Traveler Interview: Brenda Richman
Brenda Richman grew up in Kansas City and completed her Bachelors and Masters in Business at local universities. Her love of travel began as a child. She spent over 10 years traveling frequently for work as an insurance marketing executive. Since leaving her corporate career to pursue more entrepreneurial ventures in 2007, much of her travel is again about an adventurous love of experiencing the world.
We love to hear about others travelers’ adventures and discoveries. In this “Travel Chat”, Brenda shares some of her travel insights, as well as gorgeous photos from Hawaii, one of her favorite destinations.
The Jones: What inspires you to travel?
Brenda: My sense of adventure!!! As a lifelong learner, travel immerses me in a total learning environment of new experiences which energize me and increase my openness and creativity.
Kauai, Hawaii
Brenda: Spending time in gorgeous settings – nature, art, gardens, and architecture – feeds my soul and brings me a deep peace, a sense of freshness and relaxation.
I also love creating a deeper bond and a wealth of new memories with those I love most by sharing travel days filled with special experiences.
What have been your favorite travel destinations? Why?
Brenda: My travel preferences are uncrowded, less developed, peaceful scenic destinations. I really love the beach, ocean and sun. Thus my most frequent destination is Hawaii, especially Kauai. I love its extreme beauty combined with a slow lifestyle and uncrowded beaches. I enjoy sports, wildlife and adventures there – scuba diving, zip-lining, powered hang gliding and zodiac boat trips.
Powered hang gliding in Hawaii
What have you learned from traveling?
Brenda: About the world and about people, how we are similar and at the same time different, which also teaches me more about who I am. Twice I have had the opportunity to take month long trips. It has been extraordinarily enlightening to step away from life’s busy agenda and learn to more fully enjoy the moment and not think about what needs to be done.
I also loved New Zealand and its incredible geographic diversity in such a small, beautiful place. Island beaches, geothermal geysers and hot springs, mountains, forests, glaciers, fjords, lakes and wildlife all in two unforgettable islands.
I can’t leave out a number of great Caribbean Island trips filled with superb beaches, people, warm waters and diving in Culebra, St Kitts, Nevis, Tortola, Cozumel and Bonaire.
A favorite Kauai beach
Why do you think travel is important?
Brenda: Travel helps us realize that our way of living and seeing life is just one of countless choices. It reminds us that everything is not about us and that life is hundreds of daily choices.
Brenda and her sister enjoy Hawaii
What fuels your travel passion?
Brenda: My love of travel began as a child with great family trips. Since then, almost anything – reading books, hearing about other’s experiences, seeing great pictures – prompts my ever ready urge to head out on a new adventure!
What destination has surprised you most, either good or bad?
Brenda: I had no idea how fascinating the world living beneath the sea is until the Great Barrier Reef in Australia inspired me to begin scuba diving!
I thought the extreme height of the zip lining in the jungle outside Puerto Vallarta would be scary. Sure it was exhilarating, but the sense of being air born was awesome and addictive!
Despite the many great things to do and see in New York City, I’ve discovered that I really need more green space and less people in my travel experiences.
What tips do you have for creating a great trip?
Brenda: When planning a trip and selecting a destination, be clear about what type of experiences are priorities for you and your travel companions. Research and plan an agenda with expectations that are realistic. I start with really great guidebooks and supplement with internet research and others opinions. This lets me compare expert opinions with what’s most important to me. Relax and be flexible when unexpected changes happen.
What’s on your travel “bucket list”?
Brenda: Scuba diving Palau and Belize, Chartres Cathedral and the Loire Valley in France, Florida’s panhandle beaches, Caribbean Islands – St Johns, Turks & Cacaos, rafting Grand Canyon’s Colorado River, Arizona’s Havasupai Canyon and Falls.
Are you a beach-lover like Brenda? What’s your favorite warm water destination?
Read More Traveler Interviews:
- “To travel is to see new things”;sort of like eye candy.” A Travel Chat with an Illustrator
- “I never knew I could enjoy life so much without electricity “;” A Travel Chat with a southeastern Missouri Attorney.
- “Art and travel are connected and provide inspiration for a layered life.” A Travel Chat with a Graphic Designer
- “When I travel, my camera is with me all day.” A Travel Chat with an Art Photographer.
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