Getting things done…Gratifying, as departure time nears…12 days and counting…

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There are almost a million feral chickens and roosters in Kauai. They are everywhere!

We are on a mission to complete as many tasks as possible before departing for South Africa in 12 days. This included completing our tax prep, which I forwarded to our accountant in Las Vegas today. Our mailing service will snail mail the tax documents to him today. No doubt, our taxes will be filed within a week, and this task will be entirely out of the way after we pay whatever tax sums we owe for this year.

I always dread doing tax prep but knew the sooner I got it done, the better, leaving my mind free of procrastinating. I am generally not a procrastinator, but “paperwork” such as this can send me on a tailspin.

Also, we found a home for the wheelchair I no longer need. The front desk staff at the Viera condo building said they could easily use it for disabled guests arriving for a visit. After checking, Goodwill had so many wheelchairs that they didn’t need more, nor would they be willing to pick one up.

We’ll have a few more loads of laundry before departing, after which we can pack. We will save that task for next week when we leave on Saturday. If we had to pack in a hurry, we could get it all done in about two hours. We’re thrilled to have so much in order already.

I placed our final grocery order for $150 this morning, which will get us through this week and next. We’ll be dining out this Thursday and Friday and thus have only six dinners to make using what we’ll have on hand, considering I have designated meals for the balance of this week. The night before we depart, we dine out in the Village if all the meat in the freezer is gone. Otherwise, we’ll make one last dinner.

Today is an easy day. Soon, I’ll start chopping and dicing for dinner, after which I’ll do my daily exercises. I am pleased to have committed to doing these daily with little need for added motivation. I can go downstairs more easily since the workouts have improved my knee flexibility. This alone is sufficient motivation. Yes, walking long distances is still challenging, but shorter distances are a breeze compared to what they were only months ago.

We have been in the US since December 2023 when we returned for medical care. Now, 15 months later, we are anxious to be on the move once more. It will be fun to rerun in June for Maisie’s graduation and to see everyone once again. However, when we leave, we won’t return until June 2026 for Miles’ graduation. From there, only time and good health will determine the future.

We hope you have a good week.

Be well.

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

Tom was in deep thought while gazing at the sea in Kauai, Hawaii. For more photos, please click here.

Latest world travel warnings from the US State Department…

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A blowhole in lava rock in Kauai. A blowhole or marine geyser is formed as sea caves grow landward and upward into vertical shafts and expose themselves toward the surface.

Before we commit to traveling to a country that may be questionable for safety, we check the US Department of State for any new travel warnings we may not have known. Often, countries that have the perception of safety for traveling may be in the throes of political unrest or increased kidnapping, murders, and other heinous crimes.

Pickpocketing must be considered a possibility in every country since offenders are seldom apprehended by police or suffer minimal consequences, thus increasing the risks for tourists.

From time to time, we check the State Department’s current information for countries we’ve already planned to visit in the distant future. We may not be able to cancel plans we’ve already paid for unless the war has commenced or escalated since we made the booking, such as when we booked a cruise to Ukraine and the war recently escalated. In that case, we received a refund from the cruise line when we weren’t interested in the alternate ports of call.

Please do not assume that a cruise port of call is safe simply because the cruise line included it in its itinerary. Many crimes have been perpetrated against cruise passengers when they visit various ports of call.

Many travelers also choose to visit various well-known resorts in Mexico. However, proceed with caution when deciding to travel to many of these popular resorts, based on countless reports of serious crimes committed against tourists at these resorts and nightclubs.

As of February 16, 2025, the US Department of State has issued the following travel advisories:

Visit travel.gov for detailed information on any of the following warnings:

Level 4: Do Not Travel

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo: Travelers are advised against visiting due to ongoing armed conflict and civil unrest.

  • Manzanillo, Mexico: The city has experienced high rates of violent crime, including murders and kidnappings, leading to a Level 4 advisory.

Level 3: Reconsider Travel

  • Guinea-Bissau: Political instability and crime have prompted a Level 3 advisory.

Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

  • China: The advisory level was recently downgraded from Level 3 to Level 2 following the release of three American citizens. Travelers should remain cautious due to the potential arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

  • Ghana: Increased caution is advised due to crime.

  • Republic of the Congo: Travelers should be cautious due to crime and civil unrest.

  • Greenland: Exercise increased caution due to environmental hazards.

Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

  • Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba: These destinations are considered safe for travel with standard precautions

For a comprehensive and up-to-date list of travel advisories, visit the US Department of State’s official website.

Additionally, enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) can provide timely updates and assist in emergencies abroad.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 16, 2015:

A closer view of the pods growing on the above Hala Tree. In a way, it resembles a pine cone. For more photos, please click here.
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Photos from Valentine’s evening…

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The view from our table at Luna Rosa in the Village in Lake Las Vegas.

It was a lovely evening. First, we headed to Speakeasy for happy hour and then made the short walk to Luna Roa for dinner. As always, the ambiance was inviting, the service was impeccable, and the food was fresh and delicious. We perused the Valentine’s Day menu for $125 per person, deciding it was way too much food for us when everything on the menu, as shown below, was included.

Luna Rosa offered a Valentine’s Day menu for $125 per person.

With my dietary limitations, especially since I am working on losing weight, and Tom’s picky taste buds, spending $250 when neither of us ever orders appetizers or desserts makes no sense. We often see diners enjoying multiple courses, but we don’t care to eat that much food.

Instead, Tom ordered the lasagne, a dish he knew he’d like, and I ordered the salmon salad, as shown in the two photos below.

On the other hand, Tom chose this delicious beef lasagne with bread and butter on the side.
Since I am still losing weight, I opted for this low-carb salmon salad.

I’d brought my homemade salad dressing since restaurant dressings are often made with oils I don’t consume. Perhaps at Luna Rose, a more fine-dining establishment, they had dressings made with olive oil, but sugar is often added for flavor. I filled a small plastic container with my dressing and used it discreetly to avoid drawing attention to myself while using it.

Tom at Luna Rosa on our Valentine’s Day dinner.

Tonight, when we dine out again at Speakeasy, where they have a good salmon salad, I’ll do the same and bring a batch of my homemade salad dressing that I made this morning. We had a hearty breakfast this morning of thick-sliced bacon, which we baked in the oven at 375F for about 18 minutes for perfect doneness, and organic pasture-raised eggs fried in my amazing skillet sprayed with ghee spray.

It was fun to celebrate Valentine’s Day dinner at Luna Rosa.

Once I upload this post, I will do my exercises and begin working on our tax prep document for our accountant. I plan to have it completed by Monday and forward it to him, along with the documents we received at the mailing service, which they will forward to him per our instructions. It will be a relief to do this before we leave two weeks from today.

That’s it for today, folks. We hope you have a lovely weekend.

Be well.

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

We took this video of the albatross interacting with one another in their beautiful dance. For more, please click here.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!…Fun news about a dear friend to share…15 days and counting…

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Happy Valentine’s Day to our readers/friends and world travelers. May your day be filled with love and adventure.

We don’t make a big fuss about Valentine’s Day other than to go out to dinner. We stopped giving one another cards and gifts like we did in our old lives. I’d usually decorate a cake in my heart-shaped baking pan, befitting the occasion. We’d either go out to dinner at a special place, or if time allowed, I’d make a special dinner.

Tom was often working on the railroad in those days, and we may have had to celebrate on a different day when we knew he’d be home. Celebrating all special occasions was predicated on his work schedule, which often changed by the day. Now, as world-traveling retirees, we can do whatever we’d like, which usually consists of dinner at an incredibly lovely restaurant.

We’re going to the fabulous Italian restaurant in the Village in Lake Las Vegas tonight, a short walk from our condo. We enjoy the candlelight ambiance, white linen tablecloths, black-and-white-dressed Italian servers, a view of the lake, and fantastic food to celebrate this day together. That’s all we need besides the joy of being together on this day and every day.

On another note, our dear friend Lisa, whom I met in the 1980s in Minnesota and with whom I have stayed in close touch over the years, is coming to Marloth Park for an entire month at the end of March. Tom and Lisa have also become good friends, and it will be delightful to share the wonders of the bush with her soon.

A few days ago, I was on the phone with Lisa when she booked her flight from Orlando, Florida, to Nelspruit/Kruger/Mpumalanga (MQP), arriving on April 2, the same day Tom has to return the rental car to the small airport. That way, Lisa could ride with Tom on his return drive and then again for her return flight when she leaves on May 1, and he returns the rental car again.

Lisa and I are like sisters, with endless stories to remember of our friendship over the years. We never run out of conversation and treasure our time together. It will be fun for all of us. Of course, sharing the wonders of the bush with a dear visitor is beyond exciting. Her visit will only enhance the time we will spend in the bush.

We’re also waiting to hear from our dear friends Rich and Karen, who live in Florida and plan to visit sometime during our second stay in Marloth Park from June to September. We should hear from them soon.

As of tomorrow, February 15, it will be two weeks until we depart Nevada to begin the long journey to South Africa. It’s been almost two years since we left in April 2023. When we left, we thought we’d be returning in 13 months and now, after dealing with medical issues, we’re returning in 23 months. I’ve missed it so much.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you. We hope you have an opportunity to share your love with those special people in your lives today and always.

Be well.♥

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

This Laysan Albatross parent and chick sit close to one another until the chick becomes more confident and the parents feel more at ease. In time, the chick will likely be left behind on its own in June or July. For more photos, please click here.

Scary emergency in the middle of the night!…See our video!…

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The above video is from last night, around 3:15 am, when a loud announcement and evacuation warning came over the loudspeakers in the condos and hallways.

We were startled out of bed when we heard the sirens going off in the middle of the night.I heard the alarms before Tom since he doesn’t wear his hearing aids to bed. When I heard the sirens, I immediately woke him up while we each scrambled to get out the door.

Before opening the door, we felt it for warmth and then bolted down the hallway to the stairway leading to the building’s lobby. When we arrived, a few dozen residents, many with their dogs, were gathered in the lobby, as shown in the above photo.

I felt exceptionally safe since Tom is a former volunteer fireman. I couldn’t have been in better hands. Unable to find my zippered sweatshirt, I put on my shoes and head to the lobby with Tom, wearing my full-coverage pajamas. There was no time for fashion conscientiousness.

Once in the lobby, when we hadn’t seen or smelled smoke, we felt comfortable staying indoors to wait for the fire department staff to arrive. We waited only about 30 feet from the front door. At least two dozen people had the same idea, waiting indoors when it was cold outside, around 50F, 10 C.

Another few dozen residents waited outdoors wearing heavy coats and jackets. Previously, we had no idea how many people were staying in this condo complex in Lake Las Vegas. There may have been under 40 people, not very many, for this good-sized, 178-unit building, many of which are privately owned by many who only live here part-time.

After about 45 minutes passed and no fire trucks had arrived, I decided to call 911. (The building is not overseen by staff during the night.) As soon as I connected to the 911 operator and she saw where I was calling from, she explained that the fire trucks would arrive any minute.

As soon as I hung up, the fire trucks pulled into the driveway, and several firemen scoured the building for about 20 minutes, checking every floor and every condo for specific issues. Apparently, none were found, and eventually, they turned off the alarms and gave us the “all clear” to return to our units.

By the time we returned to bed, it was about 4:30 am. Being awake like that during the night made it challenging to fall back asleep. It wasn’t until after 5:30 am that I finally drifted off, awakening at 9:30 and feeling sluggish. Tom was up and about by 9:00 am and I entered the kitchen to make breakfast at 10:00 am, showered and dressed for the day, finally feeling energized to tackle another day.

We had a tasty breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast for Tom, and bacon and eggs (topped with guacamole and Picante sauce) and Greek yogurt with ground flaxseeds for me. I’ve already completed my exercise routine, talked to our friend Lisa on the phone, and am just about to complete today’s post.

We are grateful to have caught up on sleep, ultimately been safe after the false alarm, and grateful for another day in the life…

Be well.

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

As we approached this unusual plant, we were reminded of sweet corn, which appears to be covered in a velvety cloth. It is called Zamia Furfuracea. For more photos, please click here.

Today is my six-year “heartaversary”…What is life expectancy after open heart surgery?…

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Kauai is rich with colorful vegetation.

It was six years ago today that I had emergency open-heart coronary bypass surgery in Nelspruit, South Africa. Although it was a long and painful recovery, no words can describe how grateful I am to have come out on the other side now feeling well and thriving.

One might say, why celebrate such a dreadful experience? But, the celebration isn’t over the procedure itself but more about having survived and, in my case, the ability to continue to travel the world now, six years later. Sure, there have been some setbacks, most recently requiring the visit to the Cleveland Clinic with excellent results after three previous misdiagnoses in three countries by three cardiologists. There, I had many tests and the elimination of a dangerous drug.

After this extensive surgery, one can’t help but wonder about potential life expectancy. Here’s some information in that regard:

The life expectancy after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery varies depending on several factors, including the patient’s age, overall health, lifestyle, and the presence of other conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. However, here are some general trends:

  • Average Survival: Many patients live 10 to 20 years after bypass surgery, especially if they adopt heart-healthy habits.
  • 10-Year Survival Rate: Around 70-80% of patients live 10 years post-surgery.
  • 15-Year Survival Rate: About 50-60% of patients live beyond 15 years.
  • 20-Year Survival Rate: Some studies show that about 25-30% of patients reach the 20-year mark.

Factors That Influence Lifespan After CABG:

  1. Lifestyle Changes: Patients who eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise, quit smoking, and control their blood pressure and cholesterol tend to live longer. (My lifestyle is ideal in this regard).
  2. Underlying Health Conditions: Diabetes, kidney disease, and severe heart failure can shorten life expectancy. (I have none of these).
  3. Age at Surgery: Younger patients have longer survival rates than older patients undergoing the procedure. (I was 70 at the time of this surgery).
  4. Success of the Surgery: If the grafts remain open and blood flow is maintained, the heart can function well for decades. (One of my grafts has failed, but my heart is functioning well without that graft based on a recent angiogram at Cleveland Clinic).

CABG is not a cure for heart disease, but it significantly improves the quality of life and survival by reducing the risk of heart attacks and other complications. Regular follow-ups with a cardiologist are crucial for long-term success.

After the complete workup at the Cleveland Clinic, I feel comfortable waiting a few years for another review while we’re visiting family in Minnesota. At that time, I’ll go to the more conveniently located Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, 90 minutes from where we’ll be staying.

In the interim and the future, I will continue with my healthy lifestyle: a healthy low carb unprocessed-foods diet, daily exercise, quality sleep, low stress, frequent socialization, and positive relationships. Of course, being with Tom Lyman is always a boost for good health with his upbeat demeanor, loving support, and playful nature.

For me, I’ve found that the fewer prescription drugs I take, the better I feel. For my age and history, I only take a few medications and supplements that support heart health.

Be well.

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

The Kauai Path was a lot longer than it appeared when we first started walking. For more photos, please click here.

Fantastic evening with family…Gosh, I’ve missed this!…

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My two sons and I were together for the first time in years, with Richard (left) living in Las Vegas and Greg in Minneapolis. (I should have opened my eyes!)

It was a lovely evening with my two sons and their girlfriends. The last time I was together with both of my sons, as mentioned, was in 2009 at Greg’s 40th birthday party.

Of course, I wanted the dinner to be perfect and the dessert they requested, bread pudding, to be equally delicious. I was pleased to know they all liked the food. It was the first dinner party we’d had in almost two years, and as an experienced cook and foodie, it was easy to do, although time-consuming.

I’m glad I prepped the food as much as possible the prior day, making yesterday relatively easy. I don’t stress when preparing meals for guests. Instead I focus on getting everything done on time, seasoned well, and cooked to perfection. Even Tom, a picky eater, loved the bread pudding.

Fortunately, I made an extra pan of bread pudding for dessert, which he’ll savor over the next few evenings. As for the pot pie, enough servings are left for the next few nights, when I’ll have barramundi, scallops, and salad, making the next few days easy. The fish and scallops will be cooked together and seasoned well in my excellent skillet. The heavy pan I’m insisting on will accompany us to Africa in my luggage.

At the moment, I’m doing laundry to hang on the indoor rack. Tom cleaned the kitchen after breakfast, which he especially enjoyed with two pieces of toast, bacon, and eggs. It’s a rarity that we ever have bread on hand, but when we do, such as this occasion, leftover from making the bread pudding, he’s on Cloud 9.

Speaking of Tom, he was so helpful with all the dishes last night. After everyone left, I wiped down the island’s granite countertop. This morning, we did a little more cleanup, and we’re back to our usual tidy and organized household.

As for the evening, the conversation was lively and animated, telling stories from my son’s childhood and many current stories and experiences. Tom and the two lovely girlfriends were easily included in the conversation. It couldn’t have been more fun and filled with laughter.

With Greg and Heather’s early morning flight, they all left by 9:00 pm. We’ll see them in less than four months, and we’ll see Richard and his girlfriend for dinner on my birthday, February 20.

A few minutes ago, I booked a Valentine’s Day dinner reservation at Luna Rosa, a gourmet Italian restaurant in the Village in Lake Las Vegas.

Our 30th wedding anniversary is on Friday, March 7, which we will celebrate at Jabula in Marloth Park. How fun that will be. We have many celebrations ahead of us, but most of all, we celebrate good health, which enables us to continue our travels. We are so grateful.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 11, 2015:

We visited an open house for which we’ve included several photos. This is the fabulous view of Hanalei Bay. from the lanai. For more photos, please click here.

Busy day!…Family coming for dinner!…First time we’ve had a dinner party in almost two years…

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The individual keto chicken pot pies we are serving today.

We last had a dinner party in Marloth Park almost two years ago. My entertaining skills are a little rusty, especially since we didn’t have proper serving dishes, linen napkins, or placemats. Thank goodness family is coming since the expectations aren’t quite the same as if friends entertained us with an abundance of housewares and cooking supplies.

I doubt any of our friends would mind if we weren’t fully equipped to entertain, as experienced in Marloth Park when we had as many as 14 dinner gusts and improvised with what we had on hand. It always worked out well.

Since I am feeling so much better, I can tackle this, especially since both of my sons and their girlfriends provide me with plenty of enthusiasm and motivation. We haven’t been together since Greg’s 40th birthday party in 2009, over 15 years ago. Wow, how time flies. It seems like yesterday.

Our menu isn’t elaborate. I am making keto chicken pot pies in individual servings (small tin foil loaf pans, see the above photos, with a side of rice and salad and, for dessert, Martha Stewart’s Bread Pudding (which the kids suggested). I won’t be eating the dessert, but it will be fun to watch them enjoy it.

Tom asked me to save some of the leftover bread so he could have toast for the next few days. That’s my guy…the breadman!

We’ve had a fun time with Greg and Heather here, but they leave for Minneapolis tomorrow. We will see them again in June at Granddaughter Maisie’s graduation. In the past few years, we’ve spent a lot of time with family. We won’t return to the US until June 2026 for Grandson Mile’s graduation.

Health provided, after that, we may not return to the US until 2028 for Granddaughter Madighan’s graduation, at that point being away for two years. But, at this point in life, predicting the future is difficult. We are very grateful for every single day, let alone years.

All I have left to do today is make the dessert, cook the rice, and cook the pot pies in the oven. I’m glad I did so much yesterday, making today a more leisurely day.  Although my health is greatly improved, my legs tire easily while standing for extended periods. I always pace myself when making meals and doing household tasks.

Once I upload this post, I will do my exercises, then set the dinner places on the island where we’ll have plenty of room.

Be well.

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

Finally, the Laysan Albatross chicks hatched, all within a 24-hour period. It wasn’t easy getting a good photo of the chick when it was busy preening itself almost continuously. How quickly they learn to manicure their beautiful array of feathers. For more photos, please click here.

What’s the deal with a “REAL ID?”…Can I use a passport instead?…

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The precious Laysan Albatross chicks began to hatch in early February. We visited the site almost daily to savor the exciting events.

A few of our readers have asked about the requirements for US residents to provide a “READ ID” to travel domestically. As a result, the inquiries have prompted us to write about REAL IDs today to help clarify this US requirement.

How to Get a REAL ID

To obtain a REAL ID, follow these steps:

  1. Visit Your State’s DMV Website
    • Each state has slightly different requirements, so check your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website for specific details.
  2. Gather Required Documents (Original or Certified Copies)
    You’ll typically need:
    • Proof of Identity: U.S. passport or birth certificate
    • Social Security Number: SSN card, W-2, or 1099 form
    • Proof of Residency (2 documents): Utility bill, bank statement, lease/mortgage agreement
    • Proof of Name Change (if applicable): Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order
  3. Go to the DMV in Person
    • REAL IDs cannot be obtained online. You must visit a DMV office in person.
    • Bring all required documents.
    • Pass any necessary tests (vision test, for example).
    • Pay the fee (varies by state, typically $10–$50).
  4. Receive Your REAL ID
    • You’ll get a temporary paper ID immediately. The official REAL ID will be mailed to you within a few weeks.

How to Use a REAL ID

  • Domestic Air Travel (Starting May 7, 2025): Use it to board flights within the U.S.
  • Federal Buildings & Military Bases: Present it for entry where REAL ID is required.
  • Driving: If it’s a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, you can use it just like a regular license.

Alternatives to REAL ID

If you don’t want a REAL ID, you can use:

  • U.S. Passport or Passport Card (Works for domestic & international travel)
  • Military ID
  • DHS Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI)

Is a REAL ID required in countries other than the US?

No, the REAL ID is a U.S.-specific requirement. Other countries do not require or recognize REAL ID for travel.

If you’re traveling outside the U.S., a passport is the primary document you’ll need. Depending on your destination and nationality, some countries may also require a visa.

If you’re driving in another country, you may need:

  • Your U.S. driver’s license (REAL ID or not, depending on the country)
  • An International Driving Permit (IDP) (required in some places)

So, while REAL ID is essential for domestic travel within the U.S., it does not impact international travel.

We won’t be applying for a REAL ID anytime soon since we cannot provide residence verification as mentioned above. We are doing fine using our passports.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 8, 2015:

An early evening from our lanai in Kauai, Hawaii. For more photos, please click here.

Ten Best Luggage Brands, Tested and Reviewed…

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Travel Luggage And Suitcase Illustration - Graphics | Motion ArrayThis morning at Travel and Leisure, I stumbled across a great article about luggage brands, which I decided to share at this link. Over the years of world travel, we’ve had to replace several pieces of luggage, mainly damaged by poor airport handling.

Wheels breaking, rips and dents in exterior components, and excessive wear and tear require us to replace a piece or two every few years. Not only is the expense an issue, but there is also the lack of convenience in where and when to make new purchases.

While in the US, we often go to TJ Maxx stores to purchase reasonably priced brand-name pieces. Many of those pieces last for quite a while. However, the pieces we had to buy in other countries from unknown brands often failed after a few years.

Here’s the article from Travel and Leisure for more information:

(Please click the provided links for individual reviews).

“The 10 Best Luggage Brands, Tested and Reviewed

No matter what size or style you want, these are the best luggage brands to fit your needs. By Theresa Holland

“No matter where you’re going or how often you travel, luggage can make or break your trip. It helps with planning, packing, and staying organized while away — and sometimes determines whether you can bring back souvenirs. There’s a wide variety of checked suitcases, carry-on bags, duffels, weekenders, underseat bags, and backpacks on the market. Beyond that, you’ve got hardside and softside options with various organizational features. Amid what you might call the golden age of luggage, it can be hard to sift through your offerings.

To figure out what brands stand out from the rest, our Travel + Leisure team has tested more than 680 pieces of luggage ranging from compact carry-ons and spacious checked suitcases to duffels, weekenders, garment bags, and other types of travel bags — assessing capacity, maneuverability, durability, and design through a series of tests and simulations. We’ve rolled suitcases through obstacle courses, thrown them off tables, and hit them with baseball bats to see how well they’d perform in different travel scenarios, like amongst rough baggage handlers. We even recreated an airplane set in our New York City lab to lift bags into overhead bins and underneath seats. We continue testing each bag in our real-life travels for a minimum of six months to ensure it stands up to planes, trains, automobiles, and anything else life throws at it.

Our team has tested bags from many different brands, and below, you’ll find our current favorites. We will continue to update this article as we test even more luggage brands and new bags.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Samsonite at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Overall, Runner-up:

Travelpro at Amazon

Jump to Review

Most Durable:

Briggs & Riley at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Staying Organized:

Away at Away Travel

Jump to Review

Most Spacious:

Delsey at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Design:

Beis at Beis

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Tumi at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Style:

Paravel at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Colors:

July at July.com

Jump to Review

Best for Smaller Bags:

Calpak at Calpaktravel.com

Jump to Review

Best Overall: Samsonite”

One of our suitcases has a broken wheel, but we’ve decided to use it to get to Marloth Park. Once we return to the US for Maisie’s graduation in June, when we have a rental car, we will purchase the new bag and fill it with supplies we may need to bring back to South Africa.

When we fly out in May, we’ll only bring one large bag to share since we’ll only be in the US for two weeks and can manage with a minimum amount of luggage.

We’re heading out to dinner tonight with my two sons and their girlfriends to an upscale Brazilian Barbecue restaurant in Las Vegas. Of course, we’re looking forward!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 7, 2015:

One of three pools at the Princeville Westin, where we met dear friends Elaine and Richard for lunch. For more photos, please click here.