MMDown Under

Yes, visit the historic church which was built in early 1900s and was name Quetta All Souls Memorial Cathedral in remembrance of those who died on board the Quetta when she struck an unchartered rock. I recall there were beautiful shell decoration. If you are there on a Sunday, don't miss church - locals sing like angels. Take a boat trip to Friday Island (you have to get permission to visit) and walk around. There is another small island you can visit. I think it used to be a pearl farm. We had the island to ourselves. Just sat on the beach with our feet in the water - glorious - learnt later crocodiles come up on beach so wouldn't recommend that. I took a few of those small high bouncing balls and gave them to the children much to their delight. i'm hoping to go back. Beautiful place and lovely people. .

Eases the disappointment no doubt!

Australia is a big island popular for cruising. I think there is enough room for big ships and small ships, which attract a different audience. I fly all the way to England/Europe to cruise on small ships. Every American I know wants to visit Australia, whilst every Canadian wants to visit NZ. Some even keep a mobile home in NZ, which is perfect for touring in a motorhome. The Australian Government should be supporting an Australian cruise industry. Then not as many of us will travel overseas!

I'm glad you enjoyed your meal. From memory my fish meal had a Thai flavour. It was very quiet because they were only opening up after Covid. It was my third fish cafe as I couldn't find it because it wasn't open. They were good with topping up the water but not with the bill. I had a RAT appt so I had to go so I went inside and asked someone for the bill.

I have driven up the Coast to Mackay annually to see relatives. It used to be the main centre for cruises to the islands until they shifted flights from Mackay to Proserpine for the Whitsundays. Locals used to get great deals for the islands hence I've stayed on many. You could cruise to the Great Barrier Reef from all the islands. My uncle used to do an annual Roylen Fishing cruise, with the "boys". There are beautiful places off the main highway all the way up the Coast as far as Cooktown.

Bus tour suggestion to Sunshine Coast (Australia Zoo) and Gold Coast is because of demand from Southeners. I agreee I wouldn't get a bus anywhere, Brisbane itself has a lot to offer. I met Americans off a ship berthed at the Grain Terminal from the shuttle at Anzac Square and spent the whole day showing them around Brisbane.

So much for planning a cruise being fun.

Yes for any scenic cruising along the Coast. I sat outside on the deck all the time we cruised along the Qld and NSW Coasts from Singapore. Wow I hadn't heard of the Wessel Islands. Tell me more. Some of those require small/medium ships but could all be visited by ships. Coral Expeditions is doing a great job visiting small places in small ships. I have visited Thursday island via ferry from Horn Island, then Punsand Bay by ferry from Thursday Island. I remember talking to a staff member on a small ship and he raved about these islands off North Queensland Coast which I was ashamed I hadn't heard of. I knew all the islands off Mackay and Airlie Beach.

I have told my American friends that I won't be visiting again (sad). I used to go most years. But the cost of medical attention, as well as insurance, just makes visiting prohibitive for Seniors. I have read stories of Americans who have been bankrupted by medical bills and had to return to live at home with their children. Their medical is attached to their work - loose you job, you loose your medical. Their top medical is amongst the best in the world but not for foreigners. Your wife not being able to fly would just compound the problem. I knew someone dying of cancer who was given permission from his doctor to make one last trip to NZ. His Dr said she would be on holidays over there at the same time anyway! All went well

Could be. I stayed at the resort. Could the cruise ships cruise around Moreton Island and watch the sunset and sunrise. I get cranky when ships just sail straight away from an island when I know how beautiful it is. I disregard any cruises which depart Tahiti before midnight because their island nights are spectacular and Tahitians are night people. We caught le truck back to wharf after an island night.

Seeing the cruiselines aren't doing a great job on cruises in Australian waters, what are your suggestions? Maybe they'll have to wait until they can cruise for a fortnight north from Brisbane. Brisbane to Darwin via Cairns and Thursday Island From Sydney and Melbourne to - Moreton Island Brisbane (two nights so passengers can visit Sunshine and Gold Coasts as well as beautiful Stradbroke Island (on ship's bus tours) Mooloolaba weather permitting (bus tour to the beautiful hinterland) Gladstone Rockhampton and Great Keppel Island Mackay (and lots of islands) Airlie Beach Bowen? Townsville Cairns (Mission Beach, islands, Atherton Tableland) Port Douglas (Daintree and Cooktown) etc. Is that enough from Queensland?

Do the ships, where Moreton Island is the only port, stay overnight. I seem to remember you feed the wild dolphins at dusk. That is really special, waiting in knee depth water, for them to come to you! Actually Moreton Island is so beautiful it deserves 2-3 days minimum. You can fly there in a small plane or take a local ferry. Or cruise ships could stay a couple of days. I have stayed at Tangalooma on a package which included whale watching boat trip.

That is a shame I have been keen on a cruise from Broome to Freemantle or visa versa. A small ship is now doing it and I don't think I'm currently fit enough. This is when ageng hits you. Of course you are in a worse situation, with ill health.

Lyle you might like to put this book on your wish list for Santa - "Australia's Best Nature Escapes" by Lee Atkinson. I have it on loan from the library. When I stayed at Punsand Bay on the tip of Queensland, I could only find out details via Two Drs (American travellers who brought their 4WD to Aust.). Well this book has an article on Punsand Bay!! I was sold! It is such a good book of hidden discoveries, I might buy it for a daughter who is going travelling next year for her birthday or Christmas.

congratulations! Sounds luxurious! Enjoy the countdown.

There used to be spots on GC where mobile phones didn't work but I don't know if that is still the case. I know Telstra has the best coverage.

Is that because they don't have towers in those regions?

I used to always take tea overseas to drink then bring special teas home, so understand your wife stacking up. I cruised from Hawaii once and all the teas were sweet tea - ugh! The bought real tealeaves and teabags in Tahiti, then restocked in Fiji.

One good thing is you don't have to worry about the sale of your house until the end of the sale period. It is nice to have a break from getting a house ready for sale for awhile.

That is the best kind. On one cruise I was on, the piano bar was tucked into a corner near the gambling area. Some passengers were surprised to get some gambling benefits because they made small winning bets whilst waiting for their drinks from the bar before returning to the piano bar corner.

That is the idea! Like the free cruises (US) for gamblers.

Saturday was perfect as forecast. Sunday started sunny, then cloudy, but no rain. Perfect weather for the popular Dwali Festival all weekend. Now forecast wet all week, so we'll see how we go. Hope passengers on Coral are experiencing good weather in the low 30s,.getting hotter as they get closer to Darwin.

Smart move. When I recently flew from Brisbane to Sydney the check in time was three hours before. I haven't received the check in time later this month from Sydney to Brisbane yet.

What a coincidence. I'm sure it it is the same one as there is only one with all home made craft. It is near the Caravan Park so has a captive audience. My NY girlfriend loves the unique handtowels which go over the stove rails., it is called South West Rocks Arts and Crafts Cottage.

BTW I buy home made gifts for my NY girlfriend at the Craft Centre at South West Rocks.