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Published: January 26th 2013
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Hi again folks.
We are off on another excellent adventure…apologies to Bill and Ted for stealing their line! This time we are going on a 14 day cruise to New Zealand. Preparations have been underway for some months, particularly in the clothes acquisition department but more of that later. We sail from Sydney, tomorrow, 27 January on the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas. It’s one of those HUGE American ships (see picture).
Some statistics which demonstrate the scale of this ship:
• · It accommodates 3840 passengers and almost 1200 staff
• · Is 311 metres long and 63 metres high
• · About 17,000 meals are served daily
• · Has a temperature controlled ice rink
• · Has a three storey restaurant
• · Has a five-deck high la scala theatre with 1,350 seats
So as you can imagine it will be easy to get lost, a trick that I am extremely good at. I’m thinking we should pack handcuffs or a pair of baby reins. So if you don’t hear from me again I’ll be wandering somewhere around 15 stories of ship wondering which corridor I am in. Our friends Cheryl and Paul who are veteran cruisers
assure me that lost passengers are generally found before they starve to death!
Preparing for the cruise has been really fun. We probably booked about 9 months ago and since then I have constantly scoured websites to understand what happens on a cruise, what to take and how to avoid norovirus (gastro). Cheryl and Paul have been extremely helpful and last week gave us a video of one of their cruises. So I am now ready to enjoy Broadway shows, ice skating extravaganza, beautiful food, state of the art gym, formal nights and then there are the sights of NZ.
So to ensure proper enjoyment of these events, I have acquired a cruise wardrobe some of which you can see in the picture. I may have gotten slightly carried away with my ebay purchases but what the heck, I may never go on another cruise and I intend to wring every bit of enjoyment I can out of this one. OK, I will admit that I might not need four evening dresses but I am taking them all anyway!!
On the subject of clothes we went to Carindale and bought a suit etc. for Peter. Although I
Dining room
I'm going up there to the top balcony. Bet the view is amazing had to drag him there kicking and screaming I think he’s secretly happy to have some new smart clothes. It’s incredible what a suit can do for a man.He's going to look good at the formal nights. I think they have three. I'm not quite sure what they entail but it will be fun finding out.
It’s just occurred to me that I don’t have to take my thesis on the trip!! Not having it with me is going to be very weird. I usually work on it on planes, at internet cafes and hotel rooms. Anyway, it’s already been to NZ. I might shove a copy of the front cover in my bag just in case I start to pine! I have some final work to do on it before the hand in deadline of 28 February but I figure we both need a break.
It's nice to see the rain today but I hope it doesn't get to Sydney by Sunday when we embark. I'm wishing for nice smooth sailing and no sea sickness. Just in case I have packed some fresh ginger to suck on. I've used it in the past and hope it works
Formal dresses
Which one to wear? What a dilemma again. Otherwise it's not a good look at Peter well knows. Ask him about the time we crossed from England to Ireland on the car ferry. There were gale force 9 winds (0 being calm and 12 being a cyclone). Suffice to say Peter was carrying me to the ladies toilets which was a real drama because it was the LADIES and he had all the carry on luggage. Greater love hath no man for his wife than when tells the ferry staff he is not leaving her irrespective of him being a ladies toilet.
I have been a bit freaked out about the rain over the last couple of days because we get flooding from run off. So far so good. Many thanks to our resident chemist Dr Matt for reassuring me that a great flood is not going to come upon us and that half of Hawthorne would have to be flooded before it made a real difference at our house.
Cleo is having friends to stay when we are away. Chris and Ping have come over from Bejing to look after her...lucky girl!! She has friends all over the world :-)
Well, have to go now and finish packing.
love to all
pj and sandy
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Scott Mansfield
non-member comment
Auckland http://www.aucklandnz.com/destinations/auckland-central http://www.aucklandnz.com/destinations/parnell - The War Memorial (really a museum - great for NZ natural and Maori culture.) Tauaeranga - head to Mount Maunganui Wellington - Te Papa (National Museum - a must) http://www.wellingtoncablecar.co.nz/ - catch the ferry up to the top and walk down through the park. http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/gardens/botanicgardens/botanicgardens.html - Check out the Begonia House Cuba Street - cafe district http://www.scotiadunedin.co.nz/ - Dunedin