Vacation is truly a way to get away from it all. Why is it that in addition to our resort wear, bathing suits and paperback novels, we bring along our insecurities and sense of personal limitations? Your vacation should be a break from the ordinary, a way to get out there and live it up, live life to its fullest and experience all that the world has to offer! I think that we should treat our travels as a getaway not just from our work and the responsibilities of home, but from every boring aspect of our lives. Break out of your comfort zone on vacation. Do something crazy. Do something that you never thought that you'd do in a million years...it will keep the excitement of your vacation alive in your heart and make memories that will last a lifetime!
Just Give it a Shot
On my very first press trip for my blog, I was asked to go horseback riding along the beach in Jamaica. I am terrified of horses - I'd like to think that it's a healthy fear, a testament to their strength and power...but my fear was challenged, and not wanting to be that girl who refused to participate in a group activity, I obliged. It was a little stressful at first, but halfway through the horseback ride, I began to relax and enjoy myself! It was a great learning experience for me, and now I always say "yes" when I am invited to do something that challenges me to break out of my comfort zone.
In January this year, I rode through Red Rock Canyon, just outside of Las Vegas. It was my favorite part of my trip to Las Vegas and made me realize just how much I would have missed if I hadn't said yes!
Don't Be Afraid to Go Off the Grid
On my first trip to Texas, my friend suggested that we go tubing. An ice cold river, a bathing suit in front of a ton of strangers and six hours without a cell phone signal...I wasn't too keen on leaving my phone in the car while we floated down the Guadalupe for six hours, but I did it.
And I loved it! It was one of the most fun activities I've ever done; we spent the day floating, talking to people we met along the way, and ended the day with new friends. Truth be told, I didn't even miss my phone because I was having so much fun with my friends - and making new friends!
I did have my friend stop on the way home so that I could snap a photo though...
Expand Your Culinary Horizons
My daughter's first foray into spicy cuisine was a piece of jerk chicken while we were in port of call in Negril, Jamaica. She loved it so much that she insisted that I learn how to make it after we returned home from our Carnival Caribbean cruise. Her adventurous spirit inspired me to start eating outside of my comfort zone while traveling, and while there are some things I will NEVER eat again, I have found a few great new recipes through my culinary exploration, with some amazing surprises along the way!
For instance, while in Mexico City last year, I was offered a dish that consisted of hibiscus flowers wrapped in a tortilla, alongside a tortilla topped with seasoned crickets.
Yes, I said crickets.
I ate them. Because why not? They weren't the most delicious thing on the menu that evening, but they weren't all that bad, either. They tasted like salty chicken and the worst part of the entire experience was getting a scratchy little leg caught between my teeth.
Thank goodness I travel with dental floss!
Do Something That Scares You
I enjoy doing things that are little risky from time to time, but there are certain activities that scare the bejeezus out of me - like white water rafting. While in Costa Rica earlier this year, I passed on the opportunity to go white water rafting because I was actually scared. I had never been white water rafting before, and the idea completely terrified me. As soon as I returned home, I regretted missing my opportunity and decided that I would do it when I was in North Carolina later in the summer.
I was still afraid - so much so that I had my fingers crossed the entire way to the river that it would be closed due to weather. The weather was lovely, and we embarked on our little white water rafting adventure. My adrenaline was pumping, my heart was racing, and it ended up being my favorite part of our family vacation!
Participating in an activity that scares you, like white water rafting, is a way to make the most of your vacation. We travel to experience new things, so why limit that exposure to the cities you walk and the food you eat?
Be Adventurous
By day, I am a work-at-home, carpooling mom. I spend the majority of each day at my desk, or out running errands. Life is busy, and hectic, but rather boring. I would venture to say that many people share this type of lifestyle - we work all day, spend our evenings cooking or cleaning up, and the weekends being a bit lazy and concentrating on spending quality time with the family.
There's nothing wrong with that - at the end of a long work week, most people don't have the energy to do something wild and crazy.
Vacation should be different! Vacation should be full of excitement and adventure, full of the kinds of activities that leave your heart full of giddy happiness when it's time to go home and sit back down at the desk. Do something a little crazy while you're on vacation. Go white water rafting, eat exotic cuisine, go cave diving, learn how to snorkel or go ziplining! When my family goes on vacation, we always seek out a ziplining excursion, like the Puerto Rico Canopy Adventure we did while on a Carnival cruise last summer.
What kinds of things do you do while on vacation?
This post was created as part of my collaboration with Carnival. As always, all of the opinions, thoughts, and ideas in this post are my own.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I am usually not very adventurous, but every now and then I try to do something outside of my comfort zone.
Betsy Mitchell says
I thoroughly enjoy doing adventures things on vacations. I love going on cruises because of all the great excursions that you're able to take!
Amber C. says
I love all the pictures, it looks like you had an AMAZING vacation! I like to go do something out of the ordinary, maybe visit an odd museum or an eatery that's out of the way.
Liz Mays says
I've been surprising myself by doing crazy stuff too and I'm so glad! It's fun to look back and think of the cool things you did!
Jenn says
These are all from different trips I have taken over the last year or two...I am glad that I am not the only one who tries to fit something different into my schedule on vacation. It makes things so much more adventurous! 🙂
Tiffany (A Mom's Take) says
I love to be adventurous as I can when I'm on vacation. I live by the motto that you only live once, and I'm gong to enjoy this life as much as possible. I really want to go zip lining! Looks like loads of fun.
Pam says
I always try to do something new every time we go on vacation. When we went to Mexico, I convinced the whole family to go sea kayaking. It was a lot of fun!
Catherine S says
It looks like you have had some great adventures. Last time I went on a cruise to Mexico I went ziplining it was so much fun.
Jaime says
I try to do at least one new thing - or try one new food - when vacationing. I like to get the full experience of the place were visiting!
Raijean says
Yes, a vacation is the perfect time to get out and explore the world. I need to try ziplining.
Rachel says
OMG I love this. This looks like so much fun. Our family vacations are usually outdoor in nature... camping and hiking. THIS vacation of adventure looks like so much fun.
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
I would love to do ziplining one day. I recently tried archery on a blog trip and loved it. So encouraging to hear your positive experiences of trying new things but I don't think I'd be able to stomach the crickets though.
Ty says
Love the photos! I'm a very adventurous person and I love trying new and fun things.
Jeanine says
We don't go often on vacation when I we have I use the time to relax and unwind. It's so good for me! I love the photos looks like so much fun!
Ann Bacciaglia says
This looks like it was an adventurous getaway. I have always wanted to go zip lining. I think it is important to try things that are out of your comfort zone..
Lisa says
I'm usually pretty adventurous! I love to try new things! Looks like you've had quite a bit of fun! 🙂
Melissa @ This Girl's Life Blog says
I was super nervous the first time we went white water rafting but it was so much fun. We did a half day and wished we had done the full day afterwards.
Tracey says
Wow, you really did break out of your comfort zone! Kudos to you for eating those crickets!
Christie says
I love that you got to push your boundaries on the fun vacation! Though I'm not sure that crickets will be in my future
Krystal says
I seem to only do scary stuff on vacation! Snorkeling really terrifies me, but it's so pretty go on when you're away on a trip.
Theresa says
Good for you for trying new things! We try to do something exciting on each trip too. We wanted to do a helicopter tour on our last trip, but ran out of time.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
Beautiful photos. A zip line wilderness center just opened down the road from me and we are already planning a trip there for the spring.
Amy @ Will Run For Ice Cream says
That looks like so much fun! And I agree, sometimes we just need to break out of our comfort zone.
Camesha says
The great thing about breaking out of your comfort zone on vacation is that you'll bring that same attitude back home. All the good stuff happens outside of our comfort zones!
CourtneyLynne says
O.mg!!! This looks beyond fun!!!! Wish I was on vacation right now!!
Rosey says
I agree, and I love this post. I say if you're on vacation, get a little crazy and really BE on vacation!! You've got great/fun pics here too!
Myrabev says
You definitely got out of your comfort zone, I think I will try that on my next vacation should be fun. Saying that I did do a few things on my recent vacation that I wouldnt normally do
Myrabev says
You definitely out of your comfort zone, I will try for my next vacation. I never usually do anything outside my zone but saying that this gone vacation i did things outside my comfort zone
BusyBeeBlogger says
right on! Traveling is all about trying something new
Amby Felix says
I'm such a Californian city slicker lol! Going for a hike in the hills is my idea of out door adventure. Looks like fun though!
April @ Everyday Fitness and Nutrition says
I did a bike riding trip at Red Rock Canyon and loved it! That same trip, my husband and I did a kayak tour and paddled 11 miles down the river near the Hoover dam. No adventures involving heights though!
Kendra says
I sometimes like to do the adventure things while on vacation but I also can be very laidback. That's part of the fun of vacation for me, not stress about having to do certain things, just going with the flow and where your fancy takes you.
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says
Wow, that looks fun! What do they say? YOLO? LOL
samantha says
Great post with amazing pictures. i dont travel but if i did i think i would want to experiance everything i could. the zip lining would be hard for me to do but i would fret about missing out on amazing views
Nina Say says
Oh my goodness! You're so brave for eating the crickets. I'm not sure I could have made myself do that
Catherine S says
I loved ziplining It was so much fun. I bet you would love it. I can't wait for more adventures.
Mrs. Mashed Up says
What great advice. I went paddling in the ocean during my last vacation. That was way out of my comfort zone. But I had fun, and it was memorable. I'm so happy I did it.
Carly Anderson says
I think it's important to break out of your comfort zone while on vacation. It's fun to try new, exciting things when in a different place!
Touristmeetstraveler says
Wow now that must have been an amazing vacation!
Shaney Vijendranath says
I love this post, so true! I never do anything like this!
Shaney Vijendranath says
I love this post! I never do anything like this.
rochkirstin says
Going for adventurous activities such as those are best to make the most out of your life. However, you should also do it with safety.
Elizabeth O. says
Looks fun! I wish I'm as adventurous as you.
Sophie O'Reilly says
looks like you had a adventurous time!
Riu Palace Riviera Maya Mexico says
Enjoy your vacation by visiting the Mexico's tourism spots. It's out of this world with some awesome locations and mostly just the idea of it makes it exciting.