As promised in our first post re Valentine's Surprises, we now present, "7 Absolutely Most Fun Things to do With Your Valentine!"
The following activities:
1) Are geared towards fostering a deeper appreciation of and bonding with your sweetheart/love interest, but also for allowing you both to "see" each other up close.
2) Include the discussion on "what are the most exciting places to go with my Valentine?", as mentioned in our previous post.
NB: The best time to do these activities is 1-2 weeks after Valentine's Day to avoid the heavy Valentine's Day traffic and Valentine's Day crowds.
The following definitions will be used throughout this post:
1) New lovers -Those assessing whether or not they should begin a new relationship or those at the beginning stages of a new relationship
2) Old lovers - Those persons who've been in relationship or married for over 2 years.
3) Caveat - Warning, caution.
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1) Driving, Biking or Taking the Bus to Access a Scenic Location That Overlooks the City or the Sea.
Also plan for a picnic at the destination.
Pros
a) Just the drive or ride to and from your destination, will give you two lots to talk about
b) Seeing a different view of the city, or just being somewhere that you've both been dying to go, is a great foundation for a renewed appreciation of life and your place in it.
Being in this idyllic setting also allows your creative and business juices to flow, fostering great bonding time with your love interest, as you share ideas.
Please take pictures or videos to remind yourselves of the experience.
Con
a) You may be attacked if your idyllic spot is deserted ... please choose heavily-visited areas to avoid this.
2) Go to the Amusement Park/ a Fun-filled Attraction
If you're both the adventurous type and you don't suffer from heart conditions or high blood pressure - this is a must do!
Pros
a) For the thrill-seekers, this will be a boon to your Valentine's Day, as you both can spend some quality time enjoying one of the thrills that will make your relationship special
b) New lovers: You get to see the bare, stripped down version of your love interest, as his/her emotions range from fear to total delight, when experiencing some of the rides
c) Gives you lots to talk about on the return journey home.
Con
a) If your stomachs haven't settled after eating, persons may throw up, if the rides are really daring.
3) Go Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Being underwater can be a memorable and great experience if you love water, as your mind's eye is opened up to this whole new world, under the sea.
Caveat
a) Ensure that you book your trip after Valentine's Day, to avoid long airline wait times, however.
b) To go scuba diving it's best to find a dive resort where you can be PADI certified - which is attainable with a face-to-face instructor, within 5-days.
Again, please take pictures or videos to remind yourselves of the experience.
Pros
a) This experience will last for many years to come
b) Meeting other scuba diving/snorkeling enthusiasts increases your network of cool people to know.
Con
a) This activity is not for those who can't to swim or who're not comfortable being in the water.
4) Go Camping
Yes, by all means do go camping, if you both like the outdoors.
For new lovers: You get the chance to relax and assess your love interest's resourcefulness in the outdoors. You also get the opportunity to assess just how comfortable he/she is with him/herself and with you.
For new and "old" lovers: Gives you some alone-time to talk, relax and enjoy nature, away from the hustle and bustle of home life.
Pros
a) Many camp sites give you the opportunity to see the beautiful, unabashed, rugged aspect of your country or region, that is seldom seen, or seen from afar, if you live in the city
b) You get to experience nature, first-hand and really have a renewed appreciation for life.
c) Lots of time to talk when travelling to the camp site, during camping and on your return journey home
d) Allows some getting-close time, without interruptions.
Cons:
a) A lot of planning is needed if going to a rustic site; less planning is necessary for lighter camping
b) For new lovers: Camping brings out the best and worst in people. You may discover some deep faults (that you may have difficulty living with) and have to assess whether or not to continue in this particular relationship, after these faults are exposed.
c) Insect bites will ruin your camping experience, if you don't wear proper clothing and/or use insect repellent
d) If your camp site is in a protected animal reserve, your failure to follow camp-site rules, Guide or Rangers' instructions will lead to animal infiltration of your camp...it's not a great experience confronting a bear.
5) Visit a Historic/Heritage Site
If your country, culture and/or family history mean a lot to the two (2) of you, then do visit an (ancestral) heritage site or a site germane to your identity and/or culture.
Caveat: If you visit a site that's far away from home, maybe it's best to rest at the location overnight, before proceeding home (if there's provision for same).
Pros
a) Gives you both a greater appreciation for who you are and where you're coming from
b) Should spark deeper bonding between both of you.
Cons
a) Your visit may be so regimented, that you two don't get enough alone-time
So, please visit a site where there is an equal balance of the two
b) If you don't wear proper clothing and shoes, you'll feel uncomfortable if you have to climb stairs.
Try wearing outdoor gear and comfortable sneakers or shoes with enough traction, so that you won't slide on slippery surfaces.
6) Visit the Zoo
Animals in a zoo open your mind's eye to the presence of other animals in our world that may not be known to you.
Use the experience to learn about these animals, where they're from and their survival skills in the wild.
Read the information boards and listen to presentations re these animals to really learn something new that you both can discuss on your journey home, or at another time.
Additionally, wild life and zoos do something to most men...in that you get to see these gentlemen stripped bare down to their primal roots.
So you'll see if he teases the animals, makes apes sounds or just enjoys horsing around ..just a fun way to get to know your lover (new and old).
Pro
a) Gives you the chance to see your lover's interaction with and appreciation of animals.
Con
a) Not for persons who are not animal lovers.
7) Skiing Anyone?
For lovers still experiencing snowy conditions..why not learn a new skill together..like skiing or snowboarding?
Ok, I'll admit that these two activities are for the more adventurous.
But learning together helps you gain deep insights into each others' personalities.
Ski resorts are full of seasoned instructors willing to help you master this skill.
So, why not take a ski/snow-boarding trip together to deepen your bonding experience?
Pros
a) new lovers: Helps you assess your love interest's willingness to learn and be taught.
Cons
a) Gear may be a bit on the expensive side, so rent if you need to :).
Well, we've come to the end of "7 Absolutely Most Fun Things to do With Your Valentine!"
We hope that you'll be able to use one or more of the above suggestions, to have great fun with your Valentine, 1-2 weeks after Valentine's Day!
Enjoy!
Gillian
