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Keep Travel Memories Alive

Some say that half the fun of travel is in the planning. Well, maybe not half, but most travelers enjoy preparing for the trip, and afterward, compiling records and sharing memories.

The internet not only offers ample opportunities for travel research, but provides some unique ways of compiling trip notes and photos to share. Below are some tips from trustedadventures.com.

1) Build a scrap book or photo album to illustrate your memories. The Wayfarers, a travel company that is a member of Trusted Adventures, offers a personalized photo album to each guest at the farewell dinner. Another good resource is the free journaling and scrapbook application from www.Everlater.com.

2) Send postcards of your adventures to frienda back home who share your interest in travel. You can also keep them in the loop by posting photos to Facebook and sending traveling Tweets.

3) Invite friends and family for a post-trip slide show or video travelogue. Of you can, serve beverages and foods brought home from your travels. Some tour companies can even provide a guide for this type of event. In any event, give friends and family an opportunity to participate.

4) Use social media to tell the world what a grat time you had. Blog about your experience. Submit a quick vacation report to TripAdvisor.com. Tell the world about your travels by posting videos on YouTube and pictures on photo sharing sites such as flickr.com.

5) Stay connected with people you’ve traveled with as well as individuals and organizations you;ve met while traveling. This includes charity and volunteer organizations you became aware of. Exchange e-mail address whenever possible.

Note: Trusted Adventures Alliance is a partnership of the following travel companies: Austin-Lehman Adventures, Wildland Adventures, Western River Expeditions, Myths and Mountains, The Wayfarers, ROW Adventures, Great Alaska International Adventure Vacations, American Safari Cruises/ InnerSea Discoveries, and Ciclismo Classico. Among other things, all are recognized for sustainable travel ethics. For more information, see trustedadventures.com.com.

Don’t Cross Costa Rica Off Your List

Not yet, anyway. Costa Rica began attracting retirees over 20 years ago, at a time when would-be expats didn’t have as many choices as they do now. Meanwhile, Panama, Belize and other countries have opened their doors to foreigners with liberal residency programs, while Costa Rica’s residency requirements are tighter than they once were.

Costa Rica is still beautiful, however, still lush, still filled with an almost unimaginable variety of flora and fauna. The people are still friendly and can boast a literacy rate of about 95%. (Having decided in 1948 not to have an army, the country has been able to budget more funds for services such as education and heath care.) The health care system, which is free to Costa Ricans, has been praised by the World Health Organization. The New Economics Foundation ranks Costa Rica 5th worldwide in its “happiness index.”

It’s still possible for U.S. retirees to live here, albeit modestly, on social security or a pension of just $1,500. Those who can afford a luxurious lifestyle will find numerous new developments, many of them along the Pacific. The expat population is mainly concentrated in teo areas: the Pacific area and the central highlands in and near San Jose.

True, many roads still have ruts and potholes, but a new highway connects San Jose with the Pacific Coast. Many U.S. companies have opened factories or branches in Costa Rica.

Is Costa Rica for you? You won’t know until you make a visit, look around and meet others who’ve chosen to live there.