Those of us looking down the barrel of 80, and who have already cruised and flown near everywhere, are now forced to reconsider our future. Firstly, after 80, travel insurance becomes punishing, and that alone is a massive deterrant. And yes, we have incurred some medical issues along lifes road, and these are now returning to bite us in higher premiums and numerous exclusions. As well, with the cruise ship industry having been clearly shown up as being more concerned with income than passenger safety - we won't be going back there. (17 cruises x 6 companies in 22 years). We recognise that long distance airline travel is becoming more comfortable, and is safe enough - but negotiating huge airports has become quite a difficult event for us. Too much walking gate-to-gate, a rugby scrum at every security checkpoint, and terrible food facilities. Business lounges have fallen to new lows too. What we once thought nothing of enduring - at our age, we just don't want to do it anymore.
Where to now? Well, fly the RV to more distant Aussie locations, drive to the many Aussie locations we've never considered, and do a bit more intra-state travel for weekends. Doing our bit to keep some of the $68b that Aussies used to spend on overseas travel - here in Aussie.
happy days,