Mareblu

20 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

A newspaper report dated last Wednesday said that renovation work is underway and that they hoped to have part of the resort ready by the end of this year or early next year.

It will be interesting to see if that vision comes to fruition.  We've enjoyed many wonderful golf group stays there over the years, when it was indeed one of our country's best resorts.  The course was immaculate, and a real test of golfing prowess,  watched over by the spirit of the looming Mt. Coolum.  So many of our major tournaments were staged there.  Several dining choices, ranging from casual to a sophisticated, but comfortable signature restaurant. The accommodation was lovely:  understated (from the outside) cottages nestled in the beautiful area's natural environment, with pathways meandering through lush vegetation.  Then along came Clive. 😞

46 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

Never been to the Sunshine Coast, maybe one day.

Loved it before Clive ruined Coolum.

I'm sure everyone on CC will agree that it's not the news we wanted to read.  What we do want to read is more of your tales of the wondrous cruising adventures you've enjoyed, and your sharing of the vast wealth of knowledge you've banked.    Your humour is contageous, Les, and I love the photos you post.  More, please.

On 4/25/2022 at 10:20 AM, NSWP said:

I go back to the Docs on Friday re my latest excision, not looking forward to diagnosis. .  Last time they took a chunk out of my arm arm and had to take 2 lots, lucky it was OK. Danger is going into the Lymph nodes, right?  I don't know a lot about these things and I don't not really want to know. My son reckons I am a dead man walking, lol.  He is about to land at LAX on QF17 on Albatros business.

I was in Batehaven today, and thinking of you Les.  Not intruding, and you don't need to reply or share, but hope all went well.

Linda

32 minutes ago, cheznandy said:

A relative of mine was also killed on the Buna- Sananda rd, died 18/01/43.

2/10 Aust Inf Bt.

He was buried on the side of road then reburied at Bomana Port Moresby. He had also just been married in  1942. He was 23yrs old, no children and I doubt any relatives have visited his grave.

We were planning a trip to PNG by air before the world locked down...to visit his grave there. The closest I  got was sailing into Milne Bay on ANZAC day on the Dawn Princess which was where they were off loaded.

 

I also have a couple of relatives that died in France, one that died on what was called ANZAC ridge, they placed a cross on a grave where he was killed along with another and when they came back after the war they could not locate his body.

He is memorialised at the Menin Gate Ypres. He left a wife and 5 children.

Other relatives were Light horse men in South Africa/Egypt, one is buried there.

God bless all their souls.

My Dad was in the Navy (after WW2) and Grandfather Army (WW2) based in Darwin.

That's uncanny.  Gavan (2/7 Cavalry Commando Regiment) died in courageous circumstances in an ambush on 19/12/42, just thirty days before your relative.  He was also buried where he fell, and was also reinterred in Bomana.  I had hoped to take my mother to visit his grave, but the journey was never to be.  Instead, friends who were on a posting to PNG delivered her letter to his grave.  It was buried in his grave in a moving ceremony, complete with a guard of honour.  

The Menin Gate is a hauntingly beautiful shrine.  I hope that one day your relative's remains are found so they may be buried with respect.  Yes, we need to be so thankful for the incredible courage of all who served, including those who returned after conflict, and those who also served in peacetime.

To return to cruising, our visit to Ypres was during a cruise, and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable.  It makes all the difference.  I still intend to visit Bomana one day, and maybe the best way to do that is again a cruise.

On 4/26/2022 at 8:14 AM, MMDown Under said:

Yes they are always special services with beautiful music.  I love the Kiwi singing the best even though I’m a Aussie. 

The Kiwi anthem is haunting.

On 4/26/2022 at 10:28 AM, MMDown Under said:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

between the crosses, row on row,

That mark your place, and in the sky

the larks still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

Penned by Dr. John McCrae.  We visited his "surgery", a small bunker outside of which he had the terrible task of which of many, many wounded young soldiers lined up outside on stretchers.  Ypres was the most moving and emotional tour we have ever done.  He was wounded and died not that long after.  My mother's first husband was killed at Sanananda on Kokoda.  They were married only six months.  She joined the Air Force immediately after his death, and met my father after the war.  My father fought at Milne Bay and Balikpapan.  Anzac Day has always been a sacred day in our family.  Lest we forget🌹

34 minutes ago, GUT2407 said:

Yeah fine, just the rotten things are nearly constant, hey at least this time I didn’t fall, o4 smash the screen on my computer, or even need an ambulance, for me at the moment that is all victory

Good to hear you're okay at the moment.  Hope it continues.

1 hour ago, onlyslightlymad said:

Yes, the Stage IV disease was in my abdomen.  No way of knowing if it came from the mole of my back or was independent of that.  I have met people who had melanoma appear as a lump in their breast or a tumour in their lung and never had a mole removed from the outside of their body.  It can appear anywhere not just on the outside.  That's why i prefer referring to the disease - melanoma - rather than the plural melanomas.  I had targeted gene therapy and immunotherapy and was a good candidate for both.  I was sent home from the hospital in an ambulance on a Friday to die.  My family were told i"d be dead by Monday.  Really long story.

I'm overawed to read your incredible story, and so happy to learn of your wonderful outcome.  I've read a lot about the new therapies, and delighted you were obviously a good match for them.  Human endeavour, particularly in this field of medical research, is so inspiring.  Congratulations on your return to good health.

22 hours ago, NSWP said:

I go back to the Docs on Friday re my latest excision, not looking forward to diagnosis. .  Last time they took a chunk out of my arm arm and had to take 2 lots, lucky it was OK. Danger is going into the Lymph nodes, right?  I don't know a lot about these things and I don't not really want to know. My son reckons I am a dead man walking, lol.  He is about to land at LAX on QF17 on Albatros business.

Good luck for your Friday visit, Les.  I'm sure it will be like your last one, and okay.  They watch you closely after one find, so this one would have been detected early, I'm surmising.  Thinking of you.

21 hours ago, onlyslightlymad said:

Not always true, I'm afraid.  I had a melanoma removed in it's very early stages (0.4mm).  Five years later, Stage 4, was given three weeks to live.  Plainly I made it (very long story).  I know a lot more about melanoma now than I ever thought I would need to know.    Melanoma can occur anywhere in the body where there are skin cells, inside and out.  Hopefully, it will appear on the outside of the skin and be detected.  If it is removed in the early stages, there is a good chance (about 95%) that it won't have spread but there is a reason that the symbol for melanoma is a dandelion.  Those pesky weeds have a habit of seeding everywhere.

That must have been a terrible time for you.  I should have been more specific about my experience:  I was extremely fortunate that there was no depth to measure.  When I said "they always go deeper and wider and longer", I was referring to the doctor removing the initial melanoma for immediate pathology testing, and not, in my case, the melanoma itself.  Both my GP and Specialist Surgeon said another couple of months would have resulted in a totally different scenario.  I'm so grateful I was spared further worry.  This has been my experience:  when the results are available, and if they are hopefully  "in situ" (no depth only sitting on the top dermal layer), patients wait two weeks for the initial wound to settle, and then you are given a choice (at least at my local family practice) to choose your same GP, or a Plastic Surgeon,  to perform the necessary and precautionary incision, which is more enlarged in depth, width, and length than the first.  It certainly doesn't mean other melanomas won't appear anywhere on the body, and in my case, a second one was detected during a scheduled skin check.  It was equally, thankfully, treated similarly and with the same result.   It is absolutely vital to schedule regular and frequent skin checks.     I'm surmising you were involoved in the relatively recent immunotherapy procedures, some of which have produced amazing results.  I'm so very glad your treatment resulted in obvious success.  

On 3/24/2022 at 11:36 AM, PurpleHays said:

I am currently finishing Voyager. I'm rereading so that I con hopefully be far enough along to bring the newest and maybe the one before it. All of them are ridiculously long.📗

On 3/24/2022 at 11:58 AM, PurpleHays said:

I have a mild hearing loss--I'd rather read than listen. It's easier. However, I get it for a long commute. Mine is only 20 minutes and not long enough IMO.

Outlander series is well researched (at least as far as I know the Scottish adventures, because my ancestral home of genetic memory is the Scottish Highlands) and simply captivating.  Not being completely educated in American literature apart from some publications I studied at university, I can't vouch for her accurate depictions of historic America.  Clever use of the time tool, and the mystique of, "well, could it be so?".  I have read each and every book in the series.  Also, of course, anything at all by Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve.   They tackle the edgy topics (particularly Picoult)  and are born storytellers.   I have a degree in professional writing, and I truly believe they are the modern-day classic writers of yesteryear. 

On 4/17/2022 at 8:48 AM, Aus Traveller said:

Cairns isn't part of an Indigenous community. There is an Aboriginal community at Mossman Gorge around 70km north.

Quite correct.  My brother and his family have lived in Cairns for decades.  Cairns is a large, spread-out city, and there certainly are indigenous people among its citizens, but I wouldn't describe it as an indigenous community.  

7 hours ago, RD64 said:

Mareblu - should you ever want to discuss anything Friuli related, feel free to email olegnad4961@gmail.com.

Grazie, RD64.  Will contact you through this week.

Mandi,

Linda

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

@Mareblu Thanks for the weather report. It is lovely here. I haven't been to Butchart Gardens in several years. Right now the Tulips are up everywhere and are quite spectacular. The Magnolias are stunning and the Dogwood trees (Our provincial flower) are starting to show their spectacular displays. We are on the second group of ornamental flowering trees now. There are pink pompoms all over the place, when they start to drop it will look like a pink snowstorm. The Rhododendrons are starting to bloom and soon they will be putting on quite a show. We were going to try doing some photography at Government house today but there was something going on and the parking lot was full.

Sounds like God's back yard🥰  I simply adore dogwoods, and hated having to leave some when we moved to our present home several years ago.  We have many magnolias, which are beautiful when they bloom (through two seasons, actually).  Rhododendrons put on such a wonderful show.  Some of the glens in the Scottish Highlands are lined with them, and the steep sides they line look like vertical carpets.  Sadly, they're considered a noxious weed there, and they have intense eradication programmes in place.  Enjoy your beautiful springtime.

8 minutes ago, valantine80 said:

Maybe I over think things but the problem as I see it is if you get secondary spread and you never know if that may happen. Also some companies want to know everything and also anytime you may have been hospitalised even for day surgery which one of mine involved because of the need for skin graft. Am thinking will just ignore that in future.

Once an "in situ" (top dermal layer only) melanoma is excised, it's gone.  They always go deeper and wider and longer.  The first one at base of my neck near shoulder was subsequently redone by a whizz of a Plastic Surgeon.  Impossible to see the line.  The second, on my back, my GP did, and it's quite neat apparently.  I can't see it so it doesn't bother me.  However, melanoma patients always need to be on the lookout for any further little friends appearing, so regular skin checks are essential.  I actually rang our travel insurance office, and they advised that it was unnecessary to list any such skin cancers that were totally removed.  Hope that helps.

4 hours ago, SJD117 said:

For an Aussie, isn't the presence or absence of Vegemite the true test of a dining experience?  😂  And isn't Vegemite very high in sodium?  🤪🤪🤪

I meant to add that Lyle is correct.  I'm not an avid Vegemite muncher.  Maybe once a year if I need a quick breakfast toast, but smeared extremely lightly😉

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

Most people I chat with from Oz including @Mareblu rarely use Vegemite but know how to use it. They all talk about what a joy it is to watch bold Americans who slather it on their toast while on a cruise and gag from the experience.

I see Mareblu already replied while I was writing this.

Cheers Mareblu, how's the weather down under?

Getting cooler, Lyle.  We're mid-autumn ("fall") so the colours are beautiful, but coming towards the end of their show.  Canberra is a cool-climate city, but I love the cold;  I don't do summer heat very well.  Miss our skiing years, we hardly missed a weekend while our kids were growing up. Knee replacements (one for each of us) have forbidden any more skiing.  I just love the mountains, and I loved being in Vancouver and seeing the ski runs looming above the harbour.  How's your weather?  Butchart Gardens must be stunning right now, ablaze with spring blossoms.

2 hours ago, SJD117 said:

For an Aussie, isn't the presence or absence of Vegemite the true test of a dining experience?  😂  And isn't Vegemite very high in sodium?  🤪🤪🤪

Without seeming unpatriotic (and so close to Anzac Day), Vegemite at dinner would be revolting🤢  Yes, it is high in sodium, but believe it or not, some of The Restaurant's dishes were higher I think.

6 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

Good morning from Viking Orion,  The witness is ready to take the stand.

 

Yes, I wrote all those comments and I stand by them.  The ship is beautiful…..think I mentioned that here.  The specialty restaurants and the service there has been good.  Not so in the Restaurant and I have completed mid cruise comments and have been in contact with the restaurant manager.  As I said, I wanted so much to like it.  
 

I agree the singers are very good…..have enjoyed some of their shows.  The guitarist is great, as is the classical duo and the pianist.  Have enjoyed them very much.  
 

Our PV is very nice.  Love the bathroom.  Some of you may remember I was concerned after reading some comments about the firmness of the mattress.  When we boarded, we asked our cabin attendant for a topper and we have slept very well.  I wanted to come back and report that.

 

We all have different likes and dislikes with cruises.  For us, we will not return.  Love the ship for its beauty and decor, but otherwise, it is not a good fit for us.  Now….back to enjoying our last day or so.

Hello Witness 😉 

Your comments echo our 2019 Orion experience concisely.  The elegant, simple ambience, and the comfort of public spaces are sublime.  We loved the lectures we chose to attend, made some lovely friends we're still in touch with, and for us, the entertainment was just right.  Loved spending an hour or two, also, in the Explorers Lounge later in the evening.

We certainly didn't notice any excessive "rocking and rolling", even though our suite was at the front of the ship.  One of the reasons I've reluctantly held back any criticism is because we were so grateful to be fortunately upgraded to an Explorers Suite.  Without our knowledge, our amazing TA contacted Viking to let them know we would be celebrating a special date during the cruise.

The suite was beyond comfortable.  It's spaciousness and elegance echoed those features of the wider areas of Orion.

Over five weeks, we only had a couple of memorable service mishaps, but the glaring one, which I have reported in another thread, was the evening of our fiftieth wedding anniversary when our reserved window table (twice confirmed) was given to other passengers.  We were told to move to the back of the line, and if another window table became available, they would try to keep it for us.  We politely stated that we would simply move aside, without being a hindrance, but still within eyesight of the desk.  They soon found a window table.  The other (silly, I suppose, to mention) incident that evening was when the waiter sidled up to us as soon as we were seated and announced we shouldn't order dessert, because our family and TA had arranged cake and champagne as a surprise.  Well, it was still a surprise for us, but a little training in "moments" may have gone a long way.

Reading all the above, cruisers may wonder why on earth we wouldn't choose Viking again.  In a nutshell, it's the food.  With the exception of Manfredi's and The Chef's Table, which are both really good (Manfredi's exceptional), the cuisine is barely above terrible.  The offerings in The Restaurant are not only sloppily presented, they are way oversalted, and often tasteless.  We ordered breakfast in only twice, the second time to confirm that it's something not to do.  The breakfast arrived cold, with eggs so undercooked the white was sill clear and running all over the plates.  I've also mentioned in another thread that when completing the post-cruise comments sheet, I implored Viking's decisioin-makers to investigate Oceania's cuisine.  I wrote that even halfway to that amazing benchmark would be acceptable.  Seabourne and Silversea also serve wonderful cuisine.  As Viking's prices are on par with all three of these lines, we expected so much more than they provided.

Apologies for the length of this post;  I've been torn between gratitude for the unexpected and generous upgrade which should demand loyalty, and honesty.  My conscience has won out.  

I testify for you, Witness 🙂

Back on topic...we just do an online electronic transfer to our TA;  usually this is for the balance of a cruise, or airfares, etc.  We usually go to see her in person for the initial cruise deposit, because we sit down and nut out all the various flight possibilities, etc.  I do all our overseas and airport hotel reservations through (usually) booking.com.  Your husband just needs to realise how much easier it is.  If it's security he's worried about, I think we all had those initial reservations years ago.  Now though, I shudder when I recall how I would telephone the wages break-up (for our business) every week to our Bank, then drive over and collect that large sum in all its denominations.  Same time, same day, every week.  Now that was not secure.  Our son now runs the business (3rd generation) and simply presses a button once a week.  Same action for the group certificates at the end of the financial year.  I used to spend hours, sometimes days, trying to balance exactly so I could write out the certificates😬  Things have definitely changed for the better.  Tell your husband it's a bit like washboards by the river and washing machines in the laundry.

On 4/22/2022 at 8:11 AM, NSWP said:

Best he learns re banking then. My wife died almost two years ago and was an ex Commonwealth Bank Officer, so naturally she did most of the banking. But I quickly learnt to do it on my own, chucked the credit card, don't need the Qantas FF points any more and the 'free credit card travel insurance insurance was no longer available to me, as refused cover.   I just go with the ANZ Visa Debit.   

 

If you don't mind me saying, you never know what is around the corner. Likewise cooking, I have always cooked dinner when not at work, I like cooking, so that was not a problem.  I know of some blokes my age who's wife/partner passed away and they are struggling to to cook a piece of toast.

Sincere sympathy, Les.  I wasn't aware of your situation.  I really admire your positive attitude and the way you've adapted.  We'll all have to have that coffee one day....or a bite at the new "Donegans" (forget the new name).  We like Raymonds too.

Linda

5 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

But will the give me a doctorate in cruising?

5 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

But will the give me a doctorate in cruising?

Definitely.  conferred by Poseidon, assisted by King Neptune

48 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

Sure would, plus they don't  have anything I want to study.

Cruises can be a university of life experience:  the travel, the history, the languages, the onboard lectures (if the topic interests you).  The added advantage:  it's amazing what you learn over a few drinks at the bar with fellow cruisers😆

1 hour ago, MicCanberra said:

I thought about going to Uni now that I am retired, but that didn't  last long.

The uni thought or retirement?🙃