Yes, all this for $7!! I have followed the instructions and how it all goes together - which is super simple. It didn't say if I could put two herbs together in one pot, but it also didn't say I couldn't do that, so I put two herbs in each pot so that I can have six growing all at once. Hopefully that works out.

My dad gave me these 'water crystals' that help absorb water as a way of saving water I think. I might not have to water them every day - but I will continually check on it to make sure.

I have just got to make sure to keep the soil moist and give it a liquid feeding every two weeks to help the herbs grow strong.

I thought it would be a great idea to blog about it and record all the progress on here. At the moment I'm not sure how often there will be an update, I will just have to wait and see.

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius fan forced.

2. Spread tomato paste across both halves of english muffin.

3. Tear up spinach leaves and spread across both muffins.

4. Slice tomatoes and spread across, sprinkle dried basil on top.

5. Top with cheese and barbecue sauce.

6. Place your pizzas on an oven tray with baking paper and bake for 8-10 minutes *Leave in longer if you prefer your crust really crispy.

And enjoy!

Like I said, super easy. Once again, you can put whatever toppings you would like on, keep to a minimum though as you will find you won't have lots of room to work with like a normal pizza base.

I thought it would be nice to share my holiday with everyone, as it was not only incredibly fun but I also did some pretty exciting things that you may be jealous of.

So, the basics: I went with my mum and two sisters (one older and one younger than me). I went from the 22nd March to the 29th March, 2014. It was with P&O on the Pacific Dawn ship. I went to the islands Noumea and Lifou of New Caledonia, and Port Vila in Vanuatu.

Day 1 - March 22:

Cocktails at the Sail Away Party

We left Brisbane around 2pm and they had a 'Sail Away' Party where there was lots of music and dancing whilst drinking cocktails - yum! We left after a little while and started exploring the ship and finding out what was where. There was time spent in between doing various things before dinner in the 'Waterfront Restaurant' and then continuing on to the 'Welcome Show' in The Marquee. It had singing, dancing, comedy and a little bit of talking. A great first night! The swaying of the boat whilst sleeping was quite relaxing too.

Day 2 - March 23:
I tend to wake up fairly early, which I think is a plus on holiday - more things to fit in my day! I had breakfast with my mum in the same restaurant as dinner last night (my two sisters were still sleeping), which I didn't enjoy that much actually, but oh well. We both decided we would go to the gym afterwards too, we didn't have much going on in the morning and felt it was a good idea. I should mention now as well, each night you receive a schedule for what is going on the following day - super handy to plan out your day! Like I said earlier, we didn't have much going on in the morning so we only went to charades before going to lunch. Lunch and dinner offer a three course meal - which is incredibly hard to turn down because everything is so delicious! Afterwards, my older sister, mum and I attended 'Martini Masters' where we had to pay extra and we get to learn how to make four different martinis (but not make them) and the main reason we were there - to drink them! It was very entertaining and delicious - except maybe that first one - a standard martini!
More relaxing was done - I particularly liked this one deck that was 18+ and quiet and right at the back, overlooking the great big ocean, complete with strawberry daiquiris.

Yummy Strawberry Daquiris

Many times throughout the cruise, my family and I took part in Trivia; we never won but always fun, funny and we learnt so many new things! After dinner we watched the comedian 'James Bustar' in his Comedy/Juggling show - which was hilarious.

Day 3 - March 24:

In Noumea with my sisters

Spinning the wheel and ball at roulette

I had a very similar morning to day 2, the exception being I had breakfast in the buffet restaurant. I actually enjoyed breakfast more in there than the waterfront restaurant, mainly because I could small amounts of all the foods I like. Breakfast is probably my most favourite meal of the day and I love having lots of options! After lunch today, I joined my mum in The Marquee for Bingo. I didn't play (it costs money because you win money), but I helped my mum and it was so entertaining! Before arriving in Noumea (New Caledonia), my younger sister and I made some origami, chilled out a bit then made our way off the ship. I'll be honest with you, Noumea isn't that interesting. But because they are French, all I was interested in was getting a pastry, I succeeded with a delicious chocolate croissant. After dinner on the ship and more trivia, my younger sister went off to our room and the rest of us went along to 'Ladies Night at the Casino'. This was one of my favourites parts of the cruise. We got free mimosas and learnt how to properly play roulette. Because we weren't actually paying, it was super fun to just bet whatever on anything. What was even more fun, both my older sister and I got to deal and spin the wheel and ball! Lots of fun, without paying a cent!

Day 4 - March 25:

Snorkelling in Lifou

We arrived in Lifou (New Caledonia) nice and early and were super stoked to get out there as we were going snorkelling! We paid $15 each as we had our own gear (thanks Beau!) and away we went. It was so...pretty. The coral and all the different types of fish - it was so amazing to watch over them. My favourite was this neon blue one, though I wouldn't be able to tell you what kind it was. My mum and older sister went for an adventurous walk after that, and I shall tell you now I definitely would have gone with them if not for the rubbing of my thongs (Australian flip flops or whatever) on my feet. So instead, my younger sister and I walked back to the beach and looked at all the markets with all the money we didn't have! After getting back on the boat, we went in the spa overlooking Lifou; this was also the only time that I went in any spa or pool on the ship. After lunch, relaxing and more cocktails, my mum and I went to 'Flower Making' and made flowers with crepe paper - awesome! It was 'Pirate Night' and I didn't actually bring any piratey things with me on the ship, but we still attended Pirate Trivia and The Pirates Show.

Day 5 - March 26:

Zip Lining - Suspension Bridge

Zip Lining

We have arrived in Port Vila - Vanuatu! The night before, Mum actually won a single ticket for a helicopter ride in Vila - rad right? It was worth $100 too! So while she did that, the rest of us had our breakfast and got ready for...... ZIP LINING!! Super excited on the car drive there up to the tree tops. Was so much fun and something I have never done before, and have never even thought of doing! When I got back, people were asking how my holiday was and I would say "I WENT ZIP LINING IN VANUATU!" hehe. Anyways... After that super exciting midday trip, we had a look at the markets they put up for when the cruise ships come in. I bought a cute little bag for myself and a stubby cooler for Beau (the boyfriend). I actually had a much needed nap in the afternoon as well - my only one during the cruise - zip lining exhausted me. After more trivia and dinner, I watched The Hobbit:The Desolation of Smaug in the marquee.

Day 6 - March 27:
An 'At Sea' day, which is absolutely fine with me! My sister and I went to this 'Musical Murder Mystery Mania' where some employees would read out a script that was to be a crime and the clues were song tunes played on the piano. It was so hard, but hilarious!
At lunch today, I got PEANUT BUTTER ICE CREAM yayah! Unfortunately I found out later that night, they only serve it at lunch time and that was our last lunch as we had other plans the next day. But was still pretty happy about that! We went to 'Liars Club', which was super funny and entertaining. There would be a weird word where they'd each give their own definition and one of them would be right, and the audience had to guess. They were very ridiculous words.
Next comes another one of my favourite things: Mix Academy - Cocktail Mixing (and drinking!). This was super fun and delicious. We learnt how to make four different cocktails: Fresh Grapefruit Cosmo, Pimm's Cup, Caprioska & Berry Cheesecake. We actually got to make them ourselves and drink them of course. We were all meant to make Coffee & Cream instead of Berry Cheesecake however, one girl spoke up saying she didn't like coffee and had previously made the berry one and asked to make that again. I wasn't too fussed, but then the bartender/host pulled out the Chambord and that was it for me - Berry Cheesecake for sure! I wasn't too fussed about the Caprioska, but really enjoyed everything else. Before we left, we took a recipe list each as well - I really want to make some of these! This obviously had a fee, which was $25 - great value!

Champagne Waterfall

Later on, we attended the 'Captain's Party' which is for everyone that has cruised before (Mum). It only lasted 45 minutes, but that's okay - we got a couple of free cocktails!
Tonight, there was a 'Life As We Know It' show, which I thought was actually kind of average, or some of it. Before retiring for the night, we had a quick look at the Champagne Waterfall.







Day 7 - March 28:
The last proper day! I went back to the gym this morning for a little cardio work out. *You feel it's needed with all that food you eat! We attended the Culinary Demo and Galley Tour - which was really great. They were cooking in the marquee: prawn and scallop risotto, barramundi and creme brûlée. Whenever they needed volunteers to try the food, my hand shot up but alas, they did not pick me... Oh well, it was fun to watch and we got the recipe. After we went through a Galley Tour (kitchen) and it was huuuuuuge, and you expect it to be, but it was just intense.

Lunch at Salt Grill

Lunch was at Salt Grill - the Luke Mangan restaurant they have on board. It is extra ($35 per person), but wow, worth it. Each person had one entree, one main and one dessert, because there was four of us we were allowed to order 4 - 5 sides. For entree I had pumpkin soup with grilled prawns, holy delicious - it was a lot more runny than your usual pumpkin soup but I thought it was absolutely perfect. For a main, I had a 250g sirloin steak cooked medium rare with their homemade barbecue sauce - YUM. We ordered five sides: parmesan and truffle oil fries, truffle oil mashed potato, regular fries, some kind of salad I think that I honestly can't remember and curried pumpkin with feta. For dessert I got the chocolate tasting plate - I thought they would be really tiny, but they were not. I tried to finish it, but did not succeed. There was a chocolate fondant, a chocolate fudge cake with coffee cream and a banana and...toffee? parfait. It was all so delicious. When I got back, I searched the menu for my local Salt Grill at the Hilton Hotel and the 200g sirloin steak itself was $49. So, very good value on board and I would definitely go again in the future.

Dessert at Salt Grill

After a divine lunch, my younger sister and I watched most of the Kids Talent Show - which was actually really good. There was this one girl (about 3 or 4) who wouldn't do anything on stage but stare, and she wasn't upset or anything, just chilling and picking her nose - ha!

Comedian Juggler James Bustar

After our last dinner, we watched the 'Starry Starry Night' show, which was full of singing and dancing and the comedian 'James Bustar' - really entertaining and fun. We also watched the Pacific Cirque 'Transformation' doing their awesome acrobatics and scary looking stuff. The last activity we watched was the 'Pacific Popstar' - throughout the cruise there was karaoke and they had the finalists all sing on stage and there would be a winner (who won nothing but praise). Some of them were actually quite good, and the others, well they were entertaining at least.

Zip Lining

And this brings the cruise to a close; the next day we had breakfast and disembarked, that is all.
I really enjoyed myself, and would definitely go on another in the future - perhaps with Beau and other friends! Another highlight* None of us got sea sick!
I understand if you didn't make it the end of this post or skipped parts (sorry), and to those who read it all - thanks!

Stay tuned for more interesting posts coming soon!

Zip Lining

Eating my chocolate croissant in Noumea

Snails for dinner

Noumea in the background

Flower Making

Captain's Party

Vanuatu Markets

The best brownie ever!!

Pina Colada

Baked Alaska Parfait

Bakewell Tart

Display food on the Galley tour

Culinary Demo

Ingredients:

• 2 small-medium apples, diced
• 120ml milk (I used unsweetened almond milk for a lower calories)
• 2 tsp cinnamon + a little extra to sprinkle on top
• 1 tbsp sweetener (stevia, maple syrup, honey or agave)
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup of desired nuts *optional
• 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1-2 tbsp butter *can omit, but will be a lot more dry and less rich

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius or 160 fan force and grease oven safe dish with butter or cooking spray *It will stick if you don't!

2. In a mixing bowl add apple, milk, cinnamon, sweetener and nuts. Mix using wooden or mixing spoon.

3. In a separate bowl, add butter and microwave until soft but not entirely melted. Add in oats and flour and mix together well before adding to the first bowl. Mix everything together.

4. Place your mixture in your dish and press down with a back of a spoon to help pack it all in. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

5. Place in oven for 35 minutes (preferably on the middle tray of the oven). For the last 3-4 minutes turn the temperature up higher. Once time is up, turn it off but leave it in the oven for another 5 minutes before taking out.

6. Ready to serve! I served mine with an unhealthy ice cream, but you can find lower calorie ice creams or make your own. In the past I have also served with a low fat custard.

*Feel free to make with other fruits! As I said earlier, I posted a recipe on my old blog using blueberries - just take out the apple and add approximately 1 1/2 cups of blueberries or any other berry you desire.

Let me know if you make this. Though you might have to wait about 40 minutes while it's in the oven, it'll be worth it! This recipe serves about 4 hungry humans.

Enjoy and stay tuned for my next post of my Cruise Holiday!