buchhalm

Ha. 🙂 Watched from the penthouse suites of the Four Seasons last year and The Crown the year before (looking DOWN on the fireworks from there). Sometimes it has its perks to work in hospitality. Or have a mate that does... 😉

Hi all. The official City of Sydney website for this year's fireworks and other festivities has gone live. https://www.sydneynewyearseve.com Apart from that, NSW residents can from today enter a ballot for tickets for prime viewing points of the fireworks. https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/nye-on-the-cahill-expressway-2023

Perhaps drop the "low-cost" ships there. Like Ryanair selling Frankfurt and landing you in Hahn, well over 100 km away.

Can we put Covid discussion to rest now?

Brisbane seems to be the training ground for Border Force / Customs. From a former life in the i remember Brisbane as THE airport where airline crew was hassled far, far more than in other airport in Australia. Of course, airline crew is the easiest target and will rarely make a fuss. Even after a 15-hour duty day. Along those lines, I think it is excellent that the fines for smuggling in food, plant material and such organic matters have been SIGNIFICANTLY increased. The amount of stuff people WHO LIVE or STUDY here "forget" to declare is mind boggling. Feigning ignorance doesn't cut it. Rules are clearly explained in many languages on every flight into Australia. And the countless pictures and displays at airports after you land are more than clear.

Lone PINE koala sanctuary?

To use our public transport (train, tram, bus, ferry) you can use a stored value card called "Opal card" or a credit card. To get through access gates or on buses you touch your card on a card-reader (just do as others do) to get on AND OFF(!!!) the relevant mode of transport. The fare will automatically charged to the card you used. It is important to use the same card getting on and off.

Correct. But not to scare people, 3/4 of that price is the (stupid and unavoidable) "station access fee" at both, international and domestic terminals. Usually public transport isn't that expensive.

I am sorry (and cue the haters) but I do not understand why one is concerned about the cost of a suburban taxi ride and about saving a few $ when going on a cruise and probably travelling internationally or transcontinental to get here.

OP, we really need more information. You are asking how long is a piece of string. 😉

Forgot to mention that, if the Rydges looks suitable, to book ASAP. The place tends to fill up. Especially during cruise season. Spend a bit extra to but a flexible rate that allows for cancellation. In case plans change.

Hi there. I am beginning to look into a Cunard cruise for summer 2025 to pre-celebrate my 60th. I can't seem to find anything past March 2025, if at all. When would the majority of itineraries be published? Considering Europe or a Transatlantic. Concerning the latter, I seem to remember it mentioned somewhere that WINTER crossings November to Feb/March are "calmer". Could this be true?

Rydges Airport Hotel is of very good standard and walking distance to the international terminal. No fuffing around with shuttle buses in the morning.

Ah Carnival. The main line at least. A hard "NO thanks " from us. What we remember most from the one time we cruised on a Carnival ship on a spur of the moment decision on a one-week loop from New York to the Caribbean. A decor inspired by a fever-dream of a love child of Liberace and Elton John. A cruise director "comedian" who's catch-cry at his late night shows (as compere AND performer) was "if you can't f..ing handle it, then get the f.. outa here". A massive cabin at the aft of the ship with a humongous balcony. -As a $200 last minute upgrade at check-in. Wonderfully hilarious and camp US table mates from Flaaarida, who we are still in sporadic contact with. Soft drinks ("sodas") by the bucket load (for some). Even at breakfast. And in the most bizarre flavours. Food so forgettable that we rember.

Thanks. Planning a cruise for my dix-oh year....

Does anyone know when Cunard will publish 2025 cruises after May? Thanks, brains trust.

For those interested, there are good video/YouTube review of both ships on the channel of a British lady, "Emma cruises".

The only smoking or vaping are should be in a lifeboat, dragged 300 m behind the ship. The occupants can then bet or gamble how long it would be until they are hauled back in.

Is that for Mic or for me?

Hi all. This may be of interest to you. On a recent quick trip to Europe I needed a data Sim for my phone. Via the Sydney airport website I found a product called Trip Sim. It comes in form of a downloadable E-Sim. No physical Sim card. The website www.tripsim.com.au is pretty straight forward. The installation and activation is not exactly intuitive, but not too difficult either. Several packages are available and for me it worked perfectly through my trip at less than $1 a day. Great for staying online and whatsapp calling. You keep your phone number and the E-Sim installs parallel to your regular Sim

Bet they have a clause that any incident or cancellation involving. Qantas or Jetstar ain't covered...

Yes, we keep dry cleaners in business

It is pretty difficult to look "bad" in a well-cut tuxedo. Tails/Morning coat are even better. It's sheer impossible to slouch in those. 😉

Make sure that you enter details EXACTLY as in your passport. For example, if your name in the passport is Robert Adam Smith, than that is what you enter. Even in your daily life you are BOB Smith or your drivers liscense says something else. And we use the date format Day-Month-Year. So be careful with that one as well.

A blast from the past...