JEK
Senior Insider
It is time. Again.
1. Spend money like it is your own. It is.
2. Do what you like, when you like. It is your vacation.
3. Eat what you want, when and where you want. It is your waistline and (see #1)
4. Drink what you want when you want. If your spouse likes red and you like white, buy one bottle of each. Life is short.
5. Stay in a villa, hotel, or a hole-in-the-wall depending on your whim, desire or see #1.
6. Cook in your villa (if a villa is your desire) if you want to. Go out for dinner if you like.
7. Plan ahead at least a day for dinner, or don't. Experience flexibility.
8. Go to a beach everyday, or stay by the pool at your hotel/villa.
9. Watch US TV at every opportunity, or not. It's your vacation.
10. Seek out the places that sell days-old New York Times, or current Times Fax. Do the crosswords, or don't.
11. Bring you laptop and surf the web morning, noon and night. Or leave it behind.
12. Make sure your cell has international roaming and call your homebound friends whilst splashing in the surf to engender envy. Or leave the cell at home.
13. Charge everything on your AmEx knowing that you are getting ripped off, or use your debit card at an ATM and pay cash.
14. Wake up extra early and be the first in line at the boulangerie and bring back bread for your spouse. Or take your spouse out for breakfast.
15. Bring your iPod and speakers, or listen to the local FM station.
16, Always rent a manual 4WD, or an automatic if you are more comfortable.
17. Bring hairdryers, curling irons and other instruments of torture, or go with the humid breezes.
18. Tip for meals, maids and massages, or not. See #1.
19. Research your villa/hotel selections and gain consensus that you have the best-of-the-best, or book on a whim and enjoy the surprise.
20. Dress for dinner, or wear cutoffs. Nobody will care except your spouse/partner.
21. When you arrive, take off your shoes, take a deep breath and become one with the island, or head out to Match for some shopping.
22. Ride a bike, go for a run or go for a walk. Or, be a beach potato.