Each day starts with a stretch, a yawn, and taking a look at the weather forecast for the day. It’s been a long winter and I did really good. Much better than I have in other years.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through the years is that the winter weather, although sometimes extremely beautiful, can wreck havoc with my inner peace. It’s like my mind needs to dream, create, and accomplish. It needs to imagine or know that something really good is coming up. For some people, the little hints that spring is going to finally eventually come along is enough, but for me, I need the definite goal of something definite.

So this year, I decided to just cosy on down, watch some movies, learn to adjust to the -40 below weather, and relax. Going on a southern vacation just seemed to be too much money to just lay in the sand. As much as I love sand and beaches and sunshine, I liked my bank account a little bit more.

So as I lay in my recliner, with a cool drink in my hand, in -35 Celsius weather, I find the movie Ticket to Paradise. A love story set in Bali. George Clooney and Julia Roberts are parents of a young woman that recently graduates from university and takes a well earned vacation to Bali. There she meets the man of her dreams and chooses love over career.

As my eyes viewed the beauty of Bali, I remembered how often I was going to put it on my bucket list, but just assumed that I could never ever afford to be able to go there. Hell it’s above Australia and below Thailand. Only the super rich must be able to afford to vacation in Bali. But I was curious so I clicked on Expedia. Then I really checked it because it was saying that I could fly from Canada to Bali, 9 nights stay in a hotel, close to the beach, and fly home, for under $2500 Canadian. Oh my God.

I began my research. I double checked to make sure that I was on the real Expedia site. I reviewed all the presets and choices, and reviews, and YouTube videos. I took all the advice that I could find for which hotels were for me. I could choose the over 50 crowd at a much higher price per night, or the over 30 crowd and a much more reasonable price. One was a little farther from the beach to ensure that they had the quiet ambience. I was happy to just be closer to the beach, patios, and music.

Then I started looking at all the tours or sightseeing. Wow waterfalls, hike up a mountain to an active volcano, actually walk in paradise. I was starting to find out that the Canadian dollar really does quite well in Bali. Food was just as cheap as eating it in Canada or less. I could hire a driver for the day for $20 to take me anywhere.

So I took the dive. I figured out the days that I could go. I booked the days off from my work. I made a rough plan of what I would need to save to really enjoy this dream vacation. I clicked all the choices on Expedia. Triple reviewed my choices of flights, days, and costs. Then I made payment, got the confirmation of my itinerary, and was on the way to the most exciting few months I’ve had in a while. Now to plan.

To be continued…

May I be safe. May I be healthy. May I be happy. May I live with ease.