Freckles, Sun, and Sand

We are home from the 100+ degree temperatures of the Eastern Caribbean ... just in time for 40 degree lows here in Atlanta?! What? Where did the summer go? Oh wait, I don't care, it's my favorite season! I LOVE FALL! HOORAY!

This chilly weather isn't going to stop me from reminiscing with you a little first, though. The week we spent with the Carnival Dream family was one of the most relaxing weeks I have had in a long time. I have gone on three previous cruises, two in my adulthood. Both of those, however, were more party-time than R&R time. Don't get me wrong, party time is always a welcome diversion. You all know me -- having a Bloody Mary first thing in the AM is not something I hate to have to do, after all :P

Having a week, however, where the mood was low-key, relaxed, and rejuvenating was something we really, really needed this time.

Sure, drinks were had. Perhaps a few more some nights than others.



But mostly, there was a lot of this.



And this.



And every night, some of this.



I read books. I sat and looked out at the ocean thinking of nothing. When was the last time you actually thought about nothing? I did my own little Eat Pray Love thing and zen-ed out on the back decks during a rain shower, watching the clouds move over and past us in just minutes ...



... and yes, I also gorged myself on the 5-star food similar to the book's Eat part, but don't remind me -- I am already back on the WW bandwagon haha :)

We laughed, we sunbathed, and at the center of it all, we got back to the very nature of vacation -- unplugging from the world.



Tomorrow I am going to overview some of the highlights from the trip, just in case you are thinking of booking your own cruise and don't know where to start. Cruises are incredibly affordable, so for you fellow On a Budget savers, a vacay like this can be a reality sooner than you might think.