Friday, August 27, 2010

And so comes the end of summer – from the Jodie ½ of Lydia Dare~



This year, my son and I took a cruise vacation the week before his school term began. We just got back last week. This wasn’t our first cruise, but it was one of the best! I should probably admit to being a bit of a travel snob and fairly spoiled as far as traveling goes in general. Most of this comes from the years I’ve spent as a meeting planner/travel manager for an IT consulting firm.

Usually when I travel, it is for business. Because I’ve contracted large groups and brought a number of people to a certain hotel or venue, I get treated like royalty. I am given the nicest room with the prettiest view. And waiting for me inside my nice room, there’s always a big basket of fruit, cheese, wine and a glowing note from the management telling me how wonderful I am. Best of all, it’s all free. Yep, being a meeting planner does wonders for your ego.

However, when I travel for vacation and I’m footing the bill, I get none of those perks; not usually anyway. I end up with a small room, with a less than desirable view. There’s no gift basket awaiting me. No note gushing about what a delight I am to know. In fact, they don’t even know who I am. Vacations are very humbling affairs for me.

But not this one.

This time, we went all out. In other words, we splurged. I reserved a suite and arranged for a limo transfer from the airport. We pretended we were celebrities. My son barely rolled down the tinted window enough for his hand and waved at the pedestrians along the streets of Miami, as though he was rich and famous.

We went parasailing, kayaking, snorkeling, and spent a day at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau. When we were tired, we rested on our balcony overlooking the Caribbean and just breathed in the fresh air. On board the ship, we won progressive trivia and Twilight trivia (although my son won’t admit to the latter), taking away the amazing prizes of a mug and highlighter.


This year my mother and my brother Ryan joined us for the cruise, which was a first time for them. It was so wonderful having them along for the ride, and the four of us have already put a deposit down for a cruise next summer.

I am so addicted to my iphone, that at first it was difficult not being able to send or receive emails in international water or ports. We were essentially cut off from society for a few days and I got the shakes. But in the end, not being able to communicate with the outside world was nice too.


But all good things must come to an end. School begins. Deadlines loom. Ex-es wait in the wings to ruin your day. And work calls for you to return. My late night evenings will be put on hold until next summer vacation. My days of waking up at 5:00am have returned in full force.

I am already dreaming about next year’s vacation.

14 comments:

  1. I'm jealous of everything but the paragliding. (afraid of heights!). Looks like you had a great time.

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  2. Oh, Heather! My brother is terrified of heights and he loved it. You'd be fine. Give it a shot sometime. It's actually very peaceful. :)

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  3. What beautiful pictures. I've never been on a real cruise (I think the car ferry from Europe to Africa does NOT count.) but you make me want to try it. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Omgosh I am sooo jealous Jodie!!! This would be my perfect idea of a vacation! I've been rock climbing, hiking, and parachuting before, next up parasailing, kayaking, and snorkeling in the Carribean!! Looks like you had so much fun and I'm so glad you're home safe.

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  5. Clarissa ~ I don't think that counts. :) You need something a little more fun.

    Melissa ~ You can go rock climbing on the cruise ship too. :)

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  6. Oh ~ And isn't my brother adorable? And the sweetest guy with a good job and honest to boot. If there are any nice, single girls in the Utah Valley, send me a line.

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  7. I'm dying to go on a real cruise. I have been on a poor-man's cruise before--the Alaska Marine Highway ferries. LOL. Not quite the same thing.

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  8. LOL - Jodie, I'm sure your brother is going to just love that comment ;)
    Gorgeous pics, I'm so glad you had a wonderful time. It's nice to know there are still places where we won't be bombarded with emails and phone calls. Now THAT'S what I call a vacation!

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  9. Amy ~ It was wonderful! Wish I was still there, especially when real life comes crashing back.

    Catherine ~ I don't think the Alaska Marine Highway ferries count either. ;)

    Erin ~ If I thought he'd read my blog, I'd be afraid. He would kill me if he knew. :)

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  10. What a fun trip! Oh, my gosh! My kids would freak if a limo picked us up at the airport. That is such a great idea.

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  11. Sorry I'm late commenting! Your pics are awesome and it sounds like you guys had a fantastic time! I'm so glad you splurged - you deserved it :)

    (p.s. was the parasailing just like Soarin'??? LOL!)

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  12. What a lovely vacation! I'm so thrilled that you and your family got to experience such a wonderful time of rest and fun together.

    5 a.m. I hear you...my hubby and I are starting the 4 a.m. thing this year, (trying to cram an hour of exercise into every day, too). Blech!

    Hope it's a wonderful autumn for you.

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  13. Samantha ~ You so should do that. Your kids would love it.

    Jerrica ~ Splurging is the best!

    Heather ~ 4:00a? That is awful! 5:00a is bad enough. Good luck with that this year.

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