“F” is For Fifteen Tips to Plan For Vacations Over 30 Days-Travel Tips & Tricks

Posted on January 10, 2023 by Debbie

As we prepare for our 42 day travel adventure, it occurs to me that getting ready for a long vacation is far different than preparing to leave town for a week. Being away from home and/or work for long stretches of time requires substantial planning. For each extra week of adventure, there are more things to consider. For each change in location there are more preparations to make. One thing is certain, most trips over 30 days are going to need a little structure. There are many moving parts to long vacations, especially when they take place in foreign locations. There are reservations for flights, trains and buses. There are accommodation arrangements to be made and cars to be rented. There are visas, passports and sometimes vaccinations to obtain. There are questions to be asked about cultures, weather, rules and activities. There are financial considerations to make. Having a big picture of the way you want things to go, will generally help you achieve the results you hope to gain. The goal to all planning is to eliminate as much potential stress as possible. For me, this always begins with a dream, pencil and paper (or a computer) and an investment of time.

Here are 15 steps to help prepare for your own long adventure:

Plan, plan, plan! This process can be a lot of work, but it is worth putting in the time and effort before your vacation. You will see more and experience more by having a general idea of what options you have available.

Daydream then set some travel goals. The vision might be as simple as creating memories and having fun. If your goals are a little more complex (such as when my son wanted to hike Mt. Fuji), then you may need to consider your health, conditioning and the time of year you will travel. How energetic or quiet does the trip need to be? How rugged or refined do the accommodations need to be? Goals may be different if you are traveling with children and/or elderly etc.
Decide where you want to go. Will you stay in one location or visit many cities? Will you travel between countries and/or continents? Does your destination fulfill your travel goals?
Map it out. It doesn’t make financial sense to hop over a city, or country, then return to it (unless you are doing a circular tour). It doesn’t make sense to travel half way across the world and miss “that one location”, if a quick detour can take you there. Many times it can be as simple as adding to a multiple stop plane or train ticket to add the destination while en route. It can often be surprisingly economical and sometimes cost even less than purchasing a direct fare.
Pick a date. Start at least 6 months in advance. Many popular locations and activities are often booked out months in advance. If you are taking time off of work, can you add national holidays and or weekends to the beginning or end of the trip to give you a few more days?
Set a budget. Long vacations may mean you lose income, plan for it. Long vacations may require airfares, hotel expenses, transportation fees, restaurants etc, plan for it. Long vacations may require a new wardrobe, plan for it. Adjust your plans, not your budget. Build a little cushion into the budget for unexpected emergencies.
Research airfares, train fares etc. Does moving your dates affect the pricing? How often are flights available? If a flight leaves only once a week and is cancelled, it will be another week before you will have an opportunity to leave. Are there other airports in the vicinity? If you miss a connection, could you hire a car or take a train to get to a more serviced area?
Research visa and other requirements such as passports, vaccinations etc. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. Many locations require vaccination for things like malaria or yellow fever. Sometimes these vaccinations need to be completed so many days in advance of travel.
Leaving home and/or work responsibilities, there is much to think about before departing on a long vacation. Who will handle your mail, take care of your pets and/or your home? How will you pay your bills or know if you have a power outage? Will your phone and/or email work in another country? Plan, plan and plan some more.

Start a travel notebook or file folder

In the many months leading up to your adventure, you are going to be writing and rewriting your plan. Having one place to gather details makes it simple to quickly locate the information. This organization allows you to brain dump as you are going through the planning process. It is easy to move your plan around on paper. In time, this notebook will also be a great place to store confirmation numbers, insurance contracts, itineraries etc. Your notebook keeps the entire process organized.

Educate yourself.

Once you decide where you are going, gather as much information as possible. When planning for a long vacation I will scour You Tube, Trip Advisor, Pinterest, Google Maps and travel guides to glean as much as possible about the area I want to explore. This is how we might come to realize we don’t really want to rent a car in a difficult to drive city. We might realize there is a cool cafe, then note that it is located within walking distance to a botanic garden or museum we are planning to visit. By reading others comments and suggestions, I have been known to change the smallest of details. I usually know which side of the bus or boat will give me the most panoramic views of a location. I usually know if a sunset or sunrise will be more spectacular at a particularly beautiful location. I usually know how safe an area is. I can’t stress enough how important it is to educate yourself. Some would argue that they just want to “discover” a place but this early research has always allowed us to see more, do more and experience more. If you don’t know what is available, you don’t realize how much you can miss. If you know in advance that an area is prone to pickpockets, you can take many safety precautions in advance.
Try to gain an understanding of the country’s history, geography, customs, politics, and their approach to tourism. This shows a level of respect and will help you engage with the local people more. Having this up front knowledge also means that your trip will start off a bit smoother.
Figure out the best and worst seasons to visit. Are there certain holidays and festivals occurring around your planned travel days? Is this something which attracts you or would you rather avoid crowds?

Make lists– Ask yourself tons of questions.

What cities do you want to visit? What do you want to experience (culture, architecture, museums, landscapes etc)? What sites are there to see?
How will you get there? Is parking available if you are driving? How difficult is traffic? Is there an easier transportation method? Are there discount coupons/passes available to reduce costs? Do you require a special license to drive?
How are cultures different? How are they the same? Do you need head coverings to enter religious sites? Are women expected to dress or act differently than men?
What is the expected weather/temperature for the time of year you are traveling? Do you need special clothing for weather or cultural differences? What activities will you participate in? Will you be hiking, biking, swimming etc which requires special clothing and/or footwear?
Do you need to shop before packing? Will you do laundry while you are on this trip?
What is the maximum weight and size restriction for luggage for every plane you are traveling on? What other restrictions are there in your transportation mode or at your accommodations? Constantly asking questions will allow you to build a plan.

Check for Opening and Closing Times.

Is the attraction you want to see open all day? Is it open 7 days a week and/or at night? What are the busiest times of day?
If you are using public transportation, do the busses and trains run all night?
If you are driving to a National park are the car parks open during the time you want to be hiking or exploring?

Plan for complications-Flights get delayed. Luggage gets lost. Hotel and car rentals get cancelled.

Leave plenty of time between connecting flights.
Leave plenty of time to clear customs and security when transferring flights between countries (usually at least two hours is recommended).
If you are planning a cruise, always plan to arrive the day before it sets sail.
Always pack a spare pair of underwear, a toothbrush, prescription medication, some cash and a small snack in your carry on when flying. If your flight is delayed and/or your luggage lost you will have a few essentials to help.
Look for cancellation options with all reservations. If you are delayed or suddenly fall ill, this may offer the most financial protection. If you decide you want to be more spontaneous in your adventures, having the option of cancelling reservations makes the entire process less complicated.
Purchase travel insurance. Of course we want to assume that nothing will go wrong, but it does happen. Luggage gets lost, purses get stolen, people get sick and injured. Believe me, when anything like that happens you’ll be happy you have travel insurance!

Plan for safety– Part of a travel experience is to take the back roads and/or wander and just get lost, which you should do. Surprises should always be part of the vacation, however understanding if an area is safe or not should never be. Several times in my adventures, I have wandered just a block away from an attraction only to find myself in a drug infested slum and sometimes precarious situations. In my defense, most of these mishaps were before information was so readily available online. Today, even a little research prevents this.

Research if there are high crime areas. What types of crime occur? What, if any, precautions should be taken?
It is also really important to understand (and respect) cultural differences. Never assume that because a rule is one way in the country you are from, it will be the same in another country. Things we consider minor infractions in the USA (littering and jaywalking for example) may bring substantial penalties in foreign countries.
Review your government travel advisories for any country/location you will be visiting. These will often give you information regarding disease outbreaks, political instability and geographical disruptions (such as due to hurricanes etc).
Know where the embassy for your country is located. If war or a major disaster suddenly breaks out, or if you lose your passport, this may be the only way to be repatriated.

Plan your free time. I know, I know…this seems crazy After researching an area for safety, build the opportunity for unplanned discovery into your itinerary. If you have already mapped out the highlights you hope to visit, you will know about how much free time you should have left. By scheduling this free time in chunks around your “must see/do” itinerary, it allows you to still be surprised but ensures you have seen all which you set out to discover.
Plan some down time-Rest and relaxation are especially important on long itinerary packed trips. Unless you are relaxing on a beach all day, you may be continuously moving and exploring. Your brain may be filled by all the new information you are processing. Sometimes you just need a bit of quiet. Build these moments into your day/trip. Perhaps a little rest in your room, a coffee at a local café, sitting by the sea or pool, a picnic in a park and/or quietly watching a sunset can all be good ways to just unwind for a minute.
Plan some nighttime activities-A city or location can have a completely different feel at night. If it is safe to do so, consider exploring during this time.
Make an itinerary

Once you have your plan, you can make an itinerary. The key to visiting a lot of locations is to not waste time. You would be amazed at the amount of time which is wasted just by trying to figure out what to do next.
By planning your days, you will know about how much time to dedicate to each activity. You will know what time you will need to start a day, or when an attraction opens and closes. You will know if there is “extra” time and where/when to detour.

Start packing-Yes, it may be a good idea to start thinking about what you need, as much as 6 months out. Consider the following:

Will you need specialized clothing such as bathing suits or wet weather gear? Will you be able to purchase these items during your season of travel? If I know I am traveling to a warm destination during the middle of my winter, I know I am going to have to purchase clothes quite a bit in advance of my trip!
Try on your clothes. What works, what needs repairing/replacing?
Will you need extra camera batteries, first aid kits etc?
Make a list of the extra items you need, then begin picking these things up early. This allows you to take advantage of sales and return things if they don’t fit.
Weigh your luggage as you get it packed. There is nothing worse than realizing your bags are overweight as you are rushing out the door. The more you do ahead of time, the less stressful it will be when it finally comes time to pack.

Break in new shoes-If you will be purchasing new shoes, be sure to wear them regularly before traveling. Do they cause blisters or pinch? Would it be helpful to add liners, lifts or arch supports? It is easier to make changes before you need them.
Make copies of important documents- If these documents are lost or stolen, they can be difficult to replace. Which may mean an end to your vacation. Having a copy of these important documents stored with a family member or trusted friend, or on an encrypted flash drive (or all of the the above) will make the process much easier.

Passports/visas
Drivers License/photo id
Greencards
Credit cards
Insurance policies
Confirmation numbers

Order local currency-Cash is king, no matter where you are visiting. Get it in small denominations.

If the power goes out, so do the ATM’s and credit card machines.
If your credit card gets frozen because you forgot to notify your bank that you were traveling, you will appreciate being able to get a meal/accommodation until you figure out what to do.
If your taxi, bus driver, or favorite coffee shop refuse to take credit, having these small bills available may be the difference in a good day or a complex day.
Many places won’t take credit cards, farmers markets, food trucks, craft stalls etc. Keep your purchasing power by keeping cash on your person at all times.

“P” is For Pacific Island Tour-ABC World Travel

Posted on January 9, 2023 by Debbie

“P” is for our “Pacific Island Adventure.

Our bags are packed! Very soon we set off on our 42 day, Pacific Island Adventure. We have been planning for six months and I think we are ready for our next ABC Adventure! The list below includes geographical areas, countries and states, as well as the cities we will visit along the expedition.

At each location we will be attempting additional ABC Adventures. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing our adventures in real time, as we experience them. Be sure to check back often to see our immersion into the cultures and beauty of this part of the world.

Here is our ABC List for the areas we plan to visit:

A-American Samoa/Australia/Auckland (New Zealand)

B-Bay of Islands (New Zealand)

C-Cairnes (Australia)

F-French Polynesia

H-Hana (Maui)/Hawaii (USA)/Honolulu (Hawaii)

K-Kauai (Hawaii)/Kahului (Maui, Hawaii)

L-Laie (Oahu, Hawaii)/Los Angeles (California, USA)

M-Maui (Hawaii)/Moorea (Society Islands)

N-New Plymouth (New Zealand)/New Zealand

O-Oahu (Hawaii)

P-Pago Pago (American Samoa), Papette (Tahiti), Port Douglas (Australia)

S-San Pedro (California), Society Islands, Sydnee (Australia)

T-Tahiti, Tauranga (New Zealand)

U-USA ( just because Hawaii is also part of this tour)

W-Waikiki (Hawaii)/Wellington (New Zealand)

“R” is for Ruby Wedding-ABC Celebrations

Posted on January 8, 2023 by Debbie

Forty years we have been married! I was just 17 when we met, he was 21. In a nutshell, we spent every minute together of that first three weeks after meeting. It was an intensive, accelerated summer romance. Then he proposed.

We knew we would be separated by distance. He had a year long contract in the Middle East to fulfill. I was about to start University.

Before he asked the question, I remember walking on the beach one night, holding hands. I had a strong vision of an old married couple doing the same thing. Somehow I knew it was us. I had found my best friend that summer. Somehow I knew to trust myself and hang on.

We would spend the first year of our engagement in different countries, We were about as far apart physically as we would ever be.

This was a time long before cell phone and facebook had made it possible to communicate. At $8 per minute, even phone calls were a luxury, so we wrote. Every day, we would talk about our lives, although looking back at it, it is really funny to see more “I Love You’s” scrawled across the pages than any substance to what was happening in our days.

This is what young love is, pure passion. Yet there has always been something deeper with Alan and I. Even in those early moments, if one of us had a headache, the other was experiencing the same. Our roots have always intertwined until we could no longer tell where one of us starts and the other ends. We are symbiotic.

We were married just 18 months after meeting for the first time. Since then there have been 3 children, all boys. We have had 3 cats and 2 dogs, numerous fish and a couple of lizards. We have been self employed for most of these years.

So now it is forty years later and we are indeed that old couple walking hand in hand on the beach.

What would my letter look like to him today? What do you say to someone who is your entire world? To that person who knows you almost as well as you know yourself? What do you say to a man who has held steadfastly to love and upheld ever vow he made?

If I would write a letter today, I would still probably fill it with “I love you’s” but there would be so much more depth to the words as we both reflect what they really mean.

I often ponder what wisdom I can offer young couples. I think the most profound thought is that the words “I do” are very simple, but you can never really understand what it is to be a committed partner.

I do means you will still cherish the person, even on the days you don’t like them.

I do means you will stand by through the most difficult of challenges…babies, teenagers, menopause/manopause, job loss, career changes, financial challenges, body changes, illness…

I do means a respect an honor of the relationship.

I do means you will endure and endear through it all.

So today, as we celebrate our Ruby Anniversary, I am told that Rubies are as precious as diamonds. I believe this. We are so lucky to be here. We have been gifted 40 wonderful years together.

We skipped out of the church on our wedding day, we have overcome many of life’s challenges and somehow we came through it all.

The rest of the journey seems easy now.

Today we celebrated under the Marquee…him saying he wanted me to “see my name in lights”. I am incredibly blessed by this man. After 40 years, he is still my best friend. What an amazing adventure we have had together.

“T” is For Trip Insurance-ABC Travel (General tips)

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Debbie

I have a love/hate relationship with insurance. I love having it when I need it, I hate paying the extra when I don’t. However, insurance is something you hope you never need to use, but you get it anyway.

It seems there are insurance plans for everything….your car, your home, your teeth, and your health… But oftentimes people forget that their normal insurance policies typically won’t cover stolen items or accidents/health issues which occur overseas. This is where travel insurance comes in.

Actually, there are many reasons for taking out travel insurance. Seasoned travelers are well aware that flights, hotel reservations, car rentals, cruises, land excursions and medical expenses are often not covered in the event of a trip interruption, illness, injury or even death. Let’s not forget about the large numbers of travelers who found themselves stranded when a global pandemic broke out and the world came to a halt.

More commonly someone suddenly falls ill or is injured before leaving on a trip or while abroad. Maybe there is an unexpected job loss or a death in the family and the trip needs to be cancelled. Without insurance, you are likely stuck with the cost of your ticket and you may find yourself on the hook for any hotel and car reservations you have made. These expenses can really add up.

In a different scenario, maybe you made your first flight, but perhaps the plane sat on the tarmac or the flight was rerouted due to weather. Perhaps this caused you to miss your connection or even to miss the departure of your cruise.

If you have “missed connection coverage” on your travel insurance, you will have the option of taking another flight to the next port-of-call, or taking the next available flight to your destination, You might even be able to stay in a nice hotel while waiting. Without trip insurance, you may be stuck.

Imagine that you are on your dream vacation when a storm damages the area. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, blizzards and more can all disrupt your plans and/or cause damage to your property. Travel insurance can protect you during these times.

Let’s say you fall or become ill during your trip. Maybe you require emergency dental care or surgery. Without travel insurance, you will be paying out of pocket for these expenses. Many health and dental plans will not cover expenses out of network and even fewer emergencies may be covered when you are out of the country.

In a worst case scenario, you or your partner dies while on vacation, there will be expenses to get the body home. Since preparations must be made to move a body, these are likely more significant than booking a seat on the next flight.

Most people think of travel insurance as a way to cover their expenses should they need to cancel, however travel insurance may offer so much more: It may pay for replacement clothing and supplies if your luggage is delayed; it may reimburse you for lost luggage; It may cover medical expenses if you are injured or fall ill; If your trip is cancelled or interrupted for any reason, your trip insurance may provide some protection and/or cover all or at least part of the associated expenses; If you injure someone while driving a rental vehicle, your travel insurance may offer third party liability; If you are the victim of a hotel/motel burglary, or you have items stolen while on a train (or at the beach, or while on tour or….) your insurance may replace your valuables; If you have a death or dismemberment while traveling, your policy may provide repatriation and/or offer liability coverage; If political unrest suddenly breaks out and repatriation is required, you policy may provide for emergency evacuation.

Like most insurances, a small investment up front can protect you for most disruptions while offering peace of mind while you travel.

In general, the more complicated and/or expensive the itinerary, the more beneficial it is to have insurance.

For most international travel it is worth taking out insurance.

The more challenging your health history, the more beneficial it is to have additional insurance.

Trip insurance is usually less expensive the further out it is purchased. Sometimes there are incentives to purchasing within days of finalizing your plans (such as covering pre-existing health conditions).

Always read the fine print to understand what your insurance will and won’t cover and the terms for each portion of your policy. Not all policies cover everything,

Always check with your existing policies (homeowners, auto, medical and life) to see what coverage you may already have.

Some credit cards offer additional protections based on your status.

If you will be doing high risk adventures such as scuba diving or jumping from planes, you may consider adding accident insurance to your travel insurance.

It can be overwhelming to choose a travel insurance. There are many insurance companies to choose from and depending on your itinerary, activities, health and expenses, you may need different coverage. We like using the website www.insuremytrip.com to help narrow down which policy will best suit for our needs.

“B” is for Bucket List Goals-ABC Words & Phrases

Posted on January 5, 2023 by Debbie

What is a Bucket List? It is a list of all the things you hope to do in your lifetime. Since we are starting our Pacific Island Adventure in a few days, I thought I would make a list of the things we hope to do while we travel around the the Southern Hemisphere.

Of course we used the alphabet to design our Bucket List, because we love exploring “one letter at a time”! Be sure to check back to see if we fulfilled our mission. This is just a small sampling of what we plan to explore on our Pacific Island Adventure. Here are our goals so far:

A-Admire the ARCHITECTURE of the Sydney Oprah-house

B-Photograph the colorful BUSES of American Samoa

C-Complete a CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR of Papeete, Tahiti

D-DARE TO DRIVE the streets of Los Angeles

E-Cross the EQUATOR

F-Feel the freshness of a FERN GROTTO in Kauai, Hawaii

G-Gaze at GLOWWORMS in Bay of Islands, New Zealand

H- Play at HOBBINGTON & HOT SPRINGS in Tauranga, New Zealand

I-Experience the ceremony of crossing the INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE

J-

K-Kiss the KIWIS, KANGAROOS & KOALAS in Sydnee, Australia

L-

M- Marvel at the MOSSMAN GORGE & the Daintree Rainforest in Australia

N-Capture the NATURAL BEAUTY of New Plymouth, Australia

O-Get OFF THE BEATEN PATH in Moorea, Tahiti

P-Play all day at the POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER of Honolulu, Hawaii

Q- Sail on the QUEEN CHARLOTTE SOUND in Picton, New Zealand

R-Marvel at the ROAD TO HANA in Maui, Hawaii

S-Take in as many SUNRISES and SUNSETS as possible.

T-Travel by TRAIN in Cairnes, Australia

U-Get UP in the air in Kauai, Hawaii

V-View the sunrise over a VOLCANO in Maui, Hawaii

W-Witness one of the WONDERS OF THE WORLD (Great Barrier Reef) in Port Douglas, Australia

X the International Dateline

Y-Say YES again, as we renew our vows

Z-ZIPLINE above a forest in Auckland, New Zealand

“X” is For Xenomania-ABC Words

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Debbie

X is often one of my more difficult letters to represent when we are designing an ABC Adventure. I was so excited when I realized there are over 400 “X” words to explore! I was even more excited to find the word “Xenomania” as one of them.

Xenomania is found in the Urban dictionary. It is defined as “a passion for all things foreign and the customs associated.” This seemed really fitting to begin a new year.

Since our mission for this year is to stretch ourselves, we will soon be setting out on our Pacific Island Adventure.

We also needed an “X”, to represent our purpose.

Travel opens our minds to the differences between people. What better way for us to discover the Southern Hemisphere than to allow ourselves a full immersion in cultures and customs! We are excited to share the journey with you. In the coming days we will be exploring new foods, seeing new sights and fully embracing all things foreign. We plan to become “Xenomaniacs”! Tomorrow I will share the Bucket List of goals we have created for this trip.

“G” is For Getaway-ABC Relationships

Posted on January 3, 2023 by Debbie

It’s snowing in our part of the world. Winter is my least favorite time of year. This sounds like the perfect time for us to “get away”.

Where should we go? Somewhere warm.
What do we want to see? Something exotic and culturally different.

These were the criteria we used for planning our next adventure.

The ability to get away and travel has been hard for the past couple of years. With the shutdowns caused by a Pandemic, the regulations around Covid and the subsequent supply chain and employee shortages, it has seemed easier to just stay home.

We love to travel. Even during our early marriage, when we had no money, we prioritized getting away. For nearly each of the 40 years we have been married, we have traveled “somewhere”.

It has always been Alan’s desire to visit New Zealand and Australia. It was suppose to be his retirement gift, but that was two years ago, before the world shut down.

Now that things are opening up again, I have begun to dream.

When I found a super deal on a Pacific Island Cruise, I knew immediately that we would be booking it. At 29 days, this would be our longest cruise to date. We added on an extra couple of weeks of land exploration and suddenly realized we would be going on a two month journey. This was the longest we have ever been away from home and our family.

There were times that we questioned our own sanity about getting on a cruise ship (these saw some of the greatest challenges during the outbreak) but as the snow began to pile up, we grew more and more excited to travel to somewhere warm and exotic. Part of the travel experience is taking risks and overcoming challenges.

Vacations are a way to reset. Did you know there is actually a National “Plan For Vacation Day?” It is January 28th. It is humorous to me to realize that vacations are so important that there has been a full day set aside, to do nothing but plan for them! This trip has taken me six months to prepare for!

Vacations are so important that Alan and I prioritize them as part of our life. This is a big reason we became ABC Explorers.

Maybe your vacation will be to stay close to home, or perhaps you will visit someplace far away. Maybe you will camp, or travel by train. One thing is for sure, travel will have an impact on you. Here are a few things we have found to be true through our experiences:

Getting away breaks up the monotony of our days. Routine can lead to predictable (and boring) results and relationships. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy (the same is true for Jill).
Travel gives us something to dream about, to aspire to save for. It gives purpose to earning money.
Travel creates stories.
Travel helps us to bond with family and form lasting memories. When days are busy with school activities, work responsibilities and day to day chores, there is little time to really “see” each other or to spend quality time together.
Traveling is a great way to make new friends. Travelers often have a lot in common. The bonus is you then have an excuse for visiting new people and places.
Travel gives you photos. Photos capture a tiny bit of life. They allow you to revisit your memories over and over. Remember, without a photo, it never happened!
Travel allows us to be creative in “how” we experience the world…we can sail, fly, or ride a train. You can go by tuk tuk or ride an elephant. You could choose to visit art galleries or hike a mountain. Our journey is really only limited by our imaginations.
Travel allows us broad introspection as we experience different cultures and traditions. We are more open to the differences in people as we understand the world which they live in.
Many parts of the world are impoverished, yet I have often found the people to be extremely welcoming and happy. We can return from a vacation with a great appreciation for what we have.
History, geography and anthropology come to life as one travels.
Travel allows the mind, body and soul to rest. Working can be very stressful. Sometimes we don’t even realize how much pressure we are under. Stress leads to illness. Sometimes you just need a moment to let some steam off.
Travel can allow you experiences you could never get at home. I do not live by oceans. I do not have penguins or elephants nearby. I do not have mountains to ski or climb. The USA is a young country, there are few monuments or buildings which date back to the period of the Roman’s or earlier.
Travel allows us to learn new languages. Communication is universal, language is our only barrier. There may be great humor and humbling moments in learning to ask where a bathroom is.
You don’t have to go far to “get away”. In fact there is always plenty to do, see and discover, even in your own back yard. Much of the time, this is an unexplored place.
Life is short. We have known so many elderly people who wish they had seen and experienced more. They waited too long until they “had time”, then found they were unable to travel due to illness (or the loss of a partner). There are only two things guaranteed in this life…taxes and death. Travel while you can.

So what is stopping you from designing your next adventure? Isn’t time to “Get Away”?

Continue checking back often as we get ready to set sail on our Pacific Island Adventure!

“A” is For Art at the Airport-ABC Air Travel

Posted on January 2, 2023 by Debbie

Airports are busy places. Often we rush around and miss much of what is offered there.

Have you ever been stuck at an airport and/or had a long layover and wondered how to pass time? Why not design a self paced art tour while you are waiting?

This was how we created our next ABC Adventure. Our mission would be to see as many art installations as we could, while traveling through airports. We wondered if we could complete an entire alphabet. The next time we find ourselves with some time, it will be a great excuse to walk around and get some exercise. On this day we passed 2 hours walking from terminal to terminal at Chicago O’Hare Airport.

In our quest to complete the alphabet, we have found paintings, sculptures, fiber art and so much more. Airport art rivals that of any gallery. The long walls, high ceilings and open spaces lend themselves to bigger installations of art.

The next time you are stuck in an airport, take a look around. Can you complete a full ABC adventure with art as your theme?

As we try to complete the alphabet tour, we will continue to add photos as we travel and the airport locations which we find them, so be sure to check back often.

A is For

Adler Planetarium Exhibit (Chicago O’hare Airport)

The Adler Planetarium has an exhibit in the Pedestrian Walkway on the way to the CTA O’Hare Blue Line Station. The Exhibit features many posters such as the one above offering views of beautiful constellations in the night skies.

After School Matters Benches (Chicago O’hare Airport)

Located throughout the Terminal 1/2 Bridge and Terminal 5, the After School Matters Benches depict various designs. All benches are hand painted by teen apprentice artists in the After School Matters art program. After School Matters is a non-profit organization that offers Chicago teens high quality, hands-on, project-based apprenticeship programs in a variety of content areas, including the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM.

B is For

Beacons by Steven Heyman

A large square “Blue Beacon” and a large circular “Orange Beacon” suspended above the “Meet and Greet” area in the lower level of Terminal 5. Illuminated with fluorescent lamps, they measure 16′ x 16′ x 4′. The artwork was commissioned in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs Public Art Program.

Boeing Mosaic

This mosaic piece, created by After School Matters teen apprentice artists, celebrates aircraft manufacturer Boeing’s 100th anniversary in 2016. The piece hangs in Terminal 3, in the hallway between the Rotunda and H1. After School Matters is a non-profit organization that offers Chicago teens innovative out-of-school activities through science, sports, technology,creative writing and the nationally recognized gallery program.

C is For

Chicago Sister City Flags (Chicago O’hare Airport)

Representing the nations of Chicago’s Sister Cities, the flags are presented with help from Chicago Sister Cities International. Public art in and around Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport; January 2020.

City Windows by Qiao Xiaoguang (Chicago O’hare Airport)

Created using ancient Chinese paper cutting techniques, City Windows depicts iconic sites from Beijing and Chicago. The piece commemorates the friendship and cooperation between China and Chicago. It is located near Terminal 1 Gate B19.

D is For

E is For

The Evolution of O’Hare (Chicago O’Hare Airport)

This gallery of aerial photos offers travelers a look at how the O’Hare airfield has evolved since it opened in 1945. A timeline of historical events accompanies each photo. The gallery can be found in the Terminal 3 L Stinger (Gates L20-24).

F is For

G is For

H is For

Here and There by Mitchell Egly (Chicago O’Hare Airport)

Created as a part of the City of Chicago’s 50 x 50 Neighborhood Arts Project and initiated during the Year of Public Art, Here and There is a visual representation of the many neighborhoods that comprise the 41st Ward, the Ward O’Hare is within. This piece was sponsored by by 41st Ward Alderman Napolitano’s office. It is located within the airport’s Bus Shuttle Center.

I is For

I’ve Known Rivers by Alejandro Ramero and Gallery 37 (Chicago O’Hare)

A 208-foot long mural painted in acrylics, that brings to life the words and spirit of the Langston Hughes poem of the same name. The mural, created by teen apprentice artists from After School Matters, is located in the CTA Pedway. After School Matters is a non-profit organization that offers Chicago teens high quality, hands-on, project-based apprenticeship programs in a variety of content areas, including the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM.

J is For

Jet Trails by Guy Kemper (Chicago O’Hare)

This sculpture measures 50 feet in length and 12 feet in height and consists of hand-blown painted glass in cool shades of blue, green and violet. The sculpture is suspended onto the window mullions directly across from Security Checkpoint 3 in Terminal 1 (past security).

K is For

L is For

M is For

N is For

O is For

On The Wings of Water (Chicago O’Hare)

A 35,000-piece Venetian glass and tile mosaic shows how air travel and water link cultures across continents and between cities, towns, and rural areas. It was completed with the help of After School Matters student artists and can be found in the Rotunda between Terminals 2 and 3 (past security). After School Matters is a non-profit organization that offers Chicago teens high quality, hands-on, project-based apprenticeship programs in a variety of content areas, including the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM.

P is For

Palimpsest by Nick Cave (Chicago O’Hare)

A dimensional tapestry constructed of hand-strung, beaded shoelaces woven with memory-steeped iconography and patterns through a nylon fishing net base layer. The piece represents a travel to understanding, the web of humanity, and future memories. Its colors come directly from Chicago’s unique skyline and is a continuation of the greeting a visitor takes in through their airplane’s window as they begin their decent for landing. It is located within the airport’s Multi Modal Facility.

Q is For

R is For

The Runners by Theodoros Papagiannis (Chicago O’Hare)

The Runners, a 16-foot sculpture, is located along the I-190 south side embankment and can be seen by motorists and CTA Blue Line riders exiting the airport. Donated by the Athens Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International and supported by Chicago’s large Greek-American community, the sculpture depicts five runners emerging from antiquity into the modern world. A maquette of this same piece is located within Terminal 5, behind the Arrivals Level information desk.

S is For

77 Neighborhoods (Chicago O’Hare)

This photo exhibit, located in the Terminal 5 corridor approaching the US Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Services area, showcases architecture, life, and popular scenes from across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods.

Skies The Limit (Chicago O’Hare)

A multi-sensory sculpture which extends above the walkway connecting concourse B and C in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. The artist, Michael Hayden was commissioned by the airport in 1987 to design the 744 foot-long, neon kinetic sculpture which changes color in time to music.

Sister Cities by After School Matters (Chicago O’Hare)

Inspired by Chicago’s numerous Sister Cities, the mural depicts scenes from cities across the globe. Teen apprentice artists from After School Matters created the piece. After School Matters is a non-profit organization that offers Chicago teens high quality, hands-on, project-based apprenticeship programs in a variety of content areas, including the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM. It is located in the hallway between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Student Frontiers by After School Matters (Chicago O’Hare)

Teen apprentice artists participating in After School Matters programs created this mural in 2016. After School Matters is a non-profit organization that offers Chicago teens high quality, hands-on, project-based apprenticeship programs in a variety of content areas, including the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM. This mural is located in the CTA Pedway.

T is For

Treasury of Petra by Sonia Twal (Chicago O’Hare)

A limestone and marble mosaic donated to the City of Chicago from its sister city Amman, Jordan. It can be found in Terminal 5 near Gate M14. The mosaic was inspired by the carved rock and stone facade of the red-rose city of Petra in the southern Jordanian desert. The limestone and marble used in Twal’s representation were obtained from the Petra region.

U is For

V is For

W is For

X is For

Y is For

Youth in the Loop by After School (Chicago O’Hare)

Teen apprentice artists participating in After School Matters programs created this mural in 2015. After School Matters is a non-profit organization that offers Chicago teens high quality, hands-on, project-based apprenticeship programs in a variety of content areas, including the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM. This mural is located in the CTA pedway.

Z is For

ABC World Travel-A List of Continents and Countries to Explore

Posted on January 1, 2023 by Debbie

We are on a mission to see the world! This ABC list is a great way to begin your own alphabet tour.

If a location is highlighted, it means we have visited the area and you can find the stories about that country or continent within the blog. You may also use the search bar to navigate to our adventures.

Where will you visit on your next adventure?

General World Tour

A is for Africa, Asia, Antarctica, Australia, American Samoa, Antigua and Austria

B is for Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belgium, Belize and Brazil

C is for Canada, Chili, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba and Cyprus

D is for Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic and Dubai

E is for Europe, England and Egypt

F is for Fiji, Finland, France and French Polynesia

G is for Germany, Greece, Grenada, Grenadines and Guatemala

H is for Holland and Hungary

I is for Iceland, India, Ireland and Italy

J is for Jamaica and Japan

L is for Laos

M is for Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro and Morocco

N is for North America, Nevis, New Zealand and Norway

O is for Oman

P is for Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland and Portugal

Q is for Qatar

R is for Russia

S is for South America, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland

T is for Thailand and Turkey

U is for USA, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates

V is for Vietnam

W is for Wales

Y is for Yemen

Z is for Zambia, Zimbabwe

“W” is For Word of the Year

Posted on January 1, 2023 by Debbie

Welcome to a brand new year! I know it is cliche’ to say that today offers a fresh start and a clean slate. I often think of my life as a book which I am continuously writing. Today is the beginning of a brand new chapter, which is yet to be defined. The pages are still blank. This optimistic view is the way I think about the beginning of most years.

But, I am also realist. Yesterdays challenges soon begin to spill into today. Too many things pull at our attention, the chapters of our story become mundane, or they continue to be written in the same manner. Time, left with no direction, will fall through our hands and before we know it, years have passed and we remain stuck in the same patterns of behavior.

Today is a good day for reflection. How is your story of life unfolding so far? Are you longing for adventure, wishing you had more money or time? Are you in a good relationship? Would you like to learn a new language or change careers? Do you dream of losing weight or stopping smoking?

The New Year always seems hopeful. Most people make resolutions at the beginning of each year; to lose weight, to give up bad habits, to learn something new and to spend more time doing things they love, seem to be the most common. By the end of the second week of a new year, most resolutions have already been forgotten as we slide back into old routines.

By the end of the year, when we realize we have not met our goals (again), we think back to our resolutions and feel like failures, yet every year we return to the same pattern of goal setting. This self deprecating behavior has a negative influence on our psyche.

What if a small shift in attitude could redirect how you experience your days? What if we no longer set resolutions? How freeing would that simple act be?

Years ago our family gave up this New Year tradition, instead we began choosing a single word on New Year’s Eve. This word would still be reflective of the things we wanted to change, the growth we aspired to and the direction we hoped to go.

The word would touch all areas of our lives (relationships, personal growth, goals etc). Our word could be carried with us throughout the year. We could interpret the word in any way which made sense to us. By choosing just one word (or a few), we could focus on change. Anytime we honored our word, we would succeed.

The word of the year is a positive, inspirational and hopeful message, that change is possible. These little words simply focus our intentions, inviting more of what you need or what you hope to achieve. They can reflect your ambitions, give you purpose, set goals and more. These little words define and lead you to your best self.

I see the word as a kind of compass for the coming year.

For example a resolution might be to lose weight but our word choice instead became “healthy”. How much more positive it became as we shifted our focus just a little. With this tiny word in front of us, we could give ourselves credit for every action we took throughout the year towards healthy living. Maybe we drank an extra glass of water, or took a walk, or went to bed at a reasonable hour, or chose to skip dessert.

When we offered ourselves this positive feedback, we wanted to continue. Perhaps the next day we did a little more, perhaps in a week we noticed we had lost a pound or two. The goals were being met, but there was no pressure…just a little word reminding us of our intentions.

Intentional living is the underlying mission of this site. Living your best life will always be the goal, it does not require a single day to begin, however New Year’s Day is the perfect time for change. If you are reading this today and it doesn’t happen to be New Years Day, then just jump in. Small incremental changes, lead to lasting results.

How to choose your word

1. Ask yourself questions. What is it you want to change, learn or discover? What would you do differently than last year? Is there something you want to continue doing? What do you want more of in life? What do you want less of? What is holding you back? (Think of an opposite word. For example fear becomes brave.)

2. Brainstorm. Jot down as many words as come to mind. These should be positive and affirming. Think about where you want to direct your life this year. It is okay if you have several or many words at this point. If you are stuck, there is a list of over 450 words below.

3. Narrow your list down. If you are left with more than one word, consider breaking the year down into quarters or in half. You could even choose a different word each month!

Keep your word visible

Keep your word in front of you and make sure you can see it every day. Make a cute graphic and put it on your phone. Write it out in big letters and post it on a wall. Put your word next to a place you use routinely…the coffee maker, a mirror or the back door. Write it on a small pebble or piece of paper and carry it around in your pocket. Make a plan(s)to bump into your word frequently. Each time you do, it will remind you to live your word.

Put your word into affirmations. Affirmations are powerful messages. They are written, spoken or meditated upon in the first person. For example, my word in 2019 was “expand”. Every decision I made in that year, I asked myself if I was expanding. This year in particular was a year of mental growth, as I immersed myself in learning. I was focused on learning to: garden, preserve food, write and improve my photography. Here are a few of my affirmations:

” I am expanding my knowledge.”

“My relationships with people are expanding”.

“As I expand, I feel connected.”

Rules

As with all our word games, there are no rules, except those we define for ourselves. If you want to choose a new word each month, go ahead and do so. If you want to use more than one word at a time, that is okay too.

Our words

Here are the words I have chosen for the past few years:

2019 Expand

2020 Embrace

2021 Adapt

2022 Revive

After years of being stuck at home, not seeing family, missing celebrations, struggling with shortages of every kind and numerous challenges we have developed a bit of negativity about how the years are unfolding. We have been very blessed in this life so we have decided it was time to find the silver lining in the moments. We have worked hard throughout our lives and now have the means to travel and rest in our retirement. We are surrounded by good people. Our 2023 word gives us an opportunity to reflect on all the many, many things we still have to be thankful for.

Our word for this year is “Appreciate”. We move forward into the unknown with an appreciation for all which we have, all which we create and an abundance of joy.

What word will you choose this year?

450+ Word of the Year Ideas

Absolve
Abundance
Abundant
Accept
Acceptance
Achieve
Act
Action
Adapt
Add
Advance
Adventure
Affect
Affluence
Alert
Align
Alignment
Alive
Allow
Amaze
Amazing
Ambition
Amplify
Anchor
Appreciate
Articulate
Ascend
Aspire
Attention
Awake
Awaken
Aware
Awareness
Awe
Awesome
Bad ass
Balance

Balanced
Be
Beautiful
Beauty
Become
Begin
Behold
Believe
Belong
Best
Better
Big
Birth
Bliss
Bloom
Bold
Boss
Bounce
Boundaries
Boundless
Bounty
Brave
Breath
Breathe
Bridge
Bright
Brother
Build
Calm
Capable
Captivating
Capture
Care
Caring
Celebrate
Center
Centered
Challenge
Change
Charisma
Chase
Cheer
Cheerful
Cleanse
Clear
Comfort
Commit
Committed
Communicate
Communication
Community
Compassion
Complete
Completion
Compose
Compromise
Confidence
Connect
Connection
Conquer
Conscious
Considerate
Consistency
Consistent
Contemplation
Contribute
Courage
Create
Creation
Creative
Creativity
Cultivate
Daughter
Declutter
Decrease
Dedicate
Dedication
Deliberate
Delight
Depth
Determination
Determined
Devote
Diligence
Direction
Discipline
Discover
Dream
Ease
Ecstasy
Education
Elevate
Elevation
Embody
Embrace
Emerge
Empathy
Empire
Empower
Encourage
Energize
Energy
Engage
Enhance
Enjoy
Enjoyment
Enlighten
Enlightenment
Enough
Enrapture
Enthuse
Enthusiasm
Enthusiastic
Environment
Epitome
Escalate
Examine
Excite
Excitement
Expand
Expansion
Experience
Exploration
Explore
Extraordinary
Faith
Family
Fast

Father
Favorite
Fearless
Finish
Fitness
Flourish
Flow
Fly
Focus
Force
Forgive
Forgiveness
Forward
Foster
Foundation
Free
Freedom
Friend
Friends
Fulfill
Fulfilling
Fun
Future
Gain
Generosity
Generous
Gentle
Gently
Give
Giving
Glisten
Glorious
Glow
Glow-up
Go
Goals
Grace
Gracious
Gratitude
Grounded
Grow
Growth
Habit
Happiness
Happy
Harmony
Heal
Health
Healthy
Help
Helpful
Heart
Here
Higher
Hold
Home
Honest
Honesty
Hope
Humble
Humility
Hustle
Ignite
Imagination
Imagine
Immerse
Improve
Improvement
Increase
Indulge
Infinity
Influence
Innovation
Insight
Inspiration
Inspire
Integrity
Intent
Intention
Intentional
Intimacy
Intimate
Intuition
Invest
Journey
Joy
Jump
Kind
Kindness
Laugh
Laughter
Lead
Leader
Leadership
Learn
Less
Liberate
Life
Light
Limitless
Listen
Live
Love
Luxury
Magic
Magical
Manifest
Maximize
Meaning
Meditate
Memories
Metamorphosis
Mindful
Mindfulness
Mindset
Minimize
Moment
Moments
Monetize
Money
More
Mother
Move
New
Nature
Nirvana
No
Nourish
Now
Nurture
Observe
Open
Optimistic
Organize
Overcome
Pardon
Partner
Passion
Patience
Pause
Peace
Permission
Persevere
Persist
Perspective
Play
Playful
Pleasure
Positivity
Possibilities
Possibility
Possible
Power
Powerful
Practice
Pray
Presence
Present
Prime
Prioritize
Priority
Process
Probable
Progress
Progression
Prosper
Purpose
Question
Quiet
Radiant
Re-brand
Receive
Reclaim
Reflect
Reflection
Relax
Release
Renew
Renewal
Reset
Resolve
Respect
Rest
Retreat
Revive
Rich
Rise
Rise
Romance
Satisfaction
Satisfy
Seek
Self
Self-care
Selfish
Self-love
Self-worth
Serene
Serenity
Service
Share
Shift
Shine
Siblings
Simple
Simplicity
Simplify
Sister
Sisterhood
Slow
Small
Smile
Soar
Son
Soul
Soulful
Space
Spark
Sparkle
Speak
Spirit
Steady
Still
Stillness
Strength
Strengthen
Stretch
Strive
Strong
Succeed
Success
Successful
Support
Surrender
Surround
Surroundings
Survive
Sympathy
Teach
Tempest
Think
This
Thoughtful
Thoughtfulness
Thrill
Thrilling
Thrive
Today
Touch
Transcend
Transform
Transformation
Transparent
Travel
Treasure
Trust
Truth
Try
Unchained
Understand
Unleash
Unique
Unlimited
Unstoppable
Value
Vibrant
Vision
Visionary
Vitality
Voice
Vulnerability
Vulnerable
Wake
Wander
Wealth
Wealthy
Wellness
Whole
Wholehearted
Why
Wild
Win
Winning
Wisdom
Wise
Wish
Wonder
Work
Worth
Worthy
Wow
Yes
Zenith