Usually when I go on vacation I’m more than ready to come home once our time is up. I’m ready to sleep in my own bed, scuffle about in my own house, and get back in my normal routine. But this time? SIGH…
A month or so ago our Myrtle Beach plans fell through due to a vacation scam (we won’t go into details but-- Grrrr…) Anyway, my husband began the hunt for an inexpensive getaway. Well, not long afterward he found and booked a last-minute, greatly-reduced vacation to—Aruba.
I admit, as excited as I was, I was also a little leery. In the past we had traveled to Jamaica and while the resort was nice, Jamaica isn’t really a place I saw myself revisiting. In my mind Aruba was in the same general boat so to speak. Boy, was I wrong--and glad to be wrong!
The moment we landed in Aruba we knew we’d stumbled into something altogether different. The sun, sand, surf. The pic above is a shot of the view from my beach chair. Nice, eh? The water was gorgeous!
I also claimed a palm tree while I was there. Isn’t he cute? I loved him because unlike all the other tall, exotic trees and plants he was short and squatty. (Sorta like me ;) LOL)
I never came up with a name for him but my husband and I discussed a plot of how to sneak in, dig him up and somehow bring him home. Darn those customs people!
We explored the island via Jeep and traveled to the natural pool, bridges, and went exploring in a cave beneath. We saw quite a bit of the island and loved every second of it.
Even this guy didn’t scare me off. Iguanas are everywhere on the island, from big to little. Take a step in their direction, though, and they take off running—which was quite the sight to see because they raise their butts up off the ground to run. It's so funny. 
Honestly, I considered running away when it came time to pack up and come home because the island had all the conveniences of home, plus the look, feel and magic of being a real-world paradise. What’s not to love?
So as I adjust to life back home in southern Ohio, I’m dealing with a SERIOUS case of Vacation Blues. So much so I bought a palm tree for my office and I’ve already started saving for a return trip that can’t happen soon enough.
Have you ever felt this way after a vacation? What’s your favorite vacation spot? Or where do you dream of going?
I’ll choose a winner from those who post and offer up WINNER’S CHOICE of my backlist (if available). Print copy for USA residents or ebook copy for non-US residents. (And FYI if you haven’t read Montana Secrets or Montana Skies, now’s a good time to be getting your copies since my new North Star, MT series will debut on shelves next month and is available for pre-order at Amazon.com, and www.eharlequin.com.)
Kay
www.kaystockham.com
THE SHERIFF'S DAUGHTER, SEP 2011
IN THE RANCHER'S FOOTSTEPS, OCT 2011
CHRISTMAS IN MONTANA, NOV 2011
A HERO IN THE MAKING, JAN 2012
34 comments:
Favorite vacation spot-- right now it's Rome, followed closely by Italian countryside. Your photos convinced me that I need to get a good look at Aruba.
Wow, that’s gorgeous!
I don’t have a favourite holiday location because they’re all so different. Paris is very different to the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine, for example, but they’re both great in their own ways.
I’ve just been in Ukraine for a few months. It’s an incredible country, but I was definitely ready to be home by the end of it. You start to really miss silly things, like drinkable tap water, and restaurants that actually have the meals they put on the menus!
Wow, how beautiful is that?
So glad that after your first vacation fell through, you found paradise :) Sometimes things work out for the best, though I know you likely lost out in that scam.
Currently, our family does a lot of Disney - we pretty much go once a year, but I've been pushing to expand our vacationing beyond WDW and the beach. Those places are perfect for small children, but our boys are getting old enough to not throw themselves down on the floor and pitch a fit while visiting a museum. We had a family discussion about it last week and it went like this. 12 year old - I want to go skiing and snow boarding. 9 year old - I want to go on a cruise and eat free ice cream. Husband - I don't care (yeah right) but let me know so I can take off work. Me - let's go somewhere different, a city with museums and shopping and culture. Hmmm...10 to 1 odds we go back to Disney World. LOL.
Kay, we've been to Aruba, so I can identify with everything in your post. So tough coming home from there that we actually looked into buying property. Unfortunately, it's expensive and a long flight! Pretty windy in some spots, though, huh?
Hi Kay,
I love your pictures. So pretty - no wonder you have vacation blues. No vacation for me this summer. Well, I did spend a week home with no car, while my car was getting repaired after a hail storm damaged my car. At this point, I would be happy going anywhere on a vacation.
Tammy Yenalavitch
Good morning, all!
Laura, I loved visiting Italy but it was too far from home for me. I hope to go again in the future, though.
Sonya, you're so right. Every place has its own magic. As to the drinkable water etc, Aruba has all of that--which made it even harder to leave.
Liz, LOL on being a Disney regular. Been there, done that. It does get better as the kids age. ;)
Helen, we're still talking about how we could possibly finagle a way to buy property etc. We loved it that much. The flight was only 4.5 hours with a break in between so not too far and totally doable. As to the wind... We were told the 'wind' is their winter. The rest of the year is quite mild, warm etc in comparison.
*sigh* I miss it! LOL
Kay - who is currently enjoying a mild thunderstorm. Great writing weather!
I have never been an Island person, I guess because of my skin, sitting basking in the sun is a no no for me...But I felt that way when I left Charleston South Carolina. I jsut loved that city. I could just feel the history just pouring out of every door.. I want to go back and explore more. I loved St. Augastine Florida too.. Lovely place I want to go back to.
But the place I really never want to leave is when I visit Ireland. That always feels like a second home to me. I guess it is because my family ancestry is there. I alwlays have such a wonderful time with family and friends, that they make a person feel so welcome who ever you are....
Kathleen, I dream of going to Ireland! I've seen plenty of pics but I'm sure they don't do the country justice. Like a lot of people I have Irish and Scots roots so I'd love to tour there one day.
Kay
I'm wondering if you will someday include that palm tree in a book since you couldn't bring it home with you!
Thanks for the lovely pictures and great descriptions, Kay! That's probably as close as I'll ever get to Aruba. LOL. I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation:-)
Hugs, Becky
www.BeckyBarker.com
Oh those pictures were just gorgeous. So glad that it all worked out for you. I think that palm tree needs to go in a future novel. Maybe the wild life too. Aruba would be a steamy setting for a book.
Glad you had fun!
Beautiful pics. I have always wanted to go to Scotland but have never made it there. I used to really enjoy a trip to Myrtle Beach and then it got so crouded you couldn't enjoy yourself. Haven't been in years.
Kay, If I lived in southern Ohio, I might not want to go back home after an island vacation either! I am definitely an island person I would love to visit Aruba. We seem to always take our vacation time to spend with family or friends when they come here. We go to the beach, camping, hiking, etc. Last time we went anywhere was in 2005! I'm thinking we need to take a staycation right here at home but on another island so we don't go running back home every day to take care of something or other :)
Liz, did you check into Disney cruises? Sorry to tell you, but your boys may never like spending time in museums until they're much much older. My boy is almost 17, after an hour (we just went this summer) in a museum, he's toast and ready to be outside! As a child, I always had my head glued in a book or outside playing. You couldn't get me to go into a museum voluntarily either :)
Wow! Lovely pictures! It sounds like, despite the scam (or perhaps because of it), you enjoyed a wonderful vacation in a paradise-like environment. Wish I'd been there, for sure!
I've had some amazing vacations to Europe (Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, the Netherlands, England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, and Portugal) and Mexico, and I've seen a lot of my own country. Still, I dream of getting to Hawaii some day. Aruba sounds just great, and I'd also love to visit Australia and New Zealand.
One of my favorite vacation destinations is Destin, FL, because we rent a friend's beach house and have virtually all of the comforts of home. We also had a really great vacation to Gatlinburg several years ago in the Smokey Mountains. I tend to love warm, beach places, even though I don't dare spend too much time in the sun due to my pale skin and family propensity for skin cancer. Still, I love the laid-back atmosphere and the scenery. Between our gadzillion animals to take care of and the economy, though, I don't know when we'll be able to take another vacation. So, I'll have to take mine vicariously through your photos!
Beautiful pictures! Makes me want to jump on a plane right this minute! :) My favourite vacation spot was England and Scotland, so far. It was really hard to leave but I know I will be back there one day. ;)
Michele, I'm sure a palm tree will wind up there somewhere! LOL
Becky, you need to take a trip! You'd love it.
Margaret, I totally agree! Aruba would make a wonderful setting.
Kay
Virginia, MB is very crowded now and not nearly as much fun as it used to be. My family prefers Sunset Beach, which is close to Myrtle, because it's a little quieter and not as touristy.
Snookie, I am most definitely an island girl at heart! I can't wait to go back. I envy your home in Hawaii. Definitely make time for that staycation!
JV, I'm a firm believer everything happens for a reason. Had things gone as planned we would never have gone to Aruba. Now... :) Hopefully there is a lot more of Aruba in my future. ;)
Claudia, when you go, take me! ;) I've been to England and loved the beautiful countryside but I'd so love to see Scotland and Ireland. I've heard it's cool/cold there, though, so a visit would be all I could handle.
Thanks for stopping by!
Kay
Like you, I'm usually ready to get back home, but just those pictures make me want to visit Aruba. Alas, with two in college at once, we're only able to do one night trips within Ohio.
I'm adding Aruba to my "must visit" list.
Hiya Kay! As beautiful as your photos are, NO WONDER you have the vacation blues! Heck! I've got them on behalf of you!!! OYE! I've never been to Aruba, but have always wanted to go. One of my favorite vacations was when I visited my grandmother who lived in Puerto Rico back in the '90's. I spent a glorious week on the beach in Puerto Rico and loved every moment of it! It was in January, and when I flew back home to Cincinnati, I was more depressed than you could imagine. Beach vacations always rock!
~Daphne~
Kay,
What gorgeous pictures and I can see why it would be hard to leave. Our best vacation was very simple. We rented a bungalow on the Texas coast. We had a private cove and beach with unbelievable blue water. We did nothing for a week but boat, fish and relax. It was quiet and peaceful. The only time we left was to search for seafood restaurants.
Janie, definitely add it to the list. It's beautiful.
Daphne, Puerto Rico sounds wonderful! Have you been back to visit?
Linda, I've heard wonderful things about the Texas coast but I've never been. It sounds fantastic.
Kay
Hi Kay! Your pictures are beautiful! I am dying to take a vacation somewhere tropical. Last month we spent a week at Disney World and it was awesome. We had a blast, and didnt want to come home. We are already planing to go again next summer and stay longer. We have even considered the Disney Cruise, but my hubbys not big on boats. He jokes that thats why he was a Marine and not Navy, lol!
I would love to travel all over, Cuba(where my family is from), Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Spain and I really want to go to Austraila after reading all Of Sarah Mayberry's books!
Have a great night!
Alina
Hi Kay,
Beautiful pictures!
My favourite vacation spot is Scotland.
Beautiful pics; glad you enjoyed the trip. I am a Charleston fan (maybe cause grandson is there?). Would love to read your books!
Kay, love your pictures. My husband and I are planning a trip to Belize in December. It will be my first trip south of the border and I'm really excited.
I'm glad to hear you had a wonderful time! My DH loves islands w/ lots of beaches, while I love everything about VACATION. As for my list? It's endless - Tanja
Kay--I love your palm tree!!! He is so cute. Your photos are gorgeous and I envy you your vacation.
I would love to go to Ireland. My husband wants to go to France. I think we could achieve both in one trip. Maybe.
Aruba looks stunning. Funny, how disasters can turn into miracles. On my list of things to do is attend the Pushkar Camel Fair in Pushkar, India. So far, dh just says no. sigh.
LOL Thanks so much for hanging out with me! I loved imagining all the travel spots. Sounds wonderful! I love to travel.
So...I need to pick a winner. Be back in a bit with the name!
AND THE WINNER IS--Tammy Yenalavitch! Tammy, please contact me via my website at www.kaystockham.com with your info. Congrats!
Kay
Kay - Sorry I'm late - my Daily Digest arrived this morning. Looks like you had a great party!
I love it.http://cottageme.com Keep on writing this type of great stuff.
Vacation house Aruba rentals near the residential are cheap as compared to the hotels and villas available near the beach. As houses provide less services and facilities compared to the hotels or villas. Houses are available at affordable budget.
Post a Comment