Blog for Saturday 17th October 2026
My day began very early as I woke up at twenty past one and just could not go to sleep again – although I did my best to. I tossed and turned and was desperate to get some sleep as I knew that today was going to be a big one for us!
I eventually got up at about half past three, and I had my Quiet Time, uploaded my blog, and checked my emails.
Then t was time to shower and get dressed, but first I did some more last minute tidying of our little home – sweeping, mopping, emptying the dishwasher and those last minute things.
Even Ken woke up on his own and came through to get dressed and start the day, bright and early because he wanted to nip into “Hearing Australian” as his one hearing aid was not working.
Ken, took the car and shot off to get his hearing aid checked, but I had mention ed that I did not think they would be open begore nine o'clock and being a Saturday I was sure they did not open, but … anyway Ken was hoping that I was horribly wrong.
Unfortunately, I was right. So, Ken phoned me from the “Hearing Australia” rooms to say that theyw ere not open. So, as Mich’ had arrived at our home bhy then she checked online and had to tell Ken that they did not open on Saturdays!
Rats!
Ken came home then and I checked for the umpteenth time what time we had to be at the quay to book in and we discovered that although our luggage could be booked in extra early , but we had to stick to the one thirty and two o’clock times for us.
That meant that we did not have to leave so early, so Mich’ went home and then she and Robert came back at just before twelve o’clock to pick us up. Robert thought we had plenty of time but had no counted on the heavy traffic going into Sydney – and hoo-boy, it WAS heavy. Apparently, the traffic was caused by some game or games being played in Sydney. But we inched forward slowly-slowly in the traffic and were making perfect time, when Robert, by mistake took the wrong turn – easily done – and we had to back tract and go over the Harbor Bridge again and enter into all the heavy traffic!
Poor Robert was kicking himself from here to Timbuctoo, but the rest of us were not too concerned.
Robert dropped Mich’ off for her to find out where we had to go and Robert drove us around the block as there was no parking anywhere. He stopped just short of where Mich’ was and dropped us and our suitcases off there, and with a one-two-three we were on board!
Shoo! I have never seen so many people or rather crew or staff in one place and we were greeted with thousands of smiles as we were ushered every inch of the way onto the ship.
We found our cabin and our suitcases were already there at the door! Incredible service all around.
Our cabin with a verandah
I am so impressed with our cabin – it has ample cupboard space, a huge TV, our bed is larger than a King Size bed too! We have a little desk and couch to laze upon and two outside chairs on our verandah. Our bathroom is lovely too and well – just more than we could have wished for. Honestly!
Our bathroom
Ken on our verandah as we were leaving the quay in Sydney
Honestly our arrival from the first “Hello, and welcome aboard!” has been wonderful. There were people everywhere to help you – and I mean everywhere! This is one enormous vessel and yet we were guided straight to our cabin with no problem.
Once we had settled into our new home for the next twelve days – Ken lay down for a snooze and I unpacked my suitcase and booked a table for dinner for us. I chose the “Cypress Restaurant” and they did not disappoint.
Ken ordered steak and chips, and I had the chef’s signature dish (I can’t remember the larney title of it) but it was chicken beautifully grilled with bacon, cheese and some chilli sauce served with chips and coleslaw – very delicious! The service there was outstanding (and I am NOT being polite!) Ken and I even had dessert – something we never do. I chose some chocolate ice cream and I am not a great fan of ice cream but it was just what I felt like, and Ken had a vanilla ice cream.
From there we toddled off to bed and I must admit bed sounded the best Idea I had had for yonks.
Ken set our air con’ and we were soon both fast asleep.
What lesson did I learn today? To just go with the flow and not panic or flounder when plans have to change.
What am I grateful for today? The help from Mich’ and Robert getting us onto the ship and in time nog al!
My saying for today is …
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