A simple mixup resulted in a day-long annoyance…What to do?…

Posted by worldwide-admin on December 4, 2024 with 0 Comment

Although this whale didn’t breach, we were thrilled to see this first whale while we were seated on lawn chairs in the yard at our vacation home on the Big Island.

After over three months since we arrived in Cleveland, I am truly at a loss for topics to write about. As a result, I have been posting one less post per week. Today, when I sat down to begin, I scanned world news, searching for a travel-related topic that may appeal to our readers.

Alas, I was unsuccessful and ultimately decided to write a post unrelated to travel, perhaps not as unrelated as I thought. This topic could be relevant anywhere in the world and is significantly more likely to occur when traveling away from your familiar restaurants, coffee shops, and establishments.

Every morning in the past three-plus months since we arrived in Cleveland, Tom has brought back two cups of decaf coffee for me to enjoy with my breakfast. I add one tablespoon of unsweetened Nutpods creamer to each cup and a few drops of my favorite sugar-free sweetener for what tastes like a perfect cup of” joe” by my standards. I gave up caffeine several years ago.

Decaf coffee generally has a mild taste, nowhere near as strong tasting as regular coffee. Yesterday morning, I had one cup for about 30 minutes before heading downstairs to the fitness center. I noticed the coffee tasted somewhat bitter when I took the first sip, but I assumed whoever made it in the restaurant used too much coffee, which resulted in a bitter taste. How wrong was I????

Oddly, before I headed downstairs to the fitness center, I felt as if my blood pressure was high, and I used my device to check it before I headed down the elevator. It was higher than it has been since I stopped all the awful Afib drugs, 130/88, certainly not a concerning reading.

Once I started on the treadmill and increased the elevation, I felt my heart rate go through the roof. Then, it dawned on me, especially when I had to slow down the pace far below my usual settings….I was reacting to caffeine in the coffee! My senses were correct when the taste was off.

I had to slow down throughout the entire workout and cut it short by about two minutes because I was uncomfortably breathless and feeling out of sorts. Back in our room, I drank a few glasses of water, hoping that would help. And even last night, I slept horribly, tossing and turning all night.

After not having caffeine in any products or beverages for so long, I had this awful reaction. That’s not to say caffeine in coffee or tea is bad for most people in moderation. But, for those who’ve abstained for years, a single dose can have a profound effect.

This reminds me of how, when we’re traveling, I almost embarrass myself (and Tom) when ordering food and drinks, and I’m not given anything that may trigger a reaction. It’s not that I am allergic to many foods. It’s due to the choices I have made to avoid blood sugar spikes, which may be dangerous for those with heart disease and other inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes. If I didn’t eat a low-carb diet, I’d be a diabetic. I’ve avoided taking diabetic drugs by changing my diet over 13 years ago.

However, traveling presents some problems when servers, cooks, and chefs don’t fully grasp the significance of my requests. I attempt to be discrete in my description of how I’d like my food and drinks, and now, with lots of experience, I can express my desires with grace and ease.

But what about travelers who may become deathly ill from certain foods containing gluten, sugar, nuts, and other ingredients/ How are they supposed to protect themselves?

The most straightforward answer is to carry cards listing illness-inducing foods and beverages that can be handed out to servers, cooks, and chefs in restaurants, on cruises, and at other dining venues. For as little as $14.95 for 100 cards at VistaPrint, for example, or any other business card company, you can hand out a card to be delivered to the cooks/chef at any venue, having made sure to include your name, phone number and a little space to write your table number to ensure maximum safety.

Nothing horrible happens to me when I eat a serving of gluten, starch, or sugar. But, my preferences are essential to me over the long haul. But, for those who could have a life-threatening reaction, it is crucial to define your allergies clearly.

When we cruise, I have a single sheet with the restrictions I give the chef(s) to peruse each time they make a dish for me. So far, that works. Please remember that translating this list into the language of the country you are visiting is crucial. On cruises, generally, the chefs/cooks speak English. In those cases, you may prefer a printed page instead of business cards in various languages of countries you visit on a specific trip.

This morning, I visited the front desk to request decaf coffee for the little coffee maker in our room. I am not willing to risk losing an entire day feeling awful from drinking coffee with caffeine.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, December 4, 2014:

At the first of our two neighboring vacation/holiday homes on the Big Island, we paid special attention to this sign in the driveway. One must park carefully to avoid coconuts hitting the roofs of the rental cars and, more importantly, one’s head, which could be dangerous. For more photos, including the interior of the first house, please click here.

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

Posted by worldwide-admin on November 23, 2024 with 0 Comment

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.

Which is better?…

Posted by worldwide-admin on November 15, 2024 with 0 Comment

We took a leisurely walk on this boardwalk in Maui.

This morning, while I struggled on the elliptical, I wondered if it would be easier and better for me to use the treadmill or, at least, to alternate between the two, which I will begin tomorrow. Many seniors and younger people using either of these valuable machines often add an exercise bike to round out their workouts.

It’s been great to use these machines, often available in hotels, on cruises, and in some vacation rental condos and apartments. When we arrive at the condo in Lake Las Vegas, the fitness center has both, plus several other pieces of equipment I will use. At this hotel, the options are limited to elliptical, treadmill, and bike without any other resistance training machines, although there are hand weights, which I have been using.

Choosing between an elliptical and a treadmill depends on your fitness goals, joint health, and personal preference. Each has distinct advantages. Here are some points to consider if you have the option to use either of these

Treadmill

Intensity & Calorie Burn: Treadmills generally offer a more intense workout, especially if you run or incorporate incline training. This intensity often leads to higher calorie burn.
Natural Motion: Running or walking on a treadmill closely mimics real-life movement, which can benefit training or building running endurance.
Impact on Joints: Running on a treadmill is easier on the joints than running on hard surfaces but still has more impact than an elliptical.

Ideal for: People looking to boost cardio endurance, improve running ability, or burn more calories in a shorter time.

Elliptical

Low Impact: Ellipticals are great for joint health since they provide a low-impact workout. The smooth gliding motion reduces strain on knees, hips, and ankles, which can be beneficial if you’re prone to joint pain or recovering from an injury.
Upper and Lower Body Workout: Many ellipticals have handles, allowing you to engage your arms and chest, providing a more full-body workout.
Easier on the Heart Rate: Some people find that the elliptical provides an intense cardio workout without spiking the heart rate as quickly as running, making it a bit easier to maintain longer, steady sessions.

Ideal for: People looking for a full-body workout that’s gentle on the joints or those rehabbing an injury.

Which is Better?

The treadmill may be more effective if your primary goal is calorie burn and running endurance. However, the elliptical is an excellent choice for focusing on lower-impact, joint-friendly cardio that still targets multiple muscle groups. Many people alternate between the two for variety and balanced benefits.

Travel requires a degree of fitness, as many venues and tours require walking and, at times, hiking. It’s essential to check the difficulty level of every tour you may choose to ensure your fitness level is commensurate with the advised level of difficulty.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 15, 2014:

A trimmed Milo tree. Thespesia populnea. Milo is easy to grow and care for, although it can be considered messy since it drops numerous leaves and dry seed capsules year-round. This is an excellent tree for coastal properties battling wind and salt spray. For more photos, please click here.

Travel stats 2024, after the pandemic…Is it a benefit or deterrent for travelers?…

Posted by worldwide-admin on November 12, 2024 with 0 Comment

Exquisite mountains and hills surround Maui’s landscape.

It’s interesting but vital for us to know travel statistics as we plan future international travel. No, we aren’t going to spend all of our time in Africa, although there are still many countries on the continent we’d like to explore, and we will in the next several years.

Let me add here that all future travels, dreams, and hopes are subject to good health and our physical ability to carry on. Subsequently, now that we’re free to travel again, I won’t keep mentioning this reality since our readers know this is always a prerequisite for international or domestic travel.

Why is awareness of travel stats vital for travelers?

The volume of travelers directly impacts the cost of travel, but this can be important in two ways: 1. High volume can lower prices based on profits and the capacity of travel venues. 2. Low volume can increase prices when venues attempt to recover losses during quiet periods, but prices may also be lowered via promotions and reductions as an incentive for increased volume.
Projecting travel delays, crowded venues, and price increases can reduce the enjoyment of a vacation or holiday. Knowing what to expect helps manage these expectations.
Knowing stats ahead of travel dates can aid in promoting research as to ways to minimize stress and expectations.
Stats awareness can inspire early booking of all travel, including ancillary trips and tours, to avoid disappointment.
If necessary, evaluate the importance of refundable venues due to your personal circumstances.

Global tourism in 2024 has seen a resurgence, marking a nearly complete recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry’s bounce-back has led to international tourist arrivals reaching approximately 1.53 billion, slightly above 2019. This represents a 2% growth, driven by rising global travel demand, increased air connectivity, and the resurgence of critical markets like China and other parts of Asia. The sector’s rapid recovery has underscored the resilience of global tourism and its importance in the broader economic landscape.

Growth and Regional Performance

The recovery has been uneven across regions, though the general trajectory is positive. The Middle East has led the charge, with international arrivals surpassing 2019 levels by an impressive 26%. This growth is partly due to efforts by countries like Saudi Arabia to diversify their economies and promote themselves as tourism hubs. Saudi Arabia alone reported a nearly 100% increase in arrivals from pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the appeal of its new tourism offerings. Europe, the Americas, and Africa are also experiencing solid recoveries, with arrivals in each region close to pre-pandemic figures. Europe reached 99% of 2019 arrivals, benefiting from high intra-regional travel.

Africa saw a 7% increase over 2019 figures, and the Americas nearly matched pre-pandemic levels with a 97% recovery rate. However, Asia and the Pacific continue to lag slightly behind, with arrivals reaching around 82% of pre-pandemic levels, partially due to travel restrictions in some recently lifted countries.

Economic Impact and Revenue

Tourism’s economic impact in 2024 is substantial, with global tourism revenue expected to reach $9.4 billion by year’s end. This revenue is propelled by increased spending per tourist, with international visitor spending expected to approach or exceed the levels seen in 2019. A key driver of this spending has been the growth of domestic and international tourism, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. For instance, Middle Eastern countries like Qatar and the UAE have reported significant increases in tourism receipts as they attract tourists from nearby and distant regions.

Also, tourism’s overall contribution to global GDP is projected to hit $11.1 trillion in 2024, representing a full recovery and an all-time high for the industry. This recovery reflects an increase in tourist numbers and the sector’s infrastructure, connectivity, and travel services expansion. With this recovery, the tourism industry is expected to contribute approximately 3% of global GDP, a significant achievement given the challenges of the past few years.

Leading Destinations and Trends

Tourism’s rebound has been especially pronounced in certain countries, with France, Spain, and the United States continuing to dominate as top tourist destinations. France remains the world’s most visited country, with an estimated 100 million international arrivals in 2023, and Spain follows closely behind. In terms of receipts, however, the United States leads due to high per-visitor spending. Destinations in the Middle East and Asia are also increasingly attracting tourists, largely thanks to their strategic investments in tourism infrastructure and hospitality services.

Travel trends in 2024 reflect changing preferences, with travelers seeking more sustainable, experience-oriented vacations. Many destinations, especially in Europe, are prioritizing eco-friendly tourism options and working to balance visitor influx with conservation efforts. This shift aligns with a growing awareness among tourists about the environmental impact of travel, spurred by the pandemic and global climate concerns.

Future Outlook

The outlook for global tourism in the coming years is promising, with projections suggesting continued growth. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts further increases in international arrivals and tourism GDP contributions, driven by improved air connectivity, enhanced visa policies, and robust travel demand from Asian markets. In particular, destinations in Asia are expected to grow as restrictions continue to ease and major travel hubs like China re-establish connections with the world.

With robust infrastructure improvements and destination management strategies, the global tourism sector is poised for a record-breaking year in revenue and visitor numbers. These advancements will likely enable the industry to adapt to travelers’ dynamic needs while ensuring a balance between growth and sustainability.

In summary, 2024 has been a pivotal year for tourism, marking a near-complete recovery and setting new standards for resilience and adaptability. The industry thrives with regional growth led by the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, and the economic impact surpasses pre-pandemic levels. However, as tourism expands, stakeholders increasingly focus on sustainable practices, ensuring the sector’s growth aligns with global environmental and financial goals.

After 12 years of mostly world travel, we’ve made a point to examine travel trends and statistics to ensure we have a well-rounded and enjoyable experience at each location.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 12, 2014:

Although the hills block the sun setting, these beautiful skies in Maui give us a peek at what lurks behind the mountains. For more photos, please click here.

Why aren’t we flying to Nevada…What weather can we expect while in Cleveland until December 14?…And, on our upcoming 2000+ mile road trip across the US?

Posted by worldwide-admin on November 10, 2024 with 0 Comment

There are numerous varieties of palm trees in Maui that produce red berries such as these.

We contemplated flying to Nevada rather than driving across the US in winter weather. For our non-US readers, here’s a map of the US.

We will be driving from Ohio (OH on the map) to Nevada (NV), taking the southern route based on weather conditions to avoid snowy travel as much as possible. Of course, in December, it’s unavoidable. We could easily encounter snow in New Mexico (NM), especially in the mountains. In 1969, I lived in New Mexico, and although it didn’t snow a lot, it did occasionally.

So, the question becomes, why drive when we could fly? It’s not much about the cost since we already rented a car for a week and will pay for hotels and meals along the way. It could take us four or five days to get to Nevada since we prefer not to drive more than 400 miles daily.

One primary reason is that we don’t care about flying domestically in the US if we can avoid it. We are not interested in the cost of heavy bags, delayed flights, or airport confusion. Sure, we may spend a little more time driving, but it’s fun to travel through the US. Also, we’re always paying for a place to stay overnight in our nomadic lifestyle and for meals wherever we may be.

Flights from Cleveland to Las Vegas cost the same as the rental car for a week. Based on the prices for our extra luggage if we fly, any additional driving costs are a “wash.” We only eat breakfast and dinner and will look for hotels with breakfasts included during the trip.

The end result? We can bring all our remaining non-perishable foods in the rented SUV, which we’ll use in Nevada, saving us a considerable sum based on today’s prices. It’s not huge, but it could be around $200. While we are in Nevada for 2½ months, we will trim what we have in our luggage and get down to the checked weight allowed for international flights. We have yet to book our flight to South Africa but will do so after the holidays.

Driving so close to Christmas may not be too bad since we will be on the road starting on December 14. Our only concern will be the weather; we will do everything possible to avoid snow and ice. After encountering a snowstorm in Utah last May when we left California for Minnesota, we realized we can’t predict what we’ll experience. But we can change our route or take another day or two to get to Nevada if necessary. There’s no worry here.

If we make it to Nevada in five days, we’ll still have the rental car for a few days, so we can do some shopping and dining out. We may not need to head to our mailing service since we’ll receive a shipment from them in the next few days with everything we need from our mailbox.

Today, we just finished watching Sunday Morning and will start watching the Minnesota Vikings game in a few hours. It will be a good day!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 10, 2014:

An old boat was awaiting restoration or a Maui junkyard. For more photos, please click here.

Bookings for the near future..How much has it cost for us to be in Cleveland?…

Posted by worldwide-admin on November 8, 2024 with 0 Comment

We were waiting to take this boat out to sea for whale watching in Maui.

Yesterday, we began booking our upcoming road trip to Lake Las Vegas in 36 days. Need I say I am counting the days? I look forward to leaving for Nevada on December 14 and then on to Africa in 113 days from today. Wow! It’s almost hard to believe we’ll finally be on our way.

As a result, yesterday, we booked an SUV at Costco Travel, which we’ll drop off at the Las Vegas Airport two days after we arrive on December 18. During those two days, while we still have the rental car, we’ll do any necessary shopping, stop at our mailing service to pick up any remaining mail, and perhaps meet family for dinner.

From that date on, as mentioned, we’ll use Uber or Lyft for anything we want to do outside of the Village. The Village is within walking distance from our condo building in Lake Las Vegas, where shops and restaurants are plentiful. Most likely, due to the convenience of our location, we’ll probably dine out twice a week.

What prompts us to use Costco for travel needs and venues? As Costoco members, we receive special discounts and credits toward our annual rebate check and shop cards, which we can use at any Costco store in the country. They can be saved and used well into the future if we won’t be in the US for quite a while.

The annual rebate more than pays for our yearly membership and then some. We use our Costco Visa credit card for more points and petrol credits. Using Costco becomes a trifecta of perks, and the prices for cars, hotels, flights, and other travel-related purchases are hard to beat.

Today, we’re ordering takeaway for dinner. We’re ordering enough to last three nights. The total cost for both of us for the three dinners is $32.17 for Tom’s Chinese food and $35.57 for my healthy Bibibop Asian bowls, for a total of $67.74. Divided by three nights’ dinners, the avergae daily cost is $22.58. These prices include delivery and tips.

I add a few cups of romaine lettuce at the bottom of my plate to extend my double order to three nights. I ordered double portions of the spicy chicken for three nights’ dinners. Tom’s double order of sweet and sour pork is easily three large servings, so his two orders work perfectly.

The above-mentioned daily cost is less than we pay for groceries, so financially, it makes sense to place such orders once a week, knowing the food is good and enjoying the convenience and break from cooking. Mine is exceptionally healthy, while Tom’s is not as much. Then again, Tom wants what he wants and doesn’t strive for healthy dinners when we dine out.

I won’t order groceries again until Monday when I cook dinner again. We each are on our own for breakfast when Tom goes downstairs to the restaurant for the included breakfast while I have eggs or a Greek yogurt bowl with ground flaxseeds. Although breakfast at the hotel is included, I don’t care to eat processed scrambled eggs and their deep-fried bacon or sausages. Once we arrive in Nevada, I’ll make breakfast for both of us each day, usually bacon and eggs, certainly not processed or deep fried.

For more bookings, we contacted Marriott Bonvoy yesterday to extend our stay at the hotel from December 2 to December 14, the day we leave. We checked all other hotel booking sites for price comparison, but the cost was best through the Bonvoy rewards program.

We could easily have paid as much as $200 per night by booking it on our own, but we could have paid $2083 for the 12 extra nights, averaging $173.58 per night, including taxes and fees. However, this is much higher than we usually pay for hotel rooms because this location is only a few blocks from Cleveland Clinic, which results in higher prices.

Imagine we’ve had to pay this amount for 111 nights, by the time we leave here for $19,267.38. However, we will receive a credit when we check out on December 14, which will be around $1200 based on Cleveland’s 6.5% hotel tax. It’s a good thing we haven’t had a rental car while here, considering the parking fees and rental car costs, which would have been over $100 per day.

Most people come to Cleveland Clinic and spend a week or two at most. Based on our circumstances, it was an extended period.

Once we arrive in Las Vegas, our expenses will be considerably less when we received an excellent price for the condo, and we won’t need a car. We’ll share those costs later.

Well, that’s it for today, folks.

Be well.

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

Like many other tropical islands, the Hawaiian Islands are an ever-changing weather phenomenon. For more photos, please click here.

Recovered from lack of sleep and back to our pleasant daily lives…

Posted by worldwide-admin on November 7, 2024 with 0 Comment

Ah, life couldn’t be more pleasant while we wait to leave Cleveland, Ohio, in 37 days. We’re comfy in this hotel suite with plenty of space, decent cooking and laundry facilities, and a good fitness center for me. Daily housekeeping has significantly improved, grocery shopping is easy online, and we can purchase anything we want or need at Amazon.

Sure, it would be great to go out to dinner a few nights a week, but once we arrive in Lake Las Vegas, we can take a short walk from our condo to the fantastic Village with many restaurants and pubs we enjoyed a year ago. Not having a rental car is easy when we can use Uber or Lyft as needed.

With rental cars for about $60 a day with taxes and fees, we could use Uber every day of the week for less. But we found that when we were there, we only used it once or twice a week since we were so conveniently located in shops and restaurants. I never care to shop in stores, so this is a logical and practical situation for us until we leave for South Africa around March 1.

Of course, we’ll rent a car in South Africa and enjoy the freedom to get out and about as we choose. But in the interim, we don’t have to worry about anything. It’s not like we have a social life in Cleveland. In Nevada, we’ll see family and friends visiting occasionally.

Early this morning, after an excellent night’s sleep, I made up for the lack of sleep on election night by showering and dressing for the day. Before having coffee or breakfast, I headed directly to the fitness center for my elliptical workout, which I could do for only eight minutes at a vigorous pace at this time. I’m sure, over time, I will do better.

Why is exercise relevant to travel? There are many reasons, including the requirement for considerable walking while traveling and maintaining good health to continue to travel well into one’s later years. Many of our readers are seniors or younger travelers who don’t work out regularly.

Choosing between an elliptical and a treadmill for cardiovascular exercise is only one way to enhance one’s fitness level. It depends on one’s fitness goals, joint health, and personal preference. Each has distinct advantages; weight resistance training is also imperative for full-body fitness. I am no expert, but I have worked out most of my life. It’s essential to check with your doctor to determine what fitness level suits you.