Pottery Chatroom Board

Gordon: Thank you for the Happy Birthday. I have had multiple computer problems and finally they are all solved! So, I can get on again the read the boards. It was like I lost my left and right hand. No access--no matter what. I moderate a web site here in the U.S., so I was fit to be tied!
Edie

Gordon:
If you are ever in the Blue Mountains during your travels, here is a place that I would put on the "must see" list. Village of Leura.

http://www.bygonebeautys.com.au/frmHome.aspx

Charming large cottage literally crammed full! Click on Antiques on the top bar and then enlarge the first photo to get an idea of one room. At the top of the photo is a "plate rail" that is back to back with teapots from the collection. These rails go around every room and in some rooms there are 2 or three. Plus many display cabinets (and tables) filled to overflowing with all sorts of things. Not only teapots.

We spoke to one of the owners and, yes, they do have everything inventoried in an Excel spreadsheet. Can't imagine how many hundreds of hours that took. I don't use teapots often, don't need another piece of "stuff", and unfortunately fell in love with one. Not for Sale. Evidently it is rare. Wouldn't you know!

The village also has a chocolate shop that is supposedly famous. We didn't go there as we were on a small group tour and spent the entire time in the teapot place. Others in the group went to the chocolate place and they brought us a sample. It was good, but we were glad that we made the other choice.
Edie

Gordon: We were on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Sea. We had been on this particular ship a few years ago on an Alaska cruise. To us, the ship doesn't really matter--it is the cruise line. We are die-hard cruisers and have been on many cruise lines that are no longer in business, or have been purchased by other cruise lines and the service has dropped noticeably.

We seem to decide where we want to go and then investigate who is going there and when. There are some that we will not travel on again. And, unfortunately--while they were great before--they have been bought out and have not lived up to previous experiences. One particular line, I gave 3 chances. Each was a disaster. And wouldn't you know, they bought out another line we really liked, and it was also not up to the usual standard. You might have heard about their "beached whale" off the coast of Italy, plus their ship in the Indian ocean that lost power for days, plus their ship off the coast of Mexico out of Los Angeles that also lost power. Not to sound "snobby", but when we pay good money for a cruise, we expect decent service--which we always get on Royal Caribbean.

Within the last year, we went to South America/Central America and another trip to Italy/Greece. Cruising is the easy way for us to go. We were surprised to find how many people were from the U.K. on this trip in Australia. They fly through Dubai or Thailand to get to Australia.
Edie

gordon: We were in Queensland, but our time was so limited off the ship, I didn't want to tell anyone. Loved Brisbane. Had met some ladies at Sydney who lived there, and they said they would wave as we sailed in and out. Went to
Airlie Beach where we snorkled the Great Barrier Reef--tick that one off my bucket list. Also stopped at Port Douglas where we had a wonderful private econological (sp?)tour. Everywhere we were, we were on small, private tours--not the big coach tour off the ship.

Wish we had the time to meet you and the SAMS, but I knew it was going to be tight with the short shore time.

Next time!
Edie

I used to post on the other board infrequently, but read them every day. I am now posting to tell Gordon, Julia, and Sandra that a friend and I have just returned from the "trip of the lifetime" to Australia and we Loved It! My friend from
San Franciso and I (from Kentucky now)--friends since 7th grade, just a FEW years ago-- flew to Sydney Feb. 16. We stayed in the YHA hotel at the Rocks. Surprised us because we found out, after we had booked, that YHA stood for Youth Hostel Association. Being ladies of "a certain age" we weren't sure it was appropriate, but at least we did not book a "mixed sex 8 bed room". Had twin beds with bath. It was great! Met many interesting people--some backpakers, most not. They had a roof-top deck where everyone met.

Next day, we got on a ship for a 17 day cruise around the "top end" going north, then west then south. Incuded many interesting ports including Bali. Ending up in Freemantle/Perth. Stayed 5 days in Freemantle, saw everything possible including going to Rottnest Island. Wonderful museum in Perth about aboriginal history and culture. The only down side was the heat wave! Don't remember what it was in Celsius, but over 100 farenheit!

Flew to Ayers Rock/Uluru for 4 days. Great tours and accommodations

Then on to Sydney for an additional week. Stayed at a B&B on "the other side of Harbor Bridge that had a roof top garden that looked out on the opera house, ferry terminal, and bridge. Wonderful. We ate dinner there each night watching the sunset on the area and the bats flying around.

The purpose of this post is to let everyone know how wonderful all the people we met were. It was not cheap--but when is anything worthwhile cheap? The people we met on the cruise were fun! This is the first cruise (of many--over 25) that USA citizens were not in the majority. It was interesting to hear about their politics due to the fact that elections were coming up while we were on the cruise.

Everyone in each place were very friendly and helpful. We took buses, trains and ferries. Sometimes every free! Who ever heard of free buses in the U.S.? Free in Freemantle and Perth and one line in Sydney!

We did not get south of Sydney. We need to come back! The down side is the 22+ hour plane trip. But it was well worth it.

Thanks to all Autralians for being so friendly, welcoming, and wonderful!
Edie