Category Archives: Lifestyle

Celebrating a New Chapter in my life – Come Travel With Me

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I’ve been retired from the Air Force since 1 April 2012 and I’ve been relaxing and traveling. Based on the questions I’ve been getting and folks interests in my travel, I’ve realized a lot of people want to travel also but are not able to do so on a whim and need to make long-term plans because of jobs and family obligations. I’ve been doing research on how I can help you realize your dream and finally decided on getting into the travel business as an agent. I’m just starting out and still learning. I decided to partner with Swift Travel Deals because it offers me training in the travel business and the ability to run my own business. There are a lot of travel businesses out there but I’m not in the business of recruiting. Swift Travel deals allows me to work with you to offer travel deals. So how can I help you?

If you’d like to save UP to 40 percent on travel by using our travel services? I want to give you a quick overview on the services.

With Swift Travel Deals, you can travel anywhere in the world and use Easy Pay Installment Plan on yachts, vacation packages, business travel, tours, hotels, car rental, and air. There are no interest fees, no credit checks, or financing, simply place a small deposit on your trip and make payments over time (up to 45 days before you depart for vacations and 60-90 days for cruises). For example, if you wanted to visit Brazil or Italy, you could book your flight and hotel package up to a year in advance with only $300 down or if you wanted to go to Miami or Walt Disney World in Orlando, the deposit would be even less, around $200 down with air and hotel or air and rental car. We will issue your booking confirmation and you make payments until your final payment due date. No monthly payments required. We’ve been featured in every major news outlet Fox, Yahoo, NY Times, Huffington Post, MSN, etc. and our goal is to help everyone travel the world regardless of their budget or special need. If you need a quote for travel, feel free to contact me directly or click on the website link and request a free quote. Thanks you for your time. Looking forward to working with you to make your travel deals come true.

http://paulapondtravel.agentstudio.com

Operation Exit: Week One – 11 Sept 2016 – 17 Sept 2016

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Operation Exit: Week One – 11 Sept 2016 – 17 Sept 2016

I participated in this writing project my niece Write to Bliss put together. It was called The Love Habit. She ascribed one love habit per day and one could write publicly or in one’s journal. I wanted to hold myself accountable so I decided to write publicly on Instagram. At the end of the 21 days (It took me a little longer than 21 days because I didn’t always do it everyday but I picked up where I last eft off) I realized I needed to make a change. I am moving to another country. I set my exit date two years from 10 September 2016.
You know that life is meant for living and that you have only one life to live. Show the world you aim to make it count. You can only die once. Stop living in fear. This is my new life motto. Well, it has always been but now I’m actually going to put it into practice. I will be making weekly updates on how and what I’m doing to get to my goal. Follow me why don’t you? Thanks.

 

My Two Month Trip to Kenya

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IMG_5801It was supposed to be an epic trip to three different countries. I intended to visit Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. I never left Kenya. In fact I didn’t even explore all of Kenya. However, it was a fantastic trip.

IMG_5345I rented an apartment in Diani Beach and I slowed down.

IMG_1067I spent an inordinate about of time at the beach.

IMG_4823I sat in restaurants talking to locals and sometimes older European tourist for hours. IMG_4768I lazed around my apartment/pool reading novels.

IMG_1158I went on safaris and visited villages.

IMG_5417I attended a wedding.

IMG_5732I ate fish directly from the ocean (never frozen.)

IMG_1542I took walks on dirt roads.

IMG_1464I touched the earth.

IMG_5611I Drank fresh mango and passion fruit juice almost daily. I ate with my hands.

IMG_1507There were times when I felt like people were waiting to hear about my epic adventure, and not having traversed East Africa as I said I was going to I may have disappointed them. Well there it is; I stayed in Kenya for the entire two months and I had a wonderful time.

My Trip to Kenya – Part 3 of 3

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My Trip to Kenya Part 3

Picking up where I left off from part 2.

Today (8 June 2015) is the last day in Kenya for my friend and her daughter. We took a Mombassa City tour and got some shopping in. Had lunch and it was time to head to the airport to drop them off for their return trip to the US of A. It was sad to see them leave. I was now on my own for the next seven days.

The following day I just loughed at the pool and read for the most part. The day after that I went to the supermarket and purchased some groceries. I had lunch while I was out and took advantage of the free wifi at the mall to make a few phone calls on WhatsApp to family and friends. The next few days I borrowed two books from reception and just relaxed at the resort. I had the pool all to myself since it was low season and I think only four of the units were occupied.

IMG_3597on 12 June 2015 I departed for the South Coast of Mombassa and my last four days in Kenya. The resort was beautiful even though I had to run away from monkeys on a few occasions to get to my room. I whiled away my days at the resort sunbathing, eating, drinking, reading etc., and spent my evenings/nights with some locals exploring the local area and nightlife. All in all it was a fantastic trip and I hope to visit again. Hopefully do a lot more site seeing next time.

My Brief Tips – Trip to Havana, Cuba

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View from across the water at the ferry port in Regla
IMG_0468 It is perfectly legal for Americans to travel to Cuba without applying for permission in advance as long as your trip falls within one of the 12 allowable reasons. If you are doing a self guided trip it may be more economical to travel through another country. Of all the Lonely Planet guides I have referenced for any of my travels the one on Cuba has been the most valuable. I would recommend obtaining a Cuba edition and reading through it during planning and well in advance of your trip. It outlines everything (visa requirement, money, etc). If however you have questions about my personal experience please feel free to ask.

San Francisco de AsisIMG_4759As of this writing your American phone, iPad etc., will not work in Cuba even if you would be willing to pay roaming charges. It will say “no service” the entire time you are there unless you are connected to wi-fi and wi-fi is not readily available. I was fine other than the one hour of wi-fi time I purchased to let my family and friends know that I was alright I did without internet. I did all of my research prior to arrival and printed out whatever I thought I’d need. If you are someone who absolutely needs to be constantly digitally connected you may have a problem.

IMG_0517Cash is King. Your US credit card/debit card will not work in Cuba and if you exchange USD for Cuban currency you will pay a 10% penalty. At the time I was there the going rate for the USD was .96 cents to one CUC with the additional penalty it worked out to about .87 cents rounded up. I brought GBPs and Euros I had from some of my other travels and a non US debit card for use at the ATM. Plan carefully if you don’t want to run out of money because you’ll have to bring all the cash you think you’ll need with you. Although I did see a Western Union I would not plan on using it. Some people chose to purchase Canadians currency prior to going to Cuba instead of having to exchange US dollars.

IMG_5080There are tourists from all over the world in cuba and they do not have some of the limitations (most importantly access to their money) that US travelers have there.

IMG_5025Most everyone is friendly just be aware that the hustle is real. Cuba is a safe country and though you will probably not get mugged you should definitely look out for smooth talkers who want to separate you from your money (the technique is not as abrasive as I’ve encountered in other countries but it’s there) pay attention, you’ll recognize it. I almost wished I had visited prior to the internet age. I didn’t see any homeless people. Everyone seems to want more material things. In my opinion sometimes more is just more and not always better. (Maybe I think that because I’m working my way towards minimalism). But what do I know? I am just a visitor, I do not live there year round.

IMG_5019Plan wisely (have a plan but be flexible), bring a small folding umbrella (for the sudden showers). Please bring your sunscreen and walking shoes and enjoy your trip. Cuba is a beautiful country.
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Facing my Truths – Day 11

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I spend way too much time on Facebook. Starting today I will cut time spent on Facebook by 50%. Hopefully I can catch up on my reading. There are some books I want to read again and I’ve added some new titles to my must read list. This is the first place I’ve lived where I didn’t get a library card within the first three months of residency. I just remedied that situation. Got my new library card yesterday.

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