The package with the battery charger has left Las Vegas…Tentatively optimistic…Still staying in…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Not our photos: The Sagrada Família is an iconic, still-under-construction Roman Catholic basilica in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Antoni Gaudí. It is famous for its unique architectural style, a blend of Gothic and Art Nouveau forms, filled with intricate symbolism and vibrant, tree-like structures within its interior. Funding for its construction comes from private donations and ticket sales, and it is considered the most visited landmark in Barcelona, as well as a masterpiece of Modernist architecture. We visited this site the last time we were in Barcelona (on three occasions in the past).

Last night, we received a tracking number from UPS for the shipment of the hearing aid charger from Nevada. Of course, we’re both frequently checking the tracking information on UPS. It appears that it has arrived in Spain for the clearance process. (See below).

Past Event
Label Created

United States

10/01/2025, 4:05 P.M.
Past Event
We Have Your Package

Las Vegas, NV, United States

10/01/2025, 8:55 P.M.
Current Event
On the Way

Clearance in Progress

El Prat De Llobregat, Spain

10/02/2025, 10:45 A.M.

Thus, since yesterday, October 2, it appears it’s about to enter Spain, but we can’t determine by UPS’s post if it’s actually in Spain at this time. We can only keep checking and see if it moves along. We’re concerned it may be held up by customs for several days or weeks, which we’ve experienced in the past when shipping internationally.

Clearance in process is described as follows:

“Clearance in process” for international UPS shipments indicates that the package is undergoing the necessary customs procedures to officially enter or exit a country, ensuring it complies with regulations and pays any required duties or taxes. During this stage, customs officials are checking documentation and verifying the contents of the shipment.”

We hope that regulations are less restrictive than those in South Africa, which has prompted us to stop sending packages from the US. We’ve learned our lesson there!

On another note, we still haven’t gone out. As we mentioned, we’ve been to Barcelona in the past, seeing the attractions that appealed to us, and have no interest in hiring a taxi to drive us around. With my recent Uber experience, which was a rip-off when I got a pedicure, we’re not motivated to use Uber.

Given our recent string of unfortunate experiences, we believe staying put for now is a logical decision. The treacherous staircase is a huge factor in this decision. Our dear friend Rita (and her husband, Gerhard) were at a safari resort in South Africa for a few days, and Rita fell on a step, breaking her foot.

They are now back in Marloth Park until the end of the month, when they will return Inge to Germany, as Rita is unable to stand or sit when her foot must be elevated, or go out to dinner or sit in a vehicle for game drives. Rita is very strong, fit, and one of the most sure-footed people I know. Thank goodness, Rita’s mom, Inge, is there with them, who is cooking and handling household tasks.

Yesterday, I spoke with Gerhard at length, as he described her fall and subsequent trip to Mediclinic in Nelspruit to be diagnosed and fitted with a cast. They purchased a wheelchair to get her to and from the rental car.

When we heard this story, we were all the more determined to stay put, not attempting to navigate those stairs any more than absolutely necessary. The only upcoming outings will be meeting up with our dear friends, Linda and Ken, at a restaurant near the port of Barcelona, and for another pedicure at the end of the month.

Some of our readers have written, suggesting we “bite the bullet” and get out and about, even if it’s just for dinner. We realize and appreciate that our readers would like to see some local photos. However, we must do what our guts tell us, and now that everything is working in the apartment, we are content and will be even more so when the package arrives.

This time indoors has been well spent. We’ve booked holiday homes, flights, and rental cars well into the future. We successfully completed the complicated, time-consuming, and challenging process of obtaining the ETA for Indonesia, despite its website crashing repeatedly.

We have since obtained and received ETAs for Australia and New Zealand, and checked to ensure we don’t need any additional online visas for any other countries we’ll be visiting on the upcoming 47-night cruise. Additionally, we’ve spent hours working on a means of receiving the hearing aid charger.

It’s this precious time that has enabled us to accomplish a lot. Additionally, Tom had to process his first RMD, Required Minimum Distribution, since he turned 72 this year. An RMD is described as follows:

An RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) withdrawal is the mandatory minimum amount that must be withdrawn each year from traditional IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, starting at age 73 or the year a U.S. taxpayer turns 73. Tom’s birthday is in December. These withdrawals are required by the IRS to prevent individuals from indefinitely deferring taxes on their pre-tax retirement savings, ensuring that these funds are eventually taxed as income.

Today, we’re washing and drying the bedding which takes almost all day with the slow washer and dryer. We keep having to check the dryer’s water collector to ensure it’s emptied, or the dryer quits working. We can only wash or dry one of the two sheets at a time. There isn’t another set of sheets for that bed, which would make it easier.

That’s it for today, dear readers.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 3, 2015:

The fishermen in Fiji sell whole fish at the local farmer’s market. Without a good fillet knife, it makes no sense for us to purchase an entire fish. For more photos, please click here.

The hearing aid charger fiasco…What? Shipping issues with products containing lithium batteries?…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
This item, containing lithium batteries, which we are hoping to receive.

Shipping products with lithium batteries has become one of those challenges that sound deceptively simple until you’re knee-deep in regulations, fees, and delays. As frequent travelers, we’ve had our fair share of encounters with lithium batteries, whether tucked into our laptops, cameras, or the ever-reliable portable chargers that keep us connected on the go. But what I’ve learned along the way is that the world doesn’t treat these batteries casually. They may be small, but they are viewed almost as if each one carries the potential to start a wildfire at 35,000 feet. And in truth, under the wrong conditions, they can.

The irony is not lost on me. Almost every modern device that makes travel easier or more enjoyable is powered by lithium-ion technology. Smartphones, tablets, drones, e-bikes, hearing aids—these aren’t fringe products. They’re mainstream, and yet, trying to ship or even fly with them can feel like walking into a maze of contradictory rules. Airlines, couriers, and customs offices each have their own take on how these batteries should be handled, and the rules often overlap, leaving consumers confused and frustrated.

For example, if you want to ship a product like a laptop or a camera to a different country, suddenly you’re not just sending “a package.” You’re dealing with hazmat regulations. Lithium batteries are classified as hazardous materials by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and couriers such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL adhere to strict guidelines for labeling, packaging, and documentation. Some won’t even touch a package if the batteries aren’t installed in the device. Others require special paperwork that the average individual has no idea how to complete.

We encountered this exact issue when we attempted to send Tom’s hearing aid charger. A simple concept, we thought. However, when our mailing service in Nevada carefully wrapped and labeled the charger as containing lithium batteries, they warned us that the package might be returned, as is the case 45% to 50% of the time. Their explanation was logical: these batteries can overheat, short-circuit, or even explode if damaged. But it was still baffling. If I could board a plane with one in my backpack, why couldn’t I send it across the world in a padded envelope?

The difference lies in control. Airlines and couriers have no way of ensuring what happens to a package once it enters the cargo system. It might be jostled, punctured, or stored improperly. Multiply that by thousands of shipments, and the risk compounds. For this reason, lithium batteries shipped separately are heavily restricted, while those inside a device are treated with slightly more leniency. Still, even then, weight limits apply. Anything over 100 watt-hours is flagged, and higher capacities, like those found in professional equipment, often require explicit airline approval.

The practical impact of all this is significant. Small businesses, trying to sell products internationally, face added expenses and complications. Hobbyists who build drones or e-bikes find themselves jumping through hoops to receive replacement parts. Even travelers like us, who in this case, need to mail an item such as the hearing aid charger, hit roadblocks. The end result? Many people either give up or look for workarounds, which sometimes means using unofficial channels that carry their own risks.

On a psychological level, it adds one more layer of stress to an already complex world of logistics. Shipping is rarely straightforward when you live on the move. When you add in the unpredictability of lithium-battery rules, it feels like yet another reminder of how fragile our modern conveniences are. These sleek, compact batteries make our lives infinitely easier, until we try to move them from one country to another.

Ultimately, the difficulty of shipping lithium batteries reflects the very thing that makes them so valuable. They pack an incredible amount of energy into a tiny space, and with that power comes responsibility. Regulators aren’t trying to make life difficult; they’re trying to prevent disasters. Still, for those of us who depend on these devices every day, the process can feel like overkill. As I’ve come to see it, traveling with technology is no longer just about keeping it charged — it’s about navigating a world that treats those little batteries with the seriousness of explosives.

When we were notified a few days ago that DHL immediately returned the package containing the hearing aid charger to the mailing service, we panicked. What can we do?

Immediately, we got to work and called Costco stores in Spain (the closest is a six-hour drive from here) to see if they’d ship the device locally. They wouldn’t. They required all hearing aid customers to come to the store for replacement parts. Nor would they confirm they had the device in stock, which presents another issue if they had to order it. We gave up on that idea.

(Of course, when the charger wasn’t working, the first thing we did was call the original Costco store where Tom purchased the hearing aid in 2024. They couldn’t do a thing other than provide us with a credit in their system for the cost of the device, since it was still under warranty. However, we ordered the charger from them to be sent to our mailing service, which is the item we’re trying to ship now. They would not send it to us internationally.)

Next, we called Philips customer service to see if they could send us the charger. No, they told us, we had to go to a Costco store since they are their certified distributor.

Carlos, the helpful young man we met the first day we arrived in Sant Marti, stopped by and called a few hearing aid stores in the area to no avail. None of them had the product in stock, nor did they carry the Philips brand, and they didn’t seem interested in ordering it.

At 6:00 pm last night, I called our mailing service in Nevada, Mailinkplus. I asked them to follow the online lithium battery guidelines directly from UPS to ensure the package could be delivered. Last night, I received a message from them, stating that they called UPS for instructions. UPS suggested they bring the package to them today, and they will secure and wrap it to ensure it won’t be rejected again. Then, it will be shipped directly from that location.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed that this works. I can’t imagine that they would reject it if they packed it. The package is expected to arrive next Tuesday, five days from now.

Why is this charger so important, especially right now? Tom can’t hear without it. Cruising wouldn’t be enjoyable for him, when it’s always about socialization for us, if he couldn’t communicate with other passengers, attend shows, embark on tours, and participate in different venues.

We’ll be holding our breath for the next five days while we await the delivery, hoping that Spanish Customs doesn’t delay it further. Oh dear.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 2, 2015:

The ferry, in Savusavu, Fiji, was awaiting passengers for its daily run to the main island of Viti Levu, which takes several hours. For more photos, please click here.

Is it safe to travel to Saudi Arabia?…What are restrictions travelers must observe?…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Saudi Arabia is located in various colors on this map.

When considering travel to countries that are vastly different from our own, questions of safety and restrictions naturally arise. Saudi Arabia is one of those places that many travelers are curious about, yet also hesitant to visit. In recent years, the country has made a noticeable push to attract more tourists. This effort, known as Vision 2030, is designed to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and showcase its rich cultural heritage, modern cities, and vast desert landscapes. But as travelers, we can’t simply look at glossy brochures or enticing Instagram photos. We need to weigh safety, cultural restrictions, and practical realities before deciding whether it’s a destination for us.

From a safety standpoint, Saudi Arabia is generally considered secure for tourists. The country has a strong police presence and strict laws that help maintain order. Major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam have the infrastructure to support visitors, and crimes against tourists are rare. Terrorism concerns that once dominated headlines have been significantly reduced in recent years, thanks to the government’s firm measures to protect both its citizens and visitors. Travelers often report feeling physically safe walking around, even at night, which is reassuring.

Yet, while violent crime is not usually a concern, the greater risks for travelers come from cultural misunderstandings and breaking laws—many of which are enforced with much greater severity than in Western countries. This is where restrictions come into play, and where we need to be well-informed before we step off the plane.

The most noticeable restrictions are tied to Saudi Arabia’s conservative interpretation of Islamic law. For instance, alcohol is strictly prohibited. There are no bars, no happy hours, and certainly no bringing your own wine tucked away in your suitcase. Attempting to do so could result in harsh penalties. For those of us who enjoy sundowners or a glass of wine with dinner, this is a significant adjustment. It’s a reminder that when we travel, we are guests in another culture, and respecting the rules is essential.

Dress codes also remain an important part of Saudi society, though they’ve eased in recent years. Women are no longer required to wear the abaya (the long black cloak) in public, nor is it mandatory to cover their hair. However, modest clothing is still expected—long skirts or pants, sleeves covering the arms, and high necklines. Men, too, should avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts in public settings. While visitors might not face fines for showing too much skin, they could attract unwanted attention or disapproval. Out of respect, it’s wise to err on the side of modesty.

Social behavior carries restrictions as well. Public displays of affection, such as kissing or hugging, are frowned upon and can result in reprimand or worse. Unmarried couples traveling together may still face scrutiny, though rules have relaxed in recent years, especially in tourist areas. Still, travelers should be mindful of how they present themselves in public spaces.

Then there are digital restrictions—something not everyone thinks about before traveling. Internet usage in Saudi Arabia is monitored, and some websites and apps may be blocked. Social media is widely used, but critical comments about the government or religion can carry severe consequences. It’s a reminder that freedom of expression, something many of us take for granted, does not carry over when we travel to the Kingdom.

On the positive side, Saudi Arabia is opening up in ways that would have been unimaginable a decade ago. Tourist visas are now available online, making access easier. Women can travel without a male guardian, a significant step toward independence for both Saudi women and female visitors. Large-scale events, such as music festivals, art exhibitions, and sports competitions, are being promoted to draw global interest. Travelers who approach the Saudi people with an open mind often find themselves pleasantly surprised by their hospitality, which is a testament to the country’s rich culture.

Health and safety precautions should also be taken into consideration. The desert climate is harsh, with extreme heat in the summer that can be dangerous without proper preparation. Travelers should drink plenty of water, dress appropriately for the heat, and limit exposure to the midday sun. Road safety is another concern, as driving standards can be erratic compared to what many of us are used to. For visitors, hiring a driver or using ride-hailing apps is often the best option.

So, is it safe to travel to Saudi Arabia? Yes, if you approach it with respect, awareness, and preparation. Physically, the risks are low, but culturally, the potential for missteps is high if you arrive uninformed. Unlike destinations where rules are looser and forgiving, Saudi Arabia requires mindfulness from the moment you land. For those willing to adapt, it can be an enriching experience. You can marvel at UNESCO World Heritage sites like Al-Ula, explore the cosmopolitan waterfront of Jeddah, or witness the blend of old and new in Riyadh. The rewards of travel there are unique precisely because the country has been closed to the outside world for so long.

Ultimately, traveling to Saudi Arabia may not be suitable for everyone. It requires a certain flexibility, a willingness to accept restrictions that may feel uncomfortable, and an understanding that we, as visitors, do not set the terms. But for those who embrace it, the trip can offer extraordinary insights into a part of the world that few outsiders truly know.

For us, as global wanderers, the decision to visit Saudi Arabia would depend on weighing our desire for cultural exploration against our comfort with restrictions. It is not about whether the country is safe in the traditional sense…it is. It’s about whether we are prepared to travel within the boundaries it sets, and to see safety not just as freedom from crime, but as the reassurance that rules are enforced to preserve order.

Would we consider visiting Saudi Arabia? If we were in the Middle East at any given time, we might consider it. However, making a special trip from a distant location would deter us.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 1, 2015:

This is actually a dine-in restaurant located in Savusavu, Fiji, in a strip mall, featuring two tiny tables for diners and minimal cooking space for the cook. For more photos, please click here.