Picture of Happiness

You know those Facebook posts that go around at this time of year... "post 5 photos of yourself where you feel beautiful." Well, in considering that task, I started flipping through my photos. And when I start doing that, I start reminiscing and digging deeper into my photos. It isn't long before I completely forget what I opened my laptop cover to do.

What I discovered, which is really no shock at all, is that I love vacation photos the most. And I feel that I look happiest in vacation photos.

So, why is that? Is it because I am with people I care about? Is it because I'm away from work? Is it because I am happiest exploring and learning about new places? Is it because I feel the stress melt away when I disconnect?  Yes! All of the above!

Vancouver

Vegas

Caribbean Cruise

Waikiki Beach

Quebec City

Hollywood, California

Lunenberg, Nova Scotia

Disney Cruise: Part 9... The Value

I see the value of a Disney Cruise like this...

If you need to re-connect with your family, sometimes you just need to get a little Goofy! (Yes, as in Mickey's buddy.) The staff and characters treat everyone as very valued guests. If Mom wants to hold Donald Duck's hand for a picture... that's cool.

On a ship, you can give yourself permission to giggle, and just be a kid again. And, unlike at the Disney Parks your family is stuck with you! The kids can't wander off to the next amusement ride. Mom can't get lost in the shops and Dad can't be glued to work and his cell phone (very limited access at sea).

You will have mandatory sit down meals at scheduled times. In the Parks you may never eat together with a 100 different choices and prices and options. But on a ship, you are assigned a table, and a time and that is EVERY night. And believe me, you begin to have conversations with your kids again.

Movies under the stars on deck 9.

By the third or fourth day on the ship, you've mastered the deck plans and found your own favourite spots. CJ and I liked to check out the 10pm movie on the outdoor screen before grabbing pizza and heading to our stateroom for the night. We called it our "midnight pizza run."  We never did stay for an entire movie, but even a few minutes under the stars, in the breeze had a real calming, night-time effect.

CJ wanted to buy me a gift to say thank you for the trip. Kids aren't allowed to charge to their rooms, but I chatted with a clerk at the gift shop and she helped him accomplish his goal while keeping it a secret from me. It was a Donald Duck charm for my charm bracelet, and I LOVE it!

While there aren't any amusement rides or parades on the ship, the access to characters is far superior to the Parks. You can get amusement rides at any state fair or travelling midway, but what you won't get there are the Disney characters.

On a cruise, you will get a chance to put on a tuxedo or your best dress. This really is a special event, and worth doing as a family. You might only otherwise get the chance at graduation and weddings. And since everyone is lining up for portraits, your kids jump at the chance. I really value that.

So, ultimately, do I like cruises? Probably not. (I simply prefer my feet on land.)  But do I LOVE Disney Cruises for the family time and special memories? YES, absolutely, positively!

Would I recommend a Disney Cruise for your family?  I think I just did! ;)

Why Travel?

I love to travel.

Travelling brings new perspective to my life. To see and experience other regions, cultures and climates enhances my appreciation of others.

My problems seems small and insignificant when I find myself looking at things with a wider view. One day outside my comfort zone, where I get to see and learn and experience new things, can change my whole outlook and re-set my balance.

Everyone has their own set of experiences and will see things differently. Your Las Vegas experience will never  be the same as my Las Vegas experience. You may or may not meet a Russian cab driver who tells you about his children and their dreams. You may never find yourself playing blackjack next to a senior citizen from Ohio, and you may never laugh out loud with a perfect stranger seeing something unbelievable happen on the street. But I did.  I may never do the things you get to do. Our experiences will never be carbon copies and that's what makes it great. It makes us human.

Everyday is a new chance to make stupid jokes and take risks, learn and grow. To get to do that through travel is like shaking the kaleidoscope. It's brilliant and beautiful... you just have to mix things up a bit to see it.

Palm Trees & Me

My favourite vacations have one thing in common:  Palm Trees

As a Canadian girl, I'm far more familiar with pine trees, spruce trees and those kind of hardy plants that can survive harsh conditions. But, for as long as I can remember I've had an affection for palm trees.  Anytime I am in their presence, I find my happy self. 

So, this is why I love tropical vacations and desert vacations. Offer me a trip to Florida, California, Arizona, Hawaii, or the Caribbean and I'm in.  Las Vegas has palm trees too. Yes, and slot machines with palm tree icons too!

My screensaver is a palm tree. If I could live in a beach hut surrounded by palm trees, the ocean and soft white sand, I'd jump at that chance. 

This blissful moment, brought to you by a California palm tree, and the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. 

The take-out food, the beer and the magazine are the perfect accompaniments. The palm tree and the patio are the stars.