MMDown Under

Oh I don't like watching, but I like to know what happened to old ships. I recognised quite a few.

Wow that is even better. I didn't realise it was so far. Cheap and convenient. My daughter used her credit card when she was in Sydney. I'll have to get her to check her cc bills.

I recently visited Leura Gardens Festival where I bought a $10 Hop on and hop off day ticket to visit the various gardens. I was impressed with the kindness of the mini bus drivers who drove around the gardens all day dropping people off and picking them up. On the bus ticket I noticed in conjunction with Fantastic Aussie Tours, which is a one stop shop for transport and sightseeing in the Blue Mountains. Two families own and operate the business which is based in the Blue Mountains. They will organise pick up from the international and domestic airports and transfer (with luggage) to the Blue Mountains. They operate an explorer hop on hop off bus 37 stops day ticket around Katoomba and Leura $49 www.fantastic-aussie-tours.com.au You can make an enquiry on line. The detailed web site explains what they offer.

What a bargain. Cheaper than daily concession, if you didn't do any further travels.

For lovers of old ships, News has an interesting article on cruise ships scrapped or taken out of service because of Covid. I was quite sad when I discovered Black Watch, ex Fred.Olsen, which I had sailed on, was on the list.

Yes coral expeditions.com (They cruise overseas, such as Indian Ocean, as well as in Australia. You can follow their current circumnavigation of Australia, 17/10 to 15/12/2022.)

Delighted you got to enjoy a balcony dinner with wine, whilst you wait clearance from covid. Hope next test is negative also. This is the reason why I now book balcony, inside cabin just wouldn't be the same!

That will make Melbourne people happy!

Coral Expeditions is based in Cairns (72 - 120) Coral Geographer Coral Adventurer' Coral Discoverer

I had a brain wave and found lots of ship via Cairns Port Schedule - Viking Orion - 930 - 25/10 (This is the one I'd love to go on) Westerdam - 2362 - 3/11 and 8/1 Star Breeze - 312 - 10/11 (Coral Princess - 2400 13/11) Nordam 2366 17/11 Queen Elizabeth 2503 20/11 Grand Princess 3122 24/1 Seabourne Odyssey 540 27/11 (Pacific Encounter - 29/11& 23/12) Viking Mars 20/12 MS Europa 2 23/12 Silver Shadow 3/1 Seven Seas Explorer 1/2

You are correct, they are based in Cairns. But it wasn't them because I cruised with them this year. They are currently doing an around Australia voyage. I'll find details

Sorry you are still positive after five days and had a severe dose for 2 days.

That sounds like an old wives tale! Sorry you tested positive on the day before you docked despite doing all the right things. Do you know what % of passengers and crew had covid?

The one I liked cruised via Cairns north, in October, but I didn't retain the itinerary, because I was already on holidays.

If I had an overnight in Airlie Beach, I'd hire a car and drive north to Cape Gloucester Resort, stopping at Dingo Beach Hotel for a cool drink on the way. (About a forty min drive to Resort). I'd have a seafood lunch at the Resort. The second day I'd drive to Shute Harbour and take a short ferry ride to South Mole Island (National Park). On the left, before you reach Shute Harbour there is a walk to the water where we saw a dugong.

Sorry to hear your husband has tested positive for covid. Sounds like you have taken all precautions with your mask wearing.

I'm so sorry Julie. It does sound like Covid which is such a shame. If so, I hope you have a mild case. I went to a Seniors Concert at Town Hall this morning and there were only a few Seniors wearing masks, inc. me.

Bon Voyage for your 26th cruise. The high price of airfares is having an effect on people's travel plans. I only convinced my daughter to join me for the long weekend by reminding her she had free accommodation. Even then she had to work in Sydney for the day on the Tuesday, so she could get a reasonable flight home after work on the Tuesday. My daughter's friend used to fly to Adelaide monthly to visit her sister, that is no more. Impulsive last minute travel is no more!

Did you get the soot issue resolved? Impressed that you have stain remover with you. Is the ship berthing in Broome, such an interesting unique town?

Enjoy your visit to Art Deco Napier. They usually have vintage cars there with owners appropriately dressed. It is an interesting little town to walk around.

I was looking for any small ships visiting when, like you, I was surprised how many big ships were coming. So I started compiling the sizes. I wondered if they would have trouble filling them with the current high cost of airfares and delays with people being able to renew their passports. I let mine expire during Covid, having no idea when I could travel overseas again, and not thinking there would be a big delay getting it renewed. One small ship sailed by via Cairns.

A lot of secondary airlines, like Tiger, used to fly from GC Airport and they had a reputation of cancelling flights. Those airlines are no longer flying, so I don't know which airline was currently cancelling flights. I'd be surprised if it was Air NZ, but you could phone them to ask or check with the airport, if you have concerns. Ive flown internationally with Scoot from GC Airport to Singapore and noticed other airlines flying internationally.

Thank you for setting out this information on the ships so beautifully.

We shared a table with a ,lovely Dutch chef and his Italian wife once. We learnt from them how to order what you want and how to send it back if it wasn't OK.

They are cruising home. But I agree avoid Sydney and take Air NZ flight.. There is budget accommodation in Honolulu, just back from the beach.