hi, my name is Sheila and I live in Chicago.  I too am interested in this tour and while you asked for advise, my purpose is to find a travel partner in oroder to avoid a room share on this tour.  my date of interest is July , 2010 as that is the coolest time of the year in the southern hemisphere.  if you are interested, please reply here to me.  as for advise from my investigation,  this is a wonderful place to travel.  the Aussies are fun and New Zealand is amazing.  I am also interested in taking the Imperal China tour in October.