MMDown Under
Members-
Posts
20,340 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Everything posted by MMDown Under
-
The joy of getting new foreign currency
MMDown Under replied to MMDown Under's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Most Americans carry a heap of $1 notes and give a pile of notes, so it is difficult to see how much. -
The joy of getting new foreign currency
MMDown Under replied to MMDown Under's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Yes, I've done that a branch office in London and I wasn't a customer. -
Now for something completely different
MMDown Under replied to Blackduck59's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Sunday, We went to Eaton's Hotel for a birthday celebration, It was packed with happy eaters. This hotel is just outside the NW ? of Brisbane. I was amazed that they were able to charge such high prices "in the sticks" as it used be called. It reminded me of the old Breakfast Creek Hotel in its prime and ours. It is all about the cut and high quality of the steak. Just to tempt you, we had - oysters raw tuna 2 small round steaks 1 marbled oblong steak 1 curry (last butter chicken) 3 deserts (plum pudding for me) wine cocktails coffee bottled sparkling water I only paid for the two birthday girls who share the same birthday, so hate to think what the total bill was. A good time was had by all -
Now for something completely different
MMDown Under replied to Blackduck59's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
I'll come to your house any time for diner. Is that a potato cut horizontally? Did you cook beetroot? How do you pickle cauliflower? I love fresh cooked beetroot. My last beetroot from market was a pale colour and was delicious. I'll probably never see it again. "What do you mean a pale purple beetroot?" -
What makes my computer stick, then jump ahead? teach me "what an ap is and download the ap for my cruise prior to departure on Friday, 12/1/24. By now, you would know we are JIT people! This 11 day cruise, I'm bringing cushions for the uncomfortable looking chairs on the balcony. I will put a cushion on each chair and sit on one, with feet on other, I think that will work. I hope I can get in hammock, as I love being on the balcony. ( I used to love sitting on those old wooden lie lows, on the Promenade Deck, which are now just a memory. I saw the whole of East Coast of Australia, from that position, with a white gloved waiter delivering scones with jam and cream to each person.)
-
I miss pen and paper in cabins more than the bags, which were an advertisement for the cruise line (for thieves to easily identify the tourists). I miss the little bottles of name brand shampoo, conditioner and body lotion I miss the cakes of soap, bigger for shower, smaller for sink. I now bring all of the above. I bring my own face washer. Clips to hang on wall to have all paperwork in one place. My daughter has assured me she will teach me what I never did get the little parcel in the mail with my travel details, but it would be waiting in the cabin.
-
The downside to packages
MMDown Under replied to Womble99's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
I'll let you know how it works on Virgin Voyages with its 21 restaurants. All are free but some need to be booked. Mine is a 11 day cruise, so no problem. However, it may be a problem booking particular popular restaurants on very short cruises. -
I have just gotten NZ cash for a pending cruise from Auckland on Friday. I asked for the currency in $20 bills because it is more convenient to use. The notes are so beautiful, I feel they should come with a description. I recognise the Queen because she was our beloved Queen also. I think I recognise the beehive Parliament. But the birds and yellow flowers no. Just think how much work was done developing that beautiful note, with its special clear hole for security. And people say paper money is going to be replaced. My bills are in my purse just waiting to be spent! I'll not make the mistake of getting $100 bills, like I did for USA once. Every shopkeeper held the bill up to the light and looked at the $100 suspiciously like I must have been a bank robber. Dirty $1 bills they don't give a glance, but a new crisp $100 bill you must be up to no good.
-
Oh dear my prized blue Princess Cruises "escape completely" bag just disintegrated in my hands. Was my bag meant to last longer than me? Do they still give bags to passengers? I'm going on Virgin Voyages on Friday. Does Virgin Voyages give bags? The last time I got such a shock was when the soles of my almost new English "hotter concept" shoes, started to fall to pieces in my hands. I have four other pairs still living which this hasn't happened to. Note to self write to company for replacement pair of their "made in England" shoes. Does anyone know why this happens?
-
Qantas is Qantas in name only now, unfortunately. It is no longer the National Carrier. We don't have one. It is sad to watch the demise of Qantas. I'd start with "happy staff"! Some of my happiest flight memories are with Qantas overseas. Its staff were its greatest asset. I still smile when I think of the steward who gave us a Cook'w tour in the dark on flight from NY to LAX en route long haul to Australia. Boarding had been bedlam with luggage banking up everywhere at check in, so exhausted passengers.
-
Maybe I forgot to mention that I live in a fisherman's fibre shack, one of the few left in Anglers Paradise. But a few are still there, treasured by their owners. The positive is like living in a tent with a cool sea breeze, but the negatives are the mossies, flies, sand flies. My soil is sand. Usually after a period of torrential rain and local flooding, the Council sprays. At present the Council has bigger issues like people still without power and water (Mt Tamborine). Our local library and tavern lost power, so my next problem is how to return a pile of library books and a glass I "borrowed" from the tavern. I have been assured my latest library request will remain on shelf awaiting collection until I return to my local library. Trees are still down everywhere, but in neater cut up piles. Workmen are working on the traffic lights all around us. My neighbour's fence is looking like falling down in the next storm. (He built up his land, under Council regulations, to build a house without steps. It now shows on flood maps as flood free.) My lasting memory of the Christmas storm is a heavy tree branch which went through the top of my tall paling fence, delicately splitting the palings in three places. Only Mother Nature could do that!
-
Cruise ship in Tauranga today
MMDown Under replied to onlyslightlymad's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
You'll be able to see my ship "Resilient Lady" on Saturday and Sunday overnight 13/14.1.24. Do many ships stop overnight? -
The Gold Coast is currently inundated with flies and mosquitos, after all the rain and local flooding. Mosquitos - This morning, I had to put Bushman repellent on in my own house. Flies - Flies keep committing suicide in my fresh orange juice. I must remember to cover my juice! Fruit Flies - Attracted by fresh tropical fruit. Eat before fruit gets too ripe or put in refrigerator. Midges - I keep away from gardening at dusk to avoid being eaten by midges. Does anyone remember those glass "things", where the flies can get in, but not get out?. I thought they were revolting, sitting on the kitchen table, but I'd love one now. Also those "sticky tape things" which hung from the ceiling?. Also those fly spray "things"? Anything to let flies know they are not welcome here. I live in an house like a tent. Heaven forbid, I fall asleep with my mouth open to discover a dead fly in my mouth (as happened sleeping outside on a verandah on a Queenslander in the bush.) Be prepared visitors to the Gold Coast. .
-
Cruise ship in Tauranga today
MMDown Under replied to onlyslightlymad's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
When I visited Vancouver, Canada, I envied locals their variety of visiting cruise ships. -
Forgot to mention, I also know someone who got hit from behind by a person out of control in Central Park. She spent many months recovering from her injuries. I don't know what authorities were thinking allowing Segway tours in tourist areas. Although I imagine tours would be more regulated than individual rentals. I have enough trouble hearing the bell on bikes on shared pathways. My daughter warns me long before I see the possible danger.
-
Cruise ship in Tauranga today
MMDown Under replied to onlyslightlymad's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers