I spent spring break unplugged. We flew to Miami, then to Puerto Rico where we boarded Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas and headed out for a week filled with sun-drenched fun. Once we got to Puerto Rico, as expected, the internet connection was gone. Done.
Other than a brief flirtation with a signal in St. Croix, it was no TV, no internet. Just lots of adventure, relaxation and family fun. Unplugging has its advantages:
Being present. No distractions. We just soaked in the beauty of the islands.
Not comparing oneself to others. Need I say more?
No FOMO. I didn’t fear missing out on anything. Heck I was in paradise, I really didn’t think about anything else.
Flesh and blood contact. It was great to spend undistracted quality time with The Caveman and kids. It was also really nice to meet some wonderful people, many who checked out of their old lives to follow their passion. We met some pretty amazing endurance and adventure athletes and there was plenty of talk about distance running, endurance sports and my upcoming tri.
More productive use of time. Face it the internet is a time suck. Not being on it freed up SO much time.
Ok now for some trip highlights:
This was our home away from home for the week.
This was my first time snorkeling. Ever. Until now I’d been way too scared to go in water that was over my head. Even with a floaty. Chalk it up to learning to swim, I was much more confident in the water this time around. The fish were beautiful. Best of all they didn’t touch me….as far as I know.
Thing 2 discovered a new-found talent as a catamaran captain in Antigua.
Since ziplining was such a hit with the kids in Alaska, we did it again in St. Lucia. The rainforest was lush and gorgeous. There was one “death drop” I didn’t particularly appreciate, but I survived so it’s all good.
I mentioned over on the MHS Facebook page I’d taken a lover. Yes, it’s the kayak. I fell for it hard in Alaska and this time around we took a sea kayak and snorkel trip in St. Marten that was out of this world. Oh how I love the rhythm and peacefulness of the kayak. I need one. NEED. Would you believe I didn’t get a single kayak pic? That’s what happens when tipping over is a real possibility I guess. There was also biking and hiking and rapelling. Oh and shopping and eating. One can’t live on adventure alone. I may say I’m going to kick back with an umbrella drink, but I’m an adventure kind of girl thru and thru.
Do you unplug on vacation? On a regular basis? What’s your ideal getaway?
PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We all need to do this & going a place you can’t connect makes it easy! I think even when we go on vacation, the lure is there with a connection. Man oh man I am jealous! 🙂 Good for you & you deserve it! AMAZING PICS!!!!!
Being present is hard to do but oh so important!
I LOVE it!! I have been scoping vaca packages lately. I think clear blue water and lush rainforests are in order. I guess I better go and check out those packages 🙂
Looks gorgeous!! I’m glad you had a wonderful vacation and got to unplug for awhile! We need to unplug more often while at home, but we definitely try to while on vacation. It is easier when you are on a cruise that forces you to do so (which we did on our honeymoon) or in Canada!
Sounds and looks like an awesome trip! What’s zip-lining without one good “death drop” anyway! 🙂
Your pictures look so wonderful! I am glad you got away AND unplugged. I absolutely love to do it and love when we take a trip that forces it upon us. I actually have a hard time getting back in the groove after!
Kayaks are so much fun!
Looks like you had an amazing trip! You are right- unplugging is SO important! I hope you are feeling refreshed:)
Looks like the perfect vacation to me! We went on our first cruise last year and I’m hooked! Unplugging is so very important for all of the reasons you mentioned. Glad you had such a good time!
I am guilty of not fully unplugging on vacations. I still always have my phone on me. I need to do this at least ONCE when we travel.
Seriously, you fell in love with kayaking too? Hello, my friend, guess what we’re going to do this summer….
I’m so glad that you had a forced unplug and were able to enjoy all aspects of your vacation!!!
I keep telling Chris that I want a kayak for Mother’s Day for the lake here – I think he think I’m joking.
gotta say…umbrella drinks and sun and sand rule! Sounds like a spectaular vacay.
I love snorkelling. I was terrified at first. Then it was sooo freeing!
I love unplugging on vacation- it’s the best! I also try to unplug for at least an hour each day and try my best for a full day without the internet on the weekends a few times per month. It keeps me sane!
Your trip looks absolutely marvelous!!! What I wouldn’t give to be there right now- I could use some time to just unplug!!!
Looks AMAZING– we are on spring break now… taking a little break from posting on the blog just because there doesn’t seem to be that much time! Unplugging is SOO needed and it looks like you had the best time!! Welcome home
I try to unplug for a few hours a week, but it is hard. I would personally LOVE to be forced to unplug….especially with beautiful scenery like you had. 🙂
AMAZING photos, that looks like a dream trip and a perfect excuse to unplug 🙂
That looks heavenly. I would not transition well back into the real world! I do like an active vacation. Laying around is not for me. I like ziplines!
I haven’t been on the computer/social media as much these days thanks to a specific distraction and a hectic schedule…. I def feel guilty, because the blogger in me feels obligated to always be on the computer, but it actually feels nice not to be GLUED. I actually had a blog friend text me yesterday saying he noticed I am not on social media as much any more and he thinks it’s great! ha ha. Well in that case, I am going to KEEP IT UP 😉
Your trip looks amazing!! So much fun and adventure! I’d love to do a cruise like that sometime. I love kayaking and thankfully have access to a kayak in the warmer months–it is so peaceful and serene!
Love those vacation pictures! :] I really want to try snorkeling sometime! I spent the weekend semi-unplugged because I was switching out a new phone and didn’t want to bother with working out the kinks, so that…kindasorta counts(?)! 😛
I think it looks like an amazing time! You definitely connect more and have more fun when you unplug 🙂
Looks like you had an amazing holiday. Gorgeous pictures!
What an amazing trip! beautiful and unplugged, I know your family loved it! I am jealous of the zip-line, I have not tried it yet but I do love kayaking! Graceful (once I get in and situated) and peaceful!! fun, fun girlie!
I need to unplug more. I am too connected to my phone.
What a fabulous trip!
I’ve been trying to work on unplugging recently but it’s not easy as I’m always doing something on my laptop – even during my down time.
Man this really made me want to unplug for a bit! I seem to be doing more and more instead of less and less. Good thing summer is coming – come on vacation!!
I have learned to embraced being unplugged more in my daily life. At first, it was hard as that knee-jerk reaction to check my emails or messages was always there but slowly, I’m letting it go and it feels great to have that freedom to enjoy life around me again!
Looks beautiful! I admit that I have trouble unplugging including the smartphone, but I am working on that. Sometimes it feels amazing to be unplugged for awhile.
I need a day of being unplugged. seriously. I wake up with like 10+ FB notifications and it’d be nice to wait up one more without a list of to dos ):
i’ve found myself unplugging more throughout the day because work has just been too busy. i haven’t done it on vacation in a while…but probably should (and will on our honeymoon)
Yes! I am working on unplugging more and more. 🙂