Rotary Ann Lifestyle:
That's a Holiday!
by: First Lady Sea Princess
Diving in the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador was my ultimate dream
vacation. Without worrying about time (It takes a day and a half travel time via San
Francisco and the average live aboard dive cruise is a week.) and money (a whopping
$10,000 per person for the airfare, lodging and diving.), this is my type of holiday. Just
the chance to dive along side hammerhead sharks, sperm whales and dolphins is pure
ecstasy. Not to mention the great flora and fauna on land beginning with the giant Gila
monsters which almost look pre-historic.
Of course that was then, before my kids came into the picture. Now even
my dream vacation has to somehow include them even if they're checked in at the adjacent
room. So many things have changed with our marriage in the emergence of the kids
especially since Annika was born. DOV and I haven't gone on a dive trip, which is so
unusual considering we are such water freaks. I don't really know though if that is due to
her or that DOV is so into golf, which practically occupies almost all our weekends.
Last weekend, I got a taste of a semi-vacation with Annika when she
came with us to Cebu. DOV had to go on his usual business trip and I had to furnish the
company flat of Inquirer. We decided to take her along since Bryan already went on the HK
trip and Tyrone is in the U.S. Little Annika is always left behind because somehow being
the only girl, we are kinda more protective and careful with her.
I have forgotten how early kids naturally wake up in the morning. We
booked a honeymoon villa so Annika and her yaya can fit in the room. For the two nights we
were there, I was up at, no kidding, 6 AM!!! Annika was up and about, pulling me to join
her in the hammock and to swim in the pool just outside our room. I tried to divert her
attention to her daddy instead but as you all know, she likes me better.
Aside from the very early morning wake up call, Annika was coughing the
whole night. My maternal instinct kept me feeling concerned that I would wake up every
time she would get an attack. I tried to think of different solutions to clear her cough
but, to no avail. I ended up waking every four hours and, I was up at 6 AM..
I was so exhausted and lacked sleep from that short vacation that I
slept 'til noon the next day we arrived. There was no way I would have made it to the Alay
Lakad thing. The more I think of it, that Galapagos holiday is again my dream vacation. I
will just have to take the kids to Disney World on a separate holiday.
Here are the dream vacations of the Anns that responded to my
questionnaire:
Beaches / water Inspired:
* Linda R - 2 months each in the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Palm Beach (in the same year?)
* Becky C - a resort like Amanpulo, but with better coral reefs and a mountain ("I'm
still looking for a place like this," says Becky)
* Grace C - sleeping in bed overlooking the ocean
* Kathleen S - Mediterranean cruise
* Melissa R - Bali (note to Eddie Boy : specifically the Four Seasons Hotel)
* Nelleke O - the South of France
* Ailene L - Villa d'Este, Lake Como, Italy (another very specific answer!)
Europe:
* Leni G - Positano, Italy (Leni says, "I heard it's really nice there.")
* Marides P - Europe with some girlfriends from school (what about Miguel?)
* Gina L - travel around Europe
* Chatty R - a drive around the French countryside followed by a mad shopping spree in
Paris (but does Bobby know?)
* Sandy A.S. - Paris, with Dong, without the kids!
Mountains:
* Marisun U - in the mountains
* Carla C - Nepal |
