Over the many years we’ve been together my husband and I have done a lot of different types of trips and along the way we’ve learned a lot about ourselves as travellers. We’ve done family, friends, couple, group and just us trips. While they are all wonderful experiences, each offering their own pro’s and con’s, for me none is as good as the just us trip. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t change anything about any of the trips we’ve done or experiences we’ve had as they’re all part of discovering who you are as a traveller, but the just us trip is uniquely special. When you’re not accountable to anyone else you can experience the adventure on your own terms. There is so much more freedom to explore, experience new things, and meet new people.
The people we have met over the years, no matter how we travel, have come from everywhere – home here in Nova Scotia, all over the rest of Canada, the US, the UK and Germany etc. I wouldn’t trade the experience of meeting all these wonderful people for anything. They have all enriched our lives, given us great stories to tell and we continue to stay in touch with many of them to this day. Below are just a few of the folks we have met or travelled with over the years during our southern vacations.
This year we met some pretty fantastic people and while I regretfully don’t have pictures of everyone, we do have so many great memories and stories. As it turned out, several of the people we ran into had been there at the same time as for us the last two years. We actually did meet a few of them last year, realizing it in one of those true déjà vu moments on day one this year! Only one person from the group of us that met last year missed this trip. Considering our timing was different and none of us had talked to each other since last year, it’s pretty amazing that we all were there together again this year.
Drinks, listening to the nightly band, chatting, sharing experiences, pictures and everything else with these folks made this year so much fun! Our last night together I tried to get everyone together for drinks and well, we ended up shutting the place down! It was awesome, such a great ending to a fabulous vacation.
We were missing our new friends from the UK, Natalie, Steve and the amazing Ethan, when we did the group shots. They were fantastic folks and I regret not getting any pictures. Ethan has one of those personalities that just shines, especially with a few tequila in him :). He is truly a fine young man who makes me smile. He knows how to vacation! Guess we all just have to go back and do it again! It’s funny, everyone was asking everyone else ‘Are you coming back?’ and the general answer was ‘I don’t know, we like to try new things.’ but then as everyone was leaving it was with a ‘See you next year!’ So who knows. With Nikki and Sophie already booked to return, we shall have to wait and see what next year will bring. In the digital world we are lucky in that we can stay in touch and remain part of each others life even though we are many kilometres or an ocean apart. Maybe, just maybe, we will see each other again.
I believe that everyone comes into your life for a reason, be it a short time or a long time they are meant to be there. There is a purpose. It’s not about how much time you spend with someone, it’s the impact they have on you however big or small that may be.
When we first started going to Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort three years ago we knew it had a very loyal following. It turned out to be the single most welcoming resort we’ve have stayed at hands down. The staff is just incredible. These are just a few of the staff who really become part of your vacation.
So, in closing – I say go out, put yourself out there and meet new people as you travel this great world. We all have something to offer each other.
Next up – Till we meet again Akumal!
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