Loreto, Mexico
I know it sounds so ridiculous right? Of all people, do I really need a vacation?
But I do.
When I travel independently I am constantly trying to figure out how to get to the next place, looking up what words I need to know, any details I need to know. Making sure all my electronics are charged so I can blog about it. But the biggest difference is
I am always alone.
But Villa del Palmar is like a vacation for me. I have great friends Rease and Cailin here and I’ve met others. We go sight seeing, eat, and giggle over margaritas.
This is a vacation.
And after most of the group left Cailin, Rease and I hung around to do what people on vacation do.
Drink pina coladas.
Aqua aerobics.
Cooking class.
Wine tastings.
Salsa lessons.
I may not have been a fan of all-inclusives or tours before but when people plan my travels for me that is my vacation. I don’t have to worry about getting anywhere, people understanding my Spanish, or how I’ll get home.
All I need to do is show up. I like vacation.
Much thanks to Cailin and Suzanne for the photos and deleting the unflattering ones.
Disclosure: I was a guest of Villa del Palmar Loreto, they did not request that I write a favourable review, or drink far too many pina coladas with Rease and Cailin.
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I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
Everyone needs a vacation. In fact, sometimes I need a vacation from my vacation. Sad, I know. I hope you enjoyed yours.
Leah Travels recently posted..Texas Tuesday: ¡Viva Terlingua!
Before I became a travel blogger I would always pack so much into my vacation that I was exhausted when returned back to work.
I want to be in that pool more than anyplace else in the world right now. Teleport me…please??
Camels & Chocolate recently posted..Country Dog, Vol. XII
Someday we’ll hang out in a pool like this. If only we can coordinate schedules to actually meet!
I’m SO glad you’re relaxing a bit!! I too am in dire need of a vacation, and am planning a camping trip to the beach in just a few weeks. Can’t wait!
Krista recently posted..For Barbara Harris: Irish Potato Pancakes with Garlic Cottage Cheese
Camping? That is not my idea of vacation but a cottage by the beach sounds heavenly.
I won’t lie. I didn’t like the all-inclusive feel to my resort in Dominican Republic. But I think things could of easily been changed if that resort had included aquarobics or cooking classes! Huge fan of group activities – gives me time to hone any type of skill. And really – aquarobics? Its exercising without any pain or exhaustion – thats MY kind of work out! And well – its just plain fun to wiggle around in the pool for an hour or two!
I went to the Dominican for an all-inclusive before and was bored after 4 days but I now understand them. You just show up and everything is taken care of, your mind can just shut down and relax.
This sounds absolutely amazing. I’m in the process of planning a possible Cancun trip that will be nothing but vacation and relaxing at a resort. Sometimes you need that!
Scott – Quirky Travel Guy recently posted..The unforgettable life experience of flightseeing and landing on a glacier
Nice! Well deserved Ayngelina!
Cristina (@thetravolution) recently posted..La Festa Major in Sitges, Spain
A nice holiday is exactly what we all need from time to time.
Ceri recently posted..Saturday in Mexico City: Six Flags
One of the great philosophical questions: When travelers travel for a living, how do they go on holiday? Do they stay home and drink beer in front of DVD box-sets? Do they work in an office?
This is something that doesn’t occur to many people, even now. Travel-blogging and travel-writing, done professionally, are jobs, and jobs are hard – and in these jobs, *everyone else around you is there to have fun*. So, double the hardness of it all.
Sometimes a vacation is exactly what everyone needs.
Hence why this “traveler vs tourist” nonsense is indeed nonsense.
#rant
#LessCoffeeBeforeCommenting
Mikeachim recently posted..Freelance Writing: Don’t Do These 5 Things
Honestly the best travel blogging vacation is one you decide to be offline from everything. I am trying to do that more and more, you can definitely be TOO connected.
I’m not normally a fan of all inclusive vacations either, but after traveling so much, a “no-think” vacation is just what I need.
Laurel recently posted..My Favorite Places to Eat in Munich
I was surprised, it was exactly what I needed. Also I liked Villa del Palmar because there are a lot of activities you can do off the resort and they have a bus that goes into town. It has a much different feeling than those that really try to keep you confined to the property.
Looks like an awesome vacation!
This looks like a nice place to visit. It looks like you were having a nice time.
Christine recently posted..A Magical Experience in the Luminarium
How much fun!!!!!!
Wow would love to travel too but it feels so lonely when I have no one to travel with
I love traveling alone, it’s really liberating to do whatever you want whenever you want. But I did realize that traveling with friends is so much fun as well.
You can never have enough vacation.
Actually that’s a lie. Most of the time on vacation I look forward to getting back to real life. But I recognize that I am an anomaly lol
Margyle recently posted..I Have Never Used an Airplane Washroom
Maybe that’s what vacation is supposed to do? Give you enough time to relax, recharge and value your life back home.
If you like pina coladas (singing).. I’d love a good vacation where someone else does the planning.
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..Capture the Colour – In Food!
We also sang the Vampire Weekend horchata song a lot – oh I love horchata why have I never written about it?
I could sooo use a Mexican all-inclusive right now…
Thanks for the daydream material.
Toronto is pretty sweet in the summer, make it for November when things start to get slushy and gross.
OMG I so hear you! When I went to Costa Rica all inclusive holidays less than 2 months ago, everyone was making fun of me if I really need vacations
But yes, and I did similar things, apart from wine tasting and salsa lessons as I am a proper piece of wood, like we say back home 
Btw the pool looks super yummy! Wanna jump in right now.
crazy sexy fun travelerc recently posted..INTERESTING DUNE TOUR AROUND CAPE COD NATIONAL PARK SEASHORE
People did give me a hard time but honestly traveling non-stop is so different than a cushy vacation and we all need luxury every now and then.
I wonder if I will need/want a vacation while traveling. I won’t be alone – I’ll have my wife, but I can see where the constant push to find your next blogging adventure can take its toll.
Cornelius Aesop recently posted..New Brew Tuesday: North Peak Brewing Co. – Nomad Dry Hard Cider
There are so many amazing places in South America, you will definitely want to indulge.
I just find myself feeling naked if I don’t have at least a camera with me at all times. I guess when you love what you do everyday is kind of a vacation.
Jonathan Look, Jr. recently posted..Road Trip to the Pacific Coast of Chiapas
I’m actually looking to downgrade my camera, my Canon 60D is a bit too bulky and heavy for what I need it for.
I need vacations from my vacation vacations. I’m awesome that way though. I often look forward to getting home too… for about 2 days. You are 100% justified… no need to explain!
Hogga recently posted..How Dan Watson Almost Died in Costa Rica
I believe that is called a detox? I may need one soon.
A well-deserved vacation! I remember when you were tweeting about it and me feeling envious
Micamyx|Senyorita recently posted..Tambobong Beach Getaway in Dasol, Pangasinan
Haha, it has been really great. I love taking all the little classes they have every day.
Such a cool vacation! I need one, too. Loreto looks like a good choice for fun in the sun.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Traveling with Flying Colors
Definitely an alternative to a typical beach all-inclusive, the sierra is beautiful.
Yay for vacation! I like that one of your salsa-ing. You look relaxed. Cute post!
I’m not a very good dancer but I really love to do it.
I LOVE vacation with you. Thanks for always being the person who wants to stay up later and drink more.
Rease recently posted..The Nature-Loving Lung Polluter and other Fun Encounters in Mexico
I know, I have not seemed to grow out of that…
Hopefully one day I’ll be able to have a vacation!
Erica recently posted..Omaha, Nebraska: King of Dive Bars?
Oh but your US road trip looks like so much fun!
It was a semi vacation but driving that many hours is quite taxing!
Erica recently posted..Hometown Tourism: Chicken Sh*t Bingo at Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon
I also get so exhausted being alone. Girls’ trips are the best!!
Abby recently posted..My Imperfect Paradise in Costa Rica
I really need to do more of them, Oaxaca in October?
Traveling definitely doesn’t always equate to a vacation.. in fact, probably most of the time it doesn’t! It’s nice to have a vacation every now and then, though.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car in Ireland
Absolutely, and it’s nice to not always make the decision of what to do. Friends can make them for you.
Vacation? What’s that!! Glad you got some time to chill out and enjoy yourself!! I love it when people say that I am always on vacation. They forget that just because I’m traveling doesn’t mean it is a vacation. Looking forward to when I am able to unplug and just BE for a few days!
Diana Edelman recently posted..Coming home
If I could travel nonstop and never blog again maybe that would be a vacation. I don’t think people realize how much time I spend working each day to travel.
Enjoy your vacation. Totally understand, and although I’m also more of an independent traveller, I did enjoy a week of resort bliss in Cuba, or a pampering stay at a design hotlel in Madeira. We all need our time-outs!!
Christina recently posted..Volunteer abroad: WWOOFing and other options
I would love to go to Cuba, I may try this year so I can see Havana before it changes.
Loving the aqua aerobics! I’ve always wanted to try that. Glad you’ve had a relaxing break. I’m just beginning to discover what it’s like constantly planning ahead and charging all my electronic devices! So far so good
Arianwen recently posted..First impressions of Bogota
It feels so good, like you really deserve the mid-morning pina colada afterwards…
I’m really beginning to like when people plan my vacation too. I like not having to think about it once in a while.
Christy recently posted..Why You Shouldn’t Learn Spanish in Argentina