Babymoon in the Seychelles

I have said it many times on this blog and it's been echoed to my expat friends within the UAE and beyond:

THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL is the best thing about living here.

As our passports fill up with international stamps and my little collection of ziploc bags with currency from all around the world continues to build, I find myself asking: when will this end?

Some people think having a baby on the way -- Miranda is eight months pregnant -- will throw a wrench into our travel plans. But we are not so quick to assume that.

The goal is to have our child adapt to our lifestyles. Not the other way around. Yes, I know that sounds a little selfish and perhaps a little unrealistic, but we've already agreed that we're going to give it a shot. After all, she is an international baby.

While in the womb, she has already visited six (6) different countries! She will have her US passport photo taken within the first 10 days of her life. By comparison, I was well out of high school before I even visited a foreign land for the first time or applied for that little blue booklet that would allow me to do so.

 

So to keep up with our travels, Miranda asked me if there were any destinations on my before-our-daughter-arrives bucket list. One place came to mind: the Far East. Then our friend Anna accepted a new job in Beijing so the writing was on the wall. Our five-day trip to China was eye-opening and shocking and inspiring all at the same time.

After that, it was time to hit some beautiful beaches. Everyone in Abu Dhabi -- at least many of the Western expats -- like to talk about the Maldives and the Seychelles as the ultimate paradise getaway from the UAE.

Both sets of islands are pretty similar, both are located in the Indian Ocean and both are a few hours away by plane.

Speaking of planes, there were only a few weeks left before Miranda and her growing belly could be allowed to board one. So we booked our tickets for the Seychelles and then #BabyMoon2015 was in full effect.

Traveling will always open your eyes to things.

Example: So Miranda and I joined other vacation-inspired people wearing their loose-fitting cabana outfits and together, we all got on a plane, flew directly over a country violently divided in a bloody civil war, crossed the equator, and then, about three hours later, landed in a tropical paradise. Indeed, we live in strange times.

But once we touched down at Mahe, where about 90 percent of the Seychelles population lives, the unrest in Yemen was about the farthest thing from our mind. I guess vacation does that to you.

It was also my first visit to Africa. Yes, you heard me right. That group of beautiful islands absorbed in the vast Indian Ocean are considered to be among the continent of Africa.

And what a cool vibe Mahe had.

It was very similar to the Caribbean, which is where Miranda and I first met when we were both living and working on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Being swept up in that similar setting -- relaxing breezes, strong drink and brief afternoon showers -- was a great way for us to take an inventory on our relationship and enjoy some of the final days we will ever have alone ... without our offspring.

It was also a great time for me to celebrate my wife and everything she has already done for our growing family. Could not think of a better place to share those moments with her.