possum52

eVisa applications for Australia have to be done through the official app which is available through your mobile phone store - this is how the app will appear. No, you have to apply for the Australian ETA.

That supermarket was called Casino Johnston when we were last there pre-covid.

We haven't had to show passports when disembarking a cruise that commenced in Australia and returned to the same port.

Marlene is situated at 42 rue de l’Alma, Nouméa. I have underlined the name on the map in the top right hand corner.

It was raining as we entered Milford Sound but by the time we had turned and sailing out, the sun was out and we had blue skies. Layers were being discarded! Yes very spectacular when raining.

People who don't cruise or live anywhere close to the bay may not know where cruise ships dock. They may be new to living here or even visitors themselves.

The last time we were in Lautoka, we did a ship's excursion to South Sea Orchids which is a family owned concern, and you actually go into the family homestead as well as visit the orchid nursery. We really enjoyed this stop. We then went into Nadi for shopping and then stopped at a local village on the way back to the ship. It was quite a full day but interesting and enjoyable.

One of mine was a smuggler (transported for life) and his two sons for petty thieving. Another father and son were transported for stealing a hat (he was a hatter) and his son for stealing two sacks of potatoes. All five transported to Tasmania. One of my husband's female ancestors was transported for stealing a handkerchief.

I thought pie lovers, well pastry and bread lovers really might be interested in this article - Australia's Best Vanilla Slice and Pies

It is about a 450-500 metre walk along Pitt Street, under the Cahill Expressway and along the path to the OPT. I am not walking very fast due to a knee injury but I could do that walk in much less than 10 minutes. Google maps says a taxi would take around 10 mins.

All cruise ships dock at Station Pier in Port Melbourne, just over 4 km from the central business district. You will find Station Pier at the bottom of the map with Station Pier underlined and the pier itself shaded red.

What I saw was Carnival Splendor is in Lifou today and back to Noumea tomorrow. They could be in for a bumpy trip after leaving Noumea.

Cyclone Judy has strengthened to a category 4 as it passes through Vanuatu. Tropical Cyclone Judy

Yes, you can bring sunscreen in as long as it doesn't exceed the volume limit for carry on. Or just put it in checked luggage.

Ok, the closest hotels to Station Pier, Port Melbourne where you will board your Princess cruise ship are around the Southbank, Docklands and South Wharf areas situated on the western and southern edges of the central business district, a distance of around 4 km. There are apartments around the pier which may be available to rent. Perhaps check your favourite hotel booking site. I have underlined Port Melbourne, Docklands and Southbank and highlighted Station Pier (under Port Melbourne).

I haven't stayed at the above hotel, but it does receive good reviews. It is about 700 metres from the OPT. You will be arriving on Australia Day so it is likely to be busy in the area where the hotel is located. Accommodation close to the harbour will be booked out quickly and likely quite expensive. AUSTRALIA DAY IN SYDNEY On 26 January, Sydney comes alive with locals celebrating the Aussie way of life right in the middle of summer. With events on the harbour, family festivities, boat races and a general vibrant, party atmosphere, there’s something for everyone. On the water Don’t miss the Ferrython race, one of Australia’s most iconic events, when Sydney's iconic yellow and green ferries race from Fort Denison to Shark Island and back to a glorious finish at the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Spectators can watch the extravaganza on a boat cruise or cheer on their favourite ferry from a number of free onshore vantage spots including Milsons Point off Jeffrey St Wharf, Circular Quay and Lavender Bay. In one of the oldest parts of Sydney, The Rocks, the annual and popular Australia Day street party kicks off with a vibrant carnival atmosphere. The historic cobblestone streets are overrun with market stalls brimming with local fashion, jewellery and crafts; gourmet food stalls and roving street performers. Concerts & festivals In the evening, Australia Day Live kicks off at 7.30pm and showcases some of Australia’s best-loved performers. While the event is free, it’s ticketed. Held on the forecourt of Sydney Opera House with the iconic sails in the background and the harbour beyond — this is a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience. There is usually a fireworks display at the end of the concert. As for a buying wine. I googled wine store for The Rocks which is the area between the Pier One and the OPT and there are a number of options. I would suggest you do a google search too. There are pharmacies in the area where you could buy sunscreen, or you would need to find a supermarket or convenience store.

I would suggest you contact your travel agent/Princess cruise planner or Princess direct if you have questions. When you say what meals are provided, do you mean meals included in the tour package or what type of food? Do you know what hotels you will be staying at? Won't your flights be regular domestic flights?

Thank you Marion. Hope your dog is ok. You were fortunate that someone stopped and helped.

Unfortunately Julie, even though it is a main road/highway, there weren't any other vehicles who came through around the time of the accident.

Dashcams may not have picked up the rego number with the way I was hit.

Thank you Linda. We're both fine, a little shaken at the time but were able to continue on home. I had an email from the police officer we spoke to and she had sent a van out to view the camera footage at the truck stop but they couldn't pick up anything to help us. She did say that the other vehicle had not come back through town (Colac), so was probably a traveller and not a local.

Hope your son's ceiling issues are sorted and fixed very soon Lyndon. Dealing with insurance companies is very frustrating. Good luck. We had a drama on Tuesday morning returning home after visting my father and brother for a few days in SW Vic. Coming through a dual laned roundabout, a car in the left lane decided to turn right from that lane and hit us on the left front and didn't stop. Fortunately car was drivable so we pulled over to the LHS of the highway to inspect damage, assuming the other car would come back which it didn't. Husband spotted it driving into the BP truck stop on the other side of the roundabout. By the time we were able to turn around and drive back, the other vehicle had disappeared. The staff at the BP service centre kindly checked their cameras but unfortunately couldn't get a rego number. I rang the local police station and we had to attend to give details. Unfortunately, the police didn't have any luck in finding the vehicle. So I will have to pay excess and can't get my car fixed until just before Easter.

If sailing in NZ and Australian waters, I would suggest you use NZD or AUD as it is easier for the crew to use.

In a word yes. Most Australians and New Zealanders do not tip. But in saying that, we have on occasion left a tip for exceptional service, usually by rounding up - eg, a meal cost $92, we may pay $100. It does have to be for exceptional service though.

Evidently the biosecurity officers don't know what is or not allowed. May I ask where you had your goods confiscated? In our last visit to NZ, before Covid we were standing in a line to leave the ship at Port Chalmers, waiting for permission for passengers to disembark. It was quite a long wait and we heard the above announcement so many times, that those in the queue were announcing it too each time it came on.