A few weeks ago we were planning for a trip to Mozambique.  My friend was getting married there, and we were planning to fly there ourselves, with a small aircraft.  This almost sounded too good to be true, I got my dress ready, and my husband did the flight planning. We did some research and got extremely excited about snorkeling in the tropical turquoise water.

We made sure that our traveling passes were in order, and found out that we had to drink anti malaria medication. We watched the weather with a hawk’s eye, hoping that it will be clear enough to fly.

I’ve never been to another African country, so for me this was a huge event. Everything was all set for Saturday morning’s early rise. On Friday my friend phoned and let me know that she forgot to get the groom a belt, which I could luckily still buy, and also did.

Friday evening came, and as I started making my lists of all I had to pack, and do before going to bed something told me that I shouldn’t forget my passport. I knew the expiry date was still good, cause I checked it just two weeks earlier. As I opened the cupboard where all our legal docs are kept, I realized with a shock that everything was there except my passport. Needless to say I was in a frenzy, tipping anything and everything over to try and find it. I unpacked boxes with paint which I haven’t used in the past ten years, I turned the everything upside down and inside out. Twice. And nothing. I tried thinking. Still nothing. I had looked absolutely everywhere in this house, and I can guarantee that it is not here. Now. Firstly this meant that there’s no legal way for me to get over the border, which obviously meant that we missed the trip, and my friend’s weddings. And secondly it meant that our flight adventure was canceled.

The trip can still be retaken, but a wedding is a once off thing, and I am so sad and angry that I missed it. I still have no clue what happened to my passport. It pretty much vanished?! I guess someone had to have taken it. Just a pity that their timing sucked so badly.

As much excitement Valentine’s day holds for couples in love, so much loneliness does this day represent for those who are single. I’m lucky to have someone to celebrate this day with, but I know of many people who haven’t had a special someone for a long time. They dread this day of red roses, cards and gifts, and cannot stand the site of other couples cuddling in public. They avoid all the Cardies stores for a few weeks prior, and another afterwards. It hurts to be so harshly reminded that they’re without the love of their life.

Valentine’s day was meant to celebrate the love we share for each other, and though some people do, some are just celebrating another commercialized holiday because everyone is doing it. Yes, its DEFINITELY overrated!! There’s a lot of people who refuse to celebrate it for this reason. I don’t think there’s any harm in celebrating it though – if you do it the right way.

Its always been my intention to keep this day as little commercialized as possible. To not buy extravagant gifts to prove love. I usually make a card myself, and we just have dinner together. Its so much more personal, and says a lot more than any expensive gift can ever say.

But for those of you who are single, don’t let this day get you down. I know it can be depressing, but you’re not the only single person on the planet – even if it might feel like that. Try to make friends with other singles, not necessarily cause you’re looking for a relationship, but companionship instead. Spend V-day with your friends, and don’t be too worried about getting flowers or any of that – its all so commercialized, and doesn’t mean much. Take time to spend with yourself even, and indulge in something you really like. Cook yourself a nice dinner, have a long bath, and watch a movie. For girls its pretty easy to do something like this with their friends, and its bound to be fun.

Hope you all enjoy the preparations. I’m not preparing much, other than painting our new home, and moving in bits and pieces.
Which, by the way, is pretty romantic for me, but maybe I’m weird

Whether you’re going away on a business trip, or looking for a ideal holiday destination, you might just find what you’re looking for on Dial-A-Flight’s website. You can get a flight to Australia, Madagascar, Thailand, wherever you want – even exotic locations such as Mauritius for a bargain price!I visited Mauritius a couple of years back, and it was an incredible experience. I would love to go there again, but then again, there are so many other amazing places which I haven’t seen yet. If someone had to tell me I could go anywhere in the world, I wouldn’t know where to pick.

One day, instead of retiring, I want to spend time travelling the world… Still, where would I start – I dont have the vaguest clue – probably some tropical island!