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.