I am safe at home and finishing my quarantine in two days. At that time, I will be then be able to remain at home under lock-down! This tantalizing view from my bathroom shows me the (quieter) world outside. I am curious to know where other people are and what they are doing? Are you stuck somewhere and cannot get home because you have no money or access to travel options? Are you in self isolation or quarantine having come back to your home county? Have you had to cancel your travel plans and are…
My Musings (Sundays)
Category Archives for My Musings (Sundays).
Should you travel? No.
Unless you have to, NO. While people are taking advantage of air and hotel discounts, everything is in such a state of flux right now. Airlines are shutting down If you have an urgent reason to travel or you are going home, then proceed as quickly as you can. Travel safe. Staying in another place means you increase your risk, potentially put others at risk and overwhelm health systems. While I understand that hotels, restaurants and venues are suffering, the situation cannot be helped by us. To those struggling, I hope to be able to…
Why can’t they virus test before flight ?
Many of us are nervous to travel because we are not sure if we could be exposed to COVID19, the new Corona virus at airprots, in aeroplamnes or tranis tstauons. Why can’t governments insist that all passengers traveling across international frontiers must be screened before boarding? If all passengers had to get a clean bill of health two days before flying, this would reduce fear and slow the spread of the disease from country to country. Medical staff wearing protective gear are testing thousands for Corona virus , at hospitals, clinics and “drive-through” virus test…
Why I Travel- and the my Travel Manifesto
I feel like I have spent all my life traveling! My childhood was quote nomadic with my formal education taking place in Scotland, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. Today, I can recount that I have visited or lived in 78 countries. I can also claim to have been to 46 US states and three territories (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Guam), every Australian state and most British counties. Travel has brought me many memories, some very good friends on every continent and some defining life moments. How about you? We all travel for…
My 2020 Travel Plans
Thinking through my year’s travel plans. What are you up to? First up, some fun and crazy runs!! Marathon du Medoc is an unusual French even where ninety percent of runners run in fancy dress through Vineyards with drink stops that include wine, oysters or cheese. For non Marathoners, there is a 10km walk. I thought I had done my last marathon (I prefer half marathons) but this event is very tempting. Anyone done it? As a walker and a runner, I have experienced some very fun routes in my life and will also complete…
Six times Round the World- My 2019 Travel Highlights.
Last year’s travel adventures took me to 26 countries- including two new ones: Estonia and Russia. I have now lived in or visited 78 countries- most of which still exist. My travel distance by bus, train, ferry and plane was the equivalent of traveling around the globe six times. Where did you get to in 2019? I had some amazing Highlights: Meandering around marvelous Malacca/Melaka- thoroughly enjoyed this historic Malaysian city, the food, atmosphere and people. Stunning couple of weeks in Austria including a hike in the lower alps. Rambling around Ljubljana, the charming capital…
Eighty Times around the World
Jules Verne’s character Phileas Fogg traveled by steamer, train, elephant and horse around the world to demonstrate it was possible to do so. It took eighty days. Today, I completed my 80th navigation of the globe. This is a touch over two million miles (3.2 million kilometres), a feat which has taken me just over half a century of flying. This is what it looks like: I have flown to 62 of the 80 countries, I have visited. The rest I have reached by bus, train, car and in one case foot. Importantly, my travels…
2019 End of Year RTW Trip- lets go!
This is my Christmas-New Year Round the World trip. Flying out this week for an intensive few weeks. Five European Cities, five Asian cities, four in the Americas with an Australian start and finish. I would love some suggestions for Tallin (never been) and Berlin which I have not been to for five years. Christmas markets, two weddings and lots of catch ups with friends will be all part of the experience. I go from 37 degrees Celsius (99F) to minus four (25F) so packing all in one carry on bag is always a challenge.…
Romantic Hoi An
Just spent a lovely weekend in what I believe to be Asia’s most romantic city. The name translates as “peaceful meeting place”. Hội An started as a trading port in about 1595. The city became the most important trade port on the East Vietnam Sea during the 16th and 17th centuries. It declined in the 18th century and was almost untouched for almost 200 years. In 1999 the old town was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It has become more and more popular. Last year, six million people visited the city which has…
And Russia makes 77
I am filling in my globe with all of the countries, territories and regions I have visited. With the addition of Russia this week, I have made it to 77 countries. I only count a country if I have left the airport. So while, I have transited through Doha and Johannesburg airports, I do not include Qatar and South South Africa in my tally. I have been to about two thirds of the countries in both Asia and Europe and exactly half of all the nations in the Oceania region of the planet. African exploration…
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