Look at that Millennial working on vacation... Lazy!

Each year Ayk’s company throws an annual meeting for its members, or clients. It’s always someplace warm, tropic and idyllic, and smack-dab in the middle of November—just long enough to get a break from the autumn chill. That year it was held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa. Or the Hyatt in Bonita Springs for short.

There were spouse/ guest (no option for long-term girlfriend) activities that I could have signed up for. But since I telecommute anyway, I’d rather use that time to make money. Why pass up the chance to bring in the bacon while sizzling under the sun?

One day I had lunch with Ayk and a few of his older coworkers and members. They were fascinated with a presentation from a breakfast conference. Wait, a fascinating work presentation? I was intrigued—and rather dubious. Much to my shock, I actually did wish I attended. It explored the traits of GenYers, or the dreaded Millennials.

But rather than call them good-for-nothing, lazy, entitled narcissists, like so many of the slacker GenXers or deadbeat hippie Baby Boomers yammer about every chance they get, the presentation bridged the gap between the generations. It was more of an anthropological study than a scapegoat fest that now so commonly fills the Interwebs.

You know that tune. “We’re old. You’re young. We’re crotchety. You suck. Here’s why. Blah blah.” Yeah, well, you sucked when you were young, too. And when we’re old, we’ll dish the same complaints onto the next generation. It’s the circle of gripe.

Enough social commentary. Let’s look at pretty hotel pictures.

Forget what TLC said. Chasing waterfalls is A-OK.

Take a walk on the dry side.

Yes, this place had a water slide. I repeat: A WATERSLIDE.
The only things missing were inner tubes and lines. That's a tradeoff I'll gladly take.

And here we go! 

Best work break, ever.

Wee!

Ayk's turn

Ker-SPLASH!

Tried doing a cute/ corny picture of us waving hi as shadows, but it looks like Ayk has an extra head Creepy.

Guess who’s back—back again

Yes, I know, it’s been a while. And what a welcome-home party! The blog is back with a brand-spanking new look, everything short of a fresh blog scent widget. New logo, new layout, new name.

You read that last part right. We upgraded to “Where in the World are Karmen & Ayk.” Translation: you’ll be living vicariously through our chianti-sipping and schnitzel-nomming adventures, because we broadened our horizons to international travel. Woo hoo!

So, why restart (again) now? I’m working on my resolutions. “Resolutions a month before the ball drops?” you ask incredulously. Yes, now. That’s because it knocks out two resolutions: Posting on the blog once a week and busting my procrastination. What better way to fix the later than starting on my goals a month early? Boom.

 And hang tight, because a fresh post is going up today…

Naples Pier

Ayk and I headed to the Naples Pier after the zoo. We would have checked out the animals longer, but there was a wedding there that evening. Look, I love animals too, but zoos smell foul. Who gets a whiff of sulfurous swamps and wildebeest dung, and thinks “Now THAT’S what I want wafting through the air while reciting vows.” What a romantic.

The beach was too chilly for swimming, but that didn’t stop us from dipping our toes in the gulf. We stayed on the pier till twilight. People watching should always come with a sunset backdrop.

So long, sun.

Beaches to the left

Beaches to the right

Dutch fisherman (Ayk swears he was Serbian) was kind enough to let me document his fish-gutting process.

It has teeth!

Expert gutter

Open wide

Looking back to the beach

Awkward nighttime flash

“Don’t touch it! It’s an electric eel!” the kid said as the fisherman reeled in his catch. Shocker: this guy wasn't giving off any hertz (baazing!).

Now it’s bait.

Sunset on the pier
 

Playing with perspective

For dinner, Ayk and I went to Café Barcelona. The only reason I’m mentioning this restaurant – not for the forgettable tapas – is because a Big Boyz Bail Bonds pen, ubiquitous in Baltimore restaurants, found its way to Naples. We asked the server, and she wasn’t sure where the pen came from. Guess someone wanted to share a bit of Baltimore with the Sunshine State.

Naples Zoo

Believe it or not, we actually did see animals other than the honey badgers at the Naples Zoo. It’s not as expansive as the San Diego Zoo, but there were more animals than you’d expect to see in November. Thank goodness for that year-round Florida sunshine.

While we were there, we met an employee who was from the same podunk town in Maryland where Ayk and I grew up. The employee said he wished he still lived there. Huh? I’d take beaches over chicken fields any day. He resented Naples since riding motorcycles, his pastime, was a hazard in geriatric central. That and he moved when he was 14, so he only has fond memories. Nostalgia is a bitch.

African Grey Parrot. This bird has the intelligence of a 3-year-old human. And this blog is above political jokes.

Rawr! Fear the Turtle.

Three words come to mind when I think of zebras: Fruit.Stripe. Gum. Have fun getting that earworm out of your head.

Hey there, pretty bird

Flock of feathered friends

Worst. Job. Ever.

On second thought, feeding this guy has got to be worse.

Ungulates chilling

More ungulates

Lazy leopard 

Someone could use a snuggle buddy.

So close!

Oh that’s lovely.

Horny tree

Try hugging this tree, hippies.

Monkey Island

Fun fact: Monkeys don’t swim. They see water as a natural barrier, so this zoo nixed the tradition fenced-in approach. Almost makes you less guilty about viewing caged-in animals for amusement. Almost.

Yeah, I do 20 reps of muscle ups three times a day. Big whoop, wanna fight about it?

Whatcha doing?

Just hanging out.

Ready…

Set…

Leaping lemur!

Can’t forget this little guy.

But I did forget to upload this honey badger picture last time.

And this one. Cuteness overload.