MMDown Under

Currently 700 hospitalised with covid in Queensland hospitals. Qld. Govt. is warning of an escalation in the number of health and hospital staff unable to work due to covid with 2016 currently off sick in the state's growing covid wave. Health and hospital staff are requesting eligibility to receive the booster vaccine. This covid wave is more serious than the previous waves.

Prior to Covid, I was excited to be upgraded from an inside cabin to a porthole or window. Now I guess there are a lot of passengers like me, balcony only.

Hope weather is better by then for Coral Princess passengers.

The cargo ship Portland Bay is now safely back on shore at Botany Bay.

Thank you I'll look out next visit next year.

Glad you decided to stay an extra two nights at Coffs Harbour. Better to be safe than stuck somewhere on a flooded highway.

I haven't been to the Maritime Museum. Where is it? I've been to the Australian Antarctic Division Display at Kingston. It has a cafe. You need a car.

Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed holidaying there once, with island activities arranged for every day. I always planned to return to enjoy independent exploration of this beautiful island, from self contained accommodation.

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery across the road from the wharf is my favourite museum. It is free with donation tag.tas.gov.au It has a courtyard cafe A short walk along the wharf is Salamanca, a delightful place to explore with all its small unique shops and cafes. There is a big market every Saturday from 8.30 am to 3 pm. www.salamancamarket.com.au The beautiful Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden is well worth a visit (local bus or taxi). The CBD with its shops is walking distance from the wharf. The Farm Gate Market in Bathurst Street is on every Sunday from 8.30am Great fresh food and farm products. Battery Point 10 mins. walk from Hobart CBD. "Climb the colonial era Kelly's steps and wander up through the lanes and quaint streets of Battery Point filled with stories of Hobart's historic past." tasmania.com There is so much to see and do around Hobart's Wharf, you don't need a car on the second day.

Public holidays loose their attraction, just a reminder the banks will be closed!

Have a safe trip. Weather is changeable here. I'm looking forward to the return of the sun.

That is interesting.

Are you managing to avoid the worst of the weather? i see the sun is going to be out at Coffs Harbour from Thursday to Saturday, if you are still there.

Thank you for the information. Is Norfolk Island open to cruise ships? Which airlines fly to Norfolk Island? Do small planes fly between Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island, both beautiful islands?

The HAL Word Cruisers used to take an incredible amount of luggage on their cruise. It was picked up at their house and transported to Miami Florida to the ship and at the return.

So sorry to hear you tested positive to Covid. I hope you continue to have mild symptoms.

LOL That is me returning final borrowed library book on day of departure and returning with more paperwork. Yes longer cruises do often run book clubs with passengers reading the same book and meeting to discuss it. Would be a good idea on your 23 night transpacific cruise with lots of sea days.

ABC News is showing the ship on the news . It showed a person being lowered on to the ship. Seems the Captain wishes crew to stay on board to help mend the engine, once ship is in safer waters.

The unanswered question is why did it leave port under the current sea conditions.

Glad you didn't get any damage. Hope everyone is high and dry. I don't think everyone realises an East Coast Low is a cold weather cyclone, with potential to have similar level damage. Conditions are too bad to rescue 21 crew stranded on a cargo ship which lost power. Two tugs are heading to the ship to try to drag it away from the Coast. It is being held by two anchors. Torrential rain is causing the dams to overflow which is compounding local flooding. .

Good to be well stocked in this weather.

I spent a week at Falmouth once. Loved it - memorable gardens to visit and an impressive sea shanty festival.

Agree it has to be clotted cream.

Any ships in the vicinity of the bad weather? Heard Batesman Bay mentioned and local flooding again - hope all is well in your and your daughter's part of the world, Les.

No that would have been too smart in the design process!