MMDown Under

If you have no medical problems and don't take any medicines, would you be comfortable to self insure? I assume cruises are in Australia. I know two people, who were dying from cancer, whose doctors advised them to go ahead and travel - one to NZ and one to UK. Both successfully completed their travels. Personal doctors know the medical condition of their patients better than insurance underwriters who are risk adverse. I got my MIL in her 80s travel insurance to the USA through National Seniors. She had a letter from her personal doctor that she was fit to travel.

I can definitely see a Cruise theme there!

Yes packing cubes save the day. All this talk of packing and luggage, I just got out my big heavy winter coat dreaming of another London winter. Last time we visited was winter!

Don't you just love the wheels? i can't believe I've never seen that suitcase. What a brilliant idea. So it has a separate lockable pocket opening from the front? I've had similar in soft suitcases. I haven't looked for two years due to covid so I'm out of date. My last two hard cases have separate netted zippered sections covering half the suitcase. This is great for packing having a place for everything. However, I find it a pain when I reach my location (especially if I'm camping), as I have to keep the suitcase open flat to reach everything.

Oh dear, that is even worse. Even I know, you have to be admitted to a public hospital to receive medication.

Reading this recipe which looks delicious says I should try cold soup one day.

They need to put something in writing to leave with the paediatrician so he/she can reflect on his lack of appropriate action.

I'm sorry your family members are so sick after ten days. That is such a sad, real, story. That pediatrician should be ashamed of his lack of care towards his young patient He could have sent the script to them and saved all this suffering. My GP recently did that to me. I'm wary of the flu and hospitals, as my neighbour nearly died during the last flu outbreak in hospitals.

I love upgrades especially from inside to outside before I have shifted in.

I once received an upgrade offer between two back to back cruises. Reception couldn't believe I refused their kind offer. Simple, I was happy where I was and couldn't be bothered shifting!

Cruise company publicity is to make cruise ships look new. They are a good size for cruising Australia, but it would be nice to have the choice of some newer ships. I hope Viking visits Australia, as their ships are new. This year, I was fortunate to cruise on a small ship with Coral Expeditions from Cairns to Darwin.

Sounds interesting. Opening from front side is an extra pocket or opening to suitcase? My large are medium size also because I can't carry huge suitcases. I eventually weaned myself from visiting baby clothes departments in supermarkets, but I haven't been successful with suitcases.

And no, we don't swim during winter, unlike some southern visitors.

Agree winter maximums in Brisbane are pleasant. When I was younger, I wore shorts all year!

34c max Darwin today - now that is a hot winter! Cairns is warm!

No this week lowest in Brisbane was 5c unheard of! Max today is 19c with brilliant sunshine. Agree cold and wet is miserable.

Bon Voyage. Bring your winter woolies and a wind break for the ship. Sun should be beautiful. What kind of suitcase did you buy I have a huge selection of small suitcases, as I always need an extra one to bring home.

It is always cool on board a ship cruising NZ, so take wind breaks. On land, it can be all of above, as you mentioned. We're from Queensland, yet our family members got sunburnt having too much fun building dams to capture the hot water on "Hot Water Beach". So prepare for sun, as well as cold and wind.

We are freezing in Qld. 6-19c sunny today. Even the dogs have hot water bottles to keep warm! Pumpkin soup went down well. Will make another batch today as I have another pumpkin. bruschetta for breakfast.

Passengers may fly in from interstate like Queenslanders used to fly south to cruise north.

I voted by phone early in Covid when Govt was advising elderly to isolate. It was an efficient system.

I have never made meat based soup, but make lamb shanks and osso buco in the crock pot in winter. I'm sure I had a lot of hogget stews as a child and I recall a barley soup I didn't like.

Agree. Now 6 months at end and how many months allowed for delays at beginning?

Agree. There is plenty to see and do on a full day in Victoria. They want the passengers to spend their money on the ship.

My elder daughter was 3 and included on my Australian passport issued in 1979. The passport was valid for 5 years.