FINALLY! The check for my last big freelance project arrived, the IRA is maxed out, and it's time to stop being so responsible all the time and start doing some of that traveling the hubby and I have talked about since we got married.
With the last freelance check in hand, and after the IRA maxed out, the exotic adventure budget stands at $3,856. Hubby wants the trip to be part brainless beach vacation, and part adventure. We also want to go somewhere where the exchange rate doesn't kill us. He also said "he doesn't want to have to think" on this trip, meaning he wants it to be easy because life has been challenging since the baby came.
Our three top picks have been Mayan ruins in Mexico, Argentina including the cruise to Antarctica, and Prague and Budapest.
Thanks to the weak dollar, Prague and Budapest is out this time. We want to go to Argentina when we have enough for the arctic cruise, so I'm not sure this budget will cover it.
So... after some homework, it looks like we can take an 8 night 9 day whirlwind tour of about 10 Mayan sites for $2400, then tack on a week at an oceanfront cabin in Tulum for another $1,000. Two weeks in Mexico: $3400. Sounds ideal.
We have been so responsible since we've been married: working on our careers, saving for retirement, buying houses, etc.
We both miss the freedom and traveling we did when young and single. And have often wondered what went wrong. Why, when we have more money than ever are we traveling as little as ever?
Before we were married, I had backpacked through Turkey, spent a month in Greece, and seen another 10 countries. He had been to Europe and Costa Rica, and even studied Kung Fu in a monastary in China. But we haven't done anything that exciting together.
Watching my father die from cancer now, I realize life is short. You are only young once, and you don't have forever with your spouse, so the time for adventure is now.
From now on, we're going to take a two of us adventure every year. I'm excited.
Exotic adventure for two: $3856??
July 15th, 2008 at 01:52 pm
July 15th, 2008 at 04:15 pm 1216138553
What a wonderful post! I am so happy for you and your husband to have the money to travel and enjoy one another! DH and I traveled before we had kids - but stopped when we had them so close together (first two not a year apart). We did do Disney though in May paying cash and I realize that it is a priority to have fun and make memories. We are already saving for our train trip to NYC next summer! Take lots of picture and post! All destinations sound wonderful!
July 15th, 2008 at 04:44 pm 1216140294
July 15th, 2008 at 05:07 pm 1216141623
It is about balance, about enjoying your life throughout.
We take 1 month long vacation plus few smaller ones every year. That way it does not feel like a rat race.
We also love active type of vacation - nature, adventure sports... If we are exhausted by these activities in late 20's, we won't be able to do this in our 60's.
BTW, I would recommend Argentina. It is beautiful, especially patagonia. Food is great(good standrard of hygene as well), argentinian wine, fresh chocholate in Bariloche(very pleasant town and nature around it is breathtaking...
Camping in Terra del Fuego is great - no mosquitoes or predator animals to worry about.
In el Calafate you can do things like Glacier hiking...
July 15th, 2008 at 06:52 pm 1216147974
How great is that!
I know what you mean about all the responsibilities and cost of travel etc.
We were both sighing last night over our trip to Venice 10 years ago.
It's good to get the baby used to going too. Our DD is a great flyer and a wonderful traveler.
July 19th, 2008 at 03:37 pm 1216481825