Hey, Pony. Where you been?

Remember when running away from home was a tactic to scorn your parents? To punish them for their insolence and general defiance against your precious desires. It was a wagging finger at their audacity for daring to ask you to perform a menial chore, or passive aggressive chastising for having the nerve to place ridiculous punishment on you. No! You would show them that you were the victor, the one in charge, you would run away from their wretched shackles... until you got to the end of the block and realized the defiant tyrants at your gilded prison are the folk who feed and clothed you, so with your head held high and pride intact (as you were returning on your own terms) you graced the unfitting with your precious presence once again. 

What if it was now an adult standing at the corner, suitcase in hand and deciding where you would flee to? What place in this world would be the ideal place to escape the everyday life that vexes you? Well, I'd start with somewhere I didn't have to think about anything. All inclusive resorts are good for that. All your food, drinks, house keeping, and play time are effortlessly (it would seem) provided for you. The worry about things like cost and time frame slips from mind and you are swaddled in relaxation.

Ok beaches aren't your thing, if you're running away seeking adventure, there's always some nerve racking, thrill based getaway you could attack head on. Like a safari, and I know you're thinking "Oh African safari's are so last year." and I'd tell you that number one, you're full. Khaki's and lion watching are always in season. But secondly you should have waited for me to explain further. As I was going to say Alaskan safari, who feels foolish for jumping the gun now, you do. It's ok, I forgive you. Seriously my wee underpants gnomes, it's really amazing the wildlife one can find when they take a cruise in Alaska, yes there's whales, but there's more than that, it's the most untouched region of North America, our disgusting carbon footprint has barley made a mark there, and the wonders you can see are breath taking.

Trafalgar Square

Finally, if I truly could find a place where I really dream of running away to. I'd go back to London. I love England in general, but London stole my heart and soul when I went there. The culture is amazing, the people were kind, and the history mesmerized me. It's the one place I went and instantly felt like I had found where I belonged. There was no need to adjust to anything, it all felt like I had been lost and finally made my way home. If I truly had the chance to pack up everything I owned and everyone I loved that's where I would go. I'd runaway to London.

STRESS!

Ahh stress, it's a vicious thing stress. It's a virus of an emotion, that seems to only grow larger and more fierce the more you notice it. Indeed, of the baser emotions Stress is the body's Freddy Kruger, only when one puts it out of mind, and forgets it's existence does the nightmare dwelling, die away.

I've been thinking of ways to relieve life's stress. Not saying I'm stressed, I'm just simply curious about the means of letting said wretch go. When the world sucks, and you feel pulled in all directions getting away for a short... or very long vacation, can be the perfect answer to your stress problems. If you're on a budget look for something local to do. Just a day or two out of your element away from your razor sharp hub of undeniable pain and misery, can help you look at your problems with a level and sound head.

My perfect get away from the monster that never let's you sleep... A beach. It's cliche, I know. But something about laying out on a warm beach, umbrella drink in hand, sound of the crashing waves. It's paradise, especially if I leave my smart phone in some void where no one can reach me.

Now you might wonder if I'm going to give you some great ideas in the sandy tranquil beach department, and you'd be right! Direct from Dallas there's a lot of places one can hop a plane and be in the soothing paradise of your choice. Places like Puerto Vallarta, San Juan, and Cancun, and if you don't mind a longer flight you can always high tail it to Hawaii. Between now and early summer you can take advantage of mid seasons fares that are so cheap you have to take a moment and wonder when the other shoe is going to drop. It does though, it's just a great price for a much needed break from reality. The all inclusives in the Caribbean are even more relaxing, as once you are there, generally everything you do, eat, or drink is included in the price of your stay, and often have package deals with your airline.

The only question that really remains at this point is, when are you going to treat yourself and take a much needed break and return home and fully relaxed.

Let's try a new spin...

I have been deep within the search for all the most fascinating cruises one can enjoy. I wanted to get away from normal, you know the whole four day cruises around the Caribbean with three stops one always being in Mexico. Yes they are all amazing cruises and you see some of the most breath taking scenery in the world. But it's been done, a lot. It's time to branch out, go for something that is outside of your comfort zone (Ha! Someone has said this to you before, must have been a genius). There's so much to discover and to pigeon hole one's self because you know it a good time from the fifteen times you've all ready done it, well you're robbing yourself.

River cruise, I know they sound a little 'eh' because when you're from this country, rivers are meant for white water rafting, fishing, or providing a ridiculously long word to learn for your third grade spelling bee. But river cruising in Europe and Asian is something to behold. It's one of the ways to see Europe untouched by modern day. You travel down these canal and rivers and see the world as it was ages ago. And the history you learned about as a child is right there. At your finger tips. Not to mention, it really fine cruising, and by fine I mean high end. The restaurants are five star dining, and the cabins are some of the finest accommodations I have ever seen anywhere, and the ships are not filled with thousands of patrons, they're small, and you have this intimacy you cannot get on an ocean liner.

Now let's say, you want an ocean experience, but you're willing to step outside of the box. There's a vast amount of options for you out there. One of them is cruising north to places like Alaska. One of my favorite cruise companies explains cruising around this area is like seeing the world before it was touched by the human footprint. You can see glaciers, go whale watching, even see the aurora borealis. Again, it's top of the line. There's no cramped cabins, packing in a family for four into a closet. No these places are meant for lavish luxury, and the ship fits the bill. It's the perfect marriage of experiencing top end, luxury travel and witnessing nature in it's truest, untouched setting.

So that's two options of two very different types of cruising. And the options are really limitless as to where you can go, what you can see, and what sort of cruising you want to do. It's a matter of know who to contact so they can help you find it. Like I don't know, maybe your favorite wide eyed traveler.

From the swells of distraction.

I'm back my dearest underpant gnomes! I apologize greatly for my wretched neglect and pray to your chosen higher power that I can please dissolve this shroud or rancid let down that I pulled over myself shunning those I hold near and dear to my aching heart. Please I beg of you, please find it in your tender, warm souls to forgive my misgivings and enjoy this new entry I bring to you with love and new found direction.

Taking this journey has been at times a calm and steady stream, but at other times, it's fast moving and sometimes difficult with maintaining the smooth and steady focus I hold so precious. It's when the current of my office life is off the rapids that I can find it easy to sit down and write something profound and inviting, gaining smiles and hat tips for a sound quip, or remarkable tongue in cheek comment that really gets you thinking.

My thoughts have been centered elsewhere, creative writing class, writing a bio that seems to have no end in sight, or picking a specialty. All of these paths that would have amazing pit stops here on my dear sweet blog but no, I have shunned away what inspires me, and that is wrong. So I am back, focused on all the avenues of my new career. Heading down this path with a new found focus thanks to some direction from my fearless and brilliant mentor (that's a freebie!). I'm going to get back to walking my path and sharing it with my readers. No more shutting you all out. Nope, back to being your quick witted wide eye'd traveler.

I can't wait to roll you with giggles on the metaphorical floor as I explain to you the search for what wide eye'd traveler has chosen to specialize in.

The list is life.

Ok I know it's wrong to use Schindler's List as a title to a blog, but it's gonna be a good, blog! You'll see.

I wanted to start my bucket list off with a bang. Something that when people read this, their jaws would drop and nod silently, awestruck by the flooring discovery I had brought to them, something they too must visit before their end of days. It's a tall order if you think about it, I mean just writing about random thoughts is hard enough but this, this is some heavy hoo-ha. So the only place I can picture living up to such a grand challenge would have to be an oasis of awesome.

I found Emirates Palace Hotel when looking though some of my favorite sites for fascinating locations. It is so astounding that I am contemplating breaking off my love affair with the Augustine to devote all my love and attention to this magnificent desert rose. It's this completely self sustaining morsel of perfection. Allow me to explain.

It took three billion dollars to build this and that's not with a "mmm" it's with a "bah", billions! When you go to most resorts in the world, it's wonderful because you're at the beach, all your needs are met, you can just kick back and relax. Take that philosophy and multiply it by a bajillion and you have the Palace. Unlike most resorts with let's say ten (I'm being generous) places to chose from for your dinner, this place has one hundred and twenty-eight! Where most places when you lay out the staff is happy to get you a refreshing beverage from the bar, this place has a staff who will bring you a cool towel for your face and rotate your umbrella for you to protect you from the sun's devious rays. And it's gorgeous, really, I am happy just to stare at the pictures all day, heck I'm writing this blog so I have another reason to stare at it some more. I'm having a virtual vicarious relationship with this place, yes my very own VVR!

This place is like being taken to another world, a whole new world if you would. I understand that most don't consider Abu Dhabi when they first think of luxury resorts, but I assure you, it's leading in the way of luxury. But it's not just luxury, it's becoming a real hub for every sort of tourism you can think of. From some of the most fascinating ancient archaeological site dating back thousands of years to the world's largest indoor theme park Ferrari World. There isn't a narrow minded view when it comes to travel, if you can imagine it, they probably have it.