Embarking on My Long-Awaited Vacation After Four Years
I’m taking my first real holiday in four years! You might be thinking, “Didn’t you travel for six months through Mexico and the US on a motorcycle in 2011, and spend another six months touring Europe last summer? Plus, you just came back from three months in Spain and Morocco!” But those were trips, not holidays. Traveling can be intense – early mornings, packing up, riding, sightseeing, taking pictures, finding food and accommodation, unpacking, and crashing into bed, only to wake up and do it all over again. Even with a few rest days, it often feels like you come back more tired than when you left.
During our six-month trips, we did take short breaks. For instance, when traveling from Guatemala to Seattle, we stopped in Lake Tahoe for five days due to the unusually cold weather. We hiked and explored a bit but spent much of the time planning the next part of our journey. It wasn’t a real holiday. There was always something to do: maintaining the bike, packing, and planning. Eventually, instead of heading to Alaska due to bad weather, we crossed the US to New York City, but those days were filled with prepping and shopping, not relaxing.
Living by the beach where people spend their holidays doesn’t feel like a holiday for me either, especially with my computer always nearby. Between checking emails, blogging, managing rents, and investments, I never truly take a break. Even if the pace is slower, there’s always something going on. So, it’s time for a real holiday.
We’re going to Belize! My boyfriend, his sister, her boyfriend, and I, just the four of us, between Christmas and New Year. This came about because of an Airbnb booking for our house, so we decided to make a real trip out of it. I’ve been to mainland Belize a few times but never to the islands. With the world’s second largest reef so close, it’s about time! I got my diving certifications in Honduras, but I’ve heard Belize’s reefs are even better.
We almost canceled because we booked late, and many hotels were full or required a seven-day stay, but we found a nice guest house near the beach. I’m considering not taking my laptop, which feels like leaving a newborn behind. I’m quite addicted to being online, even if I don’t need to be. Writing down thoughts, watching a series before bed, and having alone time are important to me. I usually use my computer for this, but I’m thinking of transferring my ebooks to my iPod instead. I need my iPod for photos since my main camera got damaged while we were in Europe. I’ll use the iPod for pictures, books, and music on my runs – no Sudoku or hotel Wi-Fi for me.
It will be challenging because the hotel does have Wi-Fi. When it’s available, it’s tempting to connect, but I want to try staying offline. Blog-wise, a bit of planning, scheduling posts, and having my virtual assistant handle things should suffice.
Can I do it? It’s tough to leave work behind, especially when you’re used to working during downtime, like typing this post in bed. My priority has always been enjoying the day, and then working during idle times. This time, the plan in Belize is to do nothing – maybe some diving, snorkeling, eating well, and relaxing. We’re heading to Caye Caulker, a tiny island perfect for relaxing. In past similar trips, like in Santorini, we stayed active, exploring almost every beach. This time, we’ll see if we can lounge on the beach with cocktails and return rejuvenated!
What about you? Can you take a week-long all-inclusive holiday and truly relax? When was the last time you took a real break away from everything?