MMDown Under

Thanks for the laugh. I think you'd better talk to the Specialist! Don't ask me how this got here!

If that is true, maybe the cruise line may have to underwrite their own insurance policies

Which South Pacific Islands (and neighbouring countries) are now open for business? Cook Islands

Well done! What an excellent idea. As an independent traveller, I'd love access to a video like this for all my ports of call. Melbourne has a lot to offer visitors and is an easy city to get around.

Suggestion - Wear a wide brimmed hat and take water with you. It is a lovely walk along the waterfront.

Good service by Rent Seven Seas. Good news that third party visa service providers can no longer secure the ETA on behalf of travellers to Aust. Some were charging excessive amounts for ETAs which are free. ($20 Aus for processing by Aust Govt).

My friends nephew used to fail the explosives test. He worked for the Flying Doctor.

Do you have a good view of land?

Bon Voyage! Friends of mine just flew economy from Sydney to Malta. Took 40 hours! Wow Wonder is the biggest ship in the world. Have you made it to the 8 unique neighbourhoods yet? How many passengers? How many official languages on board? Good that it was easy to book all the entertainment. How long is the cruise and the itinerary? What a wonderful adventure!

Must be nice to go to a Grand Final with your sons. Do you all barrack for the same team? Enjoy! The blue and cold bunting and balloons have gone up in Parramatta. I told someone I supported Cowboys and she said they nearly died at the end because they thought they had lost.

I think a better option when someone needs care is to have someone live in. At least initially, which is what happened with members of my family.

The pie experts on this thread may know that. I only buy pies hot from local bakeries. Glad you got to see your mother and other family members. I was afraid to ask in case you went home for bad news. How old is your mum? She must be delighted to see you. I think we all have aged significantly, especially seniors. (BTW My daughter, who did her Masters at Melbourne Uni on line during Covid, is implementing her thesis at work, so it wasn't a waste.)

Sydney hasn't been as bad as forecast. It has been fine and sunny part of each day. Bad storm with thunder and lightning one night. I still cart my umbrella just in case.

good to see you finally got to Perth! Is this your first visit since Covid? And the story of the photos are?

You must be like one of my two daughters who always gets searched by security overseas.

I understand. Travel insurance cost for Seniors makes travel to the USA unaffordable. Researching QM2 cruises, London to NYC is now out of the question. I should be grateful UK is still an option.

Did you get to experience rough weather with QM2 cutting through the waves?

Aren't you tempted to just look at what is available and price? It has been so long, I'd forgotten just how enjoyable researching holidays is. And frustrating. A couple of cruises I was interested in are full! Of course, they may have vacancies closer to departure in 2023.

i'm sure they will. Americans love Australia/NZ and they love Disney. It is a winner for Australia, esp if it is one of their older ships. Count this one as practice. In the meantime, if you like long haul flights, have a look at WDW, Florida. Disneyland is only one of their Kingdoms it has four theme parks - EPCOT, ANIMAL KINGDOM, HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS, MAGIC KINGDOM PLUS BLIZZARD BEACH AND TYPHOON LAGOON WATER PARKS, plus Disney Theme shops galore. WDW Theme Parks closed for 2 days due to Hurricane Ian.

Thanks. I didn't know that, after many visits. I thought it was the ocean.

We had a White Night on one SE Asian cruise. Also a Hawaiian night on a Hawaiian cruise. I ran in to a lot of Americans/Canadians from my ship in an Op Shop buying tropical summer clothes

I guess the Captain was clear with his orders!

What is your favourite port to approach by ship and to leave? My favourite to approach is NYC and my favourite to leave is Bora Bora in Tahiti. Why - It takes forever to approach NYC with the high rises in the far distance and the big bridges. Then you get close enough to identify the buildings and bridges. NYC is special because that is where I met a penpal who I got from the Parker Pen Pavilion at the World Trade Fair, NYC. She is about to turn 80 this month and is the one I just sent a birthday card to. Bora Bora is a stunningly beautiful romantic destination, even cruising on your own. Just grab a chair, put your feet up and dream as the ship pulls away in the darkness !

Is the long Esplanade on the lagoon? I never tire of watching ship movements, I love watching the pilot get on and off. I also enjoy watching them tie the ropes. It was hilarious listening to the comments of two men waiting to tie ship up on the wharf at Darwin re lack of expertise of person bringing ship in. I guess it was a training exercise because little cruising during covid. I was on a ship once where they provided free laundry for everyone whilst washing machines got replaced. When I noticed new washing machines on the wharf, we raced back to our cabin and filled our laundry bags, because we knew our days of free laundry were numbered!

I haven't heard from my friend, which is a big worry as we are in regular contact via email.. However I read 2 million people have lost power. I'm now trying to find contact details of family in Boston. I have read that water is being sucked out in Florida, which happens in bad cyclones.