Definitions of vacation include ” a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation”  I just had a long vacation.  It started on a Friday a and ended on a Wednesday 12 days later.  I a great deal of my time being asked and answering questions for my patients, residents, staff and administrators. I think vacations are important. I think I waited too long to take this one. I had so many tasks to complete to end one academic year and start a new one.  Research day completed, new rotations updated and arranged and lectures planned.  Also starting our new resiliency curriculum.  Last year at this time, I was starting a yoga instructor training program.  I completed it in December.

It started with delayed flights on Friday.  Finally arriving in Puerto Rico.  I had a brief rest after getting to the hotel at 5 am on Saturday.  We had a beautiful walk on the nearby public beach (all the beaches in PR are public).

Then a  tour of Old San Juan.  I am ashamed to say this was my first visit but it will not be my last one.  We had traditional food at Raices Restaurant in Old San Juan.  It was so good we went back on Sunday.

We boarded our Carnival Cruise ship, the Fascination.  We were off to celebrate my stepdaughter’s 40th birthday.  I started the cruise with a long massage. It set the tone for what would be a very relaxing vacation.  We embarked to our first destination.

St. Thomas was sunny and beautiful.

View of ship docked in St. Thomas

After a rainy day at see, we were rained out in Barbados and St. Lucia.  We did brave the rain but ended up getting a ride back to the ship.

St. Kitts was sunny and we did the Island tour.

We spent the last day in beautiful St. Maarten

We ended up back in Old San Juan with a tour of Bacardi.  It was living history through the story of rum.

I will not wait so long for another vacation.  I hope to stay connected to this sweet feeling of relaxation and calm. The best part of the trip was spending it with the ones you love.