Return to Travel - Turks & Caicos
I am currently sitting on a flight to Turks & Caicos. I have dreamt about this moment for months – 15 months to be exact! That’s how long it has been since I have gotten on a plane and arrived somewhere …….…somewhere transporting! That is just one of the joys of travel; the ability to have your world completely transformed in the span of a flight. After more than a year of our world being transformed in so many difficult and painful ways, this trip feels restorative. I cannot help but feel grateful. Grateful for this opportunity to return to what I love to do; grateful that there appears to be more interest in doing so. There is still so much uncertainty about when travel will resume with fewer restrictions, and with greater comfort. What I do know for certain, is that I will never take it for granted ever again. This is also one of the byproducts of 2020 – the realization that so many of life’s simple pleasures have been taken for granted – seeing your family whenever you want; giving hugs; seeing smiles.
There is a little more than an hour remaining on my flight. One hour to envision what those turquoise waters are going to look like in real life; one hour to feel the sunshine and trade winds found in the Caribbean; one hour until my heart skips a beat as we approach the entrance to the Grace Bay Resorts. (Please tell me that I am not the only one whose heart skips a beat as they enter a luxury hotel!).
I can’t help feeling a little wistful about trips that have been canceled, but looking forward, there are practical measures to be taken as we all return to travel – much of it is destination specific. For Turks & Caicos, it is required that travelers have a Covid PCR test performed within 5 days of arrival on the islands. Travel insurance; a letter from your travel insurance company; documentation of your negative test results; and approval from the TCI Health Minister are all required in order to gain entry. While it may sound fairly complicated, it could not have been easier. Covid test (self-performed) in the drive-thru of my local CVS (with appointment) on Sunday; purchase of insurance on Monday; results from Covid test and submission on TCI portal at 5:15pm. I had my approval 4 minutes later!! I printed all the documents and placed them with my passport. Easy, breezy! Far easier than whittling down my wardrobe to pack for a 5-night stay. I have lots of practical travel knowledge to share, but absolutely no good packing tips!! I am a chronic over-packer! Well actually, I do have one packing tip --- PACKING CUBES!!! They will change your life! Bathing suits in one; tops in another, etc. It keeps your suitcase organized and your cubes can be placed directly into your hotel dresser. You will thank me later!