MONDAY MORNING CORONAVIRUS BLUES 💙💙💙
The Caribbean Island of Anguilla is lined with miles of white sand beaches & swaying palm trees, it's laid back vibe & hypnotic sapphire blue sea beckons...
For $10 USD round trip (on a boat called "Happiness", you can get to the small cay of Sandy Island
For $10 USD round trip (on a boat called "Happiness", you can get to the small cay of Sandy Island
SUNRISE OR SUNSET?!? 😍😍😍
AWE - "the rapt attention and deep emotion caused by the sight of something extraordinary" 🤩 - Merriam-Webster
Travel provides an array of benefits. 💝 One of my favs is the opportunity to experience more moments of wonder and awe!
You know what I mean right? 😮 Those speechless, breath-catching, timeless moments.
These often arrive when we're in nature. 🍃 And the reality for most of us is that in our everyday life we spend most of our time indoors.
These often arrive when our brains are lit up by novelty. ⚡️ New vistas are one of the joys of travel.
A million stars lighting up a desert sky, looking up at 1,000 year ginourmous tree, climbing a mountain that looks like a rainbow. ✨
Research has uncovered the benefits of experiencing awe.
It causes us to have a smaller sense of self. 🤔 It reminds us that our worries are insignificant. Because we feel we a part of something much bigger and more sacred.
And when our sense of self-importance decreases, we tend to seek out more social engagement. 💞 In lives more and more characterized by disconnection, this is significant.
Feeling awe has been linked to generosity, humility, better health, sharpened thinking, increased comfort with uncertainty and increased life satisfaction. 💫 Amazing yes?!
Maybe you can't pack your bags today (particularly during the current situation!), so here are a few ways you can experience awe closer to home:
* Take a walk in nature and pay attention - look up, look down, look all around. Put your right foot in, your right foot out....just kidding! Be mindful using your senses.
* Read an inspiring story or watch an inspiring video.
* Cultivate solitude. Step away from the incessant business and tech buzz to experience the divinity within yourself.
* Write about a personal experience of awe.
We don't need to feel awe all the time. But most of us could use a little more of it in our lives.
How else can you cultivate more
Baja breakfast vibes
How would you like this view for breakfast❣️
I can make it happen for you too...contact me to start talking details of your next vacay now! 💯
Playa la Pastora
Check out this sunset 😍😍😍
I’m in heaven❣️
💙 MAY ALL YOUR BLUES BE OCEAN & SKY 🌊
Today is supposedly the most depressing day of the year. 😬 So I thought I’d entertain you with a small clip of an island paradise 🏝
Isla Contoy is your classic deserted island 💯, sitting on an imaginary line separating the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico.
A national park & nature reserve, the island itself is protected by Park Rangers, and visitors are limited to 200 per day.
On December 17 I embarked on a day trip to Contoy. Our pick up was at 8:45 from our Playa Mujeres resort, where we were taken to a pier for coffee & breakfast.
Snorkelling is part of this excursion, but weather conditions didn’t allow for it this day. 🤷🏼♀️ So after about an hour of speed boating amidst turquoise waves everyone’s eyes were 😍😍😍 when the dazzling island shoreline appeared.
Once upon the island you were given the option of a guided tour or simply free time. As the island is know to be home to over 150 species of birds of course I was taking that tour.
Alas, today was not my day. We were introduced to the 100s of Frigates soaring about 👍🏼 but few other species. After a quick stop at the marine museum it was time for a cold beer & chilling 🍻
Floating in the shallow waters admiring the palm-fringed beach was indeed heavenly 🤩
Lunch break was a buffet featuring Yucatan-style fish (Tikin xic). A vegan option was available as I had requested ahead of time. Not gonna lie...I pigged out on the tasty guacamole. 😋
Lunch was followed by more free time and I did do some snorkelling right off the beach. 🐠
Off we went then to the next stop, Isla Mujeres where we were given one hour to explore. Not a ton a time, but enough to get a feel for the island.
And just enough to forget which dock you were to return to and visit panic city 😵😩😳
All’s well that ends well...we found the group and made it back to our resort by about 5:30.
Rating 7.5/10 - but others loved it 🤷
Got the Monday morning blues...check out these views...bound to perk ☕️ you up 😁💗
MONDAY MORNING BLUES 💙💙💙
Why visit the Dutch Antilles Island of Curacao?
1. Caribbean music 🎼:
The extremely talented musicians create an extraordinary atmosphere to share beer and liquor with the locals. The cool live acoustic music allows you to meet interesting characters and have a great time.
2. Natural healing:
Getting conscious about looking good is necessary to keep oneself in shape. To heal yourself Medicine Traditions of the Caribbean can provide you with herbal remedies and curative herbs.
3. Time for shopping:
Known for is shopping; the Heerenstraat and Breedestraat streets were designated for selling. Both located in Punda district offer a wide sort of products such as black coral jewelry, leather goods, and wooden shoes. Find items that are traded locally or are from major clothing designers.
4. Blue drinks:
Home of the curacao liqueur that comes from a dried peel of the laraha citrus fruit, this island is responsible for the best stunning deep blue drinks. A wide range of cocktails to chose from for a fantastic experience.
5. Never ending summer 🌞:
A beautiful sunny weather all year long make Curacao the ideal location for a perfect vacation destination great to escape the cold winters and have a sunshine Christmas. Average temperature is eighty-five degrees.
6. Meet the locals 🥰:
Experience a rich heritage and blooming culture with remarkable diversity of people from the ethnic inhabitants, the Arawak, the Dutch, West Indian, African and Latin a cosmopolitan experience to be shared.
7.Thrilling fusion of Caribbean and European foods 😋:
Products from around the world can be found in supermarkets and could come from United States, Europe and South America. Popular dishes include: stoba, guiambo, kadushi, sopi, mondongo and funchi.
8. Perfect beaches 🏖:
The island's north coast is rugged but the south side of the island has, calm crystal clear water creating over thirty tropical beaches perfect for current-free swimming and sno
LOOKING FOR AN AUTHENTIC ISLAND-LIFE EXPERIENCE? 🏝👙😎If yes, read on.
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The San Blas Islands remain untouched and un-commercialized. ✨Pretty remarkable in these times.
No cell phone data. No wifi. Instead be serenaded to sleep by the waves. 🌊 And be summoned to dinner by conch shell.
This won't be luxury travel. Some of the lodging in fact is quite primitive. Cabins, tents and hammocks.
Instead you are welcomed to the homelands of the Kuna people. English isn't widely spoken. So practice up on your Spanish
Despite the otherworldly feel, once you are in Panama City it's fairly uncomplicated to reach the San Blas Islands. They are east of Panama and far closer than Bocas de Toro.
Most tours will pick you up from your hotel. There are only a few agencies that coordinate these tours and you must use them as they work directly with the Kuna people.
Budget on the higher end is about $400 pp for 3 nights, 3 islands, including all transportation, activities and food. Excluding booze so BYOB. Plus bring cash for tips. And colds beer which will be worth it!
Pack lightly - lots of sunblock, your water filter, soap, shampoo, TP and you only need flip flops. ☀️ Plus you must have your passport. And bring a portable charger.
You can do a day trip. But I think that you would regret not staying longer.
You can also sail from the San Blas Islands to Cartagena, Colombia or vice versa. This will take 4-5 days and will also not be a luxury experience. But I've heard rave reviews.🌟
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So what do you think. Do the San Blas Islands deserve a place on your travel list?
You can do a day trip but I think you'll regret not staying longer. This is a once in a lifetime experience. 💯
Looking for your next getaway? 👍🏼 I've got the best places to travel 🧳 for you if you're seeking those island vibes. Read my latest blog post ✨ "WHERE TO TRAVEL 2020 - THE 20 BEST ISLANDS TO VISIT" ✨
While of course the list contains a couple Caribbean Islands 🏝 there are some far-flung more exotic places you may never of heard of. And not all of them just sun and sand. 🦍 As well a number of them are less-traveled alternatives to some very popular islands. 🍃
Read 🤓 my latest blog post here:
https://www.findyourhappytravels.com//blog/where-to-travel-2020-the-20-best-islands-to-visit
Winnipegers....Snowmaggedon getting you down?😩It’s going to be a long winter and you need something to look forward to. 💫 Time to get that warm getaway booked! 🏝 Still some early booking bonuses available so no time to waste!
Contact me at [email protected] and let’s start planning...
Good morning from Hotel Espana in Lima!
Our flight arrived late last night. Today we will explore the historic district before leaving Lima late afternoon and heading to Arequipa.
Have a great day!
Packing again! This time off to visit friends in BC and then to NEW ZEALAND!!! 😁
Minimizing my packing but need more than a carry on so bought a new 24” before the last trip and still had lots of room. Getting pro at packing!
I share some of my fav packing gear over on the Highlights of my Insta profile. You should check them out and follow me there while you’re at it 💕 https://www.instagram.com/findyourhappy.travels
We hiked a couple new trails to commemorate Earth Day!
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We cannot rely on others to save our planet. Each one of us has to step up and take responsibility for our own actions and look to how we can protect and care for our beautiful Earth. 💝
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Here are some tips for travelling green:
- Choose tour companies that have eco-friendly policies.
- Pack light. 🧳 Less luggage burns less fuel. Less fuel = less emissions.
- Choose a green hotel.
- Leave the Do Not Disturb sign out to stop housekeeping from cleaning your room each day. Unplug and turn off the lights before you leave.
- Travel with a refillable water bottle. Forget plastic, choose glass (or if you’re clumsy like me! 😳) metal.
- Travel with rechargeable batteries & purchase electronics which run accordingly.
- Seek out and use recycling bins.
- Take only photos, leave only footprints. 👣
- Use public transportation. 🚌 🚞 Or better still, ride a bike or walk!
- Travel with a tote. Then you can shop and avoid plastic bags.
- Shop local.
- Eat less meat. Or none at all.👍🏼
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If you have any other green travel tips to share, please leave a comment below.
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And if you want help planning a more eco-friendly vacation, contact me at [email protected] 😊
Quite the view on our hike today!
UnCruise Adventures has been doing an amazing job all week taking care of us...great excursions, fab food and (perhaps most importantly) the best bartender, Karen! In Hood River, Oregon for a brief pit stop and then heading back to our boat!
Do you think small ship cruising is only for the oldsters? I can tell you now from firsthand experience it’s not. Having some amazing adventures with UnCruise! Sneak peak of us on Sulphur Lake in Washington as we are heading to go kayaking!
Day 1 of México City did not disappoint. Ridiculously fascinating! Full day report will have to wait but here’s a sneak peak of the show I attended tonight. It was wonderful! 😄
Zoetry Wellness and Spa Resorts
Excited to share that I am now an AM Resorts Master Agent! AMResorts is a collection of luxury resort destinations, each with its own unique personality, featuring sun- soaked beaches, elegant accommodations, a world-class spa, gourmet dining, unlimited premium drinks, and many other pampering amenities.
I am particularly in love with the Zoetry Wellness and Spa Resorts!
#amresorts #luxurytravel #wellnesstravel
http://www.zoetryresorts.com/
Love this little clip from last Friday on the SEA of GALILEE! Seriously I was on a boat on the Sea of Galilee! It felt surreal. 😊
Thanks again to Dan Tours reps and Aaron our guide for making special arrangements to make this happen. 🙏
