Vacation – HIKES & HAMSTRINGS

How do you pack for an all-inclusive vacation? — What do I REALLY need for a short one-week vacation to a tropical destination??

So what exactly should you pack for an all-inclusive vacation to Mexico, Cuba, or any of those one-week destinations that North Americans flock to during winter months?

This is the question I asked myself prior to my recent trip to Mexico. I usually forget what I pack for vacations and find myself spending far too long deciding whether or not those shoes that I never wear in my day-to-day life will finally come in handy on the beach, or if I should bring that icebreaker sweater to a 30 degree location “just in case”. Should I bring something nice for those nights out or fancy dinners, or keep it casual? I decided I would jot down everything I brought to Mexico along with a note whether or not I used it. Also, as I’m trying to minimize the stuff I bring while travelling, the rule was to pack everything in a carry-on only pack, with a small day pack for the plane or day excursions off the resort. To give you some ideas, here’s what I packed. Obviously it’s from a male-minimalist-who-can’t-seem-to-minimize-his-packing point of view…

Continue reading “Packing for an All-inclusive Vacation”

Sunrise from the summit of Haleakala. Image courtesy of M - Pics / FreeDigitalPhotos.net — Sunrise from the summit of Haleakala. Image courtesy of M – Pics / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So by this time next week Robbie and I will be in Maui. To say that this is a needed escape is an understatement. I don’t like to think of vacations as escapes, as it makes me ponder the current status quo and why I need an escape. If I need to escape, then maybe I need to redesign my life so I’m not always yearning for an escape. Hmm. Regardless, I’ve had a few motivational setbacks in the last few months, which I’ve concluded are due to too many projects and interests on the go at the same time. The result? I can’t seem to focus on just one thing! I know, the woes of having too many things to do. Also, I’ll acknowledge this Canadian winter as one of eternal cold and the abyss called the Polar Vortex, which has managed to stretch and contort the feel of winter beyond what I’m used to.

The plan is to fly into the Kahului airport on Wednesday night, pick up our compact car, get supplies at Costco (I hear this is a MUST in order to keep costs down), and then proceed to our ocean-view condo. And then for 11 nights, we plan on… well… Continue reading “Maui: A Needed Escape”