Author: Peg

We have lots of feral cats. It seems to me that only the black ones hang out in trees. Like miniature leopards. 

Well, I am not suffering from buyers remorse over the RTW junket. And, the ghost of Carlton did not haunt me. Yet. Actually, Carlton would like the idea of circumnavigating the planet. He just wouldn’t want to do it himself and he would want me to get it done in 3 weeks or less. 

Most of my travel will be on American Airlines and British Airways. Two of the crappiest carriers. But, as long as they don’t crash – it will be all good. American has the best routing to Hawai’i and British is the only direct flight from Great Britain to Bermuda. And I wasn’t willing to give up either of these stops. 

The RTW trip is over 3 months away. That is so not like me. I much prefer to plan today and leave tomorrow. Or later today if possible.  

Just a normal winter day here – a bit of walking, some visiting, a little swimming. Reading. And eating. 

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

 

Well, I did it. Got my Around the World Ticket(s) to fly. Right now scheduled to leave May 24 and returning July 3 going west. These tickets are all changeable, so I may tweak it here and there a bit. 

If not now, when?  Let’s get the negatives out of the way.

Honolulu – it is too busy
Tokyo – it rains all day every day in June
Singapore – melting hot and humid
Dubai – blazing hot and arid
London – Great Britain will be in total Brexit collapse by then 
Bermuda – what could possibly go wrong here, hurricane maybe.

I wasn’t sure that I was going to actually do it.  I have wanted to do this since first found out about PanAm’s Around the World flights. And, Singapore and Dubai are long time bucket list places for me. If not now, when?  

Check out this list of “Fees”

Carrier Surcharge/Fee 279.00 USD Airline Insurance Surcharge 512.40 USD U.S. Animal and Plant Inspection Service Users Fee 3.96 USD Immigration and Naturalization Service Fee 7.00 USD U.S. Customs Fee 5.77 USD U.S. International Transportation Tax – Departure 18.60 USD International Arrival Transportation Tax (USA) 18.60 USD US Intl Transportation Tax 135.65 USD September 11th Security Fee 11.20 USD Flight Segment Tax – USA 8.40 USD Tax description unavailable (TKVC) 9.14 USD Passenger Service Facilities Charge – Japan 23.48 USD Tax description unavailable (L7DE) 8.00 USD Tax description unavailable (OPAE) 4.52 USD Passenger Service and Security Charge Singapore 24.38 USD Tax description unavailable (AEAD) 20.42 USD Tax description unavailable (F6TO) 9.53 USD Tax description unavailable (TPSE) 1.36 USD Tax description unavailable (ZRAP) 2.72 USD UK Air Passenger Duty 225.11 USD UK Passenger Service Charge 18.27 USD Bermuda International Aviation Security Fee 13.28 USD Bermuda Departure Tax 52.10 USD Tax description unavailable (E6VC) 31.05 USD Bermuda Passenger Facility Charge 6.23 USD Passenger Facility Charges 13.50 USD Total 1,463.67 x 1 = 1,463.67 USD

Currently WATCHING the State of the Union address. Operative word here is WATCHING. The sound is off. Nancy Pelosi looks like she just swallowed a live goldfish. Or two.

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

Wildlife photography with the phone. 

Just a nice lazy winter day in Hawai’i. Still amazed at how wonderful the air is now that the volcano has stopped active eruption. It had been going on since 1983. We sort of took it for granted.  There was always “red” lava somewhere and the air was nearly always crappy. Carlton would have loved the new improved air. Everyone does. Well, except for parts of the tourism industry. 

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

And what would an important holiday be without food? Started out my day with breakfast. I had planned on making my own breakfast – Avocado toast with eggs. Went to the store for eggs – but every box that I opened had at least one precracked egg. The eggs must have had a very rough ride. Figured that was a sign that I was supposed to support the local restaurant industry. And, I had the avocado for dinner. 

Superbowl Sunday afternoon has to be the absolutely deadest afternoon of the entire year here. The game starts at 2PM. By 1PM the village is disserted. Even the homeless people are missing. The ocean activities are locked up tight. No cars are running. But, by 6PM, everything is back to normal. I hear cars. The luau across the street is cranking up. I smell burgers grilling. 

While I watched the Superbowl and Volcom Pipe Pro surfing (surfing was better) I played around with my RTW B4 Alzheimer’s trip. I know that I could pack more into the trip, or extend it, however, I am trying to be prudent and remember that I am 75. Not 57. 

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

Sort of a take it easy kind of a day. It was cool and cloudy most of the day and it is raining at this instant. Since this is essentially a desert – we always welcome the rain.

Who knew that one can not order a phone “power bar” from Amazon if one is in Hawai’i. Well, I am sure that if I had thought about it – I could have figured it out. I wasn’t able to order a camera battery last year either. Funny how dependent I have become on Auntie Ammie to get anything that I could possibly want to me immediately if not sooner. I’ll just wait until I get to California. Surprised to discover that Santa Barbara is not in a Same-Day delivery zone. The Asylum is. This sure is a first world problem.

I was reading the Reuters news feed while having an early supper. It went on in great detail about evacuating the Queen from London if Brexit goes down bad. Mentioned riots and shortages of food and meds. Let’s see, I plan to spend about 2 weeks in the British Isles. Plus another in Bermuda in mid-June to early July. Should I factor this into my travel planning? This is another first world problem.

Look what happened. A rainbow. Life is good as long as I don’t think about it too much!

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

Exactly how did it get to be February already? One-twelfth of 2019, pau.  Not ready for this. Not even close. Heck, I only have 3 weeks left here in exciting downtown Kailua-Kona. I have paid this year’s bill and reserved my favorite room for same time next winter. 

Did some serious – well for me serious – fitness crap today. Brisk walking 3.8 miles. Swim 30 minutes, with 15 minutes of yoga for good measure. 

A LITTLE REFLECTION ON BEING OLD

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I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it. ― Mark Twain

This actually makes a lot of sense to me. 

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Been thinking about my RTW B4 Alzheimer’s trip. Once I buy the second ticket, I am sort of committed. The first ticket – from National Airport to Honolulu is a no brainer. I am coming to a wedding on June 1.  It’s the second ticket that’s the biggie. 

It’s a big world. I have wanted to circumnavigate the planet since the 1960’s when my fondest wish was to hop on Pan Am flight 001. According to Wired, Pan Am Flight 001 began in 1947 and originated in San Francisco, winged westward over the Pacific Ocean. A passenger boarding 001 at San Francisco Municipal Airport and making the entire journey would touch down in Honolulu, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Delhi, Beirut, Istanbul, Frankfurt, London and finally New York. Flight 002 went east from New York. Stopping in the same cities.

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

There is absolutely no doubt that I can no longer hand hold a night shot of the moon and venus.  But, it is an interesting image.

There, I propped the camera up. And jacked the ISO way up.

Well, it was warmer today. But, I am still in chilly mode. So, no swimming. But, walking. 

And I “finished” planning my round the world trip. Sort of in one week clumps.

Week 1.  Honolulu – visit the granddaughter, go to a wedding, go to Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace, Royal Mausoleum etc. 

Week 2. Tokyo – most likely stay in Kyoto. No apparent reason to go to Japan. I just like Japan. It will be rainy. 

Week 3. Singapore – Might cut this one to 5 days. But, it will be really hot – so this old lady will be needing lots of rest time.

Week 4. Dubai – About three days. I just want to look around. I hope to see all manner of outlandish stuff. It will be really hot here too. 

Week 4 and 5. England/Ireland/Scotland – knock about using trains. The Queen goes to Scotland by train so why can’t I? Any days that I drop out of Singapore will go into this segment.

Week 6. Bermuda. Rest up after all that running around. 

Home July 3. 

None of these places a particularly adventurous. None are dangerous. All suitable for a little old lady on RTW before Alzheimer’s.

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

Still chilly and windy.  I was feeling more than a little tired today because I didn’t sleep all that great last night. So, I napped and spent a couple of hours reading on my lanai. I pretended that I was on the cruise ship. Except, I am guessing that my room is a little larger than the average ship cabin. Plus no danger of mal de mer.  A perfectly satisfactory day. 

This morning at breakfast Billy mentioned that according to the New York Post the average (American?) adult is bored 131 days a year.  PEOPLE, that is 1/3 of your life.  Billy and I decided that we were going to have to ramp up our boredom levels. Neither of us had anywhere near enough bored days to be average.

Went for a little walk about after dinner last night – stopped to enjoy sunset.

Sometimes it is very reassuring to be an atheist! Because I would sure hate to think that my “supreme being” was responsible for that orange sorry ass excuse of a “human being”. 

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

 

I will not complain about it being chilly here. But, it is. Still chilly and windy. But, still great. Just not for swimming.

Continuing to ponder my RTW jaunt. While on my walk this morning – an idea – finish off the trip with a transatlantic crossing. But, unfortunately, nothing is going from Europe to the US anywhere near the time that I want to head back. But, hey, it was an idea.

Just having a nice little old lady life out here in the middle of the ocean. Walking, reading, napping, oh and shopping. Went by the thrift shop today. Picked up a t-shirt and a really ugly rain jacket. But every rain jacket is ugly – so – OK. 

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

My guess is that nobody wants to hear that it is cold and windy here today. But it is. No snow. Not one single flake.

Starting to think about my trip home. And my “dangerous” visit to New Orleans. I am sure that there is all manner of street crime, especially during Mardi Gras. I am not frightened or worried. But, I want to exercise some degree of caution. Which brings up my choice of camera and lenses.

Reviewed my lens collection today. Haven’t a clue what I was thinking. I brought my much loved chunk of Leica glass. It weighs about 3 pounds. And brought a 50mm pancake lens. Both of these require an adapter. And, I also brought the cheap plastic wide-angle lens.

The Leica has been hunting focus like crazy. SO, today – I took everything apart. Did a little dusting and adjusting. I think it is focusing quicker. At least when there is good contrast. The lens took a pretty good knock on the trip over. The sensible thing to do is to ship the expensive/heavy gear back home and to us Shamu II to record anything of interest.  That is the sensible thing. But, will I do it? It might be sensible to ship Forbin the Computer back to the Asylum as well. Just pack,  insure and ship a box of electronics. 

I researched my fantasy DIY RTW trip a little more today. It is doable. The correct little old lady thing would be to take a Smithsonian or NatGeo “private jet” RTW trip. Maybe I’ll look into that. When I am old.  

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

Billy and I went out this morning looking for whales and monk seals. All we found was lots of wind. The wind brought a cold front and it has been cloudy and “chilly” all afternoon. Not a problem. It is winter, after all. Chili is on my menu for tonight. 

Yesterday’s big event was dolphin watching. Today’s big event was the laundry. Guess that my life is pretty simple. Rapidly approaching boring. But, there are worse things. 

I have another month left in Kona, but am starting to think about my next visit. Going to come over to Honolulu for a wedding June 1. Now how can I make this into a grand adventure? Is this the time that I actually do the circumnavigate thing?  DC to Honolulu to Tokyo to Singapore to Dubai to Paris to London to Bermuda to DC?

Just checked out flights – I can actually do this shit. For about $6,000 in planes. Taking about 5 weeks. Note to self: You aren’t getting any younger. This has been on my bucket list for years.

 . . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)

Spent a happy hour taking 507 photos of “where the dolphin was”. But, I got a few. My camera hunts focus with this lens pretty bad. And, I don’t really have enough confidence in my eyesight anymore to manual focus.  But, I got some keepers. And just had a fine afternoon in the sun.

Last night after dinner, I sprung into action and actually made reservations to return to the east coast.  Feb 24 – Mar 7, Taking the slow route.

• Sunday – Kona to LA – night flight.
• Monday – LA to Santa Barbara – train
• Tuesday – Santa Barbara
• Wednesday – Santa Barbara
• Thursday – Santa Barbara
• Friday – Train to New Orleans
• Saturday – en route.
• Sunday – arrive New Orleans late but is it ever late in New Orleans?
• Monday – New Orleans
• Tuesday – New Orleans – Fat Tuesday. 
• Wednesday – 0700 hours Train to Alexandria
• Thursday – Back at the Asylum before naptime with luck.

Booked into a couple of hotels. Didn’t go the AirBnB route because I  happen to like funky hotels. 

Now the only thing that is missing is a bus ticket to get me from the LA airport to the train station.

Making travel arrangements makes me happy. To me it is like a 3D puzzle. Or maybe a 4D puzzle. If I make all the pieces fit together – then I win. 

Belated New Year’s Resolution – or an early Chinese New Year’s Resolution: 
Travel more in 2019. 

. . . 

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary. H.L. Menchen In Defense of Women (1918)