Ko Olina Marina, Ko Olina HI, 17-MAR-2020 — Yesterday an official announced that in San Francisco and seven surrounding counties all non-essential businesses would close and everyone was to remain in their homes.
Before we left for the airport we learned the Visa Office would abide by the rule and would also close.
Delta kindly credited us for the fare with no fees.
It is also unclear whether we would be able to land in French Polynesia or anywhere else.
Caro Babbo is safe in her slip and can stay here another year, if need be.
I’m continuing projects while we decide what we’ll do next.
Tourism is down here in Oahu, but with only a handful of cases life continues pretty much as usual, though the mall is less crowded, and I think the apple store has closed.
How are things there?
Quiet. Working from home. From my window I see a huge number of FedEx and amazon trucks driving around. Havent hit the point of going stir crazy yet – that will happen in the next few weeks.
We just read that Amazon is adding 100,000 temp employee now that everyone shops that way.
We may head to Fanning Island, which is a three week trip and see where the world is when we return.
Lot’s of open decisions to make.
It’s a shame you can’t get back to the mainland. This virus is sure reeking havoc on the US. Worst thing I have witnessed in my life time. Safe travels what ever you’ll decide.
I suspect we’re safer here. There is a center in Atlanta that we may try for. The Visa office was supposed to contact us directly, but I suspect the blanket email ‘‘we’re closed until further notice,’’ will be all we will get.
We are leaving tomorrow to drive home from Florida. We are actually quite isolated here on the Panhandle, but since the Canadian Government announced on March 13th that Canadians should not travel, my health insurance company has said that after the 23rd I am no longer covered for out of country health insurance.
So now we make the mad dash to get home.
We are more likely to encounter the virus on our 3 day drive north……and then we have to self isolate for 14 days.
We have also had to make sure we have enough food to feed ourselves and the dogs as we travel in case of closures of restaurants.
Thankfully, my daughter and our neighbour who minds the house while we are away, have made sure we have food at home for 2 weeks at least.
I am looking forward to a 14 day quilt retreat at home, lol !!
I think you will find drive through restaurants open. In seattle, or so we read, sit down places are doing gangbuster business as drive throughs… who knew.
Did you intend quilt retreat?
Have a safe drive, be careful and enjoy the roads empty except for fellow canadians heading home. I do need to tell this to my Canadian friends her in the marina with me.
Yes, quilting at home for 14 days, lol !
Trudeau has closed the borders to International travel except for Americans, and for Canadians returning home.
Ontario has declared a state of emergency which means schools, non essential businesses, etc. are now closed with many working from home. Only take out at restaurants. Many event cancellations and closures. Other provinces are following suit.
The recommendation to Canadians is to get home as soon as possible as most insurance companies are planning to cancel travel insurance until the worst is past.
The situation seems to be bringing out the best in many people, but it is also creating much stress for those who are not in a healthy financial situation.
Quick update, the Canadian border is now closed to non essential travellers to keep the supply chain open between the US and Canada. Canadians coming home from abroad will be allowed to cross back into Canada but must self isolate for 14 days.
Let us know when you arrive home.
Have waited until today for Emirates to tell us they’re cancelling all flights – we were booked for next Monday but hadn’t expected that it would happen and UK seems as bad as anywhere. A berth holder at Conyer there, where our boat is, has died and the yard is shut. So, as you know, is France (and Australia, for that matter) so no canals, and we’ll be looking for a Plan B to occupy us for an indefinite time!
Take care.
The marina here will start to fill as Pacific Ocean sailors arrive after being refused entry at French Polynesia and other countries. I’ll try to write about this.
We’re staying put, but will most likely head north to Alaska and then home to Seattle across the summer and early fall. We generally don’t leave the marina. But will eventually need to go for groceries.
Stay Safe, Peter.