Sunday, June 19, 2011
On the move
Last Thursday morning Matt and I packed up and I went to work with him for 2 days. We drove an hour and 45 minutes to one of his hospitals where he had a case and I caught up on some reading (and napping). After that we drove over to Morgantown for the night. While he worked Friday morning, I shopped. Then we left on Friday to head to Richmond for the weekend. Friday night was my Trash the Dress shoot...pictures to come at a later date...then Saturday was the wedding for 2 dear friends (and quality time with other close friends filled with baby cuddles). Finally today we're traveling back to WV...with 2 house guests in tow. My two youngest sisters are coming to spend the week with Matt and I and it is sure to be a fun week! We have a lot of things planned to do with them. Matt's number 1 priority...get out the deep fryer. The one thing that I did not want on our registry...and ended up on it when Matt had the scanning gun and I wasn't around, and of course we got it! I just don't need anything that tempting around me just begging to deep fry anything in sight. No worries though, my sisters have been plotting using that thing since we got it...and Matt is SOOOOO happy to play with his new toy with my younger sisters. He's the cool bigger brother they always wanted...and I'm just the dead-beat big sister! haha
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Cruel and Unusual Punishment
As great as all vacations are, the last day (traveling home) all I can think about is how bad I want to be home, unpacked, and getting back in to a normal routine.
Last Saturday was no different. We had to check out by 12, but weren't leaving for the airport until 2pm. We played scrabble for an hour (a very close and intense game) then had lunch and really soaked up the scenery for the last time.
Of course we got to the airport way too early so we sat for another 2 hours. I hate playing the waiting game. Delaying the inevitable...I was getting antsy to say the least. Our flight was late to add to the annoyance factor.
Since we just had lunch at 1pm we weren't hungry for food before our flight. Of course they had "limited quantities" of nasty sandwiches so the plan of eating dinner on the plane was a bust. By the time we got to the airport weather shut us down...delays...etc...long story short we got home at 3am Sunday morning (without our luggage) and were wiped out. I'm pretty sure Sunday and Monday are both a haze because we were so exhausted, but it was great to finally be "home". We can't believe how fast the week went, and now look...we've been home for a week already and the time sure is flying!!!
On another note...today is the wedding of 2 dear friends of ours. Matt and I are high school sweethearts, but this couple has us beat and they happen to be middle school sweethearts! It is sure to be an amazing day and I can't wait to see the beautiful bride!!!
Last Saturday was no different. We had to check out by 12, but weren't leaving for the airport until 2pm. We played scrabble for an hour (a very close and intense game) then had lunch and really soaked up the scenery for the last time.
Of course we got to the airport way too early so we sat for another 2 hours. I hate playing the waiting game. Delaying the inevitable...I was getting antsy to say the least. Our flight was late to add to the annoyance factor.
Since we just had lunch at 1pm we weren't hungry for food before our flight. Of course they had "limited quantities" of nasty sandwiches so the plan of eating dinner on the plane was a bust. By the time we got to the airport weather shut us down...delays...etc...long story short we got home at 3am Sunday morning (without our luggage) and were wiped out. I'm pretty sure Sunday and Monday are both a haze because we were so exhausted, but it was great to finally be "home". We can't believe how fast the week went, and now look...we've been home for a week already and the time sure is flying!!!
On another note...today is the wedding of 2 dear friends of ours. Matt and I are high school sweethearts, but this couple has us beat and they happen to be middle school sweethearts! It is sure to be an amazing day and I can't wait to see the beautiful bride!!!
Friday, June 17, 2011
This time last week...
Our boat picked us up and we spent a few hours riding along and taking in the scenery of the Island from the water. A completely new perspective and the views were gorgeous. The whole morning was so relaxing. There was a rule on the boat...no drinking before snorkeling. This was for safety reasons, but I didn't think that when they opened the bar after snorkeling (at lunch) that Matt would feel the need to catch up. It was so darn hot that the only thing I could drink was water. Matt drank enough for the two of us. I knew we were in for a long day when the captain dropped anchor for people to eat lunch or jump in and swim, and Matt jumped in but wouldn't swim without his beer. Quite comical, actually.
The view of our resort along the ridge from the water.
Matt and I right after we got on the boat around 8:15am.
After we snorkeled, we hiked to the top of Bird Island to take in the amazing views.
A picture of us on the boat together towards the end of the trip.
After snorkeling, Matt jumping in to the water (with beer of course)!
The gorgeous sunset that I took in alone (Matt being passed out from the excitement of the day's activities).
WooHoo! We made it to dinner together on the last night! (Or was it breakfast? hmmm)
Thursday, June 16, 2011
This time last week...
We were waking up to what was supposed to be "breakfast in bed" but since it was so beautiful out, it turned in to "breakfast on our back porch".
These banana pancakes were the most delicious things ever!!! Matt loved the home fries and I decided to try the "bacon" this turned out to be more like a slab of thick and salty ham...yuck.
After breakfast we had couple's massages at the resort's Aveda Spa. Uh-Maze-Ing! Matt turned to me when it was over and said..."we should do this once a month". Sold. He doesn't have to talk me in to that...I'm all for it! haha
When our massages were over we headed back to Turner's Beach (one of our favorite beaches) where for lunch Matt tried Conch Fritters and Curried Goat. Quite the experience!
After a long day at the beach we came back to spend the afternoon at the Sugar Club Pool. The waiters were amazing and brought around ice cold peppermint towels to cool off with. So refreshing!
This night we opted to try a local restaurant, OJ's by the beach. It was such a romantic setting right on the water, and we practically had the restaurant to ourselves. Matt loved his red snapper and my seafood pasta was delicious too!
These banana pancakes were the most delicious things ever!!! Matt loved the home fries and I decided to try the "bacon" this turned out to be more like a slab of thick and salty ham...yuck.
After breakfast we had couple's massages at the resort's Aveda Spa. Uh-Maze-Ing! Matt turned to me when it was over and said..."we should do this once a month". Sold. He doesn't have to talk me in to that...I'm all for it! haha
When our massages were over we headed back to Turner's Beach (one of our favorite beaches) where for lunch Matt tried Conch Fritters and Curried Goat. Quite the experience!
After a long day at the beach we came back to spend the afternoon at the Sugar Club Pool. The waiters were amazing and brought around ice cold peppermint towels to cool off with. So refreshing!
This night we opted to try a local restaurant, OJ's by the beach. It was such a romantic setting right on the water, and we practically had the restaurant to ourselves. Matt loved his red snapper and my seafood pasta was delicious too!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Stick with me...
A little update on the home front. We're boat shopping. Not just looking around at what we like (been doing that for a few months now) but really crunching numbers and trying to make this dream (that started out as just Matt's, but now has developed in to mine as well) come true. Matt threw this idea out a few years ago fully expecting me to roll my eyes and dismiss him. I think he was pleasantly surprised when I got just as excited as he was about this. We'll never be as young and able as we are today, so we may just do something crazy and go for it. We both have lived our lives pretty responsibly, and this decision was not one that wasn't talked about (in length). We've looked at our financial responsibilities (which will only grow the older we get) and have realized that if we don't justify this now...we never will. And who wants to look back on their life and say "we should have done ______ when we could"? Not us!
Still working on reliving the honeymoon. Posts this week may be a little boring, but I know if I don't write about the honeymoon, in 5 years I'll regret it.
This time last week we had a "free" day. Of course, Matt can't sit still, and I'm not one to go somewhere and not explore either so we took the opportunity to go on a nature hike that was provided by the resort we were staying at. It was amazing to see some of the sights on the hike. We even got to tour through a small local village and our tour ended at a local grocery store where the owner makes his own alcohol and gave us a taste of moonshine. It cleared our sinuses right up! So fun and very interesting to be among the locals.
Still working on reliving the honeymoon. Posts this week may be a little boring, but I know if I don't write about the honeymoon, in 5 years I'll regret it.
This time last week we had a "free" day. Of course, Matt can't sit still, and I'm not one to go somewhere and not explore either so we took the opportunity to go on a nature hike that was provided by the resort we were staying at. It was amazing to see some of the sights on the hike. We even got to tour through a small local village and our tour ended at a local grocery store where the owner makes his own alcohol and gave us a taste of moonshine. It cleared our sinuses right up! So fun and very interesting to be among the locals.
Fresh Mango picked from a tree and my bite taken out of it!
Beautiful views behind our resort
After the nature hike we headed off to Ffrye's Beach to enjoy a small slice of paradise. Loved that we shared the beach with only one other couple!
We ended the night with a fancy dinner at Carmichael's restaurant.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
This Time Last Week
This time last week we were on a 4x4, off-road, discovery tour. It was an amazing way to see the back roads and everything that the Island had to offer. The best part about this was the weather. On Tuesday in Antigua it was very overcast. We realized that had we stayed at the resort we probably wouldn't have wanted to go to the pool or the beach because the weather was gross (raining on and off). Luckily we had this tour planned (and the back of the vehicle we were in was covered) so we felt like the weather didn't ruin an entire day for us.
The tour started out driving through back roads and looking at the fruit trees and everything that grows locally. This is a date tree. I never knew that dates grew like this.
After taking in the scenery on the lower parts of the Island, we went up the mountains to get better views.
Next we made a stop at Nelson's Dockyard where many people travel to in the month of April for Antigua Sailing Week. Check out that website, it's pretty cool. The dockyard was in disrepair for over 30 years before the government decided to work on restoring this historical location. Read more about Nelson's Dockyard HERE.
After touring the dockyard and picking up a Guava Pastry at the local bakery we headed off to lunch at a roadside cafe, but not before stopping and looking at an old Sugar Mill.
The tour started out driving through back roads and looking at the fruit trees and everything that grows locally. This is a date tree. I never knew that dates grew like this.
After taking in the scenery on the lower parts of the Island, we went up the mountains to get better views.
Next we made a stop at Nelson's Dockyard where many people travel to in the month of April for Antigua Sailing Week. Check out that website, it's pretty cool. The dockyard was in disrepair for over 30 years before the government decided to work on restoring this historical location. Read more about Nelson's Dockyard HERE.
After touring the dockyard and picking up a Guava Pastry at the local bakery we headed off to lunch at a roadside cafe, but not before stopping and looking at an old Sugar Mill.
On to our next stop which was the famous Devil's Bridge. This is where the locals used to sacrifice their first born if their family was thought to be cursed.
And our final (and maybe my favorite) stop of the day was at a gorgeous beach. I'm talking white sand, crystal blue water....just beautiful.
Once we finally got back to the resort (after driving through a serious downpour and getting soaked) we took a little nap (not surprising at all) and headed down for a delicious dinner at the Sugar Club Restaurant.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Travel Monday - Reliving Antigua
Last Monday we got up early knowing that we wanted to explore one of the local beaches for the day. The hotel offers a shuttle starting at 9:30am and it takes you to one of many beaches where they have deals worked out for their guests to go and get free chairs and umbrellas. Each beach is public but there are privately owned restaurants and bars on each beach and you find that if these establishments are closed for the day, no one goes to that particular beach. It was great being a few steps away from local restaurants to get lunch and great, refreshing drinks (one of my favorite ended up being a mango colada).
We got to the beach early enough to set up shop under a prime umbrella. Matt (who can't sit still) spent some time running up and down the beach and swimming out and around some rocks at the edge of the beach. I, however; spent time reading, napping and cooling off in the crystal blue water.
We loved our resort so much and the customer service was amazing. Monday night they hosted a manager's cocktail party. Free rum punch, raffles, and talking with the man that owns the resort. It was a great time to mingle and meet other couples that were also on their honeymoon. After the party we went to dinner at a local Italian restaurant with a couple that we met who were also on their honeymoon and from Iowa. We had an amazing dinner and a great night!
We got to the beach early enough to set up shop under a prime umbrella. Matt (who can't sit still) spent some time running up and down the beach and swimming out and around some rocks at the edge of the beach. I, however; spent time reading, napping and cooling off in the crystal blue water.
After beach time we stopped by the infinity pool back at the resort before getting ready for the cocktail party and dinner.
We loved our resort so much and the customer service was amazing. Monday night they hosted a manager's cocktail party. Free rum punch, raffles, and talking with the man that owns the resort. It was a great time to mingle and meet other couples that were also on their honeymoon. After the party we went to dinner at a local Italian restaurant with a couple that we met who were also on their honeymoon and from Iowa. We had an amazing dinner and a great night!
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