Your WiFi Can See You

After being medically discharged from the military, Brianna Walston embraced van life with her dog and enjoys the challenges the lifestyle brings her. Brianna Walston and her dog Chandler live in a converted van.Brianna Walston Brianna Walston started van life on the road after being medically discharged from the military. She began in a Subaru and later upgraded to the van she has today, which has a stove but no toilet. Despite challenges from her endometriosis, she enjoys living on the road with her dog Chandler. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Brianna Walston, a content creator in Nevada who does van life full time.Before I could make the leap into van life, I'd spent six years dreaming about it.At the time, I was in the military, and also in a serious relationship. Due to this, my van plans fell to the wayside. But still I continued to talk about it and dream of it constantly.Then my relationship ended, and I was medically discharged from the military. I knew I had my chance.Still, it was a scary and hard transition. Up until then, I was working hard to become a pilot in the Air Force. My plan was to stay until retirement, but I got injured on deployment and had to get two hip surgeries. My injuries disqualified me from commissioning and flying. As I left the military, I felt a heavy lack of passion and purpose. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do as a civilian — but I did still have my dream of van life.Before Walston could purchase a van, she used the car she owned.Brianna WalstonWithout a van, I decided to hit the road and goFor the first time, I had the freedom to travel — so I went. I didn't have a van at the time, so I decided to convert my Subaru and hit the road with my dog, Chandler. I'd spent so much time researching van life that I felt prepared overall, but there were some challenges I had to figure out. For example,  I didn't have a space to cook inside like you would in a van. Instead I'd cook outside of my vehicle, but when it rained I couldn't do that. This would be tough for anyone, but especially for someone who has a strict diet like me. I have a high-protein, high-fiber diet and I can't eat red meat. Because of a medical condition, I'm not supposed to eat inflammatory foods like dairy, either.Although that was difficult, some things were easy, like caring for my dog, Chandler. Even before van life, I planned a lot of my activities around her, and I do the same thing now. We go to state parks and public land, often in places that are super dog-friendly, like Colorado.Chandler is great for safety, and she's my number one priority when I'm traveling. I love traveling with her. Her dog, Chandler, gives Walston (shown with her on a hike) a measure of comfort and safety while living on the road.Brianna WalstonAfter 6 months, I upgraded to a vanAlthough I wanted to transition from my Subaru to a van, I was worried about the expense. I felt torn —  until I went on a trip with my friends who have vans. I realized some of the conveniences they had, such as internet and the ability to cook inside, and decided it was time to shop for a van.I ended up getting a Ford Transit, as it seemed reliable and affordable. Although Sprinters are common for van lifers, I knew they would be out of my budget.My van life costs  I work full-time as a content creator while on the road. My main expenses include:The van: My van cost $59,000, and I have a $55,000 loan that I pay back monthly, which I think of as "rent."Van insurance: This is $175 a month.Internet: My Starlink wifi is $150 a month.Gas: I budget $500 a month for gas.Food: I spend $400 a month on groceries and $100 a month on dining out.Gym: I have a Planet Fitness membership for $25 a month.How I cook, shower, and use the bathroomThe van I have today feels like a mini home on wheels. I now cook normally, using a small stove. While I do have to be mindful of power, like anyone, I'm able to cook three meals a day or more.As for showering, there are a few things I do. First, I go to Planet Fitness often. I take my fitness very seriously, and after working out, I will shower there a lot. You can almost always find me at a gym. Planet Fitness is widely the best gym membership for those doing van life, as there are so many of them. My van also came with a sink, which I can wash my hair in if needed. I also have a portable shower and keep big,  biodegradable body wipes on hand. It may sound weird, but the body wipes are something I used to use in the military, and they've just transitioned into my life on the road.One thing I don't have is a toilet. When I need to go, I head to the gas station, or I will go to the bathroom outdoors. I camped and hiked a lot growing up, so it isn't a second thought for me. Walston took out a lon to afford her $59,000 van.Brianna Waltson.How I handle medical careOne challenge I've seen for both myself and many other van lifers is the access to medical care. I have endometriosis, which is extremely painful and causes more intense periods. The bleeding frequency and intensity can feel insane.But when you don't have a permanent address, they can't mail your medicine to you. Although I can go to an emergency room anywhere, when it comes to the clinical and specialty care I need, I have to be with my home team or else transfer my care and restart the entire process over, including my initial appointments. That's why I try to take care of as many appointments as I can when I'm in my home state Nevada. Van life is a scary decision – but I say, do it scared Starting van life was a huge, scary decision. It was hard leaving my three-year relationship and the military and deciding to live my life on the road. But, if I've learned anything, it's this: Do it scared. This three-word phrase is something I've even tattooed onto my body. A lot of people think they're not capable, that they can't afford a van, that they just can't do it. But really, the beauty of life is having the ability to try.That's why I'd tell anyone who is interested in van life: Do it scared, and definitely go for it. If you have a fun, unique home and would like to share your story, email Alyshia Hull at ahull@insider.com.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Michael Cassata and Sara Cokeley transformed a shuttle bus and quit jobs they hated to live and travel in it full time. Michael Cassata and Sara Cokeley renovated a shuttle bus and live in it full time.Michael Cassata and Sara Cokeley Michael Cassata and Sara Cokeley turned a shuttle bus into their long term home. Since purchasing their bus they have put roughly $16,000 into renovating it. Living on the road can be challenging, but it's something they recommend people try if they can. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Michael Cassata and Sara Cokeley who live and travel in their converted shuttle bus. It has been edited for length and clarity.During the pandemic, I converted a van with my brother. I loved the van and knew I wanted to do it again, but this time with my fiancé Sara.Lying on our shuttle bus' roof top deck.Michael and SaraAt the time, Sara and I were in the process of moving from Orlando, Florida to the Pacific Northwest and we were deciding between renting an apartment or converting a bus.Both options came with an expense, we liked the idea of living on the road. We also liked the idea of putting our money into something that we would own.I love that we can travel and save on costs like hotels now that we live in our shuttle. We can go to our friends' houses, the middle of the woods, or anywhere at all and we have our belongings with us. We have running water, and we can take showers and cook, too. It feels like we're glamping all the time.How to find the right shuttle busWe faced a few challenges when converting our shuttle bus.Michael and SaraWhen we first started searching for a bus to renovate, we found several that seemed promising, but none of them were right for what we needed.Many of them had mechanical problems, for example, and one bus we looked at wouldn't even start up when we went to go see it.I remember the day we finally found our shuttle bus. It was 2 a.m. and I was scrolling through eBay when I stumbled across a bus for $18,000 in Atlanta Georgia. It had 83,000 miles on it, but it was originally owned by a nursing home and it looked well-maintained.At first I thought this bus was way out of our budget, but I reached out to them anyway. The worst they could say is no.I offered $12,000. By the next morning they agreed to my offer, and Sara and I hopped on a plane to Atlanta the next day. We then drove it back home and began to renovate it.How we renovated our busSince purchasing our bus, we've put roughly $16,000 into the renovation. Thankfully my dad is a carpenter and I've learned many of my skills from him.Our kitchen area.Michael and SaraStill, we faced some challenges and we didn't know how to do everything.For example, the structure of a bus is curved. This means everything on the inside of the bus also has to have a curve. We run completely off the grid and had to learn how to work around the curve and install things like electricity.Our shower inside of the shuttle.Michael and SaraThe electricity on our bus is the most expensive thing we installed. It cost us nearly $5,000 which is actually on the lower end for electricity. To run electricity on our bus we have three solar panels on the roof. Each solar panel is 200 watts. This allows us to use our TV, our blender or anything like that on the bus.The plumbing was simple for us to install. You would think it would be a huge task, but really it wasn't. We wanted a nice water heater and it cost us nearly $500. It's called a tankless water heater, and as soon as the water hits the line, it heats up by propane. Our used water is then held beneath the bus in a gray water tank until we can dump it. We also have a cassette toilet on our shuttle which is in the shower. The toilet holds both clean water and it holds wastewater, too.With this type of toilet, you can easily take it apart and then get rid of it at a dump station. Additionally, when it comes to using the restroom we usually go to Costco or Walmart, which is where we shop anyway.There are challenges that come from living on the roadThere are challenges to living this way but I'm happy. When you live in a van, or in our case a shuttle, there's always something to fix. In the past we have had our fridge break, and our AC broke once too. While these things are small, they happen constantly, especially the more you travel. It's important to save up your money in case something goes wrong, like breakdowns. Those are never fun and it's best to be prepared for the worst.Another challenge we face li ving on the road is having unreliable cell service — many of the places we travel to have limited cell service. We do a lot of things that require a stable connection, like posting on our social media, managing Sara's earring shop online, posting YouTube videos, and making user-generated content for companies.The entrance into the bus with views of the dining room.Sara and MichaelWe'll usually ride our bikes into town and find a cafe or park with good wifi and reception to get those things done.We make less money, but we're happierWe both used to work jobs that we hated, but we stayed for the money. We were working at Disney World in the restaurant industry. Sara was working two jobs that allowed her to make $4,000 a month and I was making $3,200 a month with my job. It was a very hard decision to leave because we were making really good money for the amount of hours we both worked a week.Sara now works at different farmers markets selling earrings, which we travel, too. She also sells her earrings online. The amount of money she makes depends on how many markets she attends, the season, and the locations we are at.I work as a DJ and make anywhere from $600 to $900 from each wedding I DJ.Although we make less money now, we realize that we would rather enjoy our lives even if it means making less. We now just want to enjoy the time we have when we have it.While living on the road is challenging, it's something I recommend people try if they're interested in it.If you have a fun, unique home and would like to share your story, email Alyshia Hull at ahull@insider.com.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Marius Blauuw, 51, lives and works on a narrowboat after his divorce. He says there are downsides, but he's happier on the water. Marius Blaauw bought a £35,000 narrow boat that he pilots around England's canals.Marius Blaauw Marius Blauuw bought a canal boat for £35,000 in Northampton, England after his divorce. Blauuw, a manager at Microsoft, said he is happier on the water because of the slow pace of life.  However, he mentioned the planning necessary, especially around sewage, can be a drawback.  This as-told-to essay is from an interview with Marius Blauuw, a 51-year-old canal boater. It has been edited for length and clarity.I'd always harbored a dream of living on a canal boat. I liked the idea of not paying rent and living on a boat sounded like a fun adventure.Once my divorce was finalized in June 2021, I  traded a 3-bedroom house with a garage for 391.5 square feet of floating living space.Blaauw loves docking in remote and peaceful locations.Marius BlaauwRemote work is easy from a narrowboatI work full-time for Microsoft as a partner manager and support the Nordic region. Lots of Nordic people I work with have boats, so it's always a good talking point. My bosses know I live on a narrowboat and they don't seem to mind. The job is 99% remote, with two meetings a year held in either Reading or London, each about a two-hour car ride away. Sometimes I do voluntarily drop into the office once a month just to see colleagues in person.I have a wifi connection onboard wherever I have strong signal. Most of the time when I am traveling, I keep the Wifi on to make sure I will have a signal wherever I choose to overnight. The interior of Blaauw's 390-foot narrowboat.Marius BlaauwI have 4G and 5G network connections, and if there's a strong signal, then it's a good place to work. If it's the weekend, I don't have to worry about any of thatI found the perfect boat and consider it an investment I paid £35,000 for my boat and consider it an investment. Boats need a lot of maintenance, but they can appreciate in value, especially if you're diligent about upkeep.My boat measures 6 feet 9 inches wide and 58 feet long. Boats are built to be under 7 feet wide so they can pass through the canal locks. My boat just barely fits, with 5 cm to spare on each side.The interior of Blaauw's 390-foot narrowboat.Marius BlaauwI found that 58 feet long is the sweet spot. You can buy a shorter canal boat, but then obviously you lose space. Canal boats can be as long as 72 feet, but not all locks can accommodate that size, which restricts where you could travel. I wanted to see as much of the UK as possible, most of which is connected by navigable canals.My daughter stays with me part time on the boat, so her approval was important. Together, we looked at about six or seven boats before choosing this one because it fit the budget and it felt right inside. Blaauw's narrowboat docked at English canal.Marius BlaauwCosts of living in a canal boatI still have family commitments and decided to secure what's called a permanent mooring in Northampton. It costs £3,000 pounds a year, and I can pull into my spot anytime. The only requirement is that my boat has to be out of the marina at least four weeks a year.The next two biggest expenses are the boating license, which is £1,200 a year and boat insurance, which is £400 per year. Even after paying for diesel to heat the boat and also gas for the stove, living on the water still works out cheaper than land.Marius Blaauw piloting his narrowboat down a canal in the British countryside.Marius BlaauwCruising is a much slower way of lifeThe trip to the village of Crick from Northampton by car is 30 minutes. By narrow boat, it's at least three days of travel because the canals follow the contours of the land. I could get to these places much faster by car or bike, but the joy is the slow and deliberate pace of travel. It's a slow process, but not a complicated one.Blaauw loves the community and helpful nature of other boat dwellers.Marius BlaauwI live solo on the boat, and one good thing is how easy it is to operate it all by myself. Two ropes are all you need to tie up to the side of the canal. It's not a big operation to push off and go. I like the flexibility of boating. I can cruise and decide as I go where to spend the night. In some spots, boats moor together and a group of us might have beers and a chat. If I don't like my neighbors, I can untie and find a new spot. One of my favorite things is to overnight in the middle of nowhere with no people in sight.You can always tell who lives on a boat from who is just holidaying. Vacationers keep to themselves, but those of us who live on our boats are part of a strong community that is very friendly and very welcoming. There are some downsides of living in a canal boat, but I'm happier overallThe hardest part is planning. If you go cruising for a few days, you need to carry enough gas and fuel and, if it's winter, you need wood and coal to burn to stay warm. Your water tank has to be full and your sewage tank has to be empty. Blaauw uses coal and wood to heat the boat on wintery days.Marius BlaauwIn your house, you just flush the toilet and that's it. On a boat, your bodily waste goes into a tank that needs to be flushed out about every two weeks. Not every marina has pump-out capability, and not every location has a bath and toilet house. You certainly don't want to get stuck with a full sewage tank and no options.Every day I wonder if I am doing the right thing by living on a boat. My friends all say that I seem much more relaxed now, but I keep questioning: "Can I pull this off? Can I adjust to this in the long term?" All I know is that right now, I am really happy.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Marius Blauuw, 51, lives and works on a narrowboat after his divorce. He says there are downsides, but he's happier on the water. Marius Blaauw bought a £35,000 narrow boat that he pilots around England's canals.Marius Blaauw Marius Blauuw bought a canal boat for £35,000 in Northampton, England after his divorce. Blauuw, a manager at Microsoft, said he is happier on the water because of the slow pace of life.  However, he mentioned the planning necessary, especially around sewage, can be a drawback.  This as-told-to essay is from an interview with Marius Blauuw, a 51-year-old canal boater. It has been edited for length and clarity.I'd always harbored a dream of living on a canal boat. I liked the idea of not paying rent and living on a boat sounded like a fun adventure.Once my divorce was finalized in June 2021, I  traded a 3-bedroom house with a garage for 391.5 square feet of floating living space.Blaauw loves docking in remote and peaceful locations.Marius BlaauwRemote work is easy from a narrowboatI work full-time for Microsoft as a partner manager and support the Nordic region. Lots of Nordic people I work with have boats, so it's always a good talking point. My bosses know I live on a narrowboat and they don't seem to mind. The job is 99% remote, with two meetings a year held in either Reading or London, each about a two-hour car ride away. Sometimes I do voluntarily drop into the office once a month just to see colleagues in person.I have a wifi connection onboard wherever I have strong signal. Most of the time when I am traveling, I keep the Wifi on to make sure I will have a signal wherever I choose to overnight. The interior of Blaauw's 390-foot narrowboat.Marius BlaauwI have 4G and 5G network connections, and if there's a strong signal, then it's a good place to work. If it's the weekend, I don't have to worry about any of thatI found the perfect boat and consider it an investment I paid £35,000 for my boat and consider it an investment. Boats need a lot of maintenance, but they can appreciate in value, especially if you're diligent about upkeep.My boat measures 6 feet 9 inches wide and 58 feet long. Boats are built to be under 7 feet wide so they can pass through the canal locks. My boat just barely fits, with 5 cm to spare on each side.The interior of Blaauw's 390-foot narrowboat.Marius BlaauwI found that 58 feet long is the sweet spot. You can buy a shorter canal boat, but then obviously you lose space. Canal boats can be as long as 72 feet, but not all locks can accommodate that size, which restricts where you could travel. I wanted to see as much of the UK as possible, most of which is connected by navigable canals.My daughter stays with me part time on the boat, so her approval was important. Together, we looked at about six or seven boats before choosing this one because it fit the budget and it felt right inside. Blaauw's narrowboat docked at English canal.Marius BlaauwCosts of living in a canal boatI still have family commitments and decided to secure what's called a permanent mooring in Northampton. It costs £3,000 pounds a year, and I can pull into my spot anytime. The only requirement is that my boat has to be out of the marina at least four weeks a year.The next two biggest expenses are the boating license, which is £1,200 a year and boat insurance, which is £400 per year. Even after paying for diesel to heat the boat and also gas for the stove, living on the water still works out cheaper than land.Marius Blaauw piloting his narrowboat down a canal in the British countryside.Marius BlaauwCruising is a much slower way of lifeThe trip to the village of Crick from Northampton by car is 30 minutes. By narrow boat, it's at least three days of travel because the canals follow the contours of the land. I could get to these places much faster by car or bike, but the joy is the slow and deliberate pace of travel. It's a slow process, but not a complicated one.Blaauw loves the community and helpful nature of other boat dwellers.Marius BlaauwI live solo on the boat, and one good thing is how easy it is to operate it all by myself. Two ropes are all you need to tie up to the side of the canal. It's not a big operation to push off and go. I like the flexibility of boating. I can cruise and decide as I go where to spend the night. In some spots, boats moor together and a group of us might have beers and a chat. If I don't like my neighbors, I can untie and find a new spot. One of my favorite things is to overnight in the middle of nowhere with no people in sight.You can always tell who lives on a boat from who is just holidaying. Vacationers keep to themselves, but those of us who live on our boats are part of a strong community that is very friendly and very welcoming. There are some downsides of living in a canal boat, but I'm happier overallThe hardest part is planning. If you go cruising for a few days, you need to carry enough gas and fuel and, if it's winter, you need wood and coal to burn to stay warm. Your water tank has to be full and your sewage tank has to be empty. Blaauw uses coal and wood to heat the boat on wintery days.Marius BlaauwIn your house, you just flush the toilet and that's it. On a boat, your bodily waste goes into a tank that needs to be flushed out about every two weeks. Not every marina has pump-out capability, and not every location has a bath and toilet house. You certainly don't want to get stuck with a full sewage tank and no options.Every day I wonder if I am doing the right thing by living on a boat. My friends all say that I seem much more relaxed now, but I keep questioning: "Can I pull this off? Can I adjust to this in the long term?" All I know is that right now, I am really happy.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Waterton, a national real estate investor and operator, announced it will expand its footprint in South Florida with the acquisition of One Plantation, a 321-unit apartment community at 1650 SW 78th Ave. in Plantation, FL. Built in 2013 as part of the 860-acre Plantation Midtown master plan, the 12-story apartment... The post WATERTON ACQUIRES 321-UNIT ONE PLANTATION APARTMENTS IN PLANTATION, FL appeared first on Real Estate Weekly. Waterton, a national real estate investor and operator, announced it will expand its footprint in South Florida with the acquisition of One Plantation, a 321-unit apartment community at 1650 SW 78th Ave. in Plantation, FL. Built in 2013 as part of the 860-acre Plantation Midtown master plan, the 12-story apartment tower is at the center of two significant South Florida employment nodes — Sunrise/Sawgrass/Weston and downtown Fort Lauderdale. This LEED-certified community has been well-maintained and Waterton will execute its signature value add upgrades to bring the property in line with competing newer product in the area. “One Plantation is located in the heart of central Broward County with convenient access to several employment nodes, including downtown Fort Lauderdale,” said Julie Heigel, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions, for Waterton. “The property has been well-maintained and will benefit from a thoughtful renovation that we believe will attract area professionals and families.” Located at the intersection of I-595 and University Drive, One Plantation is at the center of a diverse employment base as well as a variety of retail, entertainment, and dining options. Major employers nearby include Nova Southeastern University, American Express and Aetna, along with several large hospitals. The location is in the Plantation Midtown District master plan which, upon completion, will boast 3 million square feet of office space and 2.5 million square feet of retail space. The surrounding neighborhood also features single-family homes, golf courses and country clubs. The community is across the street from the South Florida Education Center, a consortium of educational institutions ranging from pre-elementary to postdoctoral education located in the town of Davie, and is approximately a 15-minute drive to both the Downtown Fort Lauderdale and Sunrise/Sawgrass/Weston – home to the Cleveland Clinic – employment centers. “One Plantation offers residents an expansive amenity package as well as a variety of well-thought-out floor plans,” said Heigel. “The on-site clubhouse and parking garage are also attractive to a variety of renters who are increasingly priced out of more expensive markets such as Miami and West Palm Beach. It’s a great opportunity to add a high density product to our Florida portfolio.” The unit mix at One Plantation includes one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans that feature nine-foot ceilings on floors 2 through 11 and ten-foot ceilings on the first floor and top floor. All units include floor to ceiling hurricane impact windows, private terraces or balconies, granite countertops, a combination of porcelain tile and luxury vinyl plank flooring, walk-in closets, European shaker-style cabinetry, Energy Star Whirlpool kitchen appliances and full-size washer/dryers. Waterton plans to execute an interior unit renovation program, including but not limited to, flooring, countertop and appliance upgrades, in order to better position the property within its competitive set. One Plantation also features an expansive amenity package. The four-story standalone clubhouse offers a business center and private work rooms, a movie theatre, multiple resident lounge areas, on-site dog park, catering kitchen and a fitness center with a cycle studio. Waterton plans to enhance the existing clubhouse to include a variety of spaces for individual use or group meetings, upgrade furniture, fixtures and equipment and convert the existing parking garage rooftop tennis courts to pickleball courts as the popular sport continues to gain momentum nationwide. As part of the renovation, Waterton will also upgrade wifi connectivity for high-speed internet access and improved cell service across the property. Newmark’s South Florida team brokered the transaction. The post WATERTON ACQUIRES 321-UNIT ONE PLANTATION APARTMENTS IN PLANTATION, FL appeared first on Real Estate Weekly......»»

Retired naval officer Joe Dituri is spending months at Jules' Undersea Lodge to study the effects of compression on the human body. Joe Dituri in the Jules' Undersea Lodge's underwater habitat.Courtesy of Thane Milhoan/ MarineLab Joe Dituri is spending is living underwater to research prolonged compression on the human body.  Jules' Undersea Lodge is an underwater habitat located 22-feet deep in a Florida lagoon.  Created for research purposes, the lodge is also a bed & breakfast, starting at $1,125 per night.  Joe Dituri is a biomedical engineer and a retired saturation diver for the US Navy. On 1 March, he grabbed his wetsuit and scuba tanks and dove 22 feet deep into a lagoon in Key Largo to reach the Jules' Undersea Lodge underwater habitat.Joe Dituri gives a high five through the glass to all the divers who swim down to the lodge to greet him.Courtesy of Thane Milhoan/MarineLabThe Jules' Undersea Lodge is accessible through a 'moon pool.' Dituri will live in the lodge until 9 June, for 100 days total, breaking the world record for the longest time anyone has spent underwater in a fixed environment — currently set at 73 days.Joe Dituri and Jason Sonners, a certified hyperbaric practitioner, access the lodge through its moon pool. Dituri will host many visiting scientists during his stay at the lodge.Thane Milhoan/MarineLabJoe Dituri and Jason Sonners, a certified hyperbaric practitioner, access the lodge through its moon pool. Dituri will host many visiting scientists during his stay at the lodge.Jules' Undersea Lodge is a 20-foot wide and 50-foot long barge that was originally built for research purposes and located 300 feet deep on the edge of the continental shelf, off the coast of Puerto Rico."You get down there and you hear the roar of the air going out," Ian Koblick, founder of Jules' Undersea Lodge, told Insider.Courtesy of Joe Dituri"You get down there and you hear the roar of the air going out," Ian Koblick, founder of Jules' Undersea Lodge, told Insider.Source: Project NEPTUNE 100. In 1985, after being towed from Puerto Rico to Florida, divers Ian Koblick and Neil Monney turned the habitat into an underwater bed & breakfast and research space. The lodge is named after Jules Verne, writer of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas.Thane Milhoan, habitat operations manager at Jules' Undersea Lodge, photographed from outside the habitat.Courtesy of Thane Milhoan/MarineLabJules' Undersea Lodge. Guests can spend the night for $1,125 per single occupancy, or $ 1,687 per couple.Spending the night at the lodge is popular among sports divers, who come to get married, or to celebrate anniversaries.Courtesy of Thane Milhoan/MarineLab'It's not a five-star hotel by any wild stretch of the imagination," Dituri told Insider. "It is bare and meager living quarters for scientists. It's for people who are looking for a zest for life."The Jules' Undersea Lodge hosts educational field trips for kids through its MarineLab program. The lodge is equipped with wifi, and a television.Courtesy of Thane Milhoan/MarineLabThe Jules' Undersea Lodge hosts educational field trips for kids through its MarineLab program. The lodge is equipped with WiFi and a television.The lodge is equipped with all the things you can find in a regular, over-the-surface apartment, including a television, WiFi, fridge, and kitchen.Food is transported to the lodge in sealed, pressure-proof containers.Courtesy of Joe DituriFood is transported to the lodge in sealed, pressure-proof containers.A pizza delivery dinner is included in the one-night fee. "Sometimes it comes up a little wet," Dituri said. "But it's the story of living underwater."Thane Milhoan, the habitat operations manager, delivers pizza to the Jules' Undersea Lodge.Courtesy of Thane Milhoan/MarineLabAside from breaking a world record, Dituri has two goals for his project NEPTUNE 100: raising awareness of marine research and conservation, and studying the effects of prolonged compression on the bodyMicrobial ecologist Hunter Hines with Joe Dituri.Courtesy of Joe DituriThe pressure inside the lodge is approximately 10 pounds per square inch more than on the surface. The increase in pressure can crush an empty jar, or squish an overly ripe banana.Plastic jar crushed by the pressure.Courtesy of Joe DituriDituri showcases how bananas get squished by the pressure in an Instagram video. Because of the prolonged compression, Dituri himself anticipates shrinking about one inch in the 100 days he's underwater. The inch will come back over time once he resurfaces. "I mean, I'm six one, I really don't care," he told Insider.Dituri photographed with an Explorer's Club flag.Courtesy of Joe DituriDituri is the chairman of the Florida chapter of the Explorers Club, and he brought one of the club's flags inside the habitat with him. The Explorers Club only has 222 flags, which it gives to its members when they go on expeditions that are anticipated to bring scientific results. Once the expedition ends, the flag has to be returned to the club.The scientist's anticipated shrinking is the exact opposite of what happens to astronauts, who grow in space. And the confined, isolated environment is analogous to a space flight.Joe Dituri in the lodge at night.Courtesy of Joe Dituri"The lodge has never generated a single dollar of profit in 30 years," founder Ian Koblick told Insider. "Why do I keep it going? Because it's the only place in the world where you can take people as close to going to space as you can get on this earth."Scientist Harrison Albert observes an angelfish from inside Jules' Undersea Lodge.Thane Milhoan/MarineLabPlus, Koblick says educating kids about marine conservation is key. He calls the kids that come and visit the lodge "marine conservation warriors." "If we could get more people to experience these kinds of things, we would have more people out trying to support saving our ocean," he told Insider.Young students access the lodge through the moon pool.Jules Undersea LodgeAt the end of his 100 days, Dituri will emerge from the lodge and gradually make his way up, swimming around the lagoon. "I can tell you when I resurface that I'm going to go see the sunset because that's the one thing I miss the most," he told Insider.Joe Dituri takes a selfie with a diver.Courtesy of Joe DituriRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

After a tumultuous week in banking, the country's largest banks stepped up to calm the markets by depositing $30 billion in First Republic Bank. Happy St. Patrick's Day! Dan O'DeFrancesco (we're all Irish today) in NYC. Goldman Sachs' decision to charge employees for coffee might not be that outrageous after all! An extremely valuable baseball team makes its players pay for their own in-flight wifi.Fun fact of the day: St. Patrick was actually born in Britain. Today, we've got stories on tips for landing an internship at Goldman Sachs, why the VC community is turning on itself, and where you should move if you want the most bang for your buck.But first, bankers! Assemble!If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here.Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo in "The Avengers."Disney/Marvel Studios1. Banks to the rescue.It's a bird! It's a plane! It's the 11 biggest US banks to the rescue!Did you feel that? That's the weight of the biggest banks in the country putting their proverbial foot down.The largest US banks — headlined by Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo — just pledged a total of $30 billion in deposits to First Republic Bank.The move was made to not only stabilize First Republic Bank — which recently saw its credit rating downgraded as its share price dropped and clients pulled money — but also to show confidence in the wider banking ecosystem. As detailed in a release announcing the news, the 11 banks, which also included Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, believe the move "demonstrates their overall commitment to helping banks serve their customers and communities. Regional, midsize and small banks are critical to the health and functioning of our financial system."It's a fitting end to what was one of the wildest banking weeks in recent memory. What started off with a crisis focused on a specialized, albeit powerful bank, eventually spilled out to regional banks across the country. While the move should calm the markets, it's not a long-term solution, per se. The money is committed to First Republic for at least 120 days, which puts us at about mid-July. I can't imagine the big banks looking to pull the rug out from First Republic four months from now, but this money was a deposit, not a donation. As Insider's Hayley Cuccinello reports, First Republic's problems are far from over. The deposits are moreso a lifeline, not a fix-all. I also wonder what this means for Silicon Valley Bank. (Remember them?) The bank, errr the FDIC, is still looking for a buyer. But now that some of the potential buyers have all pledged significant capital to First Republic, I wonder if that diminishes its chances of getting acquired. Read more about how big banks came to the rescue of First Republic with $30 billion in deposits.But here's why it's not smooth sailing for First Republic. PS — If you're thinking about emailing me that The Avengers are in the Marvel universe and Superman is in the DC universe, please don't. Go outside and touch some grass instead. In other news:Matt Kennedy, Courtesy Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment2. So you want to work at Goldman Sachs? You're not alone. The high-profile bank's summer internship is ultra competitive. Lucky for you, we've got some advice. Here are tips for applying from Goldman's head of recruiting.3. Big bets at the New York Stock Exchange. Insider's Hayley Cuccinello has a first-person account of a women-only poker night held by BNY Mellon at the NYSE to celebrate International Women's Day. More on how she learned "if it's worth betting, it's worth raising."4. Venture capitalists are a real-life version of the Spider-Man meme. VCs are starting to turn on each other over who is to blame for the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Here's why tensions are high in the once-friendly community. 5. More allegations waged against Carta's CEO. A new filing from former Carta CTO Jerry Talton accuses CEO Henry Ward of being "erratic, self-absorbed," along with a litany of misdeeds. The filing is in response to a lawsuit by Carta that depicted Talton as an incompetent and disgruntled employee. Get all the juicy details here on the ongoing litigation between the two sides.6. Hey everybody, come hear how good we sound! Insider's Dakin Campbell and I spoke on a LinkedIn audio event about the Silicon Valley Bank saga and the winners and losers. Check out some of the best clips here.7. Startup employees and early investors are looking to take the money and run. With the IPO and M&A market for tech startups at a complete standstill, some people with equity are willing to cash in their shares at a discount. More on the activity taking place in the opaque secondaries market.8. This "trip" could save your life. Meet the top venture investors who are betting big on using psychedelics for medical treatments. These 14 VCs are backing companies developing compounds of MDMA and psilocybin.9. Some places where your dollar goes a long way. If you make $100,000 a year in NYC, it's actually like you make only $36,000. How fun! Check out 10 cities with the best cost of living.10. The best frozen meals from Trader Joe's. Speaking of saving a couple bucks, skip the takeout and check out these frozen meals from TJ's. We reviewed 15 different dishes here. Pro tip: The cauliflower gnocchi is legit if you're looking to watch your calories. Curated by Dan DeFrancesco in New York. Feedback or tips? Email ddefrancesco@insider.com, tweet @dandefrancesco, or connect on LinkedIn. Edited by Jeffrey Cane (tweet @jeffrey_cane) in New York and Hallam Bullock (tweet @hallam_bullock) in London.  Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

These Subway Oasis charging parks will have EV charging stations with multiple ports, picnic tables, wifi, and playgrounds. Subway plans to install EV charging centers at select restaurants.Subway Subway is one of the largest fast-food companies in the world. On Tuesday, the chain announced plans to build EV charging stations at select restaurants in the US. 'Subway Oasis' parks will have charging stations, picnic tables, Wi-Fi, and playgrounds. McDonald's built in-store playgrounds for children. Now, Subway wants to build playgrounds for EV users.The sandwich chain, which recently announced plans to explore a potential sale, said it plans to add charging parks to select restaurants. Dubbed Subway Oasis, the EV parks will be outfitted with "charging canopies with multiple ports, picnic tables, Wi-Fi, restrooms, green space, and even playgrounds," the chain said Tuesday.The company did not say where and when the first Subway Oasis would be built. Subway is working with EV tech startups GenZ EV Solution and RED E Charging to open these parks. Additionally, the company said that Subway is opening smaller fast-charging EV stations at new or newly remodeled restaurants across the US this year. "On average, the smaller-format, fast EV chargers will offer a 120-mile charge in 17 minutes for approximately $20," the company said.Once open, EV customers might also get the added perk of receiving Subway discounts while waiting for their cars to charge, the company said. "We're constantly exploring new ways to innovate and exceed our guests' expectations for a high-quality, convenient experience," Mike Kappitt, chief operating and insights officer of Subway, said in a statement. "Our partnership with GenZ EV Solutions is a win for our guests, our franchisees, and our planet, creating a dedicated space for drivers to charge their vehicle while enjoying their favorite Subway sandwich."Subway joins Taco Bell as one of the first fast-food chains to announce plans to add public EV charging stations to restaurants. In October, a Taco Bell restaurant near San Francisco rolled out six fast-charging EV stations. The solar-powered stations provide a 100-mile charge in 20 minutes or less for about $20.Subway did not specify how much it would cost consumers to charge their cars at their new charging stations.According to the Department of Energy, the US has 50,765 public EV stations.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Condor has been operating as a leisure airline for decades but is turning its focus on the corporate traveler with an improved business class cabin. Condor's new Airbus A330neo recently operated its first-ever transatlantic flight, journeying from Frankfurt, Germany, to New York-JFK airport on Monday.Condor German budget carrier Condor flew its new Airbus A330neo across the Atlantic for the first time on Monday. The historically leisure-focused airline is set on improving its premium products, like business class. I toured the jet at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and was thoroughly impressed. If you've never heard of German low-cost airline Condor, you might be surprised to hear it has been around since 1955 and was the first leisure carrier to fly the iconic Boeing 747.A Condor Boeing 747 photographed in 1976.Daniel Tanner/Airliners.netSource: CondorThe airline has been flying to the US for years, and, by summer 2023, will have a strong network of 17 routes across North America to places like Seattle, Toronto, and San Francisco.A Condor Boeing 767 at Frankfurt Airport in 2018.Lukas Wunderlich/Getty ImagesCurrently, Condor has narrowbody fleet of Boeing 757, Airbus A320, and Airbus A321 planes...A Condor Airbus A320 in newest livery.CondorSource: Condor...and a widebody fleet of Airbus A330-200, A330neo, and Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, though the company plans to have an all-A330neo long-haul fleet by 2024.A Condor Airbus A330 at Frankfurt Airport in 2018.Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty ImagesSource: CondorWhile the carrier has historically sported an all-white fuselage with varying tail designs, the livery was changed in April 2022 to resemble beach towels.Condor's A330neo in newest livery.CondorSource: CondorThe eye-catching stripes — which come in blue, green, red, yellow, and beige — represent the carrier's leisure business model.Blue is for the sea, red is for passion, yellow is for sunshine, beige is the beach — or sand — and green is for islands.CondorBut, the company has started to focus more heavily on the corporate traveler, and is revamping its business class product to lure in more premium customers.A picture of Condor's Boeing 767 business class from Las Vegas to Frankfurt in 2019.Taylor Rains/Insier"We have to build awareness and we have to improve the product recognition that is in the market," Condor's director of sales for the Americas, Mikko Turtiainen, told media at an event at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday.A picture of Condor's Boeing 767 business class from Las Vegas to Frankfurt in 2019.Taylor Rains/InsiderI toured the carrier's A330-900neo, which will be the airline's long-haul workhorse, to see what passengers can expect — take a look.First flight of new Airbus A330neo in beach livery.AirbusCondor's A330neo is new to the fleet, favored for its 20% better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs compared to older A330s.An Airbus A330 new in production.Screenshot/Airbus videoThe first of 18 aircraft was delivered to Condor on December 19, and flew for the first time from Frankfurt to Mauritius in East Africa on December 27. But, Monday's flight was the plane type's first trip across the Atlantic.Delivery of Condor's first A330neo in December 2022.AirbusSource: AviacionlineThe jet arrived around 2:30 p.m. at JFK's Terminal 7. The airline previously operated out of Terminal 1, but has since taken over the space left behind by British Airways, which moved to Terminal 8 in November.British Airways moved to Terminal 8 to have better connections with oneworld partner American Airlines.Taylor Rains/InsiderAmerican and British Airways are joining forces at New York's biggest airport to streamline their partnership — see inside the new Terminal 8The aircraft is split into two sections: business class…Condor's new business class on its Airbus A330neo.Taylor Rains/Insider…and economy. There are 216 economy and 64 premium economy seats — the latter offering more perks like extra legroom and a footrest.The footrest in Condor's A330neo premium economy seat.Taylor Rains/InsiderHowever, both sections feature 13.3-inch seat each screens, and the regular bells and whistles of coach, like a sturdy tray table and a seatback pocket…The inflight entertainment in Condor's Airbus A330neo premium economy section.Taylor Rains/Insider…as well as an adjustable headrest and power ports, including both USB and USB-C.Condor's Airbus A330neo premium economy section.Taylor Rains/InsiderTurtiainen said wifi packages will be available throughout the jet, which can be tailored to the traveler's needs, whether it be texting, emailing, or streaming.Condor's A330neo economy section.Natt McFee/Condor AirlinesI thought the economy products were nice. I think the 35 and 30 inches of pitch in premium and regular, respectively, would make the seven-hour trek to Germany bearable.The 30-inches in economy may be cramped for taller travelers, so I suggest upgrading to premium economy (pictured) if the budget allows.Taylor Rains/InsiderBut, the true luxury lies at the front of the jet in business class. The 30 Skylounge Core seats are made by French manufacturer Safran and are also seen on carriers like Taiwan-based Starlux.Starlux's Safran Skylounge Core Seat.SafranSource: SafranAccording to Condor, introductory fares start at $1199 one-way, which is a pretty good deal considering a roundtrip business flight on Lufthansa from New York to Frankfurt is $5,400 in June.A roundtrip flight on the same dates as the Lufthansa example are about $2,400 on Condor for business class. Pictured is Lufthansa's A350 business product.LufthansaSource: The Points GuyHaving flown on Condor's old business class back in 2019, I had high hopes for the new product — and I wasn't disappointed.My meal on Condor's Boeing 767 business class in 2019.Taylor Rains/InsiderThe cabin is laid out in a 1x2x1 configuration, so all passengers have direct-aisle access.Taylor Rains/InsiderMoreover, the seats have a partial shell for added privacy…Taylor Rains/Insider…and myriad other features, like table and storage space…Taylor rains/Insider…a universal power outlet and USB-A/C ports…Taylor Rains/Insider…full lie-flat capabilities at the touch of a button…Taylor Rains/Insider…plenty of legroom…Taylor Rains/Insider…a large tray table that drops from below the TV and stays out of the way when sleeping…Taylor Rains/Insider…linens, a coat hook, and a reading light…Taylor Rains/Insider…an adjustable headrest…Taylor Rains/Insider…and a 17.3-inch TV. There is a section with larger screens, but more on that later.Taylor Rains/InsiderAll seatback entertainment screens have a 4K display and Bluetooth connectivity.Business class has a remote to control the inflight entertainment.Taylor Rains/InsiderThe Bluetooth was a shocking perk for a leisure airline, especially since I've only seen the option on a handful of other carriers, like United Airlines.Thomas Pallini/InsiderCondor has special a front row section — four "Prime Seats."Taylor Rains/InsiderThese seats take business class one step further by adding the option for travel companions or colleagues to sit in the pod together.Condor representatives sitting in the window-side Prime Seat.Natt McFee/Condor AirlinesThis is achieved by designing the footrest to double as a seat — and it even comes with a seatbelt so travelers can safely sit and talk without turbulence forcing them back to their original lounger.The second seat with a seatbelt and pillow in the Prime Seats.Taylor Rains/InsiderMoreover, the tray flips down from the side rather than from under the TV, allowing passengers to enjoy a meal together as well.Sitting with the tray table flipped down between the two seats.Taylor Rains/InsiderAnd, unlike the normal seats there is a divider between the middle section seats for added privacy, though groups of four could take advantage of the quad-like setup.Taylor Rains/InsiderIn addition to the extra space, Condor's Prime Seats also feature a large 24-inch screen — seven inches bigger than regular business class.Taylor Rains/InsiderMeanwhile, the extra seat is larger than the regular business class footrest. This means when the lounger is in a lie-flat position, travelers have more leg space to spread out.The Prime Seats with lie-flat bed.CondorTo also aid with sleep, the Prime Seats come with added perks, including upgraded amenity kits, pajamas, and slippers.Taylor Rains/InsiderPassengers hoping to snag a Prime Seat will first need to purchase regular business class and pay for the upgrade on top, which starts at $215 one-way.Taylor Rains/InsiderSource: The Points GuyThese flying offices, which are typically located in the first row, are becoming more common as airlines continue to focus heavily on creating a robust business class product over first class.American Airlines recently announced the end to its international first class product, saying people simply "aren't buying it." The carrier has since unveiled it new Flagship Suite in business class (pictured).American AirlinesAmerican Airlines is ditching first class on long-haul flights because customers simply 'aren't buying it'Qatar Airways was amongst the first to create one with its QSuite quad-seating arrangement, which was unveiled in March 2017.A Qsuite Quad.Qatar AirwaysI toured the 'world's best' business class on Qatar's Boeing 777-200LR and I see why people fork out thousands of dollars to experience itSince then, a handful of carriers have implemented their own version, like JetBlue Airways' Mint Studio…JetBlue Airways Airbus A321neo's with new Mint business class.Thomas Pallini/InsiderI flew JetBlue's new London to New York route in Mint business class. It's a premium leisure traveler's dream but some kinks need to be ironed out.…and Virgin Atlantic's Retreat Suite.Virgin Atlantic AirwaysVirgin Atlantic just flew its first-ever A330-900neo on a brand new route from London to Florida — take a look inside the swanky jetRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Delta invested $1 billion over the past several years to bring free WiFi to customers.Delta invested $1 billion over the past several years to bring free WiFi to customers......»»

Sarah Harvey works remotely from the Maldives and loves the warm weather and friendships she's made with people from around the world. Sarah Harvey moved to the Maldives in 2010 to take a job at a travel website. She eventually founded her own company, Manta Media, and continues to work remotely during extended stays on the islands.Sarah Harvey Sarah Harvey left London in 2010 for a job in the Maldives and later founded her own media company. She reviews $4,000-per-night resorts for travel magazines and websites — sometimes while wearing a bikini. The internet, weather, and friendships are great, though Maldivian cities are different than people may think. In my 20s, I decided it was time to start living the life I'd been dreaming about and moved from London to the Maldives.During her early days living there, Harvey traveled around the islands by ferry to review resort properties.Sarah HarveyI beat out 300 other applicants for a job as a news editor for a local travel website and became one of just a handful of journalists to live here.Very few journalists live in the Maldives full-time, Harvey says.Sarah Harvey/InsiderI'd recently recovered from Guillain-Barré syndrome, so being able to snorkel, dive, or surf whenever I wanted meant more than you can imagine.The coral reefs are a highlight of the archipelago.Sarah Harvey/InsiderAfter five years here, I moved to the French Riviera and then California, the Riviera Maya, Miami, and NYC. But I'm still regularly drawn back to the Maldives to work remotely.Harvey is currently in her second extended trip to the Maldives in a year, doing work for her own company, Manta Media.Sarah HarveyI like to start my day with a typical Maldivian breakfast of mas huni and roshi — a mix of tuna, coconut, onion, chili, and lime eaten with tortillas. It's great once you get your head around having spicy fish for breakfast.Traditional mas huni and roshi with some kukulhu riha (chicken curry) is a typical breakfast for her.Sarah Harvey/InsiderIf I have time before starting work, I'll go snorkeling. Visibility is best around 7 a.m., and the sheer volume of tropical fish, turtles, rays, and reef sharks I see is amazing.Snorkeling visibility is best around 7 a.m.Sara Harvey/InsiderI'm currently working from the Amilla Resort, where my work area includes my laptop, a desk with some chargers and ports, and a tea and coffee station.Cookies and caffeine are on standby at Harvey’s desk.Sarah Harvey/InsiderNot all resorts here have desks, so I've previously made do with working from makeup tables, patio tables, and even hammocks.Harvey sees people pose for photos with their laptops by the pool, but in reality it doesn't work due to the sun's glare.Sarah Harvey/InsiderSometimes I'll work from the living area of my villa, which is surrounded by water. Many resorts offer discount rates for media members or remote workers — and some have invited me to stay for free if I'll be writing about the property.Harvey says all the natural light helps her work.Sarah Harvey/InsiderBut you can't just turn up on a private island without a booking, like how you'd walk into a city hotel.Water villas are private bungalows built on stilts out on the water.Sarah Harvey/InsiderI work with companies in the Maldives as well as in the US, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia, which occasionally means a late-night or early-morning meeting.A temporary ‘home-office’ comes in handy late at night or early in the morning.Sarah Harvey/InsiderI love being able to take a break from writing to jump in the plunge pool or sea. Having access to so much private space also made me feel safer when COVID-19 was more of an issue.Harvey has learned the importance of taking small breaks to avoid burnout.Sarah Harvey/InsiderThe internet is beamed by satellite, so the speeds for Google Docs, video calls, and emailing photos are surprisingly good. WiFi is usually free, but some resorts charge $6 for just 30 minutes.It's surprising how good the internet can be in such a remote location, Harvey says.Sarah Harvey/InsiderWhen I first arrived, I had to buy phone cards and type in long codes if I wanted to call friends or family around the world. Now I use Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.Now it's much easier to stay connected with friends and family, despite how remote the Maldives are.Sarah Harvey/InsiderI love getting out in the field (often the ocean) for research — anything from scuba diving with a marine biologist to interviewing a head chef.Harvey caught one sunset while on a dolphin-spotting excursion.Sarah Harvey/InsiderI make a point to try to finish work and get outside to watch the sunset every evening around 6 p.m.Even after thousands of sunsets here, watching them never gets boring for Harvey.Sarah Harvey/InsiderI often need to travel for research. I use seaplanes and domestic flights to reach the really far islands, or speed boats and ferries for closer ones.Harvey on a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter plane, which takes her to the most remote resorts.Sarah Harvey/InsiderI've slept at some of the most expensive resorts in the world for my work, and am often surprised by how the atmospheres vary — some are really sociable, while at others all the guests ignore each other.Private pools and butlers are standard at Maldives resorts.Sarah Harvey/InsiderEach resort feels like its own bubble, and I feel very safe and insulated — you only hear the news if you seek it out here.Harvey at a beach villa at the five-star Jumeirah Dhevanafushi.Sarah Harvey/InsiderAt five-star resorts, I've heard about and seen some wild things, like a $200 pizza menu or the celebrity who wanted her hot tub filled with melted chocolate.Taj Exotica and a few other resorts have $200 pizzas or burgers on their menus.Sarah Harvey/InsiderWhen I first moved here, one of the biggest surprises was that there was only one resort per island.Every resort in the Maldives is located on its own private island, except the new Crossroads development.Sarah Harvey/InsiderResorts are segregated from the local community — where alcohol, bikinis, and pork are banned.Bikinis are not allowed on public beaches in the Maldives.Sara HarveyI don't work from resorts all the time. I'll soon be heading back to an inhabited island named Hulhumalé, a completely different experience from the resorts.Harvey will soon be heading back to an inhabited island named Hulhumalé.Sarah Harvey/InsiderI'll sometimes arrange short-term rentals and temporary sublets on Airbnb or through Facebook groups for expats.Harvey working from an apartment in the Maldives.Sarah HarveyBut I find the capital city of Malé disappointing. It's very crowded and rundown, despite having rent prices almost comparable with Los Angeles.Most Maldivians live in modern apartment blocks in the cities.Sarah Harvey/InsiderMalé is one of the only cities in the Maldives where there are cars. Most of the inhabited islands have sand streets, so small motorcycles are way more popular — and a status symbol.Most of the inhabited islands have sand streets.Sarah HarveyI don't enjoy being stuck in an apartment working, so I'll often go to a laptop-friendly café and use their wifi to get work done when I'm in Hulhumalé or Malé.One of Harvey's favorite coffee shops in the Maldives.Sarah HarveyI love that tea is sold everywhere here, but I was surprised the first time a café owner gave me take-out tea in a bag.Maldivians often drink tea, but coffee and Red Bull are also very popular.Sarah HarveyAnother surprise when I first moved here was that there was so little produce at stores — and the only cheese I could find came in a can.There's now a wider variety of produce and dairy options, Harvey says.Sarah HarveyThe Maldives' public ferry network is a nice way to slow-travel between inhabited islands. Some even have roofs that I've worked from with my laptop.The ferries in the Maldives are called "dhonis."Sarah HarveyOf course, a major perk is being able to work in my bikini and wear flip-flops year round — the temperature's always an average of 86 degrees.One resort, Kurumba, flew Harvey to the Maldives to write blogs for its website.Sarah HarveyWhen I'm not working, I'll do fun things like scuba dive. I learned how several years ago and have completed 100 dives since then.The Maldives is one of the best places in the world to scuba dive.Sarah HarveyI'll also hang out with friends on weekends. I've made incredible friendships here with people from all around the world.Harvey and a friend visited a yacht with a hot tub, the ScubaSpa Maldives.Sarah HarveyMy partner now works remotely here with me, and my parents and old friends have come to visit.Harvey and her partner now work remotely together.Sarah HarveyI make sure to show them the real island communities — the kind of stuff that most visitors to the Maldives don't normally see.At the time of reporting, Harvey was working from Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences in the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.Sarah Harvey/InsiderRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

If you're not getting all of the emails you should, try changing Gmail's filter, forwarding, or spam settings. It can be frustrating to know that you might not be receiving critical emails, especially due to technical issues.Justin Paget/Getty Images If Gmail isn't receiving emails, there could be a few problems. When your Google Drive runs out of storage space, you can't receive new emails. You might also have the wrong Gmail inbox settings, or lack a stable internet connection. It can be frustrating to find that you're not receiving emails through Gmail. Connectivity, settings, and account issues can stop you from receiving emails, but most are a quick fix.Here's what to do if you're having inbox trouble.How to fix Gmail if you're not receiving emailsClearing your inbox or Google Drive, changing your filter settings, and double-checking your internet connection can all help solve the problem. Clear your Google storage spacePlenty of us are guilty of hoarding messages and files that we don't need. If your inbox is filled with old emails, you run the risk of running out of storage space.Go through your inbox to delete large files from your account or Google Drive to help free up space. If you want more space to save your emails, you can also upgrade your storage plan.If you've run out of Google storage, you can't receive more emails.Google; William Antonelli/InsiderMake sure your emails aren't being filtered into another folderGmail has an automatic system for filtering emails into your different folders. This means that if you're waiting for an email from a new sender, there's a chance Gmail marked it as spam.Quick tip: Gmail marks some emails as spam by default. It will eventually learn which emails are safe and which are spam as you mark them. In the meantime, here's how to change Gmail spam settings if it's not getting it quite right.You can open your spam folder by clicking or tapping Spam in Gmail's left sidebar. If you find the email you're looking for there, open it and select Report not spam or Move to inbox.You can move spam messages back into the general inbox.Gmail; William Antonelli/InsiderAlternatively, check out the All Mail folder, which contains every email you receive, no matter the folder. You might also want to check your Trash folder. There's always a chance that you deleted the email you're looking for accidentally.If you find that a lot of important emails are getting filtered into other folders, make sure that you don't have a filter inadvertently blocking your emails.1. On Gmail's desktop website, click the gear icon in the top-right corner and then click See all settings.2. Select the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab to see all your Gmail filters.The Filters and Blocked Addresses tab shows if there are any conditions that might hide or block emails before you see them.Alexander Johnson/Insider3. Review the filters and select Delete for any you want to remove.Connect to the internetIt might seem obvious, but you need an internet connection to receive emails. If your internet connection is spotty or weak, Gmail will have trouble receiving and loading emails.Take a speed test on your computer or phone to see if your connection is slow. And if the problems persist, disconnect from the internet and reconnect. You might also have to manually reset your internet router, or even try using another device to check your email with.Quick tip: You may be receiving emails, but simply not getting notifications from them, especially if you're not connected to the internet. Try checking your iPhone's notification settings or reconnecting to wifi.Make sure your account's POP/IMAP settings are correct on the iPhone Mail appSome issues might occur while using Gmail on your iPhone. If you're using the Mail app on an iPhone, you'll have to make sure your Google account is properly set up and linked.1. Open Settings and scroll down to Mail.2. Tap Accounts and then Add Account.3. Choose the email provider you use and sign into the designated account. 4. Once signed in, your Gmail account should be linked to your iPhone's Mail app.Gmail on an iPhone can also have IMAP issues, which is the system that allows information to flow into and from your smartphone. If it's switched off, there are simple steps to enable it. On a computer's web browser1. Open Gmail and click the gear icon in the top-right corner and then click See all settings.2. Select the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.3. Scroll down to IMAP Access and click on Enable IMAP.Enable IMAP, either on your computer or phone.Gmail; William Antonelli/InsiderOn your iPhone1. Open Safari, go to Gmail.com and log in to your account.2. Tap Go to Mobile Gmail Site and tap the link at the bottom of the screen.3. Tap More in the bottom-left corner.4. Scroll down and tap View Gmail and tap Desktop. 5. Tap Settings and then the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.6. Scroll down to IMAP Access and tap Enable IMAP.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The man used Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite feature to relay useful information to rescuers, like his clothing, supplies, and any injuries. Apple A man in Alaska became stranded while traveling on a snow machine at around 2 a.m. He used Apple's iPhone Emergency SOS via satellite feature, on iPhone 14 and 14 Pro, to be rescued. The iPhone feature helps users without cellular and wifi coverage contact emergency services. A man in Alaska used Apple's new Emergency SOS via Satellite feature to be rescued after he became stranded in an area without cellular or WiFi signals while traveling on a snow machine.Around 2 a.m. on Friday, Alaska State Troopers received a notification that an adult man had activated the feature while traveling from Noorvik to Kotzebue, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety (ADPS).  The man's snow machine became disabled, an ADPS spokesperson confirmed to Insider.The Apple Emergency Response Center worked with local search and rescue teams and the Northwest Arctic Borough Search and Rescue Coordinate, who sent four volunteer searchers to where Apple's GPS coordinates showed the ping came from. The search and rescue teams were dispatched at 3:30 a.m, the ADPS spokesperson told Insider.The stranded man was found at Nimiuk Point and taken to Kotzebue by the team at 6 a.m., according to ADPS. He had no reported injuries.The area where the stranded Alaska man was rescued using Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite on iPhone 14.Google MapsThe stranded man had "appropriate clothing and firestarting supplies," and rescuers believe he was familiar with the area and travelling by snowmachine, the ADPS spokesperson told Insider. He did not have another form of satellite communication. Had the stranded man not had a satellite communication device, like the iPhone 14 in this case, the ADPS spokesperson told Insider the man may have been stranded for "several hours" until someone noticed he was missing. Historical weather data from Weather Underground shows that temperatures at 2 a.m. on Friday around Kotzebue hung in the low twenties Fahrenheit.Using the iPhone 14 with Emergency SOS via Satellite, the stranded man was able to relay useful information to rescuers, like what clothing he was wearing, what kind of supplies he had, a description of his snow machine, whether he had injuries, and weather information of his location, the ADPS spokesperson told Insider.Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature that communicates with Apple's Emergency Response Center allowed the rescue team to receive this information faster than a typical satellite communication device."Typically we have to ask that information of a person ourselves and that can take some time going back and forth over satellite," the ADPS spokesperson told Insider. "Having that information from the start allowed us to make quick decisions that helped this story have a happy ending.""The entire team involved in this incident was extremely impressed with the accuracy of the location provided and the initial information that the Apple Emergency Response Center was able to provide when they first notified first responders," the ADPS spokesperson added.Apple and Tim Cook did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.The Emergency SOS via Satellite feature is available on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models for free for two years after activating the phone. It allows users to contact emergency services when there's no cellular or WiFi coverage. Instead, the user's iPhone communicates with a satellite to try to connect them.Directly under the sky, a message could take around 15 seconds to send, while under light or medium foliage, it can take over a minute, according to Apple. Users under heavy foliage or other obstructions might not be able to connect.You can demo Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature without actually alerting rescue services before setting off on an adventure or journey to get a feel for the feature and how it works.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Arnault said he now rents planes whenever he flies privately. It costs around $11,000 to charter a Bombardier 7500 for an hour. Bernard Arnault; Bombardier Global 7500.David M. Benett/Getty Images; Bombardier LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault sold the company's jet after Twitter accounts began tracking the plane. After selling the Bombardier 7500, Arnault said he now rents planes whenever he flies privately. Renting a jet isn't cheap: It costs around $11,000 to charter the jet for an hour. Bernard Arnault is the billionaire CEO of LVMH, one of the biggest luxury goods conglomerates in the world. He sold LVMH's private jet after thousands of people starting tracking the plane on Twitter.LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault on board his private jet between Beijing and Shanghai. in Shanghai, China on October 11, 2004.Marc DEVILLE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesIn an October interview with Radio Classique, Arnault — who is worth almost $150 billion — said LVMH had sold its private jet. According to a translation of the interview by Bloomberg, Arnault said he now rents planes whenever he flies private.Twitter accounts that track flight data of celebrities inlcuding Elon Musk and Taylor Swift have amassed a considerable following online. Among the most popular accounts that tracked Arnault's flight data were @i_fly_Bernard and @laviondebernard. The accounts sprang up in the last six months and have a combined following of almost 100,000 users.The French tycoon frequently used the company's now-sold Bombardier Global 7500, per the Washington Post. According to a 2019 report by Forbes, Arnault traveled in the private jet at least once a month.Take a look inside the Canada-made jet, which is the largest business jet currently on the market.The Global 7500 is one of Bombardier's flagship aircrafts. Arnault wasn't the only one who was fond of the jet — several other wealthy individuals, including Kylie Jenner and Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest, have also owned the plane.Bombardier Global 7500.BombardierThe model was first introduced in December 2018. Only 100 units of the Global 7500 have been constructed as of March, according to a company press release.The plane offers the longest range among all business jets and can fly nonstop for 7,700 nautical miles, per the company's website. It's a large aircraft, especially when it comes to private jets, measuring 110.88 feet in length and 26.9 feet in height. It has a wing span of 104 feet, per private jet website Paramount Business Jet.When bought new without customized interiors, the price of the jet starts from $73 million, Reuters reported, citing 2019 list prices. But renting the jet isn't cheap either.The cabin of the Bombardier Global 7500.BombardierIt costs around $10,650 to rent the Global 7500 for an hour, according to Paramount Business Jet.According to aviation site Liberty Jet, the plane's operating costs come out to around $2 million dollars when flown for 200 hours, and $3.1 million when flown for 400 hours.Fuel and engine overhaul make up the most expensive costs in operating the jet, per the aviation site.Source: ReutersThe Global 7500 has four living spaces. The dining area of the cabin can be converted into a meeting space and the seats have concealable side tables.Dining inside the Bombardier Global 7500.BombardierThe cabin has reclining leather that are designed by Bombardier, per a company brochure on the plane.The galley is fitted with dual convection and microwave ovens, coffee machines, and chilled storage compartments where meals and drinks can be prepared, per a virtual tour of the plane. The kitchen also has a sink and induction cooker.There's also an entertainment suite on board — an area dedicated entirely to lounging.Entertainment on board the Bombardier 7500.BombardierThe entertainment suite, which is equipped with wifi, has a big television and a home theater system, per the brochure.The master suite has a full-sized bed, television, leather seat, and retractable table, the virtual tour shows.The VIP bedroom in the Bombardier 7500.BombardierThere's also a cabin management system on board that adjusts settings like the lighting, per the brochure. The master suite also has an en-suite bathroom fitted with a standing shower.Bathroom inside the Bombardier 7500.BombardierThe bathroom has a leather-seat toilet, vanity, and sink.There's also a 195-cubic-foot baggage compartment behind the lavatory, per the virtual tour.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The iPhone 14 can be opened from the front and the back by unscrewing two screws, making the phone easier to repair, iFixit recently revealed. Reuters A redesign in the iPhone 14 not mentioned in Apple's keynote makes the phone easier to repair. The iPhone 14 can be opened from the front and back, and the screen is easier to open than before. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max do not open on both sides, and have the same build as older iPhones. A small change in the architecture of the new iPhone 14 makes the phone easier for DIY repairs.The iPhone 14 can be opened from the front and back just by unscrewing two screws, according to how-to website iFixit. Those screws secure the back glass and front screen of the phone.The design change is also significant because the iPhone 14 is the first new iPhone to launch since Apple began its self-repair program, allowing iPhone owners to buy genuine Apple replacement parts and rent the tools needed to conduct the repair directly from the company.According to iFixit, having both sides accessible adds other technical challenges, such as having an extra side to seal for protection against water, and potential issues with radio frequency.All of the internal parts of the iPhone 14 — the parts responsible for satellite signaling to use 5G, GPS, wifi, and Bluetooth — are put on one midframe behind the screen. The midframe also absorbs the force  if the phone is dropped.Along with this redesign, the new iPhone 14 has an improved camera and there's no SIM-card port.Before this redesign was discovered, the iPhone 14's hardware did not stand significantly apart from its iPhone 13 predecessor. Insider's Antonio Villas-Boas recently wrote that upgrading to the iPhone 14 from the iPhone 13 was likely a pass for most people.iFixit gave the iPhone 14 a 7 out of 10 "repairability score," and added that it's "the most repairable iPhone in years." The website also added that making it easier to repair the iPhone 14 "will help it last longer and reduce its overall impact on the planet."This change sets the iPhone 14 apart from its fellow iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max that don't have the same front and back accessibility. Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The Seattle Mariners hosted a Work From The Ballpark Day on September 7th. It's the latest tactic in the competition to attract remote workers. Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres The Seattle Mariners hosted a Work From The Ballpark Day on September 7th. It's the latest tactic in the competition to attract remote workers. It comes as Major League Baseball faces a long-term decline in attendance. Companies, cities, and foreign countries are all competing for the attention of remote workers. It was only a matter of time before a professional sports team joined the game. On September 7, a Wednesday, the Seattle Mariners hosted a Work From The Ballpark Day during the team's series finale against the Chicago White Sox — becoming the first Major League Baseball team to turn the ballpark into an untraditional coworking space. For $50, fans received a meal, wifi access, and a seat in the stadium's Hit It Here Cafe located in the second deck beyond right field. The workspace was available from 11:00 AM through the end of the 1:10 PM contest — the average baseball game lasts just over three hours.While the Mariners fell by the score of 9-6, the franchise won — selling out each of the 150 passes that were made available. "Looking at people coming out of the recovery, coming out of a pandemic, the number of folks that have gone back to work is still relatively low in the downtown core," Mariners senior vice president of marketing Gregg Greene told MLB.com, adding that the team has an opportunity to "give fans a chance to get out of the home office and get a different experience."While many US workers have returned to the office as pandemic restrictions have eased, millions are still working remotely at least some of the time — a trend that is expected to persist in the years to come. Faced with the freedom to work from wherever, these workers are evaluating the best offers on the table. Companies are offering a variety of perks to nudge workers back to the office. Cities are offering monetary incentives to persuade workers with geographic flexibility to pack up and move. Foreign countries are even offering digital nomad visas to entice remote workers and boost tourism. The Mariners opted for a different approach to attract these workers, and other sectors of the economy could join the competition in the years to come. Baseball's attendance has fallen in recent yearsThe Mariners currently rank 16th among 30 MLB teams in attendance at roughly 28,000 per game, but there's been a widespread decline in attendance across the sport over the past decade-plus. In 2005, for instance, despite only finishing with a record of 69-43, Seattle averaged over 33,000 fans per contest. Despite having a playoff-bound squad this season, fans aren't coming to the ballpark at nearly the same level — something that surely contributed to the team's willingness to get creative. That said, mixing business and sports is far from a new concept for the MLB and other leagues. Historically, however, it's come through the sale of premium seats, suites, and boxes to businesses looking to impress clients. In fact, many sports teams are reliant on these premium tickets for a large share of their ticket revenue. In the NBA for instance, premium seats and suites account for less than 20% of total seats available, but at least 50% of ticket sales, per Sportico. But while there is surely plenty of business talk in sky boxes across the country, these workers are more likely to be holding a drink than their laptop — making Seattle's offering unique. The Mariners have no official plans for another Work From The Ballpark day, but they reportedly "want to do it again." "We received overwhelming positive fan feedback and we are exploring ways to build upon this concept in the future," a Mariners spokesperson told Bloomberg. Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

A massive outage on Friday disrupted Rogers' networks across Canada, forcing customers to find alternative ways to get cell and internet service. In this photo illustration, Rogers Communications logo of a Canadian media and telecommunications company is seen displaying, on a smartphone and a pc screen.Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Millions of people in Canada had no access to cell and internet services for more than 12 hours. Kye Prigg, a senior vice president at Rogers, said the company hadn't identified the cause. Rogers has approximately 9 million wireless customers making up about 31.6% of all revenue generated in the sector. Rogers said its wireless services are starting to recover after millions of Canadians experienced cell and internet outages across the country on Friday. The telecommunications company has approximately nine million wireless customers who struggled to access bank services and government sites like Service Canada that provide employment insurance and social insurance cards.Travelers abroad were also at a loss when trying to upload information to AriveCAN, an app the government mandated for anyone entering the country during the pandemic. In a statement provided to Insider, the company said as it's services and traffic volumes return to normal, it will continue to keep its customers updated, adding "as previously announced, we will be proactively crediting all customers and will share more information on that process soon."Speaking with The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Kye Prigg, a senior vice president at Rogers said the company hadn't identified the cause of the outage. Parliamentary Secretary Greg Fergus told the CBC the outage isn't due to a cyber attack.The Weeknd was supposed to perform at The Rogers Centre on Friday night, but the concert had to be postponed due to the service outages. According to reporting by Variety, the Rogers Centre is cashless, and therefore transactions are dependent on wifi.Rogers is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the country. Along with Bell and Telus, the three companies control 90% of the market share in Canada, compared to the US where there are dozens of carriers. Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Travel agent Joanna Kuther says cruises are seeing longer wait times and lower capacities right now. But with the right strategy, you can get a deal. Joanna Kuther Joanna Kuther works as a travel agent and has been on more than 100 cruises. Kuther told Insider that despite staff shortages, it could be the ideal time to book a cruise due to cheaper rates and additional perks.  This is her story, as told to writer Jenny Powers. This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Joanna Kuther, a travel agent who's been on more than 100 cruises. It has been edited for length and clarity.I set foot on my first cruise at the age of 18 and loved every minute of it. Since then, I've cruised at least 100 times. I've traveled everywhere from Florida and the Caribbean to Italy, Greece, Malta, and the Greek Islands. My love for cruising led me to work as a cruise consultant from 1989 to 1992. At the time, we sold cruises by phone and mail from inside brick-and-mortar businesses.With the rise of the internet, more people began gravitating toward booking their own travel onlineBefore long, the travel agency business model became outdated, forcing the brick-and-mortar locations like mine to shut down. That's when I pivoted into operations and human resources — the field I still work in today. For the past 20 years, I've been the director of operations at an engineering and architecture firm. Many of my responsibilities are similar to working in travel, as both roles rely on keeping people happy and guiding them in the right direction while ensuring they're equipped with all the tools they need to be successful.I love working with people, so I feel like I've got the best of both worlds working in travel and operations.  These days, people seek out travel agents like me Everything always comes full circle. There's so much information online that it can be overwhelming, so people are returning to travel consultants for guidance.In 2010, while on a cruise, I decided to return to travel consulting on the side. I partnered with a host agent and opened my own home-based business, Port Side Travel, where 80% of my work is selling cruise trips. In terms of bookings, 2019 should have been my best year yet. I had roughly 200 cabins booked for 2020 sails. Then COVID-19 hit and everything got canceled, temporarily docking the entire cruise industry. In 2021, I didn't sell any cruises because I wasn't certain whether the industry would be able to bounce backBut by September, I hopped aboard Royal Caribbean's first cruise back, the Oasis of the Seas from New Jersey to the Bahamas, for seven days. The first notable difference was how quiet the ship was. While this particular ship normally holds about 4,000 passengers, I was told by an employee that there were only around 900 that time. There were no crowds or lines to contend with. Some veteran cruise-goers might have missed the liveliness of a full ship, but it probably was a nice introduction to new cruisers. Since then, I've sailed on Celebrity, Carnival, and Richard Branson's new Virgin Voyages cruise line.I'm much more comfortable getting back to bookings, but it's not all smooth sailing yetA major reason behind the lower capacities is that, like many fields, the cruise industry is plagued with staffing shortages. This has resulted in rebooking passengers, temporarily closing restaurants, and sometimes even canceling sailings altogether.When cruise lines reopened after their pandemic hiatus, their first priority was to work closely with the CDC to follow strict guidelines so they could continue to sail.I don't think cruise lines anticipated a crew shortage and how that type of setback would affect businessOne of the big contributing factors is the backlog to get visas approved, which at present can take up to six months, according to TravelPulse. Because ships don't typically sail under US flags, they have different labor laws, which is why so few Americans work on cruise ships. On top of that, a certain number of rooms are reserved in case passengers or crew members test positive for COVID-19 and need to be quarantined.A few weeks ago, I was sailing on Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas from New York to Bermuda. The Italian restaurant, which typically runs with five chefs, was down to only two. The server count dropped from 10 to six, and they had no bussers at all. Everything took longer than usual; some orders came out wrong, others cold or not at all, and it was clear the staff was struggling. The truth is the pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives. You can't expect to get on a ship and leave it behind.Carnival Cruise Line recently closed two of its restaurants through June to move staff around, and Norwegian Cruise Line closed sales on their Pride of America cruises through October. Rebooking and cancellations often trigger an influx of customer calls. Cruise lines have to hire more staff to cover the phones, but it takes a lot of training, so it's a constant game of catch-up. There are days you can be on hold for four to six hours before you're able to speak to a customer representative on the phone. I know this because my colleagues share screenshots of their marathon hold times.  Most cruise lines have instituted call-back and chat features to try and deal with demand.Despite the challenges, it still could be a good time to sailYou might be able to get a good deal with plenty of perks. A lot of cruises are all-inclusive at this point. You can pay one price and get all your drinks and wifi included. If you don't like crowds or getting shoved in a room with thousands of people, this is your time to take advantage of the smaller capacity and lower fares. Travel agents have weekly webinars with cruise lines' management, and we're privy to a lot more information than the general public. I'd recommend using a cruise specialist who can tell you what to expect so you can make the most of your cruise. Travel agents can advise you on things like finding a port to drive to instead of flying or booking a specialty restaurant since they tend to have better service. The most important things you can do for your own peace of mind before you book a cruise are to arm yourself with as much information as you can, be patient, and set your expectations accordingly. Doing this can help make or break your trip.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Meagan Drillinger's Airbnb in Puerto Vallarta has a rooftop pool and she's able to do her job "seamlessly" from an open-air Starbucks near the beach. The author is staying in an Airbnb with a rooftop pool in the quiet neighborhood of Versailles, Puerto Vallarta.Meagan Drillinger Meagan Drillinger has worked remotely from all over the world and says Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is her top choice. It's a beautiful, relaxed beach destination and modern international city all in one, with plenty of coworking spots. She keeps up a super productive, "semi-normal routine" — all while feeling like she's on vacation. One of the biggest perks of freelance work is that it can be done from anywhere, so when I left my desk job in 2014, I made it a point to pick up and work from all over the world wherever I could. I've worked from Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Colombia, Ireland, Italy, and, most extensively, Mexico. Of all the countries I've tried, it's Mexico that I find to be a remote worker's paradise — particularly the city of Puerto Vallarta.Puerto Vallarta blends the cosmopolitan with escapism I first started visiting the city in 2013, and it's since become a second home. I even met my now-husband there (on Tinder, believe it or not). A far-cry from the sleepy beach town it used to be, you can go so far as to call Puerto Vallarta a full-fledged city these days, thanks to all the hotels, Airbnbs, restaurants, infrastructure, shopping malls, coffee shops — you get the idea. But even though it's fully connected and modern in its own right, Puerto Vallarta is still very much a coastal Mexican town with all of the charm, history, and quirks that come with a tropical paradise. An example: After a day of work, I stroll down the Malecon (boardwalk) past an ever-changing rotation of public art toward El Solar, a cash-only beachfront bar with a relaxing soundtrack and a menu of succulent ceviche, fresh tacos, and frosty drinks. I usually go here for happy hour by myself after a long day to unwind, toes in the sand — and it sure beats my 9-to-5 desk job routine in my previous New York City life.Meagan Drillinger.Meagan DrillingerI've been able to do my job seamlesslyWifi is very fast and reliable in Puerto Vallarta, and it's free in most restaurants, bars, Airbnbs, and hotels. Unlike other more remote parts of the world, where the wifi can drop unexpectedly, you rarely have that problem here.The city's also teeming with coffee shops and coworking spaces, most of which offer air conditioning, lockers for storage, private meeting rooms, and phone booths. Vallarta Cowork is one of the best in the area.But as a creature of habit, I prefer working from a Starbucks on the Malecon and affectionately refer to it as "my office." It has outdoor tables under a covered awning, a picture-perfect view of the Bay of Banderas, and great people-watching. The WiFi is fast (and free) and they never kick me out, even if I sit there long after the ice from my cold brew has melted, which I often do.Drillinger affectionately refers to a Starbucks on the boardwalk as her office: "There's something about this spot that keeps me super focused and productive."Meagan DrillingerAround me is a constant rotation of people on their laptops, taking calls, or simply breezing in and out on their way to the beach. There's something about this spot that keeps me super focused and productive; I get more done in four hours at Starbucks than I do in an entire day in a beautiful Airbnb. I'm able to structure my days in a way I love Puerto Vallarta is a very easy city in which to adopt a semi-normal routine, while still feeling like you're on vacation. I'm a member of Anytime Fitness, a 24-hour gym with more than 4,000 locations around the world that costs about $50 a month (less if you buy six months at a time). The one in Puerto Vallarta is on the second floor of the Plaza Caracol mall. It's spacious, with strong AC and brand-new equipment. I go around 9 a.m. and frequently have the place to myself.The city does not lack grocery stores, either, from Walmart and Costco to more local (yet similar to Walmart) chains like Soriana or Chedraui. You can even find gourmet supermarkets like La Europea, which has high-end imports from France and Italy. I'll do a big shop at Soriana (since it's right underneath the Anytime Fitness) and will spend about $75 for two people for a week's worth of groceries.I often book an Airbnb so that I can cook most of my meals, but of course there are many restaurant options around the city. Prices now are a lot higher than in previous years, but you can still get a night out for four people at nice restaurant with two bottles of wine for less than $200, so it's cheaper than cities like New York City or Los Angeles.My work-life balance is never better than when I'm hereWhat I wanted most when I went freelance for the first time was a better work-life balance, and living in Puerto Vallarta allows for that beautifully. The surrounding mountains are veined with hiking trails and picturesque waterfalls. One of my favorite things to do is to grab the bus from the Zona Romantica and head south to the small fishing village of Boca de Tomatlan. There's a mountain hike here that runs along the coastline and weaves in and out of coves and secluded beaches, opening up to one of the most beautiful restaurants in the area, Casitas Maraika."What I wanted most when I went freelance for the first time was a better work-life balance, and living in Puerto Vallarta allows for that beautifully," Drillinger writes.Meagan DrillingerMy husband and I have also taken to driving our motorcycle up and down the coast of Nayarit, popping into the smaller beach towns that remind us of what Puerto Vallarta used to be like when we first started visiting.There are several great neighborhoods for a remote worker to liveI'm staying in an area called Versailles right now, and going forward, this is where I'll always stay. It's a quiet residential neighborhood with charming cobblestone streets and a mix of historic architecture and modern condo-style apartments. Our two-bedroom, two-bathroom Airbnb has a rooftop pool deck, full kitchen, and washer/dryer and costs roughly $70 per night (but can change depending on the season). We've been here a month, and will likely return for another month and a half in the fall.While we're walking distance to several grocery stores and shopping malls, it would require a taxi or a bus to get to the energy of downtown or a 15-minute walk to the beach. Remote workers who are newer to Puerto Vallarta might do better in either the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood, which is packed with restaurants, bars, and coffee shops; Centro, a busier and more historical neighborhood that can get noisy at night; or Zona Romantica, the oldest and most visually stunning neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta (that's also the main tourist section of the city, so expect prices to be a little higher). I've stayed in all three and had great experiences. San Pancho, one of the small beach towns along the Nayarit coast that the author and her husband visit.Meagan DrillingerOf course, there are a few downsidesFor one, Puerto Vallarta does not have the most beautiful beaches in Mexico; to find those, you'll have to venture outside of the city along the southern Costalegre or up north into Riviera Nayarit. Second, it's a city that's teeming with both domestic and international tourists and there's no way to get around that — though it's unique to see how well the tourists and residents intermix with each other. What makes Puerto Vallarta such an appealing spot for remote work is that while it's a beach destination, it has blossomed into such an international city that it can give people the best of both worlds. As long as I'm able to work remotely, I will always find a reason to come to Puerto Vallarta at least once a year. I'm not saying we are starting to look at real estate yet, but it certainly has been a conversation.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Delta's Airbus A321neo comes with comfier memory-foam seats and a completely redesigned first-class cabin. It made my flight a breeze. Jennifer Bradley Franklin I recently flew Delta's newest passenger plane, the Airbus A321neo. It has a completely redesigned first-class cabin. Afterward, I flew home in an economy seat on the A321neo's predecessor, the A321ceo.  The A321neo is plush and futuristic — but for my flight from Boston to Atlanta, I was perfectly happy in an economy seat on the older plane. Delta introduced its new Airbus A321neo to the public on May 20, 2022, flying from Boston to San Francisco.The Airbus A321neo.DeltaMore transcontinental routes are planned in the coming months. I got to check it out in first class on a "ferry flight" to move the first plane from Delta's Atlanta headquarters to Boston.Jennifer Bradley FranklinBut I didn’t stop there. On the way back, I flew economy on the old plane — the A321ceo — to see how different the experience was.The Delta gate.Jennifer Bradley FranklinThough it's hard to really "see" the difference, the narrowbody A321neo planes are 20% more fuel efficient than the A321ceo. They're powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines.The Airbus A321neo.DeltaWalking down the jet bridge to Delta's new A321neo is basically the same experience as on other planes, but as soon as you can see inside, the refreshed overhead lighting design is a clue to how many upgrades you're about to see.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer FranklinUpgrading the first-class cabin aboard the A321neo was a major focus, and the changes are apparent immediately.Jennifer Bradley FranklinThe seats have futuristic-looking "wings" on either side of the headrest to afford passengers additional privacy.The Airbus A321neo.DeltaThe new design is the product of five years of customer and flight attendant focus groups and intense work by the airline's in-house design team.Jennifer Bradley FranklinI took some time to explore the rest of the A321neo. It has one lavatory in front of the first-class cabin (behind the cockpit), one between first class and Comfort+, and two in the rear of the plane (behind economy).Jennifer Bradley FranklinAll seats have built-in entertainment monitors and upgraded memory-foam cushions.The Airbus A321neo.DeltaThe attractive ambient lighting extends through the whole cabin, which consists of 20 first-class, 42 Comfort+, and 132 economy seats for a total of 194.The Airbus A321neo.DeltaBecause the flight I took wasn't open to the public, I had an entire row to myself. The new first-class seat design is focused on increased privacy, storage, and space.The Airbus A321neo.DeltaI found everything — from the placement of storage compartments and plugs to the generous 21-inch seat width and high-definition 13-inch monitor for on-demand entertainment — to be smart and thoughtful.Jennifer Bradley FranklinOverhead bin space in Delta's new A321neo is noticeably roomy, featuring Airspace XL overhead bins, which hold 60% more luggage (as compared to the A321ceos) across all cabins.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer FranklinThe doors open upwards. It's a subtle change, but closing them doesn't require a passenger or flight attendant to push a downward-opening bin door upward with weighty luggage inside. Shorter passengers (say, under 5-foot-6) might find it challenging to reach the open door.Jennifer Bradley FranklinThe in-flight experience aboard the new A321neo seems quieter, so it's easier to hear announcements by the crew.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer FranklinEach first-class seat on the new Delta A321neo has a bi-fold tray that opens from a compartment alongside the seat.Jennifer Bradley FranklinThe tray measures a generous 22 inches by 10 inches. That's plenty of space to hold a 13-inch computer plus a meal or snack.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer FranklinEach of the redesigned first-class seats comes with a roomy floor cubby that's big enough to comfortably hold a computer, notebook, e-reader, and more.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer FranklinIt's a smart design solution that means passengers' essentials are within easy reach.Jennifer Bradley FranklinIn Delta's A321neo's new first class, the leather-covered headrests adjust up and down and may be bent to cradle to cradle your neck. They may be plush enough to replace a travel pillow for some passengers.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer FranklinEach first-class seat aboard the new A321neo has two USB-A outlets and a universal power outlet plus a built-in mobile device holder so passengers can charge their devices without concern that they might be misplaced.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer FranklinDelta's A321neo's new first class also has a fixed tray in between each pair of seats. It's a perfect spot for water bottles or any other drinks you choose while in the air.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinThe 13-inch high-definition screens can be angled so you can adjust them if the person in front of you reclines, making it easy to watch Delta Studio's more than 1,000 hours of in-flight entertainment.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinFirst-class seats aboard Delta's A321neo have five inches of recline, but sadly, the footrests are stationary.Jennifer Bradley FranklinEach first-class row has a privacy divider in between the forward seats, the base of which features a leather-covered ledge.Jennifer Bradley FranklinThe leather offers just enough grip, so you can rest a small item or mobile device.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer FranklinDelta's new A321neo's ambient lighting can be adjusted for different phases of the flight, from boarding to meal service to deplaning.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinThe lighting above the overhead bins draws your eyes upward and makes the ceilings appear taller somehow.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer FranklinEach of the 42 Comfort+ seats aboard Delta's new A321neo measure 18 inches wide and have 34 inches of pitch, an upgrade over the 31 inches of pitch in standard economy seats.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer FranklinFor domestic long-haul flights, that extra space could make a significant difference.DeltaThe smart privacy "wings" in Delta's A321neo's new first-class cabin really do block other guests from view.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinThe A321neo features Delta's fastest wifi connection across all cabins, and guests can enjoy $5-per-device streaming internet access. If you don't spring for wifi, you can still use Delta's free option for text messages.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer FranklinBetween the fast wifi, the roomy seat and the generous bi-fold tray, I found it easy to get some work done in the air.The Airbus A321neo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinOverall, it was a comfortable experience. I could envision enjoying a domestic long-haul flight in one of these seats.Jennifer Bradley FranklinWhen I deplaned from the A321neo in Boston, I made a beeline to catch my flight home to Atlanta aboard Delta's A321ceo, an aircraft that Delta's been operating since 2016.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinDelta's A321ceo has 20 first-class, 29 Comfort+, and 142 main-cabin seats for a total of 191.Delta Airbus A321 interior 2.DeltaBoarding the A321ceo was almost an identical experience to boarding the A321neo. I even had the same crew on my flight home.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinOne of the notable differences between the two aircrafts in any cabin is that the A321ceo doesn't have the same plush yet firm memory-foam that the A321neo does. It was fine on my short flight from Boston to Atlanta, but I can see missing the extra cushion on a longer-haul flight.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinThis plane's configuration is slightly different. Both the A321neo and A321ceo have a lavatory ahead of first class (behind the cockpit) and two in the rear (behind economy).The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinHowever, the A321neo has a restroom behind first-class (ahead of Comfort+), while the A321ceo has one in the middle of the economy cabin.Jennifer Bradley FranklinI was fortunate to score an exit row and bulkhead seat, 26A, on my sold-out flight from Boston to Atlanta. That position gave me plenty of extra leg room.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinThe bulkhead and exit row seat meant that there were only two seats on my side of the aisle, rather than the typical three in economy aboard the A321ceo.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinI immediately missed the artistic lighting and the roomier overhead bins, though this plane's storage was more than adequate for my small carry-on.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinMy seatmate had trouble locating his under-seat power outlet, so he had to ask a flight attendant. It made me miss the convenient plug placement in the A321neo's first-class seats.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinOne downside of a bulkhead seat is that you can't store anything underneath the seat ahead of you, since there isn't one. I was positioned directly behind the lavatory, but I appreciated the extra legroom.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinIn addition to Delta's complimentary in-flight entertainment, the company has also started offering gratis headphones to all passengers, no matter the cabin they're seated in.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinI happily accepted the complimentary headphones, as I forgot my go-to pair for this trip.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinI appreciated my seat's power plug, but there was nowhere to rest my phone while it charged. I had to tuck it on the seat next to me, all the while missing the thoughtful phone cubby from the A321neo's first-class seats.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinWhile it wasn't a dramatic difference, the ambient engine noise was more noticeable in the A321ceo than in the A321neo, making it a little more challenging to hear the crew making announcements in-flight.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinThough it doesn't feature the same artistic lighting design on the ceiling as the A321neo, the Delta's A321ceo has LED lighting that gets adjusted during different phases of the flight.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinMy economy seat had a bi-fold tray that opened from my armrest. When fully open, it was large enough to accommodate my 13-inch MacBook Pro.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinThe tray offered ample space to have a drink and a snack during the flight.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinI ordered complimentary ginger ale, water, and a dark chocolate, cherry, and almond granola bar.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinBecause I was in a bulkhead, my monitor folded out from next to the seat.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinTrying to use my computer and make space for two drinks was a tight squeeze on the bi-fold tray.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinSwapping from the A321neo to the A321ceo was like going back in time a few years.DeltaThe A321neo's first class is noticeably more comfortable, with plush, roomy seats, extra storage, and upgraded design elements.Jennifer Bradley FranklinHowever, for my two-hour-and-20-minute flight from Boston to Atlanta, I was happy with my economy seat in the older plane.The Airbus A321ceo.Jennifer Bradley FranklinRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»