interconnecting rooms, we believe our group would need a maximum of 4 of these.
• Flights for May next year haven't been released by all airlines at the moment. Comparing the cost to flights later this year may not give you an accurate idea.
• Transfers are $12 per person one way. We would recommend not getting transfers. The cost to get a taxi from the airport to the Pelangi is $8 and you can fit 4 people plus luggage in the taxis.

Our advice at this stage is this; if you would like to, lock in your accommodation costs now. These costs will not change as Yvonne has secured group rates based on the hotel's 11/12 rates.

Wait on locking in your flights. All airlines will have plenty of sales between now and December so save yourself some $$$$ and hold off on these. You should easily be able to get an adult return fare for until $900.

Alternately, you could wait to book everything for a few more months, as we are!

If you're a family and looking to stay longer than the wedding week, we're currently looking into cheaper family options in Legian and Kuta. Stay tuned for further information.