Impacted travel after horrific Hurricane Helene ravages Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee….

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Men inspect the damage from flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Men inspect the damage from flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 28, 2024, in Asheville, North Carolina. Sean Rayford | Getty Images News | Getty Images
We apologize for failing to discuss the horrific loss of life and property resulting from Hurricane Helene, making landfall in Florida on September 26 and continuing on a path of destruction through several other states, killing almost 300 people (and countless more yet to be found) destroying billions of dollars of property. The total loss of life is yet to be determined as rescuers, family members, neighbors, and friends rifle through the rubble looking for survivors and victims.

It’s been on our minds each day, and we decided to wait to write about it as we’ve learned more and more. No doubt, like you, the daily news updates are disheartening and devastating, knowing how many are continuing to suffer from a lack of resources to help survivors make their way through this life-changing event.

One can’t even imagine losing loved ones from the devastation, let alone their homes and all of their possessions. Many have lost their jobs, businesses, and livelihoods.

Of course, there are innumerable politically motivated perceptions and opinions regarding recovery. We won’t share any of that here. At this point, all we know from various media sources is that many people aren’t being helped, and FEMA funds and resources aren’t coming in quickly enough to aid recovery.

We commend all the selfless military, emergency services personnel, and citizens worldwide who have traveled to the areas to assist.

We’ll now share what we read about flights impacted by the hurricane from this news resource.

“With Hurricane Helene disrupting travel, here’s what fliers need to know*

Greg Iacurci@GregIacurci

As the Southeast U.S. recovers from Hurricane Helene’s destruction, experts say consumers looking to change their air travel plans to or from affected areas without taking a financial hit may be out of luck.

“The big-picture issue that happens in U.S. air travel: When there is a significant disruption, air passengers have very, very limited rights” regarding compensation, said Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp, an online service that assists airline passengers.

Catastrophic damage

Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday in Florida as a Category 4 storm, leaving a swath of wind- and flood-related damage across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.

The storm killed more than 120 people, knocked out power for millions of people, and left many stranded without necessities like running water.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation urged people to avoid unnecessary travel in the western part of the state due to hundreds of road closures caused by downed trees, landslides, and “catastrophic damage.”

What airlines owe passengers

Amid that destruction, travelers hoping to change flights for free or cancel their plans for a refund may find airlines unwilling to grant that financial flexibility.

Airlines generally owe “prompt” refunds to passengers if they cancel or make a “significant change” to a flight, regardless of the reason, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. That’s true even for consumers with non-refundable tickets.

However, experts said weather-related events like Hurricane Helene are generally considered to be outside an airline’s control, meaning passengers have relatively few rights to compensation.

Napoli said the airline’s duty in such cases generally depends on a passenger’s specific fare, such as economy or business class.

He said, “There’s nothing [airlines] will do for you” if your conference was canceled and you didn’t have a ticket granting free cancellation or without fees for changes.

Airlines make concessions in some cases

Some airlines are making concessions tied to Hurricane Helene, though they vary by carrier and geography.

“All the rules are different,” said Sally French, a travel expert at NerdWallet.

She said that many major U.S. carriers have dedicated web pages for travel alerts that outline their policies regarding specific events.

For example, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines have alerts about flooding in the Southeast. Many focus on areas around Asheville, North Carolina, and some parts of Georgia, like Valdosta.

United is waiving change fees and fare differences for passengers whose flights were affected by flooding and who choose to reschedule their flights, for example.

United’s policy has parameters: Passengers must have purchased their ticket before Sept. 26 for travel between Sept. 30 and Oct. 31, 2024; the new flight must be a United flight leaving by the end of 2024 and between the same cities as originally booked. Those who cancel can get a full refund.

American Airlines is also giving leeway to passengers scheduled to travel through Augusta, Georgia, between Sept. 29 and Oct. 4. They must book changes by Oct. 4.

Delta passengers scheduled to fly through Asheville or Valdosta must travel on rebooked flights by Oct. 18 to avoid paying a fare difference. Change fees would still be waived past that date, however.

Read the specifics of insurance policies.

Experts say travel insurance isn’t always a fail-safe in the event consumers can’t get reimbursed from the travel provider for a flight, hotel, or other travel expenses.

If you didn’t purchase a cancel-for-any-reason policy, your trip problems typically have to fall under specific, covered reasons. Plus, policies bought after Helene became a named storm generally won’t cover claims related to it.

“Make sure you read the fine print and what the insurance covers,” Napoli said.

French said that consumers who purchased their trip with a credit card may get certain travel reimbursement benefits from their card issuer, sometimes even in the case of severe weather. Credit card companies generally require a “quick turnaround” on a claim, often within 21 days.”

Photo from ten years ago today, October 6, 2014:

We made a mistake booking this suite for 11 nights in Oahu. With outrageous prices on vacation homes, we chose this small unit but immediately regretted it due to the lack of amenities, size, and condition. Tom was munching on peanuts while watching the Vikings game on his laptop. Notice the piles of clothes on top of the counters and the makeshift closet behind Tom when there were no drawers or closets. For more, please click here.

Ordering delivered food online while traveling…

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Honolulu, Oahu Hawaii.

Over the past several years, when we stayed in well-populated cities in certain countries, we’ve been able to order meals online to be delivered. Doing so has been convenient and, in most cases, less costly than dining out without extra taxes, higher tips, and the costs of beverages when dining in a restaurant.

We’ve written about the high cost of ordering online in the past, but here in Cleveland, we’ve found it more economical than when we were in Las Vegas and Minneapolis. At times like this, without a rental car and little desire to dine out, ordering online has been a special treat.

Also, when I haven’t been motivated or feeling well enough to cook, and since we don’t eat pre-packaged meals, ordering online has been a convenient relief. No, we prefer not to spend $100+ for delivery meals, considering we always order enough for two nights’ dinner, which often averages a lower daily cost.

As an Amazon Prime member, the delivery fee is free with Grubhub, while other services have special discounts for delivery or low-cost delivery fees. ( It’s simple to sign up for ‘free Grubhub delivery” with Amazon Prime). Also, Instacart and other delivery services often deliver groceries and meals from restaurants. Frequently, online delivery services offer special delivery fee programs by the month or year.

Many monthly delivery packages offer a free first month or discounts on your first order. If you are traveling, these specials may be different from country to country. It only takes a few minutes to check online to see the best pricing for your chosen restaurants and stay with that service throughout your stay.

We jump between Instacart, Grubhub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash, depending on the promotions offered at any given time. In some cases, recently, we’ve preferred food from specific nearby restaurants and, in only minutes, can check for the best pricing. For example, a restaurant I love with healthy Asian salads, Bibibop,  suggested I sign up for their app on my phone. About every fourth order, I accumulate enough “points” to get one complimentary salad, cutting the cost in half.

Sometimes, we pay a delivery fee of less than $5, but we’ve received food discounts that more than compensate for the cost. Also, GrubHub charges a service fee of about $5 for each combined order, but with Amazon Prime, this fee is cut in half. The question becomes: What are we willing to pay for dinners for each of us for two nights?

Yes, it costs more than groceries for those two nights, but the two-night meals generally cost no more than groceries, would be an added $20 for both of us. The convenience and “treat factor” more than compensate for that. Streaming a good movie and dining on our delivered meals creates a delightful evening we both enjoy. Think of the cost of dining out and going to a movie. This total could easily cost over $150 for two, especially in the US.

Here is more comprehensive information about using meal delivery services worldwide.

A Global Taste: Meal Delivery Across Borders

Traveling long-term teaches you many things: how to pack efficiently, navigate foreign streets, and, perhaps most importantly, adapt to new rhythms of life. While the thrill of discovering new foods in tucked-away markets or family-run restaurants is a core part of the experience, there are moments when all you want is the comfort of something familiar or the ease of having a meal arrive at your doorstep, wherever that doorstep may be. Enter meal delivery services—a lifeline for travelers, expats, and locals alike.

In the United States, services like Grubhub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash dominate the food delivery landscape. For someone constantly bouncing between cities, these apps offer more than just convenience; they provide a psychological tether to a place that can otherwise feel transient. Ordering a local dish or even a comforting slice of pizza from a familiar chain can create an illusion of rootedness. This small ritual ties you to the location, if only temporarily.

Then there’s Europe, where delivery services differ by country and region. In Spain, Glovo brings a bit of everything—food, groceries, even last-minute gifts—delivering in a more personal way, almost like sending a friend on an errand. In France, Deliveroo is the go-to for gourmet meals brought straight to your Airbnb, allowing you to indulge in Parisian pastries without braving the crowded boulangerie. However, Europe is special because each country’s service reflects its unique culture. Italian platforms like Just Eat often emphasize fresh, locally sourced ingredients, reinforcing the cultural emphasis on high-quality food.

In Asia, the scene shifts dramatically. In Japan, where precision and timeliness are a way of life, Demae-can and Uber Eats cater to the organized chaos of Tokyo. You could stay in a minimalist capsule hotel and still enjoy a multi-course bento box delivered to you with the same punctuality as a bullet train. In contrast, Southeast Asia—with its bustling markets and vibrant street food culture—has adopted meal delivery with services like GrabFood and Foodpanda. Here, meal delivery brings an interesting blend of local street vendors into the digital age, making it possible to order fresh pad thai from a stall that’s been in the same family for generations.

South America adds another layer of variety. Rappi, the dominant player in countries like Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico, offers meals and a full concierge service. You can get anything from coffee to prescription medications delivered—an invaluable resource for a traveler navigating a new city’s health system or looking for a caffeine fix in Bogotá’s labyrinthine streets.

But what do these services mean for us as travelers? More than just food on demand, they offer a sense of control in environments that feel out of our control. Traveling often forces us to relinquish our routines and familiar comforts, but meal delivery acts as a small anchor to normalcy. You can be in Bangkok one week, and São Paulo the next, yet your favorite foods are still just a tap away. It’s not just about filling your stomach but feeding your sense of familiarity in a world where everything else seems to be shifting beneath your feet.

The psychological impact of these services can’t be understated. They provide respite during bouts of homesickness, offer a break from constant decision-making, and help you maintain a semblance of routine. Whether you order a meal late at night after a long travel day or treat yourself to a Sunday brunch in bed, meal delivery becomes a small act of self-care that transcends borders, cultures, and time zones.

We’ll dine on our second delivered meal tonight, which totaled $64 for the two nights, not much more than we’d paid for groceries at current prices.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 5, 2014:

A bottle-nosed dolphin we spotted from the ship! For more photos, please click here.

Do we need travel insurance if we already have Medicare and a supplement?…

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The flowers in Hawaii are breathtaking such as this colorful lily.

When you have Medicare Parts A and B and a supplement and are planning to travel internationally, it’s essential to know how your coverage works and whether travel insurance is a good idea or is necessary. Most Medicare plans and supplements have some limitations for travel. Thus, checking with your provider before committing to an additional travel plan is imperative.

My Plan G supplement with Aflac covers 80% of emergency travel expenses. Of course, I pay a monthly premium for this comprehensive plan. But, it doesn’t cover trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other services often offered by travel insurance, although a few of our credit cards provide such benefits. Also, for affordable outside travel insurance, there is a 180-day pre-existing clause that means no treatment was necessary during that period.

We cannot possibly cover all the costs and limitations for your travel insurance needs here. It’s imperative that you speak to your current insurance providers and potential travel providers about the best options for you. This isn’t necessarily complicated. A few phone calls and supporting documentation may be all you’ll need to put your mind at ease before committing to travel policy.

In months to come, we’ll work on this to find what works best for us before booking our plans for South Africa. Since plans and pricing often change based on market conditions, we will wait until a few months before traveling to firm up any potential travel plan.

Medicare’s Limitations for Travelers

Medicare generally doesn’t cover healthcare services outside the U.S. (with a few exceptions). This means that if you have an unexpected illness or accident while traveling abroad, you could be responsible for the entire cost of your medical care. Some Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) offer limited foreign travel emergency coverage, but this is often capped and may not cover non-emergencies.

Important Medicare Facts for Travelers:

  • Medicare Part A and B (Original Medicare): Coverage is mainly limited to the U.S. and its territories. Medicare might cover some emergency services in very limited cases, such as on a ship within six hours of a U.S. port or traveling between Alaska and the contiguous U.S. But routine or non-emergency care abroad isn’t covered.
  • Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C): Some Advantage plans may offer emergency care when traveling outside the U.S., but coverage and costs vary by plan. You’ll need to carefully check your plan’s details to know for sure.

Why Travel Insurance Can Be a Good Idea

Since Medicare doesn’t offer comprehensive international coverage, travel insurance can be a wise investment for peace of mind. Travel insurance can cover:

  • Emergency medical expenses: Coverage for accidents, illnesses, or other urgent health needs while abroad.
  • Medical evacuation: If you need to be transported back to the U.S. or a medical facility.
  • Trip cancellation/interruption: If you must cancel your trip due to health reasons or other emergencies.
  • Baggage loss or delay: Extra protection for lost or delayed luggage.

Many travel insurance plans offer tailored coverage for seniors or those on Medicare, so you can get the medical protection you need without worrying about hefty out-of-pocket expenses.

How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance with Medicare

  1. Check if Medigap or Medicare Advantage Plans offer travel coverage: If you already have some coverage, you might only need supplemental travel insurance to fill the gaps.
  2. Look for comprehensive medical coverage: Make sure your travel insurance offers high limits for emergency medical and evacuation expenses, as these can add up quickly.
  3. Compare plans: Travel insurance varies widely. Look at customer reviews, plan details, and coverage limits to ensure you’re getting the right fit for your needs.
  4. Consider pre-existing conditions: Some travel insurance policies include coverage for pre-existing conditions if you buy the plan soon after booking your trip.

With Medicare’s limitations, investing in a good travel insurance plan can give you the peace of mind that if something happens during your travels, you’ll be covered for medical costs and more.

As time passes and we begin checking our options in months to come, we’ll share what we’ve decided to do. But. each situation is different, and what we choose may not be suitable or necessary for you.

(And yes, the pies were delicious!)

Be well.

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

Gazebo at the park in Hilo, Big Island. For more photos, please click here.

Four pumpkin pies are in the oven…Happy to be baking…

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Here were my eight less-than-perfect pumpkin pies, made on a 104F, 40C day, for a Thanksgiving dinner celebrated in the bush on November 17, 2018. It was impossible to roll the homemade dough in the heat and humidity. Thus, I called it a “Pie day from hell.” At the bottom right is a low-carb pumpkin pie made with an almond flour crust for Louise and Danie. Today’s four pies will look much better. See the post here.

This morning, I managed to walk down the corridor to the elevator bank and make my way to the front desk to pick up a package from Amazon. Then, after I returned to our room, I proceeded to make the four pumpkin pies for Tom, which are now being baked in the oven. This felt like quite an accomplishment.

I didn’t make the crust without a food processor. Instead, I bought the best-prepared crusts from Whole Foods. Hopefully, Tom will enjoy the pies. I’ll leave two pies out and freeze the other two for Tom to enjoy when he chooses. Cooked pumpkin pies freeze well but only for about one month.

We won’t be making a typical Thanksgiving dinner this year, which we haven’t done except when we’ve had guests over the years. Although having a vast array of delicious dishes would be enjoyable, we don’t have the appropriate serving dishes and kitchen utensils to prepare such a meal. Plus, it would be too much work for me now.

As soon as Tom’s pies are done, I’ll make my keto cheese pie, which I haven’t made since we were in South Africa in April 2023. Whenever I make this pie, I think of Louise and Danie, who love it. When it’s done, I take a photo and send it to them. Recently Louise wrote to me asking if I’d make the pie for them when we arrived. Of course, I’d be thrilled to do so!

Today’s four pumpkin pies we just took out of the oven. They look much better than the eight above pies, although they will taste the same.

Pumpkin pie has a long history, especially in the US.

Pumpkin pie, a classic dessert closely associated with autumn and Thanksgiving in the United States, has a rich history that spans centuries and continents. Its story begins long before the Pilgrims set foot on American soil, rooted in the traditions of Native Americans and European settlers.

Native American Origins

The indigenous peoples of North America were cultivating pumpkins and other squash for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. They used these hardy, versatile gourds for both food and practical purposes. Pumpkins were roasted, boiled, or mashed, but the idea of transforming pumpkin into a sweet dessert wouldn’t emerge until later.

Early European Influence

When European settlers arrived in North America in the 1600s, they brought with them a taste for meat pies and custards. However, they found pumpkins a valuable substitute for ingredients they were familiar with back in Europe. Instead of making the pies we think of today, early settlers would hollow out pumpkins, fill them with milk, honey, and spices, and bake them whole in the ashes of a fire. These early “pumpkin pies” were more like a pudding baked inside the shell of a pumpkin, and the use of sugar or spices varied depending on what was available.

The Birth of Modern Pumpkin Pie

The pumpkin pie we know today, with its flaky crust and spiced filling, began to take shape during the 17th and 18th centuries as colonial cooks combined Old World techniques with New World ingredients. The first recorded recipes resembling modern pumpkin pie appeared in English cookbooks. The 1670 cookbook The Gentlewoman’s Companion contains a recipe for “Pumpion Pye,” which involved layering pumpkin with apples, spices, and sugar in a pastry crust. By the late 18th century, recipes had spread throughout New England, where pumpkin pies became a regional specialty.

Pumpkin Pie and Thanksgiving

By the early 19th century, pumpkin pie had become strongly associated with the fall harvest and Thanksgiving. Sarah Josepha Hale, often credited with helping to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday, popularized pumpkin pie in her 1827 novel Northwood, in which she described a Thanksgiving meal that featured the now-iconic dessert.

When Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, pumpkin pie was firmly embedded in American culture. Its presence at Thanksgiving dinner cemented its status as an American tradition and has remained a beloved part of the holiday ever since.

Modern Day Popularity

Today, pumpkin pie is as popular as ever. Canned pumpkin, first introduced in the 1920s, made it easier and quicker to prepare, contributing to its widespread consumption. While many families still make their pies from scratch, the availability of ready-made pie crusts, pumpkin pie filling, and even pre-baked pies has kept the tradition alive in an era of convenience.

Though variations exist—some prefer to tweak the spices or add a touch of maple syrup—the core ingredients of pumpkin puree, sugar, and warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg remain constant. It symbolizes warmth, comfort, and togetherness, particularly during the colder months when families gather for the holidays.

From humble Native American beginnings to a dessert that graces millions of tables each year, pumpkin pie has become a cherished tradition that’s evolved with the times but remains a delicious celebration of fall’s bounty.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 3, 2014:

Was this a houseboat, island, or floating property we spotted in Kona, Hawaii, ten years ago? For more photos, please click here.

Craving a special treat…

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Hawaii never ceased to amaze us with its gorgeous flowers.

This morning, I awoke thinking of pies. Usually, I don’t spend much time thinking about pies. Still, after dreaming about cooking for a large dinner party and making pies for dessert, I put together a comprehensive grocery list from Whole Foods on the Amazon website while still lying in bed, switching back and forth between my favorite two pie recipes, neither of which I’ve made in a long time.

For Tom, seasonally relevant, I’ll be making pumpkin pies. Since I don’t have a food processor to make my usual Martha Stewart pie crust dough or a rolling pin for a suitable alternative, I purchased four ready-made pie crusts and enough ingredients to make four pies. The organic pie crusts, a unique brand from Whole Foods, should be good.

I’ll most likely make four pies from the ingredients for Tom’s pie, keeping one out for him to savor and freezing the rest, already baked and carefully wrapped in foil.

Also, I’ll make my favorite dessert, a low-carb cream cheese pie with a homemade almond flour crust. I’ll only make one of these since they don’t freeze well. Lately, going through all of this medical stuff, I’ve wanted to treat myself with this pie, which I’ll savor in small pieces over the next several days.

With no opportunity to dine out without a car, no willingness to pay the premium prices in nearby restaurants, and the cost of an Uber each way, we’re trying to enjoy a few treats based on how I’m feeling and motivated to bake. When I awoke this morning, although still feeling an irregular heart rhythm, I decided I needed to become more active instead of sitting and waiting to feel better. 

I’ve pampered myself long enough, and it’s time to get in motion. Yesterday, for the first time in weeks, I could do one corridor walk, albeit slowly and tentatively. Today, I will try for two walks, and in the days to come, I will gradually increase the pace and distance. Since we’ve been here for over a month, the most corridor walks I have been able to do have been five walks in one day. We’ll see how it goes.

Carefully monitoring my heart rate is crucial while I hope to regain stamina and strength. Cooking is a suitable means of getting used to standing on my feet for a few hours here and there. Plus, it’s comforting to have special meals, and in this case, desserts, which add to our enjoyment during this confined situation.

In the past few minutes, I completed one walk, about 500 steps. It wasn’t easy since my legs didn’t want to cooperate. The problem is more with my legs, which feel like lead, than my heart beating too fast. Plus, I am unsteady and stay close to a wall in case I tetter along the way. I refuse to believe I will need to use a wheelchair for the remainder of my life.

Walking around in the hotel room is relatively easy. It’s a short distance from room to room. The living room, dining area, and kitchen are one spacious room, and the bedroom and bathroom are separate. Every hour, I make a point of getting up and moving around to avoid sitting too long. It’s easy for hours to pass without getting up, which is ultimately bad for everyone’s health.

Hopefully, I’ll feel well enough to make the pies by tomorrow. We’ll see how it goes.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 2, 2014:

Here we are at Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo. Sam, our friendly taxi driver, took the photo. For more photos, please click here.

A long haul ahead of us…Happy October…

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Flowers in Hawaii are breathtaking. This is an Anthurium. Wow!

We no longer bother with the complimentary breakfast in the hotel, offered each morning from 6:30 to 9:30. The mass-produced, greasy foods, fake scrambled eggs, and eggs boiled in vinegar are not to our liking. Since we’re currently having two meals a day, breakfast and dinner, it made sense to start making our breakfast, which consists of eggs and bacon for Tom and eggs topped with guacamole and Picante sauce for me.

Lately, feeling under the weather, I don’t get up until around 8:00 or 8:30, and once showered and dressed for the day, I make breakfast. Tom would happily do it, but I feel it’s crucial for me to continue preparing meals to keep me more active.

I cannot start walking the corridors again, and I have no idea when this will be possible. When we leave the hotel room, we’re still using the wheelchair. It will be quite a thrill to walk again eventually. But, for now, I accept this as my reality and strive to stay upbeat.

A few of our readers have written asking if the housekeeping issues have been resolved after my lengthy conversation with the general manager. It’s 25% better. They show up every other day but always fail to bring enough supplies we want to be refreshed for the next few days: four bath towels, two hand towels, two washcloths, two dish towels, two toilet paper, and four dishwasher soaps. It’s not that hard.

But they breeze in and out each time they come, leaving us short on half of these supplies. We have to ask them to add the correct items, let alone the proper amounts. They are supposed to make the bed every other day, but they do not. When we ask, they pretend not to understand.

Right now, more than ever, these simple requests are more important to us than in the past. After all, we’re paying premium prices for this hotel close to Cleveland Clinic. The shuttle guy is fantastic, always getting us to our appointments in plenty of time. On October 11, I have an appointment outside the clinic at a location associated with the clinic that is further away, and he will gladly take us there and to my remaining ten appointments over the next 4½ months. Whew!

Many of our readers have written over the past several days, insisting we keep them updated on what’s happening. I suppose I hesitated, fearing I was boring our readers with my constant health updates. Thank you for all of your support. Many of our readers have written about their health issues, for which we offer our love, support, and prayers for well-being.

I make a point of responding to each of these messages, acknowledging that none of us is exempt from experiencing frightening and worrisome health issues as we age and at any time in life. We’ve received many messages from readers as young as their 20s and 30s who also deal with heart issues, generally seen more frequently in the senior population.

Please don’t hesitate to write to us, even via email, about your health concerns. This enables us to return the kindness and consideration of providing support and a safe arena to share your concerns and worries. Of course, we aren’t medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice. But being able to offer an unbiased ear is something we all may need from time to time.

Tonight, we’re having Italian meatballs topped with Rao’s marinara sauce (which I spruce up with additional seasonings), fresh sliced portabella mushrooms, and mozzarella and parmesan cheese. I am having chicken meatballs, and Tom will have beef and pork meatballs. We’ll have a side salad, and Tom will have rice, which he always includes as a side dish.

That’s it for today, folks. And when we say, “Be well” at the end of each post, it’s done so from the bottom of our hearts.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 1, 2014:

Tom is thrilled to be in Hawaii. Me, too! For more photos, please click here.

Part 2…Traveling by train…

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Tom has a special Amtrak pass after working for BNSF Railroad for 42½ years, which we’ve yet to use. Maybe someday.

Today’s post continues yesterday’s post regarding vacation train travel with suggestions worldwide, including the US, as shown below. We’ve yet to travel by train other than the exquisite Maharajas Express in India in 2020, just before the pandemic hit, and we were in lockdown in Mumbai for ten months. See yesterday’s post here.

South America: Scenic and Off-the-Beaten-Path

South America isn’t as famous for train travel but has a few gems. The Train to the Clouds in Argentina is one of the most dramatic railway journeys, ascending the Andes Mountains and reaching over 13,800 feet. In Peru, the Belmond Andean Explorer takes passengers from Cusco to Lake Titicaca, blending luxury with breathtaking views of the Peruvian highlands.

In Ecuador, the Devil’s Nose Train descends a near-vertical drop in a series of switchbacks, offering thrills and stunning scenery. For a more relaxed journey, Brazil’s Vitoria-Minas Railway passes through forests and mountains, giving you a window into the lush beauty of the Brazilian landscape.

North America: Scenic Routes Across the Continent

North America’s rail travel may not be as well-known for its efficiency, but it makes up for it in scenic routes. In the U.S., the Amtrak system offers cross-country adventures, with trains like the California Zephyr taking passengers from Chicago to San Francisco through the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada. The Empire Builder is another classic, stretching from Chicago to Seattle or Portland, offering glimpses of the Northern Plains and Glacier National Park.

Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer is perhaps the most scenic of all. It winds through the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, with luxurious, glass-domed coaches providing unobstructed views of waterfalls, forests, and wildlife.

Australia & New Zealand: The Land of Long, Scenic Journeys

Australia’s vastness makes it ideal for epic train journeys, and the Ghan, which crosses from Adelaide to Darwin, is the ultimate outback adventure. You pass through desolate deserts, mountain ranges, and tropical regions, all while soaking in the unique beauty of the Australian wilderness. Another iconic route is the Indian Pacific, spanning the continent from Sydney to Perth, with long stretches of track running through the hauntingly empty Nullarbor Plain.

In New Zealand, trains like the TranzAlpine offer a shorter but stunning route through the Southern Alps, crossing deep gorges, rainforests, and plains—perfect for travelers looking to see the island’s raw beauty.

No matter where you go, trains worldwide offer a way to get from point A to point B and experience the journey itself. Whether it’s the modern efficiency of Japan’s bullet trains or the leisurely pace of a vintage rail experience in Africa, train travel allows you to slow down and absorb the world outside your window. Each region offers its unique flavor of train travel, reflecting the landscapes, cultures, and histories you’re passing through. If you’ve ever traveled by train somewhere unusual, we’d love to hear your story!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 30, 2014:

The city of Honolulu has grown into quite a metropolis. For more photos, please click here.

Part 1…Traveling by train…

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We thoroughly enjoyed one of the two dining cars on the Maharajas Express, a luxury week-long train adventure in India before COVID-19 hit. For more photos, please click here.

Few words can fully describe the exquisite experience we had in early February 2020 before the pandemic hit and our touring in India suddenly stopped. However, the week-long experience on the luxury Maharajas Express was uninterrupted by anything other than the delightful stops as we made our way from Mumbai to New Delhi. It’s a memory we’ll always treasure.

At that point, we knew that luxury train travel, although expensive, was an opportunity to expand one’s world travel experiences into a realm far removed from typical modes of transportation. If you’d like to read our stories and see our photos from the week-long adventure, visit our archives on the right of our homepage from February 2 to February 9, 2020.

Train travel offers a broad spectrum of experiences, from luxurious rides through exotic landscapes to local trains where the journey becomes an adventure. Each region has its distinct flavor regarding rail travel, influenced by history, geography, and culture. Exploring the world by train allows you to absorb the environment at a slower pace, allowing for a much deeper connection with both the places and people.

Europe: The Heart of Train Travel

Europe is the gold standard for train travel. Its extensive rail network, spanning countries and regions, makes it easy to hop between cities in just a few hours. Trains like the Eurostar zip under the English Channel, connecting London with Paris or Brussels in no time. Meanwhile, the TGV in France and ICE in Germany offer high-speed journeys with comfort and convenience, making it ideal for travelers who want to cover a lot of ground.

Then there are the iconic journeys like the Glacier Express in Switzerland. It’s less about speed and more about taking in the jaw-dropping Alpine scenery. You can watch glaciers, meadows, and mountain passes unfold outside your window while sipping coffee or enjoying lunch in a dining car. Similarly, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, though more of a luxurious splurge, is steeped in history, running between major European capitals with all the luxury of the 1920s.

Asia: A Journey Through Culture and Landscapes

Asia is home to some of the most diverse train travel experiences, from the iconic Shinkansen (bullet train) in Japan to the rickety, bustling local trains in India. The Shinkansen is an incredible testament to efficiency, whisking travelers from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka at lightning speeds. Everything is meticulously planned, and the trains are fast and impeccably clean, offering a glimpse into Japan’s culture of precision and hospitality.

India’s railways, on the other hand, are a world unto themselves. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site, winds through misty mountains, while the Palace on Wheels offers a regal experience that takes you through Rajasthan’s most iconic destinations. But even the ordinary trains in India carry a certain charm: crowded platforms, vendors selling chai, and passengers sharing stories, food, and space in a vibrant social mix.

China’s high-speed rail network is the largest worldwide, connecting vast distances like Beijing to Shanghai or Hong Kong with incredible speed and efficiency. For those looking to venture further afield, the Trans-Siberian Railway, which stretches from Moscow to Vladivostok (or even into Mongolia and China), is the ultimate long-haul train journey, passing through multiple time zones and some of the most remote landscapes on Earth.

Africa: Wild and Remote Rail Journeys

Train travel in Africa is an adventure, often through untamed landscapes where nature feels vast and wild. The Blue Train in South Africa offers a luxurious experience, rolling through the rugged plains between Cape Town and Pretoria, with gourmet meals and deluxe suites. There’s also the Rovos Rail, which takes you on an epic journey through Southern Africa, from the lush vineyards of South Africa’s winelands to the deserts of Namibia or the misty spray of Victoria Falls.

More local options, like the Tazara Railway, connecting Tanzania and Zambia, are much less luxurious but offer a raw and authentic experience of East African life. Trains here move slowly, and schedules are often flexible, but the view of villages, savannahs, and distant mountains makes the wait worthwhile.

Perhaps we’ll have an opportunity to experience train travel in Africa sometime in the future. We still have plenty of the world to see, and we hope that life affords us this further luxury.

Tomorrow, we’ll continue with more information about fascinating train journeys in other parts of the world. Please check back for Part 2…Traveling by train.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 29, 2014:

A photo of a painting at the art auction on the cruise ship. For more photos, please click here.

No definitive answers…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 6 Comments
Artwork is abundant on many cruise ships.

“Thank goodness,” you must think…today’s post will be the last time I discuss my health until I have more definitive answers. Yesterday’s appointment with the cardiac electrophysiologist only resulted in more tests and vague answers. In any case, we will be in Cleveland a lot longer. I have an ablation (a cardiac procedure) scheduled for February 10. I’m on a waiting list for an earlier date, but it’s unlikely it will happen sooner.

Yesterday, a Zio monitor was placed over my heart, which I will have to wear for two more weeks after wearing the 48-hour monitor that I wore a few weeks ago. Now, the doctor is looking for signs of Afib, which would only appear without me being on the medication. Yes, he took me off the drug Multaq, which he clearly stated after reviewing test results offered no improvement for my near-constant PVCs. He didn’t replace it with another drug.

PVCs generally aren’t necessarily life-threatening but, over time, can cause permanent damage to the heart. At this point, my heart itself is in good shape with no evidence of damage due to my rhythm irregularities. I knew this, but the question becomes, can I live my life with the near-constant feeling that birds are flying about in my chest?

Some patients don’t even feel PVCs. But many do, and it becomes a question of yearly checkups to determine the condition of the heart after another year of rhythm irregularities and how tolerable this situation is for the patient over time. When I was on the more dangerous drug, Flecainide, I didn’t feel them since the drug kept them under control but was damaging my body in other ways and increasing the risks of a heart attack or stroke.

As of today, I am off all antiarrhythmic drugs for the first time since last October. The Multaq stays in one’s system for three to four days, so technically, I’m not entirely free of its effects yet. Walking more easily and breathing better will take about a week. Dr. Keogh explained that no drugs currently on the market can help me. The only possible solution is the February procedure.

There are a few ablations, one for PVCs and another for Afib and PVCs. Unless Afib appears on the new two-week monitor, I will only be scheduled for the PVC ablation, which is for the lower part of the heart only. So now, we watch and see. It’s scary being off of any such drug after this challenging past year. Twice in the past two months, I’ve spent three days in hospital with accompanying dangerously high blood pressure.

Based on those bouts, the doctor set up an appointment for October 11 with a nephrologist, described as follows:

“Nephrologists, also known as kidney specialists, are medical doctors who diagnose, treat, and prevent hypertension and kidney diseases. They are experts in treating high blood pressure because the kidneys play a vital role in regulating blood pressure.”

This upcoming appointment may result in more tests, so our plans remain up in the air. As for the angiogram results, one of my cardiac bypass surgery graphs has failed, and the other graphs are 50-60% blocked again. Nothing can be done for these situations. My arteries are too small for stents, and repeat bypass surgeries aren’t recommended until the blockages are 70% to 80% or more. Again, this is a situation I will have to deal with.

So now, I wait and see what transpires without any drugs for the heart rhythm issues and if, off the Multaq, I can walk and breathe easier again in the next several days.

Solutions for medical issues aren’t always clearly defined, as in my case. If I can feel better and continue with our lives of travel, walking, breathing easily, and enjoying every moment, I will be content. Let’s see how all of this rolls out.

When we know more, I will write here. Thank you for all the love and support. My being mum about this until we know more doesn’t mean something Is wrong.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 28, 2014:

My dinner consisted of salmon and steamed vegetables, which was fine with adding a side dish of Hollandaise sauce. Due to their sugar content, I don’t eat many carrots, so I left those behind. For more photos, please click here.