Travel to Wellness with Travel Expert Tami Hiraoka

SPEAKERS

Sheri Davidson, Tami Hiraoka

Sheri Davidson 00:16

Hello friends, welcome to the wellness inspired podcast. I'm your host, Sheri Davidson and I am here with my co host Finn. He is my terrier mix rescue dog and my loyal sidekick. Today, we have a treat for you. This is episode nine, travel to health and wellness, with Tammy here Roca. But first, I'd like to share a few things with you. If you missed the last episode, Episode Eight relationships, connections and communication. Please check it out. I'm getting some really great feedback on the podcast. And I really appreciate it all. I want to make sure I'm giving you inspiration that inspires you to live a healthy lifestyle and to make positive change. So suggestions, comments and ideas are always welcome. So for those of you who have given me feedback, thank you, thank you, thank you, and more thank yous. Also, I'd like to give you a teaser for the next episode, because that's just what I like to do. Episode 10. Like it that we're in the double digits will be one of two topics. wabi sabi design, the art of imperfection, things and you or another conversation, but with a different spin on biophilic design with Kimberly Nicole Phipps, this is going to be an ongoing topic because our environments can have a huge impact on our health and wellness. Kimberly is an interior designer, and she also owns Houston Emporium, in Houston, Texas. Their mission is to educate and elevate the conversation around hemp and CBD. So we haven't recorded the first one I've already invited her back to have a conversation around hemp and CBD. So that should be a fun episode. So stay tuned for that. To get updates on new episodes and wellness inspiration in your inbox, please join the wellness inspired community. Go to the wellness inspired podcast.com to sign up, I'll put the link in the show notes to the website so you can click in and join there. Also, I have a Facebook community at the Wellness inspired and you can follow me on Instagram at wellness inspired. If you liked what you hear, please share it with your family and friends. You can also give me a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcast. It helps other people find me as well. If you're in the Houston area or visiting and interested in acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, and dry needling therapy, contact us you can find out more on our website at element five o m.com. That's element the number five oh M oriental medicine.com. I'll put the link in the show notes for your convenience. If you're interested in health and wellness coaching. We can connect in the clinic or on Zoom. Reach out to us and we'll we'll get you on the schedule. Okay, are you ready for wellness travel? I am so let's jump in. So what is wellness travel? Most people associate wellness travel with a spa experience. This is true, but the definition has expanded. Before the pandemic there was an awareness developing more around a work life balance as well as creating or changing behaviors to lead to a state of health and wellness. Before the pandemic people were starting to see the value of their health in this fast paced world we live in and then the pandemic hit, it abruptly halted travel and expose the state of our true health as well as added a lot of fear. And now we are coming out of the pandemic and travel is booming again. But this time, we are looking beyond the spa experience and we are looking for experiences to heal. People are seeking travel plans that maintain, manage or improve their health and well being. They want healthy food options, fitness and nature experiences. They want rest and rejuvenation, stress reduction in disease prevention, as well as meaningful, authentic and transformative experiences. Now I've known Tammy going on about three years now. She is the co owner of Freschi travel, a traveling company that puts together specialized itineraries. In the few years I have known her I have seen her trot all over the globe having amazing trips. She does some of the coolest things. I think I saw her once I think she was in Africa with a tribe. And she had this beautiful I want to say it was red, it was red or yellow. It was one of the bright colors and she just she looks so happy and I I just always remember those pictures but I always look at all of her pictures. She posts a lot and she just does some really cool amazing stuff. And I love talking to her because not only Is she just the sweetest person, but she's also very knowledgeable and she shares great stories. So I could, I could talk to her for hours. So I just want to tell you a little bit about her and then we'll jump into the podcast. But Tammy is Peruvian and Japanese. She came to the US in 2003 to pursue an MBA at Rice University. She was offered a position after graduation at earnest and young that she could not resist. She spent the next 14 years working for oil and gas before she fully dedicated herself to Farsi travel. And a fun fact I really enjoy about Tammy besides the Disney roles story she tells at the end of the podcast, so you know, spoiler alert here, you'll have to listen to the end to hear it. But she lived in a Buddhist temple in Japan when she was 15 years old. Her aunt is married to a Buddhist priests. So she ended up staying with them learning basic Japanese and worked in a tea shop and assisted in the temples, daily chores. So we talk a little bit about that as well. Tami's travel passion, adventure, soul and foodie bug led her to seek unique experiences across the globe. And another thing I would like to acknowledge about Tammy is she was an oil and gas before and she switched careers. And she found a career that really brings her joy, it really gives back to her more than just financially. It put gives her purpose and meaning a lot of the times we get stuck in jobs, because we're scared to leave and we're so unhappy. And we know that it's not good for our health. But we stay there for the fear of our finances. And it's it's one of the hardest shifts to make. And so when someone really finds that thing that brings them joy in their career, I just, I love it. You can see how much they love it, I can see how much Tammy really loves her job, how much she loves traveling and meeting new cultures and new people. And she really loves putting together these itineraries specialized itineraries for people to have the same type of experiences. And you can really see that it makes her happy. And so for her to make that shift, I know it was huge. And I just wanted to acknowledge that because that is a pillar of our health and wellness. You know, we spend half of our time at work. So that thing that you do, is should give back to you. It really should. And I know it's hard to make decisions to change. But that decision to change is imperative to your health and wellbeing. So with all of that said, I think Tammy is a great inspiration. And I'm more than welcomed guests on the wellness inspired podcast. Without further ado, let's jump into the conversation. Hi, Tammy, welcome to the podcast. Thank you for being here. Again. You were on the health and wellness podcast, I guess about it was it a year ago, maybe a year ago,

Tami Hiraoka 08:20 

I think a year ago.

Sheri Davidson 08:21

So I'm excited to have you here to talk about wellness travel. I've also heard wellness tourism. So I don't know if there's a difference or if they just use those interchangeably, but we're going to talk about wellness travel. And I like to because this is a wellness inspired podcast. I love the definition of what wellness is because I think it's really important when we're trying to live a wellness, lifestyle and wellness is the act of pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health and wellness travel. When we talk about wellness travel, we are seeking the experiences that maintain manage and improve our health and well being and that's what we're going to talk about today. And the wellness travel is motivated by a desire for healthy living, rest and rejuvenation, disease prevention, stress reduction, management have poor lifestyle habits and to have meaningful, transformative experiences as well as connection and to bring us joy. So I love traveling and I love talking about it. My My parents sent me to Europe. We lost Are you still there Tammy? Yes. I oh you are okay you but I know I can't see you either. It's okay. So just for our listeners, we are using an online platform called Riverside. So this is my first time to use the platform. So we are recording remotely Tammy is in a different location and I am at Home. So please be understanding of our first time use. Okay, so where was I? Let's see.

Tami Hiraoka 10:12
Oh, you're experiencing Europe?

Sheri Davidson 10:14

Oh, yes, yes, yes. So I love traveling. I always have my health. There you are. My parents sent me to Europe when I was really like, I think I was in 11th grade. And I had never been out of the country before. And I was parent free. I went with the school. And we were over there for a month. And it was so transformative for me. Like I saw a different part of the world. I sell different cultures. I, you know, it just really expanded my mind. And my mom said, when I came home that I was completely grown up, like I was just a different person. And every since then I've just really, really love to travel and immerse myself in different places. So I have a love for traveling. I know you have a love for traveling, so why don't you tell people who you are, what you do, what your company does, and then we'll, we'll move on to talk more about wellness travel.

Tami Hiraoka 11:17

Thank you, Sherry. My name is Tammy Roca, and I'm the co owner of frizzy travels. We specialize in tailor itineraries and unique experiences around the world. As he said, I also love to travel I have been traveling since I was a few months old, I have been to 65 countries. I have lived here in the US since 2003. But I'm originally from Peru, even though I look Japanese. So I'm 75% Japanese. Besides focusing on tailor itinerary, we also offer stress free vacation for our travelers, of course, we take care of every single detail about your trip from the hotels, tours, transfers, and we even provide VIP services at the airport whenever it's possible. And we also have we also part of hotel programs such as Marriott, Hyatt Hilton, the four seasons where we always offer VIP amenities for our travelers. So that's in a nutshell what we do. At first he traveled.

Sheri Davidson 12:31
Yeah, and you just got back from were you in Dubai?

Tami Hiraoka 12:36
I was in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Maldives last year for the month of February. That's

Sheri Davidson 12:43

so awesome. Well, I know I've known you for probably maybe going on three years now. Is that? Probably three years? Yeah, I think and I know you've been to the Maldives twice. Now, since I've known you. Yes, that's correct.

Tami Hiraoka 12:58
I'm correct. I was there in April. Back in April. And yes,

Sheri Davidson 13:02

yes. And I hope to make it there one day, because it looks absolutely beautiful. Yeah. And you know, I, I know, we're not there yet. But I was reading something about the wellness trends for 2021, or wellness travel trends of 2021. And one of them was to be a part of science, and to do some meaningful work and they talked about the Maldives, and that you can actually go there and I guess the resort has a program for I guess something about the coral reefs. And you can go there and help them with that. Is that?

Tami Hiraoka 13:41

Yeah, that is correct. A lot of the resorts offer that type of experiences for rebuilding the reef, or even if you cannot join on rebuilding the review can do donations to rebuild the reef. They also have like turtle programs as well. And also cleaning the beach areas. So they have different type of experiences for adults and kids to join and help the sustainability of the islands as well as the environment in general. So they're very involved with with the sustainability of the Maldives. Most of our resorts I think,

Sheri Davidson 14:23
yeah. So that that was a wellness trend for 2022 wellness travel trend for 2022 was people

Tami Hiraoka 14:34

Yes, yeah, we're seeing that as well. Also more destinations are offering that that those types of experiences that before they were not promoting those types of experiences. Last week, I was just in a Japanese conference, which was for outdoor activities. That's something that we haven't heard before from from the jacket In this market, Japan is mostly a tourist destination for culture, history and cuisine, but not for outdoor activities. And now they are promoting those outdoor activities and how to be involved with the community. For example, they have how to participate in a tea plantain and see how the process girls and how the tea is done at the end, as well as like Sakhi production, but in a way that it's sustainable, so that you can actually help the farmer. She's not like a huge industry within Japan. It's like the small farmers, how can you help them and how they're helping their community and the environments amazing. And that was something totally new. Wow, new for me as well. Even though I traveled to Japan very often. That was something new.

Sheri Davidson 15:53
Yeah, that's awesome. As experience. Yeah. So I saw the Komodo Komodo trail. I mean, they I

wonder if they'll see any kind of uptick in the the people wanting to do that, do you think?

Tami Hiraoka 16:05

Yeah, yes, I think they do. And they're also promoting other trails beside that one. So hopefully, we don't know when they're going to open. They're hopeful that it will open between summer time and fall, so I don't know exactly. But hopefully they will be this year, but half of the year or end of the year. Wow.

Sheri Davidson 16:29

I know. I still have that on my bucket list to to do that. And yeah, you know, I in yesterday, there's a spa. Is it? Oh, I'm thinking of Bhutan. That's what I'm thinking of, because that's on my list now to is to go to Bhutan. Um, but I was looking there's a I think it's a the six senses, resorts. They have one in Bhutan. I think they have like five different lodges in Bhutan.

Tami Hiraoka 17:01 Yes, actually, when

Sheri Davidson 17:02
did you which one did you go to? I was looking at him yesterday were asking for more of these types of experiences. Are you seeing that?

Tami Hiraoka 17:05
I think it was punakha. Okay. punakha. That looks

Sheri Davidson 17:08
because I wanted to experience one of those. One of those

Tami Hiraoka 17:13
Oh dice, a life changing experience after the transformative

Sheri Davidson 17:17
experiences that I think people are starting to look in for. But I do have a question too. Why are they just now opening that trail?

Tami Hiraoka 17:26

Oh, the one that I sent you. I'm not sure why they just opened a trail. I haven't researched that much on the why. I just saw the news that they're reopening the trail. So I thought it was going to be interesting for you. Yes. Since he hasn't been open for a year

Sheri Davidson 17:46

yes. 60 years. So I definitely get 60 years I definitely want to do that. And you know the will obviously I still want to the Komodo Koto trial. But do you? I know you know this, that it is on the World Heritage List. It's on the World Heritage list with the El Camino de Santiago. They're the only two I've done the El Camino de filigree. Yes. So I've done. I think you've received like a certificate. Yes. So but here's the thing. So when I did the El Camino, I've walked 450 miles. And we stopped about 60 kilometers away from Santiago. So in order to get that certificate, you have to do the last 60 kilometers. So I have to go back and do the last 60 kilometers before I go through the mono COVID row because I want to do that before because they do a celebration for you in Japan if you if you do this. If you have a Oh, yes. So I'm plans. I got plans. I got plans.

Tami Hiraoka 18:51

And actually they mentioned that I'm in the car. Oh, really? Oh, yes. They did mention ah, I have so many things about the recognition. So you have to do the Camino Santiago before going to Japan, that's for sure.

Sheri Davidson 19:06

Yes, it's definitely the order to do a man. Okay, well, let's get back to wellness travel, even though that is all wellness travel, the transformative experiences that that travel can bring you. But what what inspired you to become a travel specialist because I know you were in corporate America before?

Tami Hiraoka 19:29

Yes, so Well, the person that inspired me to travel with my mom. Oh, yeah. Believe it or not in general. She's in her early 70s. But she was always very adventurous. She came to the US when she was only 17 and study for a year in high school with a family with an American family when she didn't know a word in English, so she was always very adventurous. She worked for an airline That doesn't exist anymore, which now is like, or Canada improves. So she got a lot
of free tickets, and she will travel around the world while she was single. And before she had me, so she was my inspiration. And so I always had this. My mom always pushed me to travel by myself. So I haven't been traveling since I was little. But how I became a specialist, of course, I was working in corporate America and oil and gas industry. And I started, I love to plan trips, just that was my hobbies, since I was little as well. So I started planning with my, with my business partner, we started planning trips, to different destinations. And we ask our friends who will be who like to join these trips. And so people started joining our trips. And we plan everything from hotel reservations, restaurant reservations, the tour, so we were going to have the flights that we could take everything. And we put together a document that looked like a professional document, but of course, it was just us doing it in a word and putting it in a PDF file. So that's how we started and we figured out well, we could somehow transform this into a business and and so that's how we started transitioning from being just a hobby to an actual business. Yeah. So that's how we founded the company, back in 2008.

Sheri Davidson 21:37
Get raised because it was right before the pandemic, right, right before the big loss. Yes,

Tami Hiraoka 21:42
it was just before the pandemic. Yeah, I started working full time in 2019. Yeah. And so yeah, it was just before the

Sheri Davidson 21:50

pandemic. So how how, how are you doing right now? I mean, obviously, people are starting to travel a little bit more. Now. We're coming out of the pandemic. But we're coming out at different rates and speeds. And so what do you what are you seeing right now.

Tami Hiraoka 22:07
So definitely, 2022 has been a boon compared to 2021. In 2021, we had some trips planned, but it was mainly within the US, Mexico, which was open, and also the Caribbean. Now we're but it was mainly within the US, Mexico, which was open, and also the Caribbean. Now we're seeing trips farther away like Europe, South America, Africa, and even Asian countries that are open now. And people are also taking more time off. That's what we have bigger it out instead of being just like a five day trip. We have trips scheduled for two or three weeks. That's so I think, because they have been waiting so long to go on a family trip. Maybe it's the first time they're seeing each other family or they have been waiting so long that they're taking longer, well, longer vacations, which was not normal before it interesting. So yeah, some people are taking two or three weeks.

Sheri Davidson 23:10

Wow. So I know we talked a little bit about this last time on the health and wellness podcast, but it was the wellness sabbaticals where people were taking three weeks or more, and going somewhere for a transformative experience, or now it sounds like to be with family, for whatever reason. But that's interesting. That's really interesting that people are asking for this. And this was in 2019, or I'm sorry, 2020. They this was supposed to be a trend. Yeah. They're also probably I guess, during COVID, you a lot of people saw the value of spending time with their family as well. Right, and the value of having more of a work life balance. So maybe that's happening, do you think it'll continue? Or do you think it's just something that is right out of the gates, you know, like, we can all travel now let's go let's go and then it'll die down? Or do you think it's here to stay?

Tami Hiraoka 24:07

I hope they, that they get the positive side of like traveling a little bit longer, because you can have a slower pace, and really enjoy the destination as well as get some time off for relaxation. So I'm hoping that that trend will continue. And I think people doing COVID realize that it's not everything it's worth Yeah. That there's more than work in life.

Sheri Davidson 24:39

Yeah. Travel. So so you're recovering from the pandemic, I guess pretty well then since 2022 is the year of travel. I read a stat like it was in 2019 that for the fourth or fifth year in a row like travel had just exponentially like Rose Then, of course, 2020 hit. So I wonder if we'll get back up to that. And how much of that was actual business travel and leisure travel? I don't know. But I assumed that there's a lot less business travel right now because of the pandemic. And we realized that we can do stuff remotely, right?

Tami Hiraoka 25:18
Yeah, exactly. Yes. There's less business travel. And yeah, yeah.

Sheri Davidson 25:23

So what's it or so last time we spoke, you said that people weren't specifically asking for wellness travel, but they were asking for different aspects of that, like, you know, they want to wellness travel, but they were asking for different aspects of that, like, you know, they want to go somewhere, they can be outdoors, or they can go kayaking. Is that still true? Or are people more aware of wellness? Yeah, yeah.

Tami Hiraoka 25:45

There's still true that they are asking for more outdoor activities within their itinerary they still want to do the city and the history and the arts. But they're always asking for something to do like outdoor like a hiking, maybe a biking depending on what destination they're, they're going to Yeah. They're also asking for more private tourists. So that I'm guessing people are more conscious about being in big groups. So they are preferences are now more tailored to private groups. Private experiences? Yeah.

Sheri Davidson 26:23

Yeah. So that's still that's still happening. So what's, what else are people asking for? Or where are some cool places that you would be your top five of like wellness trips to take around the world? Like, where would those places be? And what would you be doing? What would you suggest?

Tami Hiraoka 26:45

Well, in the US, of course, very popular has been Hawaii. Yeah. In general, for 2021 Because it's domestic travel, everything works exactly as mainland and there's a lot of outdoor activities as well. Yeah. And of course, they have wellness programs, like spas and yoga retreats. But I will also suggest to I know, Hawaii is very popular as well as national parks. Everything is outdoor, but also just to look at ranches around the US. Ranches are very, very cool. They have really good activities for adults, and also for kids. And it's everything. It's outdoor from hiking to canoeing, horseback riding, fly fishing, and there's some branches that are dedicated to families. And they're also ones that are for adults only. And they offer the whole holistic program where you can eat organic food and a farm to table. So people sometimes they don't know about the ranches. They mostly know about the national parks in Hawaii, but Ranches are around the US. And I will suggest to take a look at wrenches as well in within the domestic market. Yes.

Sheri Davidson 28:08

Wow. Yeah, that sounds really cool. So you know, in Hawaii, I want to go you can do underwater rock running Yeah, so you carry these like huge rocks and you're underwater and you're running with them? No. But I think that would be kind of a cool thing. Although I can't really hold my breath that long, but it sounds like a cool thing to try. Yeah. And ranches. I know that they have working ranches, too. So if you want to go like help. Yes. Yeah.

Tami Hiraoka 28:45
UK like farming? Yeah. Or yeah, helping with the horses or the cattle? Yes. They also have those types of activities. So I think that's cool. Within the US of course, overseas, we have those types of activities. So I think that's cool. Within the US of course, overseas, we have different destinations, but I just came from the Maldives, and I'll definitely suggest visiting the Maldives. I know it's a little bit far away. But actually from Houston, he has one one stop over to get to Malaysia. So people think it's going to be a lot of flights but it's just one stop. Basically, you can from Houston, you can fly via Istanbul, Doha with Qatar airlines, Dubai with Emirates and it's just one stop. So people think it's a lot of stops to get there. It's just one stop to get to the Capitol mother. And what's her I think it's it's wonderful. How

Sheri Davidson 29:37
long does it what's the what's the plane flight with how many hours

Tami Hiraoka 29:43

so this time for with Emirates. We did it through Dubai. So it's like for 14 hours to the way and then four hours to Molly. So yeah, give it a take. It will be 20 hours to get to the resort. Yeah, flying by

Sheri Davidson 29:59
it. And then you have to stay for like three weeks or more.

Tami Hiraoka 30:03

No, no, I think, I think seven nights should realign. But if you Yeah, seven, seven nights, it's like normal, like average, you can stay for longer if you want. But most people combine it with another state like maybe Dubai for a few days or in Doha in Qatar for a few days or a symbol. You can combine it with Sri Lanka or India as well. So seven nights, I think it's the average. Of course, I love it. So I last a price day almost the entire month of April in Maldives. But it depends on on on people if they have enough vacations or not to take two or three weeks in the mall. But something that people don't know about them all these people think everything is super expensive to stay in the Maldives, that everything is like $3,000 per night or more. And it's not the case anymore. Now there's more than 150 resorts in the Maldives. And there's a wide range of prices and they are some of them that that even offer all inclusive where you can have your not only your meals, but also your drinks included in most of them. They offer like a wellness type of retreat or program or experiences.

Sheri Davidson 31:30
Yeah, what would be an average cost to go to the Maldives?

Tami Hiraoka 31:35
It depends but I'll say it will start around $650 for nine that's when you start.

Sheri Davidson 31:47
Okay. Okay, so it sounds like there's more competition there now.

Tami Hiraoka 31:51

Is that Yes. And and you have to compare what you get in the Maldives versus what you're getting, like, let's say in Cancun, so for 650 in Cancun, you can get like an all inclusive, like a high end, but it's a room in the Maldives, you get either a beach villa or a water overwater villa, you're not having a room, there's no buildings. Everything is like a, like a villa small villi can be like a bungalow, or, yeah, it's like independent type of buildings and everything. It's looking at the beach, so you're not looking at the parking lot. Or like a little garden on the back. Everything has beach access. So that's the difference. Yes, you're paying maybe a little bit more than a room in the Caribbean, but you're also getting

Sheri Davidson 32:43

more for it. Well, that is on my my wellness travel list as well. I have at least four years planned out. So that's, that's, that's good for me. I think I told you this year, I'm going to running adventure in the Faroe Islands. And very excited, I'm super excited about it. So I'm going to be in the Faroe Islands for about a week. And then a little over a week, I think and then I'm, if I can make it happen. I'm trying to take a wellness sabbatical. And since I'll already be in Iceland, the people that I went to on a running adventure with in 2019. In Iceland, they have a boat, and I'm thinking about meeting them in Greenland. And so I would meet them that's on my list. I still want to see them. I want to icebergs so badly. But I would fly it's I would fly in on East, the east side of Greenland, and jump on the sailboat with them. And then we would we would sell in and out of the fjords exploring and just you know, immersing yourself and the icebergs so I if I can make that happen, I'm really going to try and make it happen but I'll be gone for a while. So that's the hard part of being gone for my practice, but I'm still working on that. But I think it would be a great wellness sabbatical for myself, I can still take my stuff and do podcast and you know, coaching so I can still coach and so that's what I'd like to do this year and then I'm thinking of the Bhutan trip next year. So the one that you've sent me so I'm super excited about that. And then a Komodo Koto trail. So anyway, that's my that's my plan for the night and then the Maldives so so that's four years, right? A couple of big trips, see? Yes. Okay, so where else abroad would you suggest you said the Maldives?

Tami Hiraoka 34:40

Yes. The Maldives. Now that I have heard so much about Japan, now I think it's so wellness destination that's yeah. I'm biased. I always like to go to Japan. So I think that will be a great wellness destination. Now that I have heard so much about their outdoor activities, they have biking, hiking, boating, even going to the field to help the farmers. So I think it will be a great wellness destination, they also have really good wellness resorts. For some reason, they're one of the countries that have they live longer than any other country. So for a reason, it's basically their diet and how they live their lives. And that's how you can learn from them. Actually, you can stay in temples as well and eat their the food that is served at the temples and also do meditation. They have the hot springs. So I think it's not only history and culture that you can enjoy in that destination, but also wellness.

Sheri Davidson 35:57

Yeah, calligraphy. That was another trend for 2022 was experiences that inspire creativity. So I thought that was interesting that you could even go to Japan and do like calligraphy. Didn't you stay in a monastery or temple? Didn't? Didn't you spend? That's right.

Tami Hiraoka 36:21

Yeah, because my, my family runs a Buddhist temple because my uncle, it's a Buddhist priest, you know, a small community out of very close to Mount Fuji. So I live there. It wasn't like a tourist experience. It was more of a family experience. I stayed there for a while. Yeah, well, what I did, I did some some chores.

Sheri Davidson 36:44
Yeah. Did you do any meditation did you do? I mean, obviously, you probably ate food. Oh, duck, the diet,

Tami Hiraoka 36:51

you ate the food. But in since it's a family run, it's not monks. We actually did did enjoy different type of food that wasn't like the monks normally will receive good. Yeah. But we did some of the we we had some other food when they have like ceremonies where they have like, a lot of people coming in. But I did attend some of the ceremony. So it wasn't like medication. It was the actual ceremony that I attended. Yeah. But it was very peaceful. I had to help with like, the only like cleaning but also on the garden. With the right. Sounds nice. Where they have like, different designs. Oh, really? And they also Yeah, and they all Yeah, they do have like the circles and and the lines within the rocks. And they also support the community. So I was involved with the senior citizens. Entertaining does senior citizens. That's great. So I so I don't really play with them. They had like, outdoor, they had outdoor activities. So I normally participate in the duck outdoor activities. That's

Sheri Davidson 38:13

great. You know, when I was in China, you the parks were just filled with older people doing tai chi and qi gong and all of those exercises. You don't see that here. But it's so embedded in their culture, that movement and exercise is very, very important. So I thought that was pretty, pretty cool. So have you had anyone request what sounds like you have because you just said that the new thing is that people are going on longer vacations. I was going to ask if you had actually had people, requests of wellness sabbaticals. But it sounds like you've had people just requesting longer stays in places.

Tami Hiraoka 38:58

Yeah, yes. Not a wellness sabbatical is just like, instead of being five day trips, it will be like two weeks or three weeks on a trip. But what I noticed is that they want some days for relaxation. Yeah. They don't want to have every single day full of tourists or experiences they want to have like relaxation. Yeah. So just that's the difference, like a slower pace. Yeah. And to enjoy the family together. So no, I haven't had a Wellness Advocate. sabbatical. I actually did one in 2011.

Sheri Davidson 39:35
What you did for a year, and you did

Tami Hiraoka 39:38

there? Yes. Where? Well, it wasn't like a wellness sabbatical. At that point. I didn't know what wellness sabbatical was or wellness. Travel was. It was for mental health. Yeah, totally. I was very stressed at work. I ended up in the hospital. Yes. So I took A year and a half off. And what I did it was just travel. Yeah, travel to different destiny. I didn't have like a real plan. Like a set plan because everything was so sudden what when it happened, but I started traveling to different destinations. And it was just amazing for for mental wellness. Not it's not only physical, but your mental wellness will reflect physically at the end of the year that day. So it just reached recharges you and I was way healthier than I was after a year and a half traveling. And also I had more energy coming back to work. Yeah. So yeah, it helped me a lot for a year and a half.

Sheri Davidson 40:44 Yeah, it was healing for

Tami Hiraoka 40:45
you. It sounds like it was it was a true changing experience for me. And also realizing that work wasn't my life. Yeah, I have another life besides going to

Sheri Davidson 40:57
work. Yeah. Now, is that something that you realized after you came back from traveling? Or was that something that you realize before you left, and that's what inspired you?

Tami Hiraoka 41:08

When I was traveling, I realized that that not everything was work, that there was more than When I was traveling, I realized that that not everything was work, that there was more than just working in an office. And I that I needed to take care of myself as well. I was younger, of course. And so you have to to preserve your body and soul and mental health as well.

Sheri Davidson 41:32

Yeah. Well, I really believe that your health is a huge asset, right? Like it's your greatest asset. And to preserve that is, I think, is smart. Because so many of us don't we get so locked up into our daily lives and pushing forward hard and working long hours and not taking that time for ourselves. And then we wake up and all all things are going wrong. And but I think more and more people are starting to become aware of that before they get to that point. Now. I think it's changing for sure. Yeah.

Tami Hiraoka 42:09

Now I think if and now there's more awareness as well like mental health awareness. Before nobody talked about it. I didn't know what what mental wellness or health meant when this happened. I was just sick. And and stress was the real driver for my health. Health issues. Yeah. So now I think people are more aware and what happened after with COVID I think people are more aware of your own health and mental mental health.

Sheri Davidson 42:45
Yeah, yeah. Yeah. You've had some experience with that. So so we're all did you travel for a year?

Tami Hiraoka 42:54

Oh, I traveled everywhere. I went to Australia to Bali. And then belly actually stay because I wanted to do more of the wellness type of travel. I decided to stay longer fall because I of course I had the time. So I'm like, I'm just going to stay in a booth and just do meditation and do hiking around the rice fields. I went to Japan of course to Peru, to Turkey, Israel. Greece. What else did I do? Of course I travel within the US Mexico. I beat more Europe as well. So yeah, I would everywhere and I had different experiences not only cultural or historic, but also the like, river rafting, hiking, cooking classes. Everything that was offered to me, I will be like, Oh yeah, I'll sign up. Oh, and I did the Pacific Islands, like Fiji, Vanuatu. I was there for like 20 days around those islands.

Sheri Davidson 44:01

Yeah. Wow. That's amazing. Well, I think that's a great, you're a great inspiration to all the listeners out there and how important wellness travel is. So thanks for sharing that. That's really awesome. So you have any traveling tips for people.

Tami Hiraoka 44:19

So right now, the most important one is to make sure you know your destinations, restrictions and requirements. And they they change very often and they change by destination. So you cannot assume that because in the US the restrictions and requirements are ABC it's going to be exactly the same end. And the other destinations and also some destinations has changed requirements regarding let's say Thailand, they have a very, they have a program on how you enter the country. But before US citizens could enter without any visa approvals. Now you have to go through. It's not a visa but it's like an approval. You have to go. So just not assume that because you didn't need a visa before. It's no visa now. So that's my biggest tip right now, especially with what's going on with COVID. There's a lot of countries that are lifting those restrictions, but you cannot assume that's happening in every country in the same way at the same time. So you have to be very aware what require because they won't let you go get into the country. If you're not. If you're if you don't follow those restrictions are required.

Sheri Davidson 45:35

Yeah, yeah. And that's why it's good to have somebody like you on their side, I know that when I go to times Correct. Gonna have you on my side. So I don't I can, because you know, all those things. It takes a lot to research all of that. Yeah, yeah.

Tami Hiraoka 45:50

We have partners in every country where we work. And so don't normally we're receiving all the updated information from them. So we are updating the clients as well, if there's any change that is happening between now on when they're traveling, we'll make sure that they get that information. So they are aware. Yeah, on the restrictions or requirements.

Sheri Davidson 46:13

Are you seeing I know, it's only been about four weeks? But are you seeing any? Well, you know, we're we're not in war, but Ukraine is and with Russia? Have you seen it affect the travel industry? In any way?

Tami Hiraoka 46:29

Um, so it has affected in the sense that there were some trips, especially, like, cruises, going to Russia. And there are some scheduled tours that were going to go to Russia or Ukraine, of course, they had to change kind of after yours or the rival. Yeah, it's also affecting some of the URL lines, because they're, you have to look for new routes, because they cannot fly through Russia. So maybe the flight that you're taking might take a little longer because they have to avoid our Russian area. So that's the only thing that we have seen so far. European travel has not been affected. Actually, we, in two weeks, we're going to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. I was we were going to go to Russia as well, there was a plan because there was a trip planned two years ago. Of course, we're not going to Russia. But that trip still on. And so right now, we haven't and we haven't seen a lot of cancellations. We I have only seen one cancellation so far. Because of of No, because they were traveling to that area, but because they were afraid of traveling to that area to constituents. But so far, we haven't seen any. Any countries besides Ukraine or Russia being affected on traveling.

Sheri Davidson 48:04
Okay. Yeah. Yeah, super sad. And what about have you seen any effects of the gas prices? And does that how does that affect the traveling?

Tami Hiraoka 48:14

Not? Not? Not so far? Regarding flight tickets? Yeah, you're still kind of average. I think most of the airlines might be protected price per type protected for for a couple of years, maybe. So maybe that's why they can maintain their prices. But of course, it might affect things like transfers, because it's gas. And also, if you're traveling on use an Uber, you might see like an extra charge for surcharges, like oil and gas. That might affect the but so far, prices have been stable. But I think maybe in the future, those those charges, especially for transfers, and maybe tours that have private transfers might increase a little mixing bubble see so far. No, it's it's been very stable. Prices.

Sheri Davidson 49:14

Okay. Well, that's, that's good to know, for people who love to travel, which I feel like most people do. There's very few people that I know that don't like to travel. Might you know, my dad does not like to travel. Yeah, he his father was in the Air Force. And so my dad moved around a lot when he was young. And he just, he doesn't like to travel because of that. Now, you know, he never stayed in one place long enough to make friends and so he loves where he is. He loves all of his friends and he doesn't want to travel. He did it when he was younger, I guess. But I love to travel most people do so so that's that's good to know. So I have one so I don't know if you know about this It is. I guess it's it's considered wellness travel or could be considered wellness travel. There is a resident yacht called I don't even know how to say it. I wrote it down. It's like fjords, but it's except it's with an in. So it's in J O R D. Yes. And their private residence on this yacht that should be available around your 2025. And basically, you circumnavigate the globe, you can buy a home on it. And I'm like, I'm planning my retirement, I guess. But I was like,

Tami Hiraoka 50:36

I heard of that cruise, but I haven't researched that much about it. But I heard there's residency. So you will be actually leaving it in a ship? Yeah. And then traveling around the world. Exactly. It might be a little bit expensive, but

Sheri Davidson 50:56
oh, yeah, I'm sure it's very, I'm sure. It's very expensive. But there's 289 private residences on it. I wrote a book, I wrote a couple of notes. But I also like the idea that it was it's supporting it. I wrote a book, I wrote a couple of notes. But I also like the idea that it was it's supporting charities and good causes. And I think it has the strictest environmental rules and regulations on it that you can possibly do. And it also contributes to science. So it collects data as it's moving along. So I feel like it fits really well into that wellness travel package, right because it is hitting all of these points of what wellness travel is trying to do. So anyways, I just wanted to mention it. I don't know how to say it, but I don't know Nord. I don't know how you would say that. But I don't know exactly how it's pronounced either. But I looked at some pictures in there. It looks absolutely beautiful. The problem is I get motion sick, so it probably wouldn't be a good fit for me. But it looks amazing.

Tami Hiraoka 51:54
If it's a big ship. It shouldn't move that much. No, it should have a stabilizer really.

Sheri Davidson 51:58
Yeah. So I went on one cruise and my my life I've been on one cruise, and I didn't get sick on the ship. I got motion sick when I got off.

Tami Hiraoka 52:10 Oh, yes. Really?

Sheri Davidson 52:13
I thought I was weird. I was like, Okay, this is really weird, because everything was stable, and I was still moving.

Tami Hiraoka 52:21
I think it's normal that everybody feels like that a little bit. But some people get like motion, like sick.

Sheri Davidson 52:28

Yeah. Well, I have definitely one for that I when I went to California, we went to Catalina for a race. And I had to take the ferry to Catalina and I could not find my app took some patches with me. And I have no idea what happened to them. But I was so scared that I was going to get too sick going over there because we arrived when it was dark. And my dad always taught me to look at the horizon if I was on a boat to help me to help stabilize. And I couldn't do that because it was pitch black. So I couldn't look at anything. But luckily, it was very calm, and everything was fine. But my understanding is like it does get pretty rough. But I was very thankful that I didn't get motion sick before my race would not have been fun. Okay, so what else anything else do you have to share? or would like to share?

Tami Hiraoka 53:24

So just for like another tip is just whenever you're traveling now just be patient. A lot of countries might not have recovered as good as the US. So they might be like short stuff, or they're not trained well. So just be patient and have empathy and empathy with them. Because they there are some countries that have suffered more than the US with COVID. Yeah, so not everything will work like pre COVID. Yeah. Just assume that. Assume that's

Sheri Davidson 53:59
a good point. Yeah. That's a really good point. Where did you say you were going next?

Tami Hiraoka 54:05
Army, GA and the SIR budget?

Sheri Davidson 54:08
And how long are you going to be gone?

Tami Hiraoka 54:10

Those are countries that I haven't visited before. So. So that's, that's what I like, because it's a different culture, and a different country. So it will I'll step out of my comfort zone. So that's something that I really truly love about traveling so deep. I'll be

Sheri Davidson 54:30
there for a couple of weeks. That'll be nice. So do you feel like you mean, you travel a lot? That's like kind of, you know, how many trips do you go on a year

Tami Hiraoka 54:41
and half the year in the US? Yeah, I'm gone.

Sheri Davidson 54:46

And what kind of like for me when I go on to when I go on a trip, which many people I'm sure are like me, I might have one or two big trips a year, right? And so most of my time is spent in Houston, working treating people. And then I'll step out for a few weeks and then come back. And it's it. Most of the time I try and pick transformative experiences, right? Where I can actually connect with a culture, immerse myself in a place. And I always come back a different person. But I can't imagine what your experiences because you are, you are gone half of the time. And so what I guess I would like to know what that experience is for you. Is it just as transformative? And what do you get out of it? And how does that affect you? When

Tami Hiraoka 55:37

you? Yes, definitely. Tran transformative? Definitely. Since my first trip since I took my first trip, I was a different person. It just makes you grow as a person. Meeting new people learning about their culture. Their daily life. Yeah. It will test tests your limits really and your patient. I normally return home more grateful for what I have. Yeah, definitely. Yeah. And I complain less about little things. Yeah, of course. So yes, I think that's what travel do too. Yeah. It just makes you grow makes you be open, accepting people as they are.

Sheri Davidson 56:20

Yeah, I agree with that. 100% 110%. It's, you learn so much about yourself. You learn so much about what's out there, it really is an expansive experience. And you, you have to grow from it. Right. And I think I really love that too. So to travel, I will always love

Tami Hiraoka 56:40

how you learn, learn. And you learn about yourself, not only about other people, and the experiences, just makes you to be creative sometimes. Right? Yeah. Because not everything will be perfect. Sometimes. There might be hiccups. And

Sheri Davidson 56:58

absolutely. And how do you navigate through that? You know, they always say, if you want to if you want to know about somebody travel with them, right? Because you're dealing with, you know, when things go? Well, it's going really, really it goes really, really well. But when they go bad, how do you navigate your way through that as a group or a, you know, couple or whatever. So it's a good, a good test of the relationship? Yeah. So I think that's awesome. Well, I guess that's a good place to start wrapping it up. Anything else? I love hearing about your trips, and I get super excited when you send me stuff. So please keep doing that. Because I you know, hopefully have a lot more years of traveling, coming up. So I'm always looking for great, cool experiences. And yeah, so Oh, I wanted to one more thing didn't do. I don't know why this just came up, didn't you? When you were younger? You have a Disney World story, don't you? That's what I don't know why I just thought about that. Please, share.

Tami Hiraoka 58:09

And I remember, I remember clearly, my parents took me to Disneyland. My my aunt, my mom's sister lives. Well, she used to live in LA, she passed away. But that's why we were we went there often. So they they took me to Disneyland. And my my best ride was it's a small world, believe it or not people like Dumbo or they like the carousel or, but I like it's a small world. And I told my mom, I'm going to go to every country and meet those kids around the world. I was just so amazed on what they show in It's a Small World a different like, how they dressed up how they look like and like the different little things that they show from each country. I wanted to seal those things. So I told her like I'm going to go to each of those countries. So I'm actually living my It's a Small World dream, right? No,

Sheri Davidson 59:08

I love that story. And I loved how it played out and it makes total sense. So I I'm glad that you shared that because I I remember it. It's a great story. Well, Tammy, thank you so much for being here and sharing. Thank you for having me. Yeah, well, you'll have to come back and have fun on all your trips. And I can't wait to see all your pictures.

Tami Hiraoka 59:30 Thank you. Thank you

Sheri Davidson 59:45

Well, what did you guys think? Are you ready to travel to wellness? I am. I could take a trip right now. But unfortunately I have to wait for a few months. Well, that's a wrap. As always, I would love to hear your feedback. I am dedicated to bringing you great content that is inspiring and informative with an artsy fun and edgy spin. Thank you so much for listening as always. We'll meet here again next time. And remember, never stop exploring, learning, loving and being you bye