A couple of days ago I was driving back from a business trip to Las Vegas; it was 108 degrees outside, but I was tooling along at 75 miles per hour, had the air on plus the radio so everything was fine. I realized that if I were driving an electric car (fueled by oil and coal), that I would have had to turn off the radio and roll down the windows (and thus enjoy the wonderful hot desert air) and reduce my speed to less than 65 to make it home. That is until I ran into a major jam which had me crawling, bumper to bumper for an extra hour. Whoops, I would have been in serious trouble with an electric car. The normal four-hour trip was extended to five hours and had I been traveling at the lower speed, another hour beyond that assuming I did not have to stop for a charge and assuming that I would not have had a dead battery in that massive traffic jam.

I am sure that there are many folks who can find that an electric car will meet their needs for short shopping trips and various chores. I am also sure that given the predicted rolling black outs, and the behind schedule construction of charging stations, there are many others who like me will be reluctant to give up our current vehicles. It is a choice, but we should be realistic about our choices and not live in a fool’s paradise. Nothing is free and anyone who believes that an electric vehicle does not contribute to CO2 is fooling themselves. The link below is worth a view as it helps to put things in proper perspective. Invest a few minutes and see reality.

I am just back from a quick (four night) visit to Montreal: the weather was beautiful, spring is in full bloom, and it was great to see the smiling faces of those who faced such a difficult Covid trial, with lengthy lock downs, strict police enforcement of family holiday celebrations and of course a frigid winter. It is also a city that is both beautiful and yet facing several challenges on many fronts. In a way it is a glimpse into the future and a real revelation.

Firstly, I call it the city of dandelions as I was struck by how that weed has taken over vast patches of lawns and green belts along the highways and around industrial parks. The government, to help the environment has banned several consumer weed killers so if a homeowner or park manager wishes to maintain a weed free lawn, they must use the services of licensed commercial lawn maintenance companies which can be quite costly. Or they can get down on their hands and knees and manually root out hundreds of dandelions which are in full bloom and determined to increase their numbers even further. My dislike of dandelions may sound silly to some, but image driving down a typical neighborhood block and all one sees are thousands, no, tens of thousands of dandelions up and down the block, all waving gracefully in the wind. It looks apocalyptic, as if humanity has suddenly disappeared from the area. In fact, a local attitude seems to have developed as if to say that there is nothing you can do about it, so the pride of home ownership seems to have taken a step backward. I admit, I grew up in a time when lawns were considered a sign of order, cleanliness and were envied. Perhaps time has passed me by, but then I was never happy with the concept of mankind regressing.

I hope you will indulge me as I have put together a rather lengthy recap of our latest vacation.  Why?  Well, hopefully you will pick up a few tips, ideas, etc to help you have a great vacation.  Why learn the hardway?  So feel free to read as much as you care (or can bear) and I hope you pick up a tip or two!

ABOUT COVIDMany people have asked me about how the threat of Covid was handled during a long trip.  Here is how it was handled aside from the normal airline requirements:
1) The cruise line would only allow passengers who had two regular vaccinations plus a booster.  2) Proof of #1 was required before boarding, as was proof of no covid within the previous 24 hours.3) All crew members had a covid test at least 3 times a week4) Free covid tests were provided by the cruise line to any passenger5) When leaving the ship, some ports required proof of vaccinations but not all6) When leaving the ship at the final port, all passengers had to be tested (free, on board) for covid.  7) If anyone had a positive covid test during the cruise, they were quarantined in a separate section of the ship and their former room was thoroughly disinfected by a crew in hazed suits8) Each country had its own requirements, re wearing a mask indoors, etc.  Italy still requires masks indoors until May 1st.
We were on a ship for over three weeks with over 2,000 staff and guests, visited 13 ports in several countries, visited a very crowded Venice for six days and suffered no problems.  That is all I say.

With the easing of regulations regarding Covid, Carolyn and I decided to take a twenty-six-day cruise from Miami to Trieste, Italy and then to spend five nights in Venice. This trip would be different as we would be crossing the Atlantic on the Oceania cruise ship, Marina as opposed to a true ocean liner like the Queen Mary II which we enjoyed in December. The Marina is still a large ship at over 70,000 tons, but the crew to guest ratio is about 1.5 to 1 which is excellent in terms of service and care. We had sailed with Oceania several times before and found their food to be excellent, well above the norm, and the staff and ships to be outstanding. The ships are smaller and cater to an older clientele (not a cruise if you have children, pets or expect a lively nightlife). It is a great cruise line if you want to get away from the cares and woes of an outrageous fortune.

  The cruise industry has been closed for two years but with the re-opening, so many of the staff which hails from about seventeen countries was eager to return to work. The staff on Oceania is always a cut above, but you could feel and hear how happy they were to return to work. Yes, of course they are happy to find steady work, but they are also happy in the way they are treated by the cruise line. Talking to crew members, especially those who have worked on other lines, they comment on how well they are treated by management regarding pay, work breaks, and time off. Even though the crew had to wear masks (they were not mandatory for guests), their voices and eyes were smiling, providing a real welcoming to the passengers.

To travel, especially internationally, in the time of covid takes dedication and patience. Each country you visit is ruled by politicians who, even if we are generous of them, are simply overwhelmed by the covid, their lack of options, previous failed policies, and the fear that their actions have created in their own public. But life and travel must go on.

The first hurdle one must face is the ever-changing restrictions and rules regarding covid that can change literally day by day. Watching the news in the U.K. and speaking with locals, there seems to be a consensus that the pols and medical “experts” don’t really know what to do. At least in the U.K., the pols “urge” citizens to isolate as much as possible as any mandate would be deadly (remember, their pols live in a parliamentary system which can react much more quickly than ours). Yes, wear face masks (even as they admit they are not much use), but just act like adults and get your shots. As an example:

 To get on our flight to London, we needed to complete a “Passenger Locator Form” for the U.K. government. This form included the information on a covid test that we had to take during the first two days upon landing which included information on a test which we had to purchase online. The result could take up to two days for completion and one is expected to self-isolate in the interim. As we were only going to be in London for three days, that was a poor option, so we paid extra for a test with results in a few hours. All the lab had to do was to deliver the test to us when we landed, which of course, they failed to do. Now you might ask, why take a test after one lands as if you are covid-positive, the potential damage is greater, but then you don’t understand the bureaucratic mind. So, we paid about $200 for the fast test which of course, was not waiting for us. As the test was not waiting for us upon arrival, we decided to visit a local pharmacy and pay $250 each for a fast test (so much for the National Health Service and free medical coverage). Yes, the original ordered test did arrive near the end of day two would have given us results after we left. Ver helpful. We did return the late test package and are getting a refund. To add insult to injury, the crack customs people did not ask to see our proof of the ordered test but quickly welcomed us in the country.

As Europe has been closed for quite a while (glad it is opening), Carolyn and I have taken four short trips in the U.S. this year; New Orleans, one to Las Vegas and Utah, another to Williamsburg VA and we have just returned from Miami (in July? Are you nuts)? Well, I had a free trip from a company and decided it was an excellent opportunity to revisit some haunts that we have not seen in a number of years.

Now summer is not exactly the primo time for visiting Miami; it is hot, humid, subject to hurricanes and can be quite buggy. Aside from that, it is terrific. So, we decided to make the best of it, and we stayed at the beautiful Ritz Carlson in Coconut Grove, just a block from the bay. The hotel only had about 25% of its staff and was 30% full, so it was great; the staff was friendly, no hassles about getting pool time, etc. Dewey, one of the front door men was a fount of information and tips on sites to see, restaurants, etc. He made getting back into the Miami mindset easy and fun! A real pro! He was not alone, as the friendliness of Geovanny, Evan, Pilar and many others made us feel right at home. Of course, the hotel itself is beautiful but there are numerous interesting places to stay in Coconut Grove, which is a small island of nice shops, restaurants, etc. without the glitter of South Beach. Think of a warm, smaller Carmel. Plus, it is in easy reach of some of the wonderful places to visit, such as:

This last Friday, my favorite wife and I went up to LA, booked a room at the Sofitel at Beverly and La Cienega, facing the Hollywood Hills and shut out the world. No computer, no iPad. We opened a bottle of champagne, sat side by side with the balcony doors open, looked at the hills and let the world go by. Later, dinner at The Palm, a drink at the hotel and after lounging in the next AM, back to our home. We have a wondeful life but this little get away made us feel as if we were a thousand miles away from the everyday. It was a good lesson, so the next time you feel you are in a rut, or that the weight of the world is on your shoulders, or just want to do something different, go out for a stroll on the beach, splurge on a nice hotel room, go to dinner at a new restaurant, etc.. Treat yourself and put the bounce back in your step. If it works like I think it will, pick up your calendar and plan your next mini vacation.

Thanks in large part to the vaccine, we are once again planning a healthy travel schedule.  While we did visit Southern Utah and Las Vegas (driving down the Vegas Strip at 60 mph was a once in a lifetime treat), our recent visit to Williamsburg VA. was our first “real” trip in over a year.  Why Williamsburg?  My favorite wife had never seen that part of the U.S. and there is plenty to see for a history buff such as myself.  We visited an area known as the Virginia Historical Triangle, consisting of Williamsburg, Jamestown and York Town, places which were key to the formation of our nation.  This area is small and easily reached as going from point to point often means driving for 30-45 minutes.  Going further (120 miles) one can find the Fredericksburg battlefield and Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.  The driving is easy but make sure you have a GPS as you will want to get off the Interstate and onto some of the beautiful back roads (many of them remind me of driving in central rural France), so let’s look at some of the sights.

Travel at this time has it’s ups and downs, but if you are flexible, you flow with the challenges in order to continue with as good a life as possible. We recently visited New Orleans and found that we had to alter some of our routines in the face of shorter hours, closings, etc., but everything worked out for the best and there were several advantages. Let’s take a look at the list of positives:

Having visited Istanbul several times, I was looking forward to this book which had received positive reviews from several national sources.  I must admit however, that my expectations were not met.  It might be that the author attempts to cover too much of history in this sever hundred plus page tome.  Starting at 800,000 BC-no, I am not kidding- Ms. Hughes provides us with information on the earliest settlements, how drastic weather created the area, etc.  While that is of interest to a certain group, the three main areas of concentration are the time from Severus and Constantine, the Byzantine and of course, the time of the Ottomans.

For a couple of years, my favorite wife has wanted to spend a month in the French countryside; she is originally from Montreal, speaks excellent French and enjoys the French culture, wine and history.  Anyone who has been to Paris realizes that France can be very expensive, but we found a way to live well, enjoy the countryside and keep our expenses to a reasonable level. How? One advantage was by traveling with another couple, in this case my wife’s parents.  By splitting some costs, our month-long visit to rural France costs much less, about $175/night per couple.