This forum is always so helpful. Watching the price of the RAND gets one excited about the trip. One comment on paying ahead- do not overlook the cost of the forgone interest on the deposit funds. That loss should be deducted from the exchange rate savings or gain. As the amounts most of us are talking about the us number in in the area of 10,000 to perhaps 15,000. At a tax free money market rate of 3% that is 300 to 450 dollars for a period of a year.

As we get closer to the 9/08 date that amount is less. Just some thoughts that some may not have had a chance to think of yet.

If the RAND were to go to 7.5 the exchange on 100,000 would be 13,333 (not sure if it would be that high due to the average rate Ngaire says they use). If the 6.7 exchange rate is used for the 100,0000 it is 14925. A potential savings of 1592 but if done a year ahead the saving is reduced by (14000 x 3.0%) or 420. A 1172 savings is still a lot but not as much as some readers may have thought it would be.

While the RAND exchange rate is fun to talk about I am most concerned about the plane tickets. Carol and I are in So Cal. The trip to So Africa is far away and we want to use ff miles for business class. Should be interesting to see if we can get what we want on AA and BA. I see the plane thing a much bigger issue than the exchange rate.

Carol and I are so looking forward to ROAR II it is hard to accept it is still a year away.

Sorry for my ramblings on a Friday morning.