2013 Megatrip - 6 Continents and 2 Months

[mindthegap2154]

(Content moderated) Wake up mate, jump on a plane, get off the tourist traps, city hopping and really go to places instead of these places u waste your time and money on. Venice?? WTF, why would u even bother. These places didn't even exist 800 years ago, go to Asia, go to Africa, see Alaska, Svalbard, the Aurora Borealis in Greenland or Emperors in Antarctica. (Content moderated)

May I enquire as to when you recently looked at my passport? I'm sorry I must of missed you on Kodiak Island in 2005 or when I was in Hay River last Christmas - happened to see the Northern Lights here in addition to Norway in 06 but hey who is counting? Or When I was in Gusau in 08. Or even for that fact this past weekend in Warren (I'll buy you a beer if you have been here). As for Greenland I currently spend 60% of my time in Canada - surprisingly doesn't drive me to meet our Northern neighbours when they have similar weather to us. Antarctica - well I must admit you have got me here. I have been burning to go here and see yes in fact the Emperor penguins. However my schedule has never met my travel budget for the significant investment that I would like to make when it comes to Antarctica.

As for waking up and jumping on a plane, I believe I covered that well in earlier posts but hey if you require further clarification on where and how I do this I will be more than happy to submit to you those details.

In regards to "Most of u simply like to jump on airlines, stay in flash hotels, pay for business class and think your experiencing something marvellous." 1. When you refer to "Most of u" (first off we spell it You in the pointy end and "flashy" hotels) I assume that you mean the members here of The Australian Frequent Flyer. The site that in August of this year you joined. For what reason I am unsure, but can only assume to barrage the members and their discussions. If this is your motive I honestly hope in your words you will "get a life dude".

2. The statement "jump on airlines, stay in flash hotels, pay for business class and think your experiencing something marvellous" is just wrong. I have never jumped on a airline. I generally only jump on celebrities and very attractive people at my gym. Nor do I stay at Flash Hotels. Ok I admit, I like staying at nice hotels. Nice but not necessarily "flash" as you so put it. For example the Warren Motor Inn this weekend was nice but not "flash".You claim that I had to "pay for business class" - I am sorry. Well actually I am not. How does where I sit on the plane affect what type of traveller I am? Have you ever considered that my larger frame just well might be more comfortable in business class? Oh and my favourite "think your experiencing something marvellous" I can honestly say that yes I do think that. Doesn't being on a metal tube with 350 new friends for 14 hours seem marvellous to you? Or is it in 110 years we have moved from taking months to travel from continent to continent to just mere hours?

Frankly I could continue but it seems that there is no upside for either of us to waste our precious moments on this earth with this debate.

If can be any of assistance in recommending remote out of the way places for you to discover in Canada or even Australia I would love to touch base.

PS. I am pretty much booked for a North Korea trip in July of next year. If you would like to join me let me know I will get the details across to you. You seem like the type of person who would kill to get there. Or is it not on your list because you won't be able to brag to your former classmates on Facebook that you are in a new middle of no where place?

Hope you are having an enjoyable evening.

 

[Heleigh]

(Content moderated) Wake up mate, jump on a plane, get off the tourist traps, city hopping and really go to places instead of these places u waste your time and money on. Venice?? WTF, why would u even bother. These places didn't even exist 800 years ago, go to Asia, go to Africa, see Alaska, Svalbard, the Aurora Borealis in Greenland or Emperors in Antarctica. (Content moderated)

mindthegap2154 SQ3101 is no history buff otherwise he wouldn't have made such an irrational comment.

Thank you for reminding me of my adventures in Venice

 

[TraceyK90]

Looking forward to more of your TR and lets hope one of my kids is as kind to me as you are to your parentals, just no redbull for me!

 

[amaroo]

Liking the TR. Venice is fantastic!

Ignore the trolls - what a strange post

 

[mindthegap2154]

Thanks everyone for your kind words! Yes what a very strange post indeed!

 

[mindthegap2154]

MSC Fantasia - MSC Crociere
Their Rating: 5 Stars
My Rating: 5 stars for everything
Stateroom Type Booked: Yacht Club Suite
Stateroom Type Received: Yacht Club Suite

(MSC Fantasia docked in Venice)


Cruising is something certainly not new to our trio and at over 30 cruises each we consider ourselves old salts. We all love being on the water and have cruised far and wide from Alaska to Asia and even long transpacific sectors (35 nights). However never have we cruised in the luxury that is to be found onboard MSC Cruises’ Fantasia. Yacht Club their private suite within a suite complex is literally First Class onboard MSC and is in unrivaled in its opulence. The closest we have come to this level of service at sea was on the old QE2.


Yacht Club is an exclusive all inclusive experience capped at 100 guests. It’s staterooms and facilities are all located within their own compound, but also afford you the opportunity to use the rest of the vessels facilities and amenities. In addition to private facilities every stateroom is afforded an exclusive Butler on call 24/7 to cater for your every whim. The alcohol also flows very freely and is gratis for everything from scotch to champagne.


This very experience commenced upon check in where we are escorted thorough the crows of people waiting to check in. We eventually arrive at a private lounge area where we are seated and formalities completed. At this point it seems they also weld the champagne flute to your hand. Donny who will be our butler for the next 7 days introduces himself. He is a pleasant chap from Benoa-Bali whom had recently completed further education (he has been a butler with MSC since 2008 and for 11 years prior to that with other lines & hotels) at the International School of Butlers in Switzerland.



We are gently asked if we would like “To step aboard and join one of the most exclusive clubs afloat!”. We then continue up to white giant cheerfully waiting next to us. A line of regular passengers are moved aside for us and a German couple who have joined us in our escort group. In one of those ultimate DYKWIA moments, Mum’s card fails to work at the security check point - this is no problem and Donny soon has her manually cleared using the line “Don’t Worry Mrs. Mindthegap is in Yacht Club”.


Before you can say Bob’s your uncle, we are in our suite and checking out our surrounds for the next 7 days. The bed appointed in fine Armani cotton perfectly yet discreetly inscribed with the MSC Logo dead centre, sits awaiting our new ownership. A bottle of something Italian Fizzy stands frosted await us on our balcony. The bottle is popped and we each take a glass to start exploring the rest of the vessel. I subsequently end up hugging a Green Tea Mojito (umm maybe a few actually) for the remainder of the afternoon by the pool.

(The Yacht Club private pool, jacuzzi's and sun area)


Just prior to our scheduled departure from Venice the wind picks up and a slight drizzle moves in. This prompts the three of us into making a decision - being wise and moving inside or moving our stuff undercover and getting in a hot tub. Of course the Green Tea Mojitos and Pina Coladas for the parents influence us into the latter. Convinced that we are in fact having some fun a bunch of very young (and VERY VERY good looking) Spanish join us. We eventually establish they are a bunch of models onboard for a photo shoot. WOW! If only the rest of the passengers onboard looked like that!


Eventually we accept its time to eat and get out and head back to the suite. We all take a shower and I ask to be excused from dinner, Dad seems to agree that he is too tired for it to. Mum never one to miss out on a dining experience and Donny insists he will show her the way to E’Toile (Yacht Club’s private restaurant). Promptly there is another knock on the door, it is once again Donny this time bearing this evenings menu from E’Toile and inviting us to either take dinner on the balcony or better yet - in bed!

(The dessert Mother had in E'Toile on night 1)


While the sounds of the crashing waves against the hull is tempting, we elect bed and watch one of the on demand movies. All the while Donny has taken our order (just a small 5 course feast for both of us) and ensures us that Mum is happy joining an American family for dinner. We then proceed to have each course individually delivered to us! But we must sleep for tomorrow as we are in Bari, Italy!

 

[Major]

Love Venice...enjoying the read...keep it coming

 

[N860CR]

Someone's jealous.... And seems to be a little insane.

 

[mindthegap2154]

Someone's jealous.... And seems to be a little insane.

Yeah I am a bit crazy! Sorry about that N860CR

 

[RooFlyer]

Yeah I am a bit crazy! Sorry about that N860CR

There were some rather unkind posts overnight (since removed) by "someone" that I believe N860CR was referring to.

 

[N860CR]

Haha... Now I look like the psyco

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

It seems that MSC Yacht Club is the nautical equivilant of SIA Suites

 

[mindthegap2154]

It seems that MSC Yacht Club is the nautical equivilant of SIA Suites

Ah yes! Never thought of making that connection!

 

[drron]

Exactly what I thought re the SQ suites.
Some people do think green is a nice eye colour.
Really enjoying the TR.Will be interested in seeing more of the Yacht club concept.At the moment we are firmly wedded to small ships.

I can also relate to your modes of travel.Liking luxury does not mean you miss the out of the way places or adventures.When I was a lot younger I spent quite a bit of time near Shooters Hill and Porters Retreat,I think that certain someone doesn't know where they are.

 

[Andyc]

Thanks for the great TR. I'm sorry you've had to put up with some less supportive replies.

 

[KLN]

keep going ! am loving it............ignore the idiots..........it's your holiday, you do what you want. it was rather odd wasn't it, not you, the troll

 

[jazza1971]

Mate just like others said, keep up the great TR! Loving the photos!

 

[mindthegap2154]

Exactly what I thought re the SQ suites.
Some people do think green is a nice eye colour.
Really enjoying the TR.Will be interested in seeing more of the Yacht club concept.At the moment we are firmly wedded to small ships.

I can also relate to your modes of travel.Liking luxury does not mean you miss the out of the way places or adventures.When I was a lot younger I spent quite a bit of time near Shooters Hill and Porters Retreat,I think that certain someone doesn't know where they are.

Thanks Drron! Yes I know I am not normally jumping to big on the overly large ships. I personally loved Oceania's Mariner recently and Seaborn Sojourn and Yacht club certainly was different to those experiences. I wouldn't say that I preferred over the other of the 3 but I did love the larger show lounges. There is something about seeing a show and having 1500 people singing the songs that I love, I think its just a great "party" mood. It was also great because we were able to go to a night club, which even though my parents are slightly older still love to dance the night away with the youngin' as my mother puts it. Rather than sitting in a jazz bar or the like. There was something more youthful about Yacht club which I think comes with the nature of the vessel.

Oh and if its the same Shooters Hill I am thinking of a friend has a property at Oberon that looks insane! I haven't had the opportunity to go out there yet but I would love to!

 

[mindthegap2154]

Day 2


Bari, Italy


Bari is more intended as a departure/arrival port (MSC typically will have at least 2 ports for embarkation/disembarkation) rather than a destination on our particular voyage. This allows for ultimate flexibility for them and their passengers as you are permitted to disembark at any port where the vessel is being joined by new passengers.


However if you are staying aboard the vessel you are more than welcome to enjoy Bari. Located on Italy’s east coast Bari is the capital of Bari provence and also a busy sea port and trade centre. Bari is also home to some Italy’s most traditional and noteworthy cuisine - with dishes being centered around three elements - Wheat (Pasta) Olive Oil & Wine (The home of Moscato isn’t far away in the adjoining Puglia region). Seafood and Pork also play a large part in Gastronomic experiences around the town.

(Street scene in Bari)


The weather wasn’t fabulous today, which resulted in Dad staying onboard the ship while Mum and I went into town. Stupidly the ships schedule had us arrive at midday. This landed us straight in the centre of nap time for the town and was rather disappointing as most shops were closed. Instead Mum found a walking tour which took us into Old Bari and some great off the beaten track places. We were joined by a British couple on this tour which cost a nominal 5 euros per person. It was on this tour that we were introduced to “world famous” Pasta Ladies of Bari. Famous apparently from their appearances on the likes of “No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain” and a few other cooking/travel shows.

(The Pasta ladies of Bari)


Our walking tour continued to Bari’s cathedral which was originally constructed in 1034! However its dramatic history saw it destroyed in 1156 and rebuilt in 1178. Rather spectacular in construction, its rather simple yet elegant in design. We were not allowed to enter as the local children were inside for a mass. Our short tour culminated Barivecchia’s Piazza Ferrarese where we picked up a Gelato, despite a bitter cold change. We then promptly moved back to the ship as the weather was quite nasty at this point.




All in all it was a great sampler for a city and region considered somewhat off the beaten track. I would love to go back again and explore the outer regions of Bari Province and the Puglia region. Considering Bari is only a 3 hour car ride away from Naples, I would certainly recommend it for anyone passing through the region.


This evening onboard is formal night and one of Mummy and Daddy’s greatest attributes as a couple if the ability to make friends - languages spoken not normally a barrier! While we were ashore Dad has met and invited to dinner a wonderful Australian couple from Perth and a German couple from a small town in the Rhineland. We are all dressed in our finest and enjoy a wonderful multiple course dinner in E’Toile.


We are then escorted down through the “pleb” section to the theatre for this evenings show which was a take on Cirque Du Soliel. If you let the butlers know they will reserve seats for you and hold them until you finish your dinner! Such great service. If I had to describe it in a word “incredible”. The three couples and myself culminated the evening in The Top Sail Lounge (Yacht Clubs private lounge) with a couple of bottles of bubbles and a cigar for the gents!


We hit the beds with our weary heads at around 1am as tomorrow we are in Katakolon, Greece - the port for Olympia!

 

[drron]

That is definely the correct Shooters Hill.Had many a trip to the Coolong Caves.Was also in the group who installed a gate at the entrance to the caves for NPWS.