George S. Chua l July 14, 2022 l Manila Bulletin
Just having arrived from a truly enjoyable 10-day trip in another country after not being able to travel for 30 months has given me a better perspective of what a real vacation is. Some people may think they do not need a vacation, they may feel like that for a variety of reasons, but I am not in a position to discuss this point of view. It is my opinion that if you could afford it you should take it, depending on how much time and money you have.
Typically, people who have the time do not have the money and those that have the money do not have the time. You would truly be fortunate if you had both time and money. In most cases, you just need to balance how much time you have and how much money you can afford. My idea of a vacation is something that takes you out of your routine where you can relax, enjoy and recharge.
What makes for a true vacation? Several things come to mind such as place, people, products and pleasure. Having the right combination of these elements will create pleasant and happy memories which you can call on to play in your mind when you are depressed or feeling troubled. In my case, I enjoy taking many photographs during my vacation, the older I get, the more I find them as the best souvenir.
The place or where to go to for a vacation is the starting point of turning thoughts into reality. Typically you would have an idea of what you want to see and do. I like going to places I have heard many wonderful things about but have never had the chance to visit. What you want to do during your vacation is also an important consideration such as seeing historic places, shopping, eating, playing golf, scuba diving and an unlimited list of other activities. As an additional benefit, going to new places enables you to expand your horizon and see things that may give ideas on improving yourself, business opportunities or adopting certain things.
Who do you want to spend your vacation with? The people going with you as well as the people you will be encountering during your trip makes or breaks your vacation. Spending time with family and friends would be ideal in that it allows you to experience things together, creating a stronger bond. There is also a sense of comfort and security in travelling with people you know, just in case something happens to you such as getting sick, an unfortunate accident, or being robbed. Of course the people you meet during your vacation is critical as well. It would certainly make your vacation better if the locals are pleasant, friendly, helpful and hospitable.
The products and services a particular vacation destination has can be worth the trip itself. I am certain the ladies would like to go to high end stores to shop for name bags, designer clothes and other accessories. For sure, anyone would like to have a nice massage on the beach or go to a spa. Certain places are known for certain types of food and delicacies, and would definitely attract the foodies in all of us. Wine tasting tours are quite common as well as golf tour packages. They would also sell the products the place in known for such as wine, cheese, olive oil, leather products and so on.
Finally, the pleasure you get from a great vacation is priceless. Indulging yourself in what you want to see and do is what a vacation is all about, which is why it is important to choose the right destination, travelling with and meeting people you like, and getting a chance to enjoy the products of a particular destination. Don’t wait until you are too old to be mobile enough to enjoy life, go ahead, take a vacation!
*** (The views and comments of the author are his own and not of the newspaper or FINEX. He was 2016 FINEX President, an entrepreneur and also a professorial lecturer at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Comments may be sent to gschua@up.edu.ph)