lyndarra

Half circumnavigations are usually about 16 days. I saw a recent Priness full circumnavigation recently advertised which was 35 days. I have done both north (x2) and south CNs. The south was Sydney/NZ/Perth 16 days (Celebrity). The north was Sydney/Bali/Perth, also 16 days (Celebrity & RCI).

"luxury" defined.

I have rented Mistusbishi ASX from Europcar a few times. It's not a car I would personally own - prefer Forester - but it is similar in size, roomy enough and a comfortable fit for my taller frame.

Yep, an increase in the new budget from 1st July. We already have the 3rd most costly passports in the world. https://www.timeout.com/australia/news/australian-passport-fees-are-already-the-worlds-second-most-expensive-and-prices-will-soar-even-higher-this-year-022824

Time of year could depend on your heat tolerance. Summer, Dec/Jan/Feb, I imagine would similar to LA - hot. Humidity will vary depending on which part of Australia.

Darra's father was born in Porth, Wales. Below she is standing in front of the pub (New York Hotel on York Street, Porth) where he, Glanffrwd, was born in 1904. Her grandfather was the publican.

Forget the emoji, go with this.

I always get Slovakia and Slovenia confused but Bratislava is a beautiful city.

Parliament, Bratislava Slovenia. This was our favourite city on our Dunube River cruise May 2018. It was the last cruise we had together.

And, by any other name would smell as sweet?

I thought shoelaces were neck wear?

My azaleas are flowering now? Google says "They are at their peak from late winter to spring when they are in full bloom. Azaleas flower generously and many varieties also bloom at other times of the year, a habit called 'spot flowering'."

Couldn't resist.🙄

I found Celebrity and HAL very much alike. Up untill COVID I had cruised both the same number of times. Since COVID it has been HAL due to better itineraries and Celebrity seeming to be charging higher prices in comparison.

My late wife and I would rarely have a suitcase weighing more than 16kgs/35lbs each when travelling o/s, cruise or land tour, between 2 to 6 weeks. Sometimes less if cruising/touring tropical regions. My two week Alaska cruise tour last June was just a tad over 17kgs due having a couple of extra cold/wet weather garments and a pair of hiking shoes.

Solo for me this time Lyle, although she may be persuaded, with the help of friends we were with in Alaska, to do an "Iceland, Greenland, Scottish Mysteries" cruise from Amsterdam/Copenhagen June next year. Failing that, there was an Arctic Circle Alaska cruise Seattle/Seattle same time next year that looked atractive.

Perhaps meet up near the Quay for a pre dinner drink then take the light rail to Chinatown to eat?

Today signed on to HAL Roll Call for 14 day Greece/Adriatic/Italy cruise on Nieuw Statendam this November.

So kind of you too.😉

I did a ship tour on Lombok last year using cruise credit. It wasn't expensive and, due to traffic congestion and narrow streets, the tour operators use mini buses. We had about 12-14 people on our Lombok tour, a comfortable number. Complimentary iced bottled water was included. Also free tea and coffee at the Lombok museum.

I have done Calgary/Vancouver as a pre cruise tour. Calgary to Jasper was by coach staying in Fairmont Hotels. Jasper to Vancouver was an overnighter with Via Rail which had sleeping berths and scenic observation dome cars. Best of both worlds. I agree doing the Rocky Mountaineer Calgary/Vancouver run could be boring - we were warned about that beforehand from friends who had had the experience.

Reading this, I can't help thinking of Blues Brother's "Rawhide" bar scene.

There was a Country music trivia on N Amsterdaam (Alaska) last year. It was fun but I scored only one correct answer🤠.

Happened the night before arriving in Sydney a few years back when we were on Sea Princess. Disembarkation was put back 24hrs. The man was never found. I believe it was determined to have been a suicide. Considering the off shore conditions searchers were fortunate to have recovered the victims' body. Always sad to hear of this happening.

Don't know. I've only been to one or two so long ago I can't remember its/their name/s but the pistacchio nuts were good.