IslandThyme

It's easily obtained. I had mine within ten minutes of starting the process.

Oh no, I didn't take it personally at all, because I already know you to be a friendly and helpful person, at least on CC 😉.

Thanks for the heads-up, because yes, if I handed money to a server, expecting change, and that person said thank you before what I viewed as the end of the transaction, I would be confused too. 

Such a sad commentary on the world today when we have to tell each other to be nice!

Of course I'll be myself, who else would I be? But, just for example, if you speak to a person in France without first saying bonjour they will be mightily insulted and take you for a boor. If you say ni hao to a person in China they will be pleased that you made the effort. That's what I'm talking about here. The little niceties that make travel more gratifying.

When I spoke to an Air NZ guy I specifically asked him to pronounce it for me, since I didn't hear that first a  and I wanted to make sure that it is meant to be silent. I love that little video because I was unaware of the deeper meanings.

Is there no tipping at all, under any circumstance, or is it just for exceptional service?

I will be down in your part of the world in a few weeks, and am wondering how to be a good guest. Often a simple thing like learning to say terima kasih to your Indonesian cabin steward, or sumimasen when you need help or directions in Japan, can change your whole experience for the better.

Are there words or phrases, like the kia ora greeting I get from Air New Zealand, that I can use during my visit to show respect for AU and NZ cultures and people? It's hard to live down the ignominy of being American at this point in history, but I try to do my best.

Fascinating! And made me remember that my very first foreign language was two years of Latin, which I have found to be invaluable ever since. And so interesting how many kids are apparently learning Japanese, since I don't think it's much on the radar here. I think American kids with parents that have an eye to the future are more likely to study Chinese.

I think I'll start a language thread.

I hope this isn't a contentious question, but would you all say that Australians in general are interested in other languages and cultures? Americans being infamously indifferent to other languages, I'm something of an oddity in that I have learned French to near-fluency, studied Spanish and a little German, and dabbled in Swedish, Russian, and Hebrew for purposes of visiting and being somewhat on the ball.

Sorry this is so off-topic, but since I'm the OP, I give myself permission to stray.

Thanks for the interesting link, GUT2407. Not being a linguist myself, just a person who loves languages, it's a bit heavy going, but still very interesting.

An amazing story, and news to me as well. We sure didn't learn about that when I was growing up.

Ah so. Thanks! So just a few remain. We have a similar situation in the US, because normally only a few of the elders still speak their native tongue, although many of the tribes are making a concerted effort to teach the languages to the children in order to preserve their culture.

Interesting how many of those names begin with W, which is not a super-common letter in English. I'm assuming those are aboriginal names, although I confess to total ignorance about whether one or many languages are spoken by aboriginal peoples across Australia.

How cold has it been? I'm arriving in Sydney on 9/23 and am wondering whether it might not really be spring yet.

Thanks for the link, Bellair. It's a beautiful part of the world.

Thanks, Copper! You're always so helpful

I love learning stuff like that, thanks!

Copper, do you ever get tired of these eternal questions? Just in case you don't, what can you tell me about who the officers will be on Maasdam for my Sept. 26-Oct. 17 voyage? I might be the only person here who cares about the Housekeeping Manager, but could you include that, if possible? Thanks so much in advance!

A more general question - I was on the 89 day grand Asia on Amsterdam last fall and would love to see some of that crew again. Do crew members tend to stay with one ship, or might I find some of those same folks on Maasdam now?

Here in the native language from the area, Walla Walla means approximately "many waters." And yes, I was referring to this place https://www.australias.guide/nsw/location/walla-walla/

I couldn't agree with you more!

2 hours ago, Russell21 said:

Another little bit of advice if you or your fellow country travellers intend to post here, add USA after the WA, many here would take what is to you Washington State as Western Australia. 🙂

Sorry to be so unthinkingly US-centric, especially in these desperate times. And to make matters even more confusing, I recently moved from Walla Walla, which is in eastern Washington state but sounds like Australia, except yours is in NSW. 

I'll be getting off Maasdam on 10/17, which is the day CO is slated to begin. I guess we'll be the last group to have PG breakfast - which I think is a great pity. It's such a peaceful way to start the day.

I shared all this with my roll call - love you guys!

Thanks to both of you. I have to say that of all the CC boards I find this one to be the friendliest and most helpful. I can't wait to get down to your part of the world.

Thank you, that's more like it! I guess you're paying more to have it all arranged in advance, but I can stand in a taxi line with the rest of the world. Do Sydney taxis take credit cards or do I need cash?

Hello,

I need to get from the airport to the Four Seasons downtown, and the hotel suggests a sedan for $132 AUD, which seems really expensive. Then a few days later I'll be needing to get from the hotel to White Bay, and again they propose a $132 car transfer. Am I right in thinking that a cab would be a lot cheaper? Or is that just wishful thinking? Thanks in advance for your advice!