buchhalm

Considering that Telstra can't supply a mobile phone or internet signal in Vaucluse or in a high-rise in the center of Melbourne, in literally spitting distance of Crown casino, I wouldn't hold my breath

I had two international arrivals in the past 5 weeks. Landing at 6.15 am it took from the time I exited the plane to entering the arrivals hall after clearing all formalities 1 hour and 50 minutes. Landing at 3.30 pm, the entire process took 40 minutes.

And off she goes again...

I am looking out my window just now to see QE coming in. According to the Port schedule, she isn't supposed to be here today. Parked at Athol Bay at the moment.

Australia Day 2024 in the best city in the world...

Contact the hotel and let them organise. It will cost a little bit extra, but all the hotels work with reputable transport companies. Hotel will need your name, flight details, number of passengers and number of bags and a contact phone/whatsapp number. The transport company will monitor the flights and have a driver in the arrivals hall at the appropriate time. The cost is simply added to your room account.

Got free croissants and cheese in Paris, a hot dog in New York and ice cream in Sicily, etc.... 😉

Unrelated, but: Get a bunch of those clip on koala things from a gift shop here. They usually come in 6 to 10 packs and are cheap as chips. The kids ( and adults) in Cambodia (and Vietnamese too) are falling over themselves with excitement if they are gifted one. We usually have one clipped on to our backpack or jacket. People are so happy if we give it away.

Wifey took a school group there. USD were accepted everywhere. The USD 100 worth of local currency (exchanged at the airport) remained virtually untouched and given to charity at the end of the trip.

Yes. So is Strand Bags and an independent shop, who's name I can't remember. COMPARE the prices. There can be a significant difference for the same thing between shops. If price doesnt matter, RIMOWA brand is like the Rolls Royce of luggage.

That's one ugly ship...

Blessed are the cheese makers!

Check this out this hotel. https://thescarletsingapore.com Gorgeous boutique hotel and (for Singapore) reasonably priced. MTR station , a great hawker food court, Buddha tooth temple within 5 minutes stroll. Clarke Quay tourist trap and China town also close by. From the airport it's around SGD 35 by taxi.

Good point for Singapore. ( and Bangkok even more so). In Singapore, there I just was 4 days ago, it is either diabolically humid or it buckets down. I had 3 days of near constant rain. 🙂

Unless I am very certain that I will be able to use the room, I book flexible rates that allow cancellation. - often even up to the day of arrival., Yes, these rates are nearly always more expensive, but you won't be charged a cent if you need to cancel. I tend to stick to hotels of the Accor group, which has many hotel brands for all budgets. Join their loyalty program and benefits quickly accumulate. Early check in, late check out and such.

Lisa reckons Mic is right

I stay close to my wife. Anything that stings or bites will get her, and won't touch me. It's a well-known fact that girls smell better/more.

Don't go to Finland then. 🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰🪰........

Assuming your ship arrives *as most do* by 07.00, I would be reluctant to book anything before noon. Especially if you are flying internationally, and more so still to the USA. Even though the distance from the cruise port(s) to the airport isn't particularly great, traffic out of the city can be very heavy with lots of crawling speed. If you arrive at the Overseas Cruise Terminal at Circular Quay, and are reasonably fit and can handle all your luggage, the public transport train from Circular quay is a great option. Easy, level, maximum 10-minutes walk from the ship to the station. The train drops you right below either of the airport terminals, Domestic or International. (Below, the Celebrity Edge arriving right now, at 05.47...)

Is this really a decision point, which brand of soft drinks a cruise line serves? Wow!

Why did you have to leave the cabin?

In the article..."found missing". What a strange expression. 😀

Ah, the old Entertainment book. You used to buy it from various charities. Great stuff. Usually 2-for-one deals or 50% off. We went to many places we wouldn't have tried otherwise. I haven't tried the online version.

I heard that Richard was offered an OBE, but he declined and said he didn't know how to play it....

I think this is what they call "open a can of works"....