Guilty Pleasures

I’m confessing that I may be a little bit addicted to travel. There has to be a travel anon group out here somewhere.

I try to convince myself that I am not that bad when it comes to travel, because I have not been to too many places, but I know a great deal when I see one! When that opportunity comes; you need to be ready, willing and able!

Pop open the Moscato, because I am about to be MIA! Notice the MIA on the bottle of Moscato! I can’t make this stuff up! Lol

I have not traveled since my last fiasco in September when I left the DR and I am a little sad I am going to miss the infamous Be Mine Punta Cana group trip next month! But…

Ironically, being an anxious introvert, I have been looking, researching, and comparing travel packages in Jamaica, Tulum, Puerto Rico and I have even considered going back to Santo Domingo. This time, it’s going to be a new experience.

Planning to travel can be very challenging, in my opinion. Some travelers would leave it up the travel agents. I am determined to figure this out and to stay knowledgeable on how and when to travel. I have shared a lot of my secrets here on my blog on all the great travel deals I run across. It looks as if I hit the jackpot again!

Skyscanner is my best friend! This app manages to find great travel deals with many of the major airline carriers, except Southwest. I don’t know how they do it; but most of the time their information is very accurate.

When I ran across this flight from HOU to MIA, I just couldn’t believe my eyes. I had to dig a little further for more details and to determine what was the catch. I’m sure this deal is not for everyone, just the BASIC travelers like myself!

United ran a deal from HOU to MIA during Valentine’s week! It does require you to embark on an evening flight departure, but on the upside it’s nonstop, (approximately 2h25m ~so no long flights here.

I didn’t want to travel solo and I didn’t know who to tell!

Hmmmm… now who can travel during a weekday, take time off from work, pack a carryon bag and be ready to travel 2-weeks out for a trip to Miami?

Is it you?

I have not fully worked out the logistics yet; I am still raising teenage boys! How do I tell them Momma is going on vacation again? These guilty pleasures I am experiencing. Is this self love or selfishness?

When I woke up today, I was led to sit upon this hill and meditate. I had originally planned to relax in bed all day, but I got up anyway and made my way to the park with my yoga mat and my mother’s crocheted Afghan.

There is a deal out there for you! When the opportunity comes, I hope you don’t feel guilty about booking yourself a vacation, even if it’s a staycation, do it for yourself, because if you don’t, who will?

Until next time…

Shalom

Raquél

#guiltypleasuresmia #travel #dream #boulonhotels #skyscanner #thanksUnitedAirlines #ihopeiamnotatraveladdict #GodisGoodallthetime

#grace #mercy #justgrateful

QueenLyfe

I am so happy to see more people working and branding their own ideas and walking in their purpose with the support of their community. Check out Houston’s own QueenLyfe started by Candace Strother.

QueenLyfe is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to promote financial literacy, creative expression, healthy relationships, mentorship and civic engagement through their workshops and events for multi-cultural women of all ages.

One initiative I’ve been able to participate in is the Mental Wellness Walk. The group meets at 8am and are introduced with warm greetings. A short warmup and stretch exercise is done before 2 1/2 mile walk around Hermann Park!

In addition, there is a guest speaker to pour life into your spirit to discuss mental wellness and how you can apply tools to your life to help you maintain a good mental state of mind.

It’s a great time to connect with other women and talk it out while you walk.

Connect with yourself and join their last Mental Wellness Walk for this season. Saturday, October 20, 2018 8am.

To learn more on how you can support QueenLyfe, visit their website below!

“Love Yourself First Everyday”

https://queenlyfe.org/ways-to-give/

What’s Most Important?

Always remember, no matter how bad some things are, they could always be worst and no matter how good things are, there is always room for things to get better. Better is always around the corner.

You are one of the best, because there are so many great things about you, that if you get caught up on focusing on one thing, you might miss what’s most important. ~You. ~ Anonymous

I Forgive

There comes a time for cleansing and a time to reflect on your personal behaviors. A time to acknowledge where you were wrong or you may have experienced an interaction between you and another person and you felt they may have done the wrong thing. There is Power and Redemption in forgiveness.

I am a witness that it removes the hatred and the ill feelings of anger and perhaps one day you will be able to move forward in peace with or without their apology. I want to start from within and work my way through it. Yes, my travel experiences have been very exciting and fun, but it was not always the right thing to do and I am not sure how many people I have abused along the way. I am sorry for the abuse. I chose to open that door to love.

I wanted my eyes to see, my ears to hear, my nose to smell, my feet and my fingers to touch, and my tongue to taste the essence of true love. I was exposed to it all. I was all in. I truly loved.

My love experience had some astonishing and enlightening facts and secrets that were revealed to me. Revelations of good and bad can have its way of turning lives around and it is ok to acknowledge that revelation. His divine truth is only to be embraced and never rejected. Through acknowledgement and acceptance is when there will be a true change. Love is a state of being. It defines who you are and whose you are. When I can forgive, I can say I have accepted the full responsibility of love.

Quél

xoxo

Declare what you Desire

Paralyzed by the love we found, he likes the way I love. I’m stepping way out of my comfort zone now, Lord keep carrying me down this road. Protection means to set boundaries. Be patient and be bold. Declare what you desire! Let your intentions be known. #thepoetryjournal

I opened the door to love and I was amazed at what I could find. You would not believe my story if I told you how this all began from my very first time on this island.

But don’t think for a second it’s been all peaches and cream, from a fantasy unfolding to a reality untold. This has not been easy.

Things can be going good, but when the flames go out we find a way to ignite them again. Isn’t that what love is about? To keep finding your way in and out?

Just as you can see the clear blue skies, the trees taller than you could ever climb. The sand and shore for miles and miles. This is Faith because I never thought I could have this. Never imagined that I could deserve this. If I would have waited to depend on him, I would not be here writing this.

If you want something and you have the desire to make it happen, declare what you desire. There’s many ways to go about getting what you want, but the route I took was truly a faith walk. I had fear, but I also had love. The Lord’s love for us allowed this to happen. I have not done this on my own.

This romantic abode sits right on the shore in Uvero Alto in the Dominican Republic. It is elevated above a gift shop so when the sun rises, it’s something you don’t want to miss. It’s stocked with essentials like milk, juice, eggs, bread, cereal, coffee, fruit, and more. There is Wi-fi, even a portable wi-fi if you decide to go out on the beach, now that’s a plus.

It has two electric burners, a panini grill and a microwave. I was just in my own little heaven. It really felt like home. When I woke up in the middle of the night and I saw the view of the moon shining very bright along the ocean, I knew that God was with me. I can’t thank him enough for his protection and his grace that abounds much more. The host for this Air BnB deserves a 10 for superb service, accommodations, cleanliness and great communication throughout my entire stay!

I want to return one day to this cozy place and explore love all over again with a rendezvous face to face.

Click here for $40 and find yourself a nice get away. Step out of your comfort zone and step into love. Define love for yourself. Live, Love and Travel!

Quél

Vote for Shanna ~ Travel Enthusiast

This is an awe inspiring story from my friend Ms. Shanna Stevenson! Expat ~ Travel Enthusiast ~ International Trip Planner ~ Dominican Republic Host. Please take two minutes to find out more about her travel business and most importantly vote for her to be a recipient of the FedEx Small Business Grant!

Votes are allowed once per person per 24-hour period now through April 4. So go vote.

Vote! Time is of the essence!

Click here to vote!

More Travel Please

Live a lot ~ Love a little ~ Travel more #thepoetryjournal

The Poetry Journal T-shirts ~ Just launched

The Poetry Journal wants to connect with you to inspire people to travel, As a self published Author, Blogger, and Poet, I have traveled to Mexico, West Indies, Anguilla, the Dominican Republic and stateside within the US.

I am an introvert by nature. I love to help people. I am a hopeful romantic. My whole being is unique.

Help me to send someone who has never traveled on an all expense paid trip by purchasing a t-shirt or any item from my site. I wanted to design something with you in mind. Inspired to Travel designs.

Click here to see more products from hoodies, yoga pants, leggings, and so much more.

Enjoy life while you can. Thank the Lord for your destiny. Always Be Romantic. Be transparent because people will judge you anyway.

Respect the Artist. Love Always and have some Integrity.

I heart travel as you can see, of course I’m not the only one. But it’s not about me. Some people have never traveled. Pick one, anyone and show your support because I know you love to travel too.

Click here to purchase. Thank you for supporting self published authors ~ bloggers and poets.

I almost forgot, these designs are mine. They may have been a photo from places I’ve traveled or a quote inspired by travel so when you get to my site, please click on the heart for the ones you really like. If you Super Like something, just click the star, or you can leave a comment.

Thank you as always for your support.

Love, Quel

God’s Glory

Lord, it’s because of you I am able to bask in your glory.

Thank you.

Photographer @dannivoir

#bmpc2018 #dominicanrepublic #pearlbeachclub #puntacana #tripwithshan

Lord, I Love You More!

RIU Republica

Adventures can take you places you never thought you could go.

AlSol Del Mar

AlSol Del Mar

I found my adventure on the beaches of the Dominican Republic shores.

Hard Rock Resort Punta Cana

Even my very first time on the beach, I literally fell in love.

Be Live ~ Bayahibe

It was something I began to embrace and a fantasy I began to create. Had me traveling overseas back and forth.

Tortuga Bay ~ Cap Cana

God, I am loving these beaches, but I love you more. I do not take for granted that your mercy and your grace has allowed me to explore your everlasting love for me on the beaches of your world.

Playa Blanca ~ Punta Cana

Los Corales ~ Bavaro

API Beach

Juanillo Beach

Macao Beach

I love these beaches, but Lord I love you more! Thank you.

Tanama Lodge ~ Dominican Republic

Tanama Lodge – a unique condo~hotel where you can live, feel and explore the magical lifestyle of the Dominican Republic.

Located only a few miles from Punta Cana airport, in the pristine secured area of Cap Cana, Tanama Lodge gives you the option to become an owner of these lovely units or you can choose to just visit for your mini vacation or for an extended stay.

That’s the freedom of choice you have and the comfort of feeling like you’re at your home away from home. Check out this lovely layout of their one bedroom condos

Why did I choose Tanama Lodge?

Usually when I travel, I search hard to find something unique that fits my personality. This place was bigger than a hotel room and nicely decorated with IKEA furnishings. Although it did not have that Dominican culture, it was very suitable for me. #thepoetryjournal #theloveexperience #puntacana #capcana #dominicanrepublic

The Trio of Rings

Available on Amazon, this book “The Love Experience,” is my personal memoir about traveling overseas to the República Dominicana 🇩🇴

Falling in love ~ losing control and just having fun through it all. I miss that slice of paradise. This journey has not stopped me yet!

For the mysterious reasons unbeknownst to us, it was about three years ago when we were Crossing Paths, heaven placed a Teardrop of joy on our destiny giving us a Shimmering Wish for the unity of this fantasy. #theloveexperience #travel #fantasy #romance #thepoetryjournal #pandora