Are you planning retirement or already retired?
You are in a special situation and we would like to offer you some ideas that might make a big difference during your active retirement. As we see it there are two stages to retirement, the active stage and the convalescent stage. The real issue is: "what are you going to DO during the active stage?". The convalescent stage requires comfort, care and a rocking chair so you can sit back and remember all those amazing experiences you had during your active stage. So what will you have to remember? Maybe we can help a little with that question?
Vacations are too short to immerse yourself in the Caribbean experience. But if you are retired or soon will be retired, you have the option to consider another approach. You could arrange to join us for an indefinite stay on a week-to-week basis where neither you nor we are committed beyond the end of the current week. If we opt out you can get a hotel and continue as you wish. If it is a short interruption you can rejoin us later after the interruption is over. This kind of intermission makes a great change of pace so you might choose to do this for your own benefit anyway. You can opt out at any time but your share of the expenses is based on the conclusion of the current week. We strongly urge you not to make airline reservations until you have had enough and are ready to go home.
This open-ended, uncommitted, immersion into an adventurous life style will provide an unforgettable experience for your rocking chair recollections. But more important, it will likely provide you with a "spiritual revelation" that will irrevocably alter your perceptions and your attitudes towards yourself, your life, your relationships, your priorities and your plans for the rest of your life. Most of our friends and acquaintances have an interest in sailing so you may be considering a "yachtista" life style for your active retirement. If so, then this will provide an excellent opportunity to experience this life style before you commit to buying a boat and all the other expenses. Afterwards you may find that you can "fill your yachtista cup" without committing to your own boat. If not you will have gained invaluable experience to guide you on what boat to buy, what toys to include, what modifications you want, and where you will sail. And you will also get a pretty good idea of how you and your relationships will fit your intended life style.
If you are not interested in the yachtista life style, you might change your minds? Or you might discover an experience you wish to repeat a few more times during your active retirement. Maybe next time you can include your family in some fashion? Why not spend some of their inheritance now while you can still enjoy watching them have fun with it? If nothing else happens, I can almost guarantee that when you get home you will be ready to ask the question: "what AM I going to do for the rest of my life?". And you will be armed with one profound experience that will empower and guide you towards an answer that fits your situation.
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