I Think the alternative to cultured is natural! I do actually quite fancy a set of pearls. Ive been thinking about this one for a while. https://www.viviennewestwood.com/en/men/jewellery/necklaces/man.-bas-relief-pearl-necklace-silver-6301009902P104P104.html
I’ve seen several reports recently though of peoples Hotels being switched, last minute, to something of a much lower grade and way out of town. I Still prefer to make my own arrangements and know where I stand.
I Had exactly this on a Nile Cruise in Nov 19. A large group of Chinese tourists came on half way through and it went right through the boat. We hadn’t heard of Covid at that point but I had every symptom.
Aren’t we all? Every year when I drag our 15ft Christmas tree down to our compost heap I’m scratching like a Limehouse hooker for a couple of days. My arms look like the book of Exodus in braille. There’s a big difference though between a reaction from handling something and walking into a room that contains it! People that scream the word ALLERGY when they should really use the word intolerance detract from the true suffering that people with genuine allergies have to live with every day of their lives.
I’ve never heard of such a life threatening allergy to pine, fir or spruce. Maybe they’ve never heard of hay fever or perhaps are being a little dramatic. I’d suggest that that person might fair a little better by either staying at home during the Christmas season or visiting somewhere with slightly less Pagan traditions. Antarctica might be a good starting point.
Especially when you have no lights in your cabin for a whole week. Or tv or phone. I Believe the Nova and Dawn both now have electrical lighting in all Cabins which is certainly a plus.
I So hope I can pull it all off, it would be amazing to see you both again. So the last few bits I need to tie in are from Toronto to Carleton place, Niagra Falls, Albany then New York.