I’m finally taking my first real vacation in four years! I know what you’re thinking, haven’t I been traveling nonstop? Sure, I spent six months exploring Mexico and the US on a motorcycle in 2011, another six months traveling all over Europe last summer, and just returned from three months in Spain and Morocco. But here’s the thing: those were adventures, not vacations. Traveling is intense. You’re up early, packing your stuff, hopping on the bike, visiting sites, taking pictures, finding food, securing a place to stay, unpacking, showering, dealing with online tasks, and then crashing into bed exhausted. After a few weeks, you might get a day to rest, but you’re still exploring and return home more tired than when you left.
During those six months, we did take a few leisurely days. Like when we drove from Guatemala to Seattle in early May and stopped for five days in Lake Tahoe because it was unexpectedly cold. We relaxed and did little, but I wouldn’t call that a holiday. Even then, we hiked around the lake and visited places, but once back at the hotel, my boyfriend was working on the bike and I was online planning our next stops. We were aiming for Alaska but bad weather changed our plans, ultimately ending up in NYC with better weather on our side. Those “rest” days were spent planning and shopping for necessities, not just lounging with a good book.
I also never feel like I’m on holiday because of my constant connection to my computer. Whether it’s checking emails, blogging, managing rentals, or overseeing investments, I’m always on. The pace rarely lets up, making it hard to take a genuine break.
But now, we’re truly going on vacation — to Belize! Just the four of us: my boyfriend, his sister, her boyfriend, and me, going between Christmas and New Year. This all started because someone rented our whole house via Airbnb for a few days. Instead of just heading to the boyfriend’s ranch a couple of hours away, we decided to make a real trip out of it. Although I’ve been to mainland Belize a few times, I’ve never visited the islands, so I’m quite excited. Living just four hours away from the world’s second-largest reef barrier and not having visited is kind of embarrassing. I got my diving certification in Honduras, but Belize promises even more spectacular reefs.
We almost had to cancel because we booked late, and most hotels required a minimum of seven days stay, but we eventually found a nice guesthouse within walking distance of the beach.
I’m considering not taking my laptop with me, which for me, feels like leaving a three-day-old infant at home and jetting off to Cancun. I admit, I’m addicted. Though I often go 24-36 hours without internet, I love being able to write whenever an idea strikes or watch a series before bed. Being an introvert, I need my alone time. With another couple around, no matter how sweet they are, I need my personal space, and my computer is usually my retreat. I’ll transfer my eBooks to my iPod since my main camera got moldy and is unusable. The iPod will serve as my camera and eBook reader, but I swear no other apps, no Sudoku, no connecting to the hotel’s Wi-Fi.
This will be challenging since the hotel does have Wi-Fi. When it’s not there, you manage, but knowing it’s just a click away is tough for me. Do you think you could stay offline in a place with easy internet access?
In terms of blogging, it’s all about planning. I can schedule some posts and let my virtual assistant handle the rest.
Will I manage to unplug? While writing this post from my bed, I realized how ingrained work is in my life, even in non-working environments. I sound spoiled, but that’s my reality. Enjoying the day is a priority, but idle moments usually lead me to my computer. In Belize, the goal is to do nothing — maybe some diving, snorkeling, good eating, and relaxation. We’re heading to Caye Caulker, a tiny island that you can explore just by walking around. In past travels, places like Santorini saw us constantly on the move, exploring beaches on a bike. This time, I’d like to see if we can just sit on the beach, drink cocktails, and return home fully refreshed.
So, can you take a one-week all-inclusive holiday without getting restless? When was the last time you truly disconnected and took a real vacation?