Perks

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

Top 100 Restaurants in 2018

As I was browsing through my emails, I ran across this article from OpenTable. I did not participate in this selection of restaurants, but I was curious to see if any of Houston’s restaurants were on their list. If it’s one thing I truly enjoy it’s eating out and trying new restaurants.

What I discovered is that NY and Chicago dominated the list with their exquisite taste, with California also making the list.

You’ll see all varieties ranging from American, French, Italian, Steakhouses, Sushi and even my favorite, Tex Mex!

Here is what I found in the Houston area. Can’t wait to try it.

Check it out for yourself.

http://www.opentable.com/lists/best-restaurants-in-america-for-2018

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!

Traveling on a Budget

If money didn’t matter, would you care how much you spent on your airline tickets for leisurely travel? For some, money ain’t a thing, but if you’re traveling on a budget or you are just conscientious about how you spend your hard earned money, (like me) always watch your airline flights.

I will tell you how I saved $463 on my next flight out!

Let’s just keep this short and sweet because I know you have more important stuff to do than to read my blogs. So here goes nothing!

I’m an avid traveler to Punta Cana. I have been there more than I should probably admit to. Yet, I’m still grateful.

Something told me to visit Santo Domingo, which is the capital of the Dominican Republic. I never fly into SDQ because the flights are usually expensive (to me) because I’m always on a budget. The flights usually range from $600 – $900. For the dates I chose to travel, these same flights are ranging from $783 – $851 round trip.

A round trip flight to Punta Cana is 1/2 this price which is why I usually fly on SW “Wanna Get Away” fares.

IF YOU HAVE REWARD MILES… USE THEM!

From IAH to SDQ I booked a one way flight using 15K AA reward miles and only paid $36!

I added trip insurance for my flights just in case. Cost for that? $28!

I use several different sources to watch airline flights such as Hopper, Skyscanner, Google Flights and Mezi. So I’m watching this return flight from SDQ to IAH because I cannot stay in the DR! Although I wish I could. This one way flight is $463 and it is fluctuating up and down by a couple of dollars. Here’s what Mezi found for me…

Something told me… Do not buy that flight!

You guys must know that I am tuned into booking my own travel because one, I am amazed at these trips I have chosen for myself and two, I am on a budget! LoL

I started looking at the round trip flight details. The route is from SDQ to MIA and to IAH. I’m thinking, I know MIA (you gotta know your airport codes) has some one way deals to IAH. Let’s look at these flights separately!

Voila! From SDQ (Santo Domingo) to MIA to IAH I paid $256!

A big savings from that one way flight for $463! It’s a big savings to me because you already know I am on a budget! LoL

$196 for SDQ to MIA

$60 for MIA to IAH

A really great deal!

There is a downside to this and if you know me I cannot leave out this part. These airline flights have some restrictions and there is a longer layover in Miami. That $463 flight had me arriving at 10:00 pm, well with these flights I will be arriving at 11:52 pm. I really do not like traveling long periods of time but if I can save over $400 on a round trip flight, well sometimes you gotta do what’s best for you. I was willing to spend that extra time to keep the savings in my pocket.

Here are the restrictions (I thought I said I was keeping this short and sweet) LoL

AA has these new bag rules it seems and the weird thing about me booking these flights is I wanted to look at how I can improve my packing process. I usually have one luggage, a duffle bag and a shoulder purse when I travel. Look at these restrictions below for this Basic Economy Fare.

1. One item that fits under the seat! That would be my duffle bag because there’s no way my luggage will fit underneath their seats.

2. No access to the overhead bins, which means if I do bring a suitcase I would have to pay a checked bag fee for two flights and that’s $50! That is not about to happen because I need to eat with that $50! Now I have to travel without a suitcase.

3. Boarding in the last group! Oh Lawd!!!! I’m used to boarding group A/B. They will assign my seat for me. I am so curious to see how this goes. I better not get bumped for this flight.

So yeah, I will need to make some adjustments to how I travel for this trip. It is my goal to pack light because I usually take too much stuff anyway. My last trip I had to give some of my clothes away. I hope whoever has them use them. LoL!

This is my short travel segment on how I saved $463 on my round trip flight to the beautiful Dominican Republic once again! This time en la capital! Zona Colonial Style!

MUAH! (I think I need a backpack) LoL

LIVE ~ LOVE ~ TRAVEL

Holy Week

I have the privilege to partake in the presence of the Holy Spirit daily, but during certain times of the year, there’s a special time set aside for worship, adoration, giving thanks, repentance, protection, and praise. We get the opportunity to go around this room and write down our thoughts and we pour out what’s in our minds and what’s on our hearts; not only for ourselves, but for those who are suffering, persecuted and or lost. I do not take this time for granted. I’m very grateful. I’m humble. An awesome place to be. Thank you.

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

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

Brand Ambassador for Mala Prayer

I AM a Brand Ambassador for Mala Prayer.  Here is another perk, just for my followers.

108 Mala Beads from Mala Prayer are sustainably hand crafted. Driven by passion,  Mala Prayer was launched in 2015 with the aim of creating hand made, high-quality Mala Bead Necklaces, Bracelets, and wellness items, while following a mission of empowering women around the world. We hope you love Mala Beads.

Click the link below to receive a discount of 20% off when you use my personalized code “RAHELM20” – Limited Time Only!

MP-Med_large

Click the logo or click here

Mala Neck

Mala necklace

Hey Traveler! Will you be my #Loungebuddy

Hey Traveler! Do you hate long layovers and crowded gates while you're waiting for your next flight? Will you be my lounge buddy?

PUJ is upgrading their VIP Lounge and I want in! Please check out this app! I'm giving you a chance to get a $10 credit and access to an airport lounge near your next destination.

Use my code, HoheYvlGOr, and get $10 credit towards your first lounge experience with LoungeBuddy (https://www.loungebuddy.com/)

*Please note, that referral codes can only be redeemed through the LoungeBuddy App.

Now available on Kindle


More great news! 

I’ve expanded the distribution of my new book, “The Love Experience” because I know the hopeless romantics need instant gratification; in which we know is not always a good decision.  However, in this case, now you can sit back, relax and enjoy this good tea over the summer. 

Creative writing content on romance, travel and fantasy, all wrapped up in “The Love Experience” now available on Kindle! 

Specifically priced for $7.25! 

Click here for your free sample!

So go ahead and judge a book by its cover. 💕🇩🇴😝

Thank you for supporting self publishing authors! 

#mybusiness #mydestiny #selfpublishing #theloveexperience #thepoetryjournal

New Book Release

Click here: 

The Love Experience~Paperback 

Click here for the Kindle Version

Exciting news!!! I’ve been traveling and writing is one of my many passions. I didn’t really understand my passion for writing until a couple of years ago. Now, a year into having my own blog, ThePoetryJournal.org, I am releasing my second book! “The Love Experience.” If you work hard enough, you should reward yourself. Now that it’s July, I am celebrating!  


This is an exclusive pre-release only on the self publishing site of my choice and for a limited time only, special pricing. My memoir will be available for purchase for only $17.25! Check it out, leave a comment, share this with your friends. 

We are all going through this life together experiencing some struggles or a loss, but joy comes in the morning when you rise from the ashes of grief, pain and suffering. I appreciate your support!


Many Blessings!!!!

Shalom