5 New Things to Try on Your Travels! With everyone itching to go traveling, or at least plan a decent trip for 2021, it’s a great time to consider something new. Whether you’re looking to try a new sport on holiday or embark on an adventure to a new destination, there are endless opportunities to do something different for your next trip. From fishing to flying solo, here are five things you can try to make your next trip memorable.
[Read more…] about 5 New Things to Try on Your TravelsTam’s 8 Tips on How to Travel with Chronic Pain
Knowing how to travel with chronic pain is very important for me. When I began solo traveling and performing citizen science, after my children left home, one of my family’s major concerns was how I would manage my back pain while traveling solo. What would I do without help? I have had two major back surgeries, and I am fused from L2-S2 with rods and 8 pedicle screws. In other words, my spine looks like a madman’s science project! Heavy lifting is a major issue for me in all aspects, and since I do volunteer scuba diving trips, I make arrangements before I go to be sure it is understood I need assistance with the weight of the tank. In addition to my chronic back pain, I have Psoriatic Arthritis which flares up when it is most inconvenient. I have learned about taking care of myself when traveling with chronic pain, and I’m happy to share these lessons, and tell you what works for me.
- Plan to be in pain. Yes. You will be in pain, so be prepared and have pain medications or any pain management items you normally use, at your fingertips. When I fly, I always carry pain relief such as Salonpas Pain Relief Patches, muscle relaxers, and muscle relief creams like Deep Blue or Icy Hot in my purse or backpack. I also take Aleve for joint pain, I find it works best for long term relief.
- Always wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing that does not restrict your body in any way since you may need to apply a patch or a cream. Loose, comfy clothes and shoes are comfortable when I stretch or sleep on a plane. I stretch every time I get up, and try to get up at least once every two hours to stretch and walk a bit.
- I always have a pillow for my neck. Adding neck pain from uncomfortable seats or planes or trains compounds any type of pain one has. My motto is suffer as little as possible!
- Add 2 or 3 days to your itinerary. I have found this to be imperative, and it is one piece of advice I absolutely urge you to follow. I know this seems excessive, but there have been times I have arrived at a location and had to rest for a day or two, and who wants to lose one second of vacation or a volunteer trip? I always build in the “days of rest” at the beginning of my trip, because chronic pain is unavoidable when you travel. Planes, luggage, airports, walking long distances, standing in lines…I need a couple of days of being on my back with muscle relaxers after a travel day. It is worth the extra cost, and if your body doesn’t need the rest, you’ve gained a couple of extra vacation days!
- Always wear compression socks or leggings on a long flight. The last thing you need to add to your pain is a blood clot!
- Always check your luggage, and when available, use carts or porters or bellboys. I know it costs more, but it is worth it if you are in pain. Lugging bags around is just about the worst thing you can do if you are hurting. I don’t ask, but I always accept offers of assistance, and I’m generous with tips.
- Sleep. Sleep is a cure for almost anything, I find. Take a muscle relaxer or pain pill and get some sleep! You’ll feel better when you wake up, I promise.
- Lastly, hydrate! Water, juice, lemonade, or tea will help to hydrate you and that is beneficial when in pain. Your muscles get tight when dehydrated, so be sure to drink plenty of fluids (alcohol and soda do not add to hydration, they actually dehydrate the body. I never drink alcohol on travel days. Sorry about that!)
There you have it, Tam’s Tips for Traveling with Chronic Pain. I’m very experienced at this, and these are the tips that work best for me. So book your trip, pack up your gear and get going! You will be glad you did.
http://tamtravels.wpengine.com/4-of-the-most-amazing-reasons-i-go-on-citizen-science-trips/
I am Enjoying my 15 minutes of Fame Talking About What I Love!
I am Enjoying my 15 minutes of Fame Talking About What I Love!
I have been enjoying my time in the sun, and in front of the camera, on the microphone, not to mention several reviews and articles that have been written and published! Publishing my first book, ALL FISH FACES: Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish, has put me in the spotlight. Talking about solo travel, citizen science, diving, and promoting ocean conservation has been amazingly fun! We all enjoy talking about the things that we are knowledgeable about, or that we are passionate about, don’t we? At least, I do! (check out my author page for full listing of events, appearances and articles!)
On October 9 I had the pleasure of going to Tyler Texas to be interviewed by Bryan Boes, of CBS19 Tyler. He was very enthusiastic about the ocean and curious about diving and the changes I have seen under the water line in the last 30 years. I told him he needed come scuba diving with me! He’s welcome to pop on down to Cozumel where I can show him some very cool fish!
On October 13 I spent 30 minutes visiting with Lisa and Nancy on Big Blend Radio and TV Magazine! They were fun and also curious about my perspective on solo travel, my citizen science trips, and my fun book! They are very active in promoting our National Parks and keeping them safe from business interests and political maneuverings. We talked about our apex predators, both on land and in the sea. They need protection, and Nancy and Lisa, a mother daughter team, are among those seeking protection for them. That was a fun 30 minutes! They publish a wonderful magazine called Parks and Travel.
On October 16 I was so excited to be on Good Morning Texas on WFAA Channel 8 with Jane McGarry! We had a great time chatting and laughing, and her questions were direct and to the point. Both of the tv shows highlighted video of my dives, and pictures of my book. It has been a thrill, I can tell you that!
Stay tuned for more appearances!
October 21, 2017 Live on Rudy Maxa’s World with the Careys 930a CST
November 4, 2017 KTALKmedia 630p CST
November 5, 2017 Book Signing at The Mat Yoga Studio Signing at 3p and 430p, at 330p take a yoga class! There are two classes, one for adults and one for kids! Be sure and sign up for your space! 18484 Preston Road, Suite 201, Dallas, TX 75252 (972) 497-YOGA (9642) info@thematy
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Digital Nomads Interviewed Me about Travel, Citizen Science, and my book ALL FISH FACES!
I had a great time with @RickySheety of Digital Nomads! They have several interviews with digital nomads and travelers, so be sure and check them out on YouTube!
3 Reasons to Book a Solo Travel Getaway to the Virgin Islands
Feeling overwhelmed by the daily grind? Hour after hour of demands and deadlines, interrupted only by the buzz of technology notifications…. Sound familiar? How about….the Virgin Islands?
It’s time to schedule a trip – with yourself.
Whether you’re approaching burnout or taking preventive measures to stave it off, it’s time to unplug from the rest of the world and re-learn how to enjoy your own company. And there’s no better place than the Virgin Islands, a treasure trove of sandy beaches and turquoise waters, where you can reap these healthful benefits:
- Find out who you are
Make some time to figure out who you are and what you’ve become. Discover new interests, acquire new tastes, and log exciting new memories.
Travel Log:
-Explore new things to love: From exciting adventures like zip lining, kiteboarding, and night kayaking, to sampling local delicacies like callaloo, conch, and pates.
-Treat yourself to the ultimate journey of self-discovery – a custom, multi-island tour led by a local boat captain. Here’s your chance to uncover the best snorkeling spots, find the hottest island drink (ahem, Painkillers), and go on a quest to find the most tranquil, unspoiled island.
- Time to unwind
Time alone gives you the chance to clear your mind, focus, recharge. The benefits? Increased productivity and creativity when you return home. Pulitzer prize–winning writer John Updike observes: “It is often in idle moments that real inspiration comes.”
Travel Log:
–Relax in St. John’s Cinnamon Bay, a pristine island oasis.
-Virgin Gorda, BVI is the ideal spot to get some refresh time.
- Freedom to be flexible
Maybe you’re at everyone else’s mercy when you’re back home, but on this trip, you can do whatever you want. No schedule, no expectations. The choice is yours.
Travel Log:
-Head over to Maho Bay in St. John for superb snorkeling without the crowds. Turtle spottings are pretty much instantaneous in this locale!
And in your quest for bliss, take the words of Roy M. Goodman to heart: “Remember that happiness is a way of travel—not a destination.”
This post brought to you by Sonic Charters St. Thomas Boat Rental.
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It was an exciting dive in the Dampier Strait!
On day 8 of one of the best dive trips of my life, the Arenui Liveaboard headed into the Dampier Strait of Raja Ampat. Our dive sites were Cape Kri, Blue Magic, and Saonek Jetty. Saonek Jetty brought the biggest shock of the day! The dive site is at a jetty, just as it sounds, and it was a nice, shallow dive site. During my first dive there, I saw a Titan Triggerfish. The Titan has a bad reputation for being aggressive, and I had heard the stories of broken jaws, stitches, and broken ribs. Yikes! I have always been very respectful of the Titan, it is a meaty, muscular triggerfish. On this dive, I saw a Titan diving down, and realized it was building a nest. I didn’t go close to her, but she saw me and came after me with a vengeance! Scared me to death. I had my brand new camera in my brand new Nauticam housing, and the only thing between my face and the fish was my housing. As the fish shot toward me I pushed out at it with my housing. My thought was, great, my first trip with this gear and it is going to be broken. The Titan came after me three times, and how it did not crash into my housing dome I will never know. My dive buddy swam up afterward to make sure I was okay. Okay but a bit shaken, I admit!
Cape Kri was an absolutely beautiful dive site, one of the most visually beautiful of the trip, both above and below. A large group of Bumphead Parrotfish were in the shallows, hanging out on our safety stop. The light was decent so I was able to take good photos of them. They are so ugly, but big and fascinating to watch!
Blue Magic was a gorgeous dive site, and almost an eerie dive. The fish shoals were huge, and so still, we all knew there had to be predators around. We were rewarded with Black Tip Reef Sharks, and finding a Woebeggone Shark snoozing under a ledge. We did two dives at Blue Magic, so we also saw a variety of fish, and a couple of Giant Manta Rays!
Black Tip Reef Sharks were hanging around the shoals. It was so still and quiet!
It was a beautiful day of diving!
This completely awesome trip was a Ray of Hope Expedition from Marine Megafauna Foundation with Dr Andrea Marshall.