Hello,
Has anyone done or at least planned out a round the world kiting tour?
Having arrived at retirement age only moderately broken I am considering a kiting tour. Currently I am not that great a kiter (advanced beginner / low intermediate) I can go upwind but no tricks but I assume I will get better with practice.
I'm thinking of a month, maximum two months at each spot for total of a year.
It is with deep regret that I confess my list of must have and don't needs have changed considerably over the years. For instance, night life now means the sound of crickets. If a woman comes on to me in a bar I know she is looking at my wallet and not my incredible physique. (it was never that incredible anyway). So while I appreciate input from anyone if you could keep in mind what you might recommend to your parents or maybe grandparents, it would be helpful.
Most airlines have a round the world fare that generally means going steadily in one direction. So for instance one can go from San Francisco to Turks and Caicos to the Canaries but you can't go San Fran to Canaries to Turks. Since I am on a bit of a budget that is important.
Wish list. This is a WISH list and I know I sound like a pussy and I know it may not all be possible.
1. warm. I hate being cold and I don't want to have to travel with a whole lot of cold weather gear.
2. At least in the beginning relatively flat water, preferably shallow water
3. Accommodation: optimally within walking distance of the the launch. I would really prefer not to have to rent a car. My experience is that car hire is generally a pain and always expensive. Would prefer a small house or bed and breakfast with access to at least a basic kitchen. Eating out every meal every day, gets old in about a week.
4. Would prefer a place where the risk of being beaten, stabbed, shot, robbed, blown up, kidnapped, car-jacked, or similarly inconvenienced is relatively low. I have spent enough time in war zones, both official and unofficial, to know I don't want to do it any more.
5. Goldilocks number of fellow kiters. Enough that we can look out for each other not so many that launching / landing requires Air Traffic Control. My home spot is Sherman island which is an example of the later. If push came to shove I would take no one over a mob.
6. Moderate to cheap. I simply don't have enough money to last a year living in expensive hotels.
I will be leaving from San Francisco and the departure month is not fixed.
Thank you in advance. Any advice re packing, traveling, air lines, things to see at various locations also gratefully received.
Griz