Vacation expectations - Round Two

So last week I described the fact that I obviously set my expectations for our "awesome" vacation WAY too high and how the strep virus decided to mess with me and my "plans" right before we flew out.

I thought after all five of us were on the plane and actually flying over the ocean, everyone healthy and no injuries, we'd be good to go! Off to enjoy a week in paradise!

In my mind, I pictured lounging on the beach for hours, snorkeling, boogie boarding and helping my kids build sand castles. I envisioned road trips exploring the lush foliage of the island while stopping off at little roadside restaurants to sample the local island treats. What I wasn't planning for, was the attack of the baby jelly fish, the return of the evil strep virus, millions of foreign tourists and traffic so horrible that one would want to drive off those scenic cliffs instead of taking pictures at one.

Let me start by saying the beach adjacent to us was absolutely stunning and I would go back in a heartbeat, however, my expectations of days spent hanging on this pristine beach were cut shorter than I would have liked, all thanks to the Portuguese Man-O-War. These are cute, tiny, squishy purple bubbles that float in the shallow water that appear harmless until ... before you know it, those pretty purple blobs two foot-long translucent tentacles wrap around your legs and ankles and sting the crap out of you.

Well, actually it wasn't me they stung. Our first day on the picture perfect beach, Hubby and my younger two girls were loving the big waves and trying their hand at boogie boarding while I lounged in the my beach chair soaking up the sun.

Only a few hours into their first ever beach experience, my 8-year-old came bolting out of the water, screaming and jumping up and down. Instantly, white vertical welts popped up all over her legs and ankles. I rushed her back to the house, quickly googled home remedies and with a little shaving cream, some ice packs and burn ointment, she was all good. Poor kid was dying of the strep virus two days before that and then gets stung. Not fair!

However, I fixed it, got her calmed down and refused to let the sting ruin our plans. We could still continue to have a perfectly amazing vacation! Although the mornings were usually filled with driving to various touristy spots on the island, fighting huge crowds, waiting in traffic everywhere because of all the construction and the accepting that the local drivers were on "island" time and not in any hurry, I wasn't gonna let it get me down. This was going to be fun, no matter what, cause I spent a lot of time preparing for this trip of a lifetime, gosh darn it!

And so I also decided to ignore the fact that our rental house was not air conditioned and was probably around 119 degrees by dinner time. It was "supposed" to be cooled by the ocean breezes according to the homeowner's description, but basically those breezes pooped out after cooling the two houses between the ocean and our little cottage.

And I'll point out that the humidity on the islands is not for those souls out there with long thick hair, neither. There were a few moments where I sorta wanted to shave my head just to escape the heat that consumed my skull. I woke up sweating and went to bed sweating. It was glorious! Man-O-War or no Man-O-War, some days I just had to jump in and cool off. And I certainly did bring enough change of clothes for the humidity, note to self.

So with a happy smile on my face, I looked forward to each new day, expecting the best vacation ever! When will I learn! To be continued in Round Three next week ...