highplanesdrifters

Love these! Thanks for sharing.

I would not have recognized her with the red hull. Rather jaunty. I so enjoyed our voyage on her. Broken elevators and all.😃

You had me at gelato. When I first read your email I thought it said $2,000US. But $200 US, that's crazy. Congrats. It looks like you're just across the bridge over The Yara from the CBD and foodie central. Sweet. Melbourne was the end of our 35 day PNG/Kimberly adventure. We were spent and mostly wandered around and grabbed whatever was nearby. However my ex lives there and took us for a lovely lunch (how civilized) and sent a list of recommendations. I'll dig that up an pass it on. We love little museums that focus on history and place. I can highly recommend The Old Treasury Building which showcases the history of Melbourne. We hit the Immigration museum, also very interesting. I learned so much and it really gave me an understanding of OZ.

Fair point, and I agree. I do however understand the frustration, and applaud the efforts. I catch myself doing exactly as the OP had done, fight for the principle. For the most part I stop now. Management at the mother ship is in short staffed ever changing chaos. Ones message might get across only to be lost as the person who recieved and acknowledged it is no longer there or in a position to do something.

Excellent comprehensive review.

Did you play the lottery after this sighting? 😃

I concur. One gets pushed around by the bean counters to the point of enough is enough.

I'm sure you've already figured out Melbourne is the foodie town. Buyer beware.😃 I lost weight on our March 31 day Cloud Antarctica/C2C where the food was excellent. I gained weight (too much) on our recent Seabourn 14 day Scotland/Norway where the food was just good Go figure. I wish I had your discipline.

Excellent summary of the state of things.

Ohhhh, sounds lovely. Been thinking about heading back in that direction. What are you doing in Oz if I may ask? For us, September on Seabourn Pursuit. Our longest yet, 40 days, Guam to Santiago. I'm thinking of it as a vacation at a beach resort, lots of sea days. 🏝🦀🍹

On Venture we saw three bears in an 8 hour period in the ice cap, nothing on Svalbard. Luck of the draw.

@RetiredandTravel. Not sure if you mentioned it - where are you headed next? Inquiring minds. 😃

On a different note, this story popped up on my news feed. When we were there last year I was fascinated by the saltier explosion. Still happening. Thought you might find it interesting. Glad they didn't get you! 😃 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-04/saltwater-crocodile-numbers-survey-bigger-kimberley/103406240

The haul back from OZ is a tough one. And work right around the corner, ouch. We patiently await any travel gems you care to share.😃 What's next during retirement, JPTravel dot com?

Oh fun! There is an excellent wine store adjacent. The small grocery store makes delicious sandwiches, and the gift shop has some cute tourist swag. I've never eaten at the Chucj wagon but its seems to be popular.

Wishing you a fabulous trip! Please post so I can live vicariously. Have a drink or dinner at Dornans in Moose. You'll find it near the entrance to Grand Teton National Park. There is a second story deck that has a view to die for. https://dornans.com/ The Art museum is a must, world class. A few pics to whet your whistle. The view from Dornans Bar, inside. The foods pretty good too. When you cross the bridge make sure to look down as there are often Moose there grazing on willows there. From Dornans there is a path down to the river. Worth a look see. This guy crossed our path. They have become beggars near trail heads. Spring in June. Grizzly. There is a Griz with 5 cubs this year. Maybe you'll get to see the famous 399. Winter in September. Yellowstone. Is that color even real? Elk crossing.

What a fun journey! Can't wait for the next installment Chris has planned . Hope you take us along.

PP - Looks like you are having some spectacular weather. Those Bluebird skies, congrats!

I've started using AI for that. 😅

Thanks for your report. Care to share details of your incredible deal.

Well good to hear Chef Pia is still around. On Cloud we were told that she had left the fleet to open a restaurant. And glad you're trip is top knotch!

That was a really good analogy. 👍

@BasandSyb Major score on the bear with cubs, congrats. We took home whatever crud was on the ship. Not horrible, but not fun. Hope you can avoid.

Time for a new jeweler. And not just because of the dog!

If I may jump in... We were told last year that the cave paintings have a minimum age of at least12,000 years old, some 16,000. They are dated based on fossilized wasps nests on top of them. A painting under the nest must be at least as old as the nest.