For a family of seasoned travellers we don’t seem to have much luck when we go away and this, much awaited vacation, was no exception….
My husband and I met working on ships and so were lucky enough to get to see some of the world together. Even if it wasn’t exactly a holiday – well for him anyway as he had a “proper job” onboard – we did see some amazing places together: India, South Africa, Namibia, The Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, The Seychelles amongst others and the times we had and the memories we made there were fantastic. But a few hours here and there are not the same as a proper holiday somewhere. When you work on a ship there is always a time pressure. If you are not back on board by your curfew you get a warning, if you drink too much and get caught you get a warning, you bring something on or off that you shouldn’t, you get a warning. 3 warnings and you’re off. So whilst it is amazing your time is still not fully your own, to do with it how you please.
And when you finally settle down on land with someone from another country you inevitably spend your holidays in the home-land of your other half. For the 5 years we lived in London most holidays were spent in Austria or visiting my family in Norfolk. We only went to another country once in all that time and that was due to a wedding.
Once we moved to Austria then holiday was reserved for England. So this trip This ‘proper holiday’ where you stay in a hotel where the sheets and towels are cleaned for you and all you have to worry about all day is whether to lie by the pool or the beach. Where all your drinks and food are just there waiting for you and you don’t even have to wash up afterwards. Well, this was very much what we have needed. To put it in perspective we haven’t even ever had a honeymoon so I think it is fair to say we deserved this holiday. But of course, when you have kids, anything goes….
The night before we flew to Turkey (yes, we went to Turkey and before you ask no we weren’t worried and yes we felt safe the whole time) I went on a rare night out with the ladies. I knew it wasn’t going to be my night the second I saw the missed call from my husband, who never phones me when I am on a night out. After a few calls and texts it becomes clear I need to get home quickly and when I do there are both boys wide awake and in bed with my husband because poor LJ has been sick everywhere, several times. We manage to get LJ to sleep finally but Little M is wild and running all over the place while I finish getting sorted for the holiday. By the time we get him to bed we have about 2 hours before the taxi is arriving!
We get to the airport, drama free, and then at security poor LJ is sick again – all over the floor! By this point I am also not feeling too good and soon after leg it to the toilet myself. A bug seems to have hit us. Little M has at this point also been suffering from conjunctivitis for a few days prior to the trip and isn’t 100% either so when the ‘Delayed’ sign flashes up on the screen it’s really not boding well. It’s the first flight of the day – how can it possibly be delayed already?!
Somehow we board and depart on time. Hooray! LJ sleeps and all seems a bit better (once I have visited the toilet one more time!) and then, just as I have given Little M milk and am trying to lull him into a nap, he also projectiles all over himself and me and of course in the drama of the night before I have no spare clothes for him.
We arrive at the resort tired and covered in dry sick but the resort is beautiful and the sun is shining (I have surpassed myself on finding this place!) and all seems well again – until Stefan’s tummy also starts to feel a bit dodgy. By this point I think the holiday is doomed but somehow we all seem to be back on track after an afternoon nap and our first of 7 amazing dinners.
The weather was great for the first 2 days and then came my birthday. Actually I have no complaints. The weather forecast said rain all day but infact the morning was gorgeous and when it did rain, in the late afternoon, Little M was asleep in his pushchair, me and Lukas were snuggled and playing on the comfy sofas by the pool and the guys were at the bar in prime position to keep bringing me spritzers whilst making friends with the nicest bar man at the hotel (something that always comes in handy!) Back in the room I had a lovely cake waiting with Happy Birthday iced on the plate and I definitely made the most of the all inclusive bar that night. Everything was looking up so of course….
The next day we discover what looks like an allergic reaction on the baby. The spots came on and off for the rest of the holiday and a couple since we were back (although now nothing since). We thought it was the milk so went out for Aptamil but it wasn’t. Maybe something in the food but he really didn’t have anything he hasn’t had before. Our only real thought was the detergent or some kind of bug from either the beach or the beds. We still don’t know. Thank fully it didn’t seem to affect him and because of LJ’s allergies we always have piriton on us just incase. The plus side – nap time was great!
Thursday saw a full day of rain which was pretty gutting but luckily we had ship friends now living in Fethiye to meet up with so it didn’t dampen the mood and our last day was great. So despite it all we really did have the holiday we had hoped for. A shame that stupid tummy bugs didn’t give it the best start but when it comes to children, especially when they are in Kindergarten, unfortunately these things come to try you more often than you would like and usually at the worst possible times. Sod’s Law.
The moral of the story is it doesn’t actually matter what happens on holiday the important thing is that you make the time to go. Being away from home and work and real-life and getting to spend some quality time with our family was just amazing. Illness, bad weather, allergic reactions, whatever, it’s still better when you’re away from the real-world in a sunny climate full of happy, friendly people who are all there for the same reason – to relax and enjoy themselves.
I thought I would be really depressed once I got back home and I suppose for the first week I was suffering a bit of the post-holiday blues but actually now the sun is starting to shine here too, work has been great (if a little stressful at times!) and I feel inspired again for the first time in a long while. For me traveling the world has always been top of my list. Now I am a Mama it has to come a little lower but knowing we can do both and have an amazing time despite illnesses, bad weather and allergies makes the future all that little bit more exciting.
So bring on the next one…….
Sweet Dreams –
Mama Atzi x
(We stayed at the all-inclusive Jiva Beach Resort, Fetiye, Turkey. Package holiday with Tui (Thomson Holidays) and we would thoroughly recommend it).
