Bubbeh

And they try to tell us that alcohol is bad for us. Oh, piffle!

Hush yer mouth!!!!

Good for NZ! For me however and as unpopular as my opinion seems to be, I'm a QANTAS girl all the way wherever possible. Certainly domestically, would consider anything else.

Aha, now you've lost me. I've drunk far too much dry wine and whiskey to enjoy sweet anythings. Indeed, if I found out I'd killed my sweet taste buddies I wouldn't be surprised.

In what must be a first, I don't bother with bidding for an upgrade, This little princess is perfectly happy with her mid-ships balcony cabin located on a deck with upper and lower being cabins also. Once accepted an 'upgrade' and found ourselves under the ping pong table on the pool deck! No peace or sleep for the wicked on that particular 35 day cruise. Grrr....

Pickled cauli sounds nice but then I am a vego so that probably explains it.

As an Aussie it took me longer to locate my bags than it did to get through Customs.

Well, that's a bloody relief!

We had a late night on NYE, watched two episodes of Call the Midwife and an episode of Vera then into bed at 11pm. Almost made it to the bewitching hour 😉 . Mind you we did better than the last few years when we barely made it past 9:30! And to think I used to laugh at people that didn't party on the 31st, I swore that I would never get that old and fuddy duddy. Oh, the arrogance and folly of youth!

Us too.

That's not stingy, that's smart.

A cruise simply cannot be too long for me. The longest we've taken so far has been 47 days from Fremantle around the Indian Ocean to South Africa and return. Could have easily stayed on board twice as long. In terms of the boring necessary admin: We usually get a town car from home to the Port and pre-arrange for something similar to pick us up at the conclusion of our trip, whether that be to the same port of a return via air. If we're in a situation where we leave and return via air in order to reach our embarkation Port, we'd drive to the airport and leave our car in the long term parking which costs $99 for each 30 days. Our mail is picked up and by a neighbour and our bills are paid via direct debit. We live in a secure apartment block with any maintenance arranged via the Strata therefore, no impost on individual owners. We don't have pets so that's not something which we need to make arrangements for. Voila, stress free long term travel!

Wishing all here a safe and peaceful Festive Season. May 2024 be filled with joyous adventures for you and yours. Dee & Tony (aka Grumpy Guts)

Or a new vineyard. 'Hello girls we're off to Testicular Fortitude for lunch on Sunday. I hear they do a brilliant Ploughman's Platter'.

Just what I've been searching for, testicular fortitude! 🤣

We're looking at mid 30's for Xmas Day and then a rapid slip down to mid 20's for Boxing Day. No rain in sight but plenty of wine, water and whoopsie daisies.

You should definitely visit Darwin then, amongst the most interesting of cities. Try either a top end cruise or a circumnavigation? Probably not gonna get either of those in winter but spring or autumn could work for you.

Good to hear, presumably your mind is not at ease.

The Kimberley is great very different and picturesque as is the Pilbara. But, Broome? God that must be about the world's most overrated place. Terrific destination if you've an aching need to be separated from your cash! Yeah Cable Beach is pretty and riding a camel at sunset is a novel experience. Matso's Brewery is also a pleasant way to spend an afternoon but, you can buy the local product at heaps of places these days. There's also an awful lot of social issues affecting the Town and to some extent (real or perceived) personal safety. The Govt is talking about liquor restrictions (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-06/blanket-regional-wa-liquor-restrictions-police-letter-reaction/103192014) but nobody really seems to have the answer. Basically, after having made a few visits, I'd give it a big miss for anything other than a quick excursion while cruising up/down the coast.

Next time why not stay over a couple of days before heading east? Maybe even come down to Mandurah for the day (https://www.mandurah.wa.gov.au/)? Play your cards right and I might even put a snag on the barbie for you. ☺️

My criteria; domestic = economy / international < 5 hours = premium economy or economy / international > 5 hours = business. I don't care too much about how much extra it is, it's my kids inheritance and I'll waste it any way I damn well like! Besides, by the time I pay for my extra luggage, I might as well book BC, it may very well work out cheaper 😉.

I'd be happy to have a cruise that went nowhere just kept cruising, never enough sea days in my book.

That really sucks!

Not by the people who have died though. Or is CC a media that crosses the great divide?

Absolutely! If the recent few years have taught us anything, it's how easily viruses will spread. I sort of want to say some other stuff but I don't want to be hurtful or offensive so I'll just shut my gob now.