MMDown Under

I think we may have a different definition of "girlfriend". When we stayed in the posh Fairmont Empress hotel in Victoria, the chap on the counter asked if we wanted a Queen bed. I don't know which of us was the most shocked. I am a fan of the Grand Railway Hotels of Canada.

My daughter said she saw the Brisbane plane was still there so she ran to it, but they wouldn't let her on the plane "because they had started boarding". Seems strange but I may have got that wrong. Air NZ is now off my list, because they wouldn't let a young adult female travelling on her own into the Lounge to rest after 18 hour long haul flight (21 hours from hotel). I tried to help from Australia to no avail. The man on the phone was rude. The chat function was useless only answering standard questions on repeat. What has happened to Air NZ? When the same situation happened to my husband and I and 3 others years ago, Air NZ Auths put us all into Business Class. Turned a negative situation into a positive one. Air NZ used to be my favourite airline, when they had an Office in Brisbane and flew to South Pacific Islands. I just can't understand how this can happen to an airline which had the nicest staff, There is so much I love about the airline, with its sense of humour, its innovative seat couch (which my daughter loved better than Air NZ business and Premium Class), its accent, its lamb. I think I'm so annoyed, because Aussies feel Kiwi are like family. I'm about to fly with Air NZ one last time in January.

To add insult to injury, the young children on the neighbouring table, all had a cappuccino, at extra cost, at the end of their meal. By this stage, my daughter decided she had been born into the wrong family. BTW It was her birthday!

Our family celebrates birthdays with buffet breakfasts at various GC Resorts. My favourite memory is of my younger daughter's collection of all the passionfruit used for decoration. And her whispered comment that the children on the neighbouring table were allowed a drink with their meals! (In our family, you were allowed a drink after your meal or desert.) With covid, we've got out of practice. Anyone been to a fabulous buffet breakfast on the Gold Coast recently? Another birthday treat is a long drive somewhere of the birthday's person's choice. This year we are overdue for a long drive to beaches north of Lennox Head. Any recommendations for what not to miss and lunch? I seem to recall a special place inland from Byron Bay.

Thank you for your advice. Good to know if I ever decide on a splurge for a special occasion.

Thank you for your advice. Sorry for the confusion. They were considering 5 star in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast but were keen to make their bookings. I'd like to stay in Spicer's in Potts Point one day. I love the neighbourhood which feels like you are staying in Sydney, It is a walkers paradise, with so many restaurants and walks to the harbour and the city from which to choose. We stay at the basic Devere Hotel in Potts Point.

Thank you for your responses. I have received an email from my NY friend to tell me that they are all wrapped up for their visit Down Under in February. They are happy, as they are not last minute decision makers as we are. In Auckland they have chosen - Hilton Auckland on the oceanfront (4 star) In Sydney, they have chosen - Capella Sydney, near Circular Quay.(5 star) In Brisbane, they are staying with friends, certainly not 4-5 star. Meanwhile, my daughter, who has just arrived back from NY, is going to book her NZ trip tomorrow for early 10 th January, then try to connect her booking with mine. Once she has decided on her dates, we'll book our accommodation in Auckland or further afield. I will be staying in NZ pre-cruise for two nights, she'll be staying five nights. I know already I'll want to come back to NZ for another longer visit.

It is always wonderful to be met by someone local to show you around, on a cruise. We deverted to Boston to avoid a hurricane. We spent a wonderful day with a girlfriend there. I was disappointed to miss the scheduled island and haven't been there since.

Yes it is cyclone season, but early in the Cyclone Season,

It was an official through flight via Auckland. However she was worried on the 18 hour journey as they kept loosing time, so she wondered if they would make the connection. What made it worse, the Brisbane flight was running late and was still there, so she went to check in but was told she was too late. We are having a short holiday in NZ in January, otherwise she would have taken a short holiday en route to Brisbane. I don't know, but it was sufficient originally but they kept loosing time en route so obviously insufficient time.

My daughter has just missed her connection in Auckland between her 18 hour long haul flight from JFK to Auckland and Auckland to Brisbane Airports. The Brisbane flight was still there, but because they'd already started boarding, it was too late. Years ago The same thing happened to us and a few others, so they upgraded us all to business class. I hope they do that for my daughter. She had to throw out her cans of Canadian Dry. She said her combined seat was very comfy and she slept well. She said on Air NZ that option is better than both premium and business class. Moral of the story. OK to fly from JFK to Auckland and have a holiday in Auckland, but not OK to book a connecting flight to Brisbane. Two fails out of two!! She is now scheduled to arrive in Brisbane at 5 pm Qld. time!

That talk is by an optimist!

I would definitely cancel. The last thing you want on holidays is stress. I doubt you would have booked the tour, if your time in port was originally 7am to 5 pm.

I agree. I really liked the customs of small country towns and the friendly hard working people. The One teacher school where the teacher would turn around and throw a piece of chalk. Whoever got hit by the chalk got to pick the next song. Came the exciting time when I got hit by the piece of chalk. Unfortunately my family had singalongs around the piano that adults and children all sang. Seems the song I chose was deemed unsuitable for school children. I liked the "bring a plate" to share after Church. I liked the competitive tennis matches which followed, I was fascinated by the metal tube the shop keeper put the money in and how it wizzed up across the shop to the Office. I liked how the understanding shop keeper put all items for my great aunt under groceries.

So sorry to learn of your heartache at this Festive time of year. Did you check with Head Office whether you could cancel under your particular circumstances. You might reach an understanding person - not everyone is heartless.

Oh no! Have you got cold weather clothes ready for a diversion down South?

I visited the Whitsundays after a Cyclone passed through. Incredible damage to housing, the islands and the trees stripped bare. Some of the popular resorts didn't reopen, which was sad. You could still visit them on day trips, but not stay in resort accommodation. When I next visited the farmer, who grew delicious rambutan, I commented that it was lovely to see the greenery back on the trees. Oh no, she replied, when the trees loose their canopy, the weeds take over! They had no fruit to sell!

Tropical Cyclone Jasper forming off the Queensland Coast. The BOM said tropical cyclone Jasper is causing sustained winds of 75km/h near it centre, with gusts of up to 100km/h Are there any cruise ships heading north? December is early for Cyclones.

Yes, it was a real event enhanced by music. Because my first cruise was the back half of a world cruise, I experienced the streamer farewell at Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland.

Nice view

40 ish. She might have just misunderstood me.

The young girls were fans of Barry. Miranda inherited her father's acting skills.

Yes, I noticed all the different terms which I booked in on line. When you are done, you are the Captain. I have never laughed so much doing a routine task. I had to phone Sailor Services three times and they were all friendly and helpful. I noticed on one restaurant table booking, a game was played, which should liven things up. Also no problem with singles, doubles and groups. They just fill the table until it is filled, then continue on.

They are flying into and out of Sydney. I have never stayed 5 star to my knowledge, My daughters went for a job interview at a five star hotel at the Canadian ski fields. They were asked "What makes a five star hotel?" The younger one said the indentations in the ash trays, whilst the older one said the usual "high level of service" etc Both got offered the job. In the end, they were smart and got a job in a gourmet shop where they could take any leftovers home. They had to speak French. I don't know why my friend's friend wants to stay 5 star, but what would you recommend for one or two nights before they fly home to New work? Do we have 5 star in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Any recommendations there please?

Kangaroo Island is the third largest island in Australia, so distances are boring and long. We used to stay near the ferry and at Flinders Chase on opposite of the island. A lot of Flinders Chase lighthouse keepers cottages got burnt out. There used to be a lot of koalas which you could see from the FC carpark. You can rent a car and drive along the oceanfront to the lighthouse with spectacular views. Great cafe. Dudley Wines was picturesque. You can visit the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse and learn of its history. this is an enjoyable car ride, without racing across the island. If you have a long day visit, we saw a lot of wildlife around dusk at American River. parks.sa.gov.au skould be able to tell you what has been repaired and what is open. We left our names but we haven't heard anything. We used to love staying in the historic lighthouse keepers cottage. Staying in the small postman's cottage you used to hear the koalas at night and the Canadian geese (?)