Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Now, I classify myself as a serious traveller. Hubby and I met travelling. I worked in the travel / tourism industry. I speak several languages fluently. I have visited every continent in the world, and I just adore experiencing the different cultures, chatting freely to the locals, and just immersing myself, as much as I can, in the day to day life of the place that I am visiting.
Travelling with the 'hips' shouldn't change this...yes, you just need to be a bit more organised by perhaps booking accommodation, rather than just rocking up, having a plan and sticking to it, and basically be a tiny teeny bit less spontaneous. But, I still envisage that when left and right hip are slightly older, we shall be visiting those back of beyond places, and teaching them about different cultures, languages and religions, and taking them to the places that hubby and I have experienced.
So, here's the thing. We, as a family, have been 'invited' to join family at a centrally located destination of equal distance between Australia and the UK. All very well, and very very exciting, however as there are a few young 'hips' involved, it has been suggested that we all go to a place that caters for us all. So somewhere where there is a golf course, a good massage, lots of different things to do, good food, good weather, basically somewhere to enjoy some much needed R&R, and wait for it....(and I am not even sure if I can even say it)...a KIDS CLUB!
Now, I have always been a bit scared of kids club. Look, I have to admit...I haven't actually ever stepped foot into one - our family holidays were never anywhere near places that had kids clubs. When I stop to think about the idea of a kids club, pictures of young stage school kids enter my mind, and some a ridiculously 'keen' (in reality ridiculously hungover and totally not wanting to be sorrounded by little people) nanny getting everyone to make huge sandcastles or running around the pool wearing silly outfits. Or perhaps as a child I was actually secretly jealous of people who were allowed to go to a place with a kids club, as it actually might have been quite good fun.
But my problem is, I am a "real traveller who goes to places where other people don't go to", and am I really about to enter the world of 'kids club's, and 'all inclusive' holidays. Is this at all possible? Is it allowed? Is it actually fair to just leave the kids with strangers whilst I go off and laze around having a massage, or perhaps a relaxing cocktail by the pool with just my hubby?
Now of course, I don't think I am actually adverse to all of this, in fact, I reckon I could probably really enjoy sending the kids off to have fun with other kids for a couple of hours in the day, whilst we go off and have our own kind of fun. Its just a travel experience that I never thought I would do.
But, the more I think about it, the more tempting it is to have some real R&R and adult time, and living our normal lives millions of miles away from any family, it is something that hubby are not at all used to. I just think that a bit of compromise is in order - quality time with the 'hips' and then some quality time with the hubby whilst the 'hips' are in the.....kids club (yes, I said it!)
And yes, when the 'hips' are that little bit older, I am sure we will get back to all that 'real' travel!
Image: Michelle Meiklejohn./FreeDigitalPhotos.net
