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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to go to Australia for the weekend?!

920 replies

HufflepuffHarpy · 07/07/2019 07:16

My best friend (male if relevant) is getting married in the autumn. I'm in the UK (where we both grew up) he now lives in Australia.

I desperately want to go to the wedding.

It will cost £1000 for the flight plus accomodation etc over there which is in no way small money.

I have 4DC so would be asking my parents (very hands on babysitters, have had them for me and DH to go on holiday etc) to have the DC (all under 10) while DH is at work.

I would leave on a thursday AM flight and get back tuesday pm. SO literally fly in for the wedding, the day after and then back home.

Am I being totally crazy to consider this?! (Haven't actually asked DH yet!!)

OP posts:
Zebraaa · 07/07/2019 18:01

You only live once. Do it!

Ash39 · 07/07/2019 18:03

Definitely do it. I've done Vegas, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore for "long weekends". Give yourself a day to travel, a day to recover, a day for touristy stuff, then a day for wedding before flying home. Then a day to travel home and a day to recover... so 6/7 in total.
Worth it for the memories if you can afford it. You only live once.

Zebraaa · 07/07/2019 18:03

And I did the flight to Sydney with no stopover and was absolutely fine. Just took a day or so to adjust to time zone.

rookiemere · 07/07/2019 18:03

Esspee - I flew Edinburgh to Auckland at Easter, straight through via Doha.

I took a sleeping pill the first night and was absolutely fine the next day and managed to stay up for a meal out at the Sky tower the next evening ( granted we were back home for around 9pm.

Everyone is different and whilst the OP may not be in tip-top condition, I'm sure she'll do fine.

OP - one thing I would caution though is make sure you're able to get a good nights sleep the night you arrive. Great to save money but no sleeping on sofa beds in the living room - you need complete silence and darkness for 12 hours to recover.

NorfLondon16 · 07/07/2019 18:04

Definitely go for it! This opportunity will not come back. It is your best friend after all.

I've not done that particular trip before myself (to Oz, yes but not for such a short time). My friend, however, went from the UK to Oz staying in Oz for 24 hours to attend a childhood friend's wedding. He coped fine.

supercatlady · 07/07/2019 18:11

If you've not already booked check Emirates - direct to Brisbane via Dubai - sometimes a short stop Singapore for fuel.
We always fly that route
How exciting!!SmileGrin

Notcopingwellhere · 07/07/2019 18:24

This is so exciting, and can I just say how nice it is for a change to read a thread where the DH is happy to step up and enable his wife to do something fun, and where someone genuinely loves wedding ceremonies! Your DH is a legend OP, have an amazing time. My best friend from childhood, to whom I am still very close, lives in New Zealand so I know how you feel about the importance of being there for each other’s milestones in life. And having done a lot of long haul travel and a little bit of light parenting of one child I have to say that it will be a walk in the park compared to looking after 4 kids! Enjoy the silence Grin.

Toddlerteaplease · 07/07/2019 18:25

I know someone who flew to Australia for 3 days for a wedding. He also goes to Rome for a day trip.

Original poster
HufflepuffHarpy · 07/07/2019 18:40

notcopingwellhere my DH is definitely a legend! We may look old fashioned with a SAHM and a single breadwinner but he is a full partner to me in our home life and is a genuine hands on fully co-parenting partner and father.

I have found a couple of options direct with a refuel stop in singapore which is looking like the best option. Would get me to Brisbane for 8.30pm two full days before the wedding. I have messaged my friend to check the times work for him but of course he will be asleep right now!!

DH himself suggested i needed to add the extra couple of days so i will leave UK on the tuesday and land back in the uk crazy early the following tuesday.

i am excited!!!

I didn't suffer crazily badly with jet lag when we did NZ but i did need 12 hour nights.....but i like a good 10 hours normally!!

I will speak to the GP about sleeping tablets and/or DVT minimalisation options.

OP posts:
rookiemere · 07/07/2019 18:46

No need to trouble your GP OP you can buy the Boots over the counter sleeping tablets - they're absolutely fine and will do the trick. Provided you get up and down occasionally on the plane ( I prefer aisle seats) then I don't think DVT should be a worry .

Original poster
HufflepuffHarpy · 07/07/2019 18:48

Thanks rookie I didn’t know you could get them over the counter. Will get an aisle if I can do I can wander a bit.

OP posts:
fuzzyduck1 · 07/07/2019 18:48

Go for it.

I always wanted to fly around the world in a weekend but my partner wants to stop at places on the way. So will have to take longer doing that one.

YukoandHiro · 07/07/2019 18:50

Yes. I went for one week and it was ridiculous and the jet lag nearly killed me. You won't enjoy that weekend as you won't have time to recover from the travel

BikeRunSki · 07/07/2019 18:56

DBro went to Perth for an interview. Flew in, had interview that day, flew out. Didn’t spend the night in Oz. Got the job though.

Beebumble2 · 07/07/2019 18:57

Yey! I’ve scanned this thread willing you to go- and you are. Great.
I went to Italy just to surprise a friend on her birthday, the best thing ever despite the cost. I know it’s not as far as OZ, but I also went there to be with DC for our joint significant birthday ( for 5 days).
Life’s for living and this is how you live it. Have a great time and lots of happy memories.

BetterAlone · 07/07/2019 19:05

I've done this. As someone said, you don't adapt to the local time so jet lag is actually less/ nonexistent. You can pay to go in the lounge at Singapore (or other airports), if you have enough time it's well worth it. Usually about £20-30 which you get back in food & drink & the difference a shower makes is unreal. Feeling jealous! Have a great time.

ProfessorLayton1 · 07/07/2019 20:51

Really exited for you... what a lovely gesture from your DH.
I have seen how happy my brother was when his friend came for his wedding all the way from SF.. will be worth it, go for it!

Schuyler · 07/07/2019 21:24

It’s crazy but it means a lot to you and you have the support, the money and the childcare and so, you should do it. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t do the crazy stuff every now and then, you only live once. Enjoy!

poglets · 07/07/2019 21:28

Be a little selfish. Ask for some help from your parents and ask your DH to take over. Enjoy seeing your friend.

marmiteontoastplz · 07/07/2019 21:33

Absolutely no way! Spend the money on a family holiday instead.. send s lovely gift!

BIWI · 07/07/2019 21:37

Why the actual fuck should the OP have to spend the money on a family holiday?! Doesn't she have the right to have a holiday on her own, celebrating her own friend's wedding?

BIWI · 07/07/2019 21:37

... plus the fact that the OP has already says that a family holiday is already planned/budged for!

myrtleWilson · 07/07/2019 21:38

marmite if you'd RTFT you'd see that they already have a family holiday planned....

Nanamilly · 07/07/2019 21:40

We had this thread a few months ago.

BIWI · 07/07/2019 21:55

@Nanamilly that was a totally different poster though