Tuesday, November 23, 2010

don't hate us for going someplace tropical while you all shiver in the cold

In a few short days, Peter and I will be packing up our crazy crew and heading HERE (you HAVE to click the link!!), to the Royal Sea Aquarium Resorts in Willemstad, Curaçao, an island in the southern Caribbean. 

Can I repeat that last bit??

AN ISLAND IN THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN.

Peter and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary this year... Liam is almost 7 1/2 (*small faint*)... and this will be OUR FIRST family vacation. OUR FIRST. We are far too practical with our money to take fancy vacations. We do sensible things like pay off debt, make extra car payments, or build beautiful, massive, yet-to-be-blogged decks... only to move to another hemisphere a few months later. Any "vacations" we took were back west to Regina (not exactly a sought after holiday destination), or were of the fun-yet-frugal camping variety.

Thankfully, one of the perks of being a Canadian diplomat posted overseas to a somewhat/potentially volatile place like Colombia, is that the government pays for one trip back to Canada each year. More accurately, they give us the equivalent amount of money to spend on travel expenses, etc, during the year. And, and, AND... THEY MAKE US SPEND IT ON TRAVEL. They force us to go against every penny-pinching, money-saving bone in our bodies and actually take a trip (with receipts required to claim all the travel related expenses).

While we could have used the money for a trip back to Canada, for Christmas or some other obvious holiday, the constant reports of inches upon inches of snow and -40 degree windchills make this look preeeeetty good.

Curacao Impressions

2007-08 (Curacao) 181

Playa Porto Marie, Curaçao

Am I right? YES, I AM.

So when the blog is soon-to-be-filled with picture after picture of palm trees, turquoise seas, pristine beaches AND THE DOLPHIN ACADEMY RIGHT NEXT TO OUR HOTEL, please don't hate us. Remember, it's our first family vacation EVER. 

Can you tell we're excited?

(And sort of really desperately hoping that the lower altitude and massive doses of Vitamin D will help alleviate some of this morning sickness?? Am 12w 1d today and current weight loss is 14lbs... *sigh*)

11 comments:

  1. *sob* Enjoy! It's addictive.
    I am so not happy that I can't convince hubby to go south this winter. I think I'll remind him of that decision EVERY DAY this winter *g*

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  2. I WANT TO GO THERE WITH YOU!!!
    :) I am really happy for you!( Ans a bit jealous...) Enjoy! xox
    Elise

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  3. That's so great Amy!!! I am jealous!! It is so cold and today, just to make it better...our furnace decided to quit!! brrrrr....
    Looking forward to your pictures and hoping I can warm up by looking at them!!
    xoxo

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  4. Jealous possibly, hate NEVER! You guys are going to enjoy this so much. For my work I have traveled to Aruba (next door to Curacao) and the beaches are AMAZING. You will love it! I hope the weather is perfect the whole time you are there! That sting of islands (Dutch Antilles) is known for their low annual rain fall so I am sure it will make up for all the rain you are getting in Bogota :) I can't wait to see all the photos!

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  5. Good for you. Enjoy your getaway :)

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  6. excited for you, but also a lovely shade of envy green.

    have a fabulous time!

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  7. Sounds like fun and a well deserved vacation!! Looking forward to hearing how much fun the family has!!! ENJOY!!!!!! Hugs, A. Dianne

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  8. Yay! Enjoy your well deserved vacation. Who could blame you for skipping out on the Bogota rain (my brother is working for an NGO there right now so I get daily reports) and the ridiculously cold and snowy weather in Western Canada?!?!

    Have fun!!!

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  9. We DON'T hate you and are THIRLLED that you have this wonderful opportunity for your family!! Sometimes we have to have the blessings FORCED on us in order to actually take them....:) Have an AWESOME time!!

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  10. Sounds and looks amazing!!! Have a fantastic time!!!! I hope you feel 100% for the trip and really get to enjoy it. Love you guys! We'll be in Calgary this Christmas wearing layers, lol.
    -Sara

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  11. Wow! Looks like it will be a great time!

    Maybe our use of the word is different here.... why does camping not count as a vacation?

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