Margarita time

Almost that Time! #Blogging Break Approaching and a Tip!

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Just a short note to let you know this will be my last post here until mid-March. As our winter escape to Mexico draws nearer, there are so many loose ends to tie up, not to mention – packing! As some of you who have read my little travel book, Have Bags, Will Travel, you can appreciate that getting ready to travel for me is a temporary full-time job, lol. First I pick all the things I want to take (just about everything except the kitchen sink) then I get out the old scales and start purging backwards what won’t fit in the weight allowance. It’s a science and an art I tell ya!

 

Don’t even get me started with the new Coronavirus .

There isn’t a mask left for sale in the city! We always wear masks when we travel without this new global threat, after contracting Influenza on the plane ride home from Arizona 4 years ago. I had one left in my carryon from last year’s trip and went on a mad hunt to no avail – until I tried my local independent pharmacy nearby where I have a good rapport with the owner, after scouting out several big pharmacies and Walmart. My friendly pharmacist told me he held back one box of surgical masks to sell them individually to those who were in desperate need of a mask – the sick and those traveling on airplanes. He generously sold me 4! No doubts I’ll have lots of travel stories to share upon my return!

This vacation is going to be a luxurious, well-needed busy getaway. We have lots of visitors coming and going to stay with us and many regular snowbird friends who rent in the same complex to socialize with. Plus, I’ve been checking out the real estate market in beautiful Puerto Vallarta where we are contemplating purchasing a condo for ourselves to possibly rent out and possibly even move to in the future, so I will undoubtedly be a busy bee having some look and sees and the lay of the land.

So for those of you who are used to seeing my gravatar around the blogosphere and social media, I won’t be doing my regular visits, but may pop by occasionally when time permits. I also won’t be posting here till I’m back settled because I don’t like to leave comments unanswered. So don’t forget me!

Before signing off here I’m going to leave you all with an important tip when taking out travel health insurance – Do your homework!!! If you’re traveling, never go away without travel health coverage, and never take the first quote!

If your country isn’t offering a good price, check into global travel health insurance companies, where you can search for your best rate. I learned this year how much the insurance company we’ve been using for years ‘exclusive’ members only from our bank was ripping us off – well my husband’s insurance for sure! It’s a fact once seniors turn 80 rates are considerably higher for travel insurance – especially with pre-existing conditions. I trusted my bank for too long. I went on a 2 day comparison search before insuring my husband and much to my delight, I found that our Canadian Blue Cross  gave a fair and just rate in my comparisons. How much of a difference? Are you sitting down? My bank wanted $2500.00 to insure my husband. Thank you Blue Cross. I have never been happier to fork over $720 FOR THE EXACT SAME COVERAGE!!! One third of the price!!! So don’t be fooled for ‘exclusively for you’ bullshit!

So take care everyone. Keep writing and stay safe as I plan on doing both. Adios!

 

©DGKaye

 

 

77 thoughts on “Almost that Time! #Blogging Break Approaching and a Tip!”

  2. Have a wonderful time on your well-deserved break, Debby – and take every opportunity to enjoy yourself. Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Thanks for the tip on travel insurance.

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  4. Hi Debby – can believe the tip … but it’s good to remember. Just enjoy your break – while that Pharmacist obviously gives you great service. Take care, have fun and have fun hunting out places to buy … happy times – cheers and I shall be thinking of you living life – Hilary

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  7. My unicorn buddy, I am wishing you both a wonderful time, safe travels and a beautiful, indulgent, peaceful break away from it all. Hugest hugs and ‘Bon Voyage’ with much ❤ ❤ ❤ You will never be forgotten and we'll be here awaiting your return. Xxxx ❤

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  11. Phew, glad I caught this as my first time in blogland for a while! Deb, I commented on your writing update post but don’t think my comment on your interview with Jane went through for some reason. I hope it’s there… Have a wonderful time, my friend, and I’ll be back to blogging when you get back so I really look forward to catching up with you regularly then. Happy, safe (and germ free!) travels and big hugs! 🙂 ❤ 🙂 xoxo

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    1. Thanks so much my Lovely. I did just see another of your comments and replied, but not the one for Jane :(. Thank you again Sher, see you on the flip side! ❤ xoxo

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  13. I hope you have the most amazing time Debby and great news on the travel insurance.. that will pay for a few margaritas….good luck with the condo searching… great idea and to be letting it out as well when you are not there. I am sure friends and family…. will be very interested. ♥♥

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    1. Thanks bunches Sal. Doesn’t hurt to check things out to learn the options! Like you, I’m getting quite sick of living under grey skies! I won’t be too far away! ❤ ❤

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  14. Have a wonderful time in Mexico! We’ll be here when you get back. 🙂 I laughed at your packing routine – sounds a lot like mine. 😀 Thanks for the tip about travel insurance! We have had a couple of crappy experiences in the past. Hasta la vista! 👋

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  17. Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – Monday 3rd February 2020 – #PoetryDonation Colleen M. Chesebro, #Mexico #TravelInsurance D.G. Kaye, #Profilephoto Scott McCormick | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

  19. Thanks for the heads up on Canadian Blue Cross. I usually go with CARP’s recommendations for travel health insurance when traveling to the USA and am now contemplating a summer with my daughter’s family in Norway so will certainly compare the two. I wish you good times in Mexico where my late husband and I spent 2 1/2 years 2004-2007 (in Chapala). Our fifth book is going to print soon and then I hope to work on the sixth – a memoir of our years in Mexico.

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting and well wishes. How fantastic for you writing the book of your experience there. May I ask why you came back? I know it was a different time of the world in 2004 and even Mexico was just warming up with their real estate development. 🙂

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  20. Enjoy the sunny warmth! I may soon return to blogging and writing after a long break for other essential tasks. Where we go this summer shouldn’t be a problem with the virus. Still, it’s good to have the insurance–travel and health! With the bucks involved, one can’t take a chance.

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  21. Have a great time, Debby! I can just picture you trying to slip by security with your bag 0.0001 pounds below the weight limit. 🤣🤣🤣

    I do have a couple of serious questions about travel insurance. I normally purchase it, but I think I can ever remember having to use it only once. They are obviously in the business to make money, and we don’t actually want to be in a situation where we need it, but it’s nice to know it’s there. 1. Do you know if travel insurance normally covers, for lack of a better term, “acts of God?” I know one of my buddies and his bride got off a cruise on their honeymoon because of a hurricane. 2. Have you ever had trouble getting your money back when you had to use travel insurance?

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    1. Hi Pete. Thanks for your well wishes. Loved that .0001 overweight, but sadly, it’s usually more like a pound or two overweight still LOL. And the thing about insurance – well you know Murphy’s Law – the one time you don’t take it . . .. The older you get the more it goes up since seniors are pretty much put in the higher risk categories. As far as acts of god go, be diligent in reading the fine print clauses or ask an agent on the phone. I should think your friend’s situation should have been covered by the ‘trip cancellation’ part. If you have that all you’d have to do is send the corresponding paper work of the incident. Thankfully, I’ve never used the insurance, but a few years ago I had to cancel our trip when my husband took very ill and the airlines told me our tickets would be good for one year. As it turned out, gratefully, my hub was on the mend within weeks and we rebooked the trip and took off a week later. 🙂

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  26. Enjoy and Soak up that glorious Sun Debby, relax and have fun.. Glad I was sat down when you told us that huge figure of Travel insurance.. I know when hubby turned Seventy three years ago just how much his insurance increased with preexistence conditions but it was nothing when you put at the side of your hubbies..
    Good thing your Pharmacy has good sense to keep a few masks back,
    Now I could have done with one lol… I got a stinking head cold that developed on Saturday afternoon, today is the first full day I have felt like doing anything.. And I know how easily germs spread on planes…
    We came back from Austria one year with someone behind us coughing and sneezing and we both ended up with a nasty flu two weeks later.. So you are doing the right thing.

    No worries about answering or visiting Debby… You will not be forgotten and I thank you so very much for your lovely support.. Now go on, get those cases sorted, weighed and shut tight….

    Happy Holidays!
    Much love your way ❤ ❤ ❤

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    1. Lol, thank you for your lovely send off Sue. Yes, I know all about those germs. When there’s a hacking cougher on the plane everyone is fair game on that plane to catch something. Arg, I used to love traveling – in a simpler time. I’ll do my best to stay guarded and masked off, lol. Lots to share when I return to blogging no doubts. Take care my friend. Stay in the light! ❤ oxox

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  30. Have fun on your blogging break (I’m sure you will!). I’m so excited for you and can’t believe the time has come already again for your annual trip down south. Enjoy those margaritas! Salud!!! Adios and we will be here when you come back. 🙂 Well done on the travel insurance as well!

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  34. Have fun on your well deserved vacay, Debby! I’m sure you’ll take good care of yourself and your hubby. Of course we could never forget you, my friend! Thanks for the traveler’s insurance toip––good to know. Bon Voyage! ❤ xo

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  35. Have a wonderful holiday, Deb. Such a great time to get away. Leave the winter behind. Enjoy the sun and margaritas!! Good job on the health insurance research. You will be sorely missed in the blogosphere but I will look forward to seeing you in March! xx

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    1. Aw shucks Lis, You are good for the soul! Thanks for the well wishes. Not one full day has past yet and I already have crazy travel stories, lol. Stay tuned! LOL ❤

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  36. Wow, that’s one hell of a difference for insurance! I always shop around there days as it’s quite extraordinary how much the same cover costs with different companies for everything.
    Have a great break and see you on the flip side ❤️

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  38. Hi Debby

    I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday in the winter sun! I love your packing plan and how ‘It’s a science and an art’ which you’ve mastered through experience! How exciting to be looking at condos … would this be permanent move there or for extended holidays? A great reminder about health insurance and you do right to look around for the best deals. We are needing this now the UK has left the EU and managed to get a great year-round one for my son this month! Reckon mine will cost a lot more though! Enjoy your break and all the visits from friends … sounds heavenly. hugs, Annika (from a very cold and grey England!)

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    1. Hi Annika. Thanks for all the well wishes. I know well about those constant grey skies. I’m taking in all the sun I can to compensate, lol. Yes, healthcare is something we all have to take into consideration with traveling. Arg, I do hope you guys get your country all sorted now with the big split. The world seems on its axis right now everywhere. We’re going to have a look around later this week. Might just be a discovery trip, but who knows right now! Stay tuned! ❤

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