Twenty days…Leaving Boveglio…Future travel plans…

The archway in our yard that ventures out to the winding, hilly roads, kept locked for privacy.   these small villages in Tuscany it is difficult to determine where a house and yard begins and ends with most houses “stuck together.”

It’s hard to believe in less than three weeks we’ll be leaving Boveglio to drive to Venice to fly to Kenya the next day, the 3rd. 

We’re reminded that fall is near, by the pumpkins and gourds in our yard.

It will be the beginning of almost a year of living in Africa, ending with two and a half months in Madeira, Portugal, an island located off the northwestern coast of Africa.

A pepper plant growing in the lower garden. These are most likely too hot for our taste buds.
With an open space in time from August 1, 2014, until November 30, 2014, Tom has been busy searching as to how we’ll fill this gap in our travels. At this point, the biggest challenge we have in booking this gap period is the result of a few crucial factors:

1.  What are the most enjoyable and sensible means of us traveling back across the Atlantic Ocean toward Hawaii when we’ll be getting together with our adult kids and grandchildren at our upcoming rental house in Kona, Hawaii at Christmas time in 2014?
2.  With the added expense of airfare for 13 family members, how can we spend this period most economically to perhaps offset a portion of the cost?
3.  Do we want to stay in Europe until December 1st when our rental begins in Hawaii, as we end the upcoming one year stint from Portugal?
4.  Are there cruises available to use as a means of travel, which we prefer?

The doorway and patio of a house below us where we heard cheerful Italian chatter last night.

Tom has been spending considerable time at Vacations to Go and Cruise Critic in an effort to determine our best options. Once we pin down possible cruises, we’ll contact our representative, Joaquin at Vacations to Go to book our chosen cruises. 

How dry and brown the yard is becoming with a lack of regular rain.

The further we continue into our world travels, we’ve determined that we love cruising for several reasons:
1.  Cost-effective in many cases with housing and meals included.
2.  No enforced luggage restrictions.
3.  Ease of living:  no cooking, no cleaning, no laundry (although it does pile up)
4.  Meeting new people almost every day while meandering on the ship and during meals.
5.  Date night every night with the option of ordering included room service. (After eight cruises, we’ve yet to order room service).
6.  Opportunity to visit many countries in a short period of time with the numerous scheduled ports of call.
7.  Movies on board. 
8.  Exercise facilities on board.
9.  Often interesting classes on board.
10. Chefs on cruise ships make every effort to accommodate my restrictive diet. Although boring and bland at times, it’s much easier than trying to communicate my restrictions in a new restaurant with possible language barriers.

The herb garden in the yard, separate from our patio garden.

After extensive research these past days, we’ve finally come to the conclusion that we’ll wait until the 90-day ticker begins (until sail date) with discounted cruise fares for 2014. In reviewing the ticker for cruises in the next 90 days we’ve seen how beneficial it is to wait with discounts as high as 82%. 

Impatiens growing in an old wooden barrel in the yard.

Yes, by waiting we run the risk of a particular cruise being sold out. Willing to take this risk, we accept the reality that if our means of transportation by cruise is sold out, we can always fly to our next preferred location.  In a rare position for this flexibility, it makes sense for us to proceed in this manner.

A cozy corner of one of the covered garden areas.

With most of our first two and a half years traveling well planned in advance, we now feel experienced and confident enough, after almost a year to attempt last-minute planning. Doing so opens the opportunity for us to experience cruises normally priced beyond our budget, at suddenly lower pricing.

The morning sun filtered through the covered garden.

As we’ve mentioned in the past, Vacations to Go has a policy whereby they will honor price reductions on cruises up to 90 days before sailing. If one watches the pricing on their pre-booked cruises, one can request the reduction which becomes effective immediately which will be guaranteed through sailing. However, neither the cruise lines nor Vacations to Go will watch this for a customer.  One must do this on their own.

Few roses remain as summer winds down.  Often, I wanted to make a bouquet for the kitchen table, deciding against it, knowing it would attract bees indoors.

Learning the nuances of enhancing the quality of our travels is an ongoing process. Many have asked us why we booked so much in advance for the first two and a half years. The answer is simple. 

Last year, we left Minnesota to begin our travels on Halloween.  It seems so long ago.

As neophytes, if we weren’t able to find and book the next desired leg in our travels, we may have become frustrated questioning why we ever took this enormous life-changing challenge.  With bookings planned and deposits paid, we were committed which proved to bring us comfort, excitement, and peace of mind as we learned the ropes.

These variegated green and white leaves are vinca vine, always a favorite of mine when planted to hang over a rock wall.


This planted shoe could easily have been in this yard for over 100 years.

Now, it is becoming clear to us that we can patiently wait.  Unless, of course, some amazing opportunity presents itself that we cannot turn down. 

After all, the world is a big place.

A sad event impacts our future travels…Changing plans…Changing lives…

It’s Sunday morning at 11:00. We’re going out to dinner on Tuesday with Alan and Fiona for her birthday. I just spent two hours in the kitchen making Tom’s favorite low-carb, grain-free pizza, which we’ll bake at dinnertime, and a three-night portion of sauteed chicken breast tenders with mushrooms, onions, and garlic for me. We’ll enjoy these main dishes Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday. I won’t have to cook for days. I don’t eat the pizza when it’s too fattening for me since I dropped a few more kilos.

But, of course, you don’t care to read about my morning in the kitchen, do you? What is happening with no post yesterday and some arbitrary change in plans?

On Friday afternoon, Minnesota-time, our dear brother-in-law, Gene, husband of Tom’s sister Colleen, sadly passed away after a long and challenging illness exacerbated by a brain injury that occurred years ago when he fell on ice and snow in Minnesota. We often hear of injuries seniors suffer from falling in the long winter months in Minnesota, which is certainly one reason we don’t want to visit Minnesota in the winter, especially with my unstable legs.

Multiple species in the garden.

When Colleen wrote to tell Tom the sad news, it was 11:30 pm here, and I was sound asleep. He didn’t want to awaken me, knowing this information could keep me awake all night, wondering what we’d do when we leave here on October 21st, less than three weeks away.

As it turned out, I awoke at 4:00 am, unable to go back to sleep, almost anticipating something had happened. At 5:30, Tom asked me if I was awake and told me the news. We were sad to hear about this, but it also significantly impacted our upcoming plans.

Colleen is Tom’s sister, whose home we planned to stay in for three months in Apache Junction, Arizona. With Gene’s passing, Colleen wanted to get out of Minnesota for the winter and spend time with her sisters in warm, sunny Arizona.

I ran out onto the road to take this giraffe photo.

She hadn’t been able to go to her home in Apache Junction due to Covid-19 and Gene’s poor health since 2019, when we were last there with them before we took off for India in January 2020. We could not prevent her from going to her property by staying in it for three months during the winter.

Lying there in bed at 5:30 am, discussing this, we considered a few options. We could rent a holiday home somewhere in the US. But, before deciding on Arizona, we’d extensively searched for holiday homes in the US states with warm winters. Since the onset of Covid-19 and losses incurred by holiday homeowners, prices for long-term rentals have gone through the roof.

In suitable locations, even without being overly picky, any properties we may have considered were three times the cost of our rent here in South Africa. Of course, after India, we’re not willing to stay long-term in a hotel. The handwriting was on the wall. We needed to stay in Marloth Park and fly to a non-bordering country in Africa to get our visas stamped.

At a decent hour, I contacted Louise, who we know is an early bird, to see when we could stop by to discuss our possible living arrangements if we did decide to stay another three months. We met up with her at 10:00 am.

When I walked back up the driveway toward the house, Tom distracted Broken Horn with pellets to ensure my safety. This vast animal could be startled and gore an unsuspecting human.

An important fact remained in our minds. Recently, we booked several cruises, a few of which are expensive compared to our average day-to-day expenses. We figured if we could live inexpensively for several months, we could stay within our budget for the year with the costs of these cruises.

But, if we had to pay enormous rent over the following months, we may have to reconsider what we’ve booked. Let’s face it. We’re not getting any younger. I am approaching 74, and Tom will be 69 sooner than later. When we return to South Africa by a cruise in December  2022, we will celebrate Tom’s 70th and, two months later, my 75th birthday during those first three months we are here.

We’ve decided to budget to the best of our ability to ensure we can visit new places we’ve longed to see throughout the world for whatever time we have left that we can do so. Traveling like this isn’t easy. It requires a lot of careful planning and physical energy on travel days and a lot of work necessary to pack and move all the time. Many seniors would find this simply too exhausting and too much work, which we understand. But for now, we still have the stamina to do it. For us, it’s not a chore. It’s an adventure every single time.

Lots of kudus this morning, including Bad Eye, whose torn eyelid looks much better.

It appears we can move our original flight to Arizona without penalty from Delta Airlines due to Covid-19 changes, and thus, we won’t incur any losses by changing our flights. Louise can let us stay in this same house until January 23, 2022, when we’ll leave for Florida, where we’ll stay with friends Karen and Rich before and after their February wedding.

We booked round-trip direct flights to Zambia on October 21st and returned on October 26th for our visa stamps. Louise is helping us book some events in Zambia, which we won’t wrap up for a few days when the tourist offices reopen on Monday.

We called Colleen, offering her our heartfelt sympathies, and told her she could now go to Arizona for the winter since we’ve made other plans and won’t tie up her one-bedroom property. She was so sweet and more than willing to let us stay. But we knew her going there would suit her during this grief and sorrow.

We’ll report with definitive plans for Zambia to stay in the next few days, one of the few countries we can fly to on a direct flight from Nelspruit. There was no way we were interested in booking an expensive trip with long flights going through Johannesburg. Nelspruit is a 75-minute drive from here, and the flight is less than two hours to Livingstone.

We’re good. We were not worried. Not stressed. It was the right thing to do.

Happy day!

Photo from one year ago today, October 3, 2020:

One year ago, this photo was posted in lockdown in a hotel in Mumbai, India, on day #194. In Bali, a dragonfly fluttered around the two koi ponds by either side of the front entryway. Much to my delight, it returned almost every day to the exact location. For more, please click here.

We understand that many seniors would find this simply too exhausting and too much work

, physical energy on travel days, and a lot of work necessary to pack and move

We’re not willing to stay long-term in a hotel after India

Changes of our future plans…Covid-19 rules the travel industry…

A helmeted guinea-fowl and her chick, looking for pellets at the edge of the veranda.

This morning we received email notifications from Celebrity Cruise Lines that two booked cruises in and around Japan in 2022 have been canceled. The first sailing and the third of these three cruises we’d booked in this area will be canceled shortly. Now, we are down to five booked cruises instead of eight, all due to Covid-19.

We had planned to fly from Florida to Singapore a few weeks after our friends Karen and Rich’s wedding on February 11th. With all three of these cruises canceled, we’ll need to find where we’ll go when we leave Florida. Tom is currently researching our options., considering other potential cruises to fill the gap.

A giraffe was taking a rest.

Here again, Covid-19 is the determining factor on where we’ll go and what we’ll do. With the Schengen visa, we can only stay in most European countries for 90 out of 180 days. Also, we’ve already spent a lot of time in Europe in our past travels. Our current interests don’t necessarily lead us in that direction.

For now, our inclination is to travel by sea as much as possible, so that is the path we are researching at this point. But, due to Covid-19, many countries have instituted many restrictions impacting ports of call during cruises. There’s no doubt in our mind that the Japan cruises were canceled due to fears of infection in and around a country of such a vast population.

A male duiker, photo taken during the summer when the vegetation was lush and green.

Are we worried if continuing our world travels makes sense at this time? Not, However, we must consider the risks each country presents whenever and wherever we travel, including our upcoming trip to the US, which has the worst Covid-19 statistics of any country in the world.

As of yesterday, here are the stats for the US from this site:

Total Cases: 42,479,780

New cases: 164,509

Total Deaths: 685,023

New Deaths: 2282

A dung beetle pushing his ball of dung on his search for a mate to join him.

Statistics show that 54.7% of Americans are fully vaccinated, the highest globally. Yet, they have the newest cases and deaths of any country globally, based on information from this site.

You may ask, why are we going back to the US right now? For several reasons. But our biggest motivator is attending our friend’s small wedding in February. Since we were going back for that, we decided to spend more time with Tom’s siblings in Arizona and meet up with my sister Julie who lives in Los Angeles, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

A few months ago, a mom and baby bushbuck was still some green vegetation in the bush.

During this US visit, we won’t be visiting Minnesota. It will be winter there, and neither of us cares to tackle the cold, the ice, and the snow. Once we know more about upcoming cruises, we’ll plan another time to be in Minnesota and Nevada to visit mine and Tom’s family, which surely will be during fall, spring or summer.

For now, we continue to consider where in the world we long to visit and how and when it will be possible based on current travel restrictions due to the pandemic. We’ll have plenty of time while in Arizona to work on this further.

Enjoy the day!

Photo from one year ago today, September 16, 2020:

This photo is from the year-ago post while in lockdown in a hotel in Mumbai, India, on day # 177. Sunset view from the third floor of Hans’ house (owner of the house we rented next door) in Diani Beach, Kenya, in 2013. We were thrilled to take photos of the progression of the sun’s setting on the horizon. For more photos, please click here.

Booking using a travel agent/agency as opposed to booking travel yourself…

This was Birdie, a red Cardinal, a popular bird with whom I developed a special connection. Within days of “meeting him,” we became fast friends, and he visited several times a day, singing a special song for freshly chopped nuts. Later on, his mate joined him. He was a precious treat during our four months on the island.

Often, we are asked if we use travel agents/agencies for any of our travel. The answer for us is simple…if it’s a cruise, we use Vacations-to-Go or Costco Travel. On a rare occasion, we may book a cruise directly through the cruise line when there is a perk-related benefit. We check multiple sources for pricing before committing.

We use Expedia or Hotels.com for hotels, which can be found on our site. We use our Expedia link or Costco Travel for car rentals, whichever offers a better price. For rental cars, we usually get the best pricing using Expedia. (We suggest you carefully review the base prices for any travel, plus any port charges, taxes, tips, and other fees).

(Please use the links on our site for Expedia, Hotels.com, and VRBO for vacation rentals. These are all located on the right side of our homepage on your laptop or computer and at the bottom of the page on your phone. We receive a tiny commission to offset some of the expenses of managing our site, and we appreciate your patronage. You do not pay more to use our links. They are the exact pricing you’d receive on your own. Thank you to our many readers who’ve been using our links for years).

Thus, whether or not to use an agent/agency is entirely up to you. However, at Costco, we get “shop cards” when booking cruises through them and rewards for using Costco’s Citibank Card. Plus, we receive monetary rewards from shopping at Costco since we have an Executive account (check with Costo for details here). A credit card through Citibank is not required, but the Costco membership is required to book travel through Costo Travel.

However, there are still over 500,000 travel agencies worldwide, which we expect will eventually be replaced only by online services/agents. In the interim, many seniors or others who are not adept at booking travel online use travel agencies, and if you fall into that category, we suggest you find a good agent you can use by phone, email, or text.

Booking travel through an agent versus doing it yourself comes with its own set of pros and cons. The best approach often depends on your priorities, experience, and the type of trip you’re planning.

Using a Travel Agent

Pros:

  1. Expertise and Connections: Agents often have insider knowledge and industry connections that can unlock perks like upgrades, exclusive deals, or access to fully booked destinations.
  2. Time-Saving: Planning a trip, especially a complex one, can be time-consuming. A travel agent takes on the research and logistics for you.
  3. Tailored Advice: Good agents take the time to understand your preferences, budget, and travel style, curating options you might not think of on your own.
  4. Support During Emergencies: Agents can quickly troubleshoot and adjust your
  5. plans if something goes wrong, such as missed flights, cancellations, or natural disasters.
  6. Special Packages: They may offer bundled deals for flights, hotels, and tours that can save money or simplify planning.

Cons:

  1. Less Control: You’re relying on someone else to make decisions that might not perfectly align with your preferences.
  2. Service Fees: Some agents charge fees for their services, which can add to your overall cost.
  3. Availability: Not all agents are equally knowledgeable or responsive, so finding a good one might take effort.

Booking Travel Yourself

Pros:

  1. Complete Control: You decide everything, from the itinerary to the exact seat on the plane.
  2. Cost Transparency: You can directly compare prices and choose the most budget-friendly options.
  3. Flexibility: When you’re in charge, making changes or experimenting with different routes is easier.
  4. Tools and Reviews: Platforms like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Airbnb offer user reviews and tools to fine-tune your planning.
  5. Learning Experience: Researching and booking independently helps you learn about your destination and makes you a more resourceful traveler.

Cons:

  1. Time-Consuming: Searching for the best deals and figuring out logistics can take hours, even days.
  2. Risk of Overlooking Details: You might overlook essential factors such as visa requirements, transit times, or cancellation policies.
  3. No Backup: If something goes wrong, you’re on your own to navigate the fixes.
  4. Overwhelm: The sheer volume of options can make decision-making stressful.

When to Use a Travel Agent

  • Planning a honeymoon, luxury getaway, or a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
  • Traveling to a remote or less-known destination.
  • Booking group travel or multi-stop itineraries.
  • If you value personalized service and peace of mind.

When to Book Yourself

  • Taking simple trips (e.g., one flight and one hotel).
  • Traveling on a tight budget and you’re comfortable researching.
  • If you enjoy the process of planning and learning.
  • For last-minute or highly flexible travel.

We hope you find this information useful as more and more services roll into the digital/AI age and fewer and fewer face-to-face interactions for various services are implemented.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, January 10, 2015:

A single cactus-type plant against the backdrop of the roaring sea in Kauai, Hawaii. For more photos, please click here.

We’re back!…Planning future international travels!!!…Looks like a new itinerary for us is upcoming soon…

A manmade pond on the golf course in Maui created a pretty scene.

We’ve got the bug! As much as we wanted to wait to start making new plans, Tom spent considerable time yesterday checking out cruises for 2025. When new sailings are posted, they are often at their lowest prices for some time, which has proven to be a good time for us to begin booking cruises far out.

The disadvantage is that the cruise line will have deposit(s) for so long. If something goes wrong, passengers can get the deposit back if they booked a “refundable” fare, which we don’t prefer due to the increased cost.. Before COVID-19, depending on the cruise line, passengers had 60 to 90 days before departure to cancel. But everything changed since the pandemic. It’s essential to check on cancellation policies for each cruise.

Of course, if the cruise line cancels at any point, which happened to us for eight cruises booked for 2020-2022 due to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the entire deposit and/or total payments were refunded to the original credit card we used for the bookings.

Once the final payment is made, each cruise line has its refund schedule for customer-generated cancellations, depending on how close to the sailing date the cancellation has been made. There are no exceptions for illness, only for a death confirmed by a certified death certificate.

Right now, we are considering four cruises for 2025/2026. The deposits for each cruise are either $450 or $500 per passenger and non-refundable. Thus, the total deposits will be $4000 if we book these four cruises. In an earlier post, after sailing on Azamara, we made a statement in a few posts that for future cruises, we’d most likely book Azamara’s smaller ships with about 600 passengers.

However, as time has marched on and prices have changed due to losses incurred by the cruise lines during the pandemic, it makes more sense for us if we book all four cruises on Royal Caribbean. Yes, their ships are more significant, with more passengers, but we always had fun on those ships, regardless of the size.

We will report back with the information on these cruises, which we may book with Costco Travel over the weekend. It is exciting to be at this point after all this time.

Otherwise, we’re doing well. Three weeks from today, we leave for Nevada, but we won’t begin packing until a few days before we depart. Since we’re driving an SUV, we have no concerns over the weight of our bags. That will only become an issue when we leave for South Africa on March 1. Wow! Having this extended break from international travel certainly makes planning future trips exciting.

As for my workout schedule, I am up to 18 minutes on the treadmill and have recently added elevation to make climbing hills easier. Walking around the Village at Lake Las Vegas, there are numerous hills, which I struggled with a year ago when we were there. Hopefully, I’ll experience enough progress in the next three weeks to improve over last year’s hill walking struggles. We shall see.

If we book these four cruises, we’ll share pricing, itinerary, and details in posts over the next few days. Hmmm… it looks like an itinerary posting is coming soon now that we’ve started to accumulate enough international travel.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 23, 2014:

It was a lovely drive into the Kahili Golf Course in Maui. For more photos, please click here.

Part 1…Solo travel…

A classic car hanging from the ceiling at the former Hard Rock Cafe in Lahaina, Maui since destroyed by the horrific fires in August 2023.

After all these years of posts, we have yet to write about solo travel. As more readers write about the sad loss of a spouse or interest in traveling the world as a “solo traveler,” we felt it was time to raise this as a topic for our site.

While cruising, we’ve often met many solo travelers who enjoy participating in various activities geared toward singles. On occasion, these single events result in meeting another passenger, whether the same sex or not, which results in spending the remainder of the cruise together either as a couple or friends.

Some of these relationships last beyond the duration of the cruise. In contrast, others fade away due to distance from their respective homes and the cost and inconvenience of getting together in the future. Whether or not the passengers connect in pairs or groups of three or more, the experience can leave a pleasant memory of a special time.

Many times, we’d dine with small groups of passengers who’d met at singles events, and they seemed to know one another forever, let alone for a few days. How quickly they learned about one another and developed a commonality of traveling solo with the sense of bravery of venturing out on their own, especially after a period that may have been filled with grief and sorrow after losing a mate.

Many singles didn’t lose a spouse or recently ended a relationship and may have been single for a long time. Some passengers cruise hoping to ” meet someone” more easily than through singles apps, which are constantly becoming more complex and dangerous in some cases.

Today, we’re sharing information about traveling solo and, if you do so, what that can mean for you. We’ll share additional costs and precautions to exercise as solo travelers tomorrow.

The Joy of Solo Worldwide Travel

Embarking on a solo journey worldwide is an act of courage, curiosity, and self-discovery. It’s a leap into the unknown, where the only constant is yourself and your will to embrace what lies ahead. For anyone considering it, the joy of solo travel isn’t just in the places you’ll go—it’s in the person you’ll become.

Freedom to Choose

Solo travel offers unparalleled freedom. You wake up daily with the world at your feet, deciding where to go, what to do, and how long to stay. There are no compromises or negotiations. Want to hike a mountain at sunrise? Go for it. Do you prefer to linger in a café, watching the world pass by? The choice is yours. This freedom allows you to tune into your desires, learning what truly brings you joy without the influence of others.

Connection in Unexpected Places

When you’re on your own, the world can open up. Strangers become friends over shared meals, random conversations, or chance encounters on a train. Without the buffer of a companion, you’re more approachable, open, and likely to connect with locals and fellow travelers. These connections often lead to memorable moments—a guided tour of a hidden gem, an invitation to a family dinner, or simply a story that sticks with you forever.

Learning to Trust Yourself

Traveling solo forces you to rely on your instincts and problem-solving skills. Navigating foreign cities, tackling language barriers, and dealing with unexpected hiccups build a sense of resilience. You learn to trust yourself in ways that extend far beyond the trip. There’s a deep satisfaction in figuring things out independently, proving you’re capable, adaptable, and resourceful.

A Front-Row Seat to Self-Discovery

Solo travel strips away distractions, allowing you to delve deep into who you are. It’s not just about discovering new countries; it’s about finding yourself. Without the familiar framework of your everyday life, you see your strengths and vulnerabilities with newfound clarity. You have time to think, reflect, and grow in ways that the comfort of routine rarely allows.

Embracing the Unknown

Traveling alone makes you more comfortable with uncertainty. Plans change, flights get delayed, and sometimes, you take a wrong turn. But in these moments of unpredictability, you find hidden treasures—a breathtaking view you hadn’t planned for, a quirky little shop, or a festival you didn’t know existed. The joy of solo travel lies in the unexpected, teaching you that not knowing is part of the adventure.

Cultivating Gratitude

Every moment, from sipping a hot chai in a bustling market in India to watching the aurora borealis dance across the Arctic sky, feels more vivid when you’re alone. Without distractions, you can immerse yourself fully in the present. These moments of awe remind you how vast and beautiful the world is and how lucky you are to experience it.

Challenges as Opportunities

Solo travel isn’t always easy. There will be times when you feel lonely or unsure. But these challenges are opportunities in disguise. They teach you resilience, resourcefulness, and how to find joy in your own company. The pride in overcoming obstacles is one of the most rewarding aspects of the journey.

Writing Your Own Story

When you travel alone, you become the author of your story. Every decision, every path taken, is entirely yours. This empowerment is transformative. You return not just with photos and souvenirs but with a sense of ownership over your life, knowing that you can shape it however you choose.

Solo worldwide travel isn’t just about seeing the world; it’s about experiencing it profoundly and authentically, with no one else’s preferences or judgments clouding the view. It’s about savoring the richness of life, embracing your individuality, and discovering the boundless joy of standing on your own two feet in a world full of wonder.

So pack your bags, take a deep breath, and enter the unknown. The joy of solo travel awaits.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 18, 2014:

Tom got a kick from this old Ford “Woody” displayed at the Maui Tropical Plantation. For more photos, please click here..

Beware entry fees to various countries…Research before traveling….Here’s a list…

We posted this photo ten years ago today and perhaps a time or two since then. But whenever I reencounter it, I feel compelled to post it again. My father, George, was a fine man. He’ll remain in our hearts forever. For the tragic story of his loss, please click here.

Here’s an interesting article from Travel and Leisure Magazine with important information for world travelers from this site:

“Here’s When the UK Will Implement Its Entry Fee for U.S. Travelers

The electronic travel authorization (ETA) fee will be implemented next year. By  Alison Fox

Next year, travelers heading to the United Kingdom will have to pay a fee to enter as the country prepares to implement its long-anticipated electronic travel authorization (ETA) fee.

According to the UK government, the ETA will go into effect for visitors from most countries, including the United States, on Jan. 8, 2025. Eligible non-European travelers can apply for the authorization starting Nov. 27. Once secured, the ETA will be digitally linked to a traveler’s passport. The authorization will cost £10 ($13.05) and be valid for multiple trips over two years (or until the traveler’s passport expires) for stays of up to 6 months at a time.

“The worldwide expansion of the ETA demonstrates our commitment to enhancing security through new technology and embedding a modern immigration system,” Seema Malhotra, the UK’s minister for migration and citizenship, said in a statement.

The UK introduced the ETA last year, rolling out the new system for visitors from several Gulf countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Travelers from those countries can apply using the UK ETA app or online. Each traveler must have their own ETA, including children of any age. Applicants should typically expect a response within at least three business days.

In addition to the U.S., the UK will expand the ETA to dozens of other countries and territories on Jan. 8, including Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, and more. Then, on April 2, 2025, the ETA will be extended to travelers from other European countries. The decision to roll out an online ETA is part of the U.K.’s effort to fully digitize its borders by 2025.

Beyond the UK, Europe plans to implement a similar pre-authorization system next year called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The travel authorization fee is expected to go into effect before mid-2025. It will cost €7 ($7.71) and require travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the U.S., to enter 30 different European countries.

Several countries require travelers to pay a fee or obtain a visa before entering. These fees may include visas, tourist cards, entry taxes, or environmental fees. Here’s a breakdown of some common examples:

1. United States (ESTA/EVUS)

  • Citizens from certain countries under the Visa Waiver Program must pay a fee for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
  • Chinese nationals are required to enroll in the EVUS (Electronic Visa Update System), which also carries a fee.

2. Australia (ETA)

  • Travelers from many countries must obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or eVisitor visa, which involves a processing fee.

3. Mexico (Tourist Card – FMM)

  • Mexico requires tourists to fill out a Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) and pay a fee unless visiting border regions for a limited time.

4. New Zealand (NZeTA)

  • Some visitors must apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) and pay an associated fee, along with an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).

5. Bhutan (Daily Tourist Fee)

  • Bhutan has a unique policy of requiring travelers to pay a daily fee, which includes accommodation, meals, and a guide. The fee supports sustainable tourism.

6. Argentina (Reciprocity Fee)

  • Argentina used to charge a reciprocity fee for citizens of certain countries (like the U.S.), though this has been suspended or eliminated for some nationalities.

7. Chile (Reciprocity Fee)

  • Depending on their nationality, some travelers must pay a reciprocity fee before entering Chile.

8. Turkey (eVisa)

  • Many tourists must apply for an eVisa and pay the associated fee before traveling to Turkey.

9. Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam (Visa on Arrival)

  • These countries offer a visa on arrival, but travelers must pay a fee at the border or airport.

10. Indonesia (Bali) (Visa on Arrival)

  • Indonesia, specifically Bali, requires a visa-on-arrival fee for many nationalities.

11. The Maldives (Green Tax)

  • The Maldives charges a Green Tax to tourists, usually included in accommodation costs.

12. Thailand (Tourism Fee)

  • Thailand plans to implement a tourism fee for travelers in the future, which would cover insurance and contribute to tourism development.

13. Madagascar (Visa Fee)

  • Visitors to Madagascar must obtain a visa on arrival, which includes a fee.

14. Sri Lanka (ETA)

  • Sri Lanka requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which is charged, even for short-term visits.

15. Jordan (Jordan Pass)

  • Travelers can buy a Jordan Pass, which covers the visa fee and entry to major tourist sites, making it a good deal for longer stays.

These fees and requirements are constantly changing, so it’s always wise to check the latest regulations from the embassy or consulate of your destination before traveling. Many of these fees are meant to support tourism infrastructure and environmental protection or are reciprocal arrangements based on the travel policies of other countries.

This list is changing rapidly. It is imperative to check the requirements of each country you plan to visit well in advance since some visas may take weeks to obtain once the application process begins.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 17, 2014:

While in Boston ten years ago, we visited the cemetery where many of my family members were buried. Here is a photo of the family; my father is on the left, his brother Red and sister Ida, and their mother, my dear grandmother Ethyl. Uncle Bernie was yet to be born. For more photos, please click here.

How does the grave attempt to assassinate a political candidate impact worldwide travel?..

A beautiful red rose was in the holiday home’s garden in Madeira, Portugal, in 2014.

The following travel information was gathered from various travel news sources regarding the attempted assassination of Donald Trump:

“An assassination attempt on a high-profile figure like Donald Trump could exacerbate geopolitical tensions, particularly if the assailant’s motives or affiliations have international ramifications. Countries with strained relations with the United States might face increased scrutiny or diplomatic repercussions.

Travel advisories could be issued or updated, warning citizens about potential risks in certain regions. This could affect travel plans, with some travelers opting to cancel or postpone trips to areas perceived as unstable or dangerous.

The travel and tourism industry, already sensitive to political and security developments, would likely feel the economic impact of such an incident. Heightened security measures and geopolitical tensions could lead to declining international travel, as leisure and business travelers might become more cautious.

Airlines, hotels, and other businesses in the travel sector could experience a revenue downturn. The ripple effect might also be felt in related industries, such as hospitality, retail, and entertainment, particularly in major travel hubs.

Public perception plays a crucial role in shaping travel behavior. An assassination attempt on Donald Trump or any other political candidate could lead to heightened fears about personal safety, influencing people’s willingness to travel. Some individuals might avoid international travel altogether, while others might be more selective about their destinations.

Social media and news outlets would likely play a significant role in shaping these perceptions. Extensive coverage of the incident could amplify fears and contribute to a climate of uncertainty and caution among potential travelers.

The incident could prompt governments worldwide to review and revise their travel policies. Visa regulations, entry requirements, and bilateral agreements could be scrutinized, leading to international travel changes.

Countries might also increase cooperation on security matters, sharing intelligence and collaborating on measures to prevent similar incidents. This heightened level of collaboration could enhance overall travel security and lead to more bureaucratic hurdles for travelers.

High-profile individuals, including political figures, celebrities, and business leaders, might face increased security concerns and restrictions on their travel. This could affect international conferences, summits, and other events that rely on the presence of such figures.

Organizers of these events might need to implement more robust security measures, potentially increasing costs and logistical complexities. The absence of critical participants could also impact the success and outcomes of international gatherings.

In the long term, the attempted assassination of any political candidate could lead to a reevaluation of global travel security standards. New technologies and methods for ensuring traveler safety might be developed and implemented, potentially reshaping the landscape of international travel.

Governments and international organizations might also work towards creating more comprehensive frameworks for addressing and preventing political violence, which could contribute to a more stable and secure travel environment.

The attempted assassination of a former U.S. president like Donald Trump or any political candidate would undoubtedly have a profound impact on world travel. The immediate tightening of security measures, potential geopolitical tensions, economic repercussions, public perception changes, and travel policy revisions would all contribute to a more complex and challenging travel landscape.

While the primary goal of these measures would be to enhance safety and prevent future incidents, they would also require travelers, governments, and businesses to adapt to a new reality. In navigating this environment, the global community must balance security concerns with maintaining the openness and connectivity essential to international travel and cooperation.”

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 14, 2014:

The expat or the world traveler route?…Which is better for you and why?…

The red dot on this map indicates where the island of Madeira is located.

“There is a difference between being an expat and traveling slowly to see the world. Each path offers unique experiences and challenges. An expat’s life revolves around settling in one place and becoming part of the local community. On the other hand, slow travel is about taking time to explore each destination deeply.”

In an increasingly interconnected world, the concepts of “expat” and “world traveler” have become more prevalent, reflecting different ways people choose to live and explore. While both groups share a love for experiencing new cultures and environments, their lifestyles, motivations, and experiences differ significantly. Understanding these differences can help clarify the nuances of these two distinct paths.

Definitions and Basic Differences

Expat is short for expatriate, a term used to describe individuals who live outside their native country for an extended period, often for work or personal reasons. Expats typically settle in one country for months or years, integrating into the local community to varying degrees. Their stay is usually characterized by a semi-permanent or permanent relocation, influenced by employment, family, or retirement plans.

On the other hand, a world traveler moves from one place to another, often for shorter durations, driven by a desire to explore, experience, and enjoy diverse cultures and environments. World travelers may stay in one location for days, weeks, or months before moving on to the next destination. Their journey is often continuous, with no fixed home base, emphasizing exploration over settlement.

Motivation and Purpose

Expats often relocate due to job assignments, career advancement opportunities, or company transfers. They might also move for personal reasons, such as joining a spouse or family member, seeking better living conditions, or pursuing retirement in a more favorable environment. Their primary motivation is usually practical and long-term, focusing on stability and integration into the new country.

In contrast, world travelers are driven by curiosity, adventure, and a passion for discovering new places. Their motivation is more about experiencing diversity, learning about different cultures, and seeking personal growth through travel. The purpose of their journey is exploration and enjoyment rather than settling down or establishing roots.

Lifestyle and Daily Routine

Expats often lead lives similar to those they had in their home countries, though adapted to their new environment. They might rent or buy homes, enroll their children in local or international schools, and establish work, social activities, and community involvement routines. Over time, they may develop a deep understanding of and connection to their host country’s culture, language, and traditions.

For world travelers, the lifestyle is more transient and flexible. Depending on their preferences and budget, they might stay in hotels, hostels, short-term rentals, or even camp out. Their daily routine is less structured, often dictated by travel plans, sightseeing, and spontaneous adventures. They are constantly on the move, with no fixed abode, leading to a more fluid and unpredictable way of life.

Integration and Interaction with Local Culture

Expats have the opportunity to immerse themselves deeply in the local culture. Over time, they may learn the language, understand societal norms, and build lasting relationships with locals. They often become part of the community, participating in local events and contributing to their host country’s social and economic fabric.

While they may make meaningful connections and gain cultural insights during their short stays, world travelers generally do not have the same depth of integration. Their interactions with local cultures are more superficial and fleeting, often limited to tourist attractions, short-term acquaintances, and surface-level experiences. However, their exposure to various cultures can lead to a broad, albeit less deep, understanding of the world.

Financial Considerations

Expats often have stable income sources through employment, savings, or pensions, which support their long-term stay in a foreign country. Their financial planning includes considerations for housing, healthcare, education, and other long-term needs. The financial stability provided by employment or other steady income allows them to establish a more permanent lifestyle abroad.

World travelers may have more varied and uncertain income sources. Some work remotely, freelance, or take up short-term jobs to fund their travels, while others rely on savings or travel on a budget. Their financial strategy often focuses on cost-effective travel, accommodation, and daily expenses, allowing them to sustain their nomadic lifestyle.

Emotional and Social Impacts

Expats can experience a range of emotional and social challenges, including homesickness, culture shock, and the difficulty of integrating into a new society. However, the potential for building a new support network, forming deep friendships, and feeling a sense of belonging can be highly rewarding.

For world travelers, the constant movement can lead to feelings of isolation or disconnection, as they rarely stay in one place long enough to build strong relationships. The excitement of new experiences and the freedom of a nomadic lifestyle can be exhilarating, but the lack of a stable support network can also be emotionally taxing.

Conclusion

While both expats and world travelers share a love for exploring new places and cultures, their lifestyles, motivations, and experiences are markedly different. Expats seek stability, integration, and long-term living arrangements in foreign countries, often driven by career or personal reasons. On the other hand, world travelers prioritize exploration, adventure, and the thrill of constant movement, driven by curiosity and a desire to experience as much of the world as possible. Understanding these differences can help in appreciating the unique journeys of both groups, each enriching the global tapestry in their own distinct way.

As our long-term readers are well aware, from the beginning of our travels, we have chosen the world traveler lifestyle rather than becoming expats who choose to live in one location. Will this change in the future? It could depending upon the outcome of current medical concerns, which will be addressed over the next several months. We will keep you updated.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 8, 2014:

Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas is a larger capacity ship with cabins for 3835 passengers than yesterday’s posted Celebrity Solstice at 2850. We prefer smaller ships, but it’s not always possible to find both the preferred size, itinerary, and dates. The ship’s size is near the bottom of our criteria list. For more photos, please click here.

New phones and plans….

Beautiful flowers with a busy bee in Madeira, Portugal.

The next few days will be hectic. At 11:00 am today, we’re returning to the T. Mobile store to set up the two new Google Pixel 8 Pro phones, both of which are included with our new 55+ plan with unlimited talk, text, and data in the US for $110 a month (24-month commitment) and special pricing on international service for the future.

We’d considered replacing the phones, both of which are now having problems after three years, but without a plan, those phones cost over $1000 each. We’re getting the two Google Pixel 8 Pro phones for free, which are included in the two-year contract for both of us. The two-year contract with the phones and unlimited data, text, and calling, while in the US, will cost a total of $2640 over the two years.

It’s a no-brainer for us, especially since we’ll be in the US for about 12 months. Why do we speculate we’ll be here so long? I won’t have the medical tests at the Cleveland Clinic until the end of August. At the latest, there may be a two-month lag from the test results until the surgery and a many months-long recovery period.

Plus, we don’t want to arrive in Marloth Park, South Africa, during the heat of the summer months. In June, winter begins, and it cools down considerably. That would be a perfect time for us to arrive. Of course, all of this depends on how well I’m recovering. If I recover much sooner, we may go to another country(s) while we wait for June. It’s all up in the air and will be so for quite some time.

No, getting phone plans doesn’t mean we’ll quit our world travel journey. We still have the Samsung phone, which we can use with online Global SIM cards wherever we may be at any given time. The T-Mobile plan won’t limit us in any manner. There’s no way a phone plan will restrict our future travels.

Yesterday, we visited Verizon and a T-Mobile store to see their plans. The T-Mobile plan was, without a doubt, the better option for both of us. When they didn’t have the two Google phones in stock, we made an appointment to return this morning at 11:00 am to start the plan.

To transfer our phone numbers from Google Fi, our current carrier, to T-Mobile, I had to acquire an account number and unique pin that we’ll give to T-Mobile this morning so they can make the transfer. It may take a few hours to complete the process. But, hopefully, by early afternoon, we’ll walk out the door with our two new phones and plan.

We are moving to another nearby hotel tomorrow to see which we’d prefer for the next three months. As mentioned, we tried to find a vacation/holiday home for rent in a good neighborhood, but nothing was even slightly affordable for such an extended period.

We’ll ask for a late checkout here and hopefully get situated in the new hotel by 2:00 pm. Since we’re staying three weeks, most likely, they’ll allow a one-hour early check-in.

Last night, we went to dinner with Tammy, Tracy, and Vincent and had a good time. It’s always enjoyable to hang out with our family members, and we hope to see them all as often as possible during the next three months. This is the longest period we’ll be in the US since we began traveling almost 12 years ago.

Without a doubt, we’re enjoying our time here, catching up with family and friends. The upcoming week is Memorial Day (next Monday), which is a long weekend. We don’t have any plans now, but we’ll see what comes up with our kids and grandkids.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 22, 2014:

Tom, standing outside the Pharmacia in Madeira, where I’d purchased a few OTC items. I listed all the items in Portuguese on my phone. Several patrons were in the store, a few of whom spoke a little English while I  fumbled with Portuguese and who welcomed us to Campanario. Wow, friendly! For more photos, please click here.