Saga Rose Greenland Voyager August 2007

[Host Sharon]

That's a nice selection of ships Marion. I've sailed on the two queens - they will look spectacular. Amadea will be a sister ship to Artemis when she leaves P&O in April and please send back Balmoral soon - ready for me in May :)

Edited February 16, 2011 by Host Sharon

[MMDown Under]

That's a nice selection of ships Marion. I've sailed on the two queens - they will look spectacular. Amadea will be a sister ship to Artemis when she leaves P&O in April and please send back Balmoral soon - ready for me in May :)

 

Sharon - I agree that the two queens should look spectacular together in Sydney's beautiful harbour. I believe there will be fireworks, which will be a nice bonus.

 

Did I mention that I enquired about cruising on Balmoral from Sydney - Brisbane, or Sydney - Cairns, but they only sold Sydney - Singapore as a segment of the world cruise?

 

Your cruise on Balmoral in May should be wonderful.

[Host Sharon]

That is a pity Marion, unless they were full I cannot see why they couldn't accommodate you.

 

I hope it will be good. I was supposed to be on Minerva (Bangkok to Chennai) right now and keep getting texts from my friends on board about what a lovely ship she is... grrrrrrrr !

[Saga Ruby]

Yes, we did do a thorough job for an initial visit to Alaska. However, there were lots more places I'd have liked to have visited.We did independent travel on the Alaskan Marine Highway, in addition to the Elderhostel programme, as we wanted to spend more time at each port of call.

 

Marion - You and Barry are quite the travelers. When I read your itinerary from Alaska, I wondered - do y'all use travel agents or DIY?

 

February is a busy month for Sydney Harbour with cruisers escaping the northern winter. Next week, I'm going to zip around the harbour, on Sydney's little ferries, to see Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary2, Balmoral, Amsterdam, Seven Seas Voyager, Amadea, Deutschland and Crystal Serenity all for the first time!

 

As Host Sharon (salaam, salaam) said, that should be quite a sight to see those dreamy ships in Sydney Harbour. Back in the day in the 90s, I stayed at a B&B away from downtown. I don't remember the 'burb but I caught the Hunter's Hill green-and-tan ferry back and forth to the Ocean Terminal, then sailed out of same for Singapore, 28 days. One day I was hopping on the ferry, a passenger hesitated at the gangway asking if this ferry was going to the Opera House. The crewman barked, "What, am I speaking German?" I just said that!

 

Can you tell me if there is a Hunter's Hill ferry?

 

Ruby

[Saga Ruby]

Have either or both of you arrived home? Donald was on Constellation in the eastern Caribbean and Conte was on QV learning the hula in Hawaii.

 

Welcome home, put down your cases, and tell us all about it!

 

Ruby

Edited February 26, 2011 by Saga Ruby

[Conte Di Savoia]

We are still at sea, headed for our Jones Act port of Ensenada. Not sure that I've got the hula thing down so well. The ship has been full up for this voyage and the weather has been about 50/50. More on the trip later.

[MMDown Under]

Marion - You and Barry are quite the travelers. When I read your itinerary from Alaska, I wondered - do y'all use travel agents or DIY?

 

 

 

As Host Sharon (salaam, salaam) said, that should be quite a sight to see those dreamy ships in Sydney Harbour. Back in the day in the 90s, I stayed at a B&B away from downtown. I don't remember the 'burb but I caught the Hunter's Hill green-and-tan ferry back and forth to the Ocean Terminal, then sailed out of same for Singapore, 28 days. One day I was hopping on the ferry, a passenger hesitated at the gangway asking if this ferry was going to the Opera House. The crewman barked, "What, am I speaking German?" I just said that!

 

Can you tell me if there is a Hunter's Hill ferry?

 

Ruby

 

I do it myself, Ruby.

 

It was pure magic seeing and hearing the two Queens in the harbour at once, with Balmoral parked on the side, waiting to take its place at the OPT.

 

There is a Woolwich ferry, Ruby, from which you'd need to catch a bus to Hunters Hill, a beautiful suburb on the same peninsula, with Lane Cove River on one side and the Harbour on the other.

 

I love those little harbour ferries and caught most of them this trip, but not that one.

 

.

 

I hope it will be good. I was supposed to be on Minerva (Bangkok to Chennai) right now and keep getting texts from my friends on board about what a lovely ship she is... grrrrrrrr !

 

That's a nice selection of ships Marion. I've sailed on the two queens - they will look spectacular. Amadea will be a sister ship to Artemis when she leaves P&O in April and please send back Balmoral soon - ready for me in May :)

 

Good to hear Minerva is a lovely ship. Please remind me why you couldn't go on her on this trip.

 

Yes, the two Queens did look spectacular, Sharon.

 

Really enjoyed seeing all the ships. Amadea is a beautiful ship in top condition. Quite a big ship for only 700 passengers. I talked to a German passenger, who was disembarking after 66 days half world tour. Balmoral looked a fun ship, especially at sailaway, so you are going to be in for a good time in May. I wished I was on her myself. I talked with a couple, who were cruising around the world on Balmoral, but got off in Sydney and were getting back on in Brisbane. My favourite ship was the Amsterdam.

 

I'll now have to look up all their future itineraries, after they leave Australia.

 

Queen Mary 2 was rescheduled from Christchurch to Wellington, due to the earthquake. What a tragedy for the people of Christchurch.

Edited February 28, 2011 by MMDown Under

[Saga Ruby]

Queen Mary 2 was rescheduled from Christchurch to Wellington, due to the earthquake. What a tragedy for the people of Christchurch.

 

The photos and videos from Christchurch are heart-breaking. The most recent news is that 30% of downtown structures will have to be razed. I've spent many days in that city, sometimes touristing, sometimes using it as a base for my Greymouth jaunt. In Greymouth (pronounced grey mouth) on the west coast and the terminus of the cross-country TranzAlpine train, we had a 6.2 earthquake, the first quake for this Texan. There was minimal damage in that town but quite a rock 'n roll ride.

 

The photo from Christchurch that sticks in my mind is my favourite downtown trolley, an exquisitely-restored car which carried Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on a ride. The trolley sits unharmed but the tracks in front of her are S-shaped.

 

My sympathy and condolences go out to the citizens of this beautiful city.

 

Ruby

[Host Sharon]

Thanks for the updates Marion. I bet that was a great tip - crossing on the harbour ferries amongst all those lovely ships!

 

I had to cancel Minerva because I was sharing with a friend and she had to cancel. I couldn't afford both our fares to travel as a single :(

 

Still - Balmoral is not that far away.

 

The devastation in Christchurch is heartbreaking, and still so many missing. My condolences to everyone there. I have friends in Nelson - just across the Straits, but have never been to either island.

 

Conte - I still hopeful of more of your Aurora stories please!!

[MMDown Under]

The photos and videos from Christchurch are heart-breaking. The most recent news is that 30% of downtown structures will have to be razed. I've spent many days in that city, sometimes touristing, sometimes using it as a base for my Greymouth jaunt. In Greymouth (pronounced grey mouth) on the west coast and the terminus of the cross-country TranzAlpine train, we had a 6.2 earthquake, the first quake for this Texan. There was minimal damage in that town but quite a rock 'n roll ride.

 

The photo from Christchurch that sticks in my mind is my favourite downtown trolley, an exquisitely-restored car which carried Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on a ride. The trolley sits unharmed but the tracks in front of her are S-shaped.

 

My sympathy and condolences go out to the citizens of this beautiful city.

 

Ruby

 

There was 2 mins silence remembrance today for the victims of the earthquake.

 

As Australia and NZ have such a close relationship, our second government TV station showed direct live coverage from NZ for days. Like many, I was so impressed with how NZ people handled this disaster.

 

 

I had to cancel Minerva because I was sharing with a friend and she had to cancel. I couldn't afford both our fares to travel as a single :(

 

Still - Balmoral is not that far away.

 

The devastation in Christchurch is heartbreaking, and still so many missing. My condolences to everyone there. I have friends in Nelson - just across the Straits, but have never been to either island.

 

 

Now I remember your disappointment at having to cancel your Minerva cruise.

 

NZ is a really beautiful country to visit, perfect for land travel with short distances. NZ will need all the visitors it can get to help keep its economy alive, after the huge expensive repairing its infrastructure, etc.

[Host Sharon]

And now I hear of another earthquake in NZ in Wellington - will disasters never end???

[Kapricorn]

Hi to all! I returned home late Sunday night after having stayed overnight in Fort Lauderdale. Unfortunately right now I have a sore throat, congested nose and aching muscles - the consequence, I am certain, of the insanely frigid air-conditioning prevalent in Florida hotel rooms. The hotel-to-airport shuttle bus certainly must have been much colder than the refrigerated trucks used to transport slabs of meat.

 

I will talk about the enjoyable cruise once I am back to normal. The flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Vancouver was memorable in that one of the men in First Class got drunk. I observed him chatting with the attendants in the galley, hoping to get another drink but he was gently rebuffed.

 

After a little while he returned to his seat, triumphantly concealing someone else's drink behind his jacket. Eventually for some reason he twice entered Economy Class, each time crashing to the floor with heavy thuds felt in the First Class section. The second time it happened, the attendants turned on all the cabin lights to see clearly what was happening. Everyone in First Class craned their necks to see the commotion behind them. I myself stood up from my window seat and leaned over my seat mate to look into Economy Class.

 

I saw a man either wrestling the drunk guy or attempting to help him up from the floor. The drunk never reappeared in his seat across the aisle from mine, and when we deplaned in Vancouver there were 5 policemen waiting to take him into custody. I think that it would be a charge of disobeying or interference with the attendants' instructions, endangering the aircraft.

 

Donald.

[Host Sharon]

Well, I hope the cruise was less eventful Donald, or at least eventful in a good way !! Hope you feel better soon !

[MMDown Under]

Hi to all! I returned home late Sunday night after having stayed overnight in Fort Lauderdale. Unfortunately right now I have a sore throat, congested nose and aching muscles - the consequence, I am certain, of the insanely frigid air-conditioning prevalent in Florida hotel rooms. The hotel-to-airport shuttle bus certainly must have been much colder than the refrigerated trucks used to transport slabs of meat.

 

I saw a man either wrestling the drunk guy or attempting to help him up from the floor. The drunk never reappeared in his seat across the aisle from mine, and when we deplaned in Vancouver there were 5 policemen waiting to take him into custody. I think that it would be a charge of disobeying or interference with the attendants' instructions, endangering the aircraft.

 

Donald.

 

Welcome Back from your cruise, Donald. 5 policemen for 1 drunk seems overkill.

 

Sorry you arrived home sick. Seems to be quite common at the end of a cruise or a long flight unfortunately.

[MMDown Under]

Royal Caribbean announces yet another ship for down under

Royal Caribbean md Australia Gavin Smith has just announced that Celebrity Solstice will be based in Australia for the 2012/13 Australian summer season.

 

The additional deployment is the first time the ship has operated in the southern hemisphere, with the 122,000 tonne vessel the largest vessel to ever be based in Australia.

 

It's also the youngest, with Solstice launching just three years ago with a range of innovative features such as the exclusive Aqua suites and the top deck Lawn Club which includes an acre of real grass.

 

Smith said the ship would mainly operate a series of 12-13 trans-Tasman itineraries, but the program would also include a circumnavigation of Australia.

 

He emphasised that this would not be a one-off Australian deployment for Solstice, saying "she will be bringing travellers and cruisers from around the world over the hot Australian summer months for many years ahead".

 

Full details of itineraries and fares will be released towards the end of the month, Smith said.

 

Source Cruise Weekly.

 

Holland America Line has announced that it is deploying its ms Oosterdam to the South Pacific, boosting capacity in the region by up to 25 percent.

 

The cruise ship will replace the ms Zaandam during the 2012 to 2013 seasons and is set to run simultaneously with the ms Volendam on a series of ten to 25 day itineraries around Australia and New Zealand.

 

To support the increasing number of sales, Holland America said it plans to open a sales and marketing reservations office in Sydney later this year.

 

Source Etravel blackboard

Edited March 2, 2011 by MMDown Under

[Saga Ruby]

Royal Caribbean announces yet another ship for down under. Royal Caribbean md Australia Gavin Smith has just announced that Celebrity Solstice will be based in Australia for the 2012/13 Australian summer season.

 

The additional deployment is the first time the ship has operated in the southern hemisphere, with the 122,000 tonne vessel the largest vessel to ever be based in Australia.

 

Marion - when cruise companies talk about circumnavigating Oz, do they make a stop in Top End of Darwin and have shorex to Kakadu Park? We were flown in puddle-jumpers into the Park and escorted by an aborigine guide to the ancient aborigine hand paintings under the rock face. I loved that trip. I've never been to Perth or the 12 Apostles or Ocean Road but it would have been a great trip.

 

I distinctly remember when Solstice was lurking around the corner of the harbour of Piraeus and in Napoli. She looked like a beautiful ship, not the severe design adjustments for balconies around all four sides of the ship. Will you and Barry have a go or stay outside the perimeters of your homeland?

 

Ruby

Edited March 3, 2011 by Saga Ruby

[MMDown Under]

Marion - when cruise companies talk about circumnavigating Oz, do they make a stop in Top End of Darwin and have shorex to Kakadu Park? We were flown in puddle-jumpers into the Park and escorted by an aborigine guide to the ancient aborigine hand paintings under the rock face. I loved that trip. I've never been to Perth or the 12 Apostles or Ocean Road but it would have been a great trip.

 

I distinctly remember when Solstice was lurking around the corner of the harbour of Piraeus and in Napoli. She looked like a beautiful ship, not the severe design adjustments for balconies around all four sides of the ship. Will you and Barry have a go or stay outside the perimeters of your homeland?

 

Ruby

 

I guess it depends how long the ship is in port, Ruby. I have neighbours who are cruising around Australia on the Dawn Princess this week and that ship doesn't have any excursions to Kakadu Park.

 

Sounds like you were able to take a memorable trip from your ship. Aren't those hand paintings wonderful? When we were in Darwin, we did a very long day trip to Kakadu Park, which was an unforgetable highlight. We even got to see a crocodile take a beautiful big bird, which we were looking at close up, from a small cruise boat. Nobody saw it coming, then the bird was gone in a flash!

 

I'm pleased you thought Solstice was a beautiful ship, as Australia is long overdue for more beautiful ships, as the market is really growing down here.

 

Even though I enjoyed our transatlantic on Poesia, I prefer smaller ships.

 

Cruising around Australia doesn't appeal to me at all, although we once flew around Australia, which was wonderful, as we were able to spend time at each place (without driving the long distances). However, repositioning cruises with interesting itineraries attract me.

Edited March 3, 2011 by MMDown Under

[Saga Ruby]

Aren't those hand paintings wonderful? When we were in Darwin, we did a very long day trip to Kakadu Park, which was an unforgetable highlight. We even got to see a crocodile take a beautiful big bird, which we were looking at close up, from a small cruise boat. Nobody saw it coming, then the bird was gone in a flash!

 

About the Yellow River and the croc - wow! I'm a Texan, okay? So I didn't think about keeping my hands out of the water until the guide on our small boat told us to keep our hands inside. Then he pointed out the eyes of the croc hidden nearby under a low-hanging branch in the river. And I'm so fond of all ten of my digits! I assume you heard the same joke - they call it the Yellow River because of the Aussies drinking so much beer. By any chance did you and Barry see the Crocodile Hotel?

 

Did you hike into Kakadu to see the aboriginal paintings? Our guide told marvelous stories about the history and stories of the artwork. Along the trail, he picked up a huge black ant, placed it on his arm, and let it walk up and down his forearm while we admired the gigantic size of its mandibles which could rip off chunks of flesh - like his forearm.

 

Fascinating.

 

Ruby

[MMDown Under]

About the Yellow River and the croc - wow! I'm a Texan, okay? So I didn't think about keeping my hands out of the water until the guide on our small boat told us to keep our hands inside. Then he pointed out the eyes of the croc hidden nearby under a low-hanging branch in the river. And I'm so fond of all ten of my digits! I assume you heard the same joke - they call it the Yellow River because of the Aussies drinking so much beer. By any chance did you and Barry see the Crocodile Hotel?

 

Did you hike into Kakadu to see the aboriginal paintings? Our guide told marvelous stories about the history and stories of the artwork. Along the trail, he picked up a huge black ant, placed it on his arm, and let it walk up and down his forearm while we admired the gigantic size of its mandibles which could rip off chunks of flesh - like his forearm.

 

Fascinating.

 

Ruby

 

http://www.gagudju-dreaming.com/Cruises/Overview.aspx

 

This will bring back memories of Kakadu, Ruby. Good photo of the crocodile with just the tip of his head above water. Lucky you pulled your fingers out of the water. You really need at least 3 days to do the park justice.

 

Yes, we visited the crocodile hotel, however you need to fly over it to get the full effect of the clever design.

 

No, I hadn't heard the joke, but it sounds Australian. :)

 

Yes, we hiked to see the aboriginal paintings, then sat on top of big rocks taking in the vista. We had an aboriginal guide who told us the dreamtime stories and the history of the paintings. Quite a spiritual place.

 

Didn't have the ant demo though.

[Saga Ruby]

http://www.gagudju-dreaming.com/Cruises/Overview.aspx

 

This will bring back memories of Kakadu, Ruby. Good photo of the crocodile with just the tip of his head above water. Lucky you pulled your fingers out of the water. You really need at least 3 days to do the park justice. Yes, we visited the crocodile hotel, however you need to fly over it to get the full effect of the clever design. Yes, we hiked to see the aboriginal paintings, then sat on top of big rocks taking in the vista. We had an aboriginal guide who told us the dreamtime stories and the history of the paintings. Quite a spiritual place.

 

"Quite a spiritual place." Well-put, Marion. You inspired me to dig out my tourist info about our 1992 flight from Darwin Airport into Cooinda, the Yellow Waters wildlife boat cruise, then off to Kakadu Natl Park and spectacular Bourlangie Rock and the aboriginal paintings. My most vivid memory of the paintings about dreamtime was a white skeleton with a tiny white skeleton inside it - a pregnant woman. The artistic renderings being explained by our guide were quite a revelation for that splendid time in aboriginal history.

 

Our group stopped at the Crocodile Hotel for souvenirs then were bused out to the airport where we flew back to Darwin, overflying that hotel, and the flat, twisting topography and rivers of that ancient area. After a full day in the bush, it was pleasant to be flying back into Darwin and see our cruise ship waiting at the wharf for us. What a loverly day. I highly recommend it to everyone on this thread.

 

Ruby

[MMDown Under]

"Quite a spiritual place." Well-put, Marion. You inspired me to dig out my tourist info about our 1992 flight from Darwin Airport into Cooinda, the Yellow Waters wildlife boat cruise, then off to Kakadu Natl Park and spectacular Bourlangie Rock and the aboriginal paintings. My most vivid memory of the paintings about dreamtime was a white skeleton with a tiny white skeleton inside it - a pregnant woman. The artistic renderings being explained by our guide were quite a revelation for that splendid time in aboriginal history.

 

Our group stopped at the Crocodile Hotel for souvenirs then were bused out to the airport where we flew back to Darwin, overflying that hotel, and the flat, twisting topography and rivers of that ancient area. After a full day in the bush, it was pleasant to be flying back into Darwin and see our cruise ship waiting at the wharf for us. What a loverly day. I highly recommend it to everyone on this thread.

 

Ruby

 

What a lovely day indeed, Ruby. What wonderful memories you have of your Kakadu adventure. The flight over that vast landscape must have been a real treat, as well as seeing your cruise ship waiting at the wharf in Darwin for you.

 

What was the name of the cruise ship? Where did you travel from and to?

[Saga Ruby]

Marion - I was onboard Island Princess for 28 days in March/April 1992 on a B2B cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong, the long way round. I was gone from home for 6 weeks - a week in Sydney and a splash-out for a week at Mother Peninsula in Hong Kong.

 

The memories of that cruise are embedded delightfully in my mind but I learned two things - I don’t like being gone from home that long and 28 days on any ship is plenty for me. When the onboard menus start repeating and I begin to wonder what is waiting in my mail, it’s time to return home. If I won a World Cruise, I would cash it in instead of writing a Rime.

 

The ship’s first port out of Sydney was Brisbane. I was sternly instructed by an Aussie friend in Sydney that I must do the Australian Wool-shed experience on a ranch outside Brisbane. I protested, saying it sounded corny. He said, “Go!” And boy! am I glad I did. The ship's route continued past the Great Barrier Reef, then directly on to Darwin, Bali, and Singapore where the first cruise ended and the second cruise began.

 

Digression - the "in transit" passengers to Hong Kong were instructed to get a form allowing us to disembark in Singapore than re-embark for Hong Kong. The "form" was a two-sentence piece of typing paper cut in fourths. Nothing official, no signatures, no gold seals - just a piece of paper. Upon my return to the wharf's "security gate," the guard didn't even look at the paper, just waved me on as did the ship's security guard. Either I have an honest face or nobody cared - probably the latter. That was a more innocent time in maritime history.

 

I wanted to thank you. In digging out this info, I found $120 in Aussie and Kiwi dollars. I’ll return them to my local bank for credit. So your input and commentary has literally paid off for me. Thanks!

 

Ruby

[MMDown Under]

Marion - I was onboard Island Princess for 28 days in March/April 1992 on a B2B cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong, the long way round. I was gone from home for 6 weeks - a week in Sydney and a splash-out for a week at Mother Peninsula in Hong Kong.

 

The memories of that cruise are embedded delightfully in my mind but I learned two things - I don’t like being gone from home that long and 28 days on any ship is plenty for me. When the onboard menus start repeating and I begin to wonder what is waiting in my mail, it’s time to return home. If I won a World Cruise, I would cash it in instead of writing a Rime.

 

The ship’s first port out of Sydney was Brisbane. I was sternly instructed by an Aussie friend in Sydney that I must do the Australian Wool-shed experience on a ranch outside Brisbane. I protested, saying it sounded corny. He said, “Go!” And boy! am I glad I did. The ship's route continued past the Great Barrier Reef, then directly on to Darwin, Bali, and Singapore where the first cruise ended and the second cruise began.

 

Digression - the "in transit" passengers to Hong Kong were instructed to get a form allowing us to disembark in Singapore than re-embark for Hong Kong. The "form" was a two-sentence piece of typing paper cut in fourths. Nothing official, no signatures, no gold seals - just a piece of paper. Upon my return to the wharf's "security gate," the guard didn't even look at the paper, just waved me on as did the ship's security guard. Either I have an honest face or nobody cared - probably the latter. That was a more innocent time in maritime history.

 

I wanted to thank you. In digging out this info, I found $120 in Aussie and Kiwi dollars. I’ll return them to my local bank for credit. So your input and commentary has literally paid off for me. Thanks!

 

Ruby

 

Ruby, Sounds like a great b2b cruise, which is my idea of a perfect cruise with land travel book ends! It certainly was a more innocent and much easier time to travel.

 

My husband agrees with you with regard to the length of time away from home.

 

I wouldn't want to do a modern world cruise, where they call into a minimum number of ports for a minimum amount of time. However, I'd love to do another atw cruise to UK, with lots of long visits to ports of call, like my first trip overseas (with land content in the middle).

 

So pleased you got to visit the Australian Woolshed, in Brisbane. We used to love visiting the Australian Woolshed, with friends and their families. Did you do the Australian country dancing?

 

Like much of "old" Brisbane, the Woolshed is long gone, to be replaced by housing development, I believe. (As if Brisbane isn't one of the largest cities in area in the world already!)

 

The way our banks charge to change money, you might be better keeping your find to exchange for $US with fellow cruisers on your next cruise. :)

[Saga Ruby]

However, I'd love to do another atw cruise to UK, with lots of long visits to ports of call, like my first trip overseas (with land content in the middle).

 

So pleased you got to visit the Australian Woolshed, in Brisbane. We used to love visiting the Australian Woolshed, with friends and their families. Did you do the Australian country dancing?

 

Like much of "old" Brisbane, the Woolshed is long gone, to be replaced by housing development, I believe. (As if Brisbane isn't one of the largest cities in area in the world already!)

 

The way our banks charge to change money, you might be better keeping your find to exchange for $US with fellow cruisers on your next cruise. :)

 

Buried deep in these pages, Conte posted an around-the-world booklet issued, I think, for a cruise in the '50s. It was absolutely intriguing - the passengers would disembark for days to go into major cities and sites. I really enjoyed that itinerary booklet to show the languid and considered pace of world cruises back in the day.

 

I gasped when I read that the Woolshed is long gone. When our coaches pulled up to those green, softly rolling hills, the tree-pole fence kept in the huge red kangaroos lounging on the front lawn. An amazing sight.

 

Then I laughed about the Australian dancing - no, I did not participate and it's news to me that that happened. I watched the 9 types of sheep walking up the ramps and taking their correct places. As the shearer worked on his sheep, I finally understood why ranchers talk about the huge amounts of lanolin in a sheep's coat.

 

After that show, I went wandering around the ranch while most of the pax went in to eat the steak lunch in the outdoor covered patio. I've already talked about the Aussie at the small cowshed who asked, "Would you like a go?" to milk a Holstein. So this Texas gal got to milk a cow! Zowie! And I watched the sheepdog trotting briskly over the backs of the sheep being herded into a chute. A beautiful sight.

 

Funny you should mention keeping the AUD and NZD. I agree with you about selling them to pax on my September cruise and passing on the high fees US banks charge to convert them into USD.

 

Conte and Donald - I'm keen to hear about your cruises, one to the Caribbean and the other to Hawaii. Have you reached a point that you can tell us all about it?

 

Ruby

[Kapricorn]

Conte and Donald - I'm keen to hear about your cruises, one to the Caribbean and the other to Hawaii. Have you reached a point that you can tell us all about it?

 

Ruby

 

I'm still sniffling from my cold. It is amazingly stubborn. Over the past dozen years I've rarely - if ever - had a cold. I told my travel agent that I would write a post-cruise review once I am back to 100%. I'm just not up to it while I'm feeling not so good.

 

Donald.