26 WAYS TO SATISFY YOUR WANDERLUST FROM HOME

These days everyone is trying to cope with how small our worlds have gotten thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Generally cooped up in our homes, going stir-crazy, we are trying to dream up different ways to pass the time.  So with that in mind, I came up with a list of how to indulge our wanderlust from the safety of our own homes.

VIRTUAL TRAVEL

• Make a list of destinations you still wish to discover.
• Fly around the globe virtually on Google Earth. (Remember to click Dive Spots on the Ocean layer to search out the dive sites you’ll be diving on your destinations list.)
• Pick a destination from your list that has to be booked at least a year in advance (with me, of course! – I know – I’m shameless).
• Search YouTube for videos about this destination to learn more.
• Create a Pinterest board to enhance your inspiration of things you want to see and do.
• Peruse your dive magazines for more destination information.
• Expand your travel library with the purchase of a travel book on this destination.

SELF-IMPROVEMENT

• Do some online training to obtain a new dive skills cert.
• Practice your underwater photo skills around your home.
• Search online for tips from the pros.
• Take time now to go through all your old photos and make a book.
• Write a journal about that trip to go with your photos.
• Learn a new language (or a least a few helpful common phrases) for your next destination.
• Practice visualization meditation for a headstart on that next dive.
• Find workouts that improve your scuba abilities as well.

RETAIL THERAPY

• Splurge on a new piece of dive gear (lightweight travel gear preferably).
• Buy a flashy new rashguard or bathing suit for that next dive vacation.
• Take this downtime to have your gear serviced at your local dive shop. (Support small business.)
• Purchase reef-safe products to stock your travel toiletries for that next dive vacation (hint-hint…I know where you can get some. I know – shameless, again!)

EXPAND YOUR PLAYLISTS

• Put on some noise-cancelling headphones and relax to the sounds of whale songs.
• Edit your u/w videos while enjoying the sound of your own bubbles.
• Search for traditional music from one of your future or favorite destinations.
• Binge-watch underwater/diving movies – the good, the bad & the absolutely impossible (you know – like Sharknado). And of course the classics like “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau” or “Sea Hunt”.

TICKLE YOUR TASTEBUDS

• Get take out from your favorite ethnic restaurant. (Support your local small businesses.)
• Allow yourself to long for that delish dish you tasted on one of your travels and then try to recreate it.
• Search Pinterest for recipes from around the world. (I have a few on mine.)

So there it is – my take on traveling virtually while abiding by the “Stay Home” orders. I’m sure there are other ways out there I haven’t thought of. How are you passing time?