possum52

Thank you. It is quite amazing how much progress he has made and hopefully will continue to.

The price of a full English breakfast is around $27-$28 if not dearer. At Les' favourite City Extra at Circular Quay, the cost of a big breakfast - the Australian equivalent of a full English, also without baked beans and black pudding which I have never found served here, the cost is $28. The Big Breakfast $28.00 GF Optional The lot – you’d better be hungry! 2 eggs, a sausage, rasher of bacon, grilled tomato, hashbrown potatoes and a toasted roll

Thanks for asking Linda. He is recovering slowly but quite well. He saw the surgeon just before Christmas who was very pleased with his progress. Rob hasn't had to use the negative pressure machine since that visit to the surgeon but has his dressing changed Monday, Wednesday and Friday by a nurse from the Hospital in The Home Service. He is walking well now and nearly ready to use a stick after using crutches. The wound is getting smaller and is looking much better. It has been a long haul and still a way to go.

Ham and bacon together? I would just have all bacon.

Not one person on the ship had a flight booked for that day?

What website are you looking at to book on? What time does your ship leave?

That would be great if you didn’t have the stress of trying to get to the airport for a flight or cancelling and then booking a flight for later in the day.

Nope, unfortunately the Aldi token doesn't fit the Coles or Woolies trolleys.

Unlikely if you are coming into Sydney. 😀

What if you are late in to Sydney? Or disembarkation is delayed? It can happen. Then you spoil your cruise by stressing if you are going to make your flight. It has happened to us in Sydney - ship was late in due to weather. Fortunately we had booked our flight to Melbourne for the afternoon.

Love Charles Dickens Tavern. It's usually popular during winter for football fans. It's a while since we've been there. Usually good food.

Jinek Bay is closed to the public. You can snorkel close to the tender pier.

Jinek Bay is not next to the tender pier/wharf. If you look at a map of Lifou you will see Jinek Bay near the northern end of the island. If you zoom right in and use the satellite function, you will see where the pier is and where Jinek Bay is. Yes, Jinek Bay is closed and there is no indication when it will open again. We have snorkelled from the beach near the pier in the past.

Sorry, I should have added that this is being organised by the local council/port as Geoff has stated,

Read Post 2 of this thread.

Yes there would be time, the train takes approx. two hours to travel from Central Station to Katoomba. If you could manage to get to Central Station by 12.18pm from White Bay where you will dock - a taxi or Uber would be the best option, you will be at Katoomba by 2.18pm. The HOHO bus leaves every hour on the hour. Or you could leave very early the next morning - the first HOHO bus is at 9am. You could then leave Katoomba to arrive back in Sydney by mid afternoon. timetable route BMT (transportnsw.info) Map & Walking Guides - Blue Mountains Explorer Bus

If you have a set budget you may have to choose to do one or the other.

Even for domestic flights we never book one before midday. It is not worth the stress if your ship is late in or disembarkation is delayed for some reason. We have been late into Sydney and fortunately had a flight booked for 2pm and not earlier. It was still a bit stressful though. For an international flight, I would stay overnight and fly out the next day. Spend the day in Sydney after disembarkation.

Perhaps a taxi or Uber?

Melbourne is a very easy city to get around. You can walk along the road from the port along the beach which takes you through a number of suburbs and perhaps end up at St Kilda which is interesting to visit. Or take the ferry across to Williamstown, a lovely historic seaside suburb. Plenty to see and many cafes and restaurants to eat at. This service departs from close to Station Pier - St Kilda Ferry - ferry from Port Melbourne to Williamstown.

It will be a lovely day out, there are plenty of places to have lunch.

I forgot Williamstown, lovely historical suburb. My paternal great grandparents settled there when they arrived in Victoria in 1874 and my grandfather and his siblings were born there and some buried there as well.

Did you apply for a NZeTA? There are posts on the Australia and New Zealand Ports Board about the NZeTA. Today there was a post saying that this is what their NZeTA app said when they received approval - "This NZeTA authorises you to travel to or transit New Zealand" the wording on the email authorising Your New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) has been issued. You are now authorised to travel to New Zealand or to pass through Auckland International Airport as a transit passenger while you are on your way to another country." Did you receive the same message? If so, you are all good to go.

It's been sunny in southern bayside too. Warm, about 25 I would say but a but humid. I think the storms are on the way. I haven't been to Chinatown for a while but there was a good one on the left as you walk up the hill maybe halfway up. Can't remember the name sorry. Ypu may have to plan indoor stuff for the next couple of days with rain and storms forecast. At least it won't be cold. Museum, art galleries? Vic Market (not open tomorrow though). If into sport, a tour of the MCG or Melbourne Park. Or a show, of which there are plenty on in Melbourne at the moment. There's a couple of websites where you can get last minute tickets. Enjoy your time in Melbourne. Hope you continue your posts while here.

I find it odd that Norwegian Spirit is not offering excursions in Melbourne or are they all booked out? As you are only in Melbourne for nine hours, you may be better sight seeing around the city. Melbourne has a fairly easy to use public transport system of trams, buses and trains. We have museums, art galleries, a fantastic sporting precinct (you will be here while the Australian Tennis Open is on at Melbourne Park), wonderful gardens and parks all in or on the fringe of the central business district (CBD). Melbourne has great cafes, bars and restaurants. The lanes and arcades are interesting to walk through. There is Melbourne Zoo and a bit further afield Healesville Sanctuary where you will see Australian native animals and birds. Perhaps, if you haven't already, join the roll call for your cruise and see if there are others who would be interested in joining you on an excursion.