Certification in Two Countries: To Keep or Not to Keep?

That is the question.

Hi, folks!

When moving abroad, people who work in the Allied Health field want to know if it is worthwhile not only transferring credentials internationally, but also maintaining professional certification and license to practice in their home country.

When I moved to America, I renewed my certification and membership with Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) each year. Since moving back to Australia, I have maintained my certification with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and renewed my Florida state licensure.

Feeding Time on Siesta Key 
Florida, USA
Photo taken by Maree Richardson

Downside:

• Expensive! It costs me about $937 AUD ($647 USD) per year to maintain all three  certifications/licenses.
• Time consuming to update professional development hours and check progress toward compliance for three certifications/licenses. After I complete a training course, I login to three different websites to enter the information, as each association has their own requirements.

Upside:

• Freedom of moving between countries and being allowed to work right away. This makes it easier to find a job and reduces financial stress. You don’t have to repeat the laborious and costly application process for certification. You're ready to go!
• Although expensive, certification/license fees are due at different times of the year, which means you can budget and don’t have to "fork out" all the money at once. SPA fees are due by end of June, whereas ASHA and Florida state license fees are due by end of December.
• You can apply the same professional development hours to all certifications/licenses. For example, speechpathology.com offers unlimited, online continuing education courses which are recognised by all three professional associations who I am certified/licensed with. 

So, is it worth it? 

For now, yes. The advantages currently outweigh the disadvantages.

I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this topic. Feel free to comment below.

Cheers!

Maree

Where Did We Move To?

Hi, folks!

The previous post about packing up our first home finished on the ultimate cliff-hanger ...

Where did we move to?

Many people asked for Part Two of the series, so without further ado, let's "spill the beans". We have moved across the other side of the world again, this time to ...

The Land Down Under!

G'Day from Queensland, Australia
Photo taken by Gregory Richardson (drone photography).

Although Australia is my home country, it will take some time to adjust. After living in America for 6 years, the first few weeks back in Australia felt like a foreign country.

Initial musings about moving back to my homeland:

- Everyone has an accent, and it sounds really bogan! During our first week back, we were in a restaurant in Brisbane and I made a quiet comment about the two blokes sitting at the table next to us: “Hey, I think they’re from Australia ...”, forgetting that we were no longer in America. 

- My accent is a hybrid. It sounds really confused! For those new to the blog, I work as a Speech Language Pathologist, and part of my job is to help children articulate their speech sounds correctly. Thus, while living in America, I had been consciously trying to make my “R’s” strong and my vowels long. Now I have to retrain my own articulation skills to sound Aussie again!

- Jacaranda trees are stunning! I’ve never truly appreciated them until now. For my international friends, Jacaranda’s are large trees that bloom gorgeous, purple flowers in October/November; Springtime in the Southern Hemisphere.

Jacaranda Trees
Photo taken by Gregory Richardson.

- Upon starting a new job in Australia, I’m steadily learning about the changes in the healthcare system over the past few years, including the nationwide roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Understanding healthcare systems in two countries can be overwhelming.

- You know how foreigners suppose that Australian animals are out to kill ya? Now I understand their point of view - our spiders are huge! A couple of weeks ago, we visited the local Botanic Gardens and were greeted with a nightmarish mass of entangled webs and spiders the size of an outstretched hand. There are memes made of this stuff!

- Never had I ever been stung by a blue bottle until, you guessed it ... now. Last weekend the little blighter wrapped its tentacle around my ankle and hung on for all it was worth. Ouch!

- Cricket is a strange sport. With field positions like "Silly Mid Off" and "Short Leg", and test matches that last up to 5 days, no wonder why Robin Williams said: "Cricket is basically Baseball on Valium". I took Greg to his first ever live cricket match and he enjoyed tolerated it for 3 hours. We agreed this was a pretty good innings for his first experience. 

Greg's First Cricket Match
Photo taken by random crowd member.

- Aussie sangas (sausages) are amazing! So are plain mince pies with tomato sauce (ketchup). 

- I have complained about Australia’s high income tax rates. Goodbye, pay check!

- It’s easy to find vacant beaches all to yourself with sand that stretches as far as the eye can see.

To our friends and family:  if you’re up Queensland way or fancy taking that bucket list trip to The Land Down Under, feel free to drop in! As Paul Hogan once said, we might even "slip an extra shrimp on the barbie" for ya.

Cheers!


Maree

Downsizing! Packing Up Our First Home

Hi, folks!

With just 6 over-sized suitcases in tow, we have packed up our lives!

After living in Florida for the past 6 years, and owning our own home for 5 of those years, we had accumulated quite a lot of stuff: a kayak, kayak racks, snorkeling gear, tennis equipment, beach umbrellas, beach chairs, coolers, pool floaties ... Can you tell we lived in Florida?!

Calm Before the Storm (Long Exposure)
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Photo taken my Maree Richardson

We are both people who enjoy a tidy house. Thanks to The Minimalists podcast, I have learnt to appreciate which items have a purpose and bring value to our lives. Some of our Airbnb guests described our house as "minimalist" and were inspired to adapt their homes in a similar fashion. Overall, we were feeling pretty confident that we had everything under control for the big move.

But boy, we were wrong!

The past couple of months have been emotionally, mentally and physically draining. We started to downsize our items about two months prior to the move. It was only in the final two weeks that we began to feel a little "behind", realizing just how much was left to go. We still had to find potential renters (as we decided to turn our property into a long-term rental), prioritize which items to bring, decide what to do with leftover items (e.g., sell, donate, store, give away), and clean the whole house in preparation for rental inspections. All while working full-time jobs!

Goodbye, Home!
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Photo taken by Maree Richardson

We stayed up late on the last night scrubbing the bathrooms, awoke early to clean out the refrigerator, and were still packing and re-packing our bags to the last minute. You know how people in the movies sit on their suitcases to try to get them closed? Yep, that was us!

Before leaving, we walked around our empty house and thanked the space for all of the memories. We took a last minute photo, and managed to squeeze all of the bags into the back of the car. Our Tetris skills leave a lot to be desired!

For me, the most emotional part was explaining the move to my wonderful students. Their reactions were variable. Some of them nodded their heads and moved on quickly, asking "Can we play the game, now?", while others were upset and required some consoling. Fortunately, the sweet Speech Language Pathologist who took my position shadowed me for a couple of days and got to meet most of the students, which helped ease the transition.

Reflections (Long Exposure)
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Photo taken by Maree Richardson

What was also brought to my attention were the beautiful relationships I have made in this part of the world: colleagues, clients, friends, and people who I now call family. As life unfolded over the course of 6 years, some pretty special, lifelong friendships were created. For that, I am very grateful.

So ... where did we move to? That's a story for another time. 😉

Until then, have a great week!

Maree

Texas and New Mexico - National Parks Road Trip - 7 Day Itinerary and Photo Diary

Hi, folks!

With a country as diverse as the US of A, it can be tricky to plan a trip. If you enjoy warm weather and wide open spaces, and don't want to spend a fortune, then you're in for a treat!

West Texas and New Mexico are "hidden gems". In March 2018, Greg and I embarked upon a Tex-New Mex road trip. Our self-devised itinerary enabled us to explore the main National Parks and Monuments in the area.

Walking on another planet.

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico.

Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

We flew into El Paso, Texas, rented a white Dodge Challenger at the airport (my new favorite American muscle car), and then drove to our Airbnb accommodation: an entire house for $40 per night. Bargain!

Day 1: White Sands National Monument, New Mexico.

About 1.5 hours north of El Paso lies the worlds largest gypsum dunefield. With a colossal amount of space, one does not need to venture far to find peace and solitude across this white blanket of sand. It was recommended to take appropriate navigational gear if hiking long distances, as the landscape looks identical for miles. Many visitors hired/purchased sleds and went sledding down the sandy slopes. There is nothing else like it! 

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico.

Photo taken by Gregory Richardson.

Upon returning to El Paso, we drove the narrow, winding Scenic Drive and watched the sunset from the Overlook, which offered panoramic views over El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez in Chihuahua, Mexico. We stayed until nightfall and marveled at the sparkling city lights across two different cities, two different states, and two different countries.

Two different cities. Two different states. Two different countries.
El Paso, Texas, USA / Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

Day 2: Drove 3 - 3.5 hours to Artesia, New Mexico.

Artesia is your stereotypical oil and gas town. It is not pretty. Its main street is home to the Navajo Refinery, the largest refinery in New Mexico. The cheap hotel we had reserved experienced a widespread sewage issue, so they transferred us down the road to the next hotel. It was basic, albeit convenient, and became our "home base" for exploring the nearby National Parks.

Navajo Refinery, Artesia, New Mexico.
Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

If you stay in Artesia or are simply passing through, make sure to stop by La Herradura for a feed. It is an authentic, family-run restaurant and serves the best Mexican food.  A "diamond in the rough"! The owners/employees spoke very little English, so we communicated with the limited Spanish we had, accompanied by lots of hand gestures and facial expressions. Greg ordered a burrito the size of a truck, and I ordered a combination plate because I like to try a bit of everything.

The best Mexican food!
La Herradura, Artesia, New Mexico.
Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

Day 3: Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico.

A short, 1 hour drive from Artesia are the Carlsbad Caverns. There are two options for exploring these underground caves: you can hike down and up, or you can take the elevator down and up. The elevator was not working the day we visited, so that made the decision easy. We hiked the 2km (1.25 miles) down and the 2km back up: the equivalent of walking up and down a 75-story building. 

The Natural Entrance Trail is in reasonably good condition, however it is steep, dark, and smells like bat poop. We were rewarded with spectacular cave formations at the bottom, including the Big Room which boasts the largest single cave chamber in North America. In my opinion, once you've seen a cave, you've seen them all.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico.
Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

Day 4: Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas.

A short 1.5 hour drive from Artesia. This was the most "American day" I have ever had! Greg had work meetings scheduled all day, so he stayed in the comforts of our 2-star accommodation while I spent the day on a solo adventure. I proudly drove my beastly Dodge Challenger across the New Mexico/Texas border, enjoying every tough grunt it made while accelerating.

I hiked to Guadalupe Peak, also known as the "Top of Texas". It is the highest point in Texas at 8751 ft above sea level. The hike involved 8.5 miles (13.7 km) round trip, a challenging 3000 ft elevation gain, and some rock scrambling near the peak. Texas ain't all flat, ya'll! There is a rock formation just below the peak called El Capitan which looks like Pride Rock from the Lion King.

Looking down on El Capitan from Guadalupe Peak.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas.
Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

There were few people on this trail. So few, that when you came in contact with other human beings, you stopped to chat. Plus, it was a good excuse to "catch a breather"! I met a group of college students from Austin, Texas, as well as a young family who were on a pursuit to visit every U.S. National Park. Fortunately, I did not meet any tarantulas or rattle snakes on this day. 

The peak offered 360 degree, panoramic views over the raw, arid Texan landscape. Descending that mountain literally felt like returning to earth, back to reality. I drove my beastly Challenger into the sunset, returned to the local oil and gas town, celebrated the days accomplishments with an ice-cold beer, and enjoyed another delicious feed at La Herradura.

"Top of Texas" - Guadalupe Peak
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas.
Photo credit to the family I met at the top.

Day 5: Drove 5.5 - 6 hours south to Terlingua, Texas.

West Texas scenery mainly consists of flat fields dotted with pumpjacks, also known as oil wells. They release oil (and sometimes gas) out of the ground. They kind of looked like dinosaurs!

Terlingua: cue "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi (play the video below). This area is the quintessential Wild West. A rugged, primitive, desolate landscape. It was once a booming mining town for metal mercury and ore. By 1903, the area boasted a population of up to 3,000. Mining ceased and it is now known as Terlingua Ghost Town, with a 2010 Census indicating the population is currently 58.

Today, the primary industry in Terlingua is tourism, fueled by its close proximity to Big Bend. Each evening, Greg and I shared a pitcher of beer at the local pub, serenaded by a middle-aged cowboy and his guitar. The water in the shower of our hotel room was merely a trickle, and the walls were super thin. We were unwillingly awoken to the sound of bedroom "festivities" from the couple next door, and painfully heard their detailed discussion about Funyuns until 3am in the morning.

Terlingua Ghost Town, Texas.
Photo taken by Gregory Richardson.

Day 6: Big Bend National Park, Texas.

This Park exceeded our expectations! It is now one of our favorites. Its remoteness contributes to it being one of the least visited Parks. It is vast, expansive, and offers diverse terrain from dry Chihuahuan desert, to river plains, to rocky peaks in the Chisos Mountains. The dark night skies offer amazing star-gazing and Milky Way viewing: an astro-photographers dream!

Rio Grande - USA in the foreground, Mexico in the background.

Big Bend National Park, Texas.

Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

Our first sight of the Rio Grande river was memorable. Contrary to its name, the river is not very grand at all. It is thin and shallow, at least in the portions we saw. It separates the U.S and Mexico. You can literally stand on U.S. soil and throw a rock across the river into Mexico. There is a massive cliff/rock face on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande: a gentle reminder of just how small we and our problems are.

Can you spot Greg?!
Big Bend National Park, Texas.
Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

We walked the short Santa Elena Canyon Trail. I sat on an American rock, and looked across at the Mexican canyon wall, with only a shallow stream of water in between. Mind-blowing! Such a foreign concept for someone who grew up on an island (Australia) totally surrounded by water.

Sitting on an American rock, gazing across at the Mexican canyon wall.

Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park, Texas.

Photo taken by Gregory Richardson.

Next, we hiked the Lost Mine Trail which is 4.8 miles round trip and reaches a height of 6,800 ft above sea level. After a steady incline, gaining 1,300 ft in elevation, we were greeted at the top with panoramic Chisos mountain views. 

Lost Mine Trail.
Big Bend National Park, Texas.
Photo credit to random stranger we met at the top.

Day 7: Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico.

We crossed the border! Legally. 😊

Within Big Bend National Park, there is Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry with a passport control center. We presented our passports to a National Park ranger, and were then escorted across the Rio Grande by rowboat for a day trip to Boquillas: a small village in the state of Coahuila in northern Mexico, surrounded by the Sierra del Carmen mountain range. Some visitors paid to ride a burro (donkey) into the town. We chose to walk the easy 1/2 mile on foot which turned out to be the faster mode of transport. 

Boquillas, Mexico in 0.5 miles.
Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

Per local recommendation, we enjoyed some tacos, tamales, and the "best margarita in town". The owner of the restaurant came over to our table and taught us to peel the corn husks off of our tamales. We had been attempting to eat the husks - rookie error! We were serenaded by an old man singing out of tune and playing his guitar with missing strings. We were also accompanied by a resident Chihuahua who enjoyed constant attention. 

Tomales, tacos, and the "best margarita in town".
Boquillas, Mexico.
Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

After lunch, we strolled around the dusty, isolated village of Boquillas. The closest town is reported to be a 4 hour drive away on unpaved roads, only accessible by 4WD. Thus, a solar farm was recently developed to provide electricity for the village. Apparently up to 2000 people once lived here, mining lead, silver and fluorite ore. By 1919, mining ceased and the population declined. A 2010 Census reported the population to be 110, during a time when the border crossing was closed. The border crossing was reopened in 2013, and since then the population has reportedly increased to 200 people, 400 Chihuahuas, and one million scorpions.

Boquillas, Mexico.
Photo taken by Gregory Richardson.

Today, the primary industry in Boquillas is tourism. Many residents were selling hand-made souvenirs out the front of their homes. Others make a living by rowing visitors across the Rio Grande, or selling food and drinks to thirsty tourists at the local bar/restaurants. Many of the houses were small, colorful and shaped like rectangular prisms. We visited the local school, the church, and by then were in desperate need to use the public toilets, which consisted of 3 porta-loos in the middle of the main street which looked like they hadn't been cleaned in years.

Boquillas School.
Photo taken by Gregory Richardson

Temperatures on this day soared to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), and it was only early Spring. Make sure you come prepared with lots of water and sun protection!

Upon returning to the U.S. border, we virtually spoke with an immigration officer via phone/video camera, and were granted permission to re-enter the US. We drove back to El Paso that evening, stopping by to take a picture of the infamous Prada store situated on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. We arrived in El Paso late that night and rented a room in a house via Airbnb for $25. After showering off the days dust, sweat and sunscreen, we got some much needed rest before our flight home the next morning.

Prada store in the middle of nowhere.
Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

In summary, we visited 1 National Monument, 2 Countries, 3 States, 3 National Parks, 4 Airbnb's/Hotels, and drove 1,700 miles. Phew! 

1. White Sands National Monument

2. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

3. Guadalupe Mountains National Park

4. Big Bend National Park

With the sheer size of Texas and New Mexico, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Hopefully some of the above information is helpful. This may be the longest post I've ever written, so if you actually read this far, give yourself a "pat on the back". 😉

Happy traveling!

Maree

Florida's National Parks

Hi, folks!

One aspect I love most about the U.S. is its National Park system.  I am borderline obsessed!  I have read Lonely Planet USA's National Parks from front-to-back, and love to daydream about potential National Park trips to take during my work holidays and long weekends.

Florida is home to three (3) U.S. National Parks, which will be the focus of this post.

On a long weekend in January I attended a one-day work conference in Miami, and spent the following two days down south to explore the following:     

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park is 95% underwater, and thus holds the record as the largest marine park in the National Park system.  There is a short, paved walkway and boardwalk alongside the water, although to really appreciate the beauty of this park, it is best to get out on the water, whether that be by boat, kayak, paddle board, snorkel or dive.  Entrance to this park is free!

I spent one day at Biscayne National Park, and took a boat tour to Boca Chita Key.  The guides were very knowledgeable and taught us lots of fun facts about the parks' ecosystems, and also about the somewhat dark history of Boca Chita Key and its lighthouse.  We were given an hour to walk around the Key and climb the stairs to the top of the lighthouse.  The view from the top was amazing!  The wind was so strong that it blew my sunglasses off!  You could also see the stunning Miami skyline in the distance.  I would love to return to this park someday to snorkel/dive the coral reef.

View from the Lighthouse - Boca Chita Key - Biscayne National Park
Photo taken by Maree Richardson

Top of the Lighthouse - Boca Chita Key - Biscayne National Park
Photo taken by Maree Richardson

Miami Skyline from Boca Chita Key - Biscayne National Park
Photo taken by Maree Richardson

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S.  The wetlands cover a large portion of southern Florida, and are home to many plant and wildlife species including the Florida panther, the manatee, and of course, the American alligator and crocodile.  Additionally, the Burmese Python, an invasive species, are said to roam these waters. 

I took the Shark Valley entrance and spent one day at Everglades National Park.  It was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so entrance was free that day, however it is usually $25 per vehicle.  I biked the 15 mile trail and was astonished at the number of alligators sunning themselves on the side of the road.  Never had I been that close to wild gators before!

In my opinion, the right-side of the trail (if you're looking at it from the Visitor's Center) was the most scenic with a larger variety of plants and visible wildlife.  At the half-way point there is an Observation Tower.  Most people returned the same way they came, however I was curious to see what was on the left/opposite side of the trail.  I had most of it to myself ... for a reason.  This side was long and challenging, with numerous twists and bends.  I rode into a strong wind and felt lactic acid building up in my legs.  At one point I thought that the Visitor's Center should be around the next corner, however was disheartened to see the mile marker on the road indicating I still had 5 miles to go.  Needless to say, I made it to the end, but it certainly tested my physical and mental abilities! 

Sorry, Mum! Look how close the alligators were to the road.
Everglades National Park. Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

Staring Competition! Everglades National Park.
Photo taken by Maree Richardson.

Soaking up the Sunshine. Everglades National Park.
Photo taken by Maree Richardson. 

Dry Tortugas National Park 
I have not yet been to Dry Tortugas National Park, but it is on my list!  It is approximately 72 miles offshore, thus is only accessible by boat, ferry or seaplane.  A couple of years ago we were in Key West and had planned to take the ferry across, however the weather did not cooperate.  Guess I'll have to save it for another day ...


Have you been to any of Florida's National Parks?  What was your experience like?

Also, if anyone has any tips for visiting Dry Tortugas National Park, please let me know. 😊


Have a great week!


Maree

Top 10 Things to Do and See in Sarasota

Hey, folks!

Having lived in Sarasota, Florida for the past 4 years, I believe it is time to share my favorite things to do and see in this beautiful part of the state.  

1. Siesta Key Beach - Voted the best beach in America in 2011 and 2017 on the annual Dr. Beach list, you will be greeted by sparkling, turquoise waters that are as warm as a bathtub in the Summer, and a blanket of powder-white sand made of quartz.  If you compare Siesta Key sand to talcum powder, it is difficult to tell the difference!  Reflecting the sun, this powdery sand stays cool under your feet all year long.  The area has recently been updated with a huge concession stand, numerous grills ("BBQ's"), and a playground for the kiddos.  While spending time on this beautiful beach, prepare to witness some of the most dramatic sunsets you have ever seen!

Siesta Key Beach - Captured by Maree's Mum

2. Turtle Beach - This lesser-known beach is directly south of Siesta Key.  It boasts peace and quiet away from the crowds, particularly if you walk a couple of miles north from the main entrance.  The sands are coarse and grey, and the waves are a little bigger than nearby beaches - well, as big as waves can get in the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 😉  The turtle nesting season stretches from as early as May, to as late as October.  There are usually hundreds of protected turtle nests dotted along this beach - a gentle reminder of just how magical our ocean life and animal kingdom is!  

3. Myakka State Park - Sarasota does not only offer some of the best beaches in America, but is also the home to state parks and wetlands.  These places are excellent for biking and hiking, and you are almost guaranteed to spot alligators at Myakka.  Gators are beautifully intimidating creatures.  Keep your distance!  Insider tip: bring your camera with a zoom-lens for some epic photos. 😊  There is a boardwalk over the lake, and a canopy walkway with a vertical stairway that takes you above the treeline for incredible views.  The airboat is a fun way to cruise around the lake to spot some birds and gators.  From our experience, some of the more remote hiking trails are poorly signed, with just a few inconspicuous paint marks on trees every few hundred meters.  Thus, if you attempt one of these, it's critical that you keep track of landmarks to avoid getting lost.

Myakka State Park - Captured by Maree Richardson

4. Kayaking around Lido Key and the Mangroves at South Lido County Park - Rent a kayak and paddle through the shallow mangrove tunnels.  You will see crabs scuttling, fish swimming, and a variety of birds.  Insider tip: bring your bug repellent ("mozzie spray")!  Also, bring your lunch, a cold beer, a fishing pole, and life is goooooood!

5. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - This is the place for plant lovers.  It features thousands of orchards and bromeliads, an abundance of tropical plants, a butterfly garden, and a koi fish pond.  Bring a picnic blanket, a good book, and bask under a shady tree with views overlooking Sarasota Bay.

6. St. Armands Circle, Ringling Causeway Bridge and Lido Key - This major bridge crosses over Sarasota Bay, connecting you from Downtown Sarasota to St. Armands Circle, Lido Key and beyond.  There is a walking/running path on either side of the bridge which offers some spectacular views of the area.  St. Armands Circle boasts world-class restaurants and high-end shopping (a.k.a. "window shopping" for me!).  Just a short walk and you'll find yourself at the beautiful Lido Key Beach, which offers powdery-white sand and clear waters.

7. Downtown Historic District - We don't often make it downtown, although always thank ourselves for making the effort when we do.  Each corner is alive with art, culture, and passion.  You can't help but stroll around with a smile on your face as you consume all of the colors, positive vibes, and quaint store fronts.  Additionally, the cinema with the cheapest tickets in town is located here, so this is the place to go to catch that new flick you've been dying to see.     

8. Sarasota Jungle Gardens - Are you an animal-lover?  If so, than this is the place for you!  You can hand-feed flamingos that elegantly stroll around the gardens.  Unexpectedly, they don't sound as pretty as they look - they honk like pigs!  Feeling bold?  You might have the opportunity to hold a snake, lizard, baby alligator, or a bird.  Some of the most colorful parrots and macaws I have ever seen reside here.  The entry fee can add up if you have a large family or group of people, so utilize their great teacher and student discounts!

Sarasota Jungle Gardens - Captured by Maree's Mum

9. Sarasota Bayfront and Bayfront Park - If you are heading downtown, to Lido Key, or to the Jungle Gardens, you must stop by this stunning location.  We love to take a break and hang out here.  Take a walk around the park, sit on a wooden swing and listen to the water peacefully lapping on the rocks, have a drink at O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill, and take a picture with your sweetheart in front of the "Unconditional Surrender" statue, also known as the "Kissing Statue". 😘

   

10. Ringling Museum of Art, Ringling Circus Museum, and the Ca'd'Zan - The Ringling Museum of the American Circus was the first to document the history of this form of entertainment.  Sarasota was where the circus members stayed during the Winter months.  Learn about the history of the Circus and explore the endless costumes and memorabilia.  Nearby sits the grand Ca'd'Zan mansion.  Take a tour of the inside, or simply wander around the outside to admire the intricate designs and size of this place.  Insider secret: Greg proposed to me at this place!  

------------------------------------

Did I say 10? Whoops! Here is a bonus:

11. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium - Struck a rainy day? Not to fear, the aquarium is here!  Mote Marine is a not-for-profit, marine research organization that helps to protect our oceans and conducts ongoing wildlife conservation and research programs.  Meet the vast array of marine life, including huge sea turtles and manatees! 

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A Sarasota Sunset - Image Captured by Maree Richardson

So, there you have it.  The "inside scoop" to Sarasota.  Whether you're here for one day, one week, or one year, I hope you enjoy your time exploring this inspirational place.


Have a great week!


Maree

Trick #2: Smart Phone Rewards

G'day folks,

You know that little device you hold in your hand/pocket that does just about nearly everything?  Not only can your smart phone take quality photos, message/call anybody around the world at any time, and allow you to spend way to much time on social media, it can also make you money! 💲

In a previous post I shared my top 10 "tricks" for pursuing a work and travel life. Today, I am going to explore another one of those "tricks" in more detail: Smart Phone Rewards.

Greg (hubby) has a Samsung Note 5, and we use Samsung Pay at any check-out that will accept it. 

Tip: if a cashier says "our machines don't accept that", always try it! From our experience, many cashiers don't realize their credit card machines accept Samsung Pay and are pleasantly surprised when they see that it works. 😏   

It may seem like a humbug to research and learn about how to pay with your phone, but you will reap solid rewards.

To put it into perspective, for using Samsung Pay (which is free to use!) over a short period of time, we received a $50 reward to use towards anything we want, anywhere we want.  It paid for one weeks' worth of groceries and a bottle of Whiskey. Win! 

Another example: last weekend we received a $5 voucher thanks to Samsung Pay, and used it at the hairdressers to pay for half of Greg's haircut.  Hey, every bit counts, right?! 😉


Who else uses their smart phone to pay for items?  If so, which country do you use it in?


Have a great week!


Maree

Trick #1: Rent your Spare Room

Hi folks,

Do you love to travel but don't have the money? Do you have a spare room in your house? If your answer is yes, then read on!

In a previous post I shared my top 10 "tricks" for pursuing a work and travel life. Today, I am going to explore one of those "tricks" in more detail: Rent Your Spare Room.

One of our New Years resolutions was to become Airbnb hosts. My husband and I pondered this thought for months, unsure whether it was the "right thing" for us. However, here we are, 6 months of hosting later, and loving it! 

There are many people like you who are thinking about becoming Airbnb hosts, however are unsure when to/if you should "take the plunge". From our experience, here is what you need to know:

How?

It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!  

1. Clean your spare room. Keep the big things (e.g., furniture, etc); relocate/discard the small things (e.g., knick-knacks, personal items, etc). 

2. Update your spare room. Think about what vibe, what atmosphere, you want your guests to experience. Be inspired from where you live. For example, we live 10 minutes from the beach, so our guest room is decked out with yellow/blue/white hues, seashells, beach towels, and ocean artwork.

3. List away! Yes, you are ready to create your listing! Go to the Airbnb website. Click on the Become a Host tab and then click on Host a Home from the drop-down menu. Click the red box Get Started and follow the prompts.

• Quick Tip! As well as supplying nice bed linen and bath towels/washers, it is polite to supply toiletries for your guest to use such as shampoo and soap. Your weary travelers will thank you! We also supply tea/coffee (and sometimes baked goods) for breakfast, and leave a jar of chocolates in the guest room as a sweet treat. First impressions last, right?! 😉 

Hanging out with some of our lovely Airbnb guests.

Benefits:      

• Meet interesting people from all over the world! Many of our guests have been fellow-minded travelers, visitors, vacationers, and professionals. We have hosted guests from Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, and New Zealand, not to mention many guests from different states within the U.S.A. 
• Try new foods! With some long-term guests, we have shared stories over a home-made meal or two, made by us or our guests who have wanted to share a piece of their home state/country. 
• Learn new languages! After hosting multiple international guests, we have learned some new words and phrases. We now know how to say "thank you" in Russian!
• Earn extra cash to fuel your passions! The money you receive enables you to save money for that dream trip, to put towards home maintenance projects, or whatever your passion may be. 
• Play with pets! We allow pets, and have loved getting to meet some furry friends that our guests have brought with them.   
• Bonding experience! Clean the guest room/space with your spouse or friend.

Challenges:

• Presenting with a friendly, flexible, and approachable demeanor. This comes naturally for us, however for others it may not.   
• Being comfortable with unfamiliar people in your home. To be honest, we genuinely miss having some of our long-term guests in our home. They felt like family! 

Still unsure? 

• Work full-time? Don't have time? Not a problem! You can choose how often you want guests. We both work other full-time jobs, and I have a long commute to work each day, so we chose to have a day/night in between guests which allows us plenty of time to clean and prepare. We actually enjoy the "break" away from our professional jobs.
• What if a guest damages my property? Fortunately, you are covered for up to $1,000,000 with the Airbnb Host Guarantee to protect your home and belongings. 
• What if a guest hurts themselves on my property? Airbnb has Host Protection Insurance to protect you from liability. 
• I don't want sketchy people! Guest and host information is verified, including government photo I.D., phone numbers, and email. 
• What if a guest is disrespectful and disobeys my house rules? Both guest and host write a review at the end of their stay, so it is in everyone's best interest to be mutually respectful and obey the rules.
• I don't want guests in my house during the week I am away. You can block out dates on your calendar when you don't want guests.  

"Welcome to [our] house" ~ Flo Rida 

Further questions? Don't hesitate to ask! 

I would love to hear from you all about your Airbnb experiences, as guest or host.

Cheers!

Maree