 Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
#243542
01/24/15 01:09 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395
southernlady
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Hello from Silver Spirit. Alan and I are sailing on the Silversea Grand Voyage, Southern Cross 2015. 64 days of cruising the South Pacific works for us. Our adventure started with a gala dinner and night’s stay at the Montage Beverly Hills. With customer service that rivals what’s experienced on a luxury cruise ship, Silversea made the perfect choice. And we appreciated the opportunity to meet fellow cruisers. There will be 140 of us on the entire voyage.
Boarding went smoothly, all of our bags arrived and we’re now unpacked and ready to enjoy a fun time at sea. So far, the Pacific is gifting us with smooth seas. That’s all for now. Photos to come later if the Internet cooperates.
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 Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243545
01/24/15 07:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,369
Beth
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Thanks, Donna, looking forward to reading all about your adventures.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243548
01/24/15 11:07 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,732
ColonelWes
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Fair Winds & Following South Pacific Seas Donna & Alan. Ida and I will see y'all in Sydney. Hope you see EnglishUSA/David--he is also on aboard for the entire Grand Voyage. Rachelg/Rachel & George board in Auckland.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243550
01/25/15 08:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395
southernlady
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Loving these lazy days at sea. The Pacific is as smooth as glass. Last night, Alan and I enjoyed dinner at Hot Rocks by the pool. All the stars aligned to make it a magical night  . Yes, ColonelWes, we saw David at the gala event at Montage Beverly Hills. Looking forward to Rachel/George and You and Ida joining the ship. It's been lovely so far.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243554
01/26/15 06:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,078
petlover
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Thanks for sharing seamail Donna. It sounds like you and Alan are off to a fabulous trip.
Marcie 
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243556
01/26/15 09:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,209
RachelG
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Looking forward to seeing you soon!
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243557
01/26/15 10:05 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,739
Ngaire
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Thanks for posting Donna look forward to hearing more from you as enjoy your cruise.
See pictures of our adventures here or follow me on Pinterest!
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243630
01/30/15 02:32 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395
southernlady
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Hello from the South Pacific. We’ve had excellent weather and smooth seas for our cruise toward Nuka Hiva, where we arrive tomorrow. Service has been extremely good and we have the best butler and cabin attendant ever.
So far, I’ve honored Ngaire by dining on rack of lamb at formal night. Entertainment and night life have been very low key, as I expected it would be with an older crowd of cruisers. The other night, two of the male singers did a show based upon the tunes of Billy Joel and Elton John. That was fun. Tomorrow night, we have our first deck barbecue.
More later,
Donna
P.S. I've forgotten how to post photos here.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243631
01/30/15 07:52 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,645
cruisinfanatic
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Sounds relaxing and perfect so far Donna.
JoAnn 
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243637
01/30/15 01:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,739
Ngaire
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Donna I have not been to your web site for a while but clicked on the link.
You have done a sensational job on that very easy to navigate and very appealing layout. Fantastic.
Keep enjoying yourself with all that work you put in that website you deserve "rest and relaxation"
As for posting pictures Ken downloads them and then just puts it the links.
See pictures of our adventures here or follow me on Pinterest!
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243638
01/30/15 08:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395
southernlady
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Ngaire, you are so nice. Thanks for the lovely comments about the website. By downloading, to you mean that Ken puts them in Smugmug and adds a link? I should know how to do this but it's totally escaped me .
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243639
01/30/15 10:00 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,990
pwolftx
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Donna, our ships will probably pass in the night. We're on the Mariner in Nuka'Alofa, Tonga today. We altered course and sailed south to Tonga instead of north to Samoa to avoid a potential cyclone. Not sure if it ever materialized or not, but we enjoyed Tonga so it's not a problem. Next we sail back northeast to French Polynesia -- maybe we'll see you there.
Peggy
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243640
01/31/15 08:02 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,645
cruisinfanatic
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Peggy - envious! You and Jerry live on a cruise ship more than you do at home it seems. See you in April.
JoAnn
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243641
01/31/15 08:15 AM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,200
jbittle
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Peggy,
We were in Samoa last month and you didn't miss much. Tonga is a more interesting island. Also, it's rain season in Samoa so it wouldn't have been much fun. See you on the Journey.
Jim
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243655
02/01/15 12:58 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395
southernlady
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Hi Peggy, hope to catch up with you in FB. At the very least, we'll wave as our ships pass each other .
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243656
02/01/15 02:23 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Ngaire
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Hi Donna
Not being a techie I always use the wrong terminology but YES he puts the picture on Smugmug and then adds a link to the picture on LCT and the picture shows up.
See pictures of our adventures here or follow me on Pinterest!
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243657
02/01/15 10:48 PM
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southernlady
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Today's snorkeling excursion in Rangiroa was the best ever. What a tropical paradise. And look at all the fishes: ![[Linked Image]](http://photography.myitchytravelfeet.com/South-Pacific/French-Polynesia-Rangiroa/i-chdGGLS/0/L/untitled%20%2841%20of%2061%29-L.jpg)
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243658
02/02/15 09:55 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,078
petlover
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Marcie
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243665
02/02/15 04:27 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,739
Ngaire
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That is great snorkeling and many like the drift dive with the currents. Thanks for posting the picture nothing like a picture! I guess you figured it out.
See pictures of our adventures here or follow me on Pinterest!
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243688
02/04/15 12:54 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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southernlady
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Yesterday started the second segment of this Grand Voyage. The butler manager made the rounds to all Grand Voyagers to check on how our butlers are doing and if we have any suggestions. Nice touch. Since we have the best butler ever, all that Alan and I could contribute were complements.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243693
02/05/15 03:53 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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southernlady
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Forgot to post photos from our Moorea excursion, swimming with stingrays, sharks and a motu barbecue. What a fun day! ![[Linked Image]](http://photography.myitchytravelfeet.com/South-Pacific/French-Polynesia-Moorea/i-HrJSw4Q/0/L/bora-bora-L.jpg) Alan and I couldn't wipe the grins off our faces. We do enjoy petting stingrays: ![[Linked Image]](http://photography.myitchytravelfeet.com/South-Pacific/French-Polynesia-Moorea/i-xttx5SD/0/L/bora-bora-4-L.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://photography.myitchytravelfeet.com/South-Pacific/French-Polynesia-Moorea/i-QBqXWMQ/0/L/bora-bora-6-L.jpg) And, of course, the reef sharks were hanging around: ![[Linked Image]](http://photography.myitchytravelfeet.com/South-Pacific/French-Polynesia-Moorea/i-gJdTCtv/0/L/bora-bora-2-L.jpg)
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243696
02/05/15 05:39 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,739
Ngaire
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Beautiful shots Donna the lighting and colors are fantastic. Love the underwater picture of the sharks. Keep those pictures coming.
See pictures of our adventures here or follow me on Pinterest!
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243697
02/05/15 09:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,209
RachelG
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I am not so sure I would have looked so happy with sharks swimming around me, but the pics are beautiful.
See you soon.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: RachelG]
#243698
02/06/15 04:25 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 558
TedC
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Sharks have to eat too!
I've swam with black fin reef sharks - as soon I entered the water they swam away - must be afraid of me - yes - I had showered!
 "Life is far too serious to be taken seriously."
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243702
02/07/15 12:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
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RachelG
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Haha, Ted. I don't mind them eating as long as it doesn't involve taking a bite out of me.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243705
02/09/15 12:01 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,209
RachelG
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At LAX waiting for our flight to auckland. We will spend a couple of days there before boarding on Thursday. We had a wonderful day today with Helen and Jerry and their family at Disneyland. They sure know how to show out of towners a good time!
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: RachelG]
#243706
02/09/15 02:40 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395
southernlady
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The sharks don't care one bit about us. Can't wait to see you and George in Auckland. Ha ha, Ted. They ran away from Alan and me too even though we had showered .
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243707
02/09/15 02:44 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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southernlady
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Day before yesterday, we missed Rarotonga because the swells were too big to tender to shore. While it was sad to miss a port, I have scary memories from LAMB when our tender had a hard time returning to the ship because of those swells.
Today, the seas have been really bouncy, not good for me. I'll post photos from Bora Bora tomorrow, hopefully.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243710
02/09/15 07:54 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,990
pwolftx
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Hmm, we're right behind you and having gorgeous weather. No problems at all in Rarotonga and beautiful weather here in Bora Bora today. It's the luck of the draw I guess. We'll be anchored in Bora Bora for three days to allow plenty of time to drink in this beautiful scenery. We're counting down the days -- five more-- until Ngaire and the group get on. The food has been outstanding and so has everything else--it's been a wonderful cruise that's only going to get better when more friends get on.
Peggy
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243711
02/10/15 04:10 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395
southernlady
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So glad your cruise is going well, Peggy. 3 days anchored in Bora Bora sounds wonderful. We're experiencing excellent food and fantastic service, as well. Glad to know that the luxury cruise industry is meeting our expectations . Say hi to the stingrays for us.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243716
02/11/15 11:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,209
RachelG
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Looking forward to boarding later today.
Why am I up so early? George somehow managed to set the hotel alarm clock for 4 am.
I am also posting over on CC as I have a lot of friends who don't follow LCT.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243718
02/11/15 01:45 PM
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southernlady
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See you today, Rachel! Lucky me, I'm married to a man with an internal alarm clock. It's a 5 a.m. wakeup call no matter where we are in the world. I survive on afternoon naps .
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243721
02/12/15 02:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,209
RachelG
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Fun dinner last night with Donna and Alan catching up on everything. La terraza is great as remembered.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243731
02/14/15 12:07 AM
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Posts: 1,209
RachelG
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Missed the port of Napier today due to high winds. Very bummed as it was one of the ones I looked forward to most.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243739
02/14/15 09:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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southernlady
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The entertainment on the Grand Voyage has been ho-hum until last night. Pianist Van-Ahn Nguyen rocked her concert. Formal night and Valentine's Day made the perfect combination. The LCT contingent looked dashing, if I do say so myself.
Today, we're in Picton. Alan and I skipped tours in favor of a stroll through town and to recuperate from going to bed at 2 a.m. last night.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243784
02/23/15 05:33 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,209
RachelG
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At the Melbourne airport awaiting our long flight home. We had a wonderful trip, all the better with the company of Donna, Alan, and David.
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243792
02/23/15 10:15 PM
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southernlady
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Safe travels home, Rachel and George. We had fun traveling with you again!
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Re: Souther Cross 2015 on Silver Spirit
[Re: southernlady]
#243819
03/04/15 12:01 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,732
ColonelWes
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Please enjoy some pictures of Ida and I (we boarded in Sydney and will disembark in LA) enjoying lunch today with southernlady: Alan & Donna: ![[Linked Image]](http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa436/colonelwes/ad_zpskkvm8zxw.jpg) Also, pix of EnglishUSA:David at the Italian restaurant on board two nites ago--wonderful osso bucco: ![[Linked Image]](http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa436/colonelwes/3-2-davidpm_zpsvvkhjjv2.jpg)
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![[Linked Image]](http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/colonelwes/media/ad_zpskkvm8zxw.jpg.html)
![[Linked Image]](http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/colonelwes/media/3-2-davidpm_zpsvvkhjjv2.jpg.html)
