Meet a Globe-trotting Couple you Will Love

I am so happy to be joining my friend Brenda Coffee from 1010 Park Place for our latest Ageless Style Interview. Today to be featuring globe-trotting power couple, Karyn Planett and Geoff Thompson.  Karyn and Geoff have led an idyllic life, thirteen years of it spent as residents aboard the ship The World.  They have traveled to over 600 destinations in more than 130 countries.  They are publishers, writers, photographers, and wanderers. They don’t know a stranger and have friends in all occupations and cultures on many continents. They have certainly brought a ray of sunshine into our lives here in Wine Country, and we are happy to call them friends. Let’s Meet a Globe-trotting Couple you Will Love.

Meet a Globe-trotting Couple you Will Love

Tell us a little bit about your life, and how you ended up in Templeton.

(K) My family had a cattle ranch near here for 91 years and I spent my summers here riding horses, going to cattle drives, sleeping out under the stars, and hanging out with cowboys.  Who doesn’t love a cowboy????

(G) IS THERE SUPPOSED TO BE AN ANSWER HERE? (Editors note: Geoff humor)

Geoff, you were a former advertising executive. What inspired you to say goodbye to the corporate world and travel full-time?

I did a ton of international traveling in business (mostly airports and hotels) but it exposed me to a lot of the world’s other cultures and made me want more. We were trying to decide where in the world to live when I retired and there were too many choices, so when the idea of living on a residential ship and circling the globe came along, it was a no-brainer.

Karyn, what inspired you to choose travel as a career and why?

I was bitten by the wanderlust bug at the tender age of 6 when my parents took me to Europe for four months.  I never looked back.  I’d traveled around the world by the age of 22 as a student aboard “Semester At Sea” and had several other international trips notched into my travel belt.  I’d also traveled with the International College of Copenhagen to the Soviet Union, going “behind the Iron Curtain” for 10 weeks during the Cold War, which was an amazing experience.

What is your favorite country that you have visited and why?

KP This is tough.  Not a “country” but, almost without hesitation, Antarctica.  It’s like no place else on earth and so much history has played out there with explorers taking on the harshest environment Mother Nature can serve up.  Visually, it’s jaw-dropping.  For a photographer, it testifies to the Ansel Adams quote that all you have to do is show up with a camera because God has already done the work.  Mongolia is achingly beautiful, as well.

GT Antarctica was my favorite place. It’s like being on another planet. We’ve been there five times. But my favorite country is Croatia. It’s Italy without … ummm … Italy.

What destination have you returned to the most times and why?

KP Hmmm.  Hard to say.  I’m always lured back to Italy for a long list of reasons… food and fashion, food and architecture, food and art.  Well, food.  Off-season only for quiet enjoyment.  I first saw Rome, Venice, Capri, and the Blue Grotto as a wide-eyed child and the magic has never left me.  The first time I swam in the sea was in Sorrento.

GT Probably Barcelona. Best port in the Mediterranean, an “alive’ city without being scary yet.

If you could live anywhere in the world, besides here, where would it be?

KP Probably France because I speak French and love the language, the lifestyle, practically everything about it.  But in a small village.  Paris is a dream though the smaller villages are best for total immersion.  

GT Buenos Aires because you don’t have to “fit in”, you can just be part of the fun. And I already know how to tango.

GLOBE TROTTING COUPLE’S EXPERIENCES AND TIPS

Please share your craziest travel adventure

KP That list is really long.  Hmmmm… I guess swimming across the Equator halfway between South America and Africa in 14,000 feet deep water carrying The World’s flag.  That’s pretty high on the list.

GT Having a medical emergency on the ship and being taken off at night in the Suez Canal. They put us in a small boat and took us to Port Suez where 30 Christians had been murdered recently by Muslim extremists and the Arab Spring riots were going on in Cairo. We spent the night in an abandoned hotel in the port with a heavy bureau pushed up against our door so nobody could get in. In the morning, the embassy sent a car to take us to the airport, which thankfully was on our side of Cairo. When we got there, all we saw were hard-looking 30-something western guys dressed in jeans and camo. Turned out they were snipers for hire by the shipping companies to accompany their ships through pirate land. We had an eight-hour wait for our flight to Johannesburg but having these guys around made us pretty comfy. Next time we went through pirate land on our ship one of them was on our sniper team.

What travel tips would you like to share with my readers?

KP Learn several words in the local language.  It’s not tough.  Do it.  It makes a world of difference.  And go with an accepting heart.  People live their lives as they do for a myriad of reasons we might never know.  And be prepared to sing or dance with them, embracing their culture.  

GT Go by ship whenever possible.

GLOBE TROTTING COUPLE STYLE

Since this post focuses on style and you both have great style, let’s talk about how your travels have influenced your personal style.

How has your life of travel influenced your personal style?

KP I love shopping “on the road” and wearing lots of “ethnic” garb.  If I find a design I absolutely love, I have a dressmaker copy it in lots of colors, especially with the silk I buy in Thailand or in Madras/Chennai, India (at Nalli’s).   And shoes … oh, my.  If you ever go to Rio, buy an extra suitcase or two because they have a billion stores with the cutest styles in the universe.  Also, I wear lots of black when traveling because you need fewer accessories.  

GT Evolving. I grew up in New England and went to prep school and college there. Blue blazers, khakis, and loafers were the uniform. Madras anything in the summer. I never owned a pair of jeans as a kid. Worked in New York for six years after school. Three-piece suits. Moved to San Francisco in the summer of love. Switched to cowboy boots, jeans, flowered ties, and a double-breasted blazer. Very Ralph. Went international. Started adding shirts from India, linen from France, anything leather (especially shoes) from Italy. Bits and pieces from everywhere.

How would you describe your style?

KP Bizarre.  I love Levi’s and cowgirl boots (from my ranching days) but I also adore formal attire.  Dressing up.  Years at sea gave me 1000 nights to bring out the bling.  Again, with some dynamite pants and a selection of tops, accessories, shoes (yes… shoes), and scarves or shawls, you’ve got endless opportunities to change it all up so it looks like you’ve packed several steamer trunks for the journey.

GT-Geoff passed on this one! I told him to only answer the questions that he deemed appropriate!

Whose style inspires you and why?

KP I love Japanese designers like Issey Miyake (gorgeous and packable) and Yohji Yamamoto.  Fantastic.  Or Isabell Kristensen (London/Monaco).  Agnes Toma (Romania).  That’s my really over-the-top gorgeous items.  For my kickaround look, I like skinny jeans and a tailored shirt, usually with a great hat (bad haircut .. don’t ask!).  I’ve just returned from France and the linens there are terrific for easy care and travel.  Slap on some cute sandals during the day or spikey mules at night plus a cunning scarf and designer handbag and you are unstoppable!  I got married in a designer kimono from Obiko in San Francisco, who sadly passed away but her hand-dyed silks were divine.  

GT Tom Ford. He’s got great European style, but he always looks American

What inspires your signature style?

KP I like fashion that’s not frilly or girly.  That’s never been my look.  I think it’s stunning on women who can carry it off but that’s not me.  I like the European tailored look with some nice cuff or earrings to be the star.  Then there’s Norma Kamali (stunning) and Betsy Johnson for wild times.  I did wear an apricot chiffon Gaultier gown up the red carpet at Cannes and felt pretty pretty in that.

GT Accessories. Men don’t have nearly as much to work with as women, so how you select your shoes, belts, watches, hats, etc. can really set your look apart. I use accessories to add shots of color.

Do you have a favorite color?

KP Black

GT Yellow. It’s very positive. But I stick to mostly cool colors with my clothes. They’re best with my coloring and that consistency makes packing alot easier

Do you have a signature piece that defines your style:

KP Well, on that note, probably my cowgirl boots.  I’ve got .. ah .. many and love ‘em all.  Rocket Busters are really fun.

GT My kilt. It’s the family tartan and it’s a wonderful piece of clothing with such an interesting history, and so versatile. Makes an elegant statement whenever I wear it and it’s a conversation starter.

Do you have an accessory that you can’t do without?

KP My Dad’s red kerchief that’s been with me since 1977.  Every day.

GT Double breasted blue blazer. I know it’s not exactly an accessory but it’s the one item I’ve always had.

Do you have a particular designer that you are drawn to?

KP All of the above plus Morgan Le Fay.  Fantastic.

GT Hugo Boss. I’m six foot three with really long arms and legs, not exactly a European profile, but Hugo Boss usually has stuff that will fit me. 

Do you have a fitness regime that you adhere to (other than trying to kill off your neighbors on long walks)?

KP I NEVER played a sport as a kid.  I rode horses, shot, and drove a jeep.  Then, I discovered sports and got into e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g except skiing.  I started training REALLY hard and, while living in Chicago, I’d climb the stairwell of our 40-story building up, down, up, down.  80 stories up.  80 down.  And I rollerbladed, mountain-biked, got heavily into weight training.  Then I got into distance walking and did the 60-mile (in 3 days) breast cancer walk coming in 3^rd out of 3051 walkers.  Did my first mini-triathlon at age 60 and came in 3^rd in the oldest category for women.  I became deranged with fitness.  Now I walk (kinda like Forrest Gump) and train w/weights at our home gym.  Love it.  I also dance and use a ballet barre for flexibility.  I decided to do the splits for the first time in my life when I turned 60.  I trained and stretched for 5 months and DID IT.  Also faced my fears and went skydiving, scuba diving, swimming in Antarctica and the Arctic w/ no wetsuit, and lots more to challenge myself rather than regret not having tried later in life.  Plus, it was fun.

GT I think strength and flexibility are key to staying physically active and able to travel, and just to get vertical every morning. I work with a trainer twice a week just for that. Walking and aerobic work, which is also important, you should be able to do on your own.

Do you have a particular diet that you adhere to

KP I eat non-stop but am terrified of most vegetables.  It’s a childhood thing.  I train hard so I can eat and I eat lots because I train hard and it sorta works.

GT You can’t be on a diet all the time, there are just too many good things to eat in the world. And besides, it won’t work. I have a base diet of 1500 calories a day if I’m trying to lose weight, which will result in about two pounds a week lost. I also use that as my base diet for the days I’m at home when I’m just maintaining my weight. So on the days we eat out or go to parties or are traveling, I don’t think about dieting and I’ll still average out at a sustainable intake. My diet is protein-heavy because I’m always trying to maintain and build muscle.

Then there are the “Geoff Rules” for things I can’t do without—like ice cream. I figure that ice cream behaves like supplements and vitamins in your system. At a certain dosage, your body can’t absorb anymore, so it just gets eliminated. If you buy a pint of ice cream and eat it slowly over three or four days your body will absorb every calorie and every gram of fat, but if you eat it all at once your body can’t absorb that much and it will just get eliminated.

Do you take any supplements that you swear by?

KP D.  Everyone says D.  And calcium.  I have osteoporosis (and have for 26 years) but am in good shape because of fitness and those 2 supplements.

GT Vitamin D.

What advice do you have for other men and women in their seventies on how to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life?

KP I say, “Dance like everyone is watching.”  I took Aruna Andes’ “Muscle Dance” classes 25 years ago where we danced with weights or chiffon and, after 1 hour, we’d sweat bullets and still felt pretty and it was fabulous.  Slam on the music and dance.  10,000 steps can be your goal or your starting point for even more fitness.  Find something that’s fun for you and DO IT !!!!!   Don’t be afraid of tackling something new.  I’m thinking about learning to play the drums.  It’s embarrassing for the grandkids, but I don’t care.  Hahahahaha.

GT

I’m about to turn 80 so I can say that other than staying strong and flexible so you can get out of a chair, the two most important things are 1) act immature from time to time, and 2) wear something age-inappropriate every day (for me it’s Vans).

By the way, that thing about 70 being the new 50, etc. is wrong. It doesn’t work that way. Actually, you subtract your age from 100 to get your alter age. So, 80 is the new 20. You’re at a stage in your life where you can get into all sorts of trouble, but you just don’t care. At 85 you’re 15 and you shouldn’t be driving a car. From 95 to 100 you go through being a toddler, wearing diapers, and being spoon-fed again. Then it’s back to the womb and off for another round somewhere else.

Thanks for asking.

The Globe-trotting Couple on their Wedding Day

The Globe-trotting Couple today

You can find all of my previous Ageless Style interviews here.

EDITORS NOTE: I met Geoff and Karyn (steve was working back on the peninsula) on one of our full moon hikes here. My first impression, they were two of the friendliest people I had ever met. My second impression did they really live on a ship for 13 years? Yes, they did. The next day Karyn said “I can’t wait to kick this can around awhile and see where it goes.” We have been ever since. Karyn and I are walking partners, Geoff and Steve watch 49er games together, and we pretty much hang out on a regular basis. They are the best.

You can read more about Karyn and Geoff’s adventures on their website Planett Traveler here. You can purchase their latest book Words and Pictures (It is a good one by the way) right here.

I hope you enjoyed Meet a Globe-Trotting Couple you Will Love. Now let’s pop over and see who Brenda is interviewing this month.

1010 PARK PLACE