#cruising – Over 50 Aussie female solo traveller USA road trip and beyond

Solo Traveller

Today I bought the Magazine That’s Life Mega Monthly, an Australian publication. I had a personal reason, I have an article in this month’s issue!

I was approached by the Editor, who has been following my blog, to do a story on my travels. It was decided to start with information for solo travellers. So, as my niece stated “you are a published blogger!”. How exciting is this! “Travelling Solo”

In my travels I meet so many solo travellers who inspire me and then I find I inspire them in various ways also. I never thought that my travels would inspire others. I love how Peter Nicklin, a fellow solo traveller I met on the Norwegian Jewel in 2019, on a B2B (that is back to back in cruise talk), 26 days Transpacific cruise, would include me in his first book he wrote during Covid.

Seen by Peter Nicklin at 20:34 — Peter Nicklin

I am not the main character, just a mention, but it is very flattering to be included in a book. “This Girl: The adventures of a fun loving twenty something in the seventies”

And then I was the inspiration for a character and a couple of cheeky events in “Bob and Sofia: Bobs chaotic travel adventures with Sofia”. Again, I am not the main character, although some of my friends may think so.

I hope you get to enjoy my article, Peter’s books and my blog. Perhaps I will see you on one of my future cruises. I’m already booked on another for November.

Funchal Portugal

Four sea days turned into 7 days at sea due to 6 metre swell cancelling our Ponta Delgado, Azores stop. So first stop after Bermuda was Funchal. This is my second time here and it is a very pretty island. It is a very popular tourist island. Friendly people, delicious food, lots to explore. I love the old town with its alleys of restaurants and bars.

I love the door art.

And the sculptures, with the most important one being of the great soccer player, Ronaldo and you can see what part of his body is favoured.

The most fun and crazy thing to do is the basket toboggan ride. Think billycart for 2 down a steep mountain road shared by pedestrians and cars, with 2 men using their feet for brakes and control. It is a must do.

Bermuda

4 April 2022
Arrived in Bermuda but I will not get off the ship as I need some recovery time next to the pool. Yay!! Sun bathing weather!! I will take it easy as we have an overnight stay here. We are the first cruise ship to arrive here since the pandemic. The locals are very happy for the return of tourists. There are pretty beaches and lots of fancy golf clubs which I went to last time here in 2018. The jacuzzi is calling.

Norwegian Epic Transatlantic

I boarded the Epic around 1130am on 2 April. Bliss!!! It has been 2 years and 5 months since my last cruise which was on the Norwegian Jewel Transpacific from Honolulu to Sydney from 2 November to 3 December 2019.

Due to Covid and as this trip is what is known as a relocation cruise, it normally has fewer passengers. This cruise has
1300 passengers 1400 crew. So a luxury of 1 crew per passenger. Normally this ship takes 4000 passengers and 2700 crew.

This sailaway party is the first time I have danced with people since November 2021. Really danced. As we sailed out of New York said goodbye to the grand lady Statue of Liberty.

On to warmer weather please. I would like to enjoy my balcony

Sydney Harbour

March 2019

Living 15 minutes by train to the most beautiful harbour in the world, I am often somewhere nearby. Either on a cruise ship ready to sail out

or at the Opera Bar enjoying a drink with friends

Twilight sailing on Sydney Harbour

Norwegian Jewel New Caledonia/Australia

18 January 2019

My third cruise with the Norwegian Jewel took me to a totally different clime to the previous two. From Alaska in July/August 2018.

To Sydney Harbour

With stops in Noumea. Beautiful Isle of Pines New Caledonia.

Lifou New Caledonia

Yorkeys Knob outside of Cairns Australia

Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays.

We stopped in Brisbane but I didn’t leave the ship but enjoyed basking in the sun by the pool without fighting for a deck chair while the majority of passengers were sightseeing.

The shows on the Jewel were spectacular. “Velvet” starring West End and England X Factor semi finalist Brenda Edwards.

With dancer Nicole from Sydney on “Glow” Party night.

Met Emmy Gelardi-Bunyi from Sydney who is Royal International Miss Sweetheart 2019.

Some of the lovely solo travellers

Arrived home on 18 January ready for dancing.