Today we were able to feel like travellers, not tourists. For me, this is distinguishable in a number of ways but notably to be savvy and conscious of expenditure, yet keen on maximising any experience with a personalised sense of accomplishment. Typically that would involve a hike or climb to reach a vantage point offering a spectacular (and free) vista.

“When are we going to the beach?”. “Can we go to the beach yet?”. “Take me to the beach”.

Relax, dear. Good things come to those in wait. And wait we most certainly can.

Admittedly it took me a while during my 2015/16 travels to understand both in notion and reality that time works differently when you’re in a travel bubble.

Hooray, we’ve made it. I can’t tell you how relieved and excited I am to have made it to Rio. However this also means that “travelling” has now begun as we are no longer in the Mothering care of Vivian’s family. So as one challenge ends, another begins…

Not quite yet but that is the plan sometime next week commencing 11/1/21. Well, depending on Covid, lockdown and permissible flights of course. Each of these easily are able to scupper plans at short notice and that’s a problem I really don’t what to consider.

New Year’s day at the ranch has been and gone and evidently I’ve lived to tell the tale. I feel a worthy member of their family, empowered and strong like Tarzan - a modern day Crocodile Dundee…

I have a dilemma. In a few days around New Year, Vivian’s parents and extended family want to visit their self-built ranch. If the vision of a ranch conjures up something American looking, think again.

God’s honest truth, it was the morning of Christmas Eve when Vivian casually mentions in conversation something about staying up past midnight.