As far as I know, there is not yet a roll call for the Sydney-Beijing cruise, KANGAROO (Keeping to Australia's North then Going Across Rolling Oriental Oceans). So, I'm starting one:

Edited 10/24 to add more TUT transfers. Anyone else? Any more cabin assignments?

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Ngaire and Ken 740
Gail and Eugene 915
Sheila and Ken 853
Peggy and Jerry 725
Jan and Fred 722
Pam and Jim 1009
Marc and Arlene 961
Betty and Al 716
Olivia
Kathy and Steve 920
Marcie and Tom 736
Joanna and Tony 719

Hi Eugene and Gail

Put us on the list. Sheila and Ken 655

Just FYI Eugene I now have 19 people booked on this cruise. I know you want to know how many will be coming.

Ngaire, glad you have so many people booked already. I hope some of them see this so we can add them to the list. (I realize that many of your clients are not LCTers.)

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Eugene

Any more interest from the Un-TUT-ables?

Hope we add some Un-TUT-ables like Marc and Arlene.

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Eugene

Eugene, are you flying straight back from Beijing? Delta? Which flight? Did you have to get a visa if flying straight back?

Marc, We are flying PEK-NRT-ATL-DCA. That way we are on the 777LR from LAX-SYD and from NRT-ATL. We are using Regent air and paid for the Business Upgrade, because it was impossible to get DL FF J tickets for a reasonable number of miles. Originally, we were taking on a 777LR from ATL to LAX, but they changed the schedule of the aircraft. Now we are on a 763 for that leg. At one point, I was going to switch to DTW because the 777LR was flying from there to LAX, now it's become a mystery as to what they're doing with the aircraft. I'll look again as the trip gets nearer.

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Eugene

I realize that a lot is going on this week with TUT people deciding whether they are taking a replacement cruise, a future cruise, etc. Ngaire mentioned that some are thinking of KANGAROO (I infer that Marc and Arlene are thinking of it or have decided already) so just let me know if you'd like me to add you to the roll call. The more the merrier (even if the reason was not so merry).

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Eugene

OK, it's official. You can add us to the roll call in cabin 719. Eugene--I'm also sending you a PM regarding the hotel in Beijing.

Lovely to hear you are now joining us Peggy . We have changed cabins, now in 853. Will be great to see more of our LCT friends on this cruise. We are also in touch with Eugene re post cruise hotel in Beijing. We'll be there for one night.

Pam and Jim with 3 nights in Beijing. We are flying out on United (with flat bed seats) at 1:40 so we won't need the airport hotel. Hope we have Pooch players on board. Going to Kanagroo Island before cruise.

We, also, are on Kangaroo!

Eugene, can you give me any recommendations for 777-200 seating beyond what is on Seat Guru? Do you choose cross aisle instead of forward and back for a couple to talk to each other?

Fred and I will be there. We are doing San Francisco to Dubai. Suite 722

Question on Indonesia visa.

Are people getting them in advance or on day of arrival? I see that they are $45 on Indonesian Consulate website. Regent wants $99. Is that using ZVS or is that just getting on day of arrival? $99 is highway robbery. I might find someone in Houston to get our Chinese and Indonesian visas in person at the rates that ZVS and Regent are charging.

I just look on a site that said Visa on arrival for Bali for U.S. citizens was $25. Isn't that the only Indonesian port?

I already determined that the Chinese visa was $130. So I'm pretty sure that we're doing our own.

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Eugene

China is now $140. ZVS wants $89 each for processing. China visa service hust wants $43 plus $19 per order for fedex return. Therefore, the $249 Regent wants is not much more than arranging through XVS yourself. Of course, Euguene you can do it for free. For us, we would have to get to Conulate in Houston.

I just looked up the Tourist Visa again on the Chinese Embassy sight and it still said $130, so I'm confused. Marc, where are you seeing $140?

I posted the link previously.

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Eugene

I am seeing $140 for L- visa

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/ywzn/lsyw/vpna/rap/t710627.htm#Time

There seems to be an inconsistency. Maybe they didn't update one part of the site. Or do you see something that I don't?

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84246.htm

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Eugene

The Chinese Embassy FAQ looks like it was from 04/23/09. The rates werre raised in March 2010.

operator error :(

We're in 716 -- we're going to try this AGAIN!!

We arrive in Sydney on the 21st of Feb. so there's a couple of days to recoup.

We leave Beijing on the 21st of March, I've booked the Peninsula (Thanks, Eugene!) for the night of the 20th.

The good news is that this trip has MORE SEA DAYS than TUT, but still just as many port days -- you can't beat that!

Betty

Betty, how early is your flight on 21st? We are flying out at 0730 so had been thinking about staying at airport. However, there is a hilton next door to Peninsula so it might work to share a transfer.

I'm absolutely thrilled to join in on this roll call! Just put me on the list, I never put my cabin number anyway. Been a long couple of days emailing and talking with Ngaire while also visiting with my family not where I live, and helping out with the grandkids. OMG, I could never do toddlers again. I can't wait to see you all again (if not on FUN! Tomato juice at noon Observation Deck!

I'm SO EXCITED, what a great sub for TUT disappointment!

Sorry, Marc. We don't leave Beijing until 5:25pm. I was originally trying for the 20th, and that seemed like a good time. Couldn't get the 20th, so have a late flight on the 21st. But surely there's another good reason for you to stay in town with us the night of the 20th!!

Betty

Really lovely to hear you are joining us on this cruise Olivia.

And looking forward to catching up with Marc & Arlene who we met on PANDA.

We are now booked in at The Peninsular in Beijing for 20th March. Thanks Eugene for all your time given to this research.

Is anyone interested in going to Tim's Texas BBQ in Beijing?

Here is their website - http://www.timsbarbq.com/

http://www.tour-beijing.com/private_tour/

This is the company I was intending on contacting once the dust settles on TUT issues.

I have not used them before but read some good reviews when I was researching this a couple of months ago.

If you click on link above you can see their recommended private tours and you can see the pricing of the various options for 2,4,6,8,10 people. I like that they have this all out clearly. If some want to do something different from the others it is very easy to know the pricing and just book separately.

Everyone can read the options and make choices too of what they want to participate in. The clarity of their options and pricing so clear really makes this much easier.

If just four of you want to do a specific tour together then you can book for just four. If there is a popular tour that everyone wants to do we can do a bigger group. VERY flexible.

The pricing does not decrease that much with the numbers and smaller groups may work better.

Ken and I have done all these tours before multiple times and we do want to have plenty of time at the pearl market and for that we will just take a taxi over and a taxi back. So if any of you are interested in that you need to remember to keep at least a half day free.

They do the transfers also from the port. That I will book that for everyone in one bus when it is much closer and we know how many people are involved and where they all want to go.

Ray and I have spent 2 weeks in Beijing in 1996 and another week in 2006. In '96 we spent it at the Palace Hotel(now the Peninsular) very close to the main inner city areas. We hired a car,driver and guide for all day touring.

The Beijing Classic Day Tour from US$ 60 p/p
Tiananmen Square + Forbidden City + Temple of Heaven + Summer Palace Tour Code: BXIT-F01 would be my first choice.

Badaling Great Wall and Underground Palace ( Ming Tombs ) from US$ 55 p/p Tour Code: BXIT-F02 would be my second choice.....Even that many years ago it took HOURS to get back from the WALL....traffic is terrible.

If you have time I've included the address for Prescription glasses. I took my prescription with me but Ray had his done in the shop.Our Opthemoligist checked them out on our return and said they were "dead-on correct". Get there early(when door opens) they rushed and delivered them to our hotel by 8pm the same night....Have Chinese currency to pay for them. The savings are unbelievable.

http://www.shoppinginbeijing.com/Glasses_city.php

At the southeastern part of the Third Ring Road is a small, modest bystreet. The street ends at a four storey-building which is best described as a paradise for every four-eyed person.

Just while strolling down the thin street, you will find ten or so glasses shops. These small shops contain everything necessary to make a pair of eyeglasses. The shops in the building, however, rarely handle the eye-testing and glasses- production. This takes place in a room in the building next to it.

If you have a pair of glasses with the correct strength for your eyes, be sure to bring these with you. In that case, their strength can be read and a similar pair can be made without you having to test your eyes. But if you do not have any glasses with you, you can still find a good pair. Just seek out a pair of frames you like, and the staff will help you with the eye-testing without any extra charge.
Salespeople and atmosphere

Some salespeople speak English. If you find a pair of frames in a shop with non-English-speaking staff, you can buy the frames there and then let a shop with English-speaking staff take care of the lenses. Prices are negotiable and range from about two hundred yuan and upwards, depending on which frames and lenses you choose.


Address

朝阳区东三环南路64号

Dongsnhuan Nanlu 64
Chaoyang district
Taxi
Approximately price:
25 yuan from
Opening hours

Daily 9am - 6pm
Subway
Line: 10
Station: Jinsong, approximately 8 minutes walk to Beijing Glasses City.

We even had our guide take us to the "Fragrent Hills " outside the city....beautiful...we were the only Occidentals there.

The best thing I brought back this time was a Silk Quilt ...it's the only thing we have on our bed winter and summer.

Anyway sorry to but in, but thought this might be of some help.

Pat.

Marc, if you really want Texas BBQ, come and see us -- it'a a lot closer ;) . Gotta say, though, by the time we get to Beijing, I'll be ready for some Tex-Mex or BBQ, even if it is Chinese.

I'm glad to be on this cruise. Earlier booked and canceled, but now I am back, and happy to be so.

Hi everyone!
It's not official/official but we will be joining you on this cruise also. We are from the Un-tut-ables so we are really looking forward to this! Love the fact that we are in port one day and at sea the next....lots of relaxation as well as sightseeing.
We've taken advantage of the four day post cruise excursion. No cabin, no air arrangements yet.
Steve and Kathy

Yay Kathy and Steve! See you in Sydney--and before in Fort Lauderdale for Fiesta and maybe even before that .

Nice to hear you are with us, Steve and Kathy! I met Steve briefly though Jerry on non-TUT, but will look forward to seeing both of you this time! Nice group growing here! Wish some of N's other clients would sign in an make themselves known.

Hi Steve and Kathy....what a great trip wish we could have made it work...really enjoyed meeting you on TUT glad to hear we'll see you in Jan...Joanna and Tony

Joanna & Tony...glad to see you will be on Kangaroo too!
How was Singapore????
Looking forward to seeing everyone from TUT at Fiesta in January!!
JHP...maybe the other non-tut's are waiting for official booking numbers and cabins and flights....we shall see!

NO Kangaroo for us as so hard to plan it when not at home.but I am very envious!!!! :mecry: :mecry: ..sing has been wonderful but we miss our kitties and house...guess our weather has cooled down in PVB so that will be nice after the brutally hot summer we had...

Well Joanna, there is still time after you get home to consider/book CLEO. We have a nice group going there as well.....hope you give it some thought.

See you in Jan on FUN2.

Kathy - glad we will see you at FIESTA.

Well....it looks like the M & M's will be on KANGAROO too! No cabin #'s yet, G guarantees.