Dugong

HI Warren, thanks for the speedy reply, but not everything is as easy as 1+1. I admit that $10000 was a bit high but not to far off for us. As our children are over twelve and we would want seperate rooms, our costs we feel are fairly conservitive. Trip to auck and back:$160 Night in Auck for 4 :$120 Departure tax for 4 :$100 Flights and Accom :$6756 Insurance :$114 Food and Ent :$1400 TOTAL :$8656 The food and entertainment assumes $50/person which on talking to people who've been there does not leave much for entertainment when food is expensive. As for monsoons!, as they are between Dec and Feb a little flexibility would not put anyone in danger. It would have been a great trip but the price has put us out, so hope everyone has a good time. BUT then you still may see us as on checking today i found out we can get to plantation island at the same time for $1199. A saving of $2000! Dugong

This is my first time to the forum, but as i have just received the conference details i have a couple of questions. Question 1: There seems to be a huge difference if you miss out on the first 17 spots, an extra $300/person, and the discount for 80+ only $50/person Question 2: The letter said "Due to the tradition of holding Conference at Queens Birthday Weekend, we have hit peak rates in Fiji. It also coincides with Australian school holidays" If we are breaking tradition by going offshore why do we have to keep to Queens Birthday weekend if a couple of weeks later would have been cheaper. For our family of four the seven nights with spending and food will be approx $10,000 which is a hell of a lot more than was first indicated. In a previous forum it was said that by saving approx $100/month you would have enough in two years, for a family of four that is $400/month, yeah right!! Question 3: As Auckland are the hosting club and it was their idea to have the conference offshore, and that it was going to be organised by John it seems strange that the travel centre used and payments to, is to a Hawkes Bay travel agent. Is Auckland still hosting it or has the federation taken over, if so why have clubs not been notified of the change.