​When considering travel to distant places, it’s helpful to plan excursions and attractions you’d
like to see in advance.  
 
The Hawaiian island of Maui has a plethora of tours and attractions ranging from extreme
outdoor activities that test endurance to tamer things like exploring Hawaii’s rich history and
culture.  
 
This makes Maui the perfect destination for seniors because if offers activities which appeal to
varying abilities and interests; all which take place against Maui’s gorgeous island backdrop.

Snorkeling is a popular activity which requires minimal skill.  No worries if you’ve never tried it
before.  Tours are abundant and include gear rental as well as transportation to excellent
snorkeling sites.

Beginners can rest assured that tour boat captains are experienced in making sure first timers
have a safe experience. 

Snorkel masks are worth mentioning here. With the advent of full face snorkeling masks,
snorkelers no longer have to be concerned with pesky water entering their snorkels- a great
feature, especially for beginners.

Being surrounded by water you would expect Maui to be a fishermans paradise and your would be correct! You can arrange a deep sea charter where you will catch the big game fish.

But if your looking for a more personal and quiet experience, get a guided tour in a kayak so you can find the best spots. If you are the type of person who likes to do it on your own, there are plenty of places to rent or buy angler kayaks. You can also rent or buy a good quality spinning reel and tackle to have you catching some trophy sized fish!

​Helicopter tours are truly a one-of-a-kind way to experience the beauty of Maui.  In fact, there’s simply no better to way to appreciate the multitude of its unique geographic formations.   

Expect a narrated adventure from your helicopter pilot-guide.  Not only will you enjoy taking in the view, you will gain a richer perspective of area’s geology, history, and culture.  

Some areas worthy of touring include: Molokai, which boasts the highest cliff in the world, at a height of over 4,000 feet; the Honokohau Falls, the tallest waterfall on the island; the lava rainforest of Iao Valley State Park; Elephant Rock, an islet that resembles its namesake from an aerial view; and a dormant volcano located in Haleakala National Park.  

​Ziplining may be the most effortless activity you can enjoy while in Maui; but don’t confuse effortlessness with boring.  Ziplining is a thrilling experience where you’re transported between a series of platforms on a course made of cable.  

These platforms are located at a decent height which allows the rider to zip from one to another, while at the same time, taking in amazing views from above. 

As activities, paddleboarding and kayaking are gentle on the ecosystem and on the body.  They allow the paddler to take in the beauty of the ocean while leaving no harm to the environment.

Paddleboarding has become an increasingly popular sport.  As a low-impact activity, almost anyone can partake in it. Standing atop a paddleboard, the rider has a unique vantage point.  As you skim across the ocean’s surface, peer down to catch a glimpse of the varied sea life below. If you have never tried it, this guide will help you get started.
 
Kayaking can be done solo or in tandem (sharing a boat with another paddler) and just about anyone can maneuver a kayak.  The kayaker’s position right atop the water allows for getting close and personal with Maui’s underwater world. 

Whether you prefer venturing out on your own or prefer a tour by a knowledgeable guide, exploring the area on kayak or paddleboard is one of the most serene ways to enjoy caves, craggy coastlines, and native marine life.    

Seeing Maui by bike is a no-brainer.  Rentals are affordable and biking allows you to enjoy the island’s diverse terrain. Trails abound for riders of all skill-level.

Tour operators offer down-hill rides in the Haleakala National Park.   

Those interested in archaeology will enjoy the Olowalu Petroglyphs Trail.  Along this trail you will see around 70 petroglyphs that are about 300 years old.  These are just a couple of bike riding options on Maui.

Hiking is another activity available to those of all levels of physical ability.  

For a leisurely hike, check out Kuloa Point Trail.  At a short 0.6 miles, this trail leads to the Oheo Gulch and the Seven Sacred Pools, which are a series of cascading waterfalls and plunge pools.  

Located in West Maui, the Waihee Ridge Hiking Trail is a four mile trail considered moderately difficult.  It offers dramatic scenery including vistas of the valley and plentiful waterfalls.  Hikers will enjoy cooler temperatures on this trail. 

​If you’d rather seen Hawaii’s spectacular marine life without getting wet, consider the Maui Ocean Center. The Maui Ocean Center boasts the largest collection of living Pacific corals in the world. Featuring over 60 exhibits and a culture and native plant guided walk, the Center is dedicated to sustainable tourism and does its part by educating the public about Hawaii’s unique sea fauna. 

Discover an authentic cultural presentation of music and dance while dining on local, traditional cuisine at the Old Lahaina Luau. Enjoy an authentic luau experience set against a stunning ocean sunset view, and a performance that showcases the rich  culture and history of Hawaii.  

If you’re in the mood for a serene experience, consider checking out the Lahaina Jodo Mission.  This Buddhist Cultural Park is located in Lahaina, Hawaii.  Housing a large figure of the Buddha and several pagodas, this peaceful park is a perfect getaway from the usual tourist attractions.  

Another worthy sight is the Old Lahaina Courthouse.  It’s a compact, informative museum highlighting the history of Maui, and it’s free of charge to visitors!   This little gem includes a small jail and relevant artifacts.  

We hope our guide is helpful in planning your trip to Maui.  With its natural beauty and plentiful options for activities and sightseeing, this paradise on earth is sure to please the most discriminating traveler.

​According to the most recent statistical data available for the 2016 calendar year, over 85% of folks aged 50 - 64 and 65% of folks over 65 are regular internet users. With the constant push toward online banking, shopping and social communication, the amount of boomers and retirees will only continue to grow in the coming years.

If you have a hobby, skill, or any kind of product or service you want offer for the benefit of other people, then owning a website in retirement can help build a solid bridge between you and your desired audience. Specifically, owning a website in retirement can provide the following benefits:

1. A website provides you with a dedicated, professional showcase to advertise and offer your ideas, expertise and/or goods and services for sale
2. Building off of #1, a website gives you the potential to increase your retirement income to supplement your living expenses and enjoy life even more
3. A website can even help create a healthy emotional bond between you and your visitors, especially when dealing with personal subjects and ideas

There are three main types of websites that are common on the Internet today:

1. Personal. A personal website is simple. It usually has an introduction (or home) page, a biography page, a contact page, and a blog article section. A blog is very similar to a journal, in which you can post articles detailing your life experiences, ideas, skills, expertise, or anecdotal stories that can help add value to other people's’ lives.
2. Business. A business website is more in-depth than a personal website. It usually has all of the components of a personal website, but also has one or more pages to outline/detail the goods and/or services your business offers. The blog article section on a business website usually has articles on specific goods, services or anecdotal information demonstrating your industry expertise.
3. E-Commerce. An e-commerce website generally involves all of the components of a business website, but it adds a dedicated section where you can list individual goods or services for sale. Most e-commerce websites also have some sort of checkout function that includes a way for customers to pay for your offerings directly through the website (either through a platform like PayPal, or a credit card processing company).

The kind of website that is appropriate for you depends entirely on you individual reason(s) for having a website. What is more, choosing a website development platform that allows you to change or expand your online exposure/presence as your desires or needs change ensures your website can always be expanded or customized to grow as you do. 

A website development platform is the software program you choose to either build your website yourself on, or to have a professional construct your website for you on. ​

• Some platforms are very limited. This means if you decide to start with a simple, personal or business website you will not be able to add an e-commerce section to it without building a new website that is e-commerce capable. 
• Other platforms are very expandable, meaning you can start with a simple personal or business website and add many different customizable features as your online presence and/or personal desires grow. 

It is very important to make sure you choose a website development platform that has the capability to grow with you, so that you never need to change platforms because doing so can take time and money you would not need to spend with a bit of foresight and planning.

Besides building a website, you should consider the following things in order to construct your safe, professional online presence:

1. URL Domain Privacy Registration. In order to have a website, you first need to purchase a domain name. A domain name is what a customer types into a search engine like Google to be taken to your website, like www.joepublicswebsite.com. When you purchase a domain name, your personal information is automatically registered in WHOIS, an international database of domain name owners. However, many companies like Google allow you to add privacy registration. This means that your name and personal information remains private with a Google based address and contact information put in its place. This is totally legal, and strongly recommended. 
2. A Reliable Website Hosting Company. Just like a URL, every website requires a host. The host is the connection point between the development software and becoming a live site on the world wide web. It is important to choose a website hosting company that provides its clients with personalized customer service, and is not so large that it treats its customers like ID numbers instead of individuals. It is also important to make sure its pricing is straightforward, and its service does not experience periodic maintenance that causes the websites it hosts to go offline at inopportune times. 
3. A Professional Email Address. This uses your domain name in the address instead of Gmail, Yahoo mail or another free personal account. For example, a professional website would be something like “[email protected].” This allows you to have a public email address that is seperate from the personal address you use with family and friends. For businesses, it is also a way to present yourself as a professional, which can help your visitors feel comfortable trusting you.
4. A VOIP Phone Number. If you plan to provide your website visitors a way to reach you by telephone, a VOIP phone number allows you to have a dedicated phone number that is separate from your personal one. Many VOIP numbers even allow you to download an application on your smartphone to make and receive calls through that number than you give your family and friends. This turns your smartphone into a two-line phone without having to purchase two seperate phones to conduct personal and professional business. This also helps protect your privacy by allowing you to have a dedicated, professional voicemail message to help your visitors feel comfortable trusting your business experience and acumen. 

​It is important to understand that just having a website is not a guarantee for online success personally or professionally speaking. After all, there are over 1 billion websites on the internet today. Therefore, you should make sure that your website looks professional and functions flawlessly if you want visitors to be impressed with the presentation of your idea, goods or services versus the many other websites they might choose to visit instead. 

1. Self built websites are usually the lesser expensive option, but they can tend to become overwhelming to some folks who are not computer savvy, or do not have previous web design and build experience
2. Professionally designed websites can cost more to create, but can lay a solid foundation for you to grow online from because you are trusting a team of professionals who design successful websites for a living.

Additionally, a professionally designed website can provide you with specific features like search engine optimization.

• Search engine optimization involves structuring a website for Google to be able to scan, index and recommend the most efficiently and effectively. This includes using keywords that potential visitors search for in Google, Yahoo and other major search engines when searching online for the goods, services or ideas you offer on your website. 

It is important to keep in mind that today, just about every business, and many private citizens, have a website or at least an online presence of some sort. This makes websites as common as listings in the White or Yellow Pages phone books used to be. This is why it is extremely important to trust a professional with creating a new, or reformulating an existing website. 

A professional website developer who is versed in design and search engine optimization can build you a visually appealing, psychologically appropriate, emotionally engaging, and fundamentally solid website separating you from other websites and/or businesses in less time, and with less hassle, than you could build a website yourself. This combination of factors significantly increases your chances for sustained, prominent online success. 

seOdona offers professional website development services to a diverse array of people of all ages, professional backgrounds and general walks-of-life. Although seOdona began in Arizona, their dedicated team now operates satellite locations in Southern California and Washington State that allows their team to serving clients throughout the United States. 

The seOdona team specializes in designing elegant, intelligent and engaging websites that are organically search engine optimized to help clients achieve a prominent online presence personally or professionally. With very fair fees for their expertise and services, as well as a straightforward pricing policy, seOdona believes in educating and empowering its clients while positioning them for long-term online success. 

The seOdona team welcomes you to visit their beautiful, informative website by clicking here, and to contact them if you would to discuss your ideas and visions…. as well as set up a free, no-obligation consultation to help you decide if they are the right professional website development company for you! 

​When is the best time to learn an instrument? 50 years ago. When is the second best time to learn an instrument? Right now! 

Perhaps you may feel as if you’ve missed the boat on the musical scene, but as you enjoy the extra time and freedom of retirement, you might be surprised to discover that picking up this new skill is not only ideal for your age group, but in certain aspects, can be even better! Don’t believe it? Read on. 

​One advantage the older generations have over the younger ones, is that you’ve heard countless forms of music come and go, filling your memory with decades of different songs and styles. This knowledge alone will help you recognize certain chord structures and natural melodic flows, much better than a child who’s recently picked up the same instrument as you. 

​Even if you believe that you don’t hold a musical bone in your body, you have still spent many professional years training yourself in problem solving and connecting life’s dots. Your brain is already hardwired to find the best approach at tackling obstacles, and unlike children, you are well-versed in the “practice makes perfect” methodology. 

​Music is all about the rules of sound, and the older you get, the easier you can delve into and analyze the abstracts behind the artform. Children may pick up skills much faster, but they have a tendency to learn in parrot fashion, whilst seniors have additional patience and curiosity to truly unravel the mysteries behind these scales and chords, which can become more valuable in the long run. 

​For some people, they only wish their parents had forced them to learn an instrument when they were younger. But you must remember that a large majority of young people unwillingly pushed towards a musical pastime, ended up loathing this after school activity, and tend to remember it as a time of labor rather than pleasure. Adults who pick up an instrument do so because they want to, and play music for music’s sake, finally fulfilling an interest that they had fantasized about their whole lives. 

​Playing an instrument not only gently removes you from reality, but has also been shown to improve your overall mood and sleep patterns, which works wonders for your stress levels and general mental health. As anyone can attest to, even just listening to the right music can calm you down whilst massaging any depression into a higher place of euphoria. So why not make some music of your own?

Ask a drummer and they will tell you: percussion performances are the same as a full body workout! Then there are wind instruments, which teach you how to breath properly and help expand your lungs, whilst the guitar is great for finger exercises. Just don’t forget to warm up and research how to strengthen your hand for maximum virtuoso results. 

​Like learning any new skill, playing music will challenge your mind to stay sharp and alert, which has been shown to increase your memory functions, and as a result, ward off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It also heightens your audio perception, as if training your nervous system to pay better attention to the world around you. 

​One of the primary reasons most people tend to seek out fresh hobbies in their retirement years, is to escape the tedious monotony of no longer having as much work to do. Picking up a new instrument skill is one of the best known methods of passing the time, by filling your house with the relaxing sounds of music, whilst progressing your art further with each and every practice. 

​Spending hours in front of your TV may be what you imagined retirement to be like, but this dull behavior can destroy your confidence, as you end each day with nothing of any value to show for it. Learning an instrument will not only grant your life additional meaning, but you can also accomplish it without even leaving the house if you don’t want to.

​Depending on your approach, you can even use your newfound passion to meet people. From visiting a tutor, to participating in group lessons, to having a topic of mutual interest with other musicians... there is no end to the links within the musical community. And who knows? Maybe you’ll even be performing with your band at next year's big social event! One step at a time.

It has been said the easiest instrument to play is the ukulele. It's not only easy, but it's one of those instruments that has a sound that can go from beautiful and classic, to fun and raucous. As will be seen by the seven easy ukulele songs included here for beginners to learn.

1. Oh My Darling, Clementine (Traditional) - G, D7, and C
2. Down in the Valley (Traditional) - C and G7
3. Skip to My Lou (American Traditional) - C and G
4. Amazing Grace (Traditional) - C, F, and G7
5. Happy Birthday (Traditional) - A, D, and G
6. Jambalaya (One the Bayou) by Hank Williams - C and G7
7. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd - D, C, and G

You can find more help at ukulele-lessons.com and anywhere on the internet look up "helpful ukulele tabs", but I prefer looking up the actual chords for easy ukulele songs, and then add 2 or 3 chords to your search.
​
There are multiple benefits of learning an instrument as you age.

You develop your brain by using several parts that keep your mind sharp. As stated on the link above, playing an instrument does for your brain what circuit training does for your body. It incorporates various sections of the brain that need to function while playing and learning the instrument. These functions you need to keep the brain healthy as you age.
​
You socialize with others who play instruments. What better way to find friends with similar interests? I have made more great friendships with fellow musicians than any other hobby. Get out and start "jamming" with others!

Each instrument brings out a part of your personality. Just because the ukulele is the easiest to begin playing, it doesn't mean you have to only play the ukulele. When I was young I learned the guitar. It made transitioning to the ukulele very easy, but from that instrument I went on to play piano, percussion and drums. It's like learning a new language. Once you learn one, you find the rest are easier to pick up on.
​
As we age, its nice to know there is something that will make us feel both useful and capable. The ukulele, like any instrument, will give you a sense of self-esteem, especially if you are tackling it at a time everyone is telling you to slow down and just stop. Well this is the exact time you should start.

Whenever you play an instrument you are using fine motor skills. The ukulele stretches the fingers and bends the arms, incorporates the shoulders and muscles you don't usually use. Don't forget to use good posture, as well, whenever you play an instrument. Your body will thank you in the long run.
​
There is no doubt listening to music builds the sense of hearing and brings all those parts of the senses you need to truly appreciate sound.

Sometimes, when you are alone there is something comforting about playing an instrument. Its what I call, "soul charge." An instrument will undoubtedly charge you when you're feeling down. It's one of the best cures for depression.

To tackle something after age 60 always makes us feel we're still learning and moving forward. That's always a good feeling. In fact, tackling any new task at any age is well worth the challenge.

As an old Danish proverb states, "Age may wrinkle the face, but lack of enthusiasm wrinkles the soul."

So please, try these seven songs and enjoy learning something new!
​
Here's to taking up an enthusiastic new hobby!

It’s a well known fact that many seniors like to travel when they retire. It makes perfect sense if you think about it. After all, you have the power to choose where it is you want to be, your children and grandchildren are busy with their own lives, and you have a lot of leisurely time on your hands. Traveling is the best way to spend your golden years.

A lot of boomers, seniors and retirees choose to go on cruise ships. It’s convenient, it’s not very expensive, you have everything you need on board, and you can have a lot of fun. Entertainment is not an issue. But have you ever thought of breaking out the mold a bit by doing something more exciting?

A trip to India is definitely something everyone should do at least once in their lives. It’s a spiritually rich country that has a lot to offer. Check out the 5 best destinations for retirees below, and get ready to pack a bag or two!

In Old Goa, you will find the beautiful Basilica of Bom Jesus. UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site. The baroque architecture is just breathtaking. The destination has won a Traveler’s Choice Award in 2017, and it wasn’t for nothing. The sandy beaches will provide a quiet and relaxing place where you can enjoy some curry and drink some Kingfisher beer. You will come back with beautiful pictures and great memories. At Christmastime, the East and the West come together culturally, and you will be enjoying a wonderful religious ceremony.

In Old Goa, you will find the beautiful Basilica of Bom Jesus. UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site. The baroque architecture is just breathtaking. The destination has won a Traveler’s Choice Award in 2017, and it wasn’t for nothing. The sandy beaches will provide a quiet and relaxing place where you can enjoy some curry and drink some Kingfisher beer. You will come back with beautiful pictures and great memories. At Christmastime, the East and the West come together culturally, and you will be enjoying a wonderful religious ceremony.

You can’t say you went to India without seeing the Taj Mahal. The whole trip is incomplete without it. It’s the biggest token of love known by man. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The beauty and the architecture of the palace are world famous, which is why it is considered one of the eight wonders of the world. In Agra, there are two other World Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO, the Fatehpur Sikri, and the sandstone Red Fort.

If you want to have beautiful spiritual experiences, then Rishikesh is the place to go. It is located at the base of the Himalayas, and it is a very important cultural and spiritual location for the Hindus there. Sacred rivers are flowing through the mountains, and the yoga spots look as if someone cut them from a magazine. The Beatles went there in 1968 to get in touch with their Eastern spiritual side and wrote several songs at a local ashram.

Bengaluru is also known as “The Silicon Valley of India.” It is a geek’s paradise but is also know for its cultural riches. You can visit plenty of gardens, museums, palaces, and temples. The natural features of the city are absolutely stunning. You can go to Cubbon Park and Ulsoor Lake of Bangalore. You will love the boating facilities. Also, Bengaluru has a lot to offer regarding music. It is one of India’s classical music and dance centers. There a lot of concerts you will surely enjoy.

Keep in mind that these 5 locations represent only a small portion of what India has to offer, but they are all worth visiting and are very popular with retirees. You’ll go back home with wonderful memories and stories to tell your grandchildren. You will also feel enriched in every possible way. Namaste!

Retired Brains is not a travel service, and does not offer direct travel support assistance. The purpose of this blog article is to provide helpful information on some popular locations in India should you choose to travel there. As with any international travel you undertake, we recommend researching local customs and other demographic data to ensure you are prepared for cultural immersion. You may also want to contact a travelers bureau in your area to find out about any international circumstances or situations, including safety concerns, that might affect your decision to travel abroad. 

Here at Retired Brains, we love helping you find activities that add value to your life. This includes leisurely pursuits that keep you socially active and mentally sharp. In this spirit, we are going to discuss the benefits of playing bridge, in order to help you decide if bridge might be a good activity to partake in. Some of the many benefits of playing bridge include:

Now, it is no secret that playing bridge is akin to mental gymnastics. In this regard, stimulating your brain regularly is believed to be an important component in warding off diseases including Alzheimer’s and Dementia. However, boosting immunity to ward off illness was not necessarily considered to be one of the benefits of playing bridge until the early 2000’s, when Professor Marian Diamond (no pun intended!) undertook an experiment at the University of California Berkeley with 12 ladies in their 70’s and 80’s.

​Professor Diamond began by taking a blood sample from each lady, and then had the group play bridge for 90 minutes. After that, she took blood samples again. She found that 8 of the 12 ladies had increased levels of T Cells in their bodies as a result of play. T Cells, of course, are used by the human body to fight infection. Professor Diamond’s hypothesis, that using the dorsolateral cortex of the brain by playing bridge can boost the immune system, was proven correct. Isn’t that neat? What is more, advances in modern technology mean you do not even need to leave the comfort of your home to enjoy the benefits of playing bridge!

Bridge is a natural game of choice for retirees, because retirement allows you to have more time on your hands to enjoy leisurely pursuits. For example, duplicate bridge typically allows for 7-8 minutes per hand, with anywhere from 22-26 hands per session. This means one session can take almost 3.5 hours to complete! Some people enjoy leaving the house to play bridge in community clubs.

• However, retirees who enjoy surfing the internet, or those who have disabilities that make going out for extended periods of time difficult, can play online bridge from the comfort and safety of their homes.

If you choose to play online bridge, you can rest assured that your mental sharpness will still benefit from the strategy, deduction, concentration and visualization required. Furthermore, many online bridge sites have a ‘chat’ function, which means you are able to communicate with your partner and other players in live-time. This allows you to experience meaningful social interactions, and even make some new friends in the process. Another benefit, should you choose to play online bridge, is that many platforms are open for play 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. So unlike a community hall with set hours of play, if you choose to play online bridge, you can do so whenever you wish!

Retired Brains has found a fun, interactive and easy-to-use online bridge platform called Funbridge. Funbridge is an established bridge site that connects bridge players from all over the world. Funbridge has individual games, as well as many different kinds of tournaments you can participate in.

To use Funbridge, you need to sign up for an account and download their free, easy-to-use application program for your desktop computer, laptop or mobile device. Once you sign up, you will automatically receive 100 free ‘deals’. You can use these free deals to help you decide if playing online bridge is the right fit for you. If you decide that it indeed is, you can purchase monthly packages, including unlimited play. Please visit the Funbridge website to learn more, and to see if their platform is right for you.

No matter what leisurely pursuits you choose to partake in, we hope this article helps you find stimulating, meaningful activities that are right for you...and that add tremendous value to your retirement years!

*The purpose of this article is to provide helpful information that allows you to make an informed decision as to whether or not playing online bridge is right for you. As with any online or in-person gaming platform, you should always do your research to make sure you understand the terms, conditions, costs and any other stipulations associated with membership. If you have any questions about the Funbridge platform specifically, we recommend contacting them directly.

Image Credit: The image of British nobility playing bridge is used with the permission of Creative Commons licensing, and is courtesy of the MCAD Library. The image was originally created by Charles Dana Gibson in 1903 for Collier’s Weekly.