Travel Talkers Toastmasters

Remember that feeling of finding someplace special, a secret location that only you know about? Our secret locations don’t stay a secret very long once we post photos online and talk about our trips. But we remember that feeling, that thrill of experiencing something wonderful for the first time. The theme of the November 3 meeting was “Secret Locations.”

Our Destination Master, Lisa Bennett, provided these clues about her secret location: It is the smallest Asian country, it is located in the Indian Ocean, its form of government is a Presidential Republic and it is mostly Muslim. The primary industry is fishing, followed by tourism. The biggest issue the country faces is considering the future with rising waters due to global climate change, because the average elevation of the country is 1.5 meters. If you travelled there you would want to hang out at the beach. If you guessed the Maldives, you are correct!

The speaker for the meeting, Meghan Burns, shared her recent trip to Dublin in her speech, “The Promise of Eloquence.” Her trip combined connecting with Irish relatives and sightseeing. She shared her experience of “kissing the blarney stone” to increase her gift of gab, visiting the number one tourist location, the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, and viewing the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of the New Testament created in 800 AD and housed in the Long Room Library of Trinity College. She promised more travel stories about her trip at a future meeting. We can’t wait!

Crystal Campbell was our Travel Topics Master. The best Travel Topics question at the meeting: “You are leaving work and your partner calls to tell you to go to the airport in two hours for a flight. What do you pack to take with you? ” Crystal also asked, “What is your dream vacation and why?” and “Have you ever spotted a famous person or actor while traveling and what did you do?”. For her final question, she asked for a travel story to illustrate the idiom, “the world is your oyster.” What would your travel story be to illustrate your ability to do anything and go anywhere you want in life?

Join us for our next meeting on November 10 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm Pacific (-7 UTC). The meeting theme is “Travel Delays” Toastmaster, Helen; Destination Master, Shanthi; Speaker, Elma; Travel Topics Master, Avis.

Register for the meeting: https://tinyurl.com/TravelTalkersZoomLink

Looking forward to hearing your Travel Stories!

Helen Josephine,

Travel Talkers Toastmasters

Each of us has a story about a travel adventure gone wrong–lost tickets, cancelled flights, luggage delayed. But even these mishaps, missteps and missed connections do not deter us from enjoying our trips. At our October 27th, meeting we heard two speeches and enjoyed Travel Topics based on the meeting theme of “Travel Gone Wrong.”

“The Bahamas – A Dream Destination”

Our first speaker, Avis Russell, shared highlights of The Bahamas with colorful slides. Her speech was filled with enthusiasm and fun facts. The Bahamas is an archipelago of nearly 700 coral islands. Around 30 of the islands are inhabited. The Bahamas sits in the West Atlantic Ocean, 100 kilometres south-east of Florida in the United States and 80 kilometres north-east of Cuba. The islands are generally flat and low-lying.

Avis introduced us to the food and the beauty of the Islands. We learned about Junkanoo in Nassau, the street parade with music, dance, and costumes in December and January. We also visited Little Exuma one of the smaller islands with the beautiful white sand Tropic of Cancer Beach and the opportunity to swim with pigs.

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“Top 3 Ways to Get Stopped from Getting on your Flight”

Our second speaker, Lisa Bennett, shared her humorous speech on travel gone wrong and also included the lessons she she learned from each experience.

Number one: You lost your passport and the international customs officer won’t let you board your flight from Paris to London. Crying doesn’t help. Instead head to the Embassy to get a replacement. Lesson learned, travel with a photocopy of your passport which will make the replacement process much faster.

Number two: You are travelling with your husband, a toddler and a baby. You and the baby make it through security screening just fine. However, your husband with the toddler isn’t able to clear security because his shoe set off all the alarms. You and the baby have already boarded the plane, but your husband and toddler have not boarded yet. The plane takes off without them. Lesson learned, make sure your neighbor or a friend has a spare key to your house.

Number three: You are expecting your partner to be arriving home soon from a two week trip to take care of the kids so you can attend an off-site training event. Homeland Security calls about a problem at the airport because your partner tried to take something suspicious through airport security. Answer their questions truthfully, even if it means your partner might be delayed for several days. Lesson learned, have backup childcare options available.

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The Table Topics Master at the meeting, Vernitta Brown, posed several questions about travel mishaps. We had fun solving the problems she asked us. How would you answer these questions?

What would you do if all of your valuables including your passport, your phone and all your clothes were locked inside the rental car and the key was missing?  What would you do if your flight was delayed and then cancelled for your Fourth of July holiday?  What would you do if you were stuck in a foreign city for two weeks with no money and you needed to get on a flight to go home? What advice do you have to share to help us when travel has gone wrong?

Join us for our next meeting on November 3 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm Pacific (-7 UTC). The meeting theme is “Secret Locations” Toastmaster, Helen; Destination Master, Lisa; Speaker, Meghan; Travel Topics Master, Crystal.

Register for the meeting: https://tinyurl.com/TravelTalkersZoomLink

Looking forward to hearing your Travel Stories!

Helen Josephine,

Travel Talkers Toastmasters

The theme of our October 20 meeting was, “I want to go back to. . .” Our speaker, Viji Mahathevan’s speech was an enticing, poignant homage to her birth country of Sri Lanka. After leaving Sri Lanka with her parents and brother at the age of eight, she finally returned in 2016 as an adult with her own family. She shared the sights, sounds and delicious foods of Sri Lanka. We all wanted to visit after hearing her speech! Meghan Burns evaluated the speech and she complimented Viji on her use of slides, the great transitions between the sections of the speech, and the emotion of the opening and closing.

The Destination Master of the meeting was Crystal Campbell. She also described a country that she wants to go back to. Next time, she wants to spend more time seeing the local wildlife and enjoying the local foods. Crystal’s destination clues included: the country borders the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the country of Nicaragua; the official language is Spanish; the flag of the country has three straight lines and the thickest line is red; its currency is as colorful as its terrain; you can see the sunrise and the sunset over the ocean on the same day; it has 5 active volcanoes; you will need your passport and bug spray if you visit; and many visitors come to enjoy the mystical rainforest and the abundant wildlife. If you guessed Costa Rica you are correct!

Travel Topics for the meeting were also on the theme of “I want to go back to . . .” Several speakers told us about a destination that they were introduced to on a work-trip and now want to go back to with more time to explore the local environment outside of the confines of the meeting room of the hotel. Meghan wants to back to Phuket in Thailand, since she could only “see” the beach from the conference room. Crystal was also only able to enjoy a few days in Costa Rica on a work-trip and she wants to explore more of the country. Elma reminded us that it is always a good idea to make sure all of your documents are in order before you arrive at the airport and try to go through security screening and passport control. She and friend almost missed their vacation because her friend’s passport had expired.

Join us for our next meeting on October 27 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm Pacific (-7 UTC). The meeting theme is “Travel Gone Wrong” Toastmaster, Helen; Destination Master, Elma; Speaker, Avis and Lisa; Travel Topics Master, Vernitta.

Register for the meeting: https://tinyurl.com/TravelTalkersZoomLink

Looking forward to hearing your Travel Stories!

Helen Josephine,

Travel Talkers Toastmasters

The theme of the third meeting of Travel Talkers Toastmasters was “Travel on the Cheap.” Our speaker, Vernitta Brown from the BFM Diplomats Toastmasters Club in Nassau, Bahamas, added her low-cost travel tips to her speech, “Why Do We Travel?” Several members of her home club, BFM Diplomats, joined our meeting to hear her speech. Vernitta agreed to include her speech in our blog post about the meeting.

Why Do We Travel?

Travel, the word itself makes us wonder, why do we travel? 

Some of us travel for relaxation. Some for exploration, some for work and some for knowledge. There could be various purposes of traveling from one place to another. Traveling keeps you happy, your body-mind fit, especially adventurous activities such as hiking, river rafting or bungee jumping. Traveling can help us in many ways. It can’t provide a mesmerizing experience. It calms our nerves. Travel helps us learn about the history, the heritage and the culture of a particular place. It might be costly, but it will enrich your experience, relax your mind, and soul. 

Travel, why not travel? Every trip can be the most exciting trip you have ever taken. My first trip was to Orlando, Florida from Nassau, Bahamas. It was a great experience being on a plane looking at beautiful thick clouds. I was excited and could not wait to go shopping and eat delicious food like red lobster. I was hoping to meet new people. My first stop was getting into my hotel room. Next, getting something to eat like lobster– it was so delicious. Then my boss, Mrs. Jones, said she wanted to go to the shopping mall. I couldn’t believe the clothes were so cheap! I shopped until I dropped. I had lots of fun even going to a movie. My day was like a shooting star falling from the sky. After this long day we went back to our hotel to rest. The next day it was time for us to go back home but unfortunately our flight was delayed. So we had to spend another day in the hotel. It was fun traveling with friends. I really enjoyed myself. Next time I would like to visit New York. Traveling is one of the most exciting adventures you can take to experience different cultures.

Travel tips for traveling on the cheap.

Start by creating a list of places you want to visit. Once you have your list, research how much it will cost to get to these places and how long you want to stay. Next create a budget for your trip based on your research and make sure to include an estimate for souvenirs. Now that you know what your trip might cost, start saving up! If you are traveling with friends or family, create a document to share where everyone can track their expenses.

Creating a travel budget will help you save money on your next vacation by following these simple tips. You can easily save hundreds of dollars on your trip. Here are a few pieces of practical advice that anyone can use.

Affordable food.

One of the best ways to save money while traveling is to find affordable food options. Look for local markets where you can buy fresh produce and cooked food. If you’re staying in a hotel, take advantage of the kitchen facilities in your room. And always carry snacks with you in case you get hungry between meals.

Saving money on transportation. 

When traveling, one way to save money is to take advantage of public transportation. If your destination has a good public transportation system, use it as much as possible. Another way to save money on transportation is to walk or bike whenever possible.

Where to stay.

First decide if you want to stay in a hotel, Airbnb or hostel.

Second, research the average price for each option in your destination city.

Third, look for discounts or deals that can help you save money.

Fourth, read reviews to learn what others’ experiences have been like. 

Fifth, book your accommodation in advance to get the best rate possible. 

Sixth, make sure to factor in additional costs like taxes and fees. 

Finally, remember that your travel budget is just one part of your overall vacation budget. Don’t forget to factor in things like fun adventures and souvenirs. This brings me to the end of my travel tips for traveling on the cheap.

Vernitta Brown, October 13, 2022

At our third meeting, Katsuko Higashino was our Destination Master and she gave us clues for a country. First she gave us the dimensions of the country: 2,883 miles long and 31 miles wide at its narrowest point. The other facts she shared with us included; the country borders China on one side, the country’s flag has two colors and is predominantly red, the population of the country exceed 100 million in 2022. She also told us that tourism is one of its major industries with three of its cities ranked in the top 100 most visited cities in the world and it is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. Its climate is monsoonal with distinct wet and dry seasons. If you guessed Vietnam, you are correct!

Travel Topics, conducted by Viji Mahathevan, were on the theme of best destination–best destination for families (the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania at Christmas), best destination to be inspired (Belize), best destination for traveling alone (Amsterdam), best destination for interesting food (Vietnam).

Join us for our next meeting on October 20 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm Pacific (-7 UTC). The meeting theme is “I want to go back to. . .” Toastmaster, Helen; Destination Master, Crystal; Speaker, Viji; Travel Topics Master, Vernitta.

Register for the meeting: https://tinyurl.com/TravelTalkersZoomLink

Looking forward to hearing your Travel Stories!

Helen Josephine, Travel Talkers Toastmasters

The theme of the second meeting of Travel Talkers was “Expectations.” Do you plan your trips in great detail and never deviate? Or do you arrive at a destination and take advantage of what you find ? If your first choice for a tour or a place to eat is not available, how do you react? Do you take the time to reset your expectations and enjoy what the new city has to offer?

Those joining the meeting came from California, Arizona, Minnesota, The Bahamas, and China. Our speakers took us to Sydney, Dublin, and Yosemite National Park. We are a diverse group of members with diverse travel stories. But what we all have in common is a love of travel and a desire to share our stories.

Meghan was our Destination Master and she provided clues for a destination she is planning to visit later this month to enjoy a large glass of dark ale. Her clues about the destination: It is a city on the coast with a body of water with the same name as the city. It has a University founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. It is the home of many writers including James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and William Butler Yeats. If you guessed Dublin, you are correct.

Our speaker was Raji Bandanapudi. Her speech, “Top of the World at 8,831 Feet” was a travel story about determination and beauty. Raji and her friends hiked to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. The start of the hike through the forest passing by Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls was beautiful, cool and relaxing. Then the trail became a very steep switchback with no grass or shade. The last push to reach the top required the use of cables on the smooth top of the giant granite dome. The hike was 16 miles one way, with a gain of 2,500 feet in the final 5 miles. Before reaching the top, Raji wondered if she would make it or if she should turn back. She faced her fears and proceed ahead. Once she reached the top of Half Dome, she felt like she was standing on top of the world. As we heard her speech, it brought back memories of other hikes and personal fears we had faced and overcome to reach our goal.

The final segment of the meeting was Travel Topics with great questions prepared by Elma. Meghan was asked where would she go if someone gave her unlimited money for a trip. She said she would go to the only continent on Earth that she has never visited, Antarctica, to see the penguins. Viji told us about her packing tips–she always make sures she has extra toiletries. Shanthi told us about a train trip that was almost a catastrophe when part of the travel party missed the train connection and had to take an uber to the next station to meet the group. Kat was asked about how the internet has changed travel and she said that researching trips, looking for reviews and shopping for the best prices is all much easier on line. Raji was asked to tell us about the best way to visit India, where she has many friends and family. She suggested that talking to your friends from India before you go would help you focus your trip on the best sights and the best food in the area that you want to visit. India is a huge country with many big cities and national shrines.

Join us for our next meeting on October 13 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm Pacific (-7 UTC). The meeting theme is “Travel on the Cheap”. Toastmaster, Helen; Destination Master, Katsuko; Speaker, Vernita; Travel Topics Master, Viji.

Register for the meeting: https://tinyurl.com/TravelTalkersZoomLink

Looking forward to hearing your Travel Stories!

Helen Josephine, Travel Talkers Toastmasters