Holiday bliss reveals home truths
AS a travel lover I never thought I would say this, but, I’ve recently become a strong advocate for the staycation.
I’ve been lucky enough to spend annual leave exploring the UK, Europe, America, Bali and a number of states across Australia in the past, but recently experienced my first extended break at home.
And I’ve gotta tell you, it was bliss.
It felt much like having two weeks of school holidays but with more independence and less trips to Science Works and the Aquarium.
I shouldn’t be surprised by my hermit tendencies because I often favour a night in on the couch over a night out on the town on weekends — and don’t even think about trying to get me out of ugg boots and a dressing gown on a weeknight — but I have long been a fan of the traditional destination holiday.
To the point where I didn’t see sense in wasting a single day of annual leave at home for pre and post international holidays. Resulting in spending more days than I care to admit at work, preoccupied by thoughts of visas and baggage restrictions, or in a haze of jet lag. It was a refreshing change to slip into my time off without having to visit the travel agent for documents, the doctor’s for vaccinations or the chemist for miniature shampoo. The ability to check life admin tasks off a to-do list that had lingered above my head like a dark cloud for months was liberating. I was shocked to find that when done at your own leisure — in between watching romantic comedies on Netflix — cleaning windows, sorting tax receipts and throwing out clothes could actually be enjoyable. I even went to the gym.
But, contrary to popular belief, staycations are not necessarily cheap.
Cheaper, yes, you’re not paying for flights and accommodation, but warning: without a jam-packed itinerary of landmarks to visit, tours to take part in and flights to catch there is a lot of time to shop.
Not to mention one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to pass the time — catching up with old friends for a meal. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea — my August bank statement reads like a detailed food diary.
It was like a very early, very small but very promising window into retirement.
Home is where the heart, and holiday vibes, live.