The calendar says it is only 40 days until we begin our journey...January 3, 2024...128 days to sail around the world...our third trip (also 2010 and 2019).
The last few months have been busy with visas, immunizations and planning shore excursions in each port. While 40 days sounds like a long time remaining, there is still much to be done...more visas, routine doctor visits, last minute shopping and planning to be away from home and away from friends and family for 4 months. We have several lists and spreadsheets going at all times. We also have to finalize our luggage shipping (probably 12 suitcases) by December 1 with the actual luggage being picked up on December 14. I always marvel at all the gear required by climbing teams when they plan an assault on major peaks like Mt. Everest. However I don't think we are much more economical in our packing...clothes...from hot and humid to very cold climates and from casual to formal, gear (bike and swimming), cameras, computers, health and beauty products for 4 months, etc.
While the map above was first planned in 2022 and then rescheduled for 2024 due to Covid, this trip is hardly set in stone. We already have potential challenges navigating the Amazon (due to historic low rainfall and draught), the Panama Canal is restricting ship traffic due to the same draught, Italy, near Naples, is having earthquakes and the underground magma that created Vesuvius and Pompeii is threatening. There are also all the obvious changes (all Israel ports are now canceled) due to world politics, war and chaos. These trips are never "by the book" but this one seems posed to break new ground in the need to be flexible and "pack your patience".
While excited, we also have occasional pangs of "why are we doing this". The expense, the time away from friends and family, the disconnection from groups and organizations, the disruption from our "routine". But perhaps that is why we travel...to disconnect occasionally...and see new things with fresh eyes...and break our routine...and see the world.
This post is basically a "test" of my rusty blogging skills and to begin the story of the 2024 Grand World Voyage...stay tuned...
Craig (and Di)