It is a new book

Gee, the moment that any traveler boasts about 'having been to over 90 countries' (as though its a competition), they've lost me.

Gregg, this reminded me of a time years ago when some of our local friends introduced us to some of their well-traveled friends, saying "This is Jane and Stan; they like to travel the world, too!"

And the new acquaintance looked at me sideways and said "Oh, how many countries have you been to?" Heck, I didn't know, but I took a stab at "Oh, about 10, I guess."

She sniffed, said "We've been to 123," and turned away to talk to someone else.

Gee!

Hmm…Is there a digital version of the 5G’s story?

Gee, I recoil when presentations have the slightest whiff of 'influencer' about them.

Agreed. I love a good book about someone's travels, but the minute I sense they have nothing really to say other than "aren't I fabulous!" I have to set the book down. I reject more than I finish.

I downloaded it from our library. Will see how long it holds my interest!

Well, you all are not the only ones who are skeptical about the value of this. Reddit has a whole subreddit on the Bucket List Family that addresses the alleged exploitation and so on.

https://www.reddit.com/r/bucketlistfamily/

Reminds me of the woman, a few years ago, whose claim to fame was visiting every country in the world in the shortest period possible. Trust me, she is the genuine article, got certified by Guinness World Records! As for this family, influencing is a lucrative business; only losers hold down a regular job rather than rake in millions 'collabing'. The disappointing bit is that National Geographic is in bed with them. There was a time they sponsored the likes of Cousteau, Perry, Byrd, Goodall, and Fossey. Oh well, perhaps they still do it, I hope.

There's quite a lot out there on the net regarding this family, and a lot of raised eyebrows. Best for everyone to form their own opinions; I have my own when it comes to their level of "Kidfluencing" (look it up). I also have to wonder how much fun it is for all 5 spending their adventures constantly either behind or in front of a camera, and how much of their surroundings are truly experienced beyond how they'll appear in publication?

As well, while there's certainly no crime in having wealth (achieved honestly), the vast majority could never afford to live and travel in the style that they do. I'm disappointed in National Geo as well; they could have done better.

Jane, what a telling attitude on the part of that 'traveler-than-thou' snob. We used to attend monthly gatherings here in Toronto sponsored by a guy connected to the old 'Great Expeditions' travel mag. At one of those thematic meets in '90, we met a gal who claimed to be part of the Century Club. A more insecure, desperate-to-impress adult you'll never meet (her I mean).

Kenko, our Ed here seems to have found such a link.
Andrea: 'I reject more than I finish.' Love the way that you've put it - we're the same same.
Mardee, thank you for that reddit link. I had no idea about this family's long-established situation and it was fascinating to read about all that. *fwiw & btw, Lonely Planet's once-vaunted Thorn Tree forum has been resurrected on reddit, albeit in a smaller, more modest form.

Alo, I share yours and Kate's disappointment about NG being part of this. Hero to near-zero, that mag. A pair of Cousteau's adult grandchildren were shown on a recent shipwreck special and I thought how far NG has sunk since when their grandpa was wowing us all. Not their fault, mind you, those new Cousteaus.
Kate, your post was so eloquent and I could not agree more. That narcissist dad. But I'm confused: why are you talking about him when you should be talking about me?

I am done. the modern family and the ch-ching

But I'm confused: why are you talking about him when you should be
talking about me?

Because, me dear Zebec, you do that so very well all by yourself. :O)
(KIDDING! JUST KIDDING!)

kicks dog, takes football home, crosses Kate off birthday party invite list (its a Rick Steves themed soiree).
I am done. the libary

KIDDING BACKATYA!

The book is not worth it. +90% of this forum knows how to travel. Back to the library!

Their newly-bought island (shakes head, looong groan) is directly beside a channel known to be orca central, over by Vancouver Island. Maybe someone, say his now-teen son, could dangle dad over the edge of a Haida canoe with salmon bait tied to his toes? You know, to 'get over his fears' and all that.
I am done. the family that travels

Nat Geo lost its soul several years back and it has since been pimped out to several other corporate behemoths.

In 2015 the non-profit Nat Geo Society sold out to Rupert Murdoch's Fox, and in 2019 that division of Fox was acquired by Disney. The Society retains a 25%-or-so stake and uses its share of the profits to still pursue some scientific, educational, and conservation efforts. In 2023 all staff writers were laid off and replaced by a freelance model.

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/09/09/438853832/national-geographic-reshapes-itself-in-725-million-deal-with-21st-century-fox

I was going to say try the Smithsonian magazine instead, but you may have heard the news about how they are being squashed by the heel of the current regime.

https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/smithsonian-trump-impeachment-display-update-history-museum-1234748710/

Recall that it is not just the American history museum that is feeling the boot but also the national portrait gallery as well.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-fires-director-smithsonian-national-portrait-gallery-kim-sajet/

Yo AviR,
Back in '95 on our honeymoon, we were at Deadhorse Point for a sunrise. There, we met a fellow shutterbug whose best friend worked at NG. I'll never forget his quasi-cryptic comment then: "Ya know, there are a LOT of very unhappy people working at NG just now."
He didn't expound, but the implication seemed to be that politics and BS had made inroads to the old NG model/culture/values that we all so loved.

Btw, are they still publishing their NG Traveler mag too?
I am done. the bygone times

...we were at Deadhorse Point for a sunrise.

Oooh. One heck of a view from there, right?

Indeed Kate it was. We have sometimes wondered about tryna replicate that same SW itinerary and 'doing it right' this time all these years later. Whereas our honeymoon had been A+++ up to that point, my in-laws eventually arrived to join as planned. One of them was a disturbed individual who tried hard to ruin everything. It did not end well.

I am done. the cheery

Ugh. A pox upon all party poopers.
Well, when you are up to taking another stab at my favorite part of the US, let's chat?

Brought to you by the letter 'G'.
My wife and I are both insomniacs (see 'sleepless in Toronto') currently trying gummies. So if this post goes strangely, ends oddly or otherwise becomes illegible blame the cannabis product.

Kate, we were just in Santa Barbara for the first time this past February (see our TR 'Far West Sojourn') , but have cancelled all plans to visit the USA for the foreseeable future. So much for our planned returned to NYC for the first time in 36 years. Stories abound, whether urban myth or not, that some Canucks have been repelled at the border by Customs/Immigration for simply having anti-Maga opinions found on their cell phones.

Our friends from Buffalo are coming up to visit. But they're not like, real bisons or anything, man. She used to werk at Homeland Security under Noem, man. Where was I? Um....so yeah uh um....is it getting like, hot in here? I have no fire on me!

Gee, I'm feeeeling kinda funny. Annyway, so we are france going to travel soon soon &39!Pp)^<>>....>>>>#@@%
I can fly....purple haze is in my brain, lately..................................................................................................

Sadly, I get it, Gregg/Zebec. (sigh)
Back to the new book....