must haves

I Understand

From IAH to SDQ

Trip No. 10

Dominican Republic ~ When I am there I feel free. Flying into the capital (Santo Domingo) and a two hour scenic drive to a Romantic beachfront property in Uvero Alto and then back to the capital… Lord, I’m so in love!

You don’t want me to acknowledge the pain.

You only want me to acknowledge the good again.

I understand

Now that I’ve turned my back to you, I know you’re hurting too, but what are you teaching me?

Not to be blue?

Just as you think of me daily, the consequences of your actions reminds me daily not to let you back in until you can acknowledge the pain I’m in!

What you’ve learned to accept in your culture may not be ok in mine. If you can’t live without me, then you have to confess that what you feel is true.

Which is… You can’t be without me and you don’t want to be blue!

#poetry #author #blogger #travel #romancetourism #theloveexperience #thepoetryjournal

The Big Five0!

I have a birthday milestone coming up in July and have not made any major plans, but I know I want to travel somewhere special.

I have been to the DR more frequently than I should admit to so perhaps in July, this trip can be somewhere new.

No criteria

No expectations

Just travel; besides a little travel never hurt nobody, right?

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

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.

My Top 10!

Traveling does not always require a full itinerary. You can still have fun relaxing.

Top Ten ways to relax if you’re on Vacation

1. Schedule a full body scrub massage

2. Sleep in late

3. Attend a yoga session

4. Drink hot tea or coffee

5. Sit out on the beach for every sunrise and sunset

6. Cook dinner

7. Read a romance novel

8. Visit the Zoo or the local park

9. Volunteer to help the children or the elderly

10. Shake heavily and pop the cork open on a bottle of champagne and let it spill all over you in the shower

Pick any three of these and you’ve got your relaxation for your vacation.

Live ~ Love ~ Travel

She’s Gotta Travel

~I travel just to see another side of myself. Who can I be outside of my country?

~ Daring

~ Independent

~ Freedom

~ Exhilarating

~ Exhalations

I have traveled to domestic destinations on someone else’s dime. Even my first time traveling internationally to the Dominican Republic, was not on my dime.

But when I got a taste of the beauty and that bliss, I could not hardly contain myself. Like what have I been missing? Attention like this? I just could not resist.

I evolved into another person it seemed. Dreaming of fantasies I had once dreamed. Connecting with someone who fell in love with me. Not knowing the consequences of giving him all of me.

Places I would not go, I went.

Things I would not do, I did.

People I would not see, I saw.

A love I would not normally love, Yes, I loved.

I travel just the way I want to. My rules, my money, my time. Just the way I want it.

And I damn sure ain’t nobody’s property.

#shesgottatravel 😝 #thepoetryjournal

Travel creates Happiness

Life has changed since I was 17!

I attended college immediately after high school. That experience of being independent from my parents was a culture shock, but it was also rewarding meeting new friends. I learned to depend on my roommates, my college sweethearts, to get me through my independence, but most importantly I had to learn to depend on myself.

I had to hold myself accountable for getting to my 8:00 am Business class on the other side of the campus. I did not pass that class my first semester. Luckily, I had some great friends who chose to succeed in college and I wanted to do the same.

Life changed after I finished my second year of college. My father passed away right before the summer I was scheduled to return. I couldn’t go back to that college. I decided I wanted to start working. I remember my mother and our cousin Robin helped me get my first apartment. It was so cute. I had thrift furniture. I can remember it being so economical and simple. It was mine! It was my responsibility. It was my happiness.

After waiting 14 years to marry the man I wanted to marry, I had 3 gorgeous sons. Blessed to be with the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with; I was happy. The Lord loved me enough to allow that matrimony. Thank you, Lord.

Life changed after Marcel passed away. I miss him, but I am still here trying to create my own happiness.

I begin to travel overseas and I met some new friends. Traveling makes me happy.

As my life continues to change, sometimes I stop and try to wait for someone to bring me happiness, but why wait for that when I can create my own happiness.

My time is now.

Before you travel…

I am getting the fever to travel again, but before I do, I have to get my lists together. My bucket list, my checklist, my love list, lol. I think I need travel anonymous!  


The Best Beauty Products for Travel Under $25

Jetsetter has published this article for the best beauty products for travel all under $25.  Let’s go see what you might need before you travel.  Click here to read the full article

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