Our "test" cruise was on the “Unforgettable 9” (houseboat) on the Murray River, for four days in April 2010. Maybe four days of self catering with three other couples, wasn’t exactly a true taster for a cruise that will take us to the other side of the world with all food provided! However, one of the tests was to see if Paula could cope with a 5 hour flight. We had already managed two flights to Brisbane and one to Sydney without problems since her op and treatment, but lifting a shopping bag with her ‘bad’ arm just before we left wasn’t a very sensible thing to do, so she was struggling a bit before we left Auckland for Adelaide, a city we hadn’t been to before. The locals we met were friendly enough, but this one (centre of the pic) didn't have too much to say.
Fortunately, Paula's arm didn’t really get any worse, so we are now confident that a 7 hour flight should be OK. Unfortunately, a flight to or from the UK means 24 hours of flying so cruising in 2011 at least eliminates all but a short hop to Sydney. Getting home again from the UK? We'll worry about that later... Probably via Canada and we'll be back in Auckland in time to meet the Dawn Princess and have a mini reunion. Maybe I should hire a mini bus and do our own tour, seeing as I am set up with MONZA as a tourism company!
Not exactly a cruise liner, but this was a very impressive boat with all facilities on board, including a spa pool on the top deck and we loved it. The company were great to deal with and we'd highly recommend it. Self catering was fine as all on board were used to "Pot Luck" dinners and four nights was ideal as each couple cooked a main evening meal. Dave and I wanted a decent cooked breakfast daily and the smell of our really nice bacon, poached eggs and sweet grilled tomatoes and toast, partially converted all those who prefer to eat cereal (or the cardboard box - not sure which is better for the system) and gradually found our (eating and cooking) style irresistible. They were soon tucking in to bacon butties or eggs or tomatoes on toast. The mushrooms with sour cream and a slug of brandy weren't wasted either... Such decadence.
Most took a turn at being Captain, but as I prefer a steering wheel that is connected to fast road wheels, Paula took my place, as she is far more of a water baby than I am, both in and on the water. A relaxing meander from Mannum, heading north for two days before doing a U-turn and heading back. Shuttle back to town for a couple of nights at Glenelg, on the coast near Adelaide. The Glenelg accommodation wasn't up to our usual standard as Paula and I had to sleep in a glass doored wardrobe - no windows... We did enjoy Glenelg however. It was only a matter of a few weeks later that we opted to do the 2011 cruise. A great opportunity to not only celebrate our Silver wedding, but also reaching seniors age and and an opportunity to see my first grandchild, expected about July 20th this year. (Paula already has several - all boys.)
