My Thoughts on Traveling

For over 40 years in multiple roles in the travel industry, photographing and writing, I have had the privilege of visiting many interesting and stunningly beautiful countries, as well as a few war zones and other disaster areas. As of last count that is somewhere over 90 countries. I have had the good fortune of interacting with Israeli soldiers along the Suez Canal, young children training to become Monks in the amazing Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan and listening to the opinions of Chilean, Argentinian and British soldiers over the conflict in the Falkland Islands. I was amazed at how much the people in Vietnam liked Americans because of all the economic help our country has given them since the end of the horrendous war. I was the first to land on the island of Tenerife in a two-seater plane after the world’s first collision between two 747 Jumbo jets from KLM and PanAm and was thrilled to sit in the co-pilot seat of a British Airways supersonic Concorde. As a result of my experiences, I am used to people asking my opinion on anything and everything to do with travel. However, over the last two years people only want to know if they still can or should travel. And my answer is yes if the conditions at your destination are within your comfort level.

Back in February of 2020 my wife and I visited with retired colleagues in Majorca, Spain and in Austria, we visited the Austrian/English godparents of our two sons. On our return home out of Munich Airport we noticed an inordinate number of people sneezing and coughing, yet in discussion with a small group of businessmen standing behind us, none of us really gave it much thought although we were all aware of some new virus going around. But over the years there had been many warnings for outbreaks of Zika, Marburg, Swine Flu, Ebola, SARS, so the magnitude of this new Covid-19 hadn’t yet been recognized. A few days after we arrived home, we both felt miserable but thought it was just a bad cold      

The warnings for a new contagious virus were out there, but we had heard it all before. But relatively soon everything was back to normal. Your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps the first Covid-19 cases? 

After Asia, Europe got hit hard and the rest of the world soon followed suit. No one seemed to have a solution of what to do and what not to do. So called “experts” tried different approaches with mixed results and that has not changed. I believe that the positive sides of vaccinations outweigh the bad possibilities. Personally, I did change my mind from earlier on and feel that in close encounters a mask makes a difference and protects me, but I have been told numerous times that might just be an illusion and perhaps we only protect other people. Our highest placed government health officials have been changing their minds back and forth while collecting enormous salaries to do so. The confusion is as rampant as the virus.

For the first time I did not travel internationally for work, or pleasure during the remainder of 2020. However, that summer, we traveled in the United States by car, and it was wonderful. No traffic, no hassle and people were happy to see us and in general were friendlier than in years past (story in November 20 Coastal Breeze News). 

Almost a year later, we flew to northern Maine for our annual sojourn to the International Ice Fishing Derby. We saw no reason to forego the event. Especially, if you have access to a nice open fireplace and a good drink at the same time (story Coastal Breeze New Jan 29, 2021). We flew Delta with more crew than passengers and I took that stark photo of a completely empty concourse C in Detroit, normally one of the busiest hubs of the airport. That has certainly changed as people have had enough of Covid, plus the Delta and Omicron variants and decided to travel wherever they could no matter what. In 2020 Delta Airlines received my praise as the first major airline to address the issue at hand. Cleaner airplanes, staff taught to welcome their passengers and leaving the middle seats free for a long period of time. Thank you, CEO Ed Bastian. I still remember the time when he personally signed individual response letters to customers about complaints, or compliments. “Taking care of our people,” is his motto. I quote: “If you take care of your people, they take care of your customers, whose business and loyalty allows you to reward your investors.” Ed, you still have my support as a frequent Delta flyer. Service is now better than it was in 2019.

Over the last holidays the airlines have not made themselves popular and that includes Delta. But in all honesty, if our government does not give clear instructions and doesn’t know what to do, how can we blame anyone when they get hit by Covid-19 and that includes the airlines. We deal with continuing changes combatting a virus and new variations. 

A year later, we departed on our winter trip to Maine again, albeit on full planes during the holidays and enjoying a beautiful snowstorm from the comfort of our cozy cottage nestled into the forest and looking out over the lake. At this time, the only visible sign of life outside is a pair of moose! However, totally unexpected is the astounding increase in Covid cases. Last winter at this time, Maine had the lowest percentages of the Corona virus in the world. Now the figures are frightening with over a 400% increase last week (according to Weather Channel data). That is much more than anywhere else on earth. Jill and I have isolated surrounded by pristine snow since she tested positive a week ago. Luckily, symptoms are similar to a minor cold.

In all honesty if I would have realized how those percentages would rise so rapidly, we would have cancelled the trip. Last month we were back in Guatemala despite warnings from our government not to travel there and witnessed an impressive organization of checking for virus on people without a minimum of intrusion. As a result, Guatemalans seemed happy to be out and nobody protested. Instead, they enjoyed themselves within the restrictions of taking temperatures, masking, and stepping on disinfectant mats solutions at every shop and restaurant.

I am sorry I am not able to give you the answers you want and only my opinion. It is your decision to stay at home, or travel and go out. If you are vaccinated it seems that in most cases the Omicron variation of the virus is more of a nuisance than a serious threat. The risk is still there, but it will not stop us from living our lives! We said the same about terrorism after 9/11! But be sure you check on all requirements and last-minute changes before you go. Happy travels!

Ewout Rijk de Vries and his wife, Jill brought America Travel Arrangements to Marco Island almost 40 years ago. They specialize on high end small adventure tours and small safari groups for clientele all over the world, but also are experts on high end cruises with the help of longtime assistant and friend, Michelle Wegman. In combination with his writing and photography, Ewout has visited over 90 countries.