Part 2…Kruger National Park photos…Most turbulent flights in the world…

Posted by worldwide-admin on March 12, 2025 with 0 Comment

We spotted this Goliath Heron at the Sunset Dam: This enormous heron stands 1.5 meters tall and has a robust, dagger-like bill. The immature has rustier upperwings than the adult. Its flight is ponderous and labored. Goliath Heron inhabits large rivers, marshes, estuaries, and mangroves, hunting for large fish and other animals, stabbing them with an open bill. It has a distinct, barking “kowoork” call that can be heard from up to 2 km away. Purple Heron has similar plumage, but Goliath Heron is twice the size, has a much larger bill, and has a rufous (not blackish) top of the head.

The photo wasn’t clear enough to determine this type of bird.

With concerns about flying after several recent crashes worldwide, travelers are more reticent about flying than ever. Educating oneself with statistics about flying can quickly allay some of those fears. Also, as in today’s article, knowing the more high-risk areas, airline ratings, and turbulence-prone flight patterns can put one’s mind at ease when making travel plans.

Small rapids as we drove across the bridge at the Sabie River.

On the other hand, a vacation or holiday is just that—a time to relax and unwind. If you are a terrified flyer, researching your intended route may put your mind at ease. Of course, turbulence can be a factor on any flight route or at any time. Remember that it’s a rarity for a crash or injury during even the worst turbulence. Keeping one’s seat belt on at all times reduces such risks.

Another view of the rapids at the Sabie River at Lower Sabie.

A Cape buffalo lying in the grass on the bank of the Sabie River.

From this article:

“These Are the Most Turbulent Flight Routes in the World—and No. 1 Flies Through Air Notoriously Called ‘Mountain Wave’

By Evie Carrick

Published on March 5, 2025

Finally, settled in and fully rested…Fun anniversary night…

Posted by worldwide-admin on March 8, 2025 with 0 Comment

No words can express how relieved we are to feel rested. This was the most prolonged period (five days) that either of us was tired and had difficulty sleeping after the two-day journey to South Africa.

Mom and a youngster scouring the ground for pellets.

Although I woke up several times last night, I got about seven hours of sleep and feel great today. Tom has also recovered after almost sleeping through the night. We only needed to sleep for one or two nights in past visits to feel well again. It must be due to old age.

A female kudu drinking from the bird bath.

Last night, we had an excellent time at Jabula. As always, the food was fantastic, as shown in the photos below, and Dawn kept us busy introducing us to guests we’d never met and seeing a few we knew from the past. There was never a dull moment. We arrived at 5:00 pm and had dinner at 7:00, sitting at the bar.

Tom’s dinner at Jabula consisted of Chicken Schnitzel, baked potato, green beans, creamed spinach with mushroom sauce and sour cream. He offered me his creamed spinach which he knows I love, and the sour cream.

Dawn was as thoughtful as ever, ensuring they had my favorite light wine, South Africa Four Cousins Skinny Red. We ordered a bottle for me, and last night I drank two glasses, and tonight I will have two more. There will be a little left which we’ll take with us when we go “home.”

My delicious meal consisted of grilled hake, three eggs, more creamed spinach and tartar sauce.

“The recognized size for a standard pour of wine is around 5 ounces. So, if you’re doing the math, a bottle should yield about five glasses of wine. Of course, individual preferences might vary the pour, but as a general rule of thumb, expect five (5-ounce) glasses from a 750-milliliter bottle.”

This young male was brazen, approaching us at the table. Notice his budding horns.

Tom drank his favorite, Lion Beer, which he can only get in South Africa. This week, we received an order from Takalot, South Africa’s version of Amazon, for a case of 24 cans of Lion Beer, 17.6 oz (500 ml) for Tom for ZAR 289, US $15.83.

We’re trying to feed the animals beyond the little fence to preserve the grass in the garden, but some of the animals come over anyway, even though they don’t get any pellets.

We also received a case of 12 bottles of Four Cousins Skinny Red wine for ZAR 729, US $39.94. This is an average of US $3.32 per full-sized 750 ml bottle, which is typical for wine made in South Africa. In the US, we paid at least $15 for a similar bottle of red wine.

A young kudu looking for pellets. Mom was nearby.

We’ll head to Komatipoort tomorrow to go grocery shopping at the larger Spar Market. That Spar Market has a considerably more extensive inventory than the new SaveMor Spar recently built in Marloth Park. The local store is perfect for picking up a few items but doesn’t fulfill our grocery shopping needs.

It takes about 20 minutes to get to Komatipoort, but we never mind the drive along the sugar cane fields. We’ll most likely shop every week as we’ve done in the past.

Kathy and Don safely arrived yesterday, exhausted from an even more extended trip than ours. They will undoubtedly spend the next few days recovering before we see them. We are both looking forward to reuniting with our dear friends after three years.

We return to Jabula for dinner again tonight, feeling much more alert and rested. Dawn is having the kitchen staff make a leg of lamb for me, which I haven’t had since we were here almost two years ago. A leg of lamb, creamed spinach, a Greek salad, and a glass of red wine sound perfect.

Be well.

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

Many plants and trees on new friends Bev and Sam’s property in Kauai produce various fruits, such as in this pineapple garden, grown in such abundance that they are sold; all are organic and non-GMO, without pesticides and chemicals. For more photos, please click here.

Today is our 30th wedding anniversary…And the sightings continue…

Posted by worldwide-admin on March 7, 2025 with 0 Comment

In front of God’s Window in South Africa. Photo taken in March 2013.

Kathy and Don are on their flight from Johannesburg to Mpumalanga/Nelspruit/Kruger. They will go grocery shopping at Woolies in Nelspruit and then make their way to Marloth Park. We will likely not see them for several days so that they can rest and recover from the long journey.

I just texted Kathy that when we visit over the next few months, until they leave in May, we will bring our food, including our meat and sides, and a large salad to share. We won’t need her to make starters of side dishes, especially since we are both watching our weight. In South Africa, it’s traditional for guests to bring their drinks.

It’s been a busy past few days as we’ve unpacked and organized our stuff, done laundry and finally, opened the several bins Louise had stored for us for almost two years. It was like Christmas opening those bins filled with kitchen supplies, gadgets, and spices we’d left behind.

Also, we had a black tote filled with clothes we’d left behind, some summer and some winter. After all, we’d been here for several years, accumulating more than we ever dared to carry due to weight restrictions. Once we leave here in September, we will give Vusi and Zef and their families the overflow clothing, and we’ll give the kitchen products to Louise for her many holiday rentals.

Unloading all the containers took the better part of the day. This morning, Vusi picked up the tote of clothes to be washed, dried, and folded. Of course, I advised Vusi there was no rush. After all, we haven’t had those clothes for two years and won’t miss a thing.

This was only a part of their “band.” When we made a clicking sound, many more came into the garden.

It felt good to get everything done, and we could relax and enjoy the weekend. Tonight, we’ll head to Jabula for dinner and to celebrate our 30th anniversary among friends. Last night, again, I didn’t get much sleep, waking up at 2:30 am and never going back to sleep. I tried breathing and relaxation techniques, but nothing allowed me to drift off. Maybe a nap will be on the agenda today so I’ll be perky for our night out.

Look at them! They are on a frenzy, getting to the meat we tossed to them.

We thought it may take a few days to see a steady stream of wildlife visitors, but no more than a few hours after our arrival, they were “hoofing it” over to our veranda when they saw us. We recognized some of them, but no Norman yet. I continue to wait for his return with his family.

When they’d devoured the paloney and chicken scraps, a few came to the door, wondering where we were when we were sitting at the table on the veranda.

Tom set up the trail cam, and there were only these two blurry photos from last night when a few giraffes walked across our garden (they call it a “yard or backyard,” here a garden). Undoubtedly, one day soon, we will see them lumbering across the terrain.

No, you can’t go into the house, as tempting as that may be. We shooed them away.

We were thrilled to see the many mongooses return to hang out with us. We made our familiar clicking sound and more came running from deep in the bush ready to partake in cubes of cut paloney roll and leftover chicken bones from last night’s dinner. They are funny little critters with lots of personality and endless antics. Enjoy the photos!

Can you see the giraffe near the center of this trail cam photo?

Here is another giraffe, taken with the trail cam, in the right in this photo.

Have a wonderful weekend and be well!

Photos from ten years ago today, March 7, 2015:

Our anniversary photo from March 2013, the night we were injured on the collapsed steps in Belize. Gosh, we were tan. We don’t tan anymore. For more, please click here.

It’s a wonderland for sure…

Posted by worldwide-admin on March 6, 2025 with 2 Comments

This wildebeest has a new name…Blondie, with this adorable blond hair.

Last night, when we went to bed shortly after dinner. Still tired from our long journey, we both fell asleep during the two shows we tried to watch. We agreed to wake each other up when we saw the other snoozing to get on a practical sleeping schedule, but we fell asleep simultaneously. We probably shouldn’t have taken a short nap during the day.

We were thrilled to see the dozen wildebeests visit our garden.

Subsequently, I awoke at 2:30 am and Tom shortly thereafter. We’ve been awake since. It’s been hot since we arrived on Monday and the high today is expected to be 96F, 36 C and similar temps will continue through the next seven days.

Pellets were on the menu. So far, we’ve purchased two 40 kg bags, 88 pounds, which should last through the weekend. The pellet guy comes to Louise’s nearby office on Fridays, when we’ll buy two more weekly bags.

It’s still summer here, and the mozzies accompany the hot weather. We use repellent three times a day and multiple insect repellent products when sitting outdoors at night. Once it cools down, there will be fewer mosquitoes in months to come, but we will still use repellent since it is prevalent to a lesser degree during the fall and winter months.

They lingered for an hour and then took off to search for “greener pastures.”

Scientific Name: Connochaetes taurinus (Blue Wildebeest), Connochaetes gnou (Black Wildebeest) Common Name: Wildebeest, Gnu. Size: Approximately 4-5 feet tall at the shoulder, body length of 6-8 feet. Weight: 260-600 pounds. Lifespan: 10-20 years in the wild. Diet: Herbivore, primarily grasses.

Overall, we feel good. Our sleep schedules will return to normal in a few days, but we enjoy every moment in the meantime. The familiarity of living in the bush for over four years hasn’t diminished our sense of awe and wonder of this magical place.

There are two species of wildebeest: the blue and the black. We see blue wildebeests in Marloth Park.

This morning, we’re doing three loads of laundry. With the heat we don’t wear anything twice, whereas over the past year, living with central air conditioning we could wear the same shirt for a few days and jeans for several days. Tom found the portable drying rack in the storage room. He’s doing the laundry while I hang it on the drying rack as each load is done.

Tonight’s dinner will be a repeat last night’s: chicken breasts, legs, and thighs on the grill with a side of egg salad and rice for Tom. I’ll make more elaborate meals once it cools down and I’m more rested.

Wildebeests are part of the Great Wildebeest Migration, the world’s largest land migration.

Kathy and Don arrive tomorrow, but we won’t see them for a few days while they recover from an even further journey from Hawaii, several hours longer than our trip from Nevada.

This morning, more than 50 animals came to the garden, and we welcomed everyone. Already, we’re becoming familiar with frequent visitors and seeing a few we recall from almost two years ago.

Wildebeest calves can run within minutes of being born.

What can I say, other than…it is lovely. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be here. Thanks for all the well wishes from our readers/friends and family. We write here, just for YOU!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 6, 2015:

In Kauai, the seawater was so clear we could see little fish swimming in this tide pool. For more photos, please click here.

We’ve arrived at wildlife paradise!…Marloth Park, South Africa…

Posted by worldwide-admin on March 4, 2025 with 4 Comments

Our first visitor this morning, a male bushbuck.

Note: There is a blur in some of the photos from using our camera instead of my phone. I think I’ve fixed it but I will see how it goes after a few adjustments/

It was a long trip, almost two days, but we are thrilled to return to South Africa. I wrote part of this post on our last of the three fights, albeit a little raggedy after little sleep. We awoke on Saturday morning, anxious for the long journey to be completed and never slept again until Monday night.

A younger male bushbuck than the photo shown above

And there we were on Monday, flying from Cape Town to Mpumalanga/Nelspruit/Kruger, where we collected our bags and the rental car for the 90-minute drive to Marloth Park.

Yes, it already feels like home after being away for one month short of two years. It seems like yesterday when we last left. We assumed we’d be returning a year earlier, but health circumstances kept us away a year longer than anticipated.

Three female kudus stopped by for a visit.

However, we are grateful to be here now and will treasure each day we are given in this wildlife wonderland, along with the joys of some of the best friends we’ve made in years, both human and animal.

Ah, it feels good.

The trip was long and tiring for old-timers, but we never complained. We maneuvered through each of the three flights, two layovers, five times through security, and only once through immigration.

A mom warthog with two of her three piglets.

We had to collect our bags and recheck them in Cape Town for the last leg on the smaller Airlink plane. Much to our delight, they were all there, and we didn’t have to pay more than the $100 fee for one very overweight bag.

A male warthog attempting to climb onto the veranda.

The weirdest part of the trip is that the first and second flights from Las Vegas to London and the next from London to Cape Town were both in the dark, with dinner served and breakfast 7-8 hours later. Of course, this was due to the 10-hour time difference.

This morning we had the blessed opportunity to see many animals and we stayed busy tossing them pellets.

Some of the wildlife will likely take several days to learn we are here. I’m looking forward to seeing my boy Norman, the daddy and now grandaddy Nyala, in the park. We can’t wait to share!

Last night, after our arrival and time spent with Louise and Danie at their place, we showered and dressed to head out to Jabula for dinner. The kisses and hugs from Dawn, Leon, and other old friends we saw in the bar warmed our hearts, making us all the more aware of the magic of this remarkable place.

Dinner was predictably outstanding. Our total bill included two light beers for me and three for Tom, plus our meals, taxes, and tips, was US $32.67, ZAR 608.72. This is a far cry from the US $100, ZAR 1863.25, we paid each time we dined out in the US.

Tom’s dinner was a bunless pineapple burger with green beans.

It looks awful but spicy peri-peri chicken livers is one of my favorites at Jabula.

We are entirely unpacked and will soon head to the new grocery store in Marloth Park. We only need to buy enough dinner ingredients to last until Friday, when we’ll return to Jabula on Friday night (and Saturday)to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.

Plus after a good night’s sleep neither of us has jetlag.

Stay tuned, dear readers, lots more is yet to come!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 4, 2015:

We always feel fortunate to have the opportunity to embrace these memorable scenes, in this case in Kauai, Hawaii. For more photos, please click here.

Finally, we’re off to South Africa tonight!…

Posted by worldwide-admin on March 1, 2025 with 0 Comment

Agave plants in Hawaii can grow these snake-like protrusions.

It’s been a busy few days. At 10:00 am on Saturday, we only have to pack the clothes we are wearing, change into our travel clothes, weigh the bags, and load the condo’s luggage rack. A moment ago, I ordered an Uber SUV for $102. It was pricey, but we have more luggage than usual and needed to ensure enough room for our large checked and carry-on bags.

Once we eventually leave South Africa in September, we will discard one of the large bags, leaving us with three bags with carry-on, our usual load. We’ve read stories about nomads only traveling with backpacks. We could travel lighter if we didn’t stay in locations for extended periods.

Every nomadic traveler has to decide what works best for them, and for the past 12 years, this system has worked well for us. We have no complaints. With luggage carts and porters in most locations, we manage just fine.

When we arrive at Nelspruit/Mpumalanga/Kruger Airport on Monday, we’ll use their free luggage carts to load everything into the rental car and be on our way. Tom suggested that if we are exhausted, we stay overnight at the lovely hotel at the airport. However, many times we arrived in Nelspruit, we’ve managed to make the 90-minute drive, arriving in Marloth Park before dark, which is vital since driving on the N4 highway at night is dangerous due to rampant crime and carjackings.

Am I anxious to travel this far after so long? A little, I suppose. Luckily, the two legs of the journey each are 10 -12 hours long, with a layover in Heathrow for 1 hour 40 minutes and then Cape Town for almost 3 hours. Although we don’t like layovers, they allow us to move around freely and recharge a little.

If we get lucky and can get empty seats next to us, we can lay down to sleep on the flights. But, these flights are usually packed and we’ll unlikely encounter such a situation aboard the planes. Neither of us is very good at sleeping sitting up, although we may occasionally nod off for a few minutes.

Well folks, that’s all I have for today. If time allows, I will update our itinerary along the way. If you don’t see a post, we’ll return on Tuesday, March 4, about eight hours later than usual, due to the time difference.

Thanks for all of the thoughtful well wishes!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 1, 2015:

It’s no wonder the chicken proliferates and hang out at the beaches when surfers and bathers can’t resist feeding them their lunch. No one seems to mind the chickens and roosters, instead finding humor in their presence, as we do. Fr more photos, please click here.

“New Uber Setting Makes International Rides Cost More—Here’s How to Turn It Off”…1 day and counting…

Posted by worldwide-admin on February 28, 2025 with 0 Comment

Uber is the world’s largest ridesharing company, operating in over 70 countries and 10,000 cities. It’s not our photo.From Travel and Leisure, (see the article here) important news about Uber’s international pricing…

This New Uber Setting Makes International Rides Cost More—Here’s How to Turn It Off

Luckily, it’s very easy to turn off this new setting, By Skye Sherman

Published on February 24, 2025

Uber’s new “preferred currency pricing” may cost you more when using the ride-hailing app internationally.
If your credit card offers free currency conversion, aka no foreign transaction fees, this default setting will cost you more. (But you can turn it off!)
If your credit card charges a foreign transaction fee, you should see which setting benefits you more.

A new setting in your Uber app may make your next international ride cost more than it needs to.

Preferred Currency Pricing is a new Uber feature that lets you pay in your preferred or home currency even while riding in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, or European Union. Uber will charge a flat fee of 1.5 percent to convert from a foreign currency within the app.

Uber explains, “By keeping your preferred currency as your home currency, you’ll pay the same fare for rides as the local currency. Prices of the rides will be shown in your home currency, with a fixed 1.5 percent conversion fee, so it’s easier to know how much you’re paying while abroad.”

But if your card already offers currency conversion for free—as many do—this surcharge will only cost you more. And it’s on by default.

“If you choose to pay in the local currency, your bank or payment method provider may charge a conversion fee higher or lower than 1.5 percent and additional foreign transaction fees may apply,” Uber acknowledges,

In other words, if you use a card with no foreign transaction fees, you don’t need Uber to convert it for you to pay in U.S. dollars, so this new capability will cost you extra; paying in the local currency is just fine because your bank or card provider converts for you for free.

However, Uber’s new setting could be helpful in one instance: if your debit or credit card has foreign transaction fees. This means you are charged a conversion fee when you pay in a foreign currency, and Uber’s 1.5 percent fee may save you money if it’s lower than the fee from your bank or card provider.

Still, many travel-friendly credit and debit cards offer “zero foreign transaction fees” as a perk, so check with your bank or credit card company to determine which option is better for you. Luckily, it’s very easy to turn off this new setting.

To turn off Preferred Currency Pricing, open your Uber app.
Click “Account” on the bottom right.
Navigate to “Wallet,” which is at the top of most phones.
Scroll down until you see “Preferred Currency,” then click in and select “No preferred currency.”

This principle also applies when withdrawing cash from an ATM or using tap-to-pay in foreign countries. If your card has no or low foreign transaction fees, you should always pay in the local currency and click “Decline Conversion” when offered.”

We often use Uber when traveling in foreign countries, especially when we don’t have a rental car. From now on, we will check these features to ensure we receive the best possible pricing.

We’re still busy packing and preparing for tomorrow’s departure. We’re thrilled to have almost everything done today, so tomorrow will be easy.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 28, 2015;

Not all beaches in Kauai are sandy and pristine. For more photos, please click here.

Aircon working again…Packing getting done…Three days and counting…

Posted by worldwide-admin on February 26, 2025 with 0 Comment

The marina in Kauai, where we were picked up for a whale-watching tour.

Ah, it feels good that we have cool air circulating. I had better brace myself for the warm weather in Marloth Park, which has no central cooling and only aircon in the bedroom, which we only use at night. We have spent the past 15 months in air-conditioned comfort, and that’s all about to change.

As always, we’ll acclimate to the differences within a few days while reveling in the treasures before our eyes. It’s funny; I haven’t seen a bug in the past 15 months, and there’s another adjustment we will make, along with checking under the bed before we go to sleep for snakes or other critters. We will become more observant and mindful once we live in the bush once again.

But none of that worries or stresses us. After all, we’ve spent over four years in Africa out of the past 12 years and quickly adapted to our environment each time we’ve arrived. In a way, it’s all a part of the adventure of being in this wild place.

This morning, after making breakfast, I got to work on all the items in the bathrooms that we’ll pack in the checked bags. Gosh, I’ve accumulated a lot of stuff living in the US for so long, all of which we’ll use and most of which I can’t buy in South Africa. Familiar products and supplies we frequently use usually can’t be found there, indeed not the brands we’re used to, such as toothpaste without fluoride, antiperspirants without chemicals, and products for doing my nails.

In the past, we’d place an order and have such items shipped to us, but now, with the cost of shipping and poor delivery service in South Africa, even by UPS, FedEx, and DHL, I made a point of buying everything we’ll need for the next six months. There are no trips to Target to pick up a dozen toiletries items, and the brands generally found in South Africa aren’t the quality we’d prefer.

Of course, the cost of living is very different there, and most products there are based on economic conditions and affordability of the general population,

“The average monthly salary in South Africa is around $1,500 USD. However, the average income can vary depending on factors like job type, education level, and cost of living.”

It’s easy to see why most of the products we’re used to using aren’t readily available. Even such items as laundry soap, easily available in the US and other countries, can’t be found unless one is willing to pay an exorbitant price, for example, for Tide Pods. We can’t bring laundry soap with luggage weight restrictions, and subsequently, I try to buy laundry soap for sensitive skin, such as for babies, which we can buy. The harsh chemicals in their low-cost soap have caused us skin irritations.

All the toiletries are packed, including what we’ll need for the next few days. I took everything out of packages to save on weight. As for kitchen stuff, I am only taking a few favorite kitchen gadgets. We’ll each have two checked bags, resulting in $100 for each extra bag. Virgin Atlantic only allows one checked bag per person, even for international flights.

We’re allowed 22 pounds in carry-on items. Tom will carry the computer bag, and I’ll have my small wheeled bag and a handbag. That should work out fine.

At this point, I don’t have much more to do. Since we don’t have to leave the condo until around 7:00 PM on Saturday, we can wrap up the final packing and ensure everything fits within the weight restrictions. The packing has been relatively easy since I’ve taken my time. Tom has yet to pack his clothes. I do the bulk of the packing, and Tom does all the loading and hauling of the heavy bags.

That’s it for today, folks.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago, February 26, 2015:

The sunset progressed to this point, giving us hope the clouds would provide a fantastic view. For more photos, please click here.

We’re back!…Hot, hot, hot!…Four days and counting!…

Posted by worldwide-admin on February 25, 2025 with 0 Comment

Unusual tree trunk at the Botanical Garden in Kauai, Hawaii.

Yesterday was a busy day. To use the food we had on hand, I made taco salads (no shell) using organic, grass-fed ground beef, two small jars of green olives, which I sliced, grape tomatoes I cut in half, one whole yellow onion chopped, diced celery, grated cheddar cheese, and homemade Greek yogurt salad dressing.

After cooking and draining the ground beef, I seasoned it with keto taco salad seasoning and one can of low-sugar tomato sauce and let it cook for another 30 minutes on low heat to absorb the flavors. Once it cooled, I put it in the refrigerator with portions to be heated in the microwave at dinner time.

There was enough meat, cheese, and vegetables to last for three nights, and we’ll do takeaway (delivered) meals for the remaining four nights. Our flight isn’t until 10:20 on Saturday night, so we’ll order food in the late afternoon to ensure we’ve eaten before the flight, which may or may not provide food on this late flight. Plus, most of the items they serve on flights aren’t suitable for my way of eating.

Once we arrive in Marloth Park on Monday afternoon, it will have been a long haul before we eat dinner again. We’ll be fine, as always. Going without eating for a day or more is not a big deal.

Yesterday, I packed most of my clothes, and we weighed my bag. It’s at the 50-pound maximum. Today, I will pack another bag of supplies. After being in the US for so long, we accumulated several items we’ll be able to use in Marloth Park during the six months there, which includes two stays, three months each, less the time we stay in Minnesota in June.

When we eventually leave South Africa, we will have to donate the items in the overflow extra bag and return to three checked bags: one clothing bag for each of us and one supply bag, our preferred maximum. When we go to the US in June for Maisie’s graduation, we won’t need to bring everything, only enough to last the two weeks we’ll be in the US.

The cooling system in the condo isn’t working. I awoke at 3:00 am from being too hot when we went to bed on Sunday night. I got up and saw the thermostat reading that the indoor temperature was 90F, 32C. Today, a repairman was scheduled to arrive at 8:30 am, and now it is 9:3,0, and no one has arrived. We’ll see how that goes.

The aircon isn’t working. When we set it to 70F when we went to bed, it was 90F when I got up sweating at 3:00 am to discover this. Hopefully, the HVAC person will be here soon.

As soon as I upload this post, I will return to work on the packing. I prefer to do a little each day rather than all at once. Gosh, it’s hard to believe we’ll be flying away in only four days!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 25, 2015:

Barking Sands Beach is located on the west side of Kauai on the Pacific Missile Range Facility grounds. This beach is part of a 17-mile-long stretch that extends from Polihale Beach to Kehaka Beach, close to the end of Highway 50. For more photos, please click here.

Would you do this luxury adventure?…Five days and counting…

Posted by worldwide-admin on February 23, 2025 with 0 Comment

A small pond at the hotel in Poipu Beach,, Kauai where we stayed on my birthday in 2015.

This 25-day Private Jet Trip Includes Stops in 9 Countries—Plus a Free 9-night Cruise…

The free pre-trip cruise features a roomy suite with a private veranda and butler service. By Rachel Chan

Published on February 18, 2025

Here’s the link for the following article from Travel and Leisure online magazine.

Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent has long set the luxury travel bar with its epic continent-hopping private jet journeys—and now it’s launching one of its best offers yet. Travelers who book the 25-day Ancient Kingdoms & Dynasties: A Journey by Private Jet itinerary will get a complimentary nine-night pre-trip cruise with its sibling company Crystal Cruises.

“This unprecedented collaboration … offers travelers a unique opportunity to experience the pinnacle of both air and sea adventures in one extraordinary experience,” said Ann Epting, Abercombie & Kent’s senior vice president of product development, in a statement to Travel + Leisure.

The free, nine-night prequel to the main event starts on Sept. 25 in Barcelona aboard the Crystal Symphony and will sail through Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, with stops in Ibiza, Cartagena, Málaga, Gibraltar, and Casablanca, before ending in Lisbon. Passengers will have the chance to enjoy the ship’s spacious Sapphire Veranda Suite, which comes with perks like a private veranda, butler service, and complimentary laundry.

Guests will then kick off their private jet journey with a night at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon before jetting off to Fez, Morocco; Zanzibar, Tanzania; Salalah, Oman; Udaipur, India; Siem Reap, Cambodia; Luang Prabang, Laos; Istanbul, Turkey; and Malta. Some highlights on the itinerary include a chance to explore Tanzania’s historic Stone Town, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Oman, the City Palace in India, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. At the final stop in Malta, travelers can learn the art of falconry from a local expert, tour Villa Bologna, and attend a musical parade thrown in their honor.

Accommodations throughout the trip are top-tier and include stays at properties like Raffles Udaipur; Palais Faraj Suites & Spa in Fez; Zuri Zanzibar; Corinthia Palace Hotel; and The Peninsula Istanbul—the T+L’s World’s Best Award winner for the Turkish city.

Travelers will have plenty of opportunities to learn and enrich themselves along the journey. A&K brand ambassador, who was born and raised in Portugal and spent six decades traveling the globe, will share his experiences and thoughts throughout the journey. Foreign correspondent Martin Regg Cohn will also be along for the ride, providing lectures about his time spent reporting in more than 40 countries and interviewing world leaders ranging from the Dalai Lama to Benjamin Netanyahu. Cohn says he’s especially excited to join this globe-trotting trip.

“It reminds me of what I found so appealing as a foreign correspondent—traveling to get a closer look at our cultural roots while also seeing the historical roots of today’s conflicts,” he said. To him, the itinerary is a way of figuratively “connecting the dots on the map.”

Undoubtedly, a highlight of the trip is A&K’s private jet, a 48-seat Boeing 757. (I was lucky enough to experience it on a birthday trip to Iceland in 2023.) Every passenger has a first-class, lie-flat seat with an iPad and noise-canceling headphones on board. They’ll also feast on elegant meals throughout the journey.

The entire trip (including the cruise) runs from Sept. 25 to. Oct. 28. Prices start at $147,950 a person based on double occupancy, with a $7,498 single supplement—50 percent off the standard fee. Check out A&K’s website for more details or booking. You can also reserve your spot by calling 800-554-7094. (We do not receive commission or compensation for posting or purchasing this tour).

This package sounds fun but doesn’t fit into our budget. However, we’ve found many affordable cruises that offer multiple ports of call, enabling travelers to visit many parts of the world and fulfilling many of our travel goals.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 23, 2015:

Tag: nomads

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