DavyWavey70

Question, when is a Fairmont not a Fairmont? Answer, when they only share the name. So as this leg of the trip was a last minute replacement for something that wasn’t working out time wise and the internet on a train crossing the Nullabor plains isn’t exactly full fibre my partner booked me 2 nights at the Fairmont Blue Mountains. Nice enough Deluxe Balcony with a Mountain View. I Thought that will be great, you can’t go far wrong with a Fairmont. On arrival it did feel a little unFairmontly. The towel hanging out of the bottom of the unplugged fridge was the first sign something was afoot. The gangs of feral mini monsters that seemed to be holidaying without their parents was another. They seem to roam around unsupervised in little gangs. I Found myself contemplating yesterday evening how many times I’d heard the staff say no since I’d arrived. Not just to me but to many others. It wasn’t even a no that hinted an apology, it was a no that was accompanied by a silent roll of the eyes into the back of the head. Do you have slimline tonic? No. Can I decide on a desert after my main course? No. Is there a bar open after dinner, No. Can I order a burger for my son? No, kitchens closed. Some of the staff are really lovely though but the whole feel of the place is certainly not positive or can do. After quite a morning where my balcony door had jammed whilst I was outside without my phone (luckily I had my iPad so emailed an emergency rescue request to Reception) an engineer was dispatched and eventually he freed it. It happened again an hour later but luckily I was on the inside this time. Following on, after yet another No from Reception, I informed the Receptionist that I’d never heard the word No used so many times in 24 hours even after binge watching the box set of the Vicar of Dibley. (I didn’t expect him to get that one though). When I said this doesn’t feel like any Fairmont I’ve ever stayed in before he informed me that they were nothing to do with the Canadians, they just share a name. So there you go. If you ever get the opportunity to visit this magical place then you must, just choose your hotel wisely. Had a lovely potter around a beautiful little village called Leura this afternoon. Anyway I bought myself a lovely new hat, a squashy Barmah from a fabulous little shop in Katoomba so the world is good again. Sydney tomorrow.

Glad you’re enjoying TM 😁

I Toddled off late afternoon for a potter around Katoomba, a nice little town. The locals assured me that it’s not usually as sunny as it was yesterday. A storm cloud passed overhead mid afternoon but 20 minutes later it was blazing sun again. A Lovely dinner last night in Embers Grill on-site. Lamb Skewers, Fill it Steak, and Pineapple Panna Cotta, accompanied by a delicious Lychee Martini and Taittinger. Off to breakfast now, massage at 9.00 and then a full day on the HO-HO to explore the area more.

I’ve had the most amazing day. Breakfast was on the train before disembarking around 8.30. A Trip to Scenic World was an incredible experience. Cable car, sky ride, the steepest train in the world backwards! Seen the 3 sisters and the views were incredible. Nice lunch at Echo point. Had my own private coach to the fairmont resort for a couple of nights. All checked in and got a nice view of the mountains from my balcony. Not the grandest Fairmont and it could do with a bit of a polish but really nice all in all. All this by 2.15. The resort is overrun with small human type creatures that make lots of strange noises and throw food around. Here for 2 nights then of to Sydney. The Indian Pacific was really incredible and today’s tour was the crowning glory. I Can’t believe I’ve only been here 6 days!

Cook, SA. Population 4. Got some good drone footage.

I Have a strawberry blonde brother so I do have to be careful. I Found myself scurrying around Ayers Rock Resort from one bit of shade to the next. Adelaide will be tropical!

First time Celebrity cruiser here, been on several cruises before, most recently Silversea and my last live from was the Infamous Pirates of the Caribbean cruise on Crystal Symphony with the arrest warrant incident Here’s hoping for a slightly less adventurous adventure this time. Travelling solo and boarding on the 13th. (Do have friends onboard though) I Arrived in Oz on Thursday afternoon after 2 long days travelling from MAN-DBX-MEL- AYQ. Luckily got a great upgrade offer from Emirates on the DBX-MEL leg so snapped their hand off. Uluru was an incredible experience, took a sunset helicopter flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa. Heavy storms the next afternoon meant all excursions cancelled so no Drone show and Dinner. Stayed at Sails in the Desert and couldn’t fault the place. Flew Sat AYQ-SYD -PER to join the Indian Pacific train Perth to Sydney. Plenty on the train are joining the Edge on the 13th. Looking forward to my first “bigger” ship experience and all that this amazing part of the world has to offer. Can’t wait to join the beautiful Edge. Any shipmates are welcome to jump on here too. See you onboard!

I’m all prepared for the flies, not sure about the rail workers though, nobody warned me about them! We only get the morning in Adelaide Joc so a quick scout only.

I’ll send the question to the galley. Obviously I didn’t see anything more than a fillet (fill it, not fill lay) on the plate. Dinner last night was pretty good considering conditions. Not perfection but best food I’ve had on a train. We missed the excursion to Kalgoorlie as we were waiting on freight trains to pass. These things happen. Meeting some lovely people and several I’ll be sailing with next week. Approx 60% Britts, 30% Ozzy, 2 Americans, 1Brazilian and a few I’ve yet to survey in our train section. The Americans were very popular at trivia time as there were several questions only they would know! Heading towards Cook now and Nullaboor plains. 1200 miles of track without a kink or a bend in it. Having a fabulous time.

I’ll see what I can do! 😁

Well spotted and Thank you for your insight Turtle, we are indeed en route to Kalgoorlie with a fluidly set arrival around 9 for the tour. What an utterly incredible land that you are so privileged to live in xxx

Anything to do with Comptons in Soho?

Well I must say considering I’m usually in Chapel on a Sunday morning🤞I’m having the best time. Cocktails from 9.30, great company, new friends, fabulous lunch, I’ve no idea what a jewfish is but they taste delicious. Just taken a nightcap back to my cabin? Room? What do you call it on a train? It’s just like the Orient express but nobodies been murdered yet. Siesta time before dinner and a late evening visit to Kalgoorlie to learn about the gold rush. Utterly fabulous day and it’s only 1.30!

11 Hours in Perth. Arrived late evening after flight no 5 in as many days. Uber to the Hotel and went for a little wander. There seem to be 2 main groups of people about in the city on a Saturday night, those wandering around aimlessly looking for a non existent bar and those passed out on the street in a puddle of their own making. The City’s culinary scene was a little elusive. It might be a good place to write a book entitled 100 ways to cook a burger. There isn’t really anything else on offer. The Hotel Restaurants had chairs on tables 15 minutes before closing so Hungry Jacks it was. Lovely view from my room of His Majesty’s Theatre. I’m slowly adjusting to the time difference. I Forced myself to stay awake past midnight by very appropriately watching Misery on one of the few hotel TV channels so slept till 4. Out for a potter around the city at 5. Breakfast doesn’t start at the hotel until 9 so the only option was a muffin in a place with a Scottish name. It was filthy. Even the bag was out of date. At least the Maccies in Delhi gets mopped occasionally. Onwards and upwards! Joining the Indian Pacific in a bit for the the next 2,700 miles of my journey. Can’t wait! Disclaimer to the citizens of Perth. I’m no lover of City’s in general and had I had longer here I’m sure I’d have found something positive to say.

Have a wonderful evening M. I’m rapidly loosing track of time zones!

I’ve managed to upload a couple of pics and videos, not edited or to music though. That will all come later Sunrise over Uluru this morning. 5 January 2024 Sunset helicopter flight over Kata Tjuṯa 4th January 2024 Sunset behind Kata Tjuta from the helicopter

You can only walk around, not on or up. Only a first class village idiot would want too though in these temps. The resort is apparently quieter than normal because we are at the very peak of the summer. Will get some more pics today. VThey had really heavy thunderstorms here Weds night and I hadn’t realised. Almost all evening excursions had been cancelled. I’m not doing too bad adjusting time wise. Fell asleep around 11 and had about 5 hours very broken sleep. Wide awake at 4.30 so I’m going to have a walk to the viewpoint for sunrise. Will try a siesta later and see if that levels me off a bit.

Hopefully you will one day Lois. I Only got the upgrade offer the day before and I’m so glad I did it. Xxx

Thanks Lola.It’s unbearably hot though, I’m scurrying around the edges of everything to stay in the shade. I’ve a strawberry blonde brother so have to be careful of these things.

Arrived at Sails in the Desert mid afternoon after a long couple of days capped off with a sprint from the far end of Melbourne T4 to the far end of T1 and back to identify my luggage. Jetstar! Long story. Lovely resort. Managed to arrange a sunset helicopter ride of Kata Tjuta and Uluru. Utterly breathtaking but still hated making turns in the bloody thing. I Overheard the best 2 questions in the Restaurant ever earlier, I Won’t name the nationality of the culprit but in what must surely be one of the furthest places on earth from the Ocean he wanted to know if the swordfish was fresh or frozen. After learning it was frozen he decided against it and then asked the waitress what was the main difference between the beef burger and the barramundi burger. I Silently choked. Pics only for now (of the tour, not of me choking) Vids will follow when I’m somewhere less dusty.

Well I got a great sleep a few hours in, hung around the bar a bit then snuck in another hour or so. Nearly time for breakfast now, landing in a couple of hours, 5/6 hours hanging around Melbourne then onto Ayers Rock. Emirates business on the A380-800 cannot be faulted. Breakfast just arrived but awaiting my Champagne.

Well I’ve survived leg one (MAN-DBX) feeling more human after a nice hot shower and a couple of glasses of Moët for breakfast. Long stretch now to Melbourne then a 5+ hour connection to AYQ.Arriving lunchtime Thursday.

I Just used 70,000 of mine last night 🥳

An offer I Couldn’t refuse. Rude not to really!

A Very happy new year to all in the cooler. Are you still on your BA LP Jeff?