Well here we are - our countdown says we've just over 13 hours to go.  Excited much? - hell yes!  However we still haven't been assigned our cabin hence today's title - we're wondering if we'll end up in either the broom cupboard or a lifeboat.  No, really we're not at all bothered - once again we have a guaranteed cabin so at the very least we'll get what we booked - a base level balcony.  But then there's always that lovely little bit of anticipation that we might get upgraded a category (or two - unlikely) or offered a move over offer - no good this time - or a move down offer - where we might be offered an interior cabin with a huge percentage of our cruise fare refunded as a refundable onboard credit.  Now that would be very tempting - would pay all our cruise costs and what's left sent as a cheque in a couple of weeks.  So we wait and see!            

 We're off on the first flight in the morning - so that means up at 4.30am, Deb picks us up at 5.30am and we're off on the 6.45am flight to Brisbane.  It'll be a big day - from Brisbane we fly to Sydney, then on to Santiago with our final flight from there to Rio de Janeiro.  If I've calculated my times correctly we arrive in Rio at 7.35pm tomorrow night their time which is 8.35am Thursday our time - so about a 27 hour trip.  Oh joy!

 

But we're all prepared here - lawns mowed, house sparkling, bed changed, laundry up to date - makes a difference to come home to.  Today for me was Robyn for a hairdressing appointment -cut, colour and demi wave then from there to Bronte's for the tidy up waxing and general defuzz and I did my nails and had a face pack last night.  So feeling all freshened up with my best face ready for South America - hope they appreciate it!

        Our bags are all packed and we're probably the lightest we've packed for a long time and way under what we're allowed and that's catering for two climates - hot like here in the northern part but pretty chilly down south.  The observant among you may notice our luggage looks different yet again - long story but my hard shell luggage with 4 wheels didn't cope at all well with our last couple of trips - mostly the carriers fault but I hadn't claimed/complained at the time.  However had a little 'so disappointed' moan to the manufacturer and after a bit of to and fro they offered replacement at almost below cost price.  I still had our previous two wheeled luggage - which Craig actually prefers to the four wheel stuff - so took them up on their offer and got a set of very light, soft side, 8 wheel luggage for me.  And so we're set to go each with our preferred style - and still pretty distinctive so easy to spot on the carousel.  

And so my friends, reach for your seat belts, buckle up and sit tight - we're off on the journey of a lifetime.