MMDown Under

Does Government write to people who currently have a concession card or are you just supposed to know?

I had to reapply for my card after being away a little over six weeks. What are new rules regarding qualification?

you loose concession card if you leave Australia for longer than six weeks

Bon Voyage!

My overseas friends call me "Down Under", but it was taken, so I just added my initials.

Yes like Bay of Biscay, which is the only place I've been sea sick, as were most of the passengers.

Sound good rules to follow. I made the mistake of sailing east to west across the Bight once. Turned me off cruising for 30 years!!

I'm glad you put the lovely photo up, I was thinking security issues.

Could it be that Jervis Bay is a territory of the Commonwealth?

When I started tipping in US, it was 10% or 15% with alcohol. Restaurant costs have gone way up since then. Can you imagine receiving 25% of bill from all customers?

The sad thing is many Americans, who can't afford it, tip big as well. When I asked my friend why, she said she remembers relying on tips when she worked as a waitress whilst studying at Uni to better herself. She was a sole parent of two sons.

There is a widely held assumption that Australians don't tip, which is not true. We might hate tipping culture but it doesn't mean we don't tip which is appropriate overseas. When we cruised with a French cruise, CTMA Vacancies, a young member of the crew took it upon herself to tell me I needed to tip extra. No amount of telling her that I had already tipped would convince her. To me tipping is an extra cost, which I pay up front. Another night in Alaska, at a restaurant on the last night of the cruise season, the young waitress counted her tips, including ours to come, in front of us. I think you have to be born to tipping to be comfortable with the practice

I'm sorry to hear that.

Oh that is close. Bon Voyage!

I like Recipe Tin Eats and Adam Liaw also. When is your first cruise?

Yes, with cool sea breeze at break of day and sunset.

I prefer the North Island of NZ to the South Island, contrary to most people. We found the South Island hot and dusty when we drove around it twice. Not to mention the mosquitos the size of small helicopters!

I always use recipe books, as I have a huge collection. However, I use the base recipe as a suggestion and add what I have in the fridge or cupboard at the time. I shop at markets and have an idea what I'm going to cook with my fresh purchases. It is such a joy cooking in winter. When it is hot and humid in a Qld. summer, you just to pull the ingredients together, with a cold drink.

My cruise from Cairns to Darwin in February/March this year had perfect weather - fine and sunny with smooth seas.

Stopping at the South Pacific islands is a highlight on any trans Pacific cruise. I imagine once the islands open up to visitors, cruise ships will stop there. However, I understand the concern of islanders about spreading of Covid because minor illnesses, like Measles, can be deadly in the islands.

I've holidayed at Mackay and Whitsundays all my life (my favourite place). During that time, I've noticed it rains more now in April. On our last trip, we were pleased we changed from plans to camp in April to staying in on site accommodation in caravan parks.

Thank you Leigh and Julie, I've just made my first beef and vegetable soup and it is delicious. The soup bones, which I bought from Woolworths, had lots go meat on them as you said!

Cairns - I love the foreshore area also, especially the bird life when the tide is out. The length of the Esplanade is lovely long walk, with a stop at the Coffee Shop. The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is very popular. They were doing exercises in the pool when I was there last. Lots of families were out having BBQs and picnics around the pool.

How long are you in Airlie Beach? I love to get a hire car and drive to Dingo Beach Hotel, Hideaway Bay Beach and Cape Gloucester Resort. for lunch. 40 min drive from Airlie Beach. Cairns Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit.

How exciting! What are the ports? Guess you have been to most before. That is a good idea whilst they iron out any potential problems. Queensland is lucky to have so many ports for future cruising by small ships.