Time to try again...

Throughout this pandemic we have been quite patient and reasonably content. Residing in small towns, with easy access to outdoor recreation, has made the restricted life more enjoyable than it might otherwise have been.  But time is passing... much too quickly.  We have decided that it is once again time travel!

Who would want to escape this?

 

 

Really, it's a great snow year, but we prefer warmer weather.

We have made plans and we are ready depart on a new adventure in just over a week.   When we started researching and booking this trip the covid situation looked pretty stable. Since then, the Omicron variant has created some additional uncertainties.  Never the less, our plans are still on track, but the track is a bit wobbly. We could fall off it at any time.

Our travel plans (the air portion) will take us from Cranbrook to Funchal, Madeira, via Calgary, Toronto, the Azores and then Madeira.  Departing Cranbrook on the evening of January 12 and arriving in Madeira late morning on January 14th.  In order for this plan to come to fruition we have to organize a covid test, test negative within 48 hours of departure and hope that the airlines don't cancel / change our flights. Madeira entry requirements could change. There is a rumour that an increase restrictions may be coming.

At this point, one is able to enter Madeira without a vaccine or a covid test but without these there is a requirement to quarantine and submit to a covid test on arrival, at your expense. Also activities are limited to both tourists and residents.  To enter most stores or a restaurant, a proof of vaccine or a negative covid test taken with the preceding week, is required.

Our plan is to stay in Madeira for 4 weeks. We have a 2 bedroom condo rented on the outskirts of Funchal, close to the ocean. Then we are flying to Malaga for another 2 months in our regular rented house in Olvera.  

I'll up date this when we get on our way... or not.

 Update January 13, 1830  Cranbrook Airport

So far so good.  

We got our covid antigen tests this morning at the Kaslo Pharmacy. We purchased the tests a week ago and they were administered in the presence of the pharmacist. He then provided us with documented status of our negative results. Then we jumped in the car and headed for the 1130 ferry . After arriving in Cranbook, we parked the car at a friends place and arrived at the airport 2 1/2 hours before departure. 

We are now in the boarding room, along with the other 8 passengers, waiting for the plane to depart.

One of the frustrating activities, during the planning phase, is the search for straight forward information on the covid related restriction at your destination.  The best site that I found is the IATA travel center web site.  https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/    This was the only site that I found that allows one to enter some personal data, as well as departure point and destination and it then tells you if you have the necessary documents and/or what else is needed.  

We are hoping to get a good nights sleep tonight at the Radisson Park Inn before catching the Calgary - Toronto flight tomorrow afternoon.