Search Results for: Safaris

Wednesday was a travel day…Now amid more safaris at Kanha National Park…

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Note: All of today’s photos were taken from the car on yesterday’s road trip. No captions needed.

Yesterday, as I wrote this post we were in a crisp clean white SUV with air-con comparable to other vehicles that have been transporting us from one location to another.

It was travel day once again with an expected 5½ hours drive time until we’d reach our destination and yet another safari camp, Tuli Tiger Resort, this time to Kanha National Park where we’d be spending another four nights with two game drives each day.

The drive is interrupted every three or four kilometers by small towns lined with shops and vendors selling fruit and vegetables, clothing, and a variety of tourist goods and household goods for the locals.

Cows, dogs, and goats wander through the streets aimlessly in search of the next meal and women walk with baskets of food and other items atop their heads, while men congregate in small groups discussing the events of the day.
The women wear colorful Hindu costumes impeccably draped and pleated regardless of their income level of poverty. The beautiful garb us unlike any other we’ve seen in the world. Although each town may have its own personality the premise of the Hindu philosophy is evident in every aspect of creating a certain familiarity from town to town.

Once back out on the highway, the landscape is brown and somewhat desolate, scattered with trees and vegetation of one sort or another. It’s winter time here and until the monsoon season arrives everything the grasses remain brown and less hearty for the cows and other animals in search of good grazing fields.

With nary a patch of green for meandering cows and sheep, they often seek out public areas in hopes of food donations from the locals who appear at times to be very generous with their sacred cows. Hindus have a love of all creatures, both human and animals.

People often smile and wave as we pass through. School children in freshly pressed school uniforms play together in the streets without a toy or a ball and yet seem happy and content in their lives.

Their simple life is accepted with a powerful faith not so much as a religion but as a way of life leaving them grateful and accepting of whatever lifestyle they’ve been provided.

We are humbled and in awe of their dedication and their strength as they work their way through any obstacles life presents them. Many have no access to medical care, modern conveniences, clean water, and in many cases such taken for granted commodities such as electricity.

These individuals and families work together however they can to create the best life possible without complaint, without disharmony and without a longing for what could have been.

I often think of all the times I’d grumbled when making a call for customer service to end up with a heavily-accented Indian person on the line, often working in a hot uncomfortable boiler room taking calls for various digital and computer equipment companies all the way from India to provide customer service for companies in the US. Now, I have an entirely different perspective.

In a land of 1.3 billion people there’s is little to no government subsidies such as welfare, food stamps or government assistance. Overall, Indian people are on their own.

We’ve seen fewer homeless people here in India in the almost month we have been here than we saw in an equal time in the US. That speaks for itself and the powerful work ethic and life values imposed by their Hindu strength and principles.

This morning at 5:30 am we began our first morning safari from the resort. We didn’t see any tigers yet but we have five more safaris scheduled at this location, including another today at 2:30 pm. 

By the time we return for the afternoon game drive at 6:30 pm, we’ll freshen up for dinner, dine at 8:00 pm and head to bed shortly thereafter. It’s a busy and exhausting day but typical in the lives of wildlife enthusiasts like ourselves.

Have a fantastic day and night!

Photo from one year ago today, February 27, 2019:

The kudus give us “the look,” which means “more pellets please.” For more photos, please click here.

Five places to travel with the current value of the US dollar…Seven days and counting…

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The surf was so strong on the Big Island that we could feel the spray, even from the house.

The countdown has begun. We leave Cleveland one week from today. Yesterday, I packed one bag, and over the next several days, I’ll pack more. It’s easy to pack when we’re driving to our next location when the weight of our bags isn’t an issue. Next time we pack for South Africa, the weight will be important, at a maximum of 23 kg, 50 pounds.

Flying internationally on many airlines, the baggage allowance is two bags each, which helps since I want to bring my frying pan and some kitchen items I’ve accumulated over the past year.

Speaking of South Africa, this morning, I stumbled across the following article about how the value of the US dollar positively impacts travel in some countries, five of which are listed below.

“5 places to travel while the US dollar is strong to get the most bang for your buck

Story by kvlamis@businessinsider.com (Kelsey Vlamis)
  • The strong US dollar can go further in countries with weaker currencies.
  • Americans looking for value in their travel plans may want to consider exchange rates.
  • Here are some popular tourism destinations where the US dollar goes far right now.

The US dollar is strong right now, meaning Americans’ spending in countries with weaker currencies could go further, making it a convenient time to consider taking that impromptu trip you’ve been dreaming about.

Some Americans are already seizing the moment.

“American travelers are looking for value right now,” Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, a market research consultancy that specializes in the travel tourism industry, told Business Insider.

Historically, the value of currencies can influence travel behavior. A weaker currency generally attracts travelers but makes it more expensive for the residents of that country to travel abroad. Likewise, a strong currency can raise outbound travel demand but might deter international tourists from visiting that country.

Eylon said demand for leisure travel is still at record highs, but more Americans say they actively seek value and deals when planning trips. One way to maximize that value is by visiting a place with a weaker currency than the US dollar.

Here are five popular tourist destinations where Americans can take advantage of the strong US dollar.

Japan

Japan is often considered an expensive destination for Americans due to the long flight and accompanying airfare. Still, the weak Japanese yen has fueled a surge in tourism and international travelers visiting the country.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, the country attracted a record 3.31 million tourists in October.

As of writing, $1 was equal to about 150 Japanese yen.

Egypt

Egypt, a common bucket list travel destination, is among the countries where the US dollar goes the furthest right now, according to data compiled by NetVoucherCodes. This British travel deal site analyzes exchange rate trends.

According to the site, the strength of the US dollar compared to Egypt’s currency has increased by 207.5% in the past five years.

Argentina

Argentina’s peso hit a record low this year, making it a cost-effective place for an inflation vacation, as The Wall Street Journal previously reported. An Airbnb spokesperson told the outlet the number of nights booked by Americans in Argentina increased by 40% in the first few months of the year.

According to NetVoucherCodes, the value of the US dollar against the Argentine peso has risen by $1,589% in the past five years.

As of writing, $1 was equal to about 1,012 Argentine pesos.

South Africa

South Africa’s currency has also declined significantly in value compared to the US dollar, making the country’s famous safaris potentially more affordable for wildlife lovers.

According to NetVoucherCodes, the dollar’s exchange rate to the South African rand has increased by about 23% over the past five years.

Brazil

The US dollar will also go further in Brazil, where the Brazilian real recently reached an all-time low. Tourists are taking advantage of the record spending by foreign visitors in the first eight months of the year.

According to NetVoucherCodes, the exchange rate of the US dollar against the real rose by about 22% in the past year alone.

As of writing, $1 was equal to about 6 Brazilian reals.”

Over the past many years since we’ve traveled to South Africa, we’ve enjoyed the benefit of the value of the US dollar, enabling a very affordable stay, including the cost of housing, rental cars, dining out, and groceries.

We hope you have an opportunity to travel to any of the above-mentioned countries to “get a bang for the buck.”

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, December 7, 2014:

Last night’s moon, rising over the sea on the Big Island. For more photos, please click here.

We’re back!!!…Wildlife and other animal myths…

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Many who’ve never been on safari assume tigers in the wild may be seen in Africa. That’s not the case. Most Bengal Tigers are found in the national parks in India. We visited three national parks until we spotted this female. We couldn’t have asked for a better vantage point when we spotted this beauty. See the post for more photos here.

Since commencing our world travels in 2012, we have experienced over 200 safaris, including trips to Africa, India, Alaska, and Antarctica. We have observed that some preconceived notions about wildlife are quickly dispelled upon seeing animals in the wild and conducting considerable research.

Another myth we often hear is that polar bears are found in Antarctica, but this is untrue. Polar bears are linked to the Arctic sea ice, where they hunt their seal prey. The bears are found in five range states: the U.S. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway (Svalbard). Scientists have divided them into 20 populations, some shared by more than one country.

While on a guided safari in Africa, a few tourists assumed warthogs were miniature rhinoceros. We chuckled discreetly while the guide corrected them. When on safaris with other tourists, we keep our mouths shut and let the guide educate the other participants. When we are with visiting friends on safari on a self-game drive, we freely provide the narrative when requested.

However, we’re often taken aback by the misconceptions and myths about wildlife, some of which we share below.

Wildlife myths are often fascinating stories passed down through generations, blending cultural beliefs with nature’s mysteries. While many of these tales may seem outlandish, they reflect humanity’s long-standing curiosity about the animal kingdom. Here are a few interesting wildlife myths and the truths behind them:

1. Owls as Harbingers of Death

  • The Myth: In many cultures, owls are seen as omens of death. Their eerie calls in the night, often heard when the world is quiet, have made them creatures of superstition. For example, some Native American tribes believed that hearing an owl’s hoot could mean an impending death in the family.
  • The Truth: Owls are actually beneficial predators, controlling rodent populations. Their nocturnal nature and haunting sounds might have contributed to their mysterious reputation, but there’s no scientific basis for associating them with death.

2. Lemmings Commit Mass Suicide

  • The Myth: The idea that lemmings intentionally throw themselves off cliffs in mass suicides became widely popular after a 1958 Disney documentary, “White Wilderness.” The film staged a dramatic scene where lemmings were shown diving into the ocean en masse.
  • The Truth: Lemmings do migrate in large groups, but the “mass suicide” concept is entirely false. When populations become too large, they search for new territory, sometimes leading them into dangerous situations, but it’s purely accidental and not a deliberate act of self-destruction.

3. Sharks Don’t Get Cancer

  • The Myth: It’s a common belief that sharks are immune to cancer, which has fueled interest in shark cartilage as a potential cancer treatment.
  • The Truth: While it’s true that sharks rarely develop bone cancer (since they don’t have bones), they are not immune to cancer. They can still develop other forms of the disease, including tumors.

4. Touching a Toad Causes Warts

  • The Myth: Many people grow up believing that touching a toad will cause warts, probably due to the toad’s bumpy skin.
  • The Truth: Warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), not toads. While toads’ skin may look warty, their bumps are completely unrelated to the virus that causes warts in humans.

5. Bats Are Blind

  • The Myth: “Blind as a bat” is a common saying, suggesting that bats navigate purely by echolocation because they cannot see.
  • The Truth: Bats are far from blind. Many species have good eyesight. They rely on echolocation to navigate in the dark, but their vision plays an important role in hunting during dusk and dawn.

6. Goldfish Have a Three-Second Memory

  • The Myth: It’s long been said that goldfish have incredibly short attention spans, only capable of remembering things for a few seconds.
  • The Truth: Studies show that goldfish can remember things for months. They can learn and associate sounds or visual cues with feeding times, demonstrating a much longer memory than the myth suggests.

7. Mother Birds Will Abandon Their Babies if Humans Touch Them

  • The Myth: Many people believe that if you touch a baby bird, its mother will smell human scent on it and abandon it.
  • The Truth: Birds have a very poor sense of smell, and most will not abandon their chicks just because a human has touched them. If you see a baby bird on the ground, it’s often best to leave it alone, as its parents are likely nearby.

8. Wolves Howl at the Moon

  • The Myth: The iconic image of a wolf howling at the moon is deeply rooted in folklore and often depicted in art and media.
  • The Truth: Wolves howl for communication, not at the moon. They use howling to locate pack members, defend territory, or coordinate hunting, regardless of the moon’s phase.

9. Elephants Never Forget

  • The Myth: Elephants are often said to have perfect memories, never forgetting a face or experience.
  • The Truth: While it’s a bit of an exaggeration, elephants do have exceptional memories. This is especially useful in their social structures and navigating vast territories, where remembering water sources and migration paths is essential for survival.

10. Porcupines Can Shoot Their Quills

  • The Myth: There’s a popular misconception that porcupines can shoot quills like arrows when threatened.
  • The Truth: Porcupines cannot project their quills. Instead, the quills detach easily when they come into contact with predators. They serve as a defensive mechanism, but there’s no projectile involved.

While in Marloth Park, we’ve seen several bushbucks and other antelope encountering porcupines whose faces and bodies are filled with quills. Here’s a photo we took in October 2022 posted here.

This heartbreaking photo of a precious little duiker who encountered a porcupine,made us cringe in horror. How can she possibly survive these massive injuries? “Porcupines are solitary, slow-moving animals that largely keep to themselves unless threatened. The quills usually lie flat against the porcupine’s body until they encounter a threat, at which point they “puff up” and erect their quills, swinging their spiny tails until the threat either leaves them alone or gets a sharp whack and a face hand, or paw full of quills. Quills are stiff, hollow hairs with microscopic, backward-facing barbs at the tip (like tiny fish hooks), so when they come into contact with flesh.

Of course, there are dozens of myths we haven’t posted here. If you’ve encountered such myths, feel free to share your story.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 8, 2014:

We refer to these scenes with holes through the clouds with the sun filtering through as “the eyes of God.” For more photos, please click here.

And the saga continues with a big challenge over the next few days…

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On this date in 2014, our ship was Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas.

There are no words I can write to describe how safe I feel being at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, in the competent hands of professionals, none of which I’ve experienced in the past. Every doctor or technician I encounter has the utmost credentials, exhibits kind and caring service, and treats each patient individually, not just as a number and income source in the system.

Doc Theo, a family practice physician in South Africa, was the only other doctor I’ve ever seen who was so qualified, caring, and competent. I last saw him in April 2023, 16 months ago. Since that time, with escalating heart-related problems, I sought the help of a few cardiologists as we traveled from South Africa to Ecuador to Nevada.

The most accurate test results I received were in South Africa. Still, the cardiologist in Ecuador last October and then in Nevada in March misdiagnosed my issues, according to the tests and doctors I have seen at Cleveland Clinic, only in the past few days. The problems I have with my cardiovascular system are still not fully diagnosed, with many more tests on the horizon that have nothing to do with my valves.

First, I met with Dr. Grimm, a heart “plumbing” specialist. He’d ordered numerous tests, including an angiogram, yet to be scheduled, an invasive test to see the status of the patient’s veins and arteries, done in the cath lab. Yesterday, we were waiting to hear about other tests to be scheduled to complete my diagnosis. I was told to call Dr. Grimm’s office at the clinic to arrange my future appointments.

When I was on hold, the scheduler finally came to tell me my next round of appointments would begin on November 7. I was shocked! Did I not just wait four months to start this process? She explained that many others were waiting ahead of me and that she could do nothing about it.

When I explained my symptoms, leaving me in a wheelchair to get around, I kindly asked her to do better. November 7th wouldn’t work for me. I was very diplomatic. She asked me to stay on hold, and she’d see what she could do. I waited a full 20 minutes to have her return on the line asking if we could get back to the clinic in 20 minutes for an appointment with the doctor who is a specialist in the heart’s electrical systems, an electrophysiologist, Dr. Keogh.

Within five minutes, we were out the door after asking the front desk to order a Cleveland Clinic shuttle, one of which makes a loop in the area hotels from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Within minutes, the shuttle arrived, and we made it to Dr. Keogh’s reception area.

After we arrived, I checked My Chart to see if the appointment with Dr. Keogh wasn’t until 4:00 pm. It was 12:30 pm. This wait would be better than waiting until November 7th! Moments later, Dr Keogh’s nurse escorted us to his office. He’d had a no-show and could see me now. Tom and I giggle that it was “safari luck,” an expression we’ve always used when we had great sightings on the many safaris we’ve experienced.

Minutes later, Dr. Keogh entered the room, and his expertise and knowledge far surpassed any cardiologists we’d seen in the past. I felt like I was in the best of hands. The first thing he told me was I had to stop taking the dangerous drug Flecainide, which I have been taking for Afib since last October when we were in Ecuador. It was the only afib (for heart rhythm control) that worked for me.

Ecuador doesn’t allow that drug to be prescribed in their country. When I couldn’t any more than the one month’s supply I had on hand, we left Ecuador and headed to Nevada, where a cardiologist said I had terrible valve disease and needed surgery immediately. He didn’t hesitate to prescribe more of the drug until I could have surgery on my valves.

Dr. Keogh explained this drug could kill me with a massive heart attack and I must stop it now. It’s been 26 hours since my last dose. The drug leaves one’s system in about 48 hours, when the Afib undoubtedly will return. When he reviewed all of my tests thus far, and I explained that Flecainide prevented my heart rate from going above 90, the stress test I’d had on Thursday could have been inaccurate.

When we left his office, he said he’d devise a plan for me and get back to me soon. Time is of the essence when I am going to be in what is called persistent Afib within two days when the drug is out of my system. When we returned to our hotel room, my phone rang. It was Dr. Keogh. He decided I needed to retake the nuclear stress test without Flecainide in my system. Then, he could better determine where to go from there, such as a pacemaker, ablation, surgery, or other treatment modalities.

Within minutes, I received a message from My Chart stating I had a new appointment, rescheduled for another nuclear stress test on Tuesday at 9:30 am. It was such a relief, especially knowing by then, I’d be experiencing awful Afib. Dr. Keogh didn’t want me on any Afib drugs for the repeated test. He explained that if the Afib gets too awful, we should head to the emergency room to oversee my care. That was comforting.

Now, I’m scheduled for the angiogram next Friday instead of November 7th. And so it goes with more tests and an upcoming scary few days, especially when we are moving to the new hotel on Monday. Whew.

I can’t express enough gratitude for the love and support I have been receiving from so many of our worldwide friends and readers. You all mean the world to both of us!

To all of our family, friends, and readers in the US, have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend and a happy weekend for our international readers.

Be well.

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

We were on Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas. The following day, we were off on our first tour to Le Havre/Normandy, France, for an all-day excursion to see WWII Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, and American Cemeteries. For more photos, please click here.

Lovely dinner and evening with friend’s home…Home-cooked meals gone by the wayside?…

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Me and Natalie, Chere and Gary’s travel agent, for their upcoming tour and safaris to Tanzania next month.

Many people don’t cook these days, and it was a real treat for us to be invited to Chere and Gary’s home for dinner last night. Since Chere is a licensed dietician/nutritionist, she fully grasps my way of eating. Making a meal suitable for me and favored by others was uncomplicated for her.

The appetizers and meal were delicious, with only a few items I couldn’t eat: the boiled potatoes topped with fresh parsley from Chere’s garden and the freshly baked chocolate cookies she served straight from the oven for dessert. Natalie brought a fantastic cauliflower salad I will make in the future.

Dining at Chere and Gary’s home last night reminded us of how seldom most Americans prepare home-cooked meals, contributing to the fact that this was the first time we had dined at the home of friends since we arrived in Minnesota two months ago.

This topic got me thinking about what has transpired over the past few decades to diminish the desire to take the necessary steps to prepare home-cooked meals for their family members and dinner parties for friends and family.

My dear friend Chere.

This trend is attributed to various social, economic, and cultural shifts that have fundamentally changed how Americans approach food and meal preparation. Understanding these changes offers a window into broader societal trends and their implications for health, family dynamics, and cultural identity.

One significant factor contributing to the decline in home cooking is the increasing pace of modern life. As Americans juggle demanding work schedules, long commutes, and various personal commitments, finding time to cook has become challenging. The rise of dual-income households means both partners often work full-time jobs, leaving little time or energy to prepare meals from scratch. Consequently, convenience has become a priority, leading many to rely on takeout, fast food, and pre-packaged meals.

The proliferation of food delivery services and meal kits has also played a substantial role. Companies like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub have made it incredibly easy to order food from various restaurants with just a few taps on a smartphone. Similarly, meal kit services such as Blue Apron and HelloFresh deliver pre-portioned ingredients and recipes directly to consumers’ doors, simplifying the cooking process but reducing the need to plan and shop for meals. These services cater to a desire for convenience and variety, allowing people to enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home without the effort of traditional cooking.

Cultural shifts have also influenced this trend. The rise of food media, including cooking shows, blogs, and social media influencers, has created a culture that celebrates food differently. Instead of emphasizing the everyday act of cooking, these platforms often highlight elaborate dishes and restaurant experiences. This can make home cooking seem mundane or unappealing by comparison. Moreover, portraying cooking as a complex and time-consuming activity can intimidate those with limited skills or experience, discouraging them from trying their hand in the kitchen.

Economic factors also play a crucial role in the decline of home cooking. The cost of fresh, high-quality ingredients can be prohibitive, particularly for low-income households. Fast food and processed meals are often cheaper and more accessible, making them a more attractive option for those on tight budgets. Additionally, the time cost associated with cooking—from shopping for ingredients to meal preparation and cleanup—can outweigh the perceived benefits, especially for individuals with limited leisure time.

Another important aspect is the change in family structures and dynamics. Traditional family meals, where everyone gathers around the dinner table, are less common today. With busy schedules and varying commitments, family members often eat at different times or on the go. This shift reduces the opportunity for shared cooking and eating experiences, diminishing the role of home-cooked meals in daily life.

The impact of this decline in home cooking is multifaceted. From a health perspective, reliance on processed foods and restaurant meals can contribute to poor dietary habits. These foods are often higher in calories, sodium, unhealthy toxic fats, and essential nutrients than home-cooked meals. This can lead to increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related health issues. On the other hand, cooking at home allows for greater control over ingredients and portion sizes, promoting healthier eating habits.

From a social perspective, the decline in home cooking can affect family cohesion and communication. Shared meals allow family members to connect, share their experiences, and strengthen their bonds. Families may miss out on valuable quality time together without this regular interaction.

From left to right: Natalie, Tom, Gary, and me lounging and snacking on fantastic appetizers in this comfy social room in their home in Eden Prairie.

Despite these trends, there is a growing movement to revive home cooking. Initiatives promoting culinary education, local food movements, and community cooking programs aim to make cooking more accessible and appealing. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reversed some of the decline in home cooking, as lockdowns and social distancing measures forced people to prepare more meals at home. During this period, they highlighted the potential benefits of cooking, from improved health to cost savings and the joy of creating something from scratch.

Also, while Americans may be cooking less than previous generations, there is still hope for a resurgence in meal preparation. By addressing the barriers to cooking, such as time constraints, economic challenges, and skill gaps, society can encourage more people to rediscover the value and satisfaction of home-cooked meals.

This morning, I spent the better part of an hour chopping, dicing, and preparing a homemade cheese crust for keto pizza, mainly for Tom rather than me. Instead, I will have a lighter dinner—today’s effort results in making two meals, once for each of us. Tom’s pizza will be enjoyed for a few dinners while I’ll make mine fresh each day.

As mentioned in yesterday’s post, dining out costs have exceeded our food budget. More home cooking may be the best solution, especially while we’re living in residence-type hotels.

Be well.

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

Ten years ago today, we booked the villa in Sumbersari Bali for 2016. For more photos, please click here.
This is a view of the private infinity pool, cabanas, and ocean at the house we booked for Sumbersari, Bali, in 2016. For more photos, please click here.

Answering questions about Africa from dear friends and readers, currently on a nine-month world cruise…

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One of the most exciting sights in Kruger National Park is the elephants, along with the big cats, wildebeests, Cape buffalos, hippos, small animals, and birds. We were as close as we could safely be when we took these photos without the use of Zoom.

Last night, I received the following email from our dear friends Lea Ann and Chuck, who are currently on Royal Caribbean nine-month world cruise as follows:

On Wed, Feb 28, 2024, 12:21 AM, Lea Ann wrote:
I hope you dont mind we imposing upon your time but you are the most knowledgeable of anyone I know about this park. As you may know we have been rerouted around the African route to avoid the Suez Canal. We are sadly going to miss Egypt but no guarantees on seeing the pyramids anyway due to the other crisis up there. Going to Africa is my dream come true so we are elated!
Now for my much needed information. We want to go on a safari, of course. And what better place than Kruger National Park. Right in your wheelhouse!  Here are our thoughts. We are due into Dubai on 5/9. We would like to fly from there to Kruger NP and leave to meet the ship in Seychelles on 5/14. Not near enough time but it’s the best place in our schedule that we can go without missing a lot of the other opportunities on the cruise.  Here is a link of a place I was looking at for a 4-5 day trip. Have you heard of them? What do you think? We are looking at the luxury one. Otherwise, have you heard of any other types of safaris that can be all inclusive or partially? I know you have lots of contacts and Im hoping you could put me in touch with someone that you could recommend without a lot of trouble for you. I don’t want to impose but for me you are the one that knows this area more than anyone!
We are so excited and cant wait for this adventure. Thank you so much for  any help you can provide.
Chuck says hi too!
Love ya! Lea Ann

Our response:

Lea Ann and Chuck, we’re thrilled to hear that you are coming to Africa, particularly South Africa. We only wish we would be there when you come. We’re excited to hear about your experiences. We’re happy you are enjoying your nine-month cruise. I bet the days are moving too quickly!

We wish we had an easy answer regarding the quality of the tour company and lodges you are considering. During our four years in South Africa, we never stayed at a lodge or camp in Kruger National Park since we stayed in Marloth Park, which was only 20 minutes from one of the ten entrance gates, Crocodile Bridge.

About once a week, we did a self-drive into Kruger, which is allowed, but visitors aren’t allowed, for their safety, to leave the vehicle unless at a camp, lodge restaurant, or petrol station. We often participated in guided tours with visiting friends, using only one of the few guides or safari tour companies recommended by Louise and Danie, our dear friends and property owners/managers.

SanPark manages Kruger National Park, and they have a fantastic website with recommendations on where to stay and the camps approved to conduct business in the park. Their site may be found here. It is an excellent resource for safaris, camps, and lodges.

As for the tour company you’ve selected, we can’t give you any feedback on the quality of their camps and safaris. In our four total years visiting Kruger National Park, we probably went on over 200 safaris, most self-drive, and about a dozen guided safaris. All were exceptional.

But, as we became more experienced, we preferred the self-drive safaris since guided tours with others in the vehicles can become repetitive when they stopped for each impala and warthog when we were easily able to see them in our garden in Marloth Park, along with many other animals.

Since we were so close to the Crocodile Bridge entrance to Kruger, we never investigated any camps or lodges. We’d suggest you deeply research reviews on other sites for this company and its camps on such places as TripAdvisor or other travel sites. We’re sorry we can’t help in this regard. Their offerings may be legitimate and excellent for your five-day needs.

If you would like to check further before committing, since you have plenty of time, I suggest contacting Louise at info@marlothkruger.com. Not only does Louise manage and own many properties, but she also owns a tourist center in Marloth Park that handles everything regarding safaris, camps, and lodges in Kruger National Park. There are many “scam” type operations in South Africa (not to scare you, but it is important to know), as there are in many countries.

Louise is a native South African, and there are no fees to you for her assistance. Her knowledge and experience with Kruger is astounding. She can also book venues for you if you consider other options. Also, she may know something about the company you are considering and if it is safe and legitimate.

As for your Seychelles return….This is urgent! To enter Seychelles, you must complete an immigration/visa form. Without this, you won’t be allowed to board the flight from South Africa to Seychelles. Here is the website with the critical notice you must read and comply with. Please click here. This must be done before traveling to Seychelles. Since you are going off on your own, I doubt the cruise line will arrange this for you. Please check with them for details, but proceed with caution if they say they do it. They may not know the nuances required to enter Seychelles from a plane, not the cruise ship.

I hope that we’ve answered your questions based on our personal experiences. We promise you will not regret visiting Kruger National Park. It remains one of our favorite experiences in our world travels and may prove to be the same for you.

Much love to both of you and travel safely.

Jess & Tom

Photo from ten years ago. February 28, 2014:

As we were getting ready to leave Marloth Park after a three-month stay…Thank you, Mr. Tree Frog, for serving as the mascot for all the “small things” that brought us so much pleasure during our time in Marloth Park. Even you will be remembered. For more photos, please click here.

Three days and counting…South America, here we come!…

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Like all animals in the wild, this female lion is constantly looking for the next meal to feed her cubs. This photo is from ten years ago today, while on safari in the Maasai Mara, Kenya.

In a few days, we’ll start packing, which won’t take much time. We’ve replaced many of our old clothes with new clothes. We donated our old clothes in good condition to Goodwill. All we have now are the folded items in the few drawers in our room and hanging in the closet. If we had to, we could pack in a couple of hours.

On Tuesday, we’ll start the process and be done by the end of the day. We’ve made no plans for Monday and Tuesday other than dinner and trivia at Pizza Luce with Tammy, Tracy, and Vincent, our final time together. And TJ will stop by here tomorrow afternoon to say goodbye. Today, we’re visiting Greg and the kids to watch the Minnesota Vikings football game.

Madighan and I will most likely work on our crocheting project during the game. After the game ends, Greg and his lovely girlfriend Heather, and grandchildren Madighan, and Miles will join us for dinner, most likely at a nearby Mexican restaurant they all like.

We don’t have a lot of expectations about the Vikings game. They’ve only won one game out of four. But it’s always fun to watch with hopefulness and enthusiasm that perhaps they may win. That’s how sports viewing works, anyway. It’s almost like fishing…the anticipation is nearly as exciting as the potential win.

Yesterday afternoon, we watched the Minnesota Twins playoff game, but sadly, they lost. However, they still have more games to play to see if they can progress in the playoffs for the remote possibility of making it to the World Series. It isn’t very likely, but it is worth dreaming about.

This morning, we bolted out of bed after a good night’s sleep, showered and dressed for the day, and headed downstairs to breakfast. We put together our plates of eggs and sausage and poured our coffee, hauling it back to our room on the fourth floor. We wanted to watch CBS’s Sunday Morning show one last time.

We’ve spent 4½ of the past six months in the US, including the three months we spent in Florida, and now, when we leave for South America, it could be quite a while before we return, especially when we’re heading back to Africa in eight months, for an undetermined amount of time. It’s one of those “play it by ear” situations.

We hope to stay in South Africa for at least six months, leaving after 90 days for a new 90-day visa stamp to perhaps head back to the Maasai Mara, Kenya, which we’d like to do again over ten years later. We have such unforgettable memories of that time in 2013. Maybe it won’t be quite as exciting after all the safaris we’ve done, but we expect that we’ll very much enjoy it.

Besides the above, we don’t have any plans as we prepare to leave on Wednesday. Our flight to Quito begins at 2:02 pm. We’ll most likely arrive at the airport around 11:30 am to drop off the rental car and begin waiting to board the United Airlines flight.

We’ll arrive in Quito at 11:35 pm. Celebrity Cruise Line has arranged for a driver to pick us up at the airport and bring us to the hotel, all a part of our Galapagos cruise package. Hopefully, we won’t have any issues with the altitude and can get settled in our hotel room for a good night’s sleep.

There are some walking tours of Quito arranged during the days at the hotel, but our participation will be determined by how we’re doing with the altitude and if I can walk the distances. Again, we can only “play it by ear.”

That’s it for today, dear readers. We hope all of you are enjoying your weekend.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 8, 2013:

Tom nudged me in the Maasai Mara, Kenya, to turn around when I had the camera pointed in the opposite direction. I gasped when I saw this, a gift from the heavens. Thank you, Kenya. For more photos, please click here.

Our friends have left…Doing exactly what we prefer to do…The golf cart included with our rental…

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This is the Yamaha golf cart that’s included in our rent.

Late yesterday afternoon, Karen and Rich headed to her mom’s home, a 15-minute drive from here. I have known Donna for many years as Karen’s loving mom, and we plan to visit her in the next few weeks. On Tuesday, we’re taking Karen and Rich to the Orlando Airport as they take off for Karen’ts son Jack’s wedding in Minnesota.

They offered to leave their car with us during the two weeks they are away rather than leave the car in the parking lot at the airport. This works well for us. On Tuesday afternoon, they’ll return and pick us up while we drop them off at the airport, an hour’s drive from here. When they return at the end of the month, we’ll pick them up, and they’ll drop us back at our house. Geographically, this all works out well.

We plan to see Karen and Rich during our remaining time in Florida. They’ve offered to pick us up on another date to spend a few night’s at their fabulous new home in Bradenton, another two-hour drive. Otherwise, they may return and spend a few more days with us here, whichever works well logistically with everyone’s schedule.

The longer we are in The Villages, the more research we do to determine what appeals to us the most. We’ve gone through the list of daily activities, and many don’t appeal to us. We don’t play tennis or pickleball, and although that sounds fun, my weak legs prevent either of these sports from being possible.

This is the only storage area in the golf cart, leaving little room for groceries other than a few bags.

Many of the activities are those that are commonly found on cruise ships. If you like to see what’s available today, click here for the long list of activities. After sharing this list with Tom, he didn’t seem interested in any of the activities, and we accepted the reality that such activities don’t necessarily appeal to us after all.

Sure, we’d like to meet new people and hope to do so when we attend events in the various town squares and dine out each week. But we have a massive list of people here that would like to get together, which alone could keep us busy the entire time we are here.

Let’s face it; our interests have changed over the years of world travel. Also, we spend half of each day working on our posts, future travel plans, and communication with family, friends, and readers. After our walk in the morning, cooking and eating breakfast, doing household chores, and prepping dinner, the day flies by. We enjoy all these activities at the house and never feel bored or lonely. By late afternoon, we feel prepared to socialize, alone or with others.

These two bikes are in the garage, but I don’t think I can safely ride a bike anymore.

Many would say, “Get out! Try something new! Don’t be stuck in the mud!”

But our lives consist of always “trying something new,” and we never feel “stuck in the mud.” If it weren’t for this blog, no one would know what we do and don’t do. And we decided long ago that we can’t live our lives for the blog. The blog represents our chosen life and activities, not driven by it. That would be impossible with a new post uploaded daily. It would be too much pressure.

Our lives are about low stress, as much as possible, and choosing to do what appeals to us the most. Before we went into lockdown in India in 2020, we had embarked on about 20 safaris at three national parks. We never hesitated to do this. We never hesitated to interact with the people or the animals while in Africa. We rarely turn down an opportunity for social interaction.

Helmets are included with the bikes.

We never hesitated to embark on 10-person rubber Zodiac boats to explore icebergs and wildlife in Antarctica. We never hesitated to explore the souks in Marrakesh, Morocco, walk the hilly roads in Boveglio, Italy, or even attend a party where no one spoke English. We never hesitated to stand in the pouring rain, soaked to the gills for over an hour, to see the Gardens of Versailles in France.

We never hesitated to live on farms, learn about farm life, and spend time with farm animals and farmers. We never hesitated to embark on almost 30 cruises in the past ten years to see more of the world than any flights could ever offer us and so much more, the content of which is documented in over 3900 posts.

We’ve continued on when many others may have quit. Since that, too, was precisely what we wanted to do. And that will be the same for us while in The Villages. We are relishing the comfort and amenities of living in this lovely house and will enjoy many social events we plan for our time here. We are having dinner guests on Wednesday, people we’ve never met, and friends Carol and Mark are coming next Saturday for three nights.

Doing precisely what we like to do…

Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, May 13, 2013:

Due to our 10-hour expeditions to Petra, Jordan, we couldn’t prepare a post on this date. Stop back tomorrow for the fantastic photos.

Let sleeping kudus lie…Dazzle of zebras came to call…Easy life…

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Big Daddy was napping in the garden.

As we sit here enjoying views of the massive garden surrounding our holiday home on this slightly cooler and less humid Tuesday morning, we are reminded of the leisurely pace of our day-to-day lives. We love these times of low stress and less paperwork consuming our time.

Sure, there’s always work we could tackle, but right now, we’re both reveling in this quiet time back together in the bush and freeing ourselves from obligation and planning. In the next few weeks, we’ll have to ramp it up and start planning where we’ll go when we leave South Africa on June 8.

We think it will make sense to spend at least a month in an African country that we may not visit in the future since it borders South Africa, and when staying in this country, we can’t get our visas stamped for another 90-day stay in any country nearby.

He was nodding off before he finally succumbed to sleep.

Our first cruise sails out of Edinburgh, Scotland, on August 1. Since the UK is so expensive, spending from June 8 to August 1 in Scotland may not make sense. If we spend another month on the African continent in a country we haven’t visited, we’ll save money while enjoying a new country, going on unique safaris, and immersing ourselves in yet another culture. It seems like a logical plan for us.

When the month is over, we can then head to Scotland, where we’ll spend about three weeks reveling in the wonders of that beautiful country that we’ve never visited in the past. We always love trying new locations when we have already seen so much of the world in the past ten-plus years.

Sure, each day, we conduct a little research to decide in a few weeks. With a decision, it will make the pinning down of plans easier and less time-consuming. Some African countries don’t have many holiday homes suitable for our needs, and we may have to consider staying in a resort or hotel, which is OK for us after we’ve recovered from our ten months in a hotel in lockdown in India.

Zebra butts while dining on pellets. Check out the face on the second from the left!

At the time, we may have said we never wanted to stay in a hotel other than for a few nights. But, as time marches on, we’ve let that go and know that on some occasions, we may need to stay in a hotel or a resort, which we now fully accept as a possibility.

We can easily stay in a hotel suite where we may have a refrigerator, even if it’s small. Also, we prefer to stay in hotels and resorts that include breakfast, reducing our cost of dining. Also, the prices for many holiday homes have doubled since the pandemic and become less affordable when many hotels have had fewer increases.

Since we still only eat two meals a day, in the case of included breakfast, our only dining expense is for dinner and a drink, if desired. When staying in hotels in Minnesota and Nevada, we seldom had a drink with dinner, not because we were being frugal but more so because neither of us needs to drink alcohol every time we go out. For us, it’s more about a social scene.

This zebra kept watch while the other nine zebras ate pellets.

Tonight, we’re finishing our stir-fry dinners. Tomorrow, we’ll make something to last for two nights, and then it’s time for Jabula again. Friday night, we’ll go on our own as usual. On Saturday night, Louise and Danie are joining us to finally catch up after Tom’s return. We always have plenty of catch-ups to do with this lovely couple.

Have a fantastic Tuesday, and be well.

Photo from one year ago today, March 21, 2022:

A mom and baby mongoose sucking contents from an egg. For more photos, please click here.

Part 2…Wow!…What a fantastic party!…

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These delightful amuse-bouche spoons were a party favorite. There were about 100 of these spoon starters (appetizers). There were several unique contents. They were fun to eat and delicious!

We’re rushing this morning, hoping to get as much of this post done before we leave for Malalane to Dr. Singh’s office for my dental appointment, All went well, and I didn’t have to have the tooth pulled after all. I am thrilled, to say the least.

We caught this kudu eating a display platter when Louise was putting out the food. We removed the food afterward but couldn’t stop laughing. Danie was keeping an eye out to ensure this didn’t happen again.

I cannot begin to tell you the positive responses we’ve had from many guests who attended my party. My Whatsapp notification has frequently been dinging in the past 24 hours, and we couldn’t be more delighted. Of course, we can take no credit for the party. It was all due to  Louise and Danie’s efforts.

Pretty decorations adorned the veranda at the party.

Some comments include:

From: Alan and Fiona: “Good morning, Jessica! Thank you for having us at your incredible 75th birthday celebration. The venue was lovely, the food was outstanding, and the company was great! You will always remember this one! Fiona and I wish you and Tom much happiness in your future travels, Much love from us!”

Roz, me, Myrdah, and Dawn.

From: Alan and Fiona to Louise and Danie:  “Hi Louise and Danie! Wow! What a magnificent spread last night! I don’t think Marloth Park EVER had a party catered to that standard before! Congratulations! I’m sure the birthday girl was impressed because the guests didn’t know what hit them!”

Fiona and Alan, coincidentally, were back from the coast for a few weeks and were able to come to the party.

From Dawn: Dearest Jessica and Tom, what a magnificent evening on Saturday…the best home birthday party I have ever been to. Thank you for all the trouble you went to. We love you lots.”

Leon and Fiona.

From Leon: Good morning! Saturday night was out of this World…too many things to mention. One of the best-prepared birthday parties we’ve been to in many, many years…Thank you. Please thank everyone involved from us!”

Doc Mel, Doc Theo’s brother.

From Janine and Vasco: Good morning Jess…just want to thank you for an absolutely fabulous birthday get-together. Have a superb day, and please don’t forget to send photos, as I have none.”

In all, we had 28 guests arrive at the party. Many of the guests knew one another.

Last night, we had a pleasant evening again, eating more leftovers from the freezer since after the party, when we didn’t feel like cooking, although the only thing I made for the party was the two cakes, one of which we wiped out at the party and the second, which we took home. It’s a keto chocolate cake that is not as moist as a regular cake made with flour and regular sugar, but to me (and to Dawn), it tasted great.

More cheeses and toppings for Danie’s homemade bread.

Last night after dinner, I cut myself a big chunk of the keto cake while Tom ate two cupcakes Louise had made for the party as shown in the photos below. They certainly looked delicious, and Tom said they were definitely tasty!

Louise set up this beautiful display of cupcakes she had made for the party. Tom was thrilled there was a dessert with regular flour and sugar, and he loved them!

Now back from the dentist with the good news, we can both sit back and enjoy another rainy day in the bush with many wildlife visitors. We have lots of red wine left, including some given to me as gifts and many bottles of white wine. We went through 11 bottles of Prosecco at the party with one bottle remaining.

Tom, me, Theo’s wife Myrdah, Doc Mel and his wife, and Doc Philip’s wife.

Together we brought 40 bottles of wine (including Prosecco) to the party and went through only about 20 bottles plus, we brought five cases of 500 ml (16.9 oz.) Lion beer and went through 1½ cases (24 packs). I guess the Prosecco and the beer were the biggest hits. Now we have plenty of beer and wine left for our personal needs (and guests) until we leave here in June. This is the place to come for sundowners!!!

Vusi and  Mpumi are in this photo, but Zef and Martha were all there to assist. They did a fantastic job of helping and cleaning the house and all the dishes the next day.

We’ve put everything away, including all the white wines in the refrigerator and all the red wines in boxes in the closet.  I got some lovely gifts even after telling everyone no gifts!  Thank you to all of our guests and all of our family, friends, and readers for a wonderful birthday I will always remember!

Vasco and Janine.

Tomorrow, there will be more photos from the party and an exciting African dance video of our helpers you will love!

Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, February 27, 2022:

At Kwa Madwala, guests can opt for safaris on horseback. For more photos, please click here.