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Hi Cheryl and Rachael. No I'm not on antibiotics. I took some on the cruise with me and I took them for the tube infection while on the cruise because I didn't want my travelling companion to feel concerned but I stopped them as soon as I came home. I'm not going to take anything from now on unless I change my mind and decide to resume treatment.
Rachael we left Brisbane went to Noumea, Lifou and Port Vila except cyclone Pam beat us to Vila and it basically no longer existed so we spent two days in Noumea instead. No one liked Noumea...they all said it was nothing but an expensive, boring waste of time with nothing to see that you couldn't see anywhere else and with people who pretended they didn't speak English if you asked them a question. The taxi drivers weren't interested in carrying tourists. Lifou was more like the tropical island idyll. Coconut trees, sandy beaches, lovely people, coral atolls for snorkelling. Everyone who had been before said that Vila was beautiful and it was devastating that it was so damaged. They all said the people were beautiful and friendly and welcoming. It sounds as if the best way we can help them is to visit them as tourists and spend our tourist dollars there to help them rebuild.
As for the cruise itself. It was rough the first two days because we sailed into the cyclone but I thoroughly enjoyed that. The entertainment on the ship was varied. There were seven different bars. From an English pub to a cocktail bar to a karaoke bar. There was an outside deck big screen movie theatre. There were live stage shows. Of course, the casino. Lots of trivia comps. Lots of spa and fitness things. I had a facial, scalp massage, relaxation massage, reflexology, manicure and pedicure and an eye treatment. The food is excellent and the table service makes you feel pampered. (All included in the price) You can dress for dinner or be smart casual...its up to you. Then you can sit by the pool and sip a cocktail or eat a NZ ice cream. Room service menu is limited but quite cheap. The wine list is also limited but still good although a bottle of chardy that would probably be $16 at the bottle shop is about $30 on board. Cocktails are between $12 to $15 each. We had a mini suite so we had a dressing room a cabin with twin beds and a bathroom with a toilet, vanity and shower with fold down seat, and double glass doors onto a balcony. It came with a safe and a fridge and lots of wardrobe and drawer space. We were given a fresh fruit bowl every second day and chocolates on our pillow every night. We were occasionally surprised with canapés etc delivered to the cabin.
You HAVE to budget for substantial tips for the staff. They work 12-14 hour days, 7 days a week, 8 months a year with no days off then they have 4 months off with NO pay. They are mostly Phillipinos and I suspect are not paid anywhere near our Oz award wages. They depend on the gratuities to get them through the four month lay off with no pay. And no, they have to pay to use the laundry facilities, for bottled water etc, etc. no perks for them. It made me realise what a wonderful country we are lucky to live in.
Spoke to my GP today. He gave me a blood form today with a rule 3 exemption which means I can have a blood test done whenever I want one without having to get a request form from him. He has agreed to monitor my condition while I'm not having treatment and to respect any decisions I make. He's also agreed to provide pain relief if or when the time comes. I'm still not decided. Maybe I'm just tired and ill feel differently later. Never say never.
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