Travel Day…We’re off to Auckland for an overnight stay…A two hour drive…An early morning flight…

Posted by worldwide-admin on February 10, 2026 with 0 Comment

The view from the kitchen in our holiday home in Kaiwaka, New Zealand.

By the time I glanced at the clock and saw it was edging toward 11:00 am, the house in Kaiwaka was back to how we found it: clean, organized, and uncluttered with our stuff. We’re totally packed except for the computer bag and a few odds and ends. The little car is loaded to the brim. Only the sense of anticipation remains.

This house…oh, how we’ll remember it.

It wasn’t only the structure itself, lovely as it was, perched in its peaceful pocket of rural New Zealand. It was Dave and Eing. From the moment we arrived, weary and road-worn, they wrapped us in kindness. There’s something profoundly comforting about landlords who feel more like friends, who show up with a bag of jasmine rice because they read you were running low, who insist on dinner and quietly outmaneuver you when the bill arrives.

For two months, we lived in a kind of gentle stillness.

Yes, the location was remote. There were times we had to plan carefully for groceries or errands. But what we gained in exchange was immeasurable. No traffic noise—no traffic at all, really. No crowds. No sirens. Instead, our days were punctuated by the bleating of sheep, the low murmurs of cattle, and the occasional triumphant crow of a rooster. The peacocks’ haunting, almost cry-like calls would drift through the air, and the magpies carried on their animated chatter as if narrating the countryside.

Silence, but never emptiness.

This morning, as Tom slid the last bags into the car, we realized we could leave one newer carry-on behind for Dave and Eing. Doing so, may mean I won’t be wedged quite so tightly in the front seat during our two-hour drive to Auckland. Small victories matter in this nomadic life.

Yesterday, we found ourselves talking about Penguin, Tasmania, and what awaits us there. A town of just over 4,000 people, hardly a metropolis, but after Kaiwaka’s sweeping rural landscape, it will feel lively in the most delightful way. Easy access to shopping. Restaurants within minutes. The freedom to pop out for coffee without mapping a minor expedition.

And the beach.

Across the road from our new home, the shoreline stretches wide and welcoming. Parks nearby. The scent of salt air. And each evening, the fairy penguins will return from the sea, waddling ashore in the ritual that gave the town its name. I can hardly wait to see them with my own eyes. When we do, of course, we’ll share photos. Some moments are too special not to pass along.

It will be cooler there than Kaiwaka has been lately, and I’m looking forward to the temperate air. The heavy humidity we’ve felt here will give way to something fresher, something brisk enough to invite long seaside walks.

And then there are the celebrations ahead.

Valentine’s Day. My birthday, on February 20. Our 31st wedding anniversary, on March 7.

Three beautiful markers in just a few short weeks. We may go out to dinner. We may simply stay in, sip our adult beverages, make a special dinner, and treasure the view by the water with grateful hearts. After all these years, it’s less about grand gestures and more about shared glances, quiet laughter, and the steady comfort of knowing we’re still choosing this life, and each other, every single day.

There is so much to celebrate beyond the dates on the calendar. The quality of our lives. The freedom to follow the sun. The kindness of strangers who become friends. The health that allows us to pack up once again and head toward the next horizon.

We leave Kaiwaka with full hearts. And we arrive in Penguin carrying that gratitude with us.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 11, 2016:

A photo re-post from 2014 on this date ten years ago. As our ship made its way to the port of Venice, our mouths were agape in surprise at the feast that lay before our eyes. A photo re-post from 2014 on this date ten years ago. As our ship made its way to the port of Venice, our mouths were agape in surprise at the feast that lay before our eyes. Click here for one of two posts about Venice. Click here for the ten-year-old recap.

Day 36…Singapore, port of call…Waiting for several hours to access our cabin…Rough night…

Posted by worldwide-admin on December 1, 2025

The last time I remember looking at the clock, it blinked back at me with an unforgiving 4:00 am. Only three hours later, I heard Tom getting up, his careful footsteps and the sound of the shower telling me morning had arrived far too soon. Knowing we had to check in at the main dining room by 9:00 am as consecutive passengers, I dragged myself out of bed as soon as he was done in the bathroom. Those mornings when sleep has barely graced me always feel like wading through molasses—the simple act of showering and getting dressed becomes a slow, deliberate process, each step requiring more focus than it should.

I stuffed my pajamas and a few last-minute odds and ends into my bag, grateful that at least packing was minimal for this short transition day. Usually, anticipation of travel or logistical tasks doesn’t disrupt my sleep—after all these years on the road, constant movement has become second nature. But last night’s inexplicable insomnia threw me entirely off balance.

After checking in with our Indonesian and Australian e-visas in hand, we made our way to the Promenade Cafe, where the aroma of fresh coffee gave me the slightest boost of hope. We settled into our usual corner, hopeful we could get started on today’s post, but quickly discovered the ship’s WiFi had been shut off during the disembarkation and embarkation process. Fortunately, our T-Mobile hotspot came to the rescue. It wasn’t lightning fast, but it worked well enough for us to begin catching up. As soon as the ship’s WiFi comes back online—any minute now—we’ll switch back, since we’ve already paid for the service for this final leg of our back-to-back cruise.

We spent over a week in Singapore the last time we were here, and on other occasions as well.

From our seats, we watched the familiar rhythm of turnaround day unfold: departing passengers rolling their suitcases toward the gangway, crew members resetting stations with the quiet efficiency we’ve come to admire, and the early trickle of new passengers boarding. There’s always a comforting predictability to this process, a sort of intermission between chapters of ship life.

While we waited, our dear friends Diana and Peter stopped by the table to say goodbye. In just a few weeks, casual greetings in the R-Bar and main dining room had grown into warm, easy conversation, the kind of connection that feels so natural you forget it’s only been a short time. They’re hoping to visit us in Marloth Park next August, an idea that feels both exciting and surreal. We genuinely hope it works out for them; sharing that extraordinary place with friends is always such a joy.

We also said goodbye to Salli, Barbara, and several others we’ve met along the way. It always amazes me how ships create their own little temporary communities. Each voyage becomes a microcosm of shared routines, passing familiar faces at the Promenade Cafe, seeing the same folks at dinners, and exchanging travel stories at random moments. These friendships, whether brief or long-lasting, become part of the fabric of our journey.

We’re still waiting to hear whether we’ve been moved to a more suitable location on the ship. If not, we’ll have to accept the reality of the distant cabin on Deck 6, tucked so far from the elevators that it feels like a daily pilgrimage, especially with my knee still acting up.

There’s something about cruise days like this, turnover days, full of new faces and rolling suitcases, that makes everything feel temporarily suspended. The crew is busy preparing, the ship hums with anticipation, and we’re simply waiting, caught between hope and resignation. We won’t know anything until the last of the new passengers has boarded and we’re minutes from casting off from Singapore.

Until then, all we can do is sit with the not-knowing, our bags waiting to be unpacked, our minds half-settled, reminding ourselves that after years of living on the move, flexibility isn’t just a skill. It’s our daily practice.

Once the newly arriving passengers board, we’ll see our old friends Michelle and Sheryl, who are boarding here in Singapore. It will be fun to see them again since our last get-together in 2018.

Despite the exhaustion tugging at me today, there’s a soft comfort in knowing that even sleepless nights and groggy mornings still find their way into the larger, ongoing story of our travels. Not every day is seamless or restful, but each one carries its own small mosaic of experiences… goodbyes, quiet frustrations, and tiny triumphs that remind us why we embrace this ever-changing life at sea and also while traveling on land.

Be well.

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

Private pier at the Cousteau Resort in Fiji. For more photos, please click here.

Traveler’s favorite cruise lines…What are our favorite affordable cruise lines?

Posted by worldwide-admin on August 31, 2025 with 2 Comments

Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas, the cruise ship we’ve booked for 47 nights, is setting sail in less than two months. It’s an older ship that was refurbished in 2019. The last time we sailed on this ship was in April 2016, and it was to our liking at that time.

When travelers sit down and reminisce about their favorite journeys, cruising often comes up with a kind of wistful fondness. There is something about being out at sea, unpacking your suitcase only once, and waking up in a new port every morning that captures the imagination. Yet among all the cruise lines that sail the world’s oceans, people do develop favorites. Sometimes it’s the loyalty perks, sometimes it’s the destinations, and other times it’s simply how a particular ship makes them feel. For seasoned cruisers, their favorite line becomes like a trusted companion—familiar, comforting, and ready to whisk them away when the mood strikes.

Each cruise line has its own character, and over time, travelers gravitate toward the one that feels most like “them.” Carnival, for example, is loved by those who want fun at sea without breaking the bank. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, casual style, and endless activities, Carnival appeals to travelers seeking energy, laughter, and nights that don’t end early. Families and younger couples often declare Carnival their favorite because it feels approachable and never too stuffy. For them, it’s less about formality and more about making memories together.

Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, wins hearts with its sheer spectacle. Its massive ships are floating cities, packed with innovations like surf simulators, ice-skating rinks, rock-climbing walls, and even zip lines high above the decks. For travelers who crave both relaxation and adrenaline, Royal Caribbean becomes the cruise line of choice. Many families pick it as their favorite because there’s genuinely something for everyone—children, teens, parents, and grandparents alike. The entertainment is Broadway-caliber, the dining options are varied, and the destinations are wide-ranging. Once a traveler experiences the scale of a Royal Caribbean ship, it’s hard not to feel dazzled.

For those who lean toward elegance, Celebrity Cruises often tops the list of favorites. Sleek, modern, and stylish, Celebrity caters to travelers who enjoy fine dining, thoughtful design, and a slightly more refined atmosphere. Foodies especially praise Celebrity for its culinary offerings, from rooftop grills to wine cellars that rival those on land. Many couples celebrate anniversaries or milestones on these ships, and it’s no surprise they come back again and again. Once you’ve had a sunset dinner on the deck of a Celebrity ship, it lingers in your memory, calling you back.

Princess Cruises holds a special place in many hearts, particularly among couples and retirees seeking a balance of comfort and affordability. Princess has built a reputation for romantic sailings, partly thanks to its long history with itineraries to Alaska and Hawaii. Many travelers will tell you their very first cruise was with Princess, and because of that, it remains their favorite. The line feels traditional in the best way—classic dining, friendly service, and ships that are large enough to offer variety but not so big they feel overwhelming.

Azamara Journey, on which we sailed in 2023.

Disney Cruise Line stands alone in its own category. For families with children, there is simply no contest. Disney’s attention to detail, storytelling, and service creates an experience unlike any other at sea. Characters roam the decks, themed dining immerses guests in fantasy, and there’s even fireworks at sea. Parents who have sailed with Disney with their little ones often say that no other cruise compares, even years later, when the kids are grown. For them, Disney remains their favorite because it delivered pure magic in a way no other line could.

Some travelers, of course, are drawn toward luxury, and their favorites reflect that. Lines like Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, and Seabourn specialize in indulgence. These ships are smaller, the service is more personalized, and nearly everything is included, from champagne to shore excursions. Once a traveler experiences that level of attention, it’s tough to go back to the bigger, more commercial ships. Luxury cruisers often describe their favorite line with a sense of loyalty that borders on devotion. For them, cruising isn’t about entertainment or activities; it’s about being pampered in a serene, sophisticated environment while sailing to some of the world’s most exclusive destinations.

Then there are the explorers, those who want to go where big ships can’t. Expedition lines like Hurtigruten, Lindblad Expeditions, and Ponant appeal to travelers seeking adventure at the world’s edges, including the Arctic, Antarctica, and the Galápagos Islands. For these passengers, their favorite cruise line isn’t about pool decks or shows, but about knowledge, exploration, and connection to nature. Instead of late-night karaoke, evenings are filled with lectures by naturalists and stories about the day’s discoveries. Their loyalty lies with whichever line brings them closest to the wild.

We sailed on Ponant’s Le Boreal when we visited Antarctica in 2018. It’s a small ship with a maximum passenger capacity of 264, but on our sailing, there were fewer than 200 passengers, making the cruise especially intimate and special.

We sailed on Ponant’s ship, Le Boreal, to Antarctica in 2018.

What makes a cruise line someone’s favorite isn’t always the obvious. It can be a small gesture: a crew member remembering your name, a cabin attendant surprising you with a towel animal, or a chef preparing a dish that tastes just like home. These personal touches often define loyalty more than the size of a ship or the length of an itinerary. Travelers speak warmly about the little things, the sense of belonging that a line fosters. Once that connection forms, it endures.

Favorites also evolve with time. The young partygoer who loved Carnival in their twenties may find themselves preferring Celebrity’s sophistication later in life. Families who adored Disney may shift to Royal Caribbean when the kids become teenagers. A retiree who started with Princess may eventually discover Seabourn and fall in love with its intimate atmosphere. As travelers change, so do their favorites.

At the heart of it all, a traveler’s favorite cruise line isn’t about the advertisements or the rankings. It’s about how that line made them feel. Did it bring joy? Did it create memories worth holding onto? Did it make the world feel a little closer, a little more accessible? That’s why the answer to “What’s the best cruise line?” will always be beautifully subjective.

For one traveler, it might be Carnival, because it brought their family together in laughter. For another, it might be Silversea, because it offered peace and luxury after a lifetime of hard work. For someone else, it could be Disney, because it made their child’s eyes light up in pure wonder.

And so, travelers’ favorite cruise lines are not just about ships at sea…they are about stories, memories, and the ways we connect to the world and to each other while the horizon stretches endlessly ahead.

Overall, for the sake of affordability and quality sailing, we’ve enjoyed Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Azamara, and look forward to more sailings in the future.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 31, 2015:

Walkway along the pond in the Trinity Beach area. There doesn’t appear to be as many vacation homes in this particular area as we’ve seen in other beach areas. For more photos, please click here.

The tourists are gone!…How are we feeling now?…

Posted by worldwide-admin on July 21, 2025 with 1 Comment

We’ve been traveling the world without a fixed address since 2012. That’s more than a decade of waking up in unfamiliar beds, deciphering foreign street signs, and learning to call strangers “friend” in languages we sometimes mispronounce but always try to speak with heart.

Some people ask if we ever get tired of it, this life without a house or a closet of our own, without a familiar neighborhood bakery or the same barista who knows our name and order. But we don’t. Not in the way they mean.

Yes, there are moments of exhaustion. We’ve waited out thunderstorms in airports with cracked ceilings, gotten lost on dirt roads where GPS dropped off hours ago, and fumbled through visa offices where bureaucracy seems to be the only common language. We’ve been sick in places where pharmacies were hard to find and comfort food even harder, and we’ve had to learn the quiet art of grieving from afar, missing weddings, funerals, birthdays, and spontaneous family dinners. These are not small sacrifices.

But still, we love it.

We love it because every day feels like a possibility. Because there is something profoundly humbling about being a guest in the world. You become softer around the edges. You listen more. You observe without assuming. You laugh more easily because the best way to bridge the gap between cultures is often humor, especially the kind that comes at your own expense.

The truth is, we’ve built a different kind of home. Not one made of brick and mortar, but of memories and muscle memory. We know how to pack in ten minutes. We can find the local produce market in a town we’ve just arrived in. We know how to read the kindness in someone’s eyes, even when the words between us are garbled and incomplete. That kind of fluency, the one that has nothing to do with language and everything to do with connection, might be the richest thing we’ve learned.

We’ve fallen in love with the slow mornings in Bali, where roosters cry before dawn and the scent of incense drifts through the windows. We’ve found serenity with the majestic views of New Zealand, where the lush green landscape rolls by like an exquisite painting, and the expansive views of the sea. We’ve danced in the streets of South America, where music spills out of every open window, and we’ve shared silence under a starlit African sky so vast it made us feel both tiny and infinite.

Sometimes we ache for stillness, for roots. There are days when we long for a sofa or bed we chose ourselves, a proper place to put our stuff, or a kitchen with spices that don’t have to be tossed or gifted every time we cross a border. There’s a gentle grief in that, knowing we’ve traded permanence for movement.

But movement is what keeps us alive. It’s what keeps our hearts curious, our minds expanding. It’s what reminds us that there’s always more to learn, more to see, and more people to meet. And more importantly, more versions of ourselves to become. Travel peels away the layers. It challenges you to let go of assumptions, to meet discomfort with grace, and to live in the question instead of racing toward the answer.

Over the years, we’ve become both lighter and deeper. Our wardrobe fits in two suitcases, yet our emotional toolkit has grown complex and complete. We’ve learned how to say goodbye with sincerity, how to arrive with humility, and how to be okay with the space in between. We’ve watched the sun rise in so many places now that we’ve stopped counting, but we’ve never stopped being moved by the simple miracle of a new day in a new place.

And the people…oh, the people, and the wildlife… Our life is a patchwork of kind souls who’ve opened their hearts, shared meals with us, and made us laugh when we didn’t think we could. They are the beating heart of our journey. We’ve learned that home isn’t a place. It’s a feeling, and it travels with you when your heart stays open.

So, how do we feel after all these years on the road?

We feel grateful. Deeply, breath-catchingly grateful.

Tom was gazing across the Crocodile River at Ngwenya.

We feel privileged, not in the sense of luxury, but in the sense of opportunity. That we get to live this life, with all its complexities and occasional chaos, is something we never take for granted. We feel more connected to the world, even as we sometimes float just outside of its conventions. We feel like wanderers by design, but grounded by purpose.

We still love it. Perhaps even more so now than when we began. Because love deepens with time, it becomes quieter, less frantic, but more enduring. Like the way a well-traveled road feels underfoot, familiar even in its unpredictability.

This life isn’t for everyone. But for us, it’s everything. And as long as there are new paths to walk, unfamiliar skies to sleep beneath, and warm, unexpected hellos waiting on the other side of a border, we’ll keep going.

Because this, this movement, this wonder, this love for the road, ultimately is home.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 21, 2015:

Tom’s haircut in Australia. For more photos, please click here.

Finally, a new photo of us in the bush, having the time of our lives…

Posted by worldwide-admin on March 9, 2025 with 0 Comment

What a fun time we have every Friday and Saturday night at Jabula!

Again, last night, we had a fantastic time at Jabula, after an enjoyable day at the house hanging out with wildlife. This is the life I’ve longed for over the past few years.

My dinner was outrageously delicious: roasted leg of lamb, sauerkraut and Greek salad. I was so stuffed after eating lamb and spinach, I couldn’t eat the rest.

Sure, there’s the heat, living outdoors day after day in temperatures reaching well into the 90s.On top of that is the heat rash, insects, loading up on repellent several times a day, load shedding (which is minimized for us having an inverter system), WiFi outages, water outages, and more.

Tom ordered Eisbein, a deep-fried pork knuckle that was too huge to finish. We brought it home for the mongooses, who should arrive soon.

Those issues become irrelevant when we have endless magical moments with animals and humans. Neither of us complained about the inconveniences; almost a week later, we hardly noticed them. After six days, we’ve finally recovered from the long journey and are as content as possible.

We’ll stay in tonight and have bunless burgers on the braai for Tom (with rice on the side) and steamed garlic mussels for me, served with an ice-cold bowl of homemade coleslaw. It’s not even 10:00 am, and we have the laundry done, drying on the rack. The fixings for dinner have started, making prep time at dinnertime minimal.

Our friend Dawn is one of the two owners of Jabula Lodge. We always feel welcomed by Dawn and enjoy chatting with her at the bar.

We haven’t seen Kathy and Don yet, and it may be several days before we do. They, too, are dealing with lack of sleep and jet lag after the long days of travel. I’m sure we will see them once they are rested and settled.

It’s hard to believe that we arrived almost a week ago. However, we’ve lost several days being out of sorts and tired. It feels fantastic to be back to ourselves, cheerful, energetic, and enthusiastic. Life is good.

Friends Feliz and Lorne joined us at Jabula last night. It was fun to see old friends from the bush.

As soon as this is uploaded, we’ll go to Komatipoort to the big Spar Market, which will have everything on our list. It would still be interesting to see the food prices here, unlike in the US.

We spotted this duiker on the road as soon as we pulled out of Jabula.

Why not see a giraffe on the way home from dinner?

We’ll be back!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 9, 2015:

Red Ginger plants overlook an open area on Bev and Sam’s estate grounds in Kauai. For more photos, please click here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a wonderful weekend and be well!

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

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

Recovering After a Thanksgiving Feast: A Journey of Gratitude, Rest, and Reset

Posted by worldwide-admin on November 29, 2024 with 0 Comment

We boarded a whale-watching boat for a 90-minute excursion. Although we didn’t see whales, we enjoyed the dolphins.

We hope our American friends/readers, and family had a fantastic Thanksgiving Day. Ours was atypical when this year, I made Tom several dishes he enjoys, along with two roasted turkey breasts. He asked for mashed potatoes with gravy, bread sausage, onion and mushroom stuffing, and the usual green bean casserole, none of which I eat.

My only indulgence was homemade keto pumpkin pie topped with real whipped cream. Otherwise, I had turkey breast and salad, after which I was still hungry. Subsequently, rather than wait a few hours, I had my pie shortly after dinner. Tom enjoyed his Costco pumpkin pie a few hours later.

When I made Tom’s side dishes, I made extra for several future meals. I froze several portions. When the turkey runs out in a few days, we’ll buy other meats he can have with the leftovers. I am having a salad with lots of veggies, diced turkey, and gorgonzola cheese tonight and may repeat this tomorrow night.

Although I didn’t make all the usual side dishes, I still spent considerable time in the little kitchen, chopping and dicing. It’s a relief not to cook for a few days.

Here are a few comments about recharging after the big event for those who indulged in the entire Thanksgiving dinner feeling stuffed and bloated today:

Recovering After a Thanksgiving Feast: A Journey of Gratitude, Rest, and Reset

Thanksgiving dinner is more than just a meal. It’s a glorious, belly-filling celebration of abundance, family, and tradition. But let’s be honest: after the turkey’s been carved, the mashed potatoes demolished, and the pies devoured, we’re often left in a state of culinary aftermath. It’s not regrettable, exactly. After all, we live for these moments, but the sensation of overindulgence is real.

So, how do we recover after eating Thanksgiving dinner? The process isn’t just about soothing an overstuffed stomach; it’s a chance to reflect, reset, and gently guide ourselves back to equilibrium.

1. The Art of the Digestive Pause

First, let’s acknowledge the truth: digestion is work. After a Thanksgiving feast, your body is like an overbooked restaurant kitchen—working overtime to process that mountain of food. One of the kindest things you can do is pause and give it space to catch up.

For a reason, a slow, meandering walk after dinner is a time-honored tradition. While you might feel like collapsing into a couch cushion, a gentle stroll can help stimulate digestion without taxing your body. Bundled up against the November chill, this walk offers a perfect opportunity to share laughs and stories with loved ones or savor the quiet glow of the evening.

2. The Hydration Reset

Thanksgiving feasts are notoriously salty, such as gravy, stuffing, and casseroles, and even turkey brings its sodium A-game. While that’s part of their irresistible charm, it can leave you feeling bloated and dehydrated.

Water is your best friend here. Sipping warm water with lemon or herbal tea like ginger or peppermint can work wonders. These liquids soothe the digestive system, combat the meal’s richness, and gently rehydrate your body. Plus, a mug of something warm feels like an extension of the meal’s comfort without the weight of another slice of pie.

3. The Nap Dilemma

Ah, the infamous post-meal nap. Turkey often gets the blame for our sleepiness due to its tryptophan content. Still, the reality is simpler: when you eat a large, carb-heavy meal, your body redirects blood flow to your digestive system, making you drowsy.

If you must nap, make it short—a 20-minute power nap can help you feel refreshed without plunging into the groggy depths of a sleep cycle. For those who stay awake, embrace the cozy magic of Thanksgiving evening: sink into the couch with a favorite movie, engage in board games, or scroll through family photos while nursing your food coma.

4. Reflecting on Gratitude

As your body works through its turkey-and-stuffing to-do list, take a moment to reflect on the spirit of Thanksgiving. Gratitude is like a balm for the mind, helping shift focus from feelings of overindulgence to appreciation for the meal and the moments surrounding it.

Think about the effort that went into the feast—whether you were the chef or savored the fruits of someone else’s labor. Consider the laughter across the table, the traditions upheld, and the love shared. These thoughts, light as they are, can make the fullness in your belly feel a little more bearable.

5. The Gentle Morning After

The morning after Thanksgiving can be a mix of sensations: lingering fullness, slight sluggishness, and a fridge filled with leftovers calling your name. Starting your day gently is key.

Begin with something light and hydrating, like a piece of fruit, a smoothie, or yogurt with a sprinkle of granola. While leftovers are tempting for breakfast, saving them for later in the day gives your body a chance to reset.

Movement can help too—whether it’s a yoga session, a brisk walk, or even stretching on your living room floor. This movement doesn’t have to be about “working off” the meal; it’s about restoring energy and helping your body find its rhythm again.

6. Revisiting Leftovers with Intention

Speaking of leftovers, let’s give them the respect they deserve. Thanksgiving leftovers are not just food but an extension of the celebration. But instead of diving headfirst into another heavy plate, approach them with balance in mind.

Pair rich dishes with lighter fare—think a salad with shredded turkey or roasted veggies alongside a smaller slice of pie. This way, you can enjoy the flavors of Thanksgiving without overwhelming your system all over again.

7. A Reminder to Be Gentle with Yourself

It’s easy to feel a twinge of guilt after a Thanksgiving feast, especially if you ate more than you planned. But here’s the thing: food is meant to be enjoyed, and Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate abundance in all its forms. A single day of indulgence doesn’t undo your health or habits; it often reminds us of the joy and connection that food brings.

Instead of dwelling on how much you ate, focus on how much you enjoyed. Thanksgiving isn’t about restraint. It’s about embracing the fullness of life in every sense of the word.

8. Carrying the Spirit Forward

Finally, as you recover, think about how you can carry the gratitude and warmth of Thanksgiving into the days that follow. Small acts of mindfulness can extend the holiday’s magic, whether it’s sharing leftovers with neighbors, calling a family member you missed, or simply journaling about the day.

In the end, recovering from a Thanksgiving feast is less about undoing the meal and more about embracing it fully—its flavors, emotions, and memories, and finding your way back to balance with gratitude and care.

Be well.

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

I walked across the lawn of the neighboring condo building a couple of times each week to the local grocer, Tradewinds. For more photos, please click here.

Why aren’t we flying to Nevada…What weather can we expect while in Cleveland until December 14?…And, on our upcoming 2000+ mile road trip across the US?

Posted by worldwide-admin on November 10, 2024 with 0 Comment

There are numerous varieties of palm trees in Maui that produce red berries such as these.

We contemplated flying to Nevada rather than driving across the US in winter weather. For our non-US readers, here’s a map of the US.

We will be driving from Ohio (OH on the map) to Nevada (NV), taking the southern route based on weather conditions to avoid snowy travel as much as possible. Of course, in December, it’s unavoidable. We could easily encounter snow in New Mexico (NM), especially in the mountains. In 1969, I lived in New Mexico, and although it didn’t snow a lot, it did occasionally.

So, the question becomes, why drive when we could fly? It’s not much about the cost since we already rented a car for a week and will pay for hotels and meals along the way. It could take us four or five days to get to Nevada since we prefer not to drive more than 400 miles daily.

One primary reason is that we don’t care about flying domestically in the US if we can avoid it. We are not interested in the cost of heavy bags, delayed flights, or airport confusion. Sure, we may spend a little more time driving, but it’s fun to travel through the US. Also, we’re always paying for a place to stay overnight in our nomadic lifestyle and for meals wherever we may be.

Flights from Cleveland to Las Vegas cost the same as the rental car for a week. Based on the prices for our extra luggage if we fly, any additional driving costs are a “wash.” We only eat breakfast and dinner and will look for hotels with breakfasts included during the trip.

The end result? We can bring all our remaining non-perishable foods in the rented SUV, which we’ll use in Nevada, saving us a considerable sum based on today’s prices. It’s not huge, but it could be around $200. While we are in Nevada for 2½ months, we will trim what we have in our luggage and get down to the checked weight allowed for international flights. We have yet to book our flight to South Africa but will do so after the holidays.

Driving so close to Christmas may not be too bad since we will be on the road starting on December 14. Our only concern will be the weather; we will do everything possible to avoid snow and ice. After encountering a snowstorm in Utah last May when we left California for Minnesota, we realized we can’t predict what we’ll experience. But we can change our route or take another day or two to get to Nevada if necessary. There’s no worry here.

If we make it to Nevada in five days, we’ll still have the rental car for a few days, so we can do some shopping and dining out. We may not need to head to our mailing service since we’ll receive a shipment from them in the next few days with everything we need from our mailbox.

Today, we just finished watching Sunday Morning and will start watching the Minnesota Vikings game in a few hours. It will be a good day!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 10, 2014:

An old boat was awaiting restoration or a Maui junkyard. For more photos, please click here.

Today is our 12 year world travel anniversary. Happy Halloween!

Posted by worldwide-admin on October 31, 2024 with 0 Comment

A gnome sitting on a pumpkin with Thanksgiving decorations clipart, cozy autumn vibes, digital painting, isolated on white background — Happy Halloween!

It was 12 years ago today, Tom retired from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and we left Minnesota. We loaded up his SUV with way too much stuff to drive to Arizona for a two-month stay to wrap up some paperwork, buy new laptops and smartphones, and work on visas for upcoming cruises and travels.

Everything we’d owned was sold and gone, albeit with a modicum of tears that flowed freely after saying goodbye to our loved ones. We knew we’d miss family, but with easy Facetime access online, it wouldn’t be as challenging to be away as it might have been decades ago, before the internet.

We chose to stay in Arizona for a few months to see if we’d like to live there when we eventually settled down. The two months in Scottsdale convinced us that Arizona was unsuitable for us. The summer heat was unappealing, and somehow, we never acquired a connection to the state.

While there, we enjoyed spending time with Tom’s sisters in Apache Junction, but again, we couldn’t see ourselves living in a retirement community in Arizona or anywhere. In time, that may change our minds about living in a retirement community, but not now.

Here we are now, after 12 years of the most exciting and adventurous times of our lives, seeking the medical care we knew would eventually come to pass. Nothing we’ve discovered about my health thus far requires us to stop traveling. In our travels over the past 12 years, we’ve met many seniors with heart conditions similar to mine who continue to travel regularly, some even full-time, like us.

We’re not done yet. We still have plenty of world left to see and feel no urgency to make any permanent decisions. It’s funny, isn’t it, that we feel totally at ease with that uncertainty? Many have said that not having a home would make them uncomfortable and unsettled. For us, it’s not an issue at all.

I suppose this lifestyle has reshaped our needs, and we no longer feel compelled to have a place we call “home.” We’ve learned that such a decision can be made whenever we are ready from wherever we may be at any given time.

What are we doing to celebrate today? Without a rental car, there are no exceptional restaurants nearby that warrant an Uber ride, and the fact that we’ve already ordered takeaway meals from the best nearby restaurants, we see no reason to venture out. We considered having cocktails tonight since I have one unopened bottle of white wine, and Tom has a bottle of brandy. But it’s been two months since we’ve had a drink, and we don’t need to do so today.

Today is special to both of us, and neither food nor drink is required to revel in the memories we created over the past 12 years, let alone the 4448 posts we’ve uploaded since March 2012, (see the first post here) months before we left Minnesota, when we wrote our first post. At any moment, we can enjoy the memories of the past 12 years with only a few clicks in our archives.

When we look back at any of those posts, we are immediately transported back to those precious times, memories flooding our minds, with smiles on our faces and feelings of warmth in our hearts. We are grateful for the experiences, the times we spent together, the people we met along the way, and the people and places we have yet to see. We are grateful for the safety in our travels, although, at times, we encountered challenging situations.

And now, as we near the end of our time at Cleveland Clinic (four months to go), we are again grateful for the exceptional medical care and upcoming peace of mind we’ll carry with us when we leave.

Happy Halloween to all.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 31, 2014:

This rooster was strutting around, showing off his pretty plumage at a vegetable stand in Maui. For more photos, please click here.

Stuff happens…

Posted by worldwide-admin on June 9, 2024 with 0 Comment

We visited a small town in Madeira, Portugal, and spotted this pretty bridge.

It’s been a long 48 hours. My granddaughter had to have emergency gallbladder surgery (she’s doing fine now) at the same time as Tom became ill yesterday with an outrageous cough, and now, we can’t visit her, fearful she’s catching it from us. I am still ok but could easily catch this from him, with symptoms appearing in the next several days. He is miserable.

Not visiting my granddaughter while she recovers at home, fearful we’d inflict her with this virus, is frustrating. Instead, we’ve sent her a few fun “great well” gifts and texted her several times, letting her know we are thinking of her. As soon as Tom is recovered, we’ll go see her.

Of course, he refuses to go to Urgent Care since he’s been through this many times. He’s more susceptible to respiratory conditions than most since, in the past few years, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis after 42½ years of asbestos exposure while working for the railroad. There is no treatment or cure for the condition. His lungs are scarred. As a result, a simple cold can immediately impact his lungs, leaving him susceptible to pneumonia.

If we feel he develops pneumonia, most assuredly, we’ll be heading to the same Urgent Care facility we visited at least twice while in Minnesota in the past four years, once during COVID-19 and again when we were here last fall for a family visit. It took him quite a while to recover in both cases.

He’s using an electric nebulizer four times a day, with medication we carry with us, and taking Nyquil Day and Night, Claritan, and Vitamin C. He’s not eating much and has a fever. We can only wait and see how he feels to determine if we can attend some upcoming events this week.

All he ate for dinner last night was a small bowl of white rice. I’m hoping by this evening, he’ll be able to eat some protein, which will help him recover. I have a nice dinner ready to put together this evening.

We’re scheduled to attend daughter-in-law Tracy’s birthday party tomorrow night. But he’d have to have a miraculous recovery in the next 36 hours to attend. Nor does he want the potential of infecting others. Plus, if I am on the brink of contracting this virus, I could be infectious even if symptoms haven’t started.

As a result, it is quiet here. We’ve got shows streaming continually, but we aren’t really watching anything, and we cannot focus on anything other than him getting well soon. The housekeeper is here now. What a relief it is to have daily cleaning help and fresh towels now and into the future.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 9, 2014: