I have been a member of TDU for some time, but have not posted anything
so far as I am a citizen of England, U.K., and being resident in U.K.
---have not so far had any relevant experience or opportunity.

Having reached the age of 79 ( and my wife not far behind ),
and still fairly healthy and active
( though more tea and coffee breaks needed these days in between any
spells of dashing about ! ), it seems high time to rectify this and
get some first hand knowledge of matters TDU.

My wife's brother lives in New Plymouth, N.Z. this becomes the base
for some main spells of purely family visiting.
However I have planned in as many transport interest opportunities as
possible.
After searching the internet and reading back TDU postings I have listed these below at (A) to (E )
Could one or two TDU members very kindly look through the schedule
and comment about any of (A) to (E) if in fact I have not made the
best of the opportunities.

I most particularly need some help over --(E)-- ( Melbourne ) please.

We depart U.K. next Saturday 15 Jan

(A) A three night stopover in Singapore gives us
Mon 17 Jan, Tue 18 Jan totally free
to ride and tour the MRT and LRT systems.
Anything else recommended ?
( Sorry, I know this is TramsPacificRim really !, apologies )

(B) A two night stopover in Auckland gives us
Fri 21 Jan totally free.
and as their website indicates it is open ( bus 045 from centre )
this seems an obvious one :
--go to MOTAT for the day !.

Sat 22 Jan to Sun 6 Feb is with family in New Plymouth, N.Z.
I have not found any current references in TDU or the internet
to items of transport interest in the New Plymouth area.
Any suggestions or things I may not have found ?
I see there is a newly published book on the New Plymouth tram
system, is the book obtainable in N.P., ---otherwise I will
order it on the internet after return to U.K.

(C) A three night stopover in Wellington gives us
Tue 8 Feb, Wed 9 Feb totally free.
--I have earmarked Kelburn cable tram and its museum at top level.
--I had expected to extensively cover the Wellington trolleybus
system with its new vehicles, but the recent posts on TDU
make very depressing reading it looks as though we will be lucky to
see any trolleybuses operating at all
( though as the two days are weekdays it should maximise our chances?)

Wellington Tramway Museum in Queen Elizabeth Park is not open daily after 24 Jan so seems a non-runner.
A trolleybus possibility seems to be to go to Foxton ?
a Newmans coach from Wellington arriving 10.44h, departing 18.40h
gets one to Foxton for their advertised opening hours 10.00 ---16.00/
Again the potential snag of little-to-see arises due to recent
posts on TDU about dismantled wiring, and minimum actual operation.
Anyone got really up to date info please ?

Slightly Off-Topic ( pure railway ) we might be lucky to see
three generations of emu at Wellington ? The original English Electrics ( soon to go ), the Ganz and the new Mitangi(?) just
being delivered.

From Thu 10 Feb we are sightseeing South Island.
But some transport interest included by taking the Ferry to Picton
and train to Christchurch.

(D) A four night stopover in Christchurch gives us
Fri 11 Feb, Sat 12 Feb, Sun 13 Feb totally free.
--Obviously the heritage tramway around Christchurch centre
--Sat 12 Feb : Our travel agent in U.K. has booked us on the
Tram Restaurant as he advised it is most popular and we might have
experienced difficulty getting tickets once in Christchurch on date.
--Sun 12 Feb. Magic ! We are in the right place at the right date!
this day counts as an Event Day at Ferrymead so maximum attractions open. Spend the day there 10.00h to 16.30h Bus 35 from centre.

Mon 14 Feb, resume general sightseeing
Lake Tekapo, Queenstown,
( transport interest via cruise on steamship Earnslaw )
FranzJosef, Greymouth
( transport interest via train back to Christchurch )
back to New Plymouth for some final family days.

Tue 1 Mch, return journey to U.K. starts
( sad, but (E) provides a final tonic of transport interest :
(E) A four night stopover in Melbourne gives us
Wed 2 Mch, Thu 3 Mch, Fri 4 Mch totally free.
----Wed 2 Mch : Again our travel agent in U.K. has booked us on the
Tram Restaurant ( 17.45 h circuit ) as he advised it is also most
popular and we would have experienced difficulty getting tickets
in Melbourne after arrival on date.
---rest of these three days free. Suggestions please ?
Obviously the Melbourne tramway system is very extensive, and
apart from the Ws on the City Circle,
we would welcome any suggestions as to the very best must-ride routes
which will combine our Melbourne tram experience
( varied rolling stock, varied operation features )
with some must-see Melbourne sights you would really recommend.
I guess TDUers may have varying ideas over this, but pleased to hear them !

Are there any tramway exhibits/displays in the general museums in
Melbourne ? Obviously Hawthorn depot would have been the real gem
but we could not bend the other necessary dates to stopover in
Melbourne on the right day.

All-day travel seems to still be by using Metlink card ( not Myki )
not clear from maps on internet whether tram system is all within
Zone-1, or some of it in Zone-2 ?
Perhaps best to take two zones ticket anyway to maximise travel
opportunities ?.

My thanks to any members who are still reading this overlong screed.
Having set up the definitive holiday-of-a-life-time
( unlikely through age and cashed-in savings to ever get repeated )
I do not want to get back to U.K. and then find we overlooked
seeing/visiting/riding something that we so easily could have done.

As stated we leave on Sat 15 Jan, and any first thoughts before we
depart very much welcomed. However I will be picking up e-mails
( therefore the TDU posts ) whilst at brother-in-laws in N.P.
so any later thoughts whilst we are still Down Under will be gratefully received.
Hopefully after return to U.K. I should at last have some real
experiences of matters Down Under to share on TDU
from an Up Above viewpoint !

Meanwhile my Best wishes and thanks for any advice, large or small.

~~Peter R.Provest~~