Brisbane 22 May 2013

Hello to all.  We left home on Sunday 19^th May our friends Ronda and Ken kindly took us to our airport hotel.  We checked in had a coffee at McDonalds and after farewelling Ronda and Ken we organised ourselves for the evening, wandered across to the airport (only 10 mins walking) to see how long it would take us the next morning etc. Had a bite to eat at the noodle bar got ourselves into holiday mode, slept like babies and were booked in and thru security by 6.30 on Monday morning, had some brekky and waited for our flight, arrived in Sydney, collected by our transfer and then to the ship, all very smooth really baggage collection booking in and processing onto the ship, we were on board by about 2.30 and sailed by 4.30.  All of our luggage duly arrived to our room, unpacked got ready for dinner, we are on a table of 10, all of us doing the complete journey, all very good company so we are fortunate indeed. 

 

Had a fairly lazy day on Tuesday and arrived in Brisbane on Wednesday morning, my sister Anne collected us and we went to see my Mum at her Aged Care Facility, she was indeed pleased to see us as we had not told her we would be doing this just kept it a surprise.  We had a lovely day, came back on board by about 2.00 ish and had a little nap,we are at this present moment awaiting the ship to leave, we are half an our late already, the tug is waiting to take us down the river, all of these things have to fall into place, the logistics of the whole exercise at every port major really.  We took on about 300 souls in Brisbane and then the next disembark and embark will be in Dubai. 

 

We now have 8 days sailing I have not ever spent this long at sea without a port but there is plenty to do, I have joined the pilates class and at 6.00 I will go to the Abs workshop and Evening Stretch and we are on the 7.45 dinner sitting. 

 

Candice and Ash I am very much missing my cruising pals, not quite the same having pre dinner drinks without you girls, you would have fitted in perfectly as there are all age groups, I honestly thought it would only be us older folk but no a very broad range of the community which is nice really.  Annie bought me all my shopping for the 15 weeks so that is all packed away until it is required,  all the basic things, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion etc etc so that saved me taking it all in my case. 

 

I do hope to add many more interesting tit bits as we go along.  Sam is watching proceedings from the balcony and by the way beautiful one day perfect the next definitely not today, quite chilly indeed.  We have come to a halt so who knows.  Hope all is well  Sabine and Sam 

 

PS   Gordon had originally said your blogs will have to be short Lyn internet time is precious (mind you I do them in Word and transfer them over anyway) but what a perfect surprise my lovely travel agent Amy Jennings now Amy Wheatley made me a Platinum Card Holder (which I clearly am not) and that entitled me to 2,000 minutes of free internet what a love she is.  Talk soon  Sabine  XX  Watching the ship be turned around in the river is quite fascinating indeed.