Vacation Anyone?

[Bjun]

My last vacation was 10 months ago and I find myself daydreaming more and more of where I want to go and what I want to do once the pandemic is over. I can feel the exhaustion even when working from home.

Studies have shown that taking a vacation improves both our physical and mental health. Taking a break from our jobs may lower our stress, lessen the risk of heart disease, improve our outlook in life and motivate us to achieve our goals.

The good thing is that just planning a trip could help boost our mental health. Let’s take a virtual vacation: where would you go and/or what would you do if there is no pandemic?

[jcoppi29]

I'm already in a binge of virtual vacations through the many games I play that has nice sights, lots of running and jumping, and relaxing sounds -- though, nothing beats the real thing. My last was also around 10 months ago, and at this point, how I wish I took that one vacation for a whole month lmao.

These days, I'm just really into gaming with nice atmospherics, and occassional nostalgia binging by recalling the normal times. I'd probably be in a beach, catching shrimps at night with the locals for a sense of adventure.

[Bjun]

jcoppi29 That indeed sounds like a dream. A month-long vacation at the beach. Hopefully, you can do this next year.

I would like to try shrimp hunting but I rarely go to the beach at night. Something about the dark and the sea scares me. I've helped some fishermen before with their catch though, just waited for them at the shore or helped them pull their nets. It was mainly so I can free the fishes too small to be eaten. hahahah

We also have squid season here and they are very small and transparent so you really can't see them but a lot gets washed up on the shore. We use our baggy shirts to scoop them up. I've seen some guys eat the baby squids raw, just pull the head, wash the body with sea water and eat it. I've never tried it though.

[Bjun]

Gerhard Something to look forward to after this pandemic then - to go fishing! There are restaurants where you can fish for your lunch but I sometimes only get the small ones I had to set them free again.

Fishing reminds me of my brother: everytime we go for a swim, he would take his fishing gear with him. He never caught anything though. We would go snorkling to know where the big fishes are but I guess he's just not very good at it. One time he came home with catch: small fishes, crablets, shrimps and shells. His wife made a soup out of it. Fun times.

[jcoppi29]

@bjun

At the time, I was batshit scared of the dark see too, but since it was shallow and I was shooting a video for a project of mine that time, I had to face my fears, and it was surprisingly exhilarating -- a break from a comfort zone while aiming for relaxation lmao.

[mjmnl]

Last year, I've planned and booked my trips for 2020. I was able to go to Taipei this January. And now, all my other bookings are already cancelled because of the pandemic. It's heartbreaking that everything got postponed. We just have to be safe for now and prepare for our next possible vacation.

You're right, planning a trip helps improve our mental health but it doesn't apply to everyone. Haha! Some people just hate planning because of different reasons including the pressure of organizing everything in a short period of time and budgeting for the whole trip. However, since a lot of places are still in lockdown, we can probably travel normally next year or the year after that which gives us more time to plan and save up. It easily removes the stress associated with planning the trips.

If there's no pandemic, I'd be roaming around the streets of Queenstown, New Zealand. I've been saving up and planning this trip since a year ago.

[Bjun]

mjmnl Oh, wow! That would've been such a wonderful experience. I heard NZ is such a beautiful and picturesque country.

I do get stressed about planning trips and never really planned the trips that I've taken. Most of the places I've been to was just because I saw one thing I liked on IG or on a documentary and I would just book the tickets and backpacking hostels and hoped for the best. It was fun but the lack of planning really stressed my husband when we started travelling together so he takes care of the planning now. xD

[mjmnl]

At least there's someone responsible for planning your travels now. Haha! As much as my boyfriend wants to help with planning, he just doesn't know how and where to start. So I just end up planning everything. Sometimes, I also opt for spontaneous trips like you. It's very raw, you get to try living like a local and end up learning more about that place, people, and culture.

[Kamille]

If I could go anywhere, I'd fly to Ireland. I've always been interested in their country's history. I've been dreaming of doing cartwheels down the hills filled with colorful lupins, and see centuries old stone walls and castles and all its many secrets, and drink authentic Irish beer in an Irish pub, and a whole lot more.

When my sister moved to New Zealand, my nerd self was screaming when she sent me photos of their hobbit town tour. We were planning to visit them by the end of this year but then the pandemic has other plans. Right now, I'd settle for a day at the beach with the waves crashing on my toes.

[Bjun]

Kamille When I was young, my aunt got married in Ireland and my parents attended her wedding. The only thing I remember from the photos was that it was really gloomy there. I remembered they went to the Giant's Causeway and I asked if they can swim there. I was surprised when they told me it was too cold. I was too young to comprehend that other places have beaches without the sand and sun. I was also told they rarely have rice during meals. I thought everyone ate rice back then and this really discouraged me from going there. hahaha

Thank you for this. Might have to read up about Irelad and see if I'll change my mind about wanting to go there.

[Kamille]

Bjun Wow! a wedding in Ireland! Must be nice!
If you are looking for beautiful beaches, I think Philippines has the most beautiful ones. I know you've heard this before but Boracay really is like a slice of paradise, and Cebu is a really good diving spot. Just plan your trip during off peaks so it wouldn't be too crowded.

[Skye]

I can understand why you would want to go to Ireland.

Being a sucker for historical romance novels, I'd probably go with you there. And make a trip to Scotland too!

[Gerhard]

What might be a fun activity to do while on vacation or to do in view of Covid-19? It would've been fun if it was a zombie apocalypse. At least one can see what to avoid rather than this darn virus which is invisible.

[Kamille]

You're right, it's harder to fight off an invisible virus, but I'm also not yet ready for zombies either. I'm making a mental note to get back on my cardio just in case

[Bjun]

Gerhard A zombie apocalypse is just too extreme. With the virus, at least we can prevent the spread of infection simply by washing our hands, using disinfectant and wearing masks. With a zombie apocalypse, you simply have to run faster than the zombies to not get bitten, I guess.

I'm surviving the pandemic, not so sure I will survive a zombie apocalypse..hahahah

[Lou]

Oh my! I would love to be able to go anywhere after this pandemic is done. I always loved the beach as I grew up in the province, near the beach. Literally near the beach, hahaha. I am not much of a traveler, but man, this quarantine makes me want to travel here and there. It would be nice to see my relatives again and meet new people along the way. I miss the usual things we do before like watching movies, mailing, going to church, and eating out

[Bjun]

Lou The beach seems to be quite a popular choice for travel. I live close to the beach as well and realised I've taken that for granted. I can totally relate about seeing relatives again. Our eldest brother's family lives about 3hrs away from us and we couldn't even go visit them. We used to see them every few weeks and now we just settle for video calls. I'm really looking forward to the day we can travel freely again.

[Kamille]

I too grew up near the beach and it has always been my happy place. We used to visit my hometown every few weeks and my kids loved the beach too. When the pandemic started, my parents moved to our other house on a farm as it has less busier streets and much safer for elderlies to stay. We still visit the house, but the beach is still closed for kids. I would have soaked up more and laid on the sand more with them if I knew there'd be a pandemic.

[Skye]

Sun, sea, sand and surf... and no kids. I need a break from them. Even a staycation is great as long as they are taken off my hands. Even just a weekend without them.

[Skye]

That would be perfect, kdy. Sun, sea, sand, surf, and sleep. Heaven on earth.

[jcoppi29]

This is why I'm glad I don't have kids, nor am I planning to have any. I think I'm fine with adopting stray dogs or pets, but having kids of my own, really a big no no for me considering current global events. lmao

[Bjun]

Skye I don't have kids but I can somehow relate to this as my brother left my nieces with us as he and his wife couldn't work from home. I used to see them only every weekend but now, we only get a break from them during the weekend. It's been a struggle keeping my youngest niece occupied so she wouldn'tl interrupt work.

But honestly, when I think about vacations, I think of spending it with them still. All of us needed a break from our monotonous lives.

[Skye]

Why do I keep coming back to this post? I want to go on vacation. Now. Does anyone know how to teleport?

[mjmnl]

My friends abroad (specifically my friends from Macau, Vietnam, South Korea, and Thailand) also post their daily lives on different social media platforms. Social gathering is already allowed in their country. Some of them don't have to wear masks anymore but they still feel safe. I feel happy for them for being able to win the battle against this virus but I can't stop myself from getting envious. I hope we can survive this pandemic soon too.

[Bjun]

Skye No, I haven't really seen news about Taiwan but I heard NZ has won the fight against COVID. So true about policies being backed by science. It's so tiresome when politics come first even during a pandemic.

[Kamille]

You're right, Bjun NZ has been back to how they were pre-Covid. My sister is in NZ and she said it seems like Covid never existed from where they are. I think its mostly because NZ is more populated by cows than human that it was easier for them to prevent the spread of the virus. I wish it will be the same for us here soon.

[kdy]

I love travelling. My last travel was June of last year. I promised myself I'd travel every year. The stars this year do not agree with me though. Although I really am glad I was able to go to the beach before the lockdown.

I read "The Historian" several years ago, and it has piqued my interest in Dracula. Since then I have wanted to go to Romania and Budapest. Maybe if I can save more this year and the next, then I can really go and travel to these places in 2022.

Btw, this is just me making my own travel goals. But let's see

[Bjun]

kdy Nothing's impossible. I also aimed to travel every year and I didn't really get a vacation before the lockdown. Budapest and Romania, I'll have to check that as well. When I think of Dracula, I think of old castles and that's something I'd definitely be intested in.

I'm hoping to go see the Sagrada Familia next year, if I'm lucky and travel restrictions are lifted.

[Gerhard]

Who has plans for Christmas vacation? A quite secluded beach sounds about nice this time of the year. Covid-free and cheap from all of the cancelled bookings or closed hotels/resorts.

[kdy]

I booked a reservation in one of the resorts in a nearby town, but I told them to let me know as soon as they receive more bookings for the same date. unfortunately, they did call to tell me that another group was also making a reservation. So here I am, scouring Airbnb for private homes with pools (chlorinated pools), so I can bring my kids out.

[Skye]

My family and I are going camping! Found a place that allows such. Kids are allowed. Pets are allowed. So far so good. I just hope they do not close borders again.

[Bjun]

Kamille I totally agree with you. Although I couldn't remember a time where my family spent Christmas on a beach or anywhere else other than our home. The home is like a magnet that draws everyone together during the holiday season.

[Lou]

It would be nice to be able to go out again as a family. It's been months since the pandemic and we all deserve a break and a breath of fresh air. A trip to the beach would be nice. However, since the pandemic is still here, I am not confident about traveling this year. I have kids and I'd rather stay home to keep my family safe. Soon, we will all be able to travel again. Keeping my fingers crossed 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾

[Skye]

I do miss travelling with family. I also share your concern to stay home and keep the family safe.

[Kamille]

Same here Lou. I booked a family adventure package for the holidays but then I saw the news that a lot of people are partying at the beach without masks on and I just need to cancel. No way am I going to risk my kids' health for a few days of vacation.

[Lou]

I just dreamt about the beach in my hometown last night! I guess I really miss going out this much already. Sigh! I hope this pandemic ends soon!

[Lou]

The year 2020 has been such a tragedy especially for my family😪. But I'm still hoping for better days to come 💖💖💖

[mjmnl]

Sorry to hear that, Lou. We all had a crazy ride last 2020 and some are still continuing until this year. Other people have worse experiences and some were able to thrive even during the pandemic. For me, I consider myself blessed for the fact that my family is still in better shape and my parents are finally vaccinated. I hope you find better days sooner!

[Kamille]

Lou I hope your situation has gotten better. Last year was devastating to some more than others, but I am hoping things are starting to get better for you and your family. Better days will surely come and I hope you and your family have surpassed the worst.

[mjmnl]

International travels have resumed in most countries. Fully vaccinated people are the ones enjoying it with lesser requirements and sometimes, they don't even need to do quarantine. Can't wait to finally receive my second dose and plan local or international travel for our small family. How about you guys? Any plans?

[Kamille]

We already started traveling locally. We are still scared to book international travels because of the virus, and also to avoid the ton of documents other countries require for tourists. Still, so glad we can finally go to the beach!

[mjmnl]

So nice to finally feel some sense of normalcy in our country. I just hope the cases stay as low as it is even with the arrival of the Omicron variant. My family and relatives have booked and gone to the beach multiple times too leaving me so jealous but happy for them nevertheless. Unfortunately, I can't go due to personal reason.