3 posts from January 2008

Our first impulse after a heart-wrenching breakup is to go away and be alone.

Whatever the reasons were for the breakup, there's a point we want to get away from it all and be just alone.

I remember when my boyfriend of four years broke up with me for reasons for which I only fully understood recently, the emotions were so high that I made quiet a scene at our once favorite coffee shop. After that, I wasn't able to go that coffee shop for a week. My boss, who was so sympathetic to my situation, having went to a divorce herself months before my breakup, booked me a reservation at a hotel at a place where until now I am truly most greatful for.

1.  Kona, Hawaii

I know, this may sound your average getaway. But this was actually the place where I spent three days and two nights in solitude after that almost public breakup. Okay, it was a public breakup. I stayed at a five-star hotel along Kona and what was good about Hawaii are the dances and traditions the locals practice. The locals are very friendly and very wise. Life there was so simple and they don't long for the finer things in life but rather work for inner peace. 

2.  Bali, Indonesia

My boss was the one who went to this place. She stayed at a private villa which she was able to enjoy by herself through an online bidding at luxurylink.com.  The Balinese food served there according to her was so good and coined it as "food for the soul". 

3. Victoria, Australia

Now, my neighbor, who came through a breakup with her life partner , was the one who recommended this place.  There are a lot of ancestral houses here and the "country living effect" definitely can get your emotions all perked up.

4.  Cape Town, South Africa

My sister, who also went through a divorce three years ago, escaped to a private villa in Cape Town after a bitter custody battle.  Her former hisband was kind of stalkering her so she decided to go to another continent.  The villa was situated in a farm and was miles away from the city.

5.  Antigua, Guatamela

My colleague at work was the one who recommended this place after her boyfriend dumped her for a younger woman.  Attested the spectacular views of the volcanoes.

Go somewhere you and your ex haven't been to
Key is to go someplace where your ex doesn't know. Also, going to a place you two have never been when you were together will help you in brushing out the memories.  Ironic thing was, I have always insisted with my ex to go to Hawaii when we were together but he wasn't the traveling type. He preferred playing poker with his buddies every friday night when there's no special occasion for us.

The bitterness is gone now.  I have let go and moved on.  Tears are non-existent when it comes to his memory. Hopefully, he should have as well.

If toothpaste endorsers can have their teeth insured, there’s no reason why we can’t insure our trips.

Traveling, no matter where, can be considered a luxury. But in traveling we are also risking our lives and our money.  So, what’s the saving grace? Get a travel insurance.

Basically, a travel insurance covers medical emergencies, accidental deaths, trip cancellation, departure delays, loss of travel documents and personal belongings, assistance on legal issues while on the trip, and damages to rental cars.

A travel insurance can be or rather, should be arranged as early as making a booking. Also, they come in packages such as travel insurance for students, business persons, leisure travelers, adventurers, cruise-lovers, and out-of-country jetsetters and for families. 

But you may ask, doesn't a travel insurance take away the risk factor of traveling?  This is totally understandable for adventure seekers who travel to the dangerous, hidden places on this globe to explore and experience the unknown.  But think about it, if we truly to travel, a travel insurance can a factor in keeping us alive for our next adventure.

A travel insurance exists for these three reasons:

1.  to safeguard for your financial investment
2.  to shield against the unexpected situations
3.  to put your mind at ease

Safety first
Though I consider myself as somewhat too carefree for my own good, with seven lost credit cards during my out of country in my record, three stitches during my beach vacation in Cancun, I can definitely get secured with a travel insurance. 

I’m not one of those who can afford to go on a luxury travel because I feel bum, or  I need a tan.  I went on a luxury travel because I got quite a big amount of bonus two years ago.  Almost all of my lifetime savings went to that luxury travel in Cancun, Mexico.

One-time luxury travel diva

But I must admit, going on a luxury travel unleashed the diva in me.  I was with my friend, Sandy and we just turned single two weeks before that so bitterness and vengeance were part of our luxury travel baggage, so to speak.  

For the first time in my life, I purchased a first-class ticket, perused three hot towels during the flight, consumed five glasses of champagne, and called the flight attendant seven times during the whole trip.  But take note, I added the word, please, every time I asked for him.  

As we arrived at the hotel,  I asked immediately that food be brought to our room after we have settled in. Also asked for the pillow sheets to be changed, thrice.  Went for a Brazilian wax for but settled for a massage instead which resulted in asking the most sought-after massage therapist in that spa to report for work two hours before her actual working hours.  I know, it all seemed diva-like and somewhat cruel.  But you know what, they were really accommodating and it was like they seem to enjoy more in serving the most demanding customers.

But after I realized that I went above my spending limit after I swiped my card for a pina collada, the heavens turned gray and I was numb for almost five minutes.  Good thing Sandy was the frugal one, she turned out to be my luxury travel savior.  

Having the privileges really changed my attitude that time.  But, for the first time in my life, I was able to feel liberated.  That I don’t have to think a thousand times on how to spend a hundred dollars.  During that luxury travel escapade, I didn’t have to be torn between buying a scarf or buying groceries that will last until next pay day.

Going on a luxury travel gives one a feeling of freedom and carelessness.  Especially if you have really worked your hardest and that hard work gave you the resources to pamper yourself in an expensive way.  When you have the money, you do have a certain power.  But don’t abuse it.  I didn’t. Did I?

As I went home after that luxury travel adventure, it made me feel like I had the time of my life. I went back to my old self again, the luxury travel diva will not be making an appearance in a long time. Hey, only human here,  we all deserve to let the inner divas out once in a while.  

I don’t know when will I ever go into another luxury travel. Have to save again and be my own spending auditor.  But then again,  I will  have one again. I have to. I want to.