A new and exciting booking!…

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This is the view from the kitchen in the holiday home we booked this morning on New Zealand’s North Island.

When the owner of the New Zealand alpaca farm suggested we contact her in September to inquire about the property’s availability, she explained that she had received two offers for sale, in the past few days. We knew we’d have to scramble to find a property during the holiday season. Over the past two days, as we continued to settle in here in Barcelona, we began our search.

We’d stayed at the alpaca farm for three months in 2016 and had hoped to rent it again. When Trish explained that the property wouldn’t be available, we were on a mission to find a house in New Zealand for our upcoming stay, from December 13, 2025, when we disembark from the 47-night cruise, to February 12, 2026.

The North Island of New Zealand. Many prefer the South Island, but after visiting both, we are content to stay on the North Island, which has its own unique charm.

From there, we’ll head to Tasmania to Tom’s favorite place in the world, to the quaint town of Penguin, located on the Bass Strait between the Australian mainland and Tasmania.

We knew single-family houses in New Zealand were expensive, especially during the holiday season. As a result, we spent hours scouring properties on multiple websites, primarily focusing on VRBO, our preferred source.

After considerable time and effort, knowing we had less than three months until we needed to book something, we stumbled across the above newly renovated house, as shown in the photo. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have firmed up the booking this morning.

When we arrive at the property in the town of Kaiwaka, we’ll share more photos and details about the property. The house is a 90-minute drive from Auckland Airport, which is a convenient and scenic route that we’ll certainly enjoy. It’s 34 minutes to the closest supermarket, but we’ll plan to shop every other week.

We love staying in remote areas and realize that we have to drive further to restaurants and shopping. It’s a small sacrifice for the opportunity to live in quaint and charming locations around the world.

After reviewing the map for Kaiwaka, we found plenty of nearby restaurants and pubs. Of course, no pub in the world is as fun as Jabula. But, while we are away from Marloth Park, we’ll savor every experience and location we visit in the upcoming nine months to come, until we return to the bush.

Of those nine months, we’ll be spending 72 nights on cruises. We’ll be boarding on October 27 for the first 47 nights, and then on April 14, 2026, we’ll board another 25-night cruise. What an exciting thought!

Our travel enthusiasm has been restored after a few days of frustration since we left last Sunday. Now settled in and accepting my limitations, we’re making the best of our time in Sant Marti, Barcelona, for the next 38 days.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 19, 2015:

This is the view of our house in Savusavu, Fiji, from the upper unit of the three-unit house, higher up the hill. For more photos, please click here.

What are we doing for meals in Sant Marti, Spain?

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Tom had to make two trips on the 30 steps to get the groceries since the delivery person didn’t bring them up the stairs.

We’d intended to post photos of the apartment today, but instead, we are doing laundry and more organizing. At some point, we will include pictures, but please bear with us. As it turned out, the laundry soap used for the bedding has caused me an allergic reaction around my neck. As a result, it became necessary to wash the bedding on the hygiene setting on the washer using the hypoallergenic laundry soap we purchased that arrived with yesterday’s grocery order.

When we placed the online grocery order, as shown in today’s photos, we didn’t order any meat other than chicken breast. Beef is costly here. Instead, we ordered basic household supplies, such as toilet paper, paper towels, coffee, and the ingredients to make coleslaw and chicken salad: mayonnaise (without bad oils), celery, onions, cabbage, carrots, and a few seasonings.

Since we will only be here in Spain for another 39 days, it makes no sense to buy a large quantity of ingredients to prepare our usual meals when we’ll have to dispose of them when we leave.

Over the next few days, we’ll prepare the chicken salad and coleslaw, which will be enough to last for two or three days. We will make such a meal once a week and do takeaway for the remaining days of the week. So far, since we arrived, we’ve ordered takeaway each day.

The total bill for these grocery items, with chicken as the only protein, was €120.96, or approximately US $143.18, which is twice the amount we would have paid in South Africa.

With Tom’s picky taste buds, it’s not easy to find foods he’ll like from restaurants nearby. Fortunately, we are in an area with many restaurants, but when we looked up menus, we discovered we couldn’t dine out for anything less than US $100. Additionally, given my dietary preferences and Tom’s limited options, we decided it was easier and less expensive to order takeout four days a week than to dine out. Then again, there are those stairs.

Since we’re both doing OMAD (one meal a day) to lose weight before the cruise, we’ll manage fine with ordering takeaway. I ordered some fantastic healthy “bowls” from a local restaurant. We are using Uber Eats, which offers free delivery with a small service fee. Ultimately, this plan may cost us as much as dining out or buying more groceries. However, this is what we believe works best for us at this time.

When we stayed in Cleveland for four months for my medical appointments, we followed this same plan, and it worked out well. The only difference here is the menus in Spanish, and the options are very different than those offered in the US or other countries. Spanish meals typically consist of a lot of starchy foods, such as bread, pasta, and rice, none of which I can eat.

It only took a few minutes to put these items away.

In any case, we’re settling in and working our way into a comfortable routine. Of course, I’m anxious to get out, but as Tom says, my getting injured would put a quick end to our plans. We’ve already visited Barcelona in the past and participated in some sightseeing activities.

As we’ve often mentioned, we’ve seen enough historic buildings to last a lifetime, and visiting more is not on our radar. As much as we’d like to share lots of great photos of touring the area, we have to consider my limitations and make the best of our time in Barcelona.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 18, 2015:

Fiji’s coral reef is second to none in the world and a favorite location for scuba divers. For more photos, please click here.

Adaptation…Ah, the challenges…

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The view, directly in front of our apartment. We’ll post photos of the interior tomorrow.

Adapting to life in Sant Martí, Spain, while we await our 47-night cruise, sailing from Barcelona on October 27, has been both rewarding and challenging. For seasoned travelers like us, who have spent years navigating unfamiliar cities, cultures, and living arrangements, we’ve learned to expect the unexpected. Still, every destination has its quirks, and here in Sant Martí, the most significant hurdle is not the language barrier, the neighborhood, or even the weather—it’s the 30 steps leading up to our apartment. Thirty steep, uneven, slippery-tiled steps that turn what should be a simple coming-and-going into a cautious ritual.

It’s not that I lose my breath climbing them. I can manage that part well enough. The genuine concern is the danger of falling. Each step seems to demand attention, especially on days when the tiles feel slick from humidity or when fatigue begins to set in. We’ve come to realize that navigating these stairs will require as much strategy as walking through a crowded marketplace in Bangkok or pacing ourselves. They are simply part of our daily life now, something we must accept and adapt to as best we can.

We try to approach it with a sense of humor. Every time we leave or return, we will joke about our “daily workout,” though it feels less like exercise and more like a balancing act on a tightrope. Each step feels slightly different, forcing us to remain mindful of our footing. Perhaps that is part of the charm of older buildings in Europe—they come with character, but also with practical challenges that travelers like us must learn to live with.

View of the street below us.

The location itself is ideal. Sant Martí may not have the postcard allure of Gothic Barcelona or the bustling atmosphere of Las Ramblas, but it has its own unique rhythm and authenticity. We’re surrounded by locals going about their daily lives, shopping at neighborhood markets, sipping espresso at sidewalk cafés, and walking their dogs along shaded boulevards. There is a quiet satisfaction in knowing that, for a time, we are part of this rhythm. Yet, it all comes back to those 30 steps. No matter how pleasant the day will be, whether we’ve walked the seaside promenade, shopped for fresh produce, or wandered the streets, returning home means bracing ourselves for the climb.

There are times when I imagine what would happen if I were to lose my footing. A single misstep could result in an injury that would derail not just these weeks in Spain but the long-awaited cruise we’ve been looking forward to for so long. Forty-seven nights at sea, visiting ports scattered across the world, is not the kind of trip one can embark upon with a cast or a limp. The thought lingers in the back of my mind, making me move even more cautiously, more slowly, than I normally would. Travel has taught us resilience and adaptation, but it has also taught us the value of prudence.

We’ve lived in many places over the years, including holiday homes in the bush of South Africa, high-rise apartments in bustling cities, and even cruise ship cabins that became temporary homes. Each setting comes with adjustments, whether it’s wild animals visiting your garden or the limitations of a ship’s cabin. Here in Sant Martí, the adjustment isn’t cultural or environmental, it’s physical. It’s the daily reminder that mobility, balance, and safety are every bit as important as passports and plane tickets.

The small balcony of our apartment overlooks the street.

And yet, there is a kind of gratitude in this challenge. Each time I safely reach the top of the stairs, I will feel a small sense of accomplishment. It’s not a grand achievement, of course, but a quiet acknowledgment that we are still capable of adapting. Travel isn’t only about the breathtaking sights or the joyful encounters with new people; it’s also about the grit required to handle the less glamorous realities. Slippery steps, noisy neighbors, or an unfamiliar grocery store layout—all these things are part of the fabric of long-term travel.

So, we pace ourselves. We will limit how often we’ll go out, combining plans into one outing to minimize the number of times we need to face the stairs. We take our time, both ascending and descending, and remind ourselves that there is no rush. Living this nomadic life has taught us that slowing down is not a weakness but often a necessity. It allows us to appreciate more, observe more, and avoid mistakes that come with haste.

There’s also the anticipation of what lies ahead that keeps us going. The cruise looms in the distance like a bright light on the horizon. October 27 feels both near and far, and every day we grow more excited. We think about the ease of life aboard the ship, where elevators and smooth decks replace uneven stairs, where our biggest daily “challenge” will be choosing between dining options or deciding whether to attend a lecture, a show, or engage with other passengers. That thought alone makes these weeks in Sant Martí feel like a bridge, a slightly tricky one to cross, but a bridge nonetheless, to something extraordinary.

Down the road from our apartment.

In the meantime, we remind ourselves that this too is part of the story. When we look back on this chapter, it won’t only be about the beauty of Barcelona or the anticipation of the voyage. It will also be about the resilience we found climbing those thirty steps, time after time, without complaint, without letting fear get the better of us. Life as nomads has always been a blend of joys and challenges, and this is simply the latest test of our adaptability.

And so, we carry on, carefully, deliberately, one step at a time. The cruise will come soon enough, and with it, a whole new set of experiences and stories. Until then, Sant Martí is our home, stairs and all.

Regarding the hot water issues, a repairman arrived late yesterday afternoon and successfully got the water heater working. Now, we can do laundry, use the dishwasher, and shower. I have been taking cold showers for the past two weeks, which are supposed to help improve one’s immune system, in preparation for the upcoming cruise.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 17, 2015:

Badal, the neighbor’s dog in Savusavu, Fiji, bounded up the steep hill with ease when Sewak took us for a drive to see the view. For more photos, please click here.

We made it to Spain…with some glitches…

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Cementiri de Montjuïc – Cemetery on the hill of Barcelona, Spain.

I don’t know where to begin. The 25-hour trip from Nelspruit, South Africa, to Barcelona, Spain, was fraught with some issues, most of which we couldn’t control, but all of which turned out fine in the end. Travel isn’t always seamless and easy, nor is the lifestyle we’ve chosen for ourselves over the past almost 13 years.

Then again, we often hear about major house repairs, storm damage, and frustrating home ownership challenges that we never face “living in the world with the utmost of freedom,” but not always the utmost of convenience.

Right now, Tuesday at 8:30 am, I am situated on a comfy sofa in the living room/lounge room of our apartment in Sant Marti, Spain. Now I understand even more why we prefer to rent single-family houses over apartments. This style of living isn’t compatible with our preferences. As you read along today, you’ll see what we mean.

The ocean was to the right of us as we rode in the taxi to Sant Marti.

As for the trip, I won’t bore you with the endless details. The major distraction was the massive storm that hit Nelspruit shortly before takeoff from the small airport in Mpumalanga, the first such storm we’d seen in South Africa since arriving last March. Our flight was delayed for over an hour, but fortunately, we waited at the gate, rather than on the tarmac, as is often the case for many travelers.

By the time we were ready to board, we had to walk in the dark, right into the remnants of the storm, and up the tiny staircase to the Airlink plane. It was the first time since we began visiting South Africa in 2013 that we had ever flown out of Nelspruit (MQP) in the dark of night, albeit in a storm.

Much to our surprise, the flight was only a little turbulent, and we touched down in Johannesburg with 45 minutes remaining until our connecting flight on Qatar Airways. We had yet to go through security and immigration. By the kin of our teeth, we made the connecting flight.

All the while, we were texting back and forth with Gehard, who kept checking for our possible options in case we missed the connecting flights. In all of our years of world travel, we’d never missed a flight. Gerhard, after years of working for Alaska Airlines, we couldn’t have added a better ally to support us through the process. Thanks, Gergard! Yes, we are savvy enough to have done this ourselves, but it was comforting to have our dear friend helping us, since he, too, was familiar with the route, having visited Marloth Park for years.

As we were getting closer to the Sant Marti district.

The three flights were fine overall. We both managed to nod off a little during the two longer flights, feeling tired but relatively fine until bedtime last night, after we had a chance to do some unpacking.

However, the biggest issue of all was gaining access to this apartment using a keyless Bluetooth entry system. It wasn’t due to our having problems figuring out how to open the two doors with the app. It was nearly impossible to determine which door was the actual access to the apartment, given the misleading and ambiguous numbers outside the property. There were doors everywhere.

After a 30-minute phone call to Capital One Travel to obtain the property manager’s phone number, the call was frustrating because it wouldn’t go through on my phone, despite my efforts. A kindly young college student,  Carlos made the call for us and spoke to the woman from the management company in Spanish. She spoke some English but ended up yelling at Carlos and  at me.

After over an hour, we finally managed to get the correct doors open and walked into a huge surprise. There were 30 (Tom counted) slippery ceramic tile steps to get to the apartment. Initially, the listing explained it was only a few steps. Had we known this, we would never have rented this place. It is hazardous for me to go up and down the stairs.

Tom and I agreed, much to our frustration, that we won’t be going out that much while here, when it is so difficult for me to manage the uneven steps.

We drove through several tunnels on our way..

The kindly young man, Carlos, helped Tom bring up all of our heavy bags to the apartment while I hung onto the railing, attempting to make my way up. We offered him a generous tip for all his assistance, and when he refused, we insisted that he take it. Carlos is going to return and help us when it’s time to bring the bags down once again on October 27, the day we board the ship. We exchanged WhatsApp numbers, and this morning, I saw a message from him with a list of all the best restaurants in the area.

As for the apartment, here are the issues;

  • No hot water (reported to management) in the shower and sinks
  • The drain plug in the bathroom sink won’t open, and therefore, we can’t use it. (also reported this today)
  • The bed pillows are as hard as rocks. (The bed and duvet are comfortable).
  • The kitchen is poorly supplied
  • The stovetop is convection and confusing to turn on. It’s a European-style we’d only used once in the past in Dubai. We sent Gerhard a photo, and he sent us directions.
  • No air conditioning in the bedroom (only in the living/lounge room)
  • In order for Tom to get to his side of the bed, he has to crawl over the bed since a desk, attached to the wall, blocks the way, in order to allow the closet door to be opened. Both bedrooms are very cramped, more than we’ve seen in the past.
  • The bathroom is tiny with no towel bars or a toilet paper holder.

Otherwise, the apartment is fine, modern, clean, and well-maintained with a minimalist decor.

So it goes. We will be here for another 41 days. In any case, we’ll strive to make the best of it. This morning, I placed a grocery order that is scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning. We’ve decided to order takeaway as much as possible, only cooking two to three evenings a week.

That’s it for today, folks. We hope you are all doing well. And…thank you for traveling along with us.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 15, 2015:

The main area of the hot springs used for cooking by locals in Savusavu, Fiji, didn’t occupy a large space. Please see the video for more details here.

Off we go to Spain…Yesterday’s stressful holiday rental situation…

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inge, Gerhard, Rita and Tom and I last night at Jabula.

We’ll be leaving Marloth Park this afternoon to head to the MQP (Nelspruit/Mpumalanga/Kruger Airport), which is about a 75-minute drive on the N4 Highway through the winding roads and the gorge, the part of the drive that is most intimidating. With construction on the highway, we must leave an hour earlier than expected to ensure we arrive at the airport on time.

Once we arrive and check our bags, we’ll feel more at ease, even if we have to wait a few hours for the short flight to Johannesburg, where we’ll have a two-hour layover, before continuing on to Doha, Qatar. Hopefully, we’ll have enough time in Joburg to have dinner in one of the many restaurants in the airport.

We decided to eat before boarding, as the food on the plane will likely be Middle Eastern-type dishes, none of which I will eat due to their high starch content, and all of which Tom doesn’t like. It’s easier to dine in a restaurant at the airport and be done with it.

So, here’s what transpired yesterday with our holiday rental in Sant Marti, Spain, that left us exhausted and frustrated, even after we returned from dinner at Jabula with Rita, Inge, and Gerhard.

We booked the holiday home in Spain from Capital One Travel, where we have several credit cards with accumulated rewards points. One of the cards, Venture X, has an annual US $300 perk, which we combined with some reward points, but certainly not enough to cover the entire cost of US $5100 for the six-week stay.

We booked the holiday home in Sant Marti, in a popular, trendy warehouse district, with the credit card travel service handling everything, which seemed fine at the time. We were advised that 72 hours prior to your arrival, we’d receive instructions from the owner/property management company as to how to gain access to the property. Seventy-two hours came and went.

Yesterday afternoon, we called Capital One Travel, and after two hours of long-distance phone calls, we still didn’t have a contact person, phone number, or email address for the vendor. While sitting at the bar at Jabula, we finally received a call back from Capital One, with a lengthy email address, stating we needed to contact the vendor directly and follow their instructions.

Now, keeping in mind we’d already paid the US $5100, we expected to receive a door code to allow us to enter the property. Oh, no, it wasn’t that easy! The process that followed, which we did after returning home from dinner, was comparable to filling out a passport application.

We had to scan our passports to a specific format and size, take selfie photos using my laptop, and enter myriad morsels of information about ourselves, including providing a credit card so they could charge us a Euro $1500, US $1760, security deposit, plus a Euro 18, US $21, service fee (non-refundable). None of this information was disclosed when we rented the property.

We had no choice, or, as the credit card company explained, if we didn’t comply with the process instituted by Barcelona and the property manager, we would lose our $ 5100. They had us over a barrel.

I didn’t finish the application process until after 10:00 pm. Exhausted and frustrated, I tried to get some sleep but awoke at 4:30 am and have been awake since. It’s a sorry state to start the upcoming 23 hours of travel. But, somehow, we’ll get through it.

We only have the duffel bag left to close after adding the toiletries and the clothes Tom is wearing. Then, we’ll be all set. Hopefully, everything will go well when we arrive at the property tomorrow afternoon. We still don’t have an access code. I will be watching my email frequently.

As for a post for tomorrow, we shall see. Perhaps I will be up to doing a new post during our three-plus-hour layover in Doha.

Thanks to so many of our readers who have written, wishing us safe travels and enjoyment on our next adventure. We love that you travel along with us.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 14, 2015:

Flowers blooming along the road to the house in Savusavu, Fiji. For more photos, please click here.

One day and counting…Reflecting on our almost six months in the bush…

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Our boy Norman has been a highlight of our time here. We are so happy that his broken leg is healing, and he’ll continue to be the loving patriarch of his family of 10. We will surely miss him.

Almost six months have slipped through our fingers here in Marloth Park, South Africa, a place that has become much more than just a stop along our nomadic path. It has become a second home, a sanctuary of wild beauty, and a canvas where life has unfolded in colors more vivid than anywhere else we’ve lived. These past months have been our longest continuous stay in this little corner of the bush, and somehow, they’ve also been our richest. After almost five years of returning here season after season, it feels as though this visit has given us the deepest roots, even though we are, by nature, rootless travelers.

Every day, our garden has been alive with quiet magic. It is a strange and humbling thing to sip your morning coffee while a family of warthogs trots past the veranda, tails sticking straight up like little flags. Or to sit in the still of twilight as a bushbuck grazes so close you can hear the gentle crunch of dry leaves beneath its hooves. The soundscape here is unlike anywhere else: the grunts of wildebeest in the distance, the occasional roar from Kruger National Park drifting across the Crocodile River, the haunting whoop of hyenas breaking the night silence. All of it has wrapped itself around us, becoming the soundtrack of our days.

This stay, perhaps more than any before, has reminded us that the animals here are not just fleeting encounters to check off a list. They are neighbors, companions, and, in a way, teachers. Each has its rhythm, its patience, its way of existing in the unpredictable patterns of the bush. The zebras arriving in their striped splendor reminded us that beauty does not need adornment; it simply is. The impalas, delicate yet resilient, taught us that strength can be quiet. And the giraffes, with their graceful, unhurried steps, seemed to say that life is not meant to be rushed.

Rita, Inge, and Gerhard.

But it wasn’t just the wildlife that made these months so extraordinary. Marloth Park is also a community, one that somehow balances solitude and companionship in equal measure. Our calendar, usually light as travelers, filled up quickly with dinners, braais, sundowners, and endless conversations with people who, over time, have become some of our closest friends. There is something about sharing this unique environment that forges connections quickly. You cannot help but bond when you’ve watched elephants crossing the river together or laughed at the antics of mongooses racing through the garden.

We’ve celebrated birthdays, shared meals under star-studded skies, and lingered long into the night with people who have turned this once-strange place into something familiar and warm. In the bush, friendships seem to grow like marula trees—slowly, steadily, and with deep roots that withstand the passing seasons. And this time, those roots seemed to spread even wider, reminding us how grateful we are for the people we’ve come to know here.

It’s not lost on me that calling this “our best visit ever” is saying something. We’ve had so many memorable stays in Marloth Park before—each one filled with its own collection of stories and moments. But this time, the balance between solitude and social life felt just right. The wildlife visits were abundant and tender in ways we hadn’t exceptionally experienced before. The friendships felt deeper, the conversations richer. Perhaps it’s because we allowed ourselves to simply sink into the rhythm of life here, unhurried and present. Or perhaps, after years of wandering, we’ve learned how to savor it more fully.

And yet, as hard as it is to leave, that familiar pull of the road tugs at us again. There’s always a bittersweetness in packing up, knowing we’ll be trading giraffes for airplanes, warthogs for city streets, and the nightly loud sounds of tree frogs for the unpredictable noises of wherever we land next. But that’s the paradox of a nomadic life: you can love a place deeply, and still know it’s time to move on.

We step into the next year carrying all of this with us—the laughter around shared tables, the brush of a kudu’s presence at dawn, the fiery sunsets that painted the sky in streaks of orange and pink. These memories will be stitched into the fabric of our journey, carried along as we explore new landscapes and embrace new adventures. The road ahead is still a mystery, but we have learned to find comfort in that uncertainty.

We were at Amazing River View last week.

Leaving Marloth Park never gets easier. Every time, it feels like we’re leaving a part of ourselves behind, tucked into the dusty trails and acacia trees. But we also know that this place isn’t going anywhere—it will still be here, wild and welcoming, whenever we return. And return we will. For now, though, it’s time to open ourselves to what’s next, to the stories waiting to be lived in faraway corners of the world.

Six months in the bush have filled us with gratitude, perspective, and a renewed sense of wonder. As we close this chapter, I can’t help but feel that Marloth Park has given us its blessing to go—reminding us that, like the animals we’ve come to love, we too are meant to keep moving, keep seeking, keep wandering. And so, with full hearts, we say goodbye…for now.

Last night, at Jabula, we had the joy of meeting more of our long-time readers/friends face-to-face, Christine and Robert from Quebec, Canada. They’ve been reading our posts since 2012, when we first began documenting our nomadic lifestyle. They, too, have ventured out of their cozy retired existence to travel the world, and our shared stories made for exceptional conversation. We hope to see them again sometime in the future.

Before meeting up with Christine and Robert, we stopped to say goodbye to Louise and Danie, our dear friends and property owners/managers. How fortunate we are to have the friends we made over the almost 13 years of world travel.

Tonight we’ll spend our last evening with Rita, Gerhard, and Inge at Jabula, accompanied by friends/owners Dawn and Leon, and manager Corine. We’ll miss them all.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 13, 2015:

A strip of beach on the way to the village in Savusavu, Fiji. For more photos, please click here.

Two days and counting…Current updates on a layover in Doha, Qatar…

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Wildebeest Hal, Mac and a bushbuck looking for food.this morning.

We are watching the news and the Qatar Airways website for updates on the situation in Doha.

Here’s a breakdown of the current safety situation for air travel via Doha, Qatar, and what to watch for:

 Generally safe, but with caveats

  • Most travel advisories from the U.S., U.K., Australia, and others still classify Qatar / Doha under “exercise normal precautions”.

  • Qatar has low crime rates, strict law enforcement, good airport infrastructure, and generally stable transit operations.

  • However, there are risks mostly tied to the broader regional tensions (geopolitical / military). These can cause sudden disruptions (e.g., airspace closures), diplomatic incidents, or strikes.

  • Travel advisories often note that flights are generally operating, but “at short notice,” things may change depending on regional developments.

 What to be watch for…

  • Airspace disruptions/flight delays: Due to regional tensions, there is a non-zero chance that air traffic may be diverted or flights canceled.

  • Security advisories: Some foreign embassies (like the U.S.) have issued warnings to their citizens in Qatar to stay alert, especially in certain areas.

  • Demonstrations or sudden unrest: Although not widespread, protests or demonstrations may emerge, particularly in connection with regional political issues. These may not always be predictable.

Is it safe enough?

Yes, for most travelers, passing through Doha or transiting via its airport is reasonably safe at this time. The risks, while non-zero, are generally moderate and manageable.

If I were travelling, I would:

  1. Check flight status often, up to the moment of travel

  2. Monitor government/embassy advisories from my country

  3. Make sure I have travel insurance that covers disruptions/evacuations

  4. Avoid high-risk areas, large gatherings, especially if there are alerts

We’re busy today with our final loads of laundry, so by tomorrow, we should be able to finish packing our clothes and complete 90% of the packing. All we’ll have left to do is fill the carry-on bags. Today, I’m washing my washable shoes and handbag, which will be dry by the end of today.

Tonight, we’re headed to Jabula to meet new readers/friends, Christine and Robert, who will be staying in one of Louise’s houses for three nights. It will be fun to have dinner with them.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 12, 2015:

Our photo of these colorful flowers, growing close to the house. For more photos, please click here.

We’re back!…Three days and counting…A little concerned about Doha, Qatar layover….

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It’s been a pure joy frequently seeing giraffes in the garden.

Yesterday morning, Rita and I had a fantastic “girl’s breakfast” at Stoep Cafe in Komatipoort. We had a lot of catching up to do after not seeing each other in over a year and a half, and the conversation flowed with ease as we discussed our favorite topics.

Rita and I each had this delicious smoked trout salad at Stoep Cafe.

Back at the house before noon, I did a little packing and took a short rest after a fitful night’s sleep. I’d better improve my sleep quality over the next few nights in preparation for the upcoming 23-hour travel time from Nelspruit to Barcelona on Sunday, just three days from now.

Speaking of our flight, we are flying from South Africa to Doha, Qatar, where there was a targeted Hamas attack by Israel, only two days ago, killing several top leaders. Of course, this is cause for concern since our flight has almost a four-hour layover in Doha. So far, no flights have been canceled, but we’re closely watching the news for any updates. We’ll keep you updated.

Most likely, we will post an update during the layover, not only to keep me busy but also to inform our readers of any concerns we may have encountered.

This was a mom and a youngster. However, we often also see a dad, a mom, and a youngster.

I’m not fond of long flights, but they are a necessary part of our world travels. Once we’re settled in Spain, we will be relieved and enjoy our six-week stay in Sant Marti, Spain, a small neighborhood of Barcelona. No doubt, we will be experiencing a language barrier while in Spain. I know some Spanish and can read menus, street signs, and names of items at the markets.

But, conversationally, I am inept, so we’ll see how it goes. We will undoubtedly use Google Translate to assist us during our stay. On October 27, we’ll board our ship, the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas, where English is spoken by all staff and many guests from around the world.

Tonight, we’re staying in again for dinner and eating some of our leftover uncooked food. This morning, I cooked the entire kilo package of bacon we had in the freezer, which we’ll use for tonight’s grilled hamburgers, topped with sliced tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and cheese, and served with our delicious homemade ketchup, along with a big Greek salad.

It’s tricky getting a photo of two giraffes together due to the vegetation.

Tomorrow night, we’re heading back to Jabula, where we’ll meet and dine with our readers Christine and Robert from Quebec, whom we’re meeting for the first time. We talked on WhatsApp a few times, and it’s been delightful getting to know them. We’re looking forward to meeting them in person.

On Saturday night, Rita, Gerhard, and Inge will join us for dinner at Jabula, our final get-together before we depart on Sunday.

Most of our packing is complete. All we have left to do is a few loads of laundry tomorrow and then pack our clothes. That can be accomplished in a few hours at most.

We’ll be back with more over these final few days.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 11, 2025:

The living room with our stuff in our new holiday home in Savusavu, Fiji. For more photos, please click here.

Hidden gems in South Africa…

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Top Hidden Gems Across South Africa

1. Waterfall Bluff – Eastern Cape

A breathtaking coastal waterfall that plunges directly into the ocean—one of the few of its kind in the world. The dramatic hike to reach it traverses the stunning Wild Coast.

2. Eye of Kuruman – Northern Cape

This massive crystal-clear spring stands as the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, creating an oasis amidst the surrounding semi-desert.

3. Riemvasmaak Hot Springs – Northern Cape

Tucked between granite cliffs, these hot springs provide a peaceful and warm retreat amid striking desert landscapes.

4. Nieu-Bethesda & the Owl House – Karoo

A quirky Karoo village best known for the Owl House—a surreal museum filled with eccentric sculptures and art by Helen Martins—plus cozy coffeehouses and scenic Sneeuberg hikes.

5. Magoebaskloof – Limpopo

A lush valley of forests, waterfalls, and winding trails. Ideal for canopy tours, fly-fishing, hiking, and birdwatching—with beautiful highlights like Debengeni Falls and the village of Haenertsburg.

6. Hogsback – Eastern Cape

An enchanting, Tolkien-inspired village nestled in eucalyptus and redwood forests. Stay in magical Hobbit-like cottages near waterfalls, explore mosaic gardens, and hike scenic trails like the 39 Steps Falls.

7. Stadsaal Caves (Cederberg) – Western Cape

Ancient sandstone caves in the Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve feature San rock art, some of which dates back as far as 8,000 years.

8. Bridal Veil Falls – Sabie, Mpumalanga

A 70 m waterfall resembling a veil, reachable via a short forest footpath. Part of the Panorama Route with options for longer hikes like the Loerie Trail.

9. Boosmansbos Wilderness Area – Western Cape

This 142 km² wilderness offers dramatic gorges, mountain fynbos, and rare forests. Ideal for multi-day hikes and immersing in unique biodiversity.

10. Madikwe Game Reserve – North West Province

A malaria-free reserve where you can still spot the Big Five and endangered African Wild Dogs, but with fewer crowds than Kruger.

11. Augrabies Falls National Park – Northern Cape

Often described as South Africa’s “mini Grand Canyon,” the Orange River cascades through dramatic rock formations—especially powerful after summer rains.

12. Chrissiesmeer (Lake District) – Mpumalanga

A tranquil region with over 270 lakes, ideal for birdwatching—see flamingos, pelicans, and enjoy folklore-rich history.

13. eMakhosini Ophathe Heritage Park – KwaZulu-Natal

A culturally significant reserve celebrating Zulu heritage, where you can also encounter black rhinos, giraffes, and buffalo in a historic landscape.

14. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve & Florilegium – Western Cape

A biodiverse UNESCO-acknowledged fynbos reserve offering botany safaris and the unique Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery featuring botanical illustrations and pollinator portraits.

Locals Share Their Own Hidden Finds

  • Cederberg Wilderness, Paternoster, Montagu’s hot springs, Barrydale: beloved by locals for their natural beauty and charm.

    “Paternoster: a charming little fishing village that feels like stepping back in time.”
    “Cederberg Wilderness Area, for those who love the outdoors, the ancient rock formations and San rock art are a must-see.”

  • Mountain Sanctuary (Magaliesburg): a hike through crystal-clear rock pools—now requires a guide, but still a hidden gem.

  • Scenic Trails & Natural Valleys:

    “Mariepskop mountain… mistbelt forest… multiple viewpoints… almost no one goes there.”
    “Parys… has its own little Eiffel tower… it’s hidden.”
    Great suggestions from fellow adventurers in the know.

Explore with Intention

  • Nature lovers: Try Hogsback, Waterfall Bluff, Magoebaskloof, Stadsaal Caves, or Bridal Veil Falls.

  • Quiet luxury getaways: Nieu-Bethesda’s quirky art scene or remote solitude at Riemvasmaak Hot Springs.

  • Wildlife & Conservation: Madikwe, eMakhosini Park, or Grootbos for unique biodiversity and cultural context.

  • Unique landscapes: Boosmansbos, Chrissiesmeer, and Augrabies Falls offer dramatic visuals and serenity.

We’ve only visited a few of the above. Once we arrive in Marloth Park, we don’t want to leave, as every day is treasured, allowing us to engage in precisely what we choose to do while living in this exquisite bush.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 9, 2015

Tom was standing in front of the tiniest airport we’ve seen to date in Fiji, except for the dirt landing strip with no airport in the Maasai Mara. We flew in a small plane to the village of Savusavu. For more photos, please click here.