Practical tips for saving money when booking international flights…

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Lots of little birds were enjoying the bird feeder.

Note: Due to a local WiFi issue at the moment, I can’t access the link, and some of our usual editing isn’t possible at this time.

As we mentioned in the past, we most often book flights, both domestic and international, using the link to Expedia on our site, located on the right side of the page, where we typically receive the best pricing, especially when booking a hotel and rental car, as a package.

Here are practical tips to save money when booking international flights, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first big trip:

1. Be Flexible With Dates and Destinations

  • Fly mid-week: Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to have lower fares.

  • Avoid peak seasons: Summer holidays, Christmas/New Year, and local school breaks hike up prices.

  • Use tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to explore the cheapest dates and destinations using the “Flexible Dates” or “Everywhere” search.

    More giraffes have come for a visit.

2. Book at the Right Time

  • Best booking window: 2–6 months in advance for international travel.

  • Use fare alert tools (e.g., Kayak, Hopper, Google Flights) to track price drops.

  • Avoid booking too early (more than 8 months ahead) or too late (less than 2 weeks before).

3. Consider Alternative Airports

  • Fly into a nearby city: For example, fly to Brussels instead of Paris, or Milan instead of Venice.

  • Depart from different airports: If you’re near multiple major hubs, check them all (e.g., JFK vs. Newark, LAX vs. San Diego).
Mac has numerous friends who hang out with him now.

4. Use Regional Carriers or Budget Airlines

  • Book a cheap international flight to a central hub, then use a regional budget airline for onward travel (e.g., Ryanair in Europe, AirAsia in Asia).

  • Be mindful of baggage fees and tight layovers with low-cost carriers.

5. Mix & Match Airlines

  • Don’t limit yourself to round-trip tickets from one airline. Use tools like Skiplagged, Kiwi.com, or Momondo to find cheaper combinations of one-way tickets or multi-city itineraries.

6. Use Miles or Travel Rewards

  • Use points/miles earned from travel credit cards (e.g., Chase Sapphire, Amex, Capital One) to book or offset international flights.

  • Sign up for frequent flyer programs even if you don’t fly often—it adds up.

At one point, there were about 25 kudus in the garden.

7. Know the Luggage Rules

  • Low-cost international flights may not include checked baggage, seat selection, or meals.

  • Avoid surprise costs by reading the fine print and flying light when possible.

8. Clear Your Browser or Use Incognito

  • Fare prices can increase with repeated searches—clear cookies or search in Incognito mode to avoid dynamic pricing.

9. Consider “Open-Jaw” or Stopover Flights

  • An open-jaw ticket lets you fly into one city and return from another, often cheaper, and enables you to see more.

  • We’ve had countless animals in the garden over the past several days.

    Some airlines offer free or cheap stopovers in their hub cities (e.g., Icelandair in Reykjavik, Emirates in Dubai).

10. Use Aggregators but Book Direct When Possible

Start with aggregators like:

    • Google Flights

    • Skyscanner

    • Kayak

    • Momondo

Then check the airline’s website for the same fare—sometimes it’s cheaper, and it’s easier to change or cancel later.

We have found that we can spend several hours researching for the best possible pricing. For us, it’s worth the extra time we spend to accomplish this.

Today, friends Roz and Les are coming for dinner. We’re making bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with sauerkraut, seasoned rice, Greek salad with homemade dressing, and homemade blueberry muffins. Plus, we’ll put together a platter of biltong, sliced cheeses,

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

A lone explorer on the secluded beach in Trinity Beach, Australia. For more photos, please click here.

We’re baaaaaaaaaaaack in the bush…No jet lag!…

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Bossy was our first animal to find that we were back. We can only imagine how many times she stopped by in the last three weeks, wondering where we were.

After we arrived in Marloth Park, around 4:30 pm, we stopped at Louise and Danie’s to pick up the keys to the house. It was fantastic to see them both again, as well as Louise’s lovely parents from Cape Town, Estelle and Johan, whom we’ve come to know and adore over the years.

We were too exhausted to join them for sundowners, but we stayed for about 30 minutes, enjoying lively conversation and looking forward to more in the next few days before they return home over the weekend. Louise and Danie’s birthdays are coming up next week, and we’re insisting on taking the four of them out to dinner tomorrow night to celebrate.

A female impala made an appearance.

While we were away, Zef and Vusi did a complete spring clean of the house, and every corner of the house was clean, dust-free, and organized. We are so grateful.

This morning, at 7:30, after waking up after sleeping through the night, I became blissfully aware that I had no jet lag whatsoever. Also, I couldn’t wait to look through the glass doors to the veranda to see who’d come to call. I wasn’t disappointed.

This was our huge band of mongooses looking for paloney. Since we are shopping later today, we didn’t have any paloney for them. Instead, we gave them little cubes of cheddar cheese. They devoured it.

There were at least eight bushbucks, two male kudus, three impalas, four warthogs, and a dozen helmeted guineafowl. (Sounds like “partridge in a pear tree”). I didnt turn off the security alarm since I didn’t want to wake Tom, who was still sound asleep.

I decided to take another shower, after doing so less than ten hours earlier, get dressed, and get ready for the day. Since the timing was off due to the time difference, I skipped my usual morning pills yesterday to get back on track with morning dosing, considering the time difference.

Wartghogs and helmeted guinea fowl.

Now, as I sit at my usual spot at the table on the veranda, the joyful feeling of being surrounded by nature overwhelms me, along with a profound sense of “being back at home”.

The long 42-plus-hour travel time was worth every moment, although the nine-hour layover in London was tough when we hadn’t slept in 24 hours. On the later second flight from London to Johannesburg, I think I slept for about 20 minutes while Tom didn’t do much better.

Big Daddy is on a mission to mate with Bossy.

The flights weren’t too bad, with little turbulence, but the food was awful, so neither of us ate much. We went to lunch at a restaurant in Heathrow, and the food wasn’t much better.

Fortunately, we had left some homemade frozen leftovers, so by 6:00 pm, exhausted and out of sorts, we put together a decent plate of food for each of us and then headed to the bedroom to shower, relax, and see if we could wind down, streaming a show.

Our usual starling is looking for fresh water and birdseed.

Neither of us got through the single episode without nodding off several times, desperately trying to stay awake until at least 10:30 pm. We each took an over-the-counter sleeping pill, and by midnight, we’d both managed to drift off, miraculously both sleeping through the night.

That’s all it took for us to awaken refreshed and alert, with the brain fog gone. For us, a single good night’s sleep is all it takes to get us back on track after a long trip.

Two zebras who’ve often stopped by.

As soon as we upload this post, we’ll head to Komatipoort to buy groceries and a few other items. When we return and put the groceries away, I’ll finish my unpacking, and by this evening, our lives in the bush for these remaining three months until we depart for Spain, will be in order.

Today’s photos were all taken this morning. Enjoy them, along with us.

Be well.

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

During our first few days in Trinity Beach, Australia, we had a second kangaroo sighting of the day at a nearby field. The first, we saw in a flash while walking through the rainforest, unable to take a photo in time. For more photos, please click here.

Why don’t we fly Business Class for these long flights?…One day and counting…Packing almost done..

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Business Class seat configurations vary from airline to airline and type of aircraft. Often, paying so much more only provides a configuration such as this.

Note: Due to WiFi issues, we are unable to format the paragraphs in today’s post properly.

We are often asked why we don’t fly Business Class when flying to and from South Africa. Below, I’ve posted the best price I could find for the itinerary, per person, one way from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Nelspruit, South Africa. These prices were obtained from Expedia.com, representing today’s prices for a date further into the future, as short-notice flights can be higher priced.

“Minneapolis (MSP) – Mbombela (MQP)
Multiple airlines operated by Discover Airlines, Lufthansa, and Airlink
41h 50m • 2 stops
14h 15m in FRA • 7h 20m in JNB
One way per traveler”
If we’d opted for business class, the price might not have doubled, but it’d typically be around US $11,000 per person, totaling US $22,000 for this one round-trip from South Africa to the USA and back.
 
We decided, long ago in our world travels, that flying Business Class would not be an option when we’d much rather spend money on quality accommodations, adventures, dining out, high-quality groceries, and rental cars. 
Moments ago, Tom calculated that the total cost for our upcoming four cruises is $21,273.80, including deposits but excluding WiFi on the ships, always booking a balcony cabin. Neither of us has ever been interested in booking a lower-priced interior cabin when we enjoy having the sliding doors open to a veranda so much. 
Additionally, interior cabins lack windows, and although we don’t spend much time in the cabin, we appreciate the extra space and the exterior views. 
Thus, if we’d opted for Business Class for this one round trip from South Africa to the US and back, we’d have incurred an additional cost of about $18,000 over and above what we paid for our coach round-trip flights. 
Without question, flying Business Class makes the flying time much more comfortable when we can lie down to sleep. However, twice when we secured deals on Business Class, we were able to fly in Business Class, and even then, neither of us was able to sleep for more than three hours while lying down. When doing the math, it’s just not worth it.
On most coach flights, Tom can doze for a total of three hours sitting straight up, while I am lucky to get two hours of sleep, nodding off now and then while watching movies. Considering that our upcoming layover times are almost as long as flight times, it makes no sense. There’s no sleep expected during the nine-hour layover in London on the first leg. 
Upgrading to Business Class can often allow unlimited cocktails, beer, and wine for passengers. But, they are included on our upcoming flights with Virgin Atlantic. Besides, neither of us cares to drink alcohol when flying since it can have an impact on one’s ability to sleep.
One more day and tomorrow, we’ll head to the airport for our 11:00 pm start to the long journey. Leaving on Sunday, we’ll arrive in Marloth Park on Tuesday. Our hotel here in Minnesota, the Residence Inn by Marriott, provided us with a late check-out, as late as we needed for our 11:00 pm flight.
Most likely, we’ll leave the hotel tomorrow by 7:30 pm, as most international flights require arriving at the airport three hours before the scheduled flight. We’ll have to go through immigration, which may result in a long wait at times. 
Tonight, we’ll dine on the last of our Costco meats, along with egg salad I made this morning. We’ll be back with more tomorrow. 
Be well.

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

This was the kitchen in the Trinity Beach, Australia house. The only workspace in the kitchen was near the sink. But, as long as I had room for the cutting board as shown, I could cook any meals. For more photos, please click here.

Summer Airline Deals in the USA…

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When I stumbled across this article this morning, I felt it was imperative to share it with our readers today, rather than focusing on family events, while we’re here in Minnesota. There is plenty of time to continue to share what we’re doing with our family and friends.

From Travel + Leisure online magazine, seen here:

This Budget Airline’s ‘All-you-can-fly’ Summer Pass Is On Sale for $399—What to Know

Get unlimited flights for the entire summer while only paying taxes and fees. By Michael Cappetta Published on May 15, 2025

  • Frontier Airlines has officially started sales of its annual and summer “All-You-Can-Fly ” pass.
  • The pass provides unlimited flights on the discount carrier. 
  • Travelers are responsible for paying taxes and fees. 

The ultimate summer vacation just got cheaper.

Frontier Airlines announced the return of its GoWild! All-You-Can-Fly Annual Pass and Summer Pass, and both passes are now on sale. The subscription provides access to unlimited flights on the discount carrier with no extra charge for airfare. However, passengers are responsible for paying the taxes, fees, and a $0.01 processing fee for each segment of the booking.

The annual subscription pass has become popular with spontaneous and frequent fliers who value a variety of low-cost travel adventures.

“Turn your flexibility into unlimited flights,” Frontier shares about the pass on its website.

The annual pass is valid from May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026, at a rate of $599 annually. The summer pass is valid from May 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2025, at a rate of $399.

For travelers looking to try the service, Frontier is offering a limited-time monthly pass for $99 the first month and $149 thereafter. All plans automatically renew, so travelers should carefully review the terms, conditions, and renewal dates before subscribing. Travelers can purchase the pass on the Frontier website at flyfrontier.com/deals/gowild-pass.

While the pass can be helpful for flexible travelers, there are certain restrictions, such as blackout dates. For the remainder of the 2025 calendar year, for example, blackout dates include: May 22-23, 26; June 22, 26-29; July 3-7; Aug. 28-29; Sept. 1. Oct. 9-10, 12-13; Nov. 25, 26, 29-30; Dec. 1, 20-23, 26-31. Popular holidays such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Eve are excluded from the program.

The fares also do not include seat assignment, carry-on suitcase, or checked luggage, which means the cost could grow if travelers select these extras.

The budget carrier also notes on its website that both the annual pass and seasonal pass “will automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless you cancel.” For potential destinations, Frontier has been on the move, adding new routes that travelers could visit. The airline has expanded operations from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) with service to San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP) and Aruba (AUA).”

Yesterday, we attended granddaughter Maisie’s graduation party at her mom, Camille’s, home. The house was filled with friends and family members intent on celebrating Maisie’s graduation from Chanhassen High School. The decorations, the food, and the photos of Maisies scattered throughout the house were delightful and made grandpa and grandma proud.

Photo of our granddaughter, cheerleader Maisie, the graduate.

We had an excellent time at the party that started at noon and ended at 4:00 pm. However, we lingered until after 5:00 pm and then headed back to our hotel. We’d had plenty to eat from the fantastic array of foods and didn’t have dinner. Instead, we parked ourselves in front of the TV while we streamed a few shows on Netflix.

By 10:00 pm, I was ready for bed and ended up having a good night’s sleep. Soon, at 10:30 am, we’re leaving to meet daughter Tammy and family for brunch at Dolittle’s, where, last week, we’ve already enjoyed a lovely dinner for Greg’s girlfriend Heather’s birthday.

The rest of our day is free, but we’ll see how it rolls out after brunch with Tammy’s family.

We’ll be back with more.

Be well.

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

We are on the bridge overlooking the sea in French Polynesia. For more photos, please click here.

Wait until you read this story!…

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The sunset after leaving Mpumalanga/Kruger/Nelspruit Airport yesterday afternoon.

Note: We are at Heathrow Airport in London as we put together today’s post. We wrote the content yesterday after the event occurred.

I don’t know where to begin.

We’d decided to leave early for the airport in case of issues on the N4. I’d downloaded an app on my phone that provides up-to-the-minute notifications if there are problems along the highway on our route.

Everything was going smoothly until about 20 minutes before we arrived at the Mpumalanga/Kruger/Nelspruit Airport. We stopped, as usual, at the same petrol station we’ve used dozens of times to refuel the rental car at this last petrol station on the way to the airport.

Tom had the fuel topped off. As we were leaving the station, an employee, one of many employees who were wearing high-visibility vests with “security” emblazoned on the front and back, approached us and said the following:

“There’s been a bad accident on the road to the airport, and the road is closed. But they are letting people heading to the airport get through using a token. You must return to the petrol station to buy the token.”

Patrons stood in line at a bank of four ATMs while these “supposed” employees assisted them in getting the token using a credit or debit card.

Tom didn’t know our South African SIM phone number, and the two cards he tried didn’t work. At this point, he became very suspicious.

Suspecting it was a scam, he left the station to find me waiting in the car, as worried as I could be, for at least 30 minutes. I was so relieved when I finally saw him walking toward the car.

He explained what happened and said, ” It was a scam. Let’s head to the airport. There won’t be an accident or a road closure. ”

He was right. We breezed down the road for the final 20 minutes to the airport, but he kept saying we needed to call those two credit card companies and cancel the cards.

When we checked in for the flight, we finally had time to call both credit card companies. One of the cards was charged over US $2745, ZAR 48985, to an investment company. However, the credit card company suspected it was a fraudulent charge, and they put a hold on it, waiting for Tom to call to see if we’d approve of the charge.

Fortunately, Tom called both cards in time to cancel them. The two new cards will arrive in the mail in the US while we are there.

This post is a warning to all travelers on their way to or from the Nelspruit Airport. But this type of scam could happen anywhere in the world.

Tom is not naive and is a very savvy traveler. But as tourists, we aren’t always aware of how things are done under certain circumstances in a foreign country. At first, it was easy to think that such a token was a normal process on a busy highway.

We’ll be back at our next opportunity.

We board the next flight from Heathrow to Minneapolis for another nine-hour flight. The flight to London was over 11 hours. We didn’t sleep more than a few hours off and on. Now we are waiting with a five-hour layover, with only two more hours to go. We both feel surprisingly well.

Be well.

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

Balcony view of our cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship heading from Honolulu to Sydney. For more photos, please click here.

Making lists…How much did we lose so far?…One day and counting…

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This is a Blue Waxbill, a common bird in this area.  

Today is packing day. Since we’re leaving for only three weeks, packing is relatively easy, as I’ve run around the house collecting items we will need for this short period.

When the mongoose appeared for their usual morning meal, I used the last piece of paloney. They’ll likely visit again tomorrow morning, but I’ll dice bite-sized pieces of cheddar cheese and beat the remaining two eggs after I make breakfast for Tom. As carnivores, they can also eat dairy products.

To make grocery shopping easy when we return, while still experiencing a bit of jet lag, I have already made a grocery list on the app on my phone since my memory may not be sharp until we recover for a few days.

When we arrived here from Mumbai, India, during COVID, after traveling for 59 hours, I easily recall how impossible grocery shopping was when we went to Komati the next day. I told Tom we’d have to return another day when my thought process was more focused. Not sleeping for three days made it impossible to focus on shopping.

When we return in three weeks, we’ll have traveled for over 36 – 40 hours, and again, shopping must be put off for a few days.

However, with the new market here in Marloth Park at the Marlothi Centre, we can pick up a few items to get us through the first few days, entirely avoiding a big shopping trip to Komatipoort as soon as we arrive.

Also, I made a short grocery list in the Cub Foods online app for some basic items we’ll want to have on hand in the Minnesota hotel room, including a kitchen. We won’t be cooking dinners in the hotel room. Instead, we’ll dine out for dinner, or on those few nights without plans, with family or friends, we’ll order GrubHub delivery using our delivery-free membership with Amazon Prime.

Tom decided he’d rather eat two plain old-fashioned donuts from Cub than the complimentary breakfast at the hotel. The hotel’s scrambled eggs are processed with unhealthy ingredients, and their bacon is deep-fried in awful oils. I offered to make him bacon and eggs daily, but he chose to have two donuts with his coffee rather than eat the homemade breakfast.

He can’t get plain old-fashioned donuts here or in many countries, so he loves to have them while we are in the US. I guess the donuts are the lesser of two evils, says the Food Poice. I’ll be happy if he doesn’t buy ten pounds of those awful jelly candies, shown below, that he loves from Fleet Farm. He’ll go through ten pounds in a week. See the story about this at this post:

Tom ate all of these candies in one week and gained ten pounds.

Since we arrived in Marloth Park at the beginning of March, he has lost 15 pounds, 6.8 kg. It would be a shame if he gained it all back while we were in the US. If he eats the two donuts and a reasonably healthy dinner, he should be able to maintain what he’s lost and then begin the low-carb lifestyle again when we return.

We’ll see how it goes for him. I’ve lost 23 pounds, 10.4 kg, and need to lose another 7 pounds, 3.2 kg, to fit into those jeans I have been carrying for the past few years. I was taking heart medication that causes weight gain and other horrible side effects, which I no longer take it as instructed by the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic.

I’d gained 30 pounds, 13.6 kg, from that drug, hoping that when I stopped taking the medication, I’d automatically begin to lose weight, but that didn’t happen. When we arrived in Marloth Park, we both began cutting back on how much we ate and how often we ate… and just like that, we lost weight.

I lost more than Tom because I didn’t eat unhealthy food when dining out and stuck to a strict keto diet, eating less food, less often. It worked.

Now, I will pack, and I should be done in no time at all. Tonight, we’re off to Jabula for dinner.

Be well.

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

Our final video of the Laysan Albatross as we prepared to leave Kauai after our four-month stay. For more photos, please click here.

What’s happening at the Newark Airport in New Jersey, USA?…

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Two hornbills were enjoying the seeds from the above-ground tray in the garden.

With many of our worldwide readers traveling this summer, we felt it was imperative we post an update on what is transpiring at Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey, USA, that may impact travel plans. When flying back to the US from anywhere in the world, we may have a layover in Newark.

There are quite a few mongooses in this particular band who visit almost daily.

Fortunately, for our upcoming flight in 12 days, our layover will be in London, but unfortunately, it will last nine hours. We’d rather have such a long layover than be stuck in an airport due to technical or infrastructural issues, especially when we don’t know when we’ll be in the air again.

Thus, today’s less-than-exciting post aims to alert those who have booked or are booking travel plans to be aware of potential delays and, if possible, reroute to other airports. This may be an added issue with many flights booked as non-refundable/non-changeable, but it never hurts to check to determine your options. As the Travel and Leisure online magazine article indicates below, “Some airlines are offering free flight changes for travelers who are nervous about flying into the hub.”

“Newark Airport Faces Another Radar Outage (Again)—What Travelers Should Know

By Michael Cappetta, Published on May 9, 2025

  • Another outage of air traffic control radar and communications equipment happened at Newark Airport in the early hours of May 9.
  • The airport has been struggling with mass delays and cancellations after a similar outage on April 28.
  • Some airlines offer free flight changes for travelers nervous about flying into the hub.

Just days after air traffic control communications and staffing levels caused cancellations and delays at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), an FAA spokesperson confirmed to Travel + Leisure that there has been another communications outage at the New Jersey airport. 

Although very common, seeing starlings in the garden is always pleasant.

“There was a telecommunications outage that impacted communications and radar display at Philadelphia TRACON Area C, which guides aircraft in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport airspace,” an FAA spokesperson shared in a statement to T+L. ”The outage occurred around 3:55 a.m. on Friday, May 9, and lasted approximately 90 seconds.”

According to FlightAware data, several commercial and cargo flights landed between 3:07 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. EDT; however, no safety or mechanical issues have been reported on those flights.

“That’s absolutely terrifying,” one traveler shared in a Reddit post about the recent incidents.

The news comes just days after the FAA acknowledged recent issues and said it would be “slowing arrivals and departures” at the airport to ease congestion and manage safety. The Department of Transportation also said it would be working toward additional hiring of air traffic controllers and technology upgrades of antiquated systems.

We spotted a grazing waterbuck while driving along the river.

“The FAA is taking immediate steps to improve the reliability of operations at Newark Liberty International Airport,” the FAA said. “This includes accelerating technological and logistical improvements and increasing air traffic controller staffing.”

Airlines are providing additional flexibility with travel waivers for travelers who feel uncomfortable flying into Newark Airport. For example, passengers on United Airlines booked to fly to or through Newark from May 6, 2025, to May 23, 2025, can reschedule their trip or fly to nearby airports such as LaGuardia (LGA) or Philadelphia (PHL), according to a recent advisory.

JetBlue also offers a waiver on flights through May 14 and the option to rebook to fly to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).”

Let’s face it…long flights with unforeseen flight delays can seriously affect the joys of traveling and those traveling for business and personal reasons. Each time we embark on a long flight, we can’t help but keep our fingers crossed that all goes as planned, safely arriving at our destination without incident.

It’s easy to get caught up in horrific stories from the zealous media, which often create stress and fear for flyers. We make every attempt to travel with confidence, tolerance, and patience.

Be well.

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

This morning’s view from our lanai in Priceville, Kauai, while it rained off and on. For more photos, please click here.

Back to our lives of two…Lisa is still flying after leaving 18 hours ago…Is it safe to fly on a helicopter?…

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Sunsets over the Crocodile River can be stunning.

It was hard to say goodbye to Lisa after such a fantastic time together. The month she was here sailed by so quickly, with many memorable activities, that we hardly had time to catch our breath. We gave her the option of visiting us anywhere in the world we may be in the future. Most visitors to Africa often say that once Africa gets in your blood, you can’t wait to return. I imagine this notion will befall her as well.

Sunset at Ngwenya.

We had a lovely evening last night. I made a big pan of our favorite dishes, Keto Chicken, Sausage, Mushroom, and Cauliflower Bake, with a Greek salad and keto blueberry muffins, which we enjoyed around 6:00 pm. After dinner, we sat outdoors and headed to our bedroom to stream a few shows on my laptop.

A lovely female bushbuck is resting in the garden. She recently gave birth, and her baby is nearby.

Although I awoke a few times during the night as usual, I slept for eight hours overall and feel fantastic today. Tom did the same. As we’re sitting outdoors at the table on the veranda now, it’s raining in buckets. Besides a flock of helmeted guinea fowls, no animals are nearby, who seem not to mind getting wet.

Today is an easy day. We’ll drive to the Butchery at the Bush Centre to buy more biltong, which we’ve both enjoyed eating while still on our diets. I didn’t lose weight while Lisa was here since we dined out so often. But now, I can focus on home-cooked meals that suit our way of eating.

A cute little yellow bird checks out the seeds in the basket.

Tom is doing great. He has lost 14 pounds, or 6.4 kg, since March 4. His clothes fit better already. He plans to lose another 10 pounds, or 4.5 kg, in the coming months. We’re both feeling better without the extra weight.

On another note, we stumbled across the following article about flying in a helicopter. Many tourists embark on helicopter tours while traveling to embrace the beauty of a particular country/area from the air. Here are some stats from Travel and Leisure that may help you decide on helicopter tours or general travel. Remember that these stats may be very different in countries other than this US.

Hornbill swinging on the seed basket.

“Is it Safe to Fly in a Helicopter? Here’s What the Data Shows

By Stacey Leasca

Published on April 11, 2025

On April 10, a helicopter carrying six people, including the pilot, on a sightseeing tour crashed into the Hudson River in New York City, killing those on board. As the Associated Press reported, the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the incident.

The crash is, without question, a tragedy. But if you’re planning a helicopter ride soon, there is some important information about helicopter safety you need to know.

While the answer to the question, “Are helicopters safe?” is nuanced, a glance at accident statistics shows that the industry has made considerable strides in reducing passenger risk.

Lots of zebras stopped by.

According to 2021 data from the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team, there were 146 helicopter accidents in the U.S. in 2013. In 2020, that number dropped to 94, marking a 36 percent decrease in accidents. In 2013, these accidents caused 61 fatalities, while in 2020, there were 35.

“Having these statistics continue to move in a good direction is a positive, and I applaud my colleagues for all they do each day to make our industry safer,” Nick Mayhew, industry co-chair of the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team, shared in the report. “But we can do better. Zero fatalities remain our goal. Here at USHST, we continue to work on safety enhancements based on the accidents we have analyzed, and we’re regularly developing safety materials to support this effort.”

They were looking at us wanting pellets.

The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) does explain that “The accident rate for helicopters has traditionally been higher than the accident rate of fixed-wing aircraft, probably due to the helicopter’s unique capabilities to fly and land in more diverse situations than fixed-wing aircraft.” It also noted that pilot error can play a role, as pilots attempt “to fly the helicopter beyond the limits of his or her abilities or beyond the capabilities of the helicopter.”

It added that National Transportation Safety Board statistics show that approximately 80 percent of all aviation accidents are caused by pilot error, aka “the human factor.”

Additionally, FAA data shows that helicopter safety has improved; however, it is statistically riskier than commercial airline travel, with commercial carriers often reporting zero or near-zero fatal accidents in most years. This could be due to those pilot errors. Still, it is likely due to the highly stringent regulations and multi-pilot crews on most commercial aircraft, making a much more controlled environment than flying a helicopter.

However, helicopters are increasingly equipped with advanced avionics, terrain awareness systems, and crash-resistant fuel systems, all of which reduce accidents and fatalities by eliminating the human factor.

If you are still interested in flying by helicopter for a sightseeing tour, it’s good to research each company’s safety protocols. If you’re nervous, ask about their pre-flight checks, weather assessments, and pilots’ experiences. Like on a commercial plane, passengers must take responsibility by listening intently to the pre-flight safety briefings to prepare themselves for an accident.”

We’re off to Jabula for another night of socialization and good food. We’ll be back with more tomorrow.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 2, 2015:

This Bird of Paradise is the best example of a bloom that appears to be a bird’s head. For more photos, please click here.

Part 1…32 tips for making a long-haul flight more comfortable…

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A hornbill brought a treat to her reflection in the kitchen window.

With more dear friends, Karen and Rich,  coming to visit us from the US in July, we started thinking about how the flight can be more comfortable for those traveling long distances. Today, and tomorrow, we’re sharing this article from Travel and Leisure online magazine;

“32 Tips for Making a Long-haul Flight More Comfortable…

These in-flight hacks will help you enjoy the journey and feel more relaxed upon arrival.

By Chris Heasman

Whether you’re taking a seven-hour trip across the pond to Europe or embarking on the nearly 19-hour odyssey from New York City to Singapore, a long-haul flight can be tedious and exhausting. The nuisances of time-consuming air travel can range in severity from mildly inconvenient (annoying seatmates, for instance) to downright dangerous (developing a blood clot on a plane is no joke). To make a big journey more bearable, try to maintain your typical routine, stay hydrated, wear loose clothing, and pack an extra snack or two.

Here are 32 (the balance posted tomorrow) of our favorite tips to make long flights as trouble-free and comfortable as possible.

Book your flight early to secure a good seat.

The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing your favorite seat, whether it’s by the window to enjoy the scenery or at the aisle for easy access to the lavatory. However, please note that airlines may change your seat without prior notice.

Consider a seat in the back of the plane.

Your favorite seat probably isn’t in the back of the plane. It isn’t quiet back there, tends to have little leg room, and means you’re the last off the plane when it lands. However, there are perks to choosing a back seat. If you’re flying with an airline like Southwest that doesn’t have assigned seats, you might have better luck claiming a row to yourself or at least an empty seat next to you in the back. Additionally, being in the back allows you to observe which rows don’t fill up ahead of you, so you can claim one of the emptier ones after everyone has taken their seat.

Birds were enjoying the birdbath in our garden.

Use airline miles to upgrade.

You’ll thank yourself when you’re sipping Champagne while reclining in first class after using miles to upgrade your seat. And if you don’t have the miles, this might be the time to splurge for a superior first- or business-class seat. Even upgrading to premium economy will give you priority check-in, extra legroom, and comfortable seats.

Or an angle for a free upgrade.

Arrive early, dress nicely, travel alone, and put on your most winning smile for the best chance at success. Your odds of scoring a last-minute upgrade are better if you have elite status with the airline. Try to carefully time when you ask for a flight upgrade to increase your odds as well.

Adjust your sleep pattern before your flight to ensure optimal rest.

In the days leading up to your flight, adjust your sleep patterns; a few 4 a.m. or 7 p.m. bedtimes should suffice, depending on the time of day you’ll be flying. If your flight is during the day, be well-rested before you fly. If it’s a red-eye, arrive at the airport tired. Trust us on this, though: staying awake for 24 hours before your trip to balance out jet lag doesn’t work.

The word in the bush is that Nyalas Nina and Norman had a baby a few days ago, across the road from us. We’ll be watching for her and her new baby.

Dress comfortably.

Keep it loose and comfortable, and remember to bring layers for when the temperature drops. A cardigan or zip-up sweatshirt is always a good option to have on hand, as you can easily put it on or take it off depending on the cabin temperature. Clothes with a bit of stretch, like men’s sweatpants or women’s leggings, can also help you move around more comfortably.

De-stress before you board.

You don’t want to spend your whole flight buzzing about all the things you have to do or what you might have forgotten. Carve out some time before your trip to sit down with a nice breakfast. Go to the gym. Read a book. Go for a walk. It’s important to relax before it’s time to fly.

Check in early.

The worst start to a long-haul journey is to panic your way through a busy airport, arriving at the gate sweaty and frazzled — or even to miss your flight. Plan to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to check your bags and proceed through security.

Don’t overpack your items.

You’ll need more for a long-haul flight than you would for a short one, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to overfill your bag with unnecessary extras. Keep only the essentials in your item so they’re always easy to find and within reach.

Bring your pillow.

A travel pillow is a staple carry-on item for long-distance travelers. Almost every airport sells them, and looking a little ridiculous with one around your neck is a small price to pay for arriving at your destination without a crick in your neck. Please pay attention to your airline’s restrictions to ensure it doesn’t have to be packed inside your item.

These white-crested helmet shrikes were checking their reflection in the kitchen window.

Wear noise-canceling headphones.

Noise-canceling headphones help block out annoying airplane noise and loud passengers, allowing you to zone out with a riveting podcast or a favorite playlist. If you don’t have headphones, a pair of good old-fashioned earplugs will also help.

Buckle your seat belt over your blanket.

If you plan to sleep with a blanket during your flight, ensure your buckled seatbelt is still visible. In the event of turbulence, the seatbelt light will activate, and flight attendants may circulate throughout the cabin to ensure that everyone is properly buckled up. If they can’t see your seat belt, they will wake you up. For safety reasons and to avoid “airplane ear,” don’t sleep through takeoff or landing.

Pack an eye mask.

An eye mask is beneficial if you’re flying during the day, or if you want to catch some shut-eye before the cabin lights are dimmed. It’s often an airline freebie in basic amenity kits on international flights, even in economy, but typically not on longer domestic flights.

Try to relax.

Do whatever it takes — meditate, listen to calming music, or practice some breathing exercises. Not only will it help you sleep more easily, but it’s also good for your psyche, especially if flying makes you nervous.

Bring a travel blanket, not a regular blanket.

Please don’t bring anything too thick (remember, it must fit in your carry-on), but ensure your travel blanket is sufficient to keep you warm when the plane’s air conditioning is at full blast.

This band of mongooses visits almost daily for paloney and meat scraps.

Download movies onto your tablet or laptop for backup.

In-flight entertainment systems are not always reliable. They sometimes fail, and when they do, you’ll be glad to have something to do, watch, or listen to in reserve.”

One vital tip for travel, especially for seniors, is to wear compression stockings on your long-haul flight to reduce the risk of blood clots. You can purchase these at a low cost through this link. I bought and wear them, not only on long flights but at other times when I know I will be sitting for extended periods.

Typically, flights from the US to South Africa last for 24-40 hours, most of which is spent sitting. It’s essential to get up and walk around the plane (when there is no turbulence) to diminish the risk of blood clots, stiff joints, and painful backs and hips.

We will continue this list in tomorrow’s post with more suggestions. Please check back for more.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 27, 2015:

Golden-tipped Anthurium, spotted in Kauai. For more photos, please click here.

An exciting nocturnal visitor…Soon, Tom leaves for Nelspruit to pick up Lisa at the airport…Tom’s fun night out without me…

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Last night, our trail cam picked up this photo of a genet. We’ll start putting meat out for him. “A genet is a member of the genus Genetta, which consists of 17 species of small African carnivorans. The common genet is the only one in Europe, and it occurs on the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and France. Genet fossils from the Late Miocene have later been found at sites in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Morocco.”

What a delightful sighting on the trail cam last night while we slept. This genet stopped by inspiring us to leave meat out for her or him in the future. As carnivores, they’ll eat any meat, raw or cooked.

Most nights, the trail cam picks up sightings of the same wildlife we take photos of during daylight hours. As a result, we only post unusual sightings from the trail cam.

With no luck finding meat, he ended his search and jumped off the railing. Genets are carnivores, like other feline species.

At the moment, Lisa is in a long immigration queue in Johannesburg, unsure if she’ll make the Airlink flight to Nelspruit. Tom won’t leave for the airport until we hear from her that she made the flight. If not, she’ll have to take the 4:00 pm flight, arriving at 4:50, which is cutting it close for driving on the N4 before dark. The sunset is at 5:50. Driving on the N4 in the dark is too dangerous.

We’ll wait to hear from her about whether she will make the flight. As of this writing, the flight leaves in 40 minutes.

At this table, from left to right, is Sidney, his wife Patty Pan, Lorraine, Michael, friend Don’s cousins, all of whom we know. Tom played trivia with this group.

Last night was unusual for us. Tom went out without me. I would have gone to “Trivia Night” at Giraffe, but I was suffering from a gastrointestinal issue, which resolved overnight. We had committed to Patty Pan, who coordinates the event each week, that we’d both come since there were limited seats. It made sense for Tom to go without me.

He left the house at about 5:30 and returned at 9:30. They started playing at 6:30 and continued until just before he returned. I stayed in the bedroom watching movies while he was gone. He said he had a great time during the game. Since it was April Fool’s Day, many participants wore hilarious costumes and hats, as shown in today’s photos.

We don’t recognize anyone at this table since the men are dressed like women due to April Fool’s Day!

We just heard from Lisa that she made it through immigration and picked up her one piece of luggage. She’s now waiting in the security queue, which is also long; Tom won’t leave until we know she made the flight. Oh, dear.

I’ll start chopping and dicing once Tom leaves for the airport and I upload this post. For dinner, I am making a chicken peanut stir-fry with rice and a salad. I’m making enough for two nights, and then on Friday, we’ll all go to Jabula for dinner.

Tom recognized some of these participants but not necessarily by name.

It will be a fun month with Lisa here with us. It’s so enjoyable for us to share the wonders of the bush with friends. No word from her yet. Will update her arrival tomorrow!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 2, 2015:

On a walk in Princeville, Kauai, I was enthralled by the view as I approached our condo (not shown in this photo). For more photos, please click here.