Not quite flying but drron will know..... Musing on Silver Muse over Christmas

[love_the_life]

So... it's been a pretty hard year. Some health issues for MrLtL, a return to work for me (do enjoy it but a good idea at the time?), Ms LtL doing a post grad course and stressing (of course including us in that!), my mother becoming more frail and the associated 'guilt' at not being there all the time, a child who bah humbugs Christmas...get the drift??
Anyway we had planned Japan for the cold weather over Christmas - up to Hokkaido maybe and then time in Tokyo. I must be getting old as the actual organisation and sorting of flights, trains etc just seemed toooo much. Couldn't face it, too tired.
So managed (at great cost to self) to 'sell' MrLtL on a short cruise from Auckland to Melbourne on Silver Muse. Drron and the good mrs.dr.ron have sailed on her on a similar itinerary (give or take), so it maybe isn't new. for most, but I'll add a few titbits, from the less well heeled traveller and maybe they will be useful to some.
My contract with Dept Health officially ends on 13 Dec (my, that 6 months went quickly). I may be extended (but have requested 4 days per week) for another 6 months, At not too far off 70, that might be it, though it is an interesting area and very pertinent (in home aged care).
So, we leave CBR on 17th December to overnight in Sydney then fly SYD - AKL -in J on 18. Dec. A couple of nights at the Sebel then onto the ship for 11 days of 'rest and relaxation'. Will be interested to see how our experience marries up with drron and mrs.dr.ron's especially as we don't have the Venetian club level of them. Must admit, I am looking forward to it. MrLtL not so sure. . I keep saying it will be fine.
We are now at T - 25 for ship embarkation and a lot of stuff to get organised/done before then.

 

[tgh]

I am sure the muse will a-muse…SS seem to very much be on song under the new regime..
It's a really nice Itinerary.. enjoy

 

[drron]

Everything occasionally fails but not all at one time.There is enough on the Muse i am sure to keep you amused.

On another subject the announcement today surely means you will be more likely to be offered another contract.As one who is just shy of 73 and still working and still loving it I am sure you will get a lot out of it.

 

[love_the_life]

So, here we are in not quite so sunny Auckland. As many of you spend time here and know the flights, I won’t go into any detail.
QF 143 pushed back bang on time at 9:45am and it was a pleasant uneventful flight, nothing to write home about but fine.
a couple of days now at Sebel viaduct. It’s showing its age but a big apartment in a great location.
Will just mooch around today - supposed to be getting sunny this afternoon but rain forecast tomorrow. Weep all ye in hot Oz - going for a top of 19 today. I may not have packed enough warm clothes!

 

[maia200]

So, here we are in not quite so sunny Auckland. As many of you sped time here and know the flights, I won’t go into any detail.
QF 143 pushed back bang on time at 9:45am and it was a pleasant uneventful flight, nothing to write home about but fine.
a couple of days now at Sebel viaduct. It’s showing its age but a big apartment in a great location.
Will just mooch around today - supposed to be getting sunny this afternoon but rain forecast tomorrow. Weep all ye in hot Oz - going for a top of 19 today. I may not have packed enough warm clothes!

No matter the weather. You're on holiday now. Enjoy

 

[Pushka]

Jeez my flight ran late and I’m only just onboard! You are lucky to have escaped Australia. Adelaide has been 43 and 44 yesterday and 44 today and 45 tomorrow and sending it all Canberra’s way. I’d love a bit of cool fresh rain right now.

Christmas on a ship will be fantastic. Enjoy and recover.

 

[love_the_life]

Anyone visiting Auckland in the next (long) while, be prepared. The city is a nightmare with streets ripped up and roadworks everywhere. If anything it is worse than when I was here in February. It’s the ‘building a better’ place operation - the metro system - but so hard to get around.
On a brighter note, today has been mostly sunny with a pleasant breeze.

 

[suze2000]

Like the mess in Melb that is Swanston St at the moment, or worse?

 

[love_the_life]

Like the mess in Melb that is Swanston St at the moment, or worse?

Will be in Melb in a couple of weeks so can compare.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Auckland CBD was a mess back in Feb when we got of the Muse !
Make sure you try the Arts cafe for coffee and cake - it was our favorite place to go when we came back after an excursion.
Have a great cruise and merry sailing

 

[Pushka]

When are you boarding?

 

[love_the_life]

So, yesterday was cool but luckily it didn’t start raining till after we were aboard. Dropped our bags at about 11.30 then went and got a cup of Zealand tea, thoughtfully suggested by one of the local staff. Grown in NZ and delicious. Back to ship and breezed through, maybe 10 mins all up then onboard and a few formalities then to the Art cafe for a nibble and coffee. After cabins wEre available we went to check ours out, Classic verandah but certainly an excellent size and well fitted out. As a double free upgrade, not complaining,

 

[love_the_life]

Internet has been fine so far so will try a couple of photos. The cabin and pool area. Pizza for late lunch.....one of the best I’ve ever eaten

 

[Pushka]

Lovely stateroom and looks like a real pizza.

 

[suze2000]

Now I want pizza! Which ship are you on again?

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Now I want pizza! Which ship are you on again?

Silversea Silver Muse

 

[suze2000]

Yeah, I just headslapped myself because it's right there in the thread title! Thanks.

 

[love_the_life]

Now I want pizza! Which ship are you on again?

The pizza was amazing. I had Diavola (hot salami) and mr ltl had buffalina (buffalo mozzarella). Divine! Food has been excellent.

 

[Pushka]

The pizza was amazing. I had Diavola (hot salami) and mr ltl had buffalina (buffalo mozzarella). Divine! Food has been excellent.

How many cosmos this evening?

 

[love_the_life]

How many cosmos this evening?

‘Scusi?
I have one in total on board.the wine is fine and they make a good sidecar!

A sea day today which is pleasant. Have had to visit maître d’ as our dinner prebookings have fallen off the system and so we may miss La Dame and Kaiseki dinners (waitlisted). They are investigating.
Indochine for dinner last night. I had lemongrass beef and MrLtL had black pepper lobster tail. We are really enjoying the availability of tables for two as not feeling like socialising over dinner. Just wanted to chill.