Note: To all of our readers visiting our site via a smartphone, please click the “View web version” tab under the word “Home” at the bottom of the page to access the web version enabling you to access all of our archives on the right side of the page. We’ll be updating our site in a few months, making these extra steps unnecessary. Thank you.
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| White sand beaches on the island of Vanuatu in April 2017. See the post here. |
Today’s photos are from a 24-night cruise on this date in 2017, on Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas from Sydney to Seattle, while visiting the islands of Vanuatu and Isle of Pines, New Caledonia. See the post here.
Here we go! I know many of you are anxious to hear the results of yesterday’s poll as to whether or not they are interested in COVID-19 news on our daily posts. And the response was overwhelming.
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| These tropical island musicians and dancers greeted us in Noumea, New Caledonia. |
It could take months to respond to all the wonderful email messages I received in the past 24-hours. I will respond to the messages in which readers wrote a message included with their yes or no responses.
I will personally respond to several messages each day, but it could be quite a while until I get to you. Please know we are reading every message and taking your responses to heart.
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| She was writing in the sand. Sweet. |
Most readers wrote “yes” or “no,” and to the best of my ability, I ticked them off as they flooded my inbox, keeping fairly accurate records. But, it was in the first hundred responses that a pattern came to light.
As it turned out, 55% said no, 40% said yes, and about 5% said they wouldn’t mind one way or another. But, the consensus was apparent in the “no” responses.
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| The coral reef in the Isle of Pines was exquisite. |
Many mentioned they read our posts to escape from the constant news on TV, podcasts, and online. Thus, our site is a respite from the bombardment of COVID-19 news, which can be discouraging and disheartening.
We understand and respect your opinions and will continue to post as we have in the past. Thus, our response going forward will be like most of you requested; information about our current situation, whether during this period of the lockdown or once we’re on the move again, when we can continue with our world travels.
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| View toward our tender boats waiting at the pier to return us to the ship. |
Thank you to all who have responded. Having compiled a great sampling of our readers, responding to the yes or no inquiry is no longer necessary. However, please feel free to write, and I will respond as quickly as possible.
As primarily a travel site, of course, we’ll continue to post information on our (and your) ability to travel going forward. Many of our readers and friends have been communicating with us by email, sending data back and forth. We’ll continue with this communication.
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| Me, at the beach in the Isle of Pines. |
Thanks to many of you who’ve mentioned they don’t mind seeing our previously posted photos again. As you are all aware, new photos are not an option at this point.
Some readers were concerned we would start getting “political” here. We will not. Although a few of our comments may have led some to believe we’re espousing a particular political viewpoint. That is not our intention. In the future, we will make a more concerted effort to keep such inferences in check.
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| Tom on the beach in Isle of Pines, New Caledonia. |
As for what’s happening today… Like most of you, not much! Our daily lives are relatively repetitious, aside from our communication with all of you and family and friends.
We spend part of each day researching future travel plans and discovering when airports will be re-opening, enabling us to leave India. With little hope for South Africa allowing incoming international flights over the next several months, we’re trying to find other countries that will be opening their borders once the airport re-opens in Mumbai. So far, no luck.
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| The pier where we waited to reboard the tenders to return to the ship. |
If we can find an appropriate country that will allow us to enter, which is a reasonable distance to Africa, we’ll wait it out there. Perhaps, a tropical island? Looking at today’s photos made us think how nice it might be for some sun and sand!
Keep the faith!
Photo from one year ago today, April 27, 2019:
There was no post one year ago today due to a power outage lasting throughout the day.