20 years to do what?

The package tour to Ningxia China which I joined some weeks ago comprised mainly of retirees. The favourite topic of conversation inevitably was about travel. I found out that for a few of them travelling is almost a routine taking place every other month if not more often.  The common refrain is having nothing much to do in life.

Just a couple of days ago a friend returning from a short stay at his friend's second home in Perth described how that retired couple shuttle between their 2 homes in Singapore and Perth. They usually spend less than 3 months in their Singapore home. Apart from Perth this couple also take long cruises all over the world in cruise ships.They told my friend that taking cruises can actually work out to be less costly than staying in old folks' home! Apparently frequent cruisers who book a year in advance are given steep discounts. According to them one only pays about S$150 per pax per day on an average to go for long cruises consecutively. Considering that food, lodging and entertainment are taken care of and with doctors on board it is definitely more appealing than an old folks' home.

Wow I have never thought this can be an alternative lifestyle for us retirees. During some weekend stays in Malaysia though, I have actually given thought that long term hotel stays in Malaysia can be cheaper than living in Singapore. For  a couple's room of S$80 a day a sumptuous breakfast buffet is included which means one need only to spend on dinner. With the SGD being 3 times stronger than ringgit, a couple can live comfortably hopping from hotel to hotel for just over S$100 a day, no need to cook and do household chores too.

The over riding concern however is whether this is living listlessly. Honestly when the tour participants shared that they travel to pass time it gives me a shudder. No doubt travelling is an experiential activity that opens the mind but don't we need to develop some core vocation/hobby/activities that occupy us even into old age when travel may be inhibited.


Vatican City, Jul 14, 2014 -Organizers for the first-ever audience to be held between a pope and the elderly population have revealed that a central reflection will be the active vocation of the aged in the Church and in society. 
“We have given 20 years of life to old people now (in Western countries), but 20 years to do what?" That was the big question that meeting wanted to discuss.

That is a very relevant question for people to think about even before they become senior citizens.