Part 2…Emergency evacuation off a cruise ship…What are the costs?…

Emergency evacuation helicopter approaching the ship to pick up the ailing passenger. See the post here.

In yesterday’s post, we covered the process of being airlifted off a cruise ship in the event of a medical emergency. Today, we’re covering the average costs of such an event.

The cost of a medical evacuation from a cruise ship can vary widely depending on several factors. Still, it is typically costly and is not usually covered by standard health insurance. Here’s a breakdown:

Typical Cost of Medical Evacuation from a Cruise Ship
Scenario Estimated Cost (USD)
Ship-to-shore via small boat $5,000 – $20,000
Helicopter airlift (within U.S.) $20,000 – $50,000+
International helicopter airlift $40,000 – $100,000+
Air ambulance to home country (ICU) $50,000 – $200,000+

Factors That Influence the Cost
Location of the ship (remote ocean = more expensive)

Type of evacuation (boat vs. helicopter vs. jet)

Distance to nearest hospital or mainland

Level of medical care needed (ICU setup, doctor/nurse escort)

Whether multiple transfers are required

Local laws and coordination with foreign emergency services

Travel Insurance Is Essential
Most cruise lines and governments strongly recommend or require travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage for this reason. Good policies usually cover:

Evacuation costs

Medical care abroad

Repatriation to your home country

Travel with a companion or family member

A policy with $250,000+ in emergency medical evacuation coverage is often recommended for cruise travelers.

Real-Life Examples
A traveler airlifted from a Caribbean cruise to Miami due to a heart attack reportedly incurred $85,000 in helicopter and hospital bills.

A couple without insurance was airlifted from the Pacific and had to raise over $180,000 online to cover costs.

Purchasing adequate travel insurance can put travelers’ minds at ease. Additionally, it is advisable to check with your medical professionals regarding the safety of embarking on a cruise with your current medical condition, especially when traveling outside your home country.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 11, 2015:

View of the Sydney Opera House from the ship at 6:30 am this morning. It’s hard to believe we’re here on our fifth continent! For more photos, please click here.

Risks of buying a home in a country other than your own…Fantastic evening with friends…

This is one of Louise and Danie’s holiday homes in Marloth Park. Tourists often visit Marloth Park and end up purchasing a house such as this. To see rental details for this property, click here.

As we spend time with family and friends while here in the US, we are often asked if we’d buy a home in another country besides the US. At this point, we have no interest in doing so and doubt we will be interested in the future. We’re not getting any younger, and the thought of the effort and costs associated with home maintenance doesn’t appeal to either of us, especially considering some of the risks listed below of undertaking such a task.

Besides, we still have a lot of interest and stamina to continue traveling, and buying a home anywhere in the world would impact our ability to continue paying the costs of travel, along with the costs of home ownership, which continue to escalate.

Buying a home in a foreign country can be a rewarding adventure, but it comes with significant risks that require careful consideration. Here are the key risks to be aware of:

1. Legal and Ownership Issues

  • Land ownership laws: Some countries restrict or prohibit foreign ownership of land or property (e.g., Thailand, Mexico’s restricted zones).

  • Title and Deed Concerns: Verifying a clear title can be challenging. Fraud or unclear ownership history is more common in some countries.

  • Zoning and building codes: You may unknowingly buy a property that violates local laws or cannot be legally used as intended.

2. Currency Fluctuations

  • Exchange rate volatility: A weak local currency may make buying cheaper, but long-term ownership costs (such as taxes, maintenance, and repatriating profits) can fluctuate dramatically.

  • Financing issues: Mortgages for foreigners may be rare or come with high interest rates and strict conditions.

3. Political and Economic Instability

  • Property rights risk: In countries with unstable governments, properties can be seized or heavily taxed with little notice.

  • Policy changes: Visa rules, ownership rights, or taxation laws may change quickly and without warning.

4. Bureaucracy and Corruption

  • Complex procedures: Legal paperwork, permits, and registrations may be slow, confusing, or require bribes.

  • Unethical agents: There may be little regulation of real estate agents or attorneys, which can lead to scams or misrepresentation.

5. Taxation Surprises

  • Double taxation: You may owe taxes in both the foreign country and your home country.

  • Inheritance laws: Local inheritance rules may override your will, leading to property disputes or forced sales.

6. Property Management Challenges

  • Maintenance and oversight: Managing property from afar can be costly and unreliable without trustworthy local support.

  • Rental restrictions: Short-term rentals (like Airbnb) may be banned or heavily taxed in tourist-heavy areas.

7. Cultural and Language Barriers

  • Miscommunication: Contracts, negotiations, and legal processes can be misunderstood due to language or cultural norms.

  • Local customs: You might be unaware of social expectations or informal rules that affect the property’s value or use.

8. Resale and Liquidity Risk

  • Limited buyer pool: Properties in remote or less desirable areas may be challenging to sell.

  • Lower appreciation: Real estate markets in some countries don’t grow as steadily as in more developed nations.

How to Reduce the Risks

  • Hire an independent, bilingual real estate attorney.

  • Research the country’s property laws for foreigners.

  • Visit multiple times to gain a deeper understanding of the local market.

  • Never buy sight unseen or rush into a deal.

  • Use a reputable escrow service and verify all documents.

On another note, last night we had a lovely evening at the home of our dear friends Chere and Gary, who live nearby in Eden  Prairie. The food was fantastic, mainly when Chere, a highly educated nutritionist and life coach, eats like I do, so she had many options for us, along with more carb-heavy foods for Tom and Gary.

The conversations centered around world travel, of which they’ve done frequently, especially with their trip last year to Tanzania and Kenya. Our shared love of wildlife generated many great stories.

With most of our days and nights booked over the next ten days until we embark on our return trip to South Africa, we won’t be able to see Chere and Gary again. But we will return to the US again next May for Miles’ graduation and then two years later for Madighan’s.

It’s been wonderful spending quality time with family and friends, with much more to come in the next several days.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 5, 2015:

There was no post on this date ten years ago, as we lost a day due to crossing the International Dateline.

Volcanos erupting…How do volcanoes impact travel plans?…

This was my favorite shot of the evening with our family in Hawaii, with the backdrop of the glow from Mount Kilauea on The Big Island in Hawaii on December 27, 2014. See the post here.

One of the most exciting adventures of our nearly 13 years of world travel was our visit to The Big Island, Hawaii, in 2014, when we all, for the first time in our lives, witnessed lava flowing. We are still in awe of the stunning experience, one that few people will experience in their lifetime.

For details of our experience, check out the list of our posts depicting this experience in our archive from December 2014. We captured the above photo while at the observation area for Mount Kilauea on December 27, 2014. See the post here.

Now, as we read the news about the recent eruptions of Mount Kilauea in Hawaii and Mount Etna in Italy, we are reminded how erupting volcanoes can impact travel plans. For us, as precarious and dangerous as it was when we were so close to the lava flow, we all treasured the opportunity to experience this once-in-a-lifetime experience…seeing lava before our eyes.

Volcanic eruptions can significantly impact travel in several ways, affecting air, land, and sea transport. Here’s how:

Air Travel

This is often the most severely affected:

  • Ash clouds are the biggest threat. Volcanic ash can:

    • Damage aircraft engines, potentially causing them to fail mid-flight.

    • Reduce visibility and scratch windshields, making navigation dangerous.

    • Corrode metal and clog ventilation systems.

  • As a result, airspace is often closed over and around eruption sites, sometimes for hundreds or thousands of miles. Example: The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland grounded over 100,000 flights across Europe, stranding millions of passengers.

Hawaii's Big Island has latest volcanic eruption at Kilauea
Mount Kilauea’s latest eruption was a few days ago.

Land Travel

  • Roads may be closed due to lava flows, heavy ash fall, or landslides triggered by the eruption.

  • Visibility drops, making driving hazardous.

  • Air quality can be hazardous, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions.

  • Mount Etna in Italy erupted a few days ago.

    Emergency evacuations may disrupt public transport or local travel networks.

Sea Travel

  • Underwater eruptions or tsunamis triggered by eruptions can make maritime routes hazardous.

  • Floating pumice from eruptions can clog boat engines.

  • Ports near the volcano may shut down due to safety concerns.

Tourism and Long-Term Travel

  • Tourist destinations may be closed or evacuated, which can significantly impact local economies.

  • Travel plans are often canceled or rerouted, sometimes with little notice.

  • Insurance claims may increase, and travelers may face long delays or additional costs.


Summary of Impacts

Mode of Travel Disruption
Air Travel Flight cancellations, airspace closures, and aircraft damage risk
Land Travel Road closures, poor visibility, evacuations
Sea Travel Hazardous waters, pumice damage, and port closures
Tourism Site closures, economic loss, and itinerary changes

If you’re planning to travel to or near volcanic regions, it’s wise to:

  • Check alerts from volcanic observatories or geological agencies.

  • Purchase travel insurance that covers natural disasters.

  • Have flexible travel plans and backup routes in place.

Many travelers book plans to visit the area of erupting volcanoes to have such an experience as ours, and we certainly appreciate that enthusiasm. Of course, the utmost of caution and research must be a prerequisite to arranging such a travel adventure.

Today, I am having lunch in Blaine with two dear, long-time friends. Tom will drop me off at 12:30 at the restaurant and pick me up after his eye doctor appointment. From there, we head back to our hotel in Eden Prairie, where we’ll spend the remainder of the evening, dining on more of the items we’d purchased from Costco for exactly such evenings.

Tomorrow is a busy day with lunch plans with Greg and dinner plans at friends Chere and Gary’s home in Eden Prairie, not far from our hotel.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 3, 2015:

The waterfall in a park in Tahiti is a popular tourist attraction. For more photos, please click here.

Exciting airline WiFi changes…Our friend Lisa is on her way, after several delays…

While driving along the fence between Marloth Park and Kruger National Park, we spotted this lone elephant, which is included in all of today’s photos.

The following is an article from Breaking Travel News found here.

“United Receives FAA Certification on Starlink Aircraft and Schedules First Commercial Flight for May

United announced that the FAA had approved its first Starlink-equipped aircraft type and that the first commercial flight was planned for May, less than eight months after the deal was first announced.

The FAA issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Embraer 175, and the airline expects the first commercial flight to be onboard a United Express Embraer 175. United’s rollout of this new technology continues to accelerate, with approximately 40 regional jet installs planned monthly and the expectation that the entire two-cabin regional fleet—more than 300 planes—will be completed by the end of the year.

She seemed content to lounge in the water rather than swim, which elephants often do. They are excellent swimmers.

In addition to securing the STC, United will also run a beta test of the new technology on select flights between now and the first customer flight in May to ensure all aspects deliver an incredible onboard experience for passengers.

“We know customers are going to love this experience, and we think it will give them yet another reason to choose United,” said Grant Milstead, United’s Vice President of Digital Technology. “We’re working closely with Starlink and the FAA to finish installs on our regional fleet this year and bring the best inflight experience in the sky to more and more people.”

United will work with Starlink to secure an FAA STC to install Starlink on every United aircraft type, getting the new equipment (e.g., Embraer 175)—more than 16 regional and mainline aircraft models in total. According to the FAA, the process to secure each STC can include design, installation, testing, and submitting the package for FAA approval.

With the hot weather, we were surprised we didn’t see more elephants in the river.

Earlier this month, United unveiled the Starlink install process, underscoring the technical operations benefits of the equipment, including size and weight and ease of installation and maintenance. The Starlink system, when compared to non-Starlink equipment, allows for a faster and simpler install, is lighter, requires less fuel to operate, and is more reliable and weather-proofed.

Starlink access will be free for all MileagePlus® customers and include game-changing inflight entertainment experiences like streaming services, shopping, gaming, and more, thanks to Wi-Fi speeds up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps), which is 50 times faster than current regional aircraft speeds. Membership to MileagePlus is also free, and people can sign up now at united.com/starlink.”

She was at quite a distance, which impacted the quality of the photos.

Surely, other airlines will follow suit by upgrading their systems to offer the same benefit to their customers. This would be a big bonus since we’d love to be online during long flights without paying outrageous fees. Of course, I imagine the airlines will increase costs over time to compensate for this change. That’s what they do.

Today and tonight, we’re following Lisa’s flight path, hoping she makes her connections and arrives as planned. She had a rocky start, with a three-hour traffic delay on her way to Orlando Airport and a flight delay for her first flight from Orlando to Frankfurt. She is staying in close contact with us. It’s her first time in Africa, and we hope for a seamless experience.

Be well.

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

This sunset in Kauai made us squeal with delight! How magical! For more photos, please click here.

Buying hearing aids at Costco…The process, details and pricing below…

This monitor lizard found himself in the veranda rafters. Tom helped him jump down uninjured.

Note: The content of our posts often has little to do with the photos we add. This way, we can continue to share pictures of our surroundings.

Our long-time dear reader Pam wrote requesting details about Tom’s experience buying hearing aids at Costco. Other readers have written in the past inquiring about this topic, but with many worldwide readers without a Costco store, I hesitated to share the detailed story.

However, when Pam wrote an email yesterday requesting information on the Costco procee, I decided it was time to delve into it. What do hearing aids have to do with world travel? Quite a lot based on Tom’s experiences since we began traveling in 2012. Here are some reasons why those with hearing loss may benefit from hearing aids after struggling to hear for years.

Five zebras stopped for a treat.

Senior travelers with hearing loss need hearing aids to stay connected, safe, and fully engaged in their experiences. Traveling—solo or with companions—relies heavily on communication, environmental awareness, and adapting to new situations. Hearing aids can make a significant difference in several ways:

1. Enhanced Ability to Communicate

Travel often involves talking with locals, fellow travelers, hotel staff, and tour guides. Without a hearing aid, conversations can become frustrating, leading to misunderstandings or missed opportunities to connect with others. Being able to hear allows senior travelers to immerse themselves in their journey without constantly asking people to repeat themselves.

Oh, oh, a few pellets fell to the veranda floor.

2. Safety and Awareness of Surroundings

Hearing loss can pose serious safety risks, from crossing busy streets to navigating unfamiliar train stations. Announcements in airports, train stations, or buses often include crucial information about gate changes, boarding times, and delays. With a hearing aid, travelers can hear these updates clearly, reducing stress and the risk of missing important details.

3. Hearing the Sounds 

Traveling is about experiencing the world—whether it’s the sound of waves crashing on a secluded beach, a tour guide explaining ancient ruins, or a street musician’s performance in a bustling city square. Hearing aids help senior travelers fully absorb these moments rather than feeling disconnected from their surroundings.

Hal was contemplating approaching the veranda railing.

4. Reduction of Travel Stresses

Travel can be overwhelming, especially in noisy environments like crowded airports or foreign cities with unfamiliar languages. Struggling to hear can add to the stress and fatigue. Modern hearing aids with noise reduction features help filter background noise, making it easier to focus on essential sounds.

5. Maintaining Independence and Self-Confidence

Many seniors value their independence, and hearing loss can make them feel reliant on others to repeat information or assist in understanding what’s happening. Wearing hearing aids allows them to maintain confidence while navigating new places, ordering food, or asking for directions.

Mongoose scrambling for bits of paloney.

6. Communicating with Travel Companions

If traveling with family or friends, being unable to hear correctly can create a sense of isolation. Conversations during meals, long road trips, or sightseeing become more challenging. Hearing aids ensure senior travelers remain active in the group rather than feeling left out.

Hearing aids aren’t just a convenience for senior travelers—they are essential for making the most of every adventure. They allow people to connect, stay safe, and enjoy the world in all its richness. For those who love to travel, investing in good hearing aids means fewer limitations and more unforgettable experiences.

Mongoose preparing to tackle an egg.

Over the past twenty years, Tom’s hearing has gradually worsened from 42½ years of working on the railroad, mainly from being in the locomotive’s cab up to 16 hours a day, eventually 12 hours a day, from the diesel power plant’s steady roar. The railroad provided many hearing tests to determine his hearing loss over the years.

Since we’ve been traveling, his hearing loss seems to have escalated, and I often repeat myself in a loud tone for him to hear what I am saying. He struggles to listen to conversations in social settings, especially when there is background noise, but he learned to read lips proficiently.

Norman and a piglet. Right now, Norman stops by daily. We are always happy to see him, as he seems so glad to see us.

He was stubborn and refused to consider it for years when I suggested the prospect of him buying the devices. Hearing loss and blindness are hereditary in his family, and he didn’t like the prospect of wearing clunky-looking hearing aids and dealing with batteries while we’re traveling.

When COVID-19 hit, he struggled even more with everyone wearing masks. It was at this time that he came to realize how severe his hearing loss had become.

Norman and Mom with two piglets.

While we were in Minnesota last May, he finally bought hearing aids after many expressed satisfaction with Costco’s service, process, and pricing. We made the appointment after being Costco members for many years and happy with their products and services.

Once he made the appointment, he received an email stating he needed to stop by the store to determine the amount of wax in his ears, if any, since a doctor would have to remove it before taking the hearing test. This made sense. He has no wax and is waiting for his hearing test, which was a few weeks later.

Little Daddy snapped his neck to check out a sound.

The test took less than an hour, and when he came out of the hearing aid area in the store, where I waited for him, he immediately told me how impressed he was with the audiologist’s skill and the detail and complexity of the test, more than any test he had in the past.

After the hearing aid test, he was presented with two brand options for the hearing aids: Phillips and Jabra. They were almost equally priced and could be operated by an app on one’s phone. He chose the Phillips. It took about a month for his order to arrive at the store, and he immediately made an appointment for the fitting that he’d made earlier.

The fitting appointment lasted about 30 minutes, during which the audiologist made adjustments and set up the app on his phone, which he’s been using ever since.

Either brand of hearing aids does not require batteries. They are charged daily by an included electric plug and an easy-to-use charging station. The charge usually lasts all day and evening, so he recharges them during the night.

\He makes any necessary adjustments while wearing the hearing aids using the app on his phone. There are options for different environments.

The total cost for the Phillips product was US $1700, ZAR 30995.27, and, according to Tom, was a worthwhile investment. He did not have health insurance that paid any portion of this. We charged the cost on our Costo Citibank Visa card, for which we got reward points. He was given the necessary easy-to-use cleaning supplies, which he’ll replenish when we return to the US in May/June.

He’s thrilled. I’m thrilled he can now hear, and our lives of world travel have been enhanced.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 22, 2015:

Cloudy days have a certain appeal in Kauai. For more photos, please click here.

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

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

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

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

Published on February 24, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be well.

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

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

Why use Costco Travel for bookings?…Pluses and minuses…Is a membership required?…

Note: We do not receive compensation for mentioning Costco Travel

Recently, we booked four cruises through Costco Travel for several reasons, including:

  • Pricing, plus the benefit of price reductions before the final payment is made
  • Complimentary Costco Shop Cards are provided for certain bookings including cruises.
  • Annual shopping credits for spending money using membership
  • Perks acquired on Costco Citibank card
  • Ease of booking (they’ve greatly improved their phone response time).
  • Reliability with the Costco brand

See more below:

Booking travel through Costco Travel can be a great option, especially if you’re already a Costco member. Here’s why:

1. Exclusive Member-Only Deals

Costco negotiates discounts on hotels, rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages, often bundling in extras like resort credits, free breakfast, or complimentary room upgrades. These deals are only available to members, making them a great perk.

2. Added Value & Extras

Many Costco Travel packages include Costco Shop Cards, which can be used for future Costco purchases, as well as perks like free airport transfers, daily resort credits, or waived resort fees.

3. Transparent Pricing (No Hidden Fees)

Unlike some third-party travel sites, Costco Travel prices are straightforward. Taxes and fees are typically included upfront, so you won’t get hit with surprise charges later.

4. Bundled Convenience

Costco offers vacation packages that include flights, hotels, and sometimes even rental cars—saving you the hassle of booking everything separately. This can also mean better pricing than booking each component individually.

5. Rental Car Discounts

Costco Travel offers some of the best rental car rates, often including a second driver for free (which is usually an extra charge with other providers). They work with brands like Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise, giving you flexibility.

6. Strong Customer Service

Costco is known for good customer service, and its travel department is no exception. If something goes wrong with your booking, you have Costco’s backing, which can be helpful compared to dealing with an online booking site with limited support.

7. Luxury Hotel & Cruise Benefits

For those booking higher-end travel, Costco Travel often includes perks like room upgrades, late checkout, onboard cruise credits, or specialty dining packages—sometimes matching or exceeding what you’d get by booking directly with a hotel or cruise line.

8. Trust & Reliability

Costco has a reputation for vetting its vendors carefully. If a travel deal is offered through Costco, you can generally trust that it’s a good value.

Potential Downsides to Consider:

  • Limited Flight Options: If booking flights, Costco’s travel packages may not offer the same flexibility as booking directly with an airline.
  • No Loyalty Program Benefits: If you frequently earn points with hotels or airlines, you may not receive full rewards or elite status perks when booking through Costco.
  • Must Be a Costco Member: You need a Gold Star or Executive Membership to book through Costco Travel, though the savings can often justify the membership cost.

If you value simplicity, bundled deals, and extra perks, booking travel through Costco can be a fantastic option! Would you like recommendations for specific destinations?

In the past, we frequently used VacationstoGo.com, an excellent cruise booking service. However, when comparing overall benefits and pricing, Costco was a winner for us, even factoring in the price of their annual executive membership.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, January 29, 2015:

The colors in the tunnels at Tunnels Beach at Napali Beach are varied. For more photos, please click here.

For now, we’ll continue to post travel news updates that may save you time and money…

Ten years ago in Kauai, Hawaii, we began to experience the joy of watching, almost daily, the Laysan Albatross couples nesting with their single eggs, which eventually hatched while we observed the chicks growing, planning to fledge months later. It was an experience we’ll never forget.

There are only 34 days until we leave Nevada for South Africa; with little activity happening on our end as I continue to recover from this two-week virus, we don’t have a lot of news to share. I should be back to normal within a week and be able to return to working out, after which I’ll feel even better.

My son Greg and his girlfriend Heather arrive here in 11 days, and I plan to be up to the flurry of activities that will ensue while they are here for five days. Once they leave, it will only be a few weeks until we start packing and preparing to depart. The month of February will fly by.

As a result, most of our upcoming posts will consist of the latest travel news that may impact your travel experiences, expenses, and booking processes. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time and stamina right now to delve into more detailed topics. Once we settle in Marloth Park, we’ll post stories and countless photos of the world around us.  We can hardly wait.

One of our dear readers/friends, Lisa, wrote that we don’t have to be concerned about our readers judging our content. Few have said anything negative or pressured us to add more entertaining content during quiet times. Thanks, Lisa, for the vote of confidence. Of course, our goal is always to provide interesting and fun content.

For today’s bit of current travel news, this article may be of interest to those considering travel during Spring Break:

“American Airlines Has Spring Break Flight Deals to Cancun, Miami, and More — Starting at Under $200

A variety of popular destinations are available. By Michael Cappetta

Photo from ten years ago today, January 26, 2015:

Our new friend Richard gave us the gift of The Majestic Albatross by Robert Waid, a neighbor whom we later met, as we began to experience the wonder of the Laysan Albatross in Kauai. For more photos, please click here.

Updated information on ETA (electronic travel authorization) fees for the UK…

Hanalei Beach in Kauai.

On January 7, we posted new information about the UK requiring ETAs (electronic travel authorization) even when only flying through on a flight layover. This policy change would directly impact us when we fly to South Africa on March 1. See our post here.

We had noted the calendar to apply for the UK ETA in plenty of time for our upcoming flight in only 35 days. Now, we won’t have to.

Their new policy, which went into effect on January 8, 2025, received much criticism from flight passengers who never left the airport during a layover. According to the article below, the ETA for transit passenger layovers will not be required. However, all other listed requirements will remain the same.

Weirdly, the UK is proposing an increase in the ETA fees, established on January 8, as described below:

From Travel and Leisure

“The UK Is Dropping Its ETA Fee for These Specific Passengers — What to Know

It also is proposing an increase in the fee just weeks after launch. By Alison Fox

Part 2, no passport?…Travel to These Stunning International Destinations Without One (with alternate documentation)……..

The beautiful pier in Hanalei, Kauai.

I stumbled across the following article, which may appeal to Americans (or others) who do not have a passport.

Americans without a passport can still travel to these tropical (and international) destinations. By Evie Carrick, Travel and LeisurePublished on January 22, 2025