My Journey to Traveling with May

That moment when you realize your brain is smoking because you have to get all the information out of it... yea that's me right now. 

I am going to attempt to do so without making you feel like you're on the upside, inside, outside, all sides ride in Willy Wonka's Factory. 

Let's Do This... 

Travel has changed my life. It has allowed me to meet so many amazing people and have some of the most informative and stimulating conversations. I have truly been able to see, live and thrive in cultures many people only dream of. 

This was a gradual process. I always knew I wanted to travel someday but I never put a time frame on it. Life had me occupied for a very long time. I was living what I thought was my best life. I then became the "responsible adult" I was supposed to be. 

I still viewed travel as a "one day I will" thing and not an "it's now or never". This definitely changed as I began to maintain being the "responsible adult". In being responsible I had to change my leisure activities, focus on school and building a career. I also learned I never wanted to live life with any regrets. I never wanted to be that seventy-something saying "I should have done...". 

As I fully embraced living with no regrets I began to interact with like-minded people. You know, other responsible adults who were focused on goals, careers and the future. They were from different walks of life with very different goals but all had one thing in common... they traveled. 

It was as if it was a sign to go for it. Well, my mom received her passport first and I must say I was green-eyed with envy. So, I applied for mine as well. Now, I will be honest and say it was not a fast decision as I would often spend my money for a passport on happy hours, night outs with the girls, or just food in general. I was a work in progress. 

Eventually, I decided I'm going to do this... and... I DID. 

One day while on break from work, I walked to the post office with my paperwork and an old passport photo from Jr. High School (thank baby Jesus I still looked exactly the same) and I stood on line and completed the process. 

I was nervous because the clerk told me my photo was too big for the box and they may reject it. I also had no idea they kept the birth certificate. Since I was being responsible I made a copy thinking they only wanted to see the original, but no. I kept the copy. The clerk informed me it will be returned with the passport. I felt a little better but still anxious. 

Weeks passed and I forgot about submitting the application. I come home to an envelope from the government and I'm so confused. I opened it and sighed with relief as my passport and birth certificate were inside.

Within one month I booked my first trip out of the country. It was my friends' birthday and she wanted to go away. I was ready to do this. I was introduced to Cheap Caribbean and I have been loyal to them ever since. 

She decided on Mexico, and like most Americans, I had the stereotypical view about the water and the crime. However, I was quickly informed it's safe and they have bottled water. 

I was so excited, I was also in great shape and ready to show it off. Mexico was so much fun. Every day was filled with laughs, alcohol and some great food. I also learned how much of a thrill-seeker I could be and it only increased with each trip. 

Mexico is cool. I've been there quite a few times now and it never disappoints me. 

I was proud of myself. I stepped outside of my version of normal and tried new things. 

I went to the Dominican Republic, not too long after this and I stayed at what is my favorite resort hands down (stay tuned for that post). The Dominican Republic was different for me and filled with thrill-seeking adventures. Take a look:

Inside the hotel room... yes please! 

Good food

Fried Ice Cream

Some Entertainment 

Jumped down there

See 

Climbing Out

I continued to be a "responsible adult" I was focused on school. Like really focused, almost obsessed with it. I then decided on my major and realized I want to see more than Mexico and DR, I wanted to see the world. I was offered an amazing opportunity to visit Italy. I would give up the majority of my spring break but I was going to Europe! 

I had no idea what to expect and that was the best part for me. I didn't allow myself to get stuck in a specific mindset about anything. 

I landed in Rome and I made the best of it. On that trip I learned some very important things:

I can never be afraid to explore on my own. 
I cannot allow other people to influence the outcome of my vacation.
I want to do this forever.

With this new found perspective I was convinced I needed to do all I can to be great. There were no limits on what I could do and how far I could go. 

Rome was truly a crossroads for me in terms of travel. I could have easily decided to just stay in the room and not explore more than what was required. I could have just stayed with the group the entire time and done only that. 

I wanted more. I wanted to see the real Rome, beyond the tourist spots and shopping areas. I wanted to explore life with the locals and I did just that! I was able to put my reservations to the side and go for it. It changed me, for the better and only solidified my desire to travel the world and get paid to do so. 

I learned the importance of currency exchange. It was a very fast lesson and easily implemented. 

TIP: When you are able to, use your bank or credit cards. Especially if you have a card that does not charge for an out of country purchase. Capital One is a great card for traveling. 

I would use my card, save my cash and make the payments on the card while I was there. So, it made spending money better because I would only use what I put on the card. When I returned I did NOT  have this astronomical amount of money owed. 

Rome ended all too soon and I was back to reality. I had over 1200 photos and I had to sort them. I got to relive my vacation. 

Side Note: Taking photos are super important. Sometimes you forget certain places or what the resort offered and how the food looked. Photos can allow you to remember those things. They also provide an opportunity to have those moments of nostalgia again. 

Rome really allowed me to desire more than a Caribbean vacation and truly explore countries, cities and towns like a native. It was my introduction into being okay with wandering and getting lost. 

I went back to being responsible and focusing on school. I started looking up vacations and figuring out how soon I could go to the next one. Well, I didn't wait too long I took my mom on a much needed and well-deserved vacation. It was perfect. We explored a little (she is not the thrill-seeking type) and relaxed a lot. It was also her first time out of the country and I was super excited to see her reaction to it all. 

As I kept traveling my desire only increased, so much so that I would return from vacation and within one week I was planning the next one. 

I learned some savvy tricks about shopping for flights and all-inclusive hotels. It was so exciting to gain all this knowledge that would allow me to get more for my money. I took five vacations in one year as a result. This was it, I was hooked and my passion was realized! 

I began to share my journeys via social media, I began to receive questions. A lot of questions. There were so many people who wanted to balance work, family and fun just like I did. It was a joy sharing my ups and downs and lessons learned. 

I decided I needed to share it with the world. I was sure there were so many people with the same questions, concerns and hesitation. I knew major blogs only shared some information and would ensure you pay or sign up to get more in depth content. I didn't want to do that. I also was scared to see/read the feedback on my blog. The Internet is not always nice but in posting on this blog and conversing with people about my blog I have gained a lot of confidence. 

I can only hope this blog helps you in your journey to see the world one destination at a time. 

Ok, those were my thoughts. I hope they helped you understand how I became a travel junkie and it inspires you to be responsible and go after your own passion. 

Until next time, 
Thanks for stopping by and Traveling with May 

Staycations Count Too!

A few weeks prior I decided to do a "Staycation", it was also for a very special person who recently completed a really tough process for a promotion. Ok, enough about that.

Let's Focus.

I decided since both of our schedules were a bit hectic and we didn't get to spend much time together it wouldn't be possible to go away for the weekend. However, we did share the same days off and that worked out perfectly.

I decided to book a hotel for one night and two days. Here's the deets on the digs and all things staycation:

The Neighborhood

Make sure the neighboorhood is far enough from where you live that you don't just want to go home or run into people from your town/city. The environment makes a huge difference. Try a town or city you may have visited for a special occasion and always wanted to explore.

You can also search Google or TimeOut to see what's happening in the area you are thinking of. It can give inspiration or solidify a decision to visit a place.

Or, you can pick the place depending on what the person or you like. I knew my person loves the unconventional, artsy and innovative design and relaxed environments. It was as easy as click, click pack and done.

It was in an extremely artsy neighborhood with everything in walking distance. There were amazing boutiques and restaurants nearby and it made for a beautiful afternoon stroll.

I stayed in the super trendy and relaxed in nature but vibrant with colors neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 

Transportation

The easiest way to feel like you're away is not to take your normal mode of transportation. It's really simple, if you drive, don't or if you take public transportation, don't. In my case, I decided to Uber everywhere. It wasn't super expensive and I was able to relax and enjoy the ride and the company of my person. 

Everything was in walking distance but we did uber to one location as we were running late (I took an extended nap... lol). 

We also took an Uber back home. It was a nice transition back into reality and it allowed the weekend to linger for just a few minutes longer. 


The Hotel

As described above it helps to know the person and even yourself. Small gestures make a huge difference such as the decor and vibe of the hotel. The hotel just was just perfect. When I viewed the photos online I immediately knew this was the place. It has everything I was looking for, it was a great balance of something for both of us. 

I booked online and was able to get a special promo to use in the hotel. Because, we like Free! and free isn't possible we like discounts and lots of them. I called the hotel to confirm the details and decide if it was really worth it. Once I calculated the difference with and without the promo and weighed the options it was totally worth it. 

We were able to receive an early check-in. The room was ready and we were ready to relax. The relaxation didn't last too long as we were hungry. 

Speaking of food, the promo is called Eat and Drink. Here are the deets:

Drinks
Two drink tickets for the rooftop bar... yes, please! The hotel only serves top shelf alcohol so it was a true win-win. 

Food
There was a credit to be used at the restaurant on the ground floor or the rooftop bar. The credit would be applied at checkout and deducted from the charges. 

We ate brunch and it was SOOOOOOOO GOOD! It made me so happy. I ate the crispy Bacalao with caper aioli, sage, and arugula salad. The food was well seasoned, and the greens were fresh and crisp.

Here are Some photos of the room:

:

The Fun Stuff

After a much-needed brunch, we decided to go out and explore. Although we have previously been to the neighborhood we never just took the time to stroll the streets and explore the neighborhood with no time restraints or reservations. 

We walked to our favorite Ice Cream parlor. After ice cream, we walked the street and stopped in a few stores to look around. We found a cool shoe store and well, let's just say our feet were very happy. We popped in a few more stores and did a decent amount of damage for the afternoon. 

While walking we saw A$AP Rocky and he was walking the neighborhood like everyone else. No one bothered him or asked for photos. It was refreshing to know everyone was in their own world but sharing the same space. 

We decided to skip the pier as we have been there so many times and wanted to explore some new additions to the neighborhood. If it is your first time in the neighborhood, don't skip the pier. I would recommend going in the evening as the sunset is awe-inspiring. 

In conjunction with my earlier statement about events in the neighborhood, make sure there are some things to do and/or explore. Pre-purchasing tickets will help and can allow you to plan the day better. 

You can also wander the streets and let the wind guide you through the day. That usually leads to the best "remember that time" stories.

We went back to the room and decided to just relax. After all, that's the point of the staycation. I definitely relaxed more as my quick nap turned into hours of sleeping hence the needed Uber mentioned earlier. 

We got to the movies and found good seats. We watched Sorry to Bother You and it was a very interesting discussion as we walked back to the hotel. 

The beautiful thing about the staycation is the night does not have to end. This particular neighborhood has a great nightlife. There are plenty of vibrant bars, underground music spots and art shows happening all the time. 

A quick search or random conversation with someone can lead to a fun-filled night. Hopefully, without a pounding headache the morning after. 

However, we ended the night in the room watching Harry Potter movies... 

It was the best weekend I had all summer, bar none. 

See staycations can be super fun, relaxing or the combination of both. They can be whatever you want them to be. It's great to be a tourist in a local city at a fraction of the cost of a booked flight, hotel and the time spent on airport security lines. 

Let me know where you decide to do a staycation in the comments. 

Thanks for stopping by and Traveling with May.

Longest Flight Ever

Once upon a time...

There was the longest flight ever.... here's the story behind my one-liner. 

The fall semester was coming to a close and everyone was gearing up for the holidays. It was finals week and of course, plenty of presentations (yay -_-). I was excited to have some days off and spend time with my family. 

As Christmas rapidly approached, I was excited as I knew one of my gifts was a five-piece luggage set. I specifically asked for this as I was preparing to travel for a few weeks. I knew I couldn't make the trip with my old suitcase and looked forward to breaking in the new one. 

Christmas passed and I was gearing up to head to JFK with my new suitcases. I had a flight in the morning to Tokyo and I couldn't be late. In the past, I would stay awake the night before my flight to sleep on the plane. I would also make sure to carry my melatonin depending on the length of the flight. It worked well and that was the plan this time. I decided to stay up for two days, I knew this would allow me to knock out as soon as I was situated in my seat on the plane. 

I arrived early at the airport and was waiting at the gate in no time. There was a small amount of traffic, people or lines at the airport. This was probably because most people were just waking up. As I sat at the gate I felt the excitement taking over the sleep. Mayday! This was not the plan. Maybe once I'm on the plane and relaxing.

Finally, they began to board the plane. 

I found my seat in Premium Economy, I was in the first row of the section which worked out perfectly. I was able to put my seat back and my bags in front of me and stretch out to sleep. Not, that it happened right away. Once the plane was fully boarded and the door was closed, we went through standard airline safety videos and information. This was done in Japanese first then English. 

As the plane taxied down the runway I was so excited. I actually stayed awake for about an hour after take off. I read through my landing instructions and meetings points. I listened to some music and tried to relax. It didn't work. So, I did what any normal person would, I took a Benadryl and drank some red wine. (Ok, maybe most people wouldn't do this)

Then, it happened. I went to sleep! I slept for seven hours, it was so good. I felt comfortable and I was given extra pillows prior to taking off. The front seat really allowed me to get some quality sleep. 

I woke once to eat as the aroma woke me. Sleep or not food wins every time. The meal was delicious. It was well seasoned and I would even say restaurant worthy. I was quite impressed. 

 

Chicken with rice and vegetables, fruit, meat and cheese, salad and soup with bread and butter

The food was so good, it put me right back to sleep. In fact, I'm pretty sure I fell asleep before they came to collect the trays. 

I woke several hours later, quite rested and a little hungry. As it turns out, I woke up just in time for meal number two. So far, this flight is going pretty well. 

The second meal was just as delicious...

Vegetable soup with bread, yogurt, and fruit

The food was such a delicious surprise. If this was any indication of what was to come I was ready to eat it all. Of course, there was another nap after the meal. 

Then, finally, I was awake. I felt well rested and in dire need of the lavatory. The bathroom was quite spacious I was surprised. It was not one of those cramped and smelly spaces that almost made you want to hold it. It was clean and smelled like Febreze Air Freshener, the Hawaiian can. After a quick brush and face wash, I was ready to endure the rest of the flight. 

As I get back to my seat I look at the trip status in the Television. It read '6:00 hours until landing'. There was no way I only slept for a little over six hours! I thought I would have slept longer since I stayed up for two days. What am I going to do for six hours???

I decided to listen to some music and have some snacks. There were plenty of snacks available on the plane. Oh, and the wine was in abundance as well. It was quite the combination and I was grateful. 

I listened to my music and tried to watch some Television. It definitely ended up watching me. I then decided to get some work done. I had all this time and there was no way I wanted to stare at the wall for six hours. 

I ended up dozing off, again, this time I didn't wake to any food. I woke to the lights and the sun shining through the window. It was just perfect. I sat and peered out the window for a while. Then decided to make this trip worth every minute. 

I began to read for a while and eventually, in what seemed like an eternity the announcement came on the plane was beginning the descent. I totally shouted "Hallelujah" in my head and began to put away all my things. I ensured my phone was charged and I was comfortable. 

After a while, the plane began to tilt and we were turning in the direction of the Narita International Airport. As Japan came into view I was stuck. I couldn't help but stare at such an awesome city. It was just... wow. 

The plane continued its descent and eventually, I experienced, what is until this day, the smoothest landing ever! 

Seriously, the Japanese have it all figured out. This was only the flight, I couldn't wait to plant my feet and start exploring. 

It was The Longest Flight Ever... but worth every moment. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

Thanks for stopping by and Traveling with May

Quebec Check

One of the amazing things about the internet is you can go anywhere. Literally. Anywhere, in the world. No, I don't mean on google maps. I mean via other people, you can see their pictures, videos and read about their experiences. It gives you a sense of travel without leaving the comfort of your couch.

There is this AMAZING blog, thesophisticatedlife, by Nadeen that allows you to truly feel as though you're there with her. The blog is broken up into travel, food, wine and Atlanta. It's quite refreshing and enlightening.

There was a recent post about a trip to Quebec, Canada. It is very informative and includes some beautiful photographs. 

Now, I'll be honest, Quebec or any other part of Canada has never been on my 'places to travel' list. However, after reading this, it definitely is. The blog provides insight on 15 things I probably would've never paid attention to. 

The blog explains the details of Quebec, the city, province and its historic language. Nadeen, the blog owner, truly takes the time to help you understand the history behind the language and how it translates into the language spoken today. 

Then she moves into the food, oh yea! As any traveler would tell you travel and food are definitely brother and sister. I know some people who only travel places based on the food because it's an adventure in and of itself. 

thesophisticatedlife explains the maple syrup and Poutine love affair in Quebec. Poutine is a well known and often imitated dish by many places in Canada and the United States. It's an interesting combination of three ingredients. Wondering what it's like? You can totally check out the blog here to see what she thinks. 

There are also plenty of Irish Pubs in the area due to the Irish history in Quebec. She does go into some detail on the history and how it has been implemented in the culture. 

I appreciate the insight on the pubs because good beer and drinks are definitely key to any vacation. 

This blog entry provides very well rounded insight on Quebec, Canada and all the exciting things to do, big or small. 

Like steps, there are plenty of steps to climb in Quebec. If anyone has climbed the steps of St. Peter's Basillica in Rome you know how much the view at the top is worth the climb. Quebec views do not disappoint. 

I love that this blog is all inclusive it really provides an in-depth look at the culture, food and history of Quebec and makes you feel as though you are there. Nadeen does an amazing job explaining the details. 

This blog is 15 Fun Facts about Quebec, Canada. I don't know about you but I'm ready to book a flight. 

And in case my blog is enough... totally checkout thesophisticatedlife to see for yourself! 

Thanks for stopping by and Traveling with May
  

Mexican Secrets... Tell Every One!

I recently went to Mexico, again, with my mom. This was part of her Mother's Day gift and an opportunity to bond, get out of the city but mostly, just relax.

I've been to Mexico quite a few times, usually it's for a celebration or event. I never go to unwind, there's always so much to do and see. However, I decided this time, I'm going to just relax, literally, do nothing. Best. Decision. Ever.

In doing this, I was able to fully explore what the hotel had to offer. I was able to see if they meet the expectations set on the website and travel sites. 

I stayed at the Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun, Mexico. I know, when you think of Cancun, relax does not come to mind, but it was actually very peaceful. Let me explain why...

The Hotel
The resort is located at the end of the island, literally, and it's so quiet. There is about a 15 minute drive to the resort once you enter the grounds. Which screams privacy and I loved it!

The check-in process is standard and includes a glass of champagne for all guest and cool hand towels. 

The room included a private pool, also known as a swim-out, with central air that can be controlled by the occupants. The TV offered a wide variety of shows, in English, Spanish and Italian. I personally kept it on the music station, because hotel rooms are made for dancing! 

The bathroom was gorgeous, there was a jacuzzi tub, walk in shower, dual sinks with lighted mirrors and a basket of toiletries (replenished daily). 


The Food
Of course, one of the benefits of vacation is eating, everything! I totally did that and then some. There were seven restaurants on the resort offering everything from Sushi to Indian food. 

I ate at each restaurant during our stay, whether for lunch or dinner or two dinners. The food was soooo delicious! During the afternoon there is a pop-up restaurant of sorts by the pool. They offer paella, grilled seafood, chicken, steak, plenty of salads, veggies and cucumber lime water. The water was so refreshing.

I loved watching them cook the food in front of me and taking in the aroma of seasonings, it was heaven for my tastebuds. 

The best part about the food is... there's more! Yes, that's right. The resort offers access to the hotel next door for meals as well. And they were just as tasty and accommodating. 

The Fun Stuff
Now, for the section we've all been waiting for... the fun stuff.

The resort offers plenty of activities throughout the day, if you can leave the beautiful beach or the cool pool. There are water aerobics, salsa classes, painting sessions, traditional Mayan ceremonies, and of course water sports. The jet skis were in full throttle throughout the vacation.

There is a beautiful spa that can be accessed daily. There is an offer for packages at check in and an opportunity to utilize the coupons for the resort for various services. We had massages, and yes it was the best part of my day. (This service is additional to the booking price.)

Oh, there is a movie theater on the resort and they offer nightly shows filled with live music, fire shows and other performing acts.

The hotel truly offers something for everyone and the best part is you can access the resort next door as well for even more things to do. 

The resort next door offers amazing activities, including a water park, and two lazy rivers. There are two water slides that are quite high, but just enough to get the rush you need before splashing into the water. 

Wrap Up
The staff is super friendly and very accommodating. There was nothing I needed but whatever I wanted it was by my side in less than five minutes. They allow you to feel as though you are being waited on hand and foot and it is much appreciated, especially, when that is the goal. 

It's truly a good time... and did I mention it was All-Inclusive! 

If anyone is seeking a great way to unwind in Cancun, Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort is definitely the way to go. 

Mommy Views 

I hope you check it out for yourself and Travel with May as you do!