Speaking of visas…Important news for cruisers and other travelers…

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Ten years ago, we traveled to Kauai to stay for four months. Known as the “garden island,” Kauai is exceptionally lush and green.

When we first began cruising in 2013, the cruise booking company we used provided some, although not all, visa requirements for countries we’d visit along the way. Many countries require visas for cruising foreign visitors whether they get off the ship or not. In many cases, in the past, the cruise line would have local immigration officers board the boat, and we’d receive visas, one by one, in lines formed to accommodate this purpose.

Since the pandemic, a lot has changed, and neither cruise lines nor cruise booking companies are providing information about required visas for any ports of call. It is entirely up to the passenger to figure this out on their own, although some travel agencies, as a unique service to their customers, may explain the visas needed for the cruise to their customers.

To verify if visas are needed (for US citizens) to any country worldwide, click here for the US Department of State.

For citizens of the countries, check with your embassy or Department of State.

Cruise lines typically don’t assist passengers in obtaining visas for the countries on their itinerary. Still, they may provide the name of a travel document company to help get the required visas for various countries in the itinerary. However, these companies are costly, and what might be a $15 fee for an ETA (electronic travel authorization) if a person applies on their own suddenly costs almost $100.

Many cruises with multiple ports of call may require four or five ETAs, resulting in extensive fees when using a travel document service. On occasion, when it’s been challenging and time-consuming to obtain a specific visa, we have had no choice but to use such a company.

When boarding a cruise, your visa documents (ETAs) will be verified, or you won’t be allowed to board the cruise. This disaster could result in lost cruise fares, added air travel costs to return home, and other related expenses.

Here’s why cruise lines operate this way and how you can prepare:

Why Cruise Lines Don’t Handle Visas

  1. Individual Requirements Vary: Visa requirements depend on the passenger’s nationality, the countries visited, and the type of cruise. Handling this complexity for every passenger would be a logistical nightmare.
  2. Legal Responsibility: It’s up to travelers to comply with international travel laws. Cruise lines cannot be held accountable if passengers are denied boarding or entry into a country.
  3. Timing and Process: Visa processing times and procedures vary widely, and some require in-person appointments or specific documentation that cruise lines cannot facilitate.

How Cruise Lines Support You

  • Pre-Departure Communication: Cruise lines previously (before the pandemic) provided detailed information about the required travel documents for each destination. You can try to get this information, but most often, you will be referred to a travel document company. Thus…
  • Partnerships with Visa Services: Some cruise companies work with third-party agencies to assist passengers in obtaining visas, though this comes at an additional cost. Using the recommended company doesn’t ensure discounted prices.
  • Onboard Immigration Support: In rare cases, cruise lines might arrange for visas on arrival in specific ports, but this is usually limited to certain destinations and itineraries.

How to Handle Visa Requirements as a Passenger

  1. Research Early: Check visa requirements for every country on your itinerary as soon as you book your cruise.
  2. Consult Experts: Use services like VisaCentral or your local consulate for detailed advice and processing help.
  3. Allow Extra Time: Start the application process months in advance to account for delays or additional requirements.
  4. Carry Copies: Bring digital and physical copies of your visas and travel documents during the trip.

A Pro Tip for Smooth Sailing

If you’re unsure about visa needs or processes, join online forums or social media groups dedicated to your cruise line or destination. Fellow travelers can provide firsthand insights and tips based on their experiences.

Have you encountered visa challenges while cruising, or are you planning a trip where this might be an issue?

The proper preparedness and handling of the visa process is crucial for a good cruise experience.

Thanks for stopping by!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, January 8, 2015:\\

A map illustrates how tsunamis wiped out the city of Hilo near the bay. A notice at the Lyman Museum, which we also visited in December, is at the top of this page. For more photos, please click here.

Important news about visiting and flying to the UK!!!…Even if only a layover…Even for cruise ports…

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Any angry-looking bull we encountered upon arrival in Kauai from the Big Island ten years ago.

It’s good to keep an eye out for current travel news. A few days ago, I read an article about the UK requiring all travelers to apply for and receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the UK. We have a layover in London on our upcoming trip to South Africa.

Our layover is only five hours, but the ETA is a requirement, even for only a few minutes. Without it, the airline won’t let you board your originating flight, or the cruise line won’t allow you to board, which would be a nightmare.

As a result, we felt we needed to share this information with our readers, many of whom may be traveling through or to the UK in the future. The ETA payment (IS $12.50) and process are required for travel after tomorrow, January 8, 2025. This also applies to any ports of call visited in the UK while on cruises. Airlines and cruise lines do not help provide this information.

What are the new visa requirements for travel to the UK in January 2025?

Starting January 8, 2025, travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Mexico, must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before visiting the United Kingdom. Check with your country’s State Department to see if this is required.

Key Details about the UK ETA:

Purpose: The ETA serves as a pre-approval for entry, enhancing border security and streamlining the entry process.

Eligibility: This is required for citizens of visa-exempt countries traveling to the UK for tourism, business, short-term study, or family visits for up to six months. This includes travelers transiting through the UK.

Application Process:

  • When to Apply: Applications are open now for travel on or after January 8, 2025

How to Apply:

  • You can apply online via the UK government’s official website or the UK ETA app. The process involves providing personal and passport information, uploading a photo, and paying the application fee.

    You can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the UK online at GOV.UK or through the UK ETA app:

    Link to apply at UK government site: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta or use their app…
    App: Download the UK ETA app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store 

Processing Time:

  • Decisions are typically made within three working days, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your travel date

Cost:

  • The ETA application fee is £10 (approximately $12.50).

Validity:

  • An approved ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple entries into the UK during its validity period.

Exemptions:

  • UK and Irish citizens and individuals with a valid UK visa or residence permit are exempt from the ETA requirement.

Please note that possession of an ETA does not guarantee entry into the UK; UK Border Force officers make final entry decisions upon arrival.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, refer to the UK government’s official guidance on the ETA application process.

Wow! It’s a good thing we caught this. When we booked our flights with the London layover a few months ago, this requirement was not mentioned.

Be well.

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

Clouds obscuring a pie slice of last night’s moon from Big Island, Hawaii. For more photos, please click here.

Beware entry fees to various countries…Research before traveling….Here’s a list…

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We posted this photo ten years ago today and perhaps a time or two since then. But whenever I reencounter it, I feel compelled to post it again. My father, George, was a fine man. He’ll remain in our hearts forever. For the tragic story of his loss, please click here.

Here’s an interesting article from Travel and Leisure Magazine with important information for world travelers from this site:

“Here’s When the UK Will Implement Its Entry Fee for U.S. Travelers

The electronic travel authorization (ETA) fee will be implemented next year. By  Alison Fox

Next year, travelers heading to the United Kingdom will have to pay a fee to enter as the country prepares to implement its long-anticipated electronic travel authorization (ETA) fee.

According to the UK government, the ETA will go into effect for visitors from most countries, including the United States, on Jan. 8, 2025. Eligible non-European travelers can apply for the authorization starting Nov. 27. Once secured, the ETA will be digitally linked to a traveler’s passport. The authorization will cost £10 ($13.05) and be valid for multiple trips over two years (or until the traveler’s passport expires) for stays of up to 6 months at a time.

“The worldwide expansion of the ETA demonstrates our commitment to enhancing security through new technology and embedding a modern immigration system,” Seema Malhotra, the UK’s minister for migration and citizenship, said in a statement.

The UK introduced the ETA last year, rolling out the new system for visitors from several Gulf countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Travelers from those countries can apply using the UK ETA app or online. Each traveler must have their own ETA, including children of any age. Applicants should typically expect a response within at least three business days.

In addition to the U.S., the UK will expand the ETA to dozens of other countries and territories on Jan. 8, including Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, and more. Then, on April 2, 2025, the ETA will be extended to travelers from other European countries. The decision to roll out an online ETA is part of the U.K.’s effort to fully digitize its borders by 2025.

Beyond the UK, Europe plans to implement a similar pre-authorization system next year called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The travel authorization fee is expected to go into effect before mid-2025. It will cost €7 ($7.71) and require travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the U.S., to enter 30 different European countries.

Several countries require travelers to pay a fee or obtain a visa before entering. These fees may include visas, tourist cards, entry taxes, or environmental fees. Here’s a breakdown of some common examples:

1. United States (ESTA/EVUS)

  • Citizens from certain countries under the Visa Waiver Program must pay a fee for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
  • Chinese nationals are required to enroll in the EVUS (Electronic Visa Update System), which also carries a fee.

2. Australia (ETA)

  • Travelers from many countries must obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or eVisitor visa, which involves a processing fee.

3. Mexico (Tourist Card – FMM)

  • Mexico requires tourists to fill out a Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) and pay a fee unless visiting border regions for a limited time.

4. New Zealand (NZeTA)

  • Some visitors must apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) and pay an associated fee, along with an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).

5. Bhutan (Daily Tourist Fee)

  • Bhutan has a unique policy of requiring travelers to pay a daily fee, which includes accommodation, meals, and a guide. The fee supports sustainable tourism.

6. Argentina (Reciprocity Fee)

  • Argentina used to charge a reciprocity fee for citizens of certain countries (like the U.S.), though this has been suspended or eliminated for some nationalities.

7. Chile (Reciprocity Fee)

  • Depending on their nationality, some travelers must pay a reciprocity fee before entering Chile.

8. Turkey (eVisa)

  • Many tourists must apply for an eVisa and pay the associated fee before traveling to Turkey.

9. Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam (Visa on Arrival)

  • These countries offer a visa on arrival, but travelers must pay a fee at the border or airport.

10. Indonesia (Bali) (Visa on Arrival)

  • Indonesia, specifically Bali, requires a visa-on-arrival fee for many nationalities.

11. The Maldives (Green Tax)

  • The Maldives charges a Green Tax to tourists, usually included in accommodation costs.

12. Thailand (Tourism Fee)

  • Thailand plans to implement a tourism fee for travelers in the future, which would cover insurance and contribute to tourism development.

13. Madagascar (Visa Fee)

  • Visitors to Madagascar must obtain a visa on arrival, which includes a fee.

14. Sri Lanka (ETA)

  • Sri Lanka requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which is charged, even for short-term visits.

15. Jordan (Jordan Pass)

  • Travelers can buy a Jordan Pass, which covers the visa fee and entry to major tourist sites, making it a good deal for longer stays.

These fees and requirements are constantly changing, so it’s always wise to check the latest regulations from the embassy or consulate of your destination before traveling. Many of these fees are meant to support tourism infrastructure and environmental protection or are reciprocal arrangements based on the travel policies of other countries.

This list is changing rapidly. It is imperative to check the requirements of each country you plan to visit well in advance since some visas may take weeks to obtain once the application process begins.

Photo from ten years ago today, September 17, 2014:

While in Boston ten years ago, we visited the cemetery where many of my family members were buried. Here is a photo of the family; my father is on the left, his brother Red and sister Ida, and their mother, my dear grandmother Ethyl. Uncle Bernie was yet to be born. For more photos, please click here.

Immigration changed the rules again…Oops…Tom spilled iced tea on his laptop…Medical test results!!!…

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A lone zebra stopped by, but a short time later, a few friends joined her.

Based on a new document posted in the past 24 hours, it appears that Home Affairs will allow visa extension candidates who filed before March 31, 2023, to stay in the country until December 31. I forwarded the new document to the attorney and will speak with her on Monday to verify the amendment to the last agreement stating we had to clear out by April 30.

Hopefully, they don’t make any further changes impacting our preferred departure dates, which are up in the air right now. What a relief this would be if this new document is accurate. We’ll report back here accordingly.

Tom spilled his entire mug of iced tea on his laptop a short time ago. It’s supposed to be water-resistant, so we’ll see how that goes in the next few hours. I looked online, and if necessary, he can replace it at Takealot.com and have a new one in four or five days. He’d be lost without it.

Zebras are heading down the driveway to continue on their pellet search.

Yesterday morning, we met with Doc Theo for Tom’s aortic aneurysm screening and blood test results, followed by his cardiac stress test. Theo was delighted to tell Tom he was in tip-top shape. His tests were all normal. He did fantastic on the stress test. Theo couldn’t believe how Tom was so young for his age, taking no medication and having no known medical conditions.

I was a little anxious as Tom was having his stress test on the treadmill. I hadn’t had any cardiac tests since the surgery four years ago. I knew that at some point I’d have to be tested but put it off, justifying it with the fact I’ve had no cardiac symptoms.

When Tom was done, after the glowing reports from Theo, Tom stepped out to the waiting room, knowing I’d be a little more anxious with him watching me perform the test. I was worried that since I had Covid-19 last April, suffering from the headache, facial pain, and allergies, I had been relatively inactive over the past year. I was fearful I wouldn’t be able to handle the required pace on the treadmill.

A few giraffes quickly moved through the garden.

Other than running around the house performing household tasks and cooking, I’ve spent the better part of each day sitting. It was hard to feel like exercising, although I tried many times when I had the darned headache and couldn’t seem to get motivated.

But, once I got going on the treadmill, all wired up for the EKG, comforted by Theo that he wouldn’t push me too hard, I took off and could keep up without an issue. He pressed me to do the test up to my maximum heart rate for my age. All the while, he kept reassuring me I was doing great and that the results printing on the machine were all looking perfectly normal.

When all was said and done, he gave me a clean bill of health. There wasn’t a single issue during the test or after during the cool-down period. I was pleased and so relieved! Theo said there was nothing on the printout that indicated I’d ever had heart surgery or had any issues at this time. Maybe I’ll be one of those lucky heart surgery patients that never need more surgery or stents down the road.

This Big Daddy stops by every day.

Tom is willing to walk with me twice a day, once in the morning and another in the afternoon. Theo suggested we both start exercising regularly to maintain our good health. This morning, we took our first walk out on the dirt road, watching for lions or any other wildlife who may be out and about. After I build stamina, most likely, we will do one long walk in the morning after breakfast and be done with it for the day. We’ll see how it goes.

Last night, we had a fabulous time at Jabula. David always reserves our two usual seats at the bar. Our food was perfect, and the Cheers-like bar occupied every barstool. We knew everyone there. That’s what makes it so much fun, but we always love meeting newcomers.

We were back home by 8:30 pm, 2030 hrs., bellies full, and we were ready to hunker down for the night. We watched a show, but I fell asleep at the end. After that short nap, I had trouble sleeping and was awake for a few hours. A nap may be on the agenda later today, before or after the second walk.

We are very grateful for the immigration news (if it doesn’t change again), the results of our medical tests, and to be enjoying our lives more than ever with this new peace of mind.

Be well.

Photo from one year ago today,  April 1, 2022:

This was the first shot of one of the manatees in the warm waters by the Tampa Electric Company in Florida. For more photos, please click here.

Exciting news from the bush with short video…Trying to find our missing bags…

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Louise sent us this short video of Nina’s new baby, born only a few days ago. Once we return to Marloth Park, we’ll be excited to see dad Norman, son Noah, Nina, and the yet-to-be unnamed baby, whom we’ll name once we know the sex. Of course, her or his name will begin with the letter “N.”

It will be interesting to see how Norman and his son Noah react to the little one. We’ll post videos, and photos and write about the exciting new life in the bush. What a magical experience! It will certainly be fun to see the now family of four when we return in about ten days.

We’re still experiencing a bit of angst over our lost baggage. Tom wasn’t able to get the required claim form during the three hours he spent at the Johannesburg Tambo Airport on Friday. The actual claim numbers on the two tickets were illegible. The printer must have been running out of ink. No one was able to read the numbers. Now we’re trying to call Airlink but keep getting disconnected or the call doesn’t go through.

It’s frustrating, to say the least. I think we need to wait to deal with this until we return to Joburg airport next Friday, conduct another search for our bags and get the proper claim form completed and processed. We have zero confidence that the claim Tom made while he spent three hours at the airport will be attended to without the numbers being legible. What a mess! We are trying to reach Airlink where the tags were issued but they don’t answer their phone or the line is busy.

In the meanwhile, we need to apply for a new ten-year passport. Our ten-year passport expired which we replaced with a four-year passport a few years ago. Since Covid, the handling of passport renewals is tricky and cumbersome especially when we are living outside the US. It appears, our only option will be to fly or drive to the US embassy in Joburg, Pretoria, or Cape Town once we get back to South Africa to handle this.

As for today, we are picking up Tammy and grandson Vincent at their home at 1:15 pm to drive to Tom’s brother Jerome’s home where we’ll meet up with Tom’s sisters Patty and Colleen. We’ll all stay for a long visit and later head out to dinner. It will be wonderful to spend time with them, as it has been with other family members.

On another note, Tom has been unable to use his laptop or set up his new Google Pixel 6a phone since he was cut off from his Google account the day after we arrived, for no known reason. It’s been frustrating for him to be without the use of his laptop since Sunday. Hopefully, when we have our appointment tomorrow morning at the Geek Squad at Best Buy we will get this resolved.

At the moment, I am on hold with Ethiopian Air’s lost baggage department. They are trying to locate our bags. Hopefully, we will get some good news. The important thing is to get the bags back to Nelspruit/Mpumalanga/Kruger Airport so we don’t have to pay for excess baggage fees when we return. We had to book and pay for another flight from Joburg to Nelspruit which is a domestic flight and has strict weight restrictions. If the bags are returned to Nelspruit we can pick them up there when we arrive on December 10.

Ah, I got disconnected. It’s all a series of errors that is almost laughable. I’ll be glad to get out today and away from all of this confusion and disharmony. It’s always a welcomed relief and pleasure to be with our loved ones and escape from all this paperwork and forms.

I just got off the phone with the Ethiopian Air baggage claim department. Our bags are in Addis Ababa. Hopefully, they will forward them to Joburg and then on to Nelspruit. We can only wait and see what transpires.

Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, November 30, 2021:

Such pretty animals. The waterbuck is a large antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa. It is placed in the genus Kobus of the family Bovidae. Irish naturalist William Ogilby first described it in 1833. Its 13 subspecies are grouped under two varieties: the common or ellipsiprymnus waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck. For more photos, please click here.

Early morning trip to Nelspruit…

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    Our guide was prepared to begin backing up as this male elephant in musth moved closer and closer to us. Musth or must is a periodic condition in bull elephants characterized by highly aggressive behavior and accompanied by a large rise in reproductive hormones. Testosterone levels in an elephant in musth can be on average 60 times greater than in the same elephant at other times.

Yesterday afternoon we got a message from the lawyer informing us we had an appointment at the immigration office at 8:30 this morning to submit our 50 pages of documents for our visa extensions. We thought we were bypassing this step by using the law firm to assist us for some odd reason.

Had we known this, we may have done the process independently. Although, they helped ensure we had everything in order. Now we wait for about 60 days for the approval. If granted, we will have to return to Nelspruit again to get out passports stamped with the new 90-day extension. It’s quite a confusing and time-consuming process.

Elephant carrying her trunk on her tusk. Early elephants had tusks, and one idea is that as tusks became longer, it was harder and harder for elephants to get their mouths to the ground to reach the grass. The trunk on their tusk helps them to reach more food and to eat more in a shorter time.

Going through this painstaking process and avoiding flying to another country with many Covid restrictions right now saved us about US $3000, ZAR 4642. In the realm of things, it will have been worth it. Once approved, we’ll be able to stay until April 22. But if our April 8 cruise doesn’t cancel, we will be on our way by April 1 or sooner.

Our eventual departure date will depend on the cruise line’s requirements based on our coming out of South Africa.The ship sails out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The US has more Covid/Omicron cases per capita than South Africa. It will be interesting to see how that rolls out.

Elephant crossing the dirt road, trunk high in the air, sniffing for food or threats.

Our appointment at the immigration office was scheduled for 10:45 am. We arrived an hour earlier than the appointment time when Tom suggested we go right up to the fifth floor to VSF Immigration anyway, rather than kill time walking around downtown Nelspruit. That decision proved to be a great idea. We were the only applicants at the check-in point outside the door or inside the facility when we arrived.

As I write this post in the car, we expect to be back in Marloth Park by noon. We expected to be waiting in chairs for hours as we had in 2018 when we applied for an extension at that time.

Only one tusk was showing from this view. Our guide explained that when the elephant’s ears are flapped over, as shown above, it indicates an older elephant, as the ear cartilage has aged.

All and all, it wasn’t too bad. Before we left this morning, I prepped all the veggies for dinner. Once I add photos to today’s post upon returning to the house, I’ll do some laundry and catch up on my walking for the day.

We were happy to see Frank and The Misses at the veranda door at the house. We hadn’t seen either of them in almost a week, and we’ve been wondering if they’ve been busy sitting on some eggs out in the bush. It would be delightful to see little Franks and The Misses sometime soon.

The sky cleared after pelting rain when we first started.

Tom is sitting at the table on the veranda watching US football on his laptop, and I’m indoors finishing up today’s post. My timer is set to remind me to walk every 20 minutes. It’s a good day, after all.

Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, January 18, 2021:

This was Tiny. We haven’t seen him since we returned from the US at the end of July. We miss him but have focused on energy on Little and other animals. For more photos, please click here.

Facing the facts and the potential risks…Recalling one year ago…Two days and counting…

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This morning while I was in the kitchen, I saw Broken Horn in the front of the house in the driveway. With the kitchen windows closed (no screens), I called out his name. I ran to the back garden to see if he heard me and came around the back. This is what we saw, making us laugh out loud. He peeked his head around the side of the house to see if we were there. How can we not love these clever animals?

We’ve been discussing the possibility, which exists, that South Africa won’t let us use our new visa stamps for another 90 days. The laws surrounding this are vague and unclear. When we’ve left in the past, on one occasion, we were told we couldn’t “do this again” without applying for an extension.

Yesterday, four wildebeests stopped by (without Broken Horn, who is a loner), and after a long while, we finally saw Crooked Face and Hal along with two friends, Bart and Ben.

With a lack of support staff at South Africa’s immigration department, due to Covid-19, applying for an extension would be a waste of time. The only guarantee that we’d be able to get back in is if we flew back to the US and turned around and came back. But, we didn’t want to wear ourselves out for a quick return with little to no sleep for the two to three-day journey each way.

Although we’re flying to a non-bordering country as required, we may not be staying away long enough. But, the necessary time to be in another country is unclear. We’re taking a risk with five days. We knew the risk existed when we booked the five nights in Zambia.

It’s an anomaly that Crooked Face has a crooked face, but he’s delightful nonetheless.

What could potentially happen if they disapprove of our re-entry? From what we’ve determined, we could be told to immediately leave the country or be given seven days to collect our stuff and leave. With this in mind, we needed to discuss our options if we only had seven days to clear out.

Wildebeests make eye contact and react to our presence. Zebras, on the other hand, rarely make eye contact.

No, we’re not trying to be pessimistic about the situation, but we attempt to be realistic to avoid being shocked or terrified by this possibility. We won’t have everything we own with us. We’re each only bringing a duffle bag with some of our clothing. We’ll need to return pack the remainder of our stuff. Five days away doesn’t warrant more than that.

Most people find the wildebeest, also known as a gnu, to be quite homely. We see them be quite handsome.

We haven’t overstayed at any point since we arrived here last January. The only time we overstayed was when I had open-heart surgery in February 2019, and we had to wait 90 days for me to recover sufficiently to fly on the long flights. At that time, as mentioned in past posts, we were considered undesirables even with all of our doctor’s letters and medical documents. We wouldn’t have been able to reenter South Africa for five years.

We decided to hire a law firm in SA to represent us in getting a waiver; After considerable time, paperwork and expense, we were granted a waiver allowing us to return at any time. We were relieved and grateful to have the ban lifted.

They stayed for quite a while, partaking in our generous offering of pellets.

So, now, with a sense of uncertainty, we are off to Zambia in two days. Today, at 2:00 pm, we head to the Marloth Park medical clinic for Covid-19 PCR tests, another of which we’ll be required to get before leaving Zambia on October 26th. The Marriott hotel will make the arrangement for us to get the tests in hand before we depart.

On another note, today, while preparing the “year ago photo below,” I ended up rereading the entire post here, It was day #210, and our frustration level was over the top. The inconsistency of the taste, portions and preparation of our meals was outrageously inconsistent.

They interact freely with one another, giving little nudges and making body contact in a caring manner.

It was on this date that Tom decided to stop eating dinner. He couldn’t eat one more night of chicken penne pasta with white sauce. He wanted to try no other options when the flavor was Indian, even without added species and sauces. It’s hard to believe at that point that we still had three more months to go until we could escape.

Wildebeests are large animals weighing as much as 180 kg, 400 pounds, and one must maintain a safe distance. They don’t appear aggressive but can inadvertently injure humans with their massive horns and weight.

I started packing this morning and will wrap it up tomorrow.  Tom will pack his bag tomorrow. We have jeans drying outdoors on the veranda since they’d never dry inside in three days on the rack with the high humidity and delightfully cool weather. It’s hot in Zambia right now, and we will pack accordingly. No jackets and sweatshirts will be required for this trip.

That’s it for today, dear readers. We hope you all have a relaxed and comfortable day.

Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, October 19, 2020:

This photo of Matafoo’s Resort in Kenya was posted one year ago while in a hotel in lockdown in Mumbai, India, on day #210. The sunbathers left as the sun began to set, and we moved to the restaurant for dinner. For more photos, please click here.

Good news brings relief!…Newly named friends…What are QR codes?…

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These three warthogs, whom we’ve named Bennie, Hennie, and Lennie, have started visiting us several times a day.

Note: One year ago today, we headed to the airport in Mumbai, India, with airline tickets in hand, and we were turned away and refused entry to South Africa due to the border closings, never boarding the plane. It’s hard to believe that was one year ago.

Last night, the email message came through from iVisa informing us that our Kenya visas have been approved and processed. They are now in our inbox, ready to print when we have to print many documents to bring with us to Kenya when we leave Marloth Park on April 8, 2021. We’ll enter Kenya on the 9ths and fly to the Maasai Mara on the 10th.

Everything we needed to prepare for the trip was done other than the printing. In a week or so, we’ll email Louise all the documents, and she’ll print them all, including a document from her that we’ll be renting for the next 90 days in Marloth Park. South Africa requires proof of a place to stay while in the country.

One odd thing we encountered during the visa acquisition process is that iVisa is that we received a QR code that looks like this, as indicated below.What is QR Code? Is it safe to scan QR codes | Kaspersky Since leaving the US in 2012, many companies, governments, and businesses have started using a QR code, like a barcode that smartphones can read after installing a QR app on your phone or other devices. Scanning such a code (I don’t know what the above QR code reads. I downloaded this example online).

We’re assuming they are brothers from the same mother based on how well they get along.

Earlier on, while touring India, our tour guide/driver’s car had complimentary WiFi. To access it, it was necessary to scan the QR code they had on a plastic-encased card kept in the vehicle. While in the Marriott hotel during those long ten months, while in Mumbai, India, they used such a QR code which, if we scanned the code using the QR code app on our phones, the hotel’s restaurant menu would come up, on our device.

QR stands for “quick response.” See this article here fIt clearly states the value and simplicity of using the QR codes for more details and the safety of using QR codes with your phone and device.

Occasionally, they’ll rest separately, especially on hot, humid days.

Thus, when iVisa sent us a QR code stating in the email that this code would bring up our already processed health questionnaire document as required by Kenya when we go through immigration upon entering the country. IVisa filled out the form for us since we cannot open it by scanning it. When we go through immigration, Kenya will scan the QR code, review our health questionnaires, ask us if we have any Covid-10 symptoms, and provide proof of negative PCR tests, which we’ll have done a few days before we depart.

So many new procedures are required to travel now, some seemingly worthwhile and others ridiculous and unnecessary. Only you can determine if traveling is worth all this “monkey business.” For us, we’ve decided, at this point, the answer is yes.

We still don’t know what we’ll do in July when the next 90 days end. We’ve decided to see how things go on the trip to Kenya after we return on April 14th. Also, we’re looking at where we can get the Covid-19 vaccine. It’s up in the air now if South Africa will allow foreign nationals to get the vaccine while in the country. We’ll see how that goes in the next few months.

When carefully observing these three warthogs, we’ve observed, they each have unique personalities.

For now, we can sit back and relax a little while still maintaining safety protocols when out and about and around people, such as when shopping and dining out. Linda and Ken had planned to join us at Jabula Lodge and Restaurant for dinner tonight. However, based on the news they’ve read, traveling from Johannesburg to Marloth Park is not safe today due to several stoppages on the highway.

They plan to travel the five-hour drive tomorrow, if the situation improves, and then join us for dinner at our house on Monday evening as planned. However, in South Africa, everything can change on a dime, so we shall see how it goes. Tonight, we’ll have dinner at Jabula on our own, enjoying ourselves as we always do.

On occasion, only two will rest together. But, the three of them are always together from what we can determine. This is Hennie and Lennie.

Today, it’s a little cooler than past days, but it’s still hot and humid. I started working on the treadmill again today since the awful itching has been tempered, and I am feeling better overall, especially after last night’s much-needed good sleep.

Yesterday there was no load shedding after the power was restored, but we did lose the WiFi signal for a few hours last night, preventing us from streaming our usual series. We stayed busy chatting and laughing and enjoying the quiet time together, as always.

This is Bennie and Hennie. They all seem to enjoy visiting us and hanging around the garden long after we’ve stopped offering pellets.

May your day be filled with wonders. Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, March 20, 2020:

This hall at the temple site is used for weddings, arranged marriage meetings, relaxation, and prayer. For more photos, please click here.

Impossible visa documents…Have to use the pricey option…Lion and a snake…

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We spent all afternoon for two days attempting to apply for an e-visa for Kenya from the government immigration website. No matter what I tried, changing and reducing the size and the file types of the photos and documents required to upload, it was all in vain. It simply would not work. I wrote to the immigration department and also called with no response.

We were both so frustrated. There were dozens of other sites from which to apply, but most of them were scam sites. It was too risky for us to proceed with one of those. Finally, we contacted the pricey US site, CIBT, which we’d used for a few visas in the past, mainly required for cruising. They are a reputable company, which must have less than a month left to leave for Kenya.

Had we known how difficult this would be, we would have started the process a week ago. But, with the awful heat and humidity, it’s been challenging to be motivated. Today, I resigned myself to stay in the bedroom and get this done. Last night, due to the time difference, I called CIBT, and they said I could email them the photos and documents for which they sent me a particular email address.

Their fees are high at US $179, ZAE 2672, per application plus the fee Kenya charges of US $51, ZAR 761, for a total of US $230, ZAR 3433 for each of us. If we could apply at the Kenya Immigration site, we’d only have to pay the US $51, ZAR 761 each.

We expect that the government offices in Kenya aren’t open due to the pandemic, and no one is attending to their website or office inquiries. There’s no other explanation. Then again, we’ve had experiences with governmental offices and often have run into issues in some countries, including in the USA. It’s not so unusual.

As soon as I upload today’s post, we’ll get to work on both of our applications simultaneously, following each step of the way together. This is usually somewhat of a stressful process, one neither of us cares to do. Hopefully, by the end of today, we’ll have peace of mind, and this will be done. We should receive the e-visa from CIBT within two weeks of submitting our application.

Over the past months, we’ve had several issues with our site. Our web people have been diligent in solving these myriad problems. Many of these issues don’t appear to you, our readers, but impact me as I attempt to post each day. Of course, over this past almost year of the upgrade, we’ve been down for many days, and many of you have been unable to read our new posts. We apologize for this inconvenience.

At this point, it’s looking as if most of the issues have been resolved, and all should be fine going forward. That’s not to say we won’t have WiFi problems or any problems with the site going forward. Please know that we are well aware of our site and have notified our web people if our site is down. WordPress sends me an email when there are problems.

The power just went out due to load shedding. We are currently in the bedroom (no air-con working) with a fan blowing on us. The fan works off of the inverter, as does the WiFi. We have the blinds closed to keep the heat out until power returns in 2½ hours. Last night the load shedding started during the night from 3:00 am until 5:30 am. Thank goodness we have the fan.

Currently, the temperature is 95F, 35C at 11:00 am. It is expected to be 101F, 38C by 2:00 pm, 1400 hours. The humidity is through the roof. Today, there are two more load shedding sessions, resulting in 7½ hours without power on such a hot day. Oh well, as we said, this goes with the territory. This is Africa, and we’re grateful to be here.

May you have a relaxing and safe day wherever you may be!

Photo from one year ago today, March 11, 2020:

The town of Mahabalipuram is lined with shops with supplies for locals and also an endless array of tourist trinkets. For more photos, please click here.

The dreadful process of filling out forms…A zebra in a pool???…

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We’ve yet to have a single visit from a full-racked male kudu. They can only get into our garden by walking on the driveway when the bush is too dense. This young male could make it through the bush to stop for a visit during sundowners on the veranda.

We dread it each time we have to extend our visas, apply for permits, or apply online for any government-mandated process. Often, the forms are confusing, difficult to use, and don’t save partially completed forms. However, their website clearly states that returning users can easily find their partially completed forms. Ha! Not always the case.

Yesterday, we started the necessary process of applying for our e-visas for entry into Kenya on April 9th. On January 1, 2021, Kenya switched from the easy visa-upon-arrival process with a mandatory online application. With many of the questions translated from other languages, the questions in the form are often ambiguous and confusing.

A female kudu and a male impala were getting along well while eating pellets.

But, the worst part for us, mainly me, who will make both of our online applications, is now using a Chromebook instead of formerly using Windows. With Windows, all I had to do was find the appropriate travel documents in a folder on my desktop, and we’d be good to go.

It’s not so easy with a Chromebook, regardless of how and where I save documents, to easily find them to grab and attach to an uploader in an online application. I know how to do this. But when saving the documents needed, such as airline tickets, hotel reservations, copies of passports, and decent headshot photos, those documents I properly saved are often missing, and I can’t “grab” to upload them into the form.

Impalas are very shy around humans. We’ve been surprised to see so many visiting our garden.

Yesterday afternoon, I spent no less than two hours in dire frustration in the 100F, 38C, heat, and humidity, and will have to go back and try again today. Just now, as we speak, I looked for the documents and found them where they should be in the “download” folder.

But, I do not doubt that when I start working on the form again, re-entering all I’ve already entered on ten pages, they won’t be there. We often wonder how less experienced users could get through this process. Often, they have to hire a company to do this for them at an additional cost over and above the US $102 ZAR 1558, the fee (for both of us) charged by Kenya.

Impalas stay at a distance from the veranda.

Oh, I can’t wait to get this done and behind us. Tom, a less experienced user of Chromebook’s weird nuances, will be able to re-enter his personal information, which was lost upon “save. Hopefully, after he re-enters it today, it will all be there for me to log into his Kenya visa account and upload the documents from there also.

Talk about sweating in this weather! It’s only 10:30 right now in Marloth Park, and it’s already 90F, 32C with high humidity, all of which is rising rapidly. It won’t be until after about 5:00 pm, 1700 hours, that we’ll feel the temperature drop slightly. Yesterday Tom read that the “wind chill” was 110F, 43.3C. We had no idea wind chill factors were considered for hot weather as well as for cold temperatures.

Adorable young male bushbuck checks out the grassy area in our garden, waiting for Tom, in the red shirt, to toss him a few pellets.

Last night, the air-con in our bedroom couldn’t keep up with the heat. It was also necessary to use one of the two standing fans in our bedroom, aimed directly at us. It never really cooled down much during the night. Even our wildlife friends stay away during the heat. They hunker down in the shade of the bush, close to water holes. It must be so hard for them.

Yesterday there was a Facebook story under Marloth Park Sighting Group that was mind-boggling as follows:

“ATTENTION POOL OWNERS: Last week Thursday, driving up Berghaan Rd, I was flagged down by a resident/visitor of a house with a newly built swimming pool. The gentleman was FRANTIC, and I soon learned that he was deaf, as is his partner, neither could speak either. Turning into the driveway, I was greeted by the sight of an adult zebra, in the pool, but exhausted, his neck and head out of the water, hanging over the side, as the gentleman, who was EXHAUSTED, and two young builders from the next-door house had managed to get zebra to the side of the pool. I don’t know how long it was going on before I arrived, but I jumped into action, looped my bakkie (a pickup truck) tow strap around zebra’s neck, and with the help of the builders, directed zebra around to the shallow end where it could stand, and where we could lead it to the steps. This worked!! Three minutes after I arrived, the zebra was out of the water and on its feet…..
Firstly, the pool was too deep for adult zebra to stand. Secondly, the pool should be fenced. Should it not just be common sense to fence a pool in a nature reserve?? Hate to think what would’ve happened had I not driven by when I did. Occupants of the house were inside, both deaf, with no idea about the drama outside. Luckily the builders were awake…”
Bushbucks have such adorable faces!
Fortunately, the zebra was rescued by the kind and creative people who immediately went into action. The zebra seemed fine and dashed off. And yes, there are pools at most houses in the bush, mainly splash pools used to cool off in hot weather, days like today, and few, if any, are fenced.
That’s a matter for another day. Fences are frowned upon in the bush, preventing the wildlife from freely foraging as they wander about the park. But, circumstances under which a wall may be sensible, providing safety for humans and animals alike.
Tiny is sitting in front of his favorite tree stump.
Our pool, yet to be used by us, is shallow, above ground, encased, and surrounded by a cement wall. It would be unlikely an animal could fall in without climbing over the fence, tricky to do at best. Plus, it’s shallow, as is the case of most splash pools in the bush. We’re thrilled to hear the zebra was safely rescued. Life in the bush has always been exciting and often unusual.
Have a lovely day.
Photo from one year ago today, March 10, 2020:
“Krishna’s Butterball (also known as Vaan Irai Kal and Krishna’s Gigantic Butterball) is a gigantic granite boulder that rests on a short incline in the historical coastal resort town Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu state of India. Since it is part of the Group of Monuments at Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built during 7th- and 8th-century CE as Hindu religious monuments by the Pallava dynasty, it is a popular tourist attraction. It is listed as a protected national monument by the Archeological Survey of India. It is best viewed at sunrise from northwest to southeast or at sundown from northeast to southwest when the panorama is bathed in magical golden hues.” Our guide explained that at one time, centuries ago, the locals tried to move this boulder using elephants, but it wouldn’t budge. For more photos, please click here.