zanzibar's European Adventure

[zanzibar138]

Random things​

Hong Kong​

I caved during Black Friday specials and booked a sea view room at Explorer's Lodge for my final night in HK. Still not cheap, but it was 40% off through Expedia, making it slightly cheaper than their standard room (which wasn't discounted at all) and not much more than another night at the Hollywood. I could have stayed offsite for slightly cheaper, but not enough to make it worthwhile while remaining convenient. I'll still book an earlier flight home if I can (although still have not had any luck finding a suitable reward flight), but it will be an epic finale if I can't.

Malaysia​

Hubby and Grandma finally decided to spend their final few days in Penang, and have booked a sea facing room at the ParkRoyal. Fancy.





Hubby is still working through the best option for flights home.

Mobility​

I think Grandma has been getting a little overwhelmed with all our talk of mobility aids and access passes etc. Initially she was thinking of taking a walking frame instead of a wheelchair, but she has now decided that she doesn't want to take ANY mobility aid (only her cane). Obviously it's her choice, and I just want her to feel comfortable. I've never had accessibility concerns when travelling, so I honestly have no idea how easy/difficult it will be to find something to hire if she does need it (other than at DLP, where I know there are wheelchairs available to hire).

 

[pkondz]

I'll still book an earlier flight home if I can

This is something I'd probably never do... booking a vacay without having the flights nailed down first.

she has now decided that she doesn't want to take ANY mobility aid (only her cane).

Um... How do you feel about that? If it was my mom, I'd be more than a little nervous!

 

[zanzibar138]

This is something I'd probably never do... booking a vacay without having the flights nailed down first.

Well I do have flights booked in... just not on the day I want It won't be a problem to change my flight closer to the time if I can, since it's just me, that final night's accommodation is fully refundable and I'm not really planning anything specific in Hong Kong. Once we start our trip, I'll pretty much be locked in, since the accommodation is only refundable up until the month prior.

Um... How do you feel about that? If it was my mom, I'd be more than a little nervous!

Honestly, it does make me a little nervous, but I wasn't sure if I was over-reacting. It'll be ok as long as Grandma knows her limitations and is happy to make her own accommodations to suit depending on the circumstances and be a little independent. It'll be a bit of a nightmare if we end up having to trudge around every town we end up in looking for mobility aids, or someone has to stay 'home' with Grandma if she's struggling and we can't find anything.

There's still plenty of time though, and she could very well change her mind again.

 

[pkondz]

Well I do have flights booked in... just not on the day I want It won't be a problem to change my flight closer to the time if I can, since it's just me, that final night's accommodation is fully refundable and I'm not really planning anything specific in Hong Kong. Once we start our trip, I'll pretty much be locked in, since the accommodation is only refundable up until the month prior.

ohhhhhh....

Okay. I'll accept this.

Honestly, it does make me a little nervous, but I wasn't sure if I was over-reacting. It'll be ok as long as Grandma knows her limitations and is happy to make her own accommodations to suit depending on the circumstances and be a little independent.

Hopefully it'll all work out.

It'll be a bit of a nightmare if we end up having to trudge around every town we end up in looking for mobility aids, or someone has to stay 'home' with Grandma if she's struggling and we can't find anything.

 

[Steppesister]

I caved during Black Friday specials and booked a sea view room at Explorer's Lodge for my final night in HK.

Looks like a really nice place! Fancy for sure!

Hubby and Grandma finally decided to spend their final few days in Penang

Sounds like a more solid plan has been decided.

she has now decided that she doesn't want to take ANY mobility aid (only her cane)

EEK! This would make me SO nervous! I mean everyone is different and I have no clue what her limitations are or how severe, but man, I'd sure want her to have options in case things flare up and get worse with the extra activity.

 

[zanzibar138]

Mobility update​

Hubby was also nervous about Grandma travelling with no mobility aids, so has decided to get her something for Christmas He's gone with a walking frame that converts into a wheelchair. It may not be the comfiest or easiest to manage wheelchair, but it will give us more flexibility depending on Grandma's needs at the time. And yes, they have discussed it and found one that Grandma didn't mind the look of - we just weren't sure whether she would ever actually bite the bullet and order one. At least now she'll have it and can start getting used to it so hopefully by the time we go on the trip, she'll be pretty comfortable with it.

I'll be much happier just knowing that she will always have the option to sit down for a rest if she needs to!

 

[pkondz]

Mobility update​

Hubby was also nervous about Grandma travelling with no mobility aids, so has decided to get her something for Christmas He's gone with a walking frame that converts into a wheelchair. It may not be the comfiest or easiest to manage wheelchair, but it will give us more flexibility depending on Grandma's needs at the time. And yes, they have discussed it and found one that Grandma didn't mind the look of - we just weren't sure whether she would ever actually bite the bullet and order one. At least now she'll have it and can start getting used to it so hopefully by the time we go on the trip, she'll be pretty comfortable with it.

I'll be much happier just knowing that she will always have the option to sit down for a rest if she needs to!

Sounds like a win-win.
Would you happen to know which kind/model it is? Preferably a picture?

Just curious.

 

[zanzibar138]

Sounds like a win-win.
Would you happen to know which kind/model it is? Preferably a picture?

Just curious.

I think he went with this one:

Altus Hybrid Duo 2-in-1 Mobility Rollator and Transit Wheelchair Combo

 

[pkondz]

I think he went with this one:

Altus Hybrid Duo 2-in-1 Mobility Rollator and Transit Wheelchair Combo

View attachment 1031434

View attachment 1031435

I like the foot rests. My mom has similar, but doesn't have those (not needed, mind you. She never is pushed in it, just for sitting.)

Very similar to this:

 

[zanzibar138]

Playing around with Disneybounds​

We're in another bit of a lull period now, having locked in our itinerary and booked pretty much all our accommodation. Now just waiting until experiences and train tickets are available to book. In the meantime, I had a bit of a play around with some potential Disneybounds. I was going a bit nuts and had multiple bounds planned for the trip, but the packing list was getting a bit crazy for a 5 week trip. So I've pared it right back to just a few at Disneyland, with a focus on unique characters to each park.







I already have quite a few of these items, so will just keep an eye out for some of the missing pieces and accessories as I go. Most pieces will be versatile enough to wear throughout the trip too.

 

[pkondz]

I’m not very good at guessing bounding outfits… but I’m really liking those!

 

[zanzibar138]

I’m not very good at guessing bounding outfits… but I’m really liking those!

I definitely won't be expecting anyone to 'get' these fairly obscure Disneybounds, but I always find it a lot of fun anyway

 

[zanzibar138]

Happy New Year!​

I hope everyone has had a lovely festive period, enjoyed some time off work, with loved ones and lots of delicious seasonal food! We spent Christmas Day with Hubby's family, sweltering through a day that broke all the heat records, reaching a maximum of over 42C (or around 108F). We all enjoyed a light Christmas brunch with lots of fresh fruit, cheese and biccies, and delicious homemade sausage rolls. Then on Boxing Day we followed up with a more traditional lunch of roast chicken and ham with my family.

Not much news on the trip front, although Hubby has booked a bit more for after we split up. He has booked a basic hotel at Paris airport, and the short, cheap flight from KL to Penang with Malaysia Airlines. Unfortunately there are no direct flights from Penang to Perth - the options were Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia through KL, or Scoot through Singapore. Hubby ended up going with Scoot as they had the best timing, with a late morning departure, unrushed layover time in Singapore, and arrival in Perth at a reasonable time of night.

I did a bit more research on trains, looking up some of the current pricing for my budget spreadsheet. To my surprise, I was able to book one of them already, so we are now booked on the second half of our trip from Paris to Salzburg, from Mannheim! Since it's a 5 hour journey, I splurged on first class tickets and paid the small amount extra to be able to pick us out some nice seats in a booth formation near the bathrooms and luggage racks.

Other than that, I've spent a bit of time thinking about packing and thrifting for my Disneybounds. I have discovered that it is likely to still be quite hot and humid in HK (over 30C or around 85F), so definitely realising I'm going to have to go for nice cool options there! Unfortunately I didn't find much for Disneybounding, but I did come away with a few new items, including this great pin board in its original packaging for $5, that I thought it would be perfect for my small but meaningful pin collection!

 

[pkondz]

I hope everyone has had a lovely festive period, enjoyed some time off work, with loved ones and lots of delicious seasonal food!

Well let’s see…

No time off work, including working 3:30-midnight on the 25th, some loved ones, but delicious food.

We spent Christmas Day with Hubby's family, sweltering through a day that broke all the heat records, reaching a maximum of over 42C

Yikes!!

cheese and biccies

I presume that’s short for “biscuits”?

and delicious homemade sausage rolls.

Yum!

Since it's a 5 hour journey, I splurged on first class tickets and paid the small amount extra to be able to pick us out some nice seats in a booth formation near the bathrooms and luggage racks.

Nice.

it is likely to still be quite hot and humid in HK (over 30C

Too hot! (With humidity)

this great pin board in its original packaging for $5, that I thought it would be perfect for my small but meaningful pin collection!

Great find.

 

[Steppesister]

I have never heard of or seen any of those characters so this would be very tough for me to guess, BUT if it brings you some fun and enjoyment that's really ALL that matters!!! I'm sure half of my hobbies most folks would think are a "waste of time". No craps given. You just keep being you and enjoy thrifting and putting those outfits together!!

 

[zanzibar138]

No time off work, including working 3:30-midnight on the 25th, some loved ones, but delicious food.

Well, at least you got 1.5 out of 3

I presume that’s short for “biscuits”?

Yes, and in this context, "biscuits" means "crackers".

Too hot! (With humidity)

Agree

 

[zanzibar138]

I have never heard of or seen any of those characters so this would be very tough for me to guess, BUT if it brings you some fun and enjoyment that's really ALL that matters!!! I'm sure half of my hobbies most folks would think are a "waste of time". No craps given. You just keep being you and enjoy thrifting and putting those outfits together!!

Yes, definitely tough to pick for those more familiar with the American parks! It's definitely more for my own enjoyment though - I don't really care if anyone 'gets it'.