Embracing the Golden Years by combining Travel, Adventure, and Self-Discovery
Do you think there are only 5 reasons I love diving in Cozumel, Mexico? Ha! There are many more than 5, but hey, I’m not writing a novel, I am writing a blog! Diving in Cozumel is so easy, most are drift dives, and the visibility is crystal clear most of the time. So here goes, the top 5 reasons I love diving in Cozumel.
[Read more…] about The Top 5 Reasons I Love the Fantastic Diving in Cozumel!
I have always loved introducing people to the ocean. First time snorkelers, first time divers, and especially children seeing the underwater world for the first time. I cannot count how many people I have taught to snorkel or taken snorkeling, and most of them went on to dive and become certified divers. Since I am always excited to be in the water and see fish and animals and corals, I enjoy being with others who are as excited as I am!
Good fortune came my way in Cozumel a week ago, when a ten year old girl staying next door to me fell in love with the ocean. Her entire family did! They were in Cozumel for a family wedding that took place at Villa Torres, though Villa Coronado did the honors for the ceremony! I loved the whole group, they were just wonderful. The young girl, Addison (love that name), went out on a snorkel with me and we had a great adventure: scorpion fish, flounders, yellow stingrays, and amazingly enough, a seahorse! That was magical. Seahorses are hard to find in Cozumel since the 2006 hurricane, so finding one on a snorkel was just incredible. We stayed out for over an hour, and she could not get enough! It was so fun to show her the underwater world. I had forgotten how much I enjoy introducing new people to the beautiful creatures. She was particularly drawn to the Queen Parrotfishes just becoming adults with their dazzling colors.
The desire to write a book series about our Ocean Friends was something I always wanted to do in order to introduce people to the animals in the ocean. When people get interested and excited, they want to learn more, and to experience it. My first published book, Fish Faces: Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish, is meant to begin a journey of getting to know our ocean friends, and how important they are to our survival on this planet. It all begins with knowledge, and with knowledge comes enthusiasm. Learning should be fun at any and every age! Fish Faces is available on LULU.com right now, and will be on Amazon and Barnes and Noble soon, within the next few weeks. It is the same price on all the sites. Do you know someone interested in the ocean? This is a super fun way to learn about fish species and how different they look from ocean to ocean. I have dived in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, and many of the seas within them, so my photographs reflect a planetary view of ocean fish, along with fun facts about each species.
I so enjoyed my time snorkeling with Addison, and it makes me want to show people the ocean even more! I hope you take a look at All Fish Faces!
I have roamed all over our amazing planet, and there is so much more to see! Having walked on seven continents, I have been privileged to see the most beautiful, fantastic, and incredible sights. Every place is so different and so unique, and I have loved all of my travels, and treasure my experiences, both good and bad. Travel is the very best teacher, and for me, a way to learn, humble, and challenge myself at the same time. But…no matter how far I roam, the colors of Cozumel always awe and thrill me. This easy, breezy, non-pretentious island welcomes me home, I am reminded every time I come why I love it so much.
The ocean has many colors of blue, and the diving here is wonderful. I always forget the mountains of colorful corals and the creatures of Cozumel.. I love to dive the multi-faceted reefs here, and now I am trying my hand at macro photography (close up photography as the pictures below) I am discovering new dive sites and meeting new people!
It is a small world, as we all know. My next door neighbor and friend Lyn and I have been coming to Cozumel together for longer than I want to admit! Ten years ago Lyn brought some friends down and one of the women happened to be the mother of a school mate of my daughter’s. A few nights ago, her son had his wedding at Villa Torres, and the ceremony was on my front yard! It was so exciting for me to be able to give them a place for their ceremony! The sunset at the end of the ceremony was so dramatic it must be a good omen for the bride and groom!
My husband, Randy, has been delayed, but I hope he gets down here any day now. He loves the island as much as I do.
Yep, it is the Real Deal! Nothing like announcing a book and then have it mucked up in publishing! But, Fish Faces, Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish, is available! After redoing some graphics and changing the formatting, I am very, very happy with it. Right now it is available on LULU.com at http://www.lulu.com/shop/tam-warner-minton/fish-faces/paperback/product-23212566.html. Right now you can buy it on LULU, but shortly it will be available on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles at the same price. It is meant for people of all ages, though children love the ocean and ocean creatures! We can safely say it is a book for children of all ages! What can be better for our planet than learning about its creatures and marveling at their beauty?
I am dedicated to the preservation and conservation of our oceans, and I will give 10% of any profits to the Marine Megafauna Foundation which was co-founded by Dr. Andrea Marshall to conduct research and save our ocean giants. I have gone on expeditions with Andrea, and support her efforts 100%. Take a look, and I think you will too! Andrea is known as the Queen of Mantas, and has a documentary that was shown on BBC many years ago. Thanks to her and her students, much more is known about these animals now! They are doing important work.
Seriously, you must do these 5 things on safari! There is nothing as incredible as an African Safari. Nothing. Seeing these animals in the wild is not at all comparable to seeing them in a zoo or a “safari” park. The savannah goes on forever….truly, the Circle of Life is real. Going to the Serengeti is like stepping into the Lion King, I kid you not. Or a Nat Geo documentary. I expected to see Simba and his friends at any moment. Instead, I saw many simbas (simba means “lion”!). An African Safari is a trip anyone who loves to travel must take at least once in their lifetime! Be adventurous! [Read more…] about 5 Ways of Making your African Safari Unforgettable!
While attending the most recent Women in Travel Summit, I was immediately drawn to, as well as fortunate, to spend time with my new friend Linda Higdon. Linda’s personal story opened my eyes to an opportunity that I never knew existed.
Just imagine traveling through East Africa’s cosmopolitan capital city of Nairobi, along the verdant slopes of Mt. Kenya and out to sweeping high deserts where you will personally meet remarkable women shaping change in contemporary Kenya.
Visit the women and children of rural villages, discover life-giving projects in urban slums and step into remote tribal communities. At night, return to lovely and comfortable accommodations to reflect upon the day’s adventures. This is not a mission trip, only a way to weave our two worlds together in a life altering experience.
Why did Linda create Global Heart Journeys?
A champion for global women, Linda Higdon is a performing artist, photographer visionary. Over the past 15 years, she has been “on the ground”, working, traveling, and building relationships with women who are igniting change in the developing world. She has a deep passion for introducing Americans to these extraordinary women leaders who have transformed her life and seeks to help others take a similar enriching journey.
In designing “A Women’s Journey to Kenya: Beauty in the Unexpected”, Linda combined her lifetime career in the creative arts with her work in Kenya. She is a classical pianist who has studied in Paris as well as a licensed ceramic artist whose work has appeared in galleries nationwide.
My visit to Austin ~
Craig and I were traveling to Austin, Texas for work and my Adventures of Empty Nesters explorations and ironically, Linda was traveling there as well to connect with a past Global Heart Journey traveler, Judy Simon.
Judy coordinated a small group of open minded women, curious to learn about her experiences with Linda and the tour in Kenya. We sat in a large circle, learned more details of the trip and shared heart-felt personal feelings, stories of our lives and what new types of adventures we were searching to find.
The overlying common theme from every single one of these intriguing midlife women was this:
We spoke candidly about the world today and how we as mothers, daughters and friends could embrace the idea of traveling to Kenya and explore the culture of other women.
Testimonial from Judy Simon:
One cannot help but be profoundly changed by this “Women’s Journey to Kenya” because you are in the middle of how the Kenyans live – they draw you in and then hide in your heart for the best travel souvenir you will find anywhere. There is no negotiation on this! Bring your heart, your openness, and your sense of adventure and you will not return the same person who left home. Is it safe? Physically – yes. Emotionally – travel at your own peril.
I am forever grateful to Linda Higdon and the many women of Kenya for waking me up.
I have been asked repeatedly if this was a mission trip or a fundraising event. I called it a women’s study group. We were there to learn from the amazing and strong Kenyan women whom I firmly believe if they ran the country, they would change the world.
Click here for a wonderful video testimonial ~
Tour Highlights:
Join the “Women’s Journey to Kenya” created for women who are looking for purpose in travel. In this 16-day adventure, you will spend a lot of time with Kenyan women and children, discovering life in the heart of villages, tea fields and cities. And each night you’ll retreat to 4-star luxury and delicious cuisine. Linda Higdon, your tour host, has worked in Kenya for 15 years so you’ll have special access to people and places not found on any tour. Feel completely safe and secure with your expert host and reputable drivers who are always there for you!
Delight in Kenya’s artistry, jewelry, music, and timeless traditions! Enjoy deep bonds with other travelers and the Kenyan women. See magnificent wildlife!
Check out more of Linda’s spectacular photographs. Each one tells a story that literally jumps off the page!
Have you been looking for an adventure of this caliber? Do you have questions? Would you like to join a group of curious, adventurous women with a desire to connect with other women in another country on the other side of the world?
More Details of the trip to Kenya ~
Check here for an itinerary and here to learn from FAQ’s and about your personal safety.
July Trip – Women’s Journey to Kenya July 9-24, 2017 The weather is great in July!
HURRY! THIS TRIP IS JULY 9!!!!
You can contact Linda Higdon at linda@globalheartjourneys.net
312-339-9037
Discover the website GlobalHeartJourneys.net
If the July dates are not just right for you, there is another trip scheduled for February of 2018. Ask Linda for the Adventures of Empty Nesters discount.
This is a sponsored post, but all opinions and sincere feelings are my own.
