When things aren’t going to plan and life feels off-track, it’s often best to step back and go with the flow. Last year was quite a ride for us, full of excitement and adventures, but something always seemed missing.
Luckily, we eventually found what we were looking for. While in Manzanillo, Mexico, we debated our next move since the city didn’t impress us. This uncertainty was a constant theme throughout the year. Deciding where to travel is easy, but finding a place to live long-term is a different story.
We tossed around ideas of moving to Asia or Europe and even considered staying in Mexico, but nothing felt right. At one point, we almost got scammed trying to book a place in Lisbon! Eventually, we decided the best move was to return to Grenada, which we know and love. We booked a flight and were soon back on the Isle of Spice, greeted by friends and our dog, confirming we made the right choice. Grenada was the missing piece.
We’ve had a special connection with Grenada since 2014 during our first pet-sitting job. With its beautiful coastline, beaches, jungle, and vibrant towns, it’s truly a gem. We’ve spent over a year and a half there in total, making us feel more like locals than tourists. There might not be many typical tourist attractions, but there’s plenty to do if you’re adventurous. We love exploring hidden beaches, hiking jungle trails, and enjoying picnics in our favorite spots.
Grenada has a rustic, authentic Caribbean vibe that we adore. The island’s population is diverse, mostly of African descent, with some indigenous, Indian, French, and English heritage as well. Grenada retains its traditional Caribbean charm, complete with local cuisine, music, and festivals. We love the spicy food, national dishes, fresh produce, soca music, and the vibrant Carnival season.
The island also has a mix of locals, expats, students from the nearby medical university, sailors, tourists, and cruise ship visitors, making it an interesting and eclectic place.
Taking a break from house-sitting and spontaneous travel felt right. Although we missed our regular assignments in Grenada, a new pet-sitting job lined up perfectly. We’ll be taking care of two adorable dogs and enjoying our stay in a beautiful home with ocean views. This is exactly what we needed after indulging too much in Mexico.
Our current place is like a wellness retreat, surrounded by jungle on one side and the ocean on the other. We’ve been focusing on our health, eating wholesome foods, and taking care of ourselves. This retreat helped us rejuvenate, and we’ll certainly miss it when we move to our next locale.
Balancing travel and work has been challenging. We neglected our website during our hiatus in Mexico, impacting our progress and finances. That’s why staying in Grenada for a while feels right. Reflecting on our travels in 2017, we realized we spent most of our time moving around. Now, we’re ready for some stability and dedicated laptop time.
We love what we do, and we’re excited to get back to work. Our to-do list for the blog is long, but we look forward to achieving all our goals while enjoying the island. We have no immediate plans to leave Grenada. We’ll focus on enjoying time with friends, exploring, writing, and letting ourselves rejuvenate. We feel healthy, happy, and alive, grateful to be back “home.”
If you’ve ever felt burned out from too much travel or visiting friends and family for too long, how did you cope? Share your thoughts below!
When we started blogging, funds were tight. In 2013, while sitting in a cafe in Uzbekistan, we joined Trusted Housesitters, the largest online platform for house sitters and homeowners. Since 2014, we’ve enjoyed pet sitting and free accommodation worldwide, including Grenada, Barbados, and Costa Rica, receiving offers daily from Europe, Australia, and beyond.