#poolhangs

Recently I checked my out-of-office to ‘hell yes’, packed my bags and departed to a far-enough-away, hot and humid tropical oasis.  I was desperate for some serious R&R. 

Pulling up to my new casa, the loveliness of the muggy pungent air snaked it’s way around my body and seeped into my skin. Making my way into the resort, I clocked the infinity pool and knew I was in for some solid chill time.

Enter young receptionist with a smiling but confused expression “just you today mam?” – ahhhhhh yes, single status confirmed loudly for all to hear.

I can understand her confusion.  The #solotravel trend flooding insta posts usually feature a mix of cliff-dive, shark-swim, ice-hike, balloon-ride antics. This is of course the direct opposite to the #resortlife trend which mostly features sickly sweet shots of honeymooners and loved up romantics. 

Solo travel is something I eagerly embraced in my footloose, fancy-free youthful existence.  Backpack at the ready for many, many unaccounted days of wanderlust. Singledom was expected and embraced, due to the chance for fast friendships to form over long commutes, shady hostels and once in lifetime vistas.

As time has became the tradable commodity of my life, travel gave way to short sharp #vacays, but even these became rare when holiday partners were thin on the ground due to baby and family commitments.

I found myself resisting time away due to fears of awkward solo sunset cocktails and lonely dinners for one.

However as anyone with a taxing daily existence will tell you – if you don’t make time to get away, it won’t be long before they put you away. So these days carefully scheduled weeks to press pause are one of the rituals I have adopted to set me on a path to relaxation redemption.   

To gain the most from the experience, the place chosen to lay one's head should have done all the work (and thinking - oh, the joy!).  

Every one of my needs should be carefully considered and delivered without request or in-fact knowing that it is required (*sigh*).

I have come to realise that the highlight of any solo break and real cure for exhaustion as well as awkwardness and loneliness is a #poolhang. 

The perfect #poolhang starts with ocean views, an accessible bar, poolside waitstaff, soft tunes. Add in a luxury sun bed, soft fluffy towels and azure blue water and you are set. 

Getting up early to beat the throngs of pool goers, I aim to find the perfect spot and settle in for the day.  As the sun warm my skin, relax signals flood my tired body and I feel the hamster wheel of mindless (and endless) problem solving begin to slow.

The warmth of the day building, it's time to take a plunge.  Diving in for the first time is exhilarating - the salt and pepper mix of piping hot sun-warmed skin and icy blue water instantly strips another layer of fatigue as my nervous system flushes with energy.

Climbing (hopefully all insta worthy) out of the pool and curling up on a sun-warmed fluffy towel, my favourite cocktail has stealthily appeared as if by apparition. As the sweet and sour goodness touches my lips, I contemplate that this my be a timely version of heaven on earth.

Deep relaxation grabbing hold, I drift in and out of light sleep, calmed by the gentle breeze and background base beat of soft music.

A pool-side chat is often available from other sun worshipers, connecting you to a tribe of a different kind.  Sometimes an inner city dweller on a similar mission, usually it is loved-up couple enjoying their honeymoon, but hey they are people too.

After three straight days of crafting the art of sunny relaxation, I jump on a flight, back to reality a little browner, blonder and calmer.

The world looks a saner and more pleasurable place.  Each spine-tingling swim replenished my inspiration and motivation. I feel capable and yes! excited about the challenges ahead - which is just as well because as one of my favourite sayings goes: "being challenged in life is inevitable, but being defeated is always optional" - (Roger Crawford).