The Vegas Voice 4-21

Ready, Set, Go!
By: Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker / Out & About
Don’t miss your reunions or dream vacations
just because you’re not as strong or vital
as you used to be.
Today, few people
even notice other’s disabilities.
So, if you’re up to date on your
vaccinations, find a trip that pleases you
and will soon be available.
Touring and cruising companies
encourage making reservations up to
two years in advance. But unless you
currently need medical care, you are less
likely to cancel due to unforeseen health issues if you consider going
as soon as possible.
In fact, last minute availabilities can be great for seniors. A land trip
like one of Collette Vacations “Spotlight” tours has stays of four to seven
days in America’s or Europe’s most exciting cities.
Daily sightseeing is included, and here’s the best part. Each itinerary
uses a single 4-star hotel throughout, so there’s no packing and
unpacking!
Or you might try Globus’ Monogram Tours, which offer private
vacations in very popular locations. Plus you get the services of a local
guide who provides your trip orientation, escorts you to your luxury
Where Atomic Bombs Were Dropped
By: Burt & Dianne Davis / Our Vacation
We visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki when
we were in Japan during the Far East &
Alaska Cruise with Viking
Ocean Cruises. Japan commemorates the atomic
bombings there in peace parks and dedicated
museums.
HIROSHIMA – More than 140,000 were
killed or died as a result of the atomic bomb
dropped by the Enola Gay. On Peace Day yearly,
thousands gather at the Hiroshima Memorial
Peace Park and pray for lasting world peace.
The central theme of the park and museum is
Never Again should the world experience the horrors resulting from
an atomic bomb. The photos and exhibits in the Peace Museum are
powerful, depicting the horrors resulting from the bombing.
A focal point of The Park is an arched tomb cenotaph with names
of victims inscribed on the stone chest beneath the arch. An eternal
flame at the end of the arch will continue to burn until all nuclear
devices in the world have been destroyed.
The children’s’ monument is dedicated to a young girl named
Sadako who survived the initial blast but died from leukemia in her
early teens.
hotel, and may even help you with your special needs.
Speaking of special needs, regardless of the trip you select,
don’t be embarrassed to request help with devices necessary to your
health or comfort. Special needs items
are rapidly becoming travel essentials,
so rental companies now provide and set
up the personal health items you need in
your hotel room or cruise ship cabin.
Motorized scooters and wheelchairs
are especially in demand, along with
portable oxygen tanks, raised toilet seats,
and hospital style beds. And the number
of available items and serviceable
locations is expanding rapidly.
One unforeseen complication is hotels and cruise lines have trouble
keeping up with the demand for special needs accommodations, and
regular hotel and cruise ship doors may not be wide enough to allow
wheelchairs or scooters. NCL’s “Pride of America” circles Hawaii every
week with over 1,000 passenger staterooms but only 64 are wheelchair
accessible.
Guess which staterooms are being booked first?
Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker is a travel agent and the owner of
Vegas Vacationers Inc. She can be reached at:
Merryman2@aol.com
NAGASAKI - Three days after the Hiroshima blast, following
warnings from President Harry Truman that they must surrender
or experience more bombings, the United States bombed Nagasaki
resulting in 74,000 more deaths.
A 30 foot high Bronze Peace Statue is the
focal point of the Nagasaki Park. One hand of
the man represents a nuclear attack. The other
symbolizes tranquility and gestures for peace and
meditation. His closed eyes express prayerfulness
for those who are victims of the war.
In the Peace Museum a sign reads, “Nagasaki
must be the last place exposed to an Atomic
Bomb.” The exhibit’s numerous photos illustrate
the destruction of the city and death and injuries to its citizens.
The park is filled with poignant monuments contributed by many
nations. Through these excursions, we gained a greater understanding
of the Japanese people and their perspectives on these catastrophic
events.
Japan is a vibrant country which looks ahead to a prosperous
future, but places great importance on remembering and reminding
the world of the heavy price it paid for waging war.
Thanks to Dianne and Burt Davis who continue to travel the world
and share their adventures with our readers.
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March 2021