Travel Archives – Page 2 of 3 – Unretirement Project

What We Are UP To in April 2018

April 18, 2018 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

Disclosure: Occasionally we receive free products for review or include advertising links in posts, but no one impacts the honesty of our opinions.

Watching| The Perfect Scam

> Remember the movie “Catch Me If You Can”? Well, fraud expert Frank Abagnale is collaborating with AARP on a podcast series about America’s biggest scams. The series is designed to educate listeners on how scammers operate. I’m looking forward to listening in April…

Reading| About GDPR

> Just in case you missed it, back in 2016, the European Union passed the General Data Protection Regulation (aka GDPR). It’s scheduled to go into effect next month. Whether you live in the U.S, Europe, or another country, this law will have an impact on our data, privacy, and security. It’s worth paying attention to.

Remembering | Las Vegas

>I love visiting Las Vegas. It’s such a vibrant city. Lots of great food, dynamic shows and entertainment, and great people watching. But Las Vegas today is so different than Vegas decades ago. It’s fun to see the history of the city and tour places like the Neon Museum to remember the past.

Working On| Book Marketing

> My third book, “The Recruiter’s Handbook: A Complete Guide for Sourcing, Selecting, and Engaging the Best Talent” was just released earlier in April at the Society for Human Management (SHRM) Talent Conference. So, we’re in full book marketing mode – writing articles and doing interviews. It’s very exciting.

Feeling| Ready

> We’ve been planning this move to Gainesville, Florida for well over a year. It’s nice to see positive movement toward our goal. I’m looking forward to doing some exploring in Gainesville and getting to know the city. And as much as I’ve liked living in Fort Lauderdale, it’s time.

Planning| Self-Care

> With several weeks of travel ahead (along with our move), Keith and I realize that taking care of ourselves is important. It could be a small as taking a few moments to play a favorite tablet game (We both like Bejeweled Blitz.) Or planning a trip to get in some serious rest and relaxation once this April move is behind us.

Loving| Cold Brew

> You guys know I’m a huge tea fan. But when it comes to a cold caffeinated beverage, my favorite is cold brew. I was recently in Portland, Oregon and got my fill of Stumptown Roasters. Luckily, I don’t have to wait for trips to Portland to get Stumptown – it can be found at the grocery store.

Geeking| Jigsaw Puzzle

> Growing up, I enjoyed jigsaw puzzles. For birthdays and Christmas, my father would give me jigsaw puzzles. We would always have a table in the family room with a big jigsaw puzzle on it. Now that I’m grown, I’m less inclined to do physical puzzles, but I have a jigsaw puzzle app. I can pick the puzzles I want, the number of pieces, etc.

What’s UP with you?

There’s Nothing Wrong With Having a Bucket List

February 7, 2018 by Sharlyn Lauby 1 Comment

I’ve never seen the movie “The Bucket List” but I do understand the concept. It comes from the term “kicked the bucket.” If for some reason you don’t know, a bucket list is a list of the things we want to do before we die. On some level, a bucket list is a wish list. It’s a list of things we want to experience someday. And as we change as an individual, our bucket list might change as well.

For example: for years, Keith and I wanted to take a repositioning cruise from Alaska through the Panama Canal to the Caribbean. Over the years, we’ve taken shorter cruises to the Caribbean, Panama, and Mexico. Now that we’ve done over half the trip, we’ve decided that if we never go on a repositioning cruise it isn’t a big deal. That doesn’t mean we’ll never take a repositioning cruise, it just means it isn’t on our list.

The reason I’m talking about bucket lists is because, a few weeks ago, I was reading a magazine article and a quote stuck out – “I don’t have a bucket list. If there’s something I want to do, I do it!” And my initial thought was there’s nothing wrong with having a bucket list. We might not be able to drop everything for a bucket list item.

Putting together a bucket list isn’t easy. To me, it’s not a list of “nice to haves” like the latest G.H. Bass & Co Wynn mules in yellow patent leather. That’s just my shoe fetish. A bucket list is a list of experiences that are important to me that I hope to do in my lifetime. The key word being important. And I don’t believe anyone can tell you what to put on your bucket list. Your list is yours and yours alone.

Sometimes we have to save resources to accomplish something. And by resources, I mean both money and time. A bucket list item might include a work sabbatical or maybe it will cost thousands of dollars. There’s nothing wrong with saving to make something on your list happen. That being said, we also might need to be open to opportunities as they present themselves.

We have to think of other people’s bucket lists. Every once in a while, Keith and I talk about our bucket lists. Obviously, they’re not the same. It reminds me that not only do I have my own list, but other people might expect me to participate in theirs. Maybe not for everything, but for some things. IMHO, that’s a tremendous honor and responsibility.

The decision to have (or not have) a bucket list is an individual one. It can be a long list or a short one. There’s nothing wrong with having bucket list, changing it, and sharing it with others. The important thing is to live your life the way you want to.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby at the Charlotte Amalie harbor in Saint Thomas, USVI

What We’re UP to – October 2017

October 25, 2017 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

Watching | Good Eats

> Keith and I are foodies and nerds. That makes us big fans of Alton Brown’s old show “Good Eats”. Needless to say, we were very excited to hear that Good Eats is making a comeback. Details TBA. In the meantime, we’ll continue to watch the oldies.

Reading | Urban Monk

> I’m fascinated with the practice of mindfulness. Earlier this year, I had the chance to meet Pandit Dasa at a conference. He graciously gave me a copy of his book “Urban Monk”, which is about being a monk in New York City. Wonderful read about life, change, and balance.

Remembering | Tom Petty

> I grew up listening to Tom Petty. And of course, being from Florida, he was one of us. I must admit as I get older, it’s hard having the celebrities that I watched or listened to as I was growing up leave us. I know none of us will live forever, but at least Petty’s music will.

Working On | Decluttering

> We’ve been in a constant state of cleaning in October. Hurricane Irma made us clean up leaves and branches. Our new Apple iMacs have forced us to clean out software, cords, and cables. Meanwhile, we’re trying to slowly declutter our personal belongings for next year’s move. Swedish Death Cleaning here I come!

Feeling | Excited

> Lots going on but all is well. The holidays are coming and that will be fun. I have a few trips planned which I’m looking forward to. Changes are coming and that’s very exciting.

Planning | Photo-a-Day Project

> Every year I say I will do a photo-a-day project. And somehow it moves down on the priority list. I’m hoping if I publically declare it on the blog, it will guilt me into it. LOL! 2018 is the year I’m doing a photo-a-day. Perfect way to document our move from Fort Lauderdale to Gainesville, FL.

Loving | Pumpkin Spice

> I will totally admit I like pumpkin spice in October. I’ve always loved pumpkin, so when an entire season popped up to celebrate this squash plant, I’m on board. I’m not a fan of pumpkin Cheerios but pumpkin spice Oreos are exceptionally good. And I treat myself to one pumpkin spice latte a year.

Geeking | Writing Apps

> With my new iMac comes some adjustments. The software programs I previously used to help with grammar, formatting, etc. aren’t Mac compatible. So, I’m searching for new ones. If you have any suggestions, let me know. I’m checking out Ulysses and Hemingway right now.

What’s UP with you?

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby somewhere off the coast of Ensenada, Mexico

Relocation? 8 Things to Consider When Deciding Where to Retire

October 18, 2017 by Sharlyn Lauby 13 Comments

At some point, everyone thinks about where they want to retire. Even if it’s for a fleeting moment, we ask ourselves the question. I know many people who are downsizing – the kids are gone and they just don’t need the space. Or they want relocation to someplace where it’s warmer. Regardless of what prompts the conversation, there are a few things to consider when thinking about where to retire.

I’m sharing this list with you because these are the items Keith and I thought about when we made our decision to move. Yep, at some point next year, we will be moving to Gainesville, Florida (Home of the Florida Gators football team.) We’re very excited about the relocation and promise to share more as things happen.

Arts, Culture, and Sports – Does the city offer the types of activities you like to do? If you like the theater, there’s no sense in moving to some place without it. If you enjoy museums, does the city have some? We’re excited that Gainesville has several parks and nature trails. And while neither of us graduated from UF, my guess is we will get caught up in college sports. (I think it might be a requirement of living there.)

History, Demographics, Religion, and Politics – It’s pretty easy to look up the history of a city on Wikipedia. You can also check out census information and demographics in terms of gender, age, etc. It could also make some sense to look at the last election results. Do you feel your voice will be heard? And make sure you feel you can openly practice your faith in the city you choose.

Family and Friends – Most people already think of this, but it needs to be on the list. On a personal note, relocation is a little bittersweet for us. We will be moving away from terrific friends, but we are moving a little bit closer to family. The good news is we’re staying in the state, so hopefully, we can visit often. And Orlando is a great halfway point to connect.

Finances and Cost of Living – I think it’s hard to figure out actual cost of living. We looked at those online indexes but I think you can get a better feel when you’re actually spending time in the city. Go to a grocery store and check out prices. Eat dinner at a few different types of places. We’ve been told that property taxes are higher in GNV because of the university, but food and housing are definitely less expensive.

Health Care – Does the city you’re considering have enough health care options? And if this is what you’re calling “your final relocation”, do they have senior or elder care options? I know we don’t like to discuss these things but, at some point, you have to.

News – What makes the news in your chosen city? We added a section to our Google News feed so we could see what people in Gainesville were talking about. Interestingly, it also gave us some perspective about crime in the area, because crime makes the news.

Travel – Since we’re still working full-time, having access to an airport is essential. We’re only a couple of hours from Jacksonville, Tampa, and Orlando. Gainesville has a small airport that flies to Atlanta. And from ATL, you can get anywhere. We also enjoy cruising, so lucky for us there are several cruise ports nearby.

Weather – I know a lot of people want to retire in the warmer temperatures. That’s great, just realize there are tradeoffs. We’re giving up wearing shorts in December, but we don’t have to deal with putting hurricane shutters on our house when we’re in our 70’s. Every city has something.

You probably noticed that I intentionally put the list in alphabetical order. That’s because the priority you attach to each one could be different. For some people, family might be the number one consideration. And for others, it might be finances or weather or something else.

Making the relocation decision for retirement is a big one. It takes time. Keith and I easily spent over a year talking about it. Hopefully, a list like this will give you a few things to consider as you’re making decisions about how to spend your unretirement.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby at the 34th Street Graffiti Wall in Gainesville, FL

5 Things to Take With You on Your Next Cruise

August 16, 2017 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

Keith and I like cruising. One of the reasons we enjoy cruising is the ability to disconnect. While cruise ships do offer WiFi, it’s not the same and cruising gives us the opportunity to really put technology away.

I ran across this post titled “9 Cruise Packing List Omissions that Can Completely Ruin Your Trip”. It’s a good read and offers some items you definitely want to pack – like medication, sunscreen, and your passport. But I wanted to add a few things to the list because packing for a cruise can be a little different.

A couple of months before your cruise, check out the cruise line’s website and see if there are activities and amenities you can book in advance. Cruise lines have become very sophisticated and you can make spa and dinner reservations, book shore excursions, and even buy internet minutes. Years ago, Keith and I would get on the ship and have to run around to make all these arrangements. Now, we can embark and just focus on relaxing. Also, see if your cruise line has an app. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line offers passengers an app, which has restaurant menus and account review.

Also, check the loyalty programs for your cruise line. There are many little perks to being a frequent cruise traveler – like internet minutes, special cocktail receptions, and laundry services. Know what your loyalty program level gets you. Don’t pay for something you can get for free.

Here are five things to take with you on your next cruise:

Something to carry your keycard. Remember cruising is a cashless environment. Your keycard gets you on/off the ship and it’s your method of payment. So guys might want something to keep their keycard in. I always bring a wristlet or crossbody bag with me. It’s small and I can carry a few items, including my keycard.

A small carryon bag. As much as the cruise line wants to get everyone their luggage on embarkation day before dinner, that doesn’t always happen. So we try to cut the cruise line some slack and walk onboard with enough to get us through dinner. By then, our luggage has arrived. It also works for disembarkation.

A good book. Waiting for trivia or bingo to start? Read a good book. Sitting on deck early in the morning as the ship is going into port? Read a good book. Of course, you’ll want something to read as you’re soaking up the rays. (If you’re into that sort of thing.)

An insulated travel mug. I carry a Yeti with me everywhere I go. I love a nice big cuppa tea in the morning. And I want it to stay hot. Instead of complaining about coffee cups on the ship, I bring my own. Then in the afternoon, I can fill it with cold water and it says cold. Best thing ever.

The Mobile Passport app. If you cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, the Mobile Passport app (FREE on iTunes and Android) will speed your trip through U.S. Customs dramatically. Set the app up with your passport info before you leave and, when you’re ready to disembark, just fill out your declaration in the app.

Cruising is a very relaxing way to travel. But it does take a little preparation. So, we don’t have to make any big decisions during our vacation. Well, except whether to have red or white wine with dinner…

Image captured by Keith Lauby somewhere off the coast of St. Thomas, USVI

The Disney Highway in the Sky Dine Around Is a Must Try

August 2, 2017 by Keith Lauby Leave a Comment

My love for Disney spans decades. As a child, I sat mesmerized in front of our console television set, watching Walt Disney explain the development of Walt Disney World. Later, as an adult, I revel in Disney events like the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

That’s why I was more than intrigued when Sharlyn told me about the Disney Highway in the Sky Dine Around. What’s that, I asked. Think progressive dinner hopping from resort to resort along the world-famous Walt Disney World monorail. They call it a “dinner unlike any other” and it more than lives up to that!

Check-in took place at The Wave. . . of American Flavors restaurant at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. They had a small reception area where we received our dine around passes and enjoyed some informal networking time with our intimate group of approximately 30 fellow diners. That was aided by an adult beverage (less than adult is also available) and a delightful amuse bouche of smoked pea and bacon soup. Yum! While we noshed, we were introduced to our hosts who would patiently guide us along our evening’s dining adventure.

After just the right amount of time to get things started, our hosts escorted us to the monorail landing where we were whisked off to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The Poly (as those in-the-know call it) had a decorated area where we enjoyed our appetizer course. Reminiscent of a Hawaiian luau, servers presented three small plates of island inspired fare accompanied by ukulele music. My favorite was the sushi, though I’m not much of a seafood fan. It was just that good!

Back onboard the monorail, we passed through the Disney World Transportation and Ticket Center on our way to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. The first stop was the Garden View Tea Room where afternoon tea is typically served. For our group, however, they delighted us with champagne and charcuterie before escorting everyone up to their Mediterranean styled restaurant Cítricos.

For our main course, we were treated to surf and turf with fall-off-the-bone tender short ribs paired with halibut. Not a fish eater like me? No problem, we’re happy to give you extra short ribs! The entrée is served with your choice of red or white wine. Our final trip on the monorail brought us back to Disney’s Contemporary Resort for dessert and an exclusive view of the Happily Ever After fireworks show. And, when I say exclusive view, you could almost reach up and touch the monorail whenever it passed directly overhead.

Part of the enjoyment was the many informal conversations with the other guests. We had the pleasure of meeting several people who shared our admiration for all things Disney. We even learned about other events to check out in the months ahead.

Our dining adventure was complete and there was never a disappointment. My love for Disney continues, though it costs a little more. Okay, a lot more at $150 per person plus tax and gratuity. Make no mistake, this specialty dining experience is limited in size and availability. Even if you plan ahead, you may have to be flexible with your dates to get a reservation. But, as chef Alton Brown likes to say, your patience will be rewarded.

What We’re UP To: June 2017

June 14, 2017 by Sharlyn Lauby 2 Comments

Watching | Twin Peaks

> It’s been 25 years, but the Twin Peaks revival has started. Before we start watching the new episodes, we decided to watch the original. I must say, the show has held up well over the years. You know, there are some shows that are 10, 20 years old and they look 10, 20 years old. Not the case with Twin Peaks.

Reading | Toxic Octopus

> I’m a big fan of comedy mystery books. Love Carl Hiaasen and Jana DeLeon. Now I can add Lisa Haneberg to my must-read list. Lisa and I worked on a management development book years ago and she’s branched out to fiction. “Toxic Octopus” is the second book in the series. You can download the first book, “Ghost Rat” for free.

Working On | BlogHer17

> We envision this blog to be different from HR Bartender. While we’ll talk a bit about careers and consulting, we want to also talk about travel, food, and life. Since this year’s BlogHer conference is in Orlando, we decided to go get some ideas and inspiration.

Feeling | Frustrated

> …with my computer equipment. It always seems like whenever I have a bunch of deadlines, my computer decides that the blue screen of death (BSOD) needs to show up. We’re wondering if it’s time to make the transition from PCs to Macs. If you have an opinion, please drop us your thoughts in the comments!

Planning | Menus!

> You guys know that I’m a planner. Spring human resources conference season is ending soon and I’m looking forward to some home cooking over the summer. One of our favorite things to make is pizza on the grill. We’ve been perfecting homemade pizza dough and fresh sauce. Delish!

Loving | Yeti

> I always carry a Yeti in my suitcase. It was wonderful to have it during our cruise to Cuba. When you’re used to having a nice big mug of tea in the morning, the small cups on the ship just won’t do. And we weren’t the only people walking around the ship with Yeti travel mugs.

Geeking | Apple Pay

> I know, I know…Apple Pay has been around for years. I’ve been reluctant to give it a try. But I recently set it up and it is so convenient! Especially at Starbucks. I initially purchased my Apple Watch for the health and exercise features, and I really like that the watch is more than that.

What’s UP with you? Leave us a note in the comments about how you’re spending the summer.

Image of Agent Cooper captured by Keith Lauby