Papua New Guinea Cruise and Christmas cheer.

Well, good morning all.  Another lovely day in paradise here on the Gold Coast. What an amazing place I live in and whilst I see lots of gorgeous photos from people all over the world and their window views, nothing beats here....for me anyway. The sparkling sea, sandy toes and  bright sunny days are so uplifting. I  know the snow is pretty to look at and makes things cosy inside but I love the outdoors too much and would find the indoor life too restrictive. Just sayin'

Firstly Christmas is hammering at our door and my email box if full of delivery notices. Practically everything I planned to buy for my family and friends, I was unable to buy in the shops so had to resort to online which is fine providing it all arrives in time!  What a wonderful time of the year it is despite the stress of cost, food, drinks and decisions on where to celebrate.  I love hearing peoples stories about how they plan to spend the day, some with fear and trepidation in their eyes, some with excitement and some with sadness.  It is a time of reflection and the memories of times gone by can be overwhelming but today is today and it too will become a memory so make it a nice one, put up a little tree, play some jammy Xmas carols, sip on a cold sparkling or a hot toddy (depending on where you live) and embrace the fun of Christmas.  Take time to look at the kids faces and laugh at the dogs dressed in their wee tinsel collars and bows, join in the camaraderie at work and play and donate food to those in need.  Everyone loves a nice lunch on Chrissy day. Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Coolie (Coolangatta) Christmas Carols and what a joy.  I was reluctant to carry my chair down to the venue which I might add was only a 400metre walk! but boy, am I glad I did.  The stage is almost on the beach and the music was fantastic.  The kids faces, everyone was smiling, Christmas outfits abounded, the temperature was perfect, the sun shone, the food vans were full of delicious fare and Santa and a few of his elves parashuted from the sky landing on the beach.  It was something to behold.  I could not wipe the grin from my face and my message would be to definitely uncurl from that couch to enjoy such entertainment. I sipped my lovely glass of shiraz and was thankful for being.

I have just returned from a cruise with a friend to Papua New Guinea and what a beautiful coastline it was.  We visited Alotau, Kiriwana Island and Conflict Island and and it was all reinforced how close the Japanese were to claiming our country.  Overlooking Milne Bay, a place of such beauty, it was difficult to imagine those who suffered as a result of the carnage. The coastline is pristine, the water a brilliant blue and so warm and soothing, no litter evident, a pod of dolphins escorted us on 2 occasions, sea birds ducked and dived and the sun shone. Sunbaking (naughty I know), swimming, snorkling, canoeing, cocktails and historical talks were the order of the day(s).  Cruising is an easy way to relax as once unpacked and sorted there is nought to be done other than eat, read, sleep, drink and enjoy the onboard enertainment - a good holiday for the not so mobile although plenty to do for everyone. If you are comtemplating a cruise and are not sure, do a short 3 or 4 day one and you will soon decide if it is for you or not.  Just sitting gazing mindlessly at the sea is a therapy of its own. We did have a delicious meal on board in the Luke Mangan restaurant and the dessert was  apple and liquorice encased in a cake mixture.  It was to die for.  We also tried a few cocktails and Toberlerone was voted the very best.....creamy, thick, sweet

Food looms large at this time of the year and we are all deciding what we will have for Xmas lunch.  Some opt for seafood and salads  ( here in Australia) and there are the old die hards who love their hot roast.  I am one of those but I leave it in the hands of my daughters now and every year it is something abit different.  I plan to cook some scallops this year with heaps of butter and garlic and just serve as is.  There will be other stuff of course but flip through a Coles magazine and try one new thing for the table.  I do love a rocket, pear and parmesan salad and keep coming back to that.  I saw one recently and it had candied walnuts on top which is a nice twist. Keep trying new foods  -----  it is exciting and satisfying when the result is yummy and sometimes totally unexpected.  We have probably nearly all done our Xmas parties by now.  I have 3 left and that is about how many kilos I have gained too.  Oh well, the usual New Year resolution. "Get healthy and eat better".  Some things never change.

I am throwing out a challenge to everyone for the New Year.  Make everything you do be as excellent as you can, even the most menial things like bed making or folding your towels, being the best listener in a conversation, putting on that bit of lippy on the way out, eating well (after Chistmas), being thoughtful ( I am not good at that but I try) and kind.  I would love to hear how you go. Next year I hope to go to India in February to do some polio vaccinating with Rotary so stay tuned for adventures on the sub continent!!!!!! I went there 30 years ago and loved the energy then and I know I will again.....and those curries.  I am salivating just thinking about it. Again volunteering is such a worthy thing to do and benefits so many.  Us Aussies are very good at it and I think the country would collapse without our volunteers.. Maybe you could become "excellent" at that!!!

That is going to be my last, rather short blog for 2025.  I have been abit erratic this year due to a few major changes in my life but next year I hope to be more "excellent". Merry Christmas everyone.  Treasure every moment with family and friends.

Slainte, Toni