IMPORTANT CHANGE TO OUR GLOBAL ADVENTURE

 From Worldometer (new  COVID-19 deaths yesterday):

        DAY  USA  WORLD   Brazil    India    South Africa

June     9    1093     4732       1185        246       82

July    22     1205     7128        1293      1120      572

Aug    12     1504     6556        1242       835      130

Sept     9     1208      6222       1136      1168       82

Oct     21     1225      6849         571       703       85

Nov    25     2304    12025        620       518      118

Dec    30     3880    14748       1224       299     465

Jan     14       4142    15512        1151        189      712              

Feb      3       4005   14265       1209       107     398

Mar     2        1989     9490       1726       110      194

          17        1289      9736        2736       171       74 

          24         936    10206       3158       277       55

          25        1405   10470       2244       249      121

 

Summary:  What?  Hopefully not another wave for the USA.

Yesterday, I mentioned that the largest international project currently ongoing is the ITER fusion program in France.  The cost is expected to be $65 billion to take this technology to a possible state of commercialization...around 2050.  Then I was just sent this video of a newly opened highway connecting China to Pakistan?  Cost?  $65 billion:

All terrific, except for one thing.  This is one of those fake news items to draw a viral audience.  Completion in three years, cost, beauty, whatever.  Everything is made up.  Mind you, there is a Korakoram Highway linking the countries, but that was opened in 1979.

I yesterday, for the umpteenth time, admonished President Joe Biden for not immediately initiating a national (and ask the world to participate) COVID-19 passport program.  A card with your photo and gold star to replace your driver's license and travel passport.  

Well, today, the State of Hawaii announced something similar, but pretty basic.  Your vaccination card will be our passport.  But for what?  When Lt. Gov Josh Green, who happens to be a practicing emergency room doctor, was asked, What do you think about the University of Hawaii allowing spectators for sports events?  You know what he said.  No, wait a while.  What a missed opportunity.  He should have said only those who have taken the required vaccination three weeks ago or more should be allowed to enter by showing your card.  This would have encourage some of those 30% who have said they don't plan to do so, to do so.

My third editorial of the day:

• You know how our nation gets suddenly energized to do something about gun control when six or ten people get shot by an insane assailant?  Well, did you know that 110 Americans are daily killed with some sort of firearm?  One hundred and ten deaths per day, or 40,000/year.  
• The New York Times this morning reported:

That’s far behind the country’s biggest killers, like heart disease (about 650,000 annual deaths) or Alzheimer’s (about 125,000). But it is broadly comparable to the toll from many well-known causes of death, including an average flu season (35,000), vehicle accidents (39,000), breast cancer (42,000), liver disease (43,000) or pancreatic cancer (45,000).

• This pandemic has killed 558,000 Americans so far.

Maybe this is why we never pass gun control legislation.  There aren't enough deaths.  We certainly have enough guns:

I'll get to the world travel part yet, but first a few other diversions.  The past couple of days have been particularly fabulous.  For one, I got my taxes done, and wow, great!  Two, I wish I can send you the fragrance from my Honohonos:

Two days ago I finally went ahead and bought a new home computer.  The IT staff here came up to my room and did the ordering, and will help me get started on my soon to arrive 27 inch iMac.  I can't believe I bought the current one 9 years ago.  Interestingly enough, just like my new Honda Fit looking the same as the one I bought 9 years before, this new iMac looks just like the old one.

Then yesterday, I walked 16 holes at the Ala Wai Golf Course.  I skipped the 9th and 10th to rest and have my lunch, an apple.  There was a 70% chance of rain, and it did all around Oahu.  However, at Ala Wai, not a drop.  There was a stretch when I had two birdies and two pars.  When I returned home, I weighed in at 153 pounds, BMI at 23.8, just where I wanted to be.  (Look at the right column to calculate your Body Mass Index--scroll down to near the bottom.)

But more importantly, on to the subject of the day, for the decision was made to finalize our next around the world trip.  I've recently been posting on my intent to embark on an around the world adventure as early as this Fall.  In fact, I even fantasized that the situation was such that twice around the world might be possible.

While vaccinations have progressed well, portions of the world are still being ravaged by COVID-19.  Thus, it seems best to cancel anything this year, especially when the CDC yesterday kept its recommendation against cruises into November 1.  Just like Joe Biden missing his opportunity, the CDC should have encourage those having taken all shots to travel, hug and go on cruises.  My optimism was overcome by the Binden/CDC and all-pervading abundance of caution attitude surrounding me.  Mind you, I'm not complaining, for I survived the Donald Trump Flu of 2020.  Both the Spanish Flu of a century ago and the current pandemic came from China.

Thus, our global adventure will begin with boarding the Island Princess from San Pedro (Los Angeles) on 19 January 2022.  We have confirmed reservations.  Surely by then the CDC will relent.  The ship returns to Los Angeles on 11 May 2022.  

We'll spend a couple of days recuperating, then leave the bulk of our luggage at some hotel in Los Angeles to take Amtrak to Santa Barbara and Paso Robles, something I've wanted to do for years.  I remember driving through this dusty town several times in the early 1960's and seeing nothing.  Today, Paso Robles has more than 200 wineries, and some of the truly outstanding red wines in the world.  Santa Barbara County also has more than 200 wineries, and I have long enjoyed their Chardonnays.

I always have these news segues, and here's one about that cargo vessel currently wedged across the Suez Canal.  The Ever Given is Taiwan-based and at 1312 feet long, is among the longest currently active.  The Sea Giant was 1504 feet long, but is scuttled.  The largest cruise ships are the Oasis-class liners up to 1188 feet in length.  The Island Princess is 965 feet long.   I didn't realize that the Suez Canal was a 120 miles sail between the Red and Mediterranean Seas.

Proceeding into the longer term future, twice around the world remains a viable prospect.  We're thinking about starting a second around the world extravaganza in the Fall of 2022, with a stop in Okinawa and Japan Rail Pass tour of Japan to observe the colors.  We'll start with the Star Alliance Around the World ticket.  We will almost certainly return to Dubai just to visit its incredible attractions.  

There could well also be a cruise or two.  One would almost surely be a European river tour when the Continent is healthier.  Maybe a stop in Finland to really experience the cold.  On one of my earlier global odysseys eleven years ago, I froze in Helsinki during the month of February.  Yet, it was positively memorable.

That was the trip which produced one of my most popular postings:  INDIA SUCKS!  Also, during one of my stops, in Amsterdam, I wrote an article, as requested by The Huffington Post, about that 8.8 Chile earthquake.  Tohoku suffered from its own 9.1 earthquake in 2011, but the year before, this Chile tremor sent a tsunami to Japan, causing considerable damage.

Where will we stop on this second world odyssey?  You can send in your recommendations:

• Africa?  Probably not.  We've both been on photo safaris.
• South America
• Machu Picchu?
• Angel Falls?
• Iguazu Falls?
• 
  Site of largest dinosaur fossil in Patagonia, plus Buenos Aires?
• Been to all the above, but not Patagonia, for the titanosaur was not found until more recently.
• Incredibly enough, Buenos Aires hosts a specialized World Expo:  Science, Innovation, Art and Creative for Human Development
• January 15, 2023 to April 15, 2023

• 
  India will in 2026 pass China in population.  But I've been there before.  Click on India Sucks.  I have no desire to return for anything.
• I might add that the 2025 World Expo will be be hosted by Osaka.  Third global expedition?

We have obtained the services of a travel agent.  Should you wish to contact her for information about golf or how you can coordinate with our schedule (especially for that upcoming second around the world adventure), feel free to contact:

Deborah Deming | FROSCH Classic Cruise & Travel

Independent Travel Consultant
5850 Canoga Avenue, Suite 550 | Woodland Hills, CA 91367
D: 818. 936.2000 x2066| F: 818.936.3644
deborah.deming@frosch.com | www.froschclassic.com | www.luxurycruiseexperts.com

 

Member of Signature Travel Network

Deborah has 20 years of experience and has sailed on 60 cruise ships.  Then again, you can book with Costco and try to save a few dollars, or do it yourself and surprise us.

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