situational awareness and needful information…

A couple of good points, an interesting read, and in the “not surprised at all” department…

For the last 35 years or so, there’s always been a copy of Jimmy Cornell’s “World Cruising Routes” on the bookshelf. More importantly, it’s a book that gets used all the time along with “World Cruising Destinations”. Truth is, I can’t imagine cruising without either of these books.

What can I say but good information on where you’re going is very important.

Now, in 2026, we’ve got a whole lot of interesting times we have to deal with and, in the last week or so the US of A has attacked and seized the president of a South American country and threatened to attack Columbia, Cuba, Iran, Mexico, and Greenland/Denmark.

Which, I’m pretty sure you might agree, that sort of thing is going to make cruising on a sailboat somewhat problematic. Ripple effects are a real thing whether they’re new visa rules, tariffs, or just plain stupidity by politicians who really should know better.

Sure, I know that it’s not hip to use the word politics where sailing and cruising are concerned.

I’ll get emails.

But, every time you visit a foreign country you’re part of the political world. Politics affects the the customs/immigration officer who may or not stamp your passport. The fact that you’re from the US of A you now have to pay for your Brazil visa is politics. Hell, the cost of groceries wherever you go is all about politics.

Reciprocal action’s a bitch.

Just because you’re on a sailboat does not give you a free pass and put you in a politics-free zone. Just sayin’.

Yeah, we were talking about Jimmy Cornell and his must have cruising books. Great books but they’re going to need a whole lot of updating in these far too interesting times…