Milestones

 

My gift from Delta arrived recently.  I reached this milestone on the return flight from Thailand in September.  Along with a really nice note and $250 gift card was a choice of 3 gifts.  I chose a monogramed leather carry on back pack.  Was very surprised to see the retail value of it is $650!  It is not something I would have purchased but it will be gratefully cherished and used.   

As previously mentioned, there can be extra steps to take when entering countries, documents to upload, apps to use etc.  It's a happy day when approvals and QR codes are received, especially when you are dealing with a developing country and if it occurs prior to a trip.  The feeling is like winning a lottery!

One such example is the PeduliLindungi app, required for entry to Indonesia (the trip I cancelled due to my foot injury).  It took 6 weeks to get my vaccination record approved and uploaded to the app -- A week after what would have been my return date.  

In reality, you don't have to submit it online as they just want to see you have app installed.  It just saves a step/line on arrival (app check, vaccination check, visa on arrival purchase, passport control) as I had read about how long things were taking at the airport.  Especially when my flight was going to arrive at midnight and I still had a stop to get a SIM card installed.

I swear I must have opened that app 3 or 4 times just to make sure I wasn't imagining things.  So I'm good for when I have a chance to reschedule the stay yet again.  This trip was to use up vouchers from a few years ago.

October

 I cancelled my last trip as my foot was still too sore to walk on, much less have any hope of taking surf lessons.  When I reached the 6 week post injury mark, I started more aggressive rehab and am doing much better.  Ski/snowshoe/snowboard season is approaching and I want to be able to participate fully.  The timing window of the 10 -12 weeks physio post healing period is crucial.  

D's dad opted to take a vacation post knee replacement instead of completing the full rehab.  His parents clung to their MD's words of "you can travel" meaning there isn't a medical reason they cannot travel vs. how the physio would answer that question with respect to the proper timing and long term recovery.  He continues to suffer pain and decreased function, at times worse than pre-surgery; which is a shame, as the procedure was without complications.  Trying to regain function at a later time is an uphill battle and he isn't going to do it.

I still have lingering issues with my right shoulder having landed on it during a snowboarding lesson, when I try to do a maximum overhead reach.  Still working on it as I'm not lettting it go without a fight.  Every degree of range of motion is important people.

Can't believe how quickly this year is moving along.  Am mentally back to planning 10 months ahead again.  There's some friction with that as there isn't a need to do it like that anymore but that habit is habituated.  Found that emotionally, I am not wanting to decide quickly.  There have been a few instances where I jumped at an opportunity but this not deciding until a month to 24 hrs out is unfamiliar.  It's stumped D as he has only known the "other" me.  I'm finding it amusing observing myself being like that.  Not feeling rushed or rushing myself is a nice feeling.

HKT -- Phuket Thailand

I couldn't remember the last time I felt as relaxed as I was here in Kata beach.

Despite hurting my foot during a surf lesson, my memories of this stay --

 Surf competition, seafood restaurants, delicious food -- are strong.

Am 3 for 3 so far this year with finding new to me incredible locations.

Here's to continued curiosity and experiencing new places and things.