I broke my promise to myself. I swore to myself (and likely at myself, too) that I'd never, ever, ever do Jetstar overseas or even domestically for more than 2 hours.
Never.
Ever.
Ever.
Like, don't even mention it.
Then an amazing thing happened. Jetstar got the B787-9. Then charged effectively $430 return per adult ticket including food and entertainment. And there's no stopover.
That meant we waited 6-9 months less for our next holiday (and it turned out, that someone is pregnant (oops!), so lucky we didn't buy anything for later on), and it were dead cheap. And our 11 year old is full fare in 7 months, so even better.
So 8 days before we go, we're getting excited.
Bags are packed (see the links about capsuling - Mrs Brisket has managed to get 3 children's clothes into one carry on - fantastic for hauling a small army of tired children through an airport. Nothing worse than trying to get children saying "I'm tired, I can't keep up, this suitcase is too heavy to pull......." - a sure fire way to get a frazzled parent who's been cooped up in a giant tin tube for 9-10 hours, just that bit more frazzled. Less suitcases, means less frazzle.
Bought money - normally not my thing. Using the ATM overseas is far better as you get the wholesale rate plus commission of around 4% (and ATM fee). But there has been a ¥5 per $AUD fluctuation, so I grabbed it high as insurance (and played off some currency exchangers against each other), and basically got it at a little less than wholesale rate and no commission.
Another tip - pay $5 and American Express (in selected Australia Post shops) will buy back notes up to their exchanged amount (¥82000 for us) at the wholesale rate. That is between 10-15% better. You have 6 months, so you could even time it for a currency drop and make a few bucks.
If not, I got a good rate, and Murphy's Law says the exchange rate will improve, so good for me.
Sorry about the lack of photos - I'll go nuts in a week time.
7 days rushing aorund in Tokyo with a busted knee awaiting surgery, 4 children and mum pregnant - what could possibly go wrong?
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