TLCOhio

For our service to Celebrate Easter, below are two pictures from this morning featuring a cross with daffodils placed individually by congregation members on the wooden structure at the front of the sanctuary. The daffodils came from our yard areas. In the Spring, we have about 10K+ dafs, etc., that come up. Beautiful, perfect sunny Spring day here in Columbus. Like?? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Our minister this am did not mention sharks or the Jaws movie. Nor, did we have your excellent beach sunrise setting. Ours was a more traditional service to Celebrate Easter. Here are two pictures from at our service this morning featuring a cross with daffodils placed individually by congregation members on the cross at the front of the sanctuary. The daffodils came from our yard areas. In the Spring, we have about 10K+ dafs, etc., that come up. Beautiful, perfect sunny Spring day here in Columbus. Like?? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Here is another potentially key "tip" to consider before you travel to Istanbul or Turkey. Rugs?? Are such "oriental carpets" of interest for your home? There are lots of places to make such purchases and they can be shipped home. Below shows my wife and Lale at a shop where we purchased two different carpets now used and seen in our home every day. Why did we buy two? My wife and I could not agree in the showroom as to which color/shade would work best in guest suite. KEY INSIGHT?: Plan ahead and do some measurements for where you might be wanting such a carpet. Also, bring along some color samples and/or cell phone pix's for the nearby colors, fabrics, etc. The good news in these carpet sales site is that their selections and options are vast and wide-ranging. If serious, you need to "be prepared" and have thought about what you really need and want. From doing some carpet sales stops in going along the Turkish Coast, things can get very "pushy" and pressured. At one stop, a guide we had been super excellent, but turned 180 degrees. When at this carpet location, she got super saleslady-type in trying to push for people to buy, buy, buy!! We were at Punto of Istanbul for our carpets. You can check out their interesting website at: http://www.puntocarpet.com THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Early 2020, many visuals and details from New Zealand/South Pacific in going from Auckland to French Polynesia. This includes Bora Bora, Fiji, NZ experiences, etc: Live/blog; https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2735732-live-terryohio-“new”-regatta-south-pacificnz-pix’s/

Appreciate the nice follow-up from super Med historic expert cruisemom42. Must be that what was shared is accurate and up-to-date. Her expertise in this region is excellent. From Lale's husband, Kagan, here are some more items of Istanbul information that might be helpful to share: * Covid: is not an issue anymore. However, to be on the safe side, we prefer to suggest hotels having Safe Tourism Certificate. This is important especially for our guests staying at cave rooms of Cappadocia hotels. * Restoration work at Treasury Section of Topkapi Palace is not over yet. Some of the unique items of the Treasury are displayed in different sections of the Palace. * Chora Church was converted to be a mosque and is not open for visits due to restoration work. * Istanbul has a new wonderful port. It is not a port only but more like an open air shopping mall, with lots of restaurants, cafes and pubs. The good thing is: it is a place where locals get social, too. FOR VISAS: * Same games are being played again...Cruise ship passengers spending the nights over on board the ships do not need Turkish Visa. If your cruise starts from Istanbul or ends in Istanbul, then, you need a visa. In other words; if you fly to Istanbul and board a ship, you need a visa. If you fly to Istanbul and spend a few nights at a hotel, then board a ship, you need a visa. If you arrive Istanbul on board a cruise ship and do city tours but spend the nights over on board the ship, you do not need a visa. Appreciate this added background from a "top source" in Istanbul. If any added, special questions, I can try to research and check more. Hope this is all of benefit. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Summer 2019 Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc. Many visuals and details from our first in these scenic areas! Live/blog: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

How could your wife, who knows you best, come to that conclusion???? All of us are different with our own "special qualities"!! Maybe? Hopefully? Look forward to your sharing and interesting perspectives. That is what the "Cooler" is all about. In a respectful, focused manner. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Yes! Yes!! Glad that Misty and her wonderful funnies are back. Agree on "Happy Easter to all! " It looks like Spring is here in Central Ohio for certain. Below is what AccuWeather projects for us during the upcoming period. Lots of sunshine and nice temperatures. Hopefully for others, you will not have to worry about more cold temperatures, snow and ice. Bye, bye Winter!! Almost as good as being in Florida? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From the Wall Street Journal late last month, they had this headline: “Booze on a Cruise Now Costs More for Travelers" with this sub-headline: "All-inclusive packages that include alcoholic beverages are a major enticement for some cruise aficionados.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Boozy drink packages are a big reason passengers choose to book a cruise. They are also starting to cost a lot more. Cruises blame the rising price of all-inclusive drink packages over the past year on high inflation. The companies say cruise demand among travelers is very high, and lines have added capacity compared with 2019. But the industry is still recovering from the pandemic shutdown.” For sailing with Silversea, the drinks are included. Kind makes it easier for us, right? Here are some more specifics from this article: "Norwegian Cruise Line recently hiked prices for two of the drink packages available on sailings by $10. The line’s Premium Plus beverage package, which has fewer limits on what guests can order, now costs $138 a person per day. Last year, Carnival Cruise Line increased the price of its Cheers! drinks package by $8 to nearly $60 a person per day, if booked in advance. " WOW!! $138 pp per day starts to add up to "REAL MONEY"!! I doubt "inflation" is really driving up the beer and booze prices that much. Most, in my view, is about the major cruise lines trying to make some added profits to pay down their huge debts rolled up during the Covid shut-downs. Full story at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cruises-drink-packages-msc-carnival-norwegian-dd0d97c5 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Summer 2019 Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc. Many visuals and details from our first in these scenic areas! Live/blog: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

From my follow-up earlier today to Lale in Istanbul, her skilled husband provided a nice summary of important background and helpful updates. Here are a few key aspects that he shared with me: * Old City is closed for city traffic. Doing classical Old City tours, we simply use trams. * Still hurts to say - last year, Hagia Sophia was converted to be a mosque. Since it is not a museum anymore, our tour guiding licenses do not give us any privileges. Lines are hopeless. Upper floor is not open for visits anymore... most of the Byzantine mosaics are covered. So, getting into Hagia Sophia today is just like getting into a second mosque! * Restoration of Blue Mosque is nearly over... expected to be opened by the end of April. * Restoration work at Basilica Cistern is over. They did a wonderful job - worths a second visit. * Due to long lasting pandemic years, that gorgeous ritual of Galata Mevlevihanesi (whirling derwish performance) is broken now... such a great loss for Istanbul. * Restoration work at Galata Tower is over now. More open space... they did a great job. Have more to share. But these items posted are very interesting. Some change there is good. Others items not as positive and perfect compared to when we visited Istanbul in 2006. Their business is doing well and they are keeping very busy. They have been spotlighted by Rick Steves and that has helped to attract folks to contact them. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 21,751 views. Connect at: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

When we visited Abu Dhabi in 2018, we had lunch at this lavish Palace Hotel. Now there have been changes, apparently to make it even better. From the London/UK Daily Mail yesterday morning by Andrew Harris, they had this headline: “Bling on Abu Dhabi! The Emirates Palace hotel has changed hands and is even more ritzy than before” with these highlights: “Inaugurated in 2005 on land half the size of Monaco, at $3 billion it was the third costliest hotel construction in the world. First impressions are of a Gulf Grand Hotel, but it’s more than that. It sits on nearly a mile of private beach created from imported white sand (proving you can actually sell sand to the Arabs), though there’s hardly anyone in the sea, and it doesn’t feel like a beach resort, either.” Here is more from their reporting: "Inside, the 240ft-high central dome is one of the largest internal spaces in the world. With selfie-snapping tourists squeaking excitedly around its polished stone floor, it’s less a reception space and more as though St Peter’s Basilica in Rome has suddenly embraced the hospitality industry." Yes, this is a spectacular location. Not your average Holiday Inn or Marriott. Full story at: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-11940913/Bling-Abu-Dhabi-Emirates-Palace-hotel-changed-hands-ritzy-before.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal. Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 31,879 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

YES, tasty and moist fruit cake sounds wonderful. Even though many like to trash the idea of fruit cake, it is very enjoyable for me. My wife's late mother had an old Welsh recipe and would make one, soaked in wine, around Christmas time in the "Good Old Days". Let's see some pictures and nice to see Jeff posting here. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Appreciate this great comment and a very good follow-up question. That guide, Lale Kosagan, appears to be still active, doing tours, etc. Their website is www.toursinistanbul.com Their two main e-mails are: kosagan@yahoo.com and kosagan@hotmail.com. Below is picture of Lale talking with my wife during lunch at a super scenic location. Istanbul is a city where you can do much on your own, BUT, being with someone who knows the "logistics" and can explain the background for all of the history that is there makes a huge, positive difference. We love having "conversations" with private guides as it is such a great "learning" experience to best understand what we are seeing and why it is of importance/significance. Keep the great questions coming. Happy to share more. Plus, others with Istanbul experiences, don't be shy. Love to gain more updates and insights. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal. Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 31,879 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

From the New York Times Travel Section this weekend, they will have this headline: “36 Hours Tokyo” by Motoko Rich, and images by Andrew Faulk, with these highlights: “For two-and-a-half years, pandemic border controls kept international travelers out of Tokyo, leaving its neon shopping precincts and most popular temples and shrines to the locals. Now, with foreign tourists welcomed back since October, those willing to explore beyond highly trafficked neighborhoods like Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku and wander down side streets in places like Setagaya or Koto will be richly rewarded with offbeat boutiques, cafes or surprising oases of natural beauty. Think of Tokyo as a warren of concealed gems, where you can drink at an artisanal bar tucked up in a small office or apartment building or taste exquisite sushi in a basement at the end of a dark street.” This detailed profile has a wide range of tips, options and potentials, including about eestaurants and bars, shopping and markets, outdoor activities and cultural attractions, where to stay and for getting around. Here is an example for one tip: "Head back into the urban fray of Ginza, Tokyo’s original luxury retail district, where you can gawk at the Issey Miyake showroom or peruse designer brands like Commes des Garcons, A Bathing Ape, Supreme and Kolor at the Dover Street Market. For far more affordable (and edible) designs, visit Ginza Akebono, a traditional Japanese confectionery shop that dates back to 1948 when Tokyo was recovering from the devastation of the war." In February 2024, we are planning for a Mumbai to Singapore, 18-day cruise. In going back home from Singapore, our best flight options with American Airlines Frequent Flyer miles would involve going through Tokyo's HND airport. We are looking at spending a day or two in Tokyo. First time for India, Singapore, Japan, etc. What other tips, suggestions, etc., can experienced Tokyo visitors share in reaction to this NY Times story? Appreciate any and all ideas and insights!! Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/04/06/travel/things-to-do-tokyo.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 242,700 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

Due to Good Friday, the U.S. major stock markets are closed tomorrow. Below is the update for this past week's trading. From the Wall Street Journal late this afternoon, you can see a generally downward slide for the four trading days this week. Kind of a "turn-around", not in a good way, from the previous week? Are folks concerned about the economy, a potential recession, higher fuel prices, etc.? Other factors involved? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal. Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 31,879 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580 From the Wall Street Journal, here are the stock charts for the three major cruise lines for the most recent five trading days.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Since the first of January 2023, here has been the pattern for Royal Caribbean. Kind of rocky? Started in early January at $48.71 a share. Peaked in mid February at $75.75. Then, RCL has been somewhat sliding downward since early March.:

Appreciate these very good comments and follow-ups. Yes, the "Bean Counters" are busy at the cruise lines, including dealing with rising fuel costs. Not easy to be such a person counting "beans"!! From the Wall Street Journal this morning, they had this headline: “World’s Busiest Airports: Atlanta Once Again Tops the List" with this sub-headline: "Global travel is bouncing back but remains below prepandemic levels.” Here are a couple of their reporting highlights: “Like most other major airports, Atlanta still hasn’t fully bounced back from the pandemic, when air travel slowed sharply after lockdown restrictions were imposed. The number of passengers who passed through Atlanta in 2022 was 15% less than in 2019, according to ACI World. Atlanta has been the busiest airport for two straight years and three of the past four; in 2020 it was the second-busiest behind Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in southern China. The number of global travelers increased to nearly 7 billion in 2022, a 54% increase from the prior year, according to ACI World. But 2022 figures came in about 26% less than 2019.” Travel worldwide is recovering, but there is still some distance to travel before it all, including of the cruise lines, is back to pre-Covid "normal". Right or wrong? Full story at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-worlds-busiest-airports-atlanta-once-again-tops-the-list-bb19be24?mod=hp_lead_pos11 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 21,751 views. Connect at: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/ From the Wall Street Journal, here is their chart for the top ten most busy airports for 2022.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!)

Continue to enjoy your great progress and pictures. Below is a map showing your current location with your ship circled in red. Connecting with Edward? Have you a chance to talk with your waiter who might have been the same one we met at the Royal Livingston in Zambia in early 2016? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Sorry about those dealing with snow and cold. Here in Central Ohio, we are doing fairly well. Need proof? Below is our forecast today from AccuWeather, It now at 9 am is 71F. On the way to a high in the low 80'sF. Plus some examples for our Spring daffodils. Looking like Spring is here for us? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From AccuWeather for Columbus, below is our forecast today. PLUS, an example of the many, many daffodils that have been coming up, UP at our home. Spring seems to be here in this part of Ohio!!: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

Sorry, my memory is kind of foggy to go back that far. Not sure if we had a reservation or not. We dined outside. If you can make a reservation, it is good to do that. Glad you are researching and planning ahead. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From the New York Times Travel Section late last month, they had this headline: “36 Hours Johannesburg” with these highlights: “For too long, Johannesburg was a victim of its own reputation for violent crime, with citizens retreating behind high walls and socializing in shopping malls. A culture shift — partly spurred by the city’s strict pandemic lockdowns — has many Joburgers rediscovering the outdoors and the city’s Goldilocks weather (not too hot, not too cold) to dine and dance under the open sky. Over a weekend in this modern, contradictory city, wander through changing neighborhoods that are embracing galleries and sidewalk cafes, pull up a plastic chair at a market for unfussy barbecue, or sing along at a theater with a rich history of protest performance. And no longer the no-go area for tourists, as it was during the apartheid era, Soweto is a testament to Black South Africa’s contemporary creativity and unbridled joy. Take a turn, or as South Africans say, a 'short left,' and be rewarded in Joburg.” If doing a cruise in or around South Africa, you might be flying into Johannesburg and/or traveling around nearby. Should you send time in Johannesburg? When we did our Cape Town exploring, plus cruising in this region, we traveled through Johannesburg and stayed there one night in going up to Botswana. Time and budget was limited, so we did not get to explore that town/area. Full details below in my live/blog. In this detailed profile, a number of restaurants and bars, galleries, markets, shopping, attractions and historical sites are outlined. Many options to consider!! If and if?? Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/03/23/travel/things-to-do-johannesburg.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 53,903 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Great follow-up from highplanesdrifters! I was not that familiar with that writer/analyst. When I look him up, he was described as Dr. Doom. Rather negative. Sometimes that works out correctly. Other times, not so. What for our current economic future path? From the Wall Street Journal this morning, their lead story had this headline: “Oil Prices Jump on Saudi-Led Output Cut.” Will this cause unhappy worries for cruise line executives as oil prices go up?? Did they hedge those future fuel prices? Among the WSJ story highlights: “Oil prices rose sharply after leading members of the OPEC cartel said they would cut production, a surprise move that stands to boost gasoline bills and inflation in the West. The jump extends a spell of volatility for oil prices. It also adds another complication for central bankers, who are trying to gauge the direction of the economy and inflation. The cuts will mean the world consumes significantly more oil than it produces in the second half of the year, winnowing down stockpiles and boosting prices, said Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy at ING Groep.” This week in Central Ohio, we saw gasoline prices at the pump jump about twenty cents per gallon. Does this impact "consumer confidence" as folks consider future spending and possible travel plans/hopes? Here is more from their story reporting: "Oil prices had fallen in recent weeks, after the collapse of several banks appeared to hasten the onset of a recession in the U.S. They then rallied last week following the closure of a major pipeline in Iraq and Turkey." Full story at: https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-news-today-04-03-2023/card/oil-prices-surge-on-opec-output-cut-ixWHVVJS9a9itb2dOoAb THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast on the Silver Spirit. Now at 33,307 views. Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

Just checked in my photo file and found another picture of him with my wife from early 2016. I zoomed closer and saw that his name was Edward. Look forward to hearing more as to this interesting and potential Zambia-Silversea connection. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

WOW!! What a small, amazing world it would be if he is the same waiter we experienced in Zambia. You'll have to show him this picture and ask. We were there in early 2016 at Royal Livingstone Hotel. He was very nice and wonderful in talking with him. Glad that he is liking Silversea. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

As promised for J.P. and Chris, I have more to consider for Victoria Falls and Botswana. Below are some visuals regarding Victoria Falls and nearby. We stayed at the Zambezi Sun Resort that is close and very handy to the falls. It is now called the AVANI Victoria Falls Resort. The more "classic" and costly Royal Livingstone was next door. Had drinks and dinner there to experience their spectacular setting/atmosphere without the bigger price tag. It is only a ten-minute walk between those two locations. A shuttle also operates between the hotels at regular intervals during the day We did an African Queen/Princess sunset cruise in going upstream along the Zambezi River that was super wonderful with all of the wildlife, birds, etc., that we enjoyed. See more below as proof. The high season here is considered from February to June. At certain times of the year, the water flow is much, much less and you might miss the "drama" for experiencing these falls at their peak, best water flow. Check your timing!!! There are helicopter flights over the falls, but on many days the mist from the falls obstructs the views from above. Plus, on the ground, hearing those chopper above was rather irritating. From my notes, Victoria Falls is considered one of the most spectacular plunges and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The 1.2 mile-wide Zambezi River drops more than 328 feet into this narrow and steeply-walled gorge. At the peak times, there are 130 million gallons of water a minute thundering over these falls into the Batoka Gorge. Need more? Added questions? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Venice: Loving It & Why??!! Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 102,139 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226 Here is one of my visuals from being at Victoria Falls. Even have a rainbow bonus showing for you. Lots of moisture in the air and it damaged my camera. Be careful!: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Here are two of many highlights from doing a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Like the "big mouth" displayed by this hippo? We saw lots of them during this sailing, plus a great sunset as shown below. Just saying the word "Zambezi" is exotic and exciting. It was!!: Here was our friendly waiter at the Royal Livingstone Hotel where we had drinks and then dinner. Much more affordable to visit and dine here than staying in their pricy but very nice accommodations.:

Great updating by you and jollyjones about the Internet speed questions and challenges. Good to use that www.speedtest.net website. Clearly things are better, but hopefully the speed and quality will improve much MORE for the future. Love the additional pictures from Morocco!! Have not visited there, but it looks historic, interesting and fascinating. Keep up the excellent sharing. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From CBS-TV News' "Sunday Morning" program today, they had this headline: “Attending a masquerade ball in fairy-tale Venice” with these highlights: “The opulence of a masked ball in the Italian city of Venice during Carnival must be seen to be believed. Correspondent Seth Doane joins revelers, including a couple who traveled from Florida to attend a lavish costume party, 'Il Ballo del Doge'; and talks with designer Antonia Sautter, who has created ever-more extravagant costumes for this Venetian tradition dating back centuries.” Yes, it is lavish and costly for such participation. See some visual highlights below. But, very interesting and hardly boring and bland. Check out this visual story that centers around the traditions of Venice. Unique and different!!! For my wife and me, this does build up excitement for going back to Venice and re-visiting this great city. Full story at: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/attending-a-masquerade-ball-in-fairy-tale-venice/#x THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Summer 2019 Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc. Many visuals and details from our first in these scenic areas! Live/blog: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/ From CBS-TV News this morning, here are some of their visual highlights for their segment about the costume balls in historic Venice.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

Yes, Botswana is awesome!! As detailed in the live/blog below, we did three different Belmond camps in Botswana. You fly between the camps and getting those "logistic" correct and seamless if vital. Prior to Botswana, we did Victoria Falls, etc. Amazing, too! From friends who have been to Namibia, it is nice, but more only about the landscapes. In Botswana, it is all about the wonderful range of animals and that they are managing these areas well to avoid too much of the "mass tourism" with the excessive crowds, etc., that can marginalize the desired experience. From our former Columbus Zoo director here, who has visited Africa more than twenty five times, he rates Botswana as the "Best of the Best"! Will share and explain more later. Getting ready to head out to dinner now and can share more specifics and background later. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 53,903 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337