Yesterday, my family and I got up before sunrise to try to catch a flight to Saipan.  Since we travel standby, it’s often a hit-or-miss game.  There was only one seat left, and my husband told me to take it.  He told me to enjoy some “me” time alone in Saipan, and he and the kids would follow on the evening flight.

After the short flight, approximately 30 minutes, I landed in Saipan and picked up my rental car.  I drove to the Fiesta Resort, but my room wasn’t ready that early in the morning, so I explored around the many shops and restaurants within walking distance.  I ate a breakfast burrito at the Cafe at the Park at a table on the front patio, while taking advantage of their free WiFi.

I stumbled upon a beautiful spa right across the street from the hotel, the Hanamitsu Spa.  The prices were slightly lower than the spa at the hotel, and the staff was very friendly and welcoming, yet not pushy, when I was looking at the spa menu.  I opted for a reasonably priced combination treatment that included a choice of body massage, a choice of foot massage, and a choice of a body wrap or scrub.  I asked if they could substitute a facial for the body wrap, and they were able to accommodate me.  It turned out to be one of the best facials I’ve ever had with an amazing peppermint peel at the end that left my skin glowing and helped the dark circles under my eyes.  I left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.  My hotel room was ready by the time my spa day was complete.  I took a little power nap and then went out to grab some dinner.

While I was getting pampered, my husband was at home with the kids, putting them to work doing chores such as sweeping the house, washing the car, and giving the dog a bath.  As a reward for their hard work, he took them to the arcade afterward, and then they headed back to the airport to try for the evening flight to Saipan.  Unfortunately, they didn’t get on that flight either, and the loads for the next morning looked pretty ugly.  They decided to call it a night and head to the Mangilao Night Market.  The kids were troopers, as they always are, even when stand-by travel doesn’t go our way.  Daddy always makes everything fun.  He decided to stay home with the kids, oversee their home school work, take our youngest daughter to her Friday art class and our oldest daughter to her Friday surf lesson, and encouraged me to stay one more day for a “Momcation.”  Yes, I know how fortunate I am to have such a wonderful man for a husband and the father of my children.  I am grateful everyday!