MMDown Under

As part of a flight overseas, I used to stopover in various South Pacific islands en route. Rarotonga has a bad record of cruise ships being able to land.

No, the carers were both wonderful women, on the pension, who lived in, with food and accommodation provided. One didn't drive so my cousin organised for people from her church to take her mother for a drive most Sundays, Sure beats commercial aged care nowadays. Used to be fine years ago, but 5 star with a baby grand piano doesn't make up for no care and service, Being brought up by my grandmother, I have visited nursing homes my whole life so have noticed the decline.

Thanks for update. Cheeky last comment!

I agree.

Sounds like this ship IS the destination!

Oh yes My favourite place on earth is Aitutaki, which is one of the Cook Islands smaller islands. It is surrounded by a beautiful turquoise lagoon and a coral reef. The local people are very friendly and they sing and dance like Angels.

Sounds wonderful. Just 7 neighbourhoods to go, Eileen. You'll run out of days. Such a shame the theatre was only half full for the show. Did you recognise any of the songs? Yes, it is off season now. I discovered that when we visited Crete as all the tourists had gone home. I found MSC had superb world class entertainment, which was not language based because of all the different nationalities on board. Their Cirque du Soleil show was brilliant, as good as the real thing! Will be interesting to compare ships

I have been waiting for the Cook Islands to open again. I was so excited, I didn't have time to quote my source.

Not so predictable for visitors from interstate I learnt to take everything for a day of tennis, including a towel to wipe the seat when the ran stopped and tennis started again.

Waiting for the tram home from the tennis, I commented "We've had every weather today, except hail!" Yes, you've guessed it - It started to hail.

Thanks for the laugh. I think you'd better talk to the Specialist! Don't ask me how this got here!

If that is true, maybe the cruise line may have to underwrite their own insurance policies

Which South Pacific Islands (and neighbouring countries) are now open for business? Cook Islands

Well done! What an excellent idea. As an independent traveller, I'd love access to a video like this for all my ports of call. Melbourne has a lot to offer visitors and is an easy city to get around.

Suggestion - Wear a wide brimmed hat and take water with you. It is a lovely walk along the waterfront.

Good service by Rent Seven Seas. Good news that third party visa service providers can no longer secure the ETA on behalf of travellers to Aust. Some were charging excessive amounts for ETAs which are free. ($20 Aus for processing by Aust Govt).

My friends nephew used to fail the explosives test. He worked for the Flying Doctor.

Do you have a good view of land?

Bon Voyage! Friends of mine just flew economy from Sydney to Malta. Took 40 hours! Wow Wonder is the biggest ship in the world. Have you made it to the 8 unique neighbourhoods yet? How many passengers? How many official languages on board? Good that it was easy to book all the entertainment. How long is the cruise and the itinerary? What a wonderful adventure!

Must be nice to go to a Grand Final with your sons. Do you all barrack for the same team? Enjoy! The blue and cold bunting and balloons have gone up in Parramatta. I told someone I supported Cowboys and she said they nearly died at the end because they thought they had lost.

I think a better option when someone needs care is to have someone live in. At least initially, which is what happened with members of my family.

What is your favourite port to approach by ship and to leave? My favourite to approach is NYC and my favourite to leave is Bora Bora in Tahiti. Why - It takes forever to approach NYC with the high rises in the far distance and the big bridges. Then you get close enough to identify the buildings and bridges. NYC is special because that is where I met a penpal who I got from the Parker Pen Pavilion at the World Trade Fair, NYC. She is about to turn 80 this month and is the one I just sent a birthday card to. Bora Bora is a stunningly beautiful romantic destination, even cruising on your own. Just grab a chair, put your feet up and dream as the ship pulls away in the darkness !

Remember when we used to send lots of postcards when we cruised? The cruise line would give you some postcards of the ship, plus stationery and a pen in a compendium. You used to put written postcards in a box for the ship to send on our behalf. Well today I posted a light 9g card to USA - cost $3.50, if you please. If you sent 10 that would have been $35! I asked the man at the post office for stamps please, but he still gave me a while postage sticker. I said I asked for stamps please. Children want to see letter came from Australia. He didn't blush when he said he didn't have any $3.50 stamps. I replied I would get them in the city. Then he reluctantly pealed off the sticker, gave me my money back and got me to sign a refund docket. When he saw I had put I wanted stamps under reason for refund, he decided to ask someone out the back. He came to the front desk and showed him where the stamps were in the drawer, so he put $3.50 stamp on letter and stamped it and I gave him money again for stamp and he gave me change. Now you know why stamps cost $3.50.

Anyone booked on this 7 day cruise from Brisbane to Great Barrier Reef, from 4th December, 2022?

Hurtigruten are currently offering no single supplements on select departures to Antarctica, Svalbard and Norway. Good time for solo travel.