It's now nearly four weeks since our wonderful wedding day, and having had two weeks in Mexico the thank you's are rather behind now.
I've sat this evening and made thirty simply thank you cards, and have fifty to go!!
I deliberated for a while on getting photocards made but it would have cost quite a bit via bonusprint, or any other photo company, so what I've done is bought 80 blank folded white cards with envelopes, and 80 small pictures from our 'official' pics so I'll pop a picture in each one when we send it out.
Folk have been so very generous, it's been so lovely! We had so many cards and gifts of church friends and it was all unexpected. Steve says as I've had the gift list (hmm, debateable) he should be able to choose what the money goes on which is likely going to be a new tv for the lounge.
Our new bed is arriving tomorrow, and mum and dad will be getting us a shed to replace my old one which'll be great and we can re-do the garden up!
We're settling into married life here, Steve is very grumpy in the mornings and says that I don't budge over in bed and take up too much room. Humpf. He can talk.
Anyway, as this was my wedding blog and all about the planning, I guess it'll cease now. I may get round to adding my pictures, but maybe not!!
I hope this helps anyone else who finds it though and offers inspiration and confidence in own plans :)
Weddings are brilliant, and I've loved planning mine so very much!
All the best,
Love Kate x
Thursday 27 May 2010
Tuesday 18 May 2010
Our Honeymoon, Going Home
Well, today is the day we head home. After sleeping in best we could, (we both suffered tremendous indigestion and bad tummies from the extremely rich food) we were up and out for 11.30. I had a cup of tea and a slice of toast for breakfast, Steve had nothing but extra sleep! Then we dosed up on immodium as we were worried about our tummies being on a plane!!
We were collected by coach and got to the airport for about 2.30 and checked in to get the last pair of seats together and by a window! That made us very chuffed!
We had a bite to eat in a TGI Fridays before the journey, giant burgers which were lovely after buffet food for two weeks!
Then off we went, on the plane and back to England. It didn't feel like my birthday to be honest, we were quite cramped, and the meals weren't great. We were on a night flight so the lights go off so folk can sleep and I managed a couple of hours, Steve stayed awake playing golf on the computer screen, but I felt quite squished and stiff on waking.
Then it was 7.30am and we were back in England. It was cold, and took us an hour to get our suitcases and then heading out, there were Mum and Dad come to get us! And Mum gave me a bag with presents in which was nice, and homeward bound we were.
We got dropped off and Mum had even stocked the fridge up with a birthday lunch for me and there were hundreds of wedding cards to open so we did that first, then napped, and Mum came round in the afternoon too, and we chatted (Steve hadn't woken from his nap) and I began the chore that is washing the holiday clothes and that was it. We were home!
The wedding presents were delivered that afternoon so that involved a lot of opening and sorting and finding homes but it was a job well done and we went to bed early to sleep for 13 hours!!
Mr and Mrs Cranston!! Hee hee!!
We were collected by coach and got to the airport for about 2.30 and checked in to get the last pair of seats together and by a window! That made us very chuffed!
We had a bite to eat in a TGI Fridays before the journey, giant burgers which were lovely after buffet food for two weeks!
Then off we went, on the plane and back to England. It didn't feel like my birthday to be honest, we were quite cramped, and the meals weren't great. We were on a night flight so the lights go off so folk can sleep and I managed a couple of hours, Steve stayed awake playing golf on the computer screen, but I felt quite squished and stiff on waking.
Then it was 7.30am and we were back in England. It was cold, and took us an hour to get our suitcases and then heading out, there were Mum and Dad come to get us! And Mum gave me a bag with presents in which was nice, and homeward bound we were.
We got dropped off and Mum had even stocked the fridge up with a birthday lunch for me and there were hundreds of wedding cards to open so we did that first, then napped, and Mum came round in the afternoon too, and we chatted (Steve hadn't woken from his nap) and I began the chore that is washing the holiday clothes and that was it. We were home!
The wedding presents were delivered that afternoon so that involved a lot of opening and sorting and finding homes but it was a job well done and we went to bed early to sleep for 13 hours!!
Mr and Mrs Cranston!! Hee hee!!
Sunday 16 May 2010
Our Honeymoon day 14
Our last day here! Day 14 and the ash cloud is back and possibly preventing us from getting home!
We've had an amazing time, but are both ready to go home now! We've packed and left a couple of outfits out and will just have to wait and see what happens tomorrow! Steve thinks having an extra night would be fun, as long as it was in a different place.
We stayed in the room for the morning, watching The It Crowd on Steve's laptop, and then kept having people knock on the door offering us more strawberries and champagne and carrying towels!! It turned out that Steve had booked us a romantic honeymoon and birthday meal for our last night!
At 7.00pm we went up to the Terrace bar for a drink beforehand, and there were a few spots of rain which we thought was nice as it was still hot, but the mugginess wasn't as bad!
We walked along to the candlelit gazebo which was set up for us on the beach, they'd swept all the sand and put luminaries along to make a path for us! It was so gorgeous a setting, and Steve had done it all on his own :)
We had a first course which was cured meats and salad, and then the rain started again. Our waiter suggested we move into a restaurant and we're glad we did becuase then the heavens opened and the rain came down harder than anything I've ever known before! Thunder and lightening filled the sky and Steve thought it was brilliant. The rain was coming in through the sides of the restaurant as they didn't have walls, just a bit of canvas, and my feet were soaking and I actually felt chilly with it all! We didn't eat our second course, it was an odd tasting soup and then out came the main, lobster and steak! The lobster was in it's shell and the steak was a rare fillet! It was fabulous.
For pudding we had a white chocolate creme brulee, and then Steve had told them it was my birthday so we had a birthday cake, with the waiters singing happy birthday and I was issued a tequila in a peculiar way! The waiter held my head and fed it to me, and then covered my head with a napkin and shook it! Very bizarre!
Then we went back to our room to find a 'newly married' banner on the door and more beautiful towel art on our bed, with scattered rose petals! We were very tispy from all the champagne and it had been a wonderful evening despite the rain.
We've had an amazing time, but are both ready to go home now! We've packed and left a couple of outfits out and will just have to wait and see what happens tomorrow! Steve thinks having an extra night would be fun, as long as it was in a different place.
We stayed in the room for the morning, watching The It Crowd on Steve's laptop, and then kept having people knock on the door offering us more strawberries and champagne and carrying towels!! It turned out that Steve had booked us a romantic honeymoon and birthday meal for our last night!
At 7.00pm we went up to the Terrace bar for a drink beforehand, and there were a few spots of rain which we thought was nice as it was still hot, but the mugginess wasn't as bad!
We walked along to the candlelit gazebo which was set up for us on the beach, they'd swept all the sand and put luminaries along to make a path for us! It was so gorgeous a setting, and Steve had done it all on his own :)
We had a first course which was cured meats and salad, and then the rain started again. Our waiter suggested we move into a restaurant and we're glad we did becuase then the heavens opened and the rain came down harder than anything I've ever known before! Thunder and lightening filled the sky and Steve thought it was brilliant. The rain was coming in through the sides of the restaurant as they didn't have walls, just a bit of canvas, and my feet were soaking and I actually felt chilly with it all! We didn't eat our second course, it was an odd tasting soup and then out came the main, lobster and steak! The lobster was in it's shell and the steak was a rare fillet! It was fabulous.
For pudding we had a white chocolate creme brulee, and then Steve had told them it was my birthday so we had a birthday cake, with the waiters singing happy birthday and I was issued a tequila in a peculiar way! The waiter held my head and fed it to me, and then covered my head with a napkin and shook it! Very bizarre!
Then we went back to our room to find a 'newly married' banner on the door and more beautiful towel art on our bed, with scattered rose petals! We were very tispy from all the champagne and it had been a wonderful evening despite the rain.
Friday 14 May 2010
Our Honeymoon Day 12
Friday again and two days left after this one.
This has really been a surreal two weeks together, and we've got on really well in all honesty! I did wonder how we'd do, never really have been in each others company as much.
Today was a day of relaxing, all day! We got up early and off Steve went to film another sunrise, and we pretty much sat on the beach all day until 5pm! We did have some breakfast, lunch and dinner along the way, oh, and Steve stubbed his toe and took a gouge of it which was bleeding all over the place and he was suddenly glad of my first aid kit!!
We had to bandage him up quite a bit, there was a lot of blood and everytime he stood on it, more blood and persuading him to rest it up was difficult.
I read Rebecca today by Daphne Du Maurier, and it was wonderful. I don't know how it can have taken me 30 years to read it through, but I'm so glad I did. What a story! It really engaged me, and the forward was very interesting too, about the subtexts and Daphne's life.
Steve is on his third book, and is now into Ben Elton - Dead Famous.
It's nice to have the time to read, and especially by the seaside beside the sea.
We returned to the steak house for dinner and used our last a la carte voucher. Steve had another t-bone (he will be looking like a steak on the way home) and I had a rack of ribs. Utterly delicious!
We then sat by the beach watching the stars and Steve filmed them. It actually felt chilly too in the sea breeze! The stars are incredibly bright over the sea, we saw orion and the plough and the north star and as that's all we know how to identify, we probably saw more constellations but didn't know what they were!!
This has really been a surreal two weeks together, and we've got on really well in all honesty! I did wonder how we'd do, never really have been in each others company as much.
Today was a day of relaxing, all day! We got up early and off Steve went to film another sunrise, and we pretty much sat on the beach all day until 5pm! We did have some breakfast, lunch and dinner along the way, oh, and Steve stubbed his toe and took a gouge of it which was bleeding all over the place and he was suddenly glad of my first aid kit!!
We had to bandage him up quite a bit, there was a lot of blood and everytime he stood on it, more blood and persuading him to rest it up was difficult.
I read Rebecca today by Daphne Du Maurier, and it was wonderful. I don't know how it can have taken me 30 years to read it through, but I'm so glad I did. What a story! It really engaged me, and the forward was very interesting too, about the subtexts and Daphne's life.
Steve is on his third book, and is now into Ben Elton - Dead Famous.
It's nice to have the time to read, and especially by the seaside beside the sea.
We returned to the steak house for dinner and used our last a la carte voucher. Steve had another t-bone (he will be looking like a steak on the way home) and I had a rack of ribs. Utterly delicious!
We then sat by the beach watching the stars and Steve filmed them. It actually felt chilly too in the sea breeze! The stars are incredibly bright over the sea, we saw orion and the plough and the north star and as that's all we know how to identify, we probably saw more constellations but didn't know what they were!!
Thursday 13 May 2010
Our Honeymoon Day 11
Today was the day we'd planned to visit XPlor, a new theme park situated close to our hotel. We were out by 8.30 and Steve even allowed us to take a taxi rather than walk miles in the heat to the collectivo point! I acquiesed that we could take the collectivo on the way back once we knew where we were going.
So off we headed with our ticket voucher we'd bought last week and were one of the first folk there. We got our wristbands, (all trips seem to be all inclusive here with lunches and drinks provided) and were issued helmets and a locker. We found our way along through tunnels with lots of stalegmites and stalemtights and right in the centre of the park was a big heart and all activites went from that point which did make it a nice and easy way to work around.
We dropped off my bag and dosed up on sun cream and headed straight for the zip lines. There were over 2.2 miles of them and it wasn't until we were up on the towers (8 of them) that we could appreciate what a size this park was! It was mainly over the jungle and trees for the zip lines, through the trees for the jeep driving, and under neath in the caverns for the other activities.
We were harnessed up and then set off. Once up the first tower there were two routes, so we opted for the first and sailed away above the trees, clipped on each one and some we were pushed for a fast journey and others we went at a more pleasurable speed! On one of them, we had to go down a tower and rather than stairs it was a water slide!! I was in shorts and got stuck a couple of times but the water was pretty cold! We were drenched for most of the day. There were also three water landings in the 1.5 miles of zip wires which I wasn't partial to, as you went though a water fall and were then hitting the water at such a speed it fired up in your face and I worried about my contact lenses and the first time I wasn't prepared and took a noseful :( Steve liked the water more than the height of some whereas I liked the high ones!
After the zip lines we then did rafting through underground caverns on little plastic rafts with paddles that strapped to our hands, and then some driving round in a John Deere jeep which Steve loved and there were many corners and bumps and some water pits and caves too.
Then it was time for lunch (time flies here!) so we headed for the restaurant and had buffet (it's all buffet over here!) and Steve was feeling the heat, and I'd suggested doing the second route in the jeep, but he wanted something cooler so suggested the river swim.
We found our way there and this was swimming through caves for about 30 minutes and we had to wear an inflatable thing that hooked between our legs. This came in very useful for me once in the water, and yes, it was cold, but that wasn't an excuse for Steve to stand whimpering on the side for 15 minutes! It was his idea in the first place! Anyway, my life jacket held me up in the water and with the underleg support, it was like I was sitting in a chair, so I was able to bob away to my hearts content and just skull my way around the caves! It was most relaxing indeed and Steve kept teasing me that I was sitting on my throne but I liked it.
After that whilst wet, we did hammocking, which was a bit like zip lines although we were in a sitting hammock going down a line with a water landing which was lots of fun and then we opted for the second jeep driving to dry off and I had a go too at an underground bit.
We'd done everything by about 3 so headed out after returning our helmets to find a collectivo stop and a taxi pulled up. 'Collectivo' we informed him, and he offered to drive us to Puerto Aventuras for the same! '20 pesos each' we queried, 'si' he replied, so bonus! Taxi back for 40 pesos!! Admittedly there was a bit of walk to the hotel, but we spotted a capy bara on the way so Steve had to acknowledge I wasn't making it up when I'd seen one outside the hotel last Sunday!
Then it was to the pool, and a rum and coke all round and here I am, typing i up to remember what a wonderfully fun day we had with some excellent and new experiences!
So off we headed with our ticket voucher we'd bought last week and were one of the first folk there. We got our wristbands, (all trips seem to be all inclusive here with lunches and drinks provided) and were issued helmets and a locker. We found our way along through tunnels with lots of stalegmites and stalemtights and right in the centre of the park was a big heart and all activites went from that point which did make it a nice and easy way to work around.
We dropped off my bag and dosed up on sun cream and headed straight for the zip lines. There were over 2.2 miles of them and it wasn't until we were up on the towers (8 of them) that we could appreciate what a size this park was! It was mainly over the jungle and trees for the zip lines, through the trees for the jeep driving, and under neath in the caverns for the other activities.
We were harnessed up and then set off. Once up the first tower there were two routes, so we opted for the first and sailed away above the trees, clipped on each one and some we were pushed for a fast journey and others we went at a more pleasurable speed! On one of them, we had to go down a tower and rather than stairs it was a water slide!! I was in shorts and got stuck a couple of times but the water was pretty cold! We were drenched for most of the day. There were also three water landings in the 1.5 miles of zip wires which I wasn't partial to, as you went though a water fall and were then hitting the water at such a speed it fired up in your face and I worried about my contact lenses and the first time I wasn't prepared and took a noseful :( Steve liked the water more than the height of some whereas I liked the high ones!
After the zip lines we then did rafting through underground caverns on little plastic rafts with paddles that strapped to our hands, and then some driving round in a John Deere jeep which Steve loved and there were many corners and bumps and some water pits and caves too.
Then it was time for lunch (time flies here!) so we headed for the restaurant and had buffet (it's all buffet over here!) and Steve was feeling the heat, and I'd suggested doing the second route in the jeep, but he wanted something cooler so suggested the river swim.
We found our way there and this was swimming through caves for about 30 minutes and we had to wear an inflatable thing that hooked between our legs. This came in very useful for me once in the water, and yes, it was cold, but that wasn't an excuse for Steve to stand whimpering on the side for 15 minutes! It was his idea in the first place! Anyway, my life jacket held me up in the water and with the underleg support, it was like I was sitting in a chair, so I was able to bob away to my hearts content and just skull my way around the caves! It was most relaxing indeed and Steve kept teasing me that I was sitting on my throne but I liked it.
After that whilst wet, we did hammocking, which was a bit like zip lines although we were in a sitting hammock going down a line with a water landing which was lots of fun and then we opted for the second jeep driving to dry off and I had a go too at an underground bit.
We'd done everything by about 3 so headed out after returning our helmets to find a collectivo stop and a taxi pulled up. 'Collectivo' we informed him, and he offered to drive us to Puerto Aventuras for the same! '20 pesos each' we queried, 'si' he replied, so bonus! Taxi back for 40 pesos!! Admittedly there was a bit of walk to the hotel, but we spotted a capy bara on the way so Steve had to acknowledge I wasn't making it up when I'd seen one outside the hotel last Sunday!
Then it was to the pool, and a rum and coke all round and here I am, typing i up to remember what a wonderfully fun day we had with some excellent and new experiences!
Wednesday 12 May 2010
Our Honeymoon Day 10
I can't believe it's been 10 days already. It's going so fast, but seeming like we're a world away at the same time. It's been a fabulous few days together at any rate! And a few more to go too :)
today we got up later, and had a late breakfast and then lazed by the sea. Steve read his book and I read mine and bobbed in the sea a bit. Steve I think missed his brothers at some points, as my idea of relaxing is just bobbing around in the sea, and Steve wants to throw me and wrestle with me which just isn't my idea of fun!
We then swam a bit in the pools after a lunch time siesta and then had a light tea at the Tapas Bar which was lovely. We had a lovely outside table and watched the sunset, with a glass of champagne which the waiters gave us as it was our second visit! It was a most romantic evening indeed.
And a lovely relaxing day all in all. I like the alternating of relaxing with activity!
today we got up later, and had a late breakfast and then lazed by the sea. Steve read his book and I read mine and bobbed in the sea a bit. Steve I think missed his brothers at some points, as my idea of relaxing is just bobbing around in the sea, and Steve wants to throw me and wrestle with me which just isn't my idea of fun!
We then swam a bit in the pools after a lunch time siesta and then had a light tea at the Tapas Bar which was lovely. We had a lovely outside table and watched the sunset, with a glass of champagne which the waiters gave us as it was our second visit! It was a most romantic evening indeed.
And a lovely relaxing day all in all. I like the alternating of relaxing with activity!
Tuesday 11 May 2010
Our Honeymoon Day 9
This was the day of fishing! When we got here Steve had made enquiries about it and there weren't any 'official' trips so when we went to see the Marina, we'd booked a boat to take us out for four hours of fishing and one hour of snorkelling with turtles.
I was a little wary of it, I'd never been sea fishing before, and lets face it, fishing is not my thing, but Steve was so very excited and he wanted me to go with him, so off we went.
It was an early start, we had to be there for 8.00am so we had an early breakfast and walked the short distance to the marina. We met the guys there, and boarded the 'Liam'!! I know, funny name for a boat, but it was a lovely little thing. We had a guy sailing it, and another doing the rods for us, (well, Steve,) and I sat and then we were away and it was quite smooth to start with, but that was with us in the Marina!
Once we were out at sea, it was all I could do to stay seated. I sat on the middle of the boat with one leg bracing myself on the side seat and kept looking ahead! I asked if this was considered rough water, and aparently it wasn't!! My word, I could not imagine being out in worse than that! I couldn't understand how the boat stayed on top of the waves rather than under!
Almost immediatly, the guy on our level shouted and grabbed a rod which he gave Steve, and Steve reeled and reeled and I saw a flash of blue and sort of said, I can see blue, is it the bait?! and it wasn't, it was a mahi mahi fish, about 1.5 long and then the sailer guy grabbed a rod with a big hook and stabbed it through the middle to bring it in! No net or anything, and there was a lot of blood too. Steve thought it was great, and we sat back down and carried on.
Then there was nothing, and we'd been sailing for 2 hours when we got to Akumel Beach and looking over the side, there were turtles! Just like on Finding Nemo! They looked really chilled out and just drifting lazily, this way and that way, and we got our snorkal gear on and went off the boat for swimming.
This was only my third go at snorkelling and to start with, I seem to forget to breath so I did struggle a little but I got the hang of it, and at one point there were three turtles around me! We swam above them for about 40 minutes and then they seemed to head off, so we boarded again, and set sail for another 2 hours of fishing. And this is where my queasiness set in. Coming against the tide had felt bouncy but not too bad, but going with the tide, with the back of the boat being flung around, I suddenly had to concentrate very hard on not being sick. It really was hard work and I couldn't talk much.
Then about 1.30 hours later, another rod was thrust at Steve and he set to with the reeling and the boat stopping helped my sickness and I grabbed my camera and Steve really was setting to with a bigger fish! It was another mahi mahi and it flung itself out of the water and went from left to right and back again. Steve kept reeling it in and it was caught! Into the ice box it went and then 'thump, thump' it kept reminding us it was in there :(
We then got back to base for 1pm and they took the smaller of the fish, skinned and filleted it for us and gave it us to take away back to the hotel. We walked back, pretty sunburnt but happy.
On getting to the hotel, we had to sign a disclaimer saying we were eating something that wasn't hotel food, and then they took it and we sat down with a bit to nibble whilst we waited. We weren't sure whether to go up and collect it ourselves, when a chef made his way over with a big platter and it was Steve's mahi mahi!! It was so lovely, it was on salad and carrots and all beautifully laid out! It had been cooked on a grill and they even supplied a bowl of tasty oil dressing to go with it!
We got a plate of rice from the buffet to go on the side, and it was the most delightful meal, delicious and simple, rice and fish but knowing it was Steve's fish made it more tasty! Steve ate a lot of it and couldn't bear for any to go to waste!
Then, in the afternoon we took a siesta, the hot noon sun had taken it out of us, and my arms were pretty burnt despite my applications of sun lotion due to the sea spray out on the boat. The motion of the ocean plagued me all afternoon too! I still felt as though I was on a boat.
Dinner was a light one at the buffet restaurant on the Yucatan side. Steve said he wasn't hungry and just ate cakes, and I had a light nibble too.
It was a good day :) And we got some great pictures!
I was a little wary of it, I'd never been sea fishing before, and lets face it, fishing is not my thing, but Steve was so very excited and he wanted me to go with him, so off we went.
It was an early start, we had to be there for 8.00am so we had an early breakfast and walked the short distance to the marina. We met the guys there, and boarded the 'Liam'!! I know, funny name for a boat, but it was a lovely little thing. We had a guy sailing it, and another doing the rods for us, (well, Steve,) and I sat and then we were away and it was quite smooth to start with, but that was with us in the Marina!
Once we were out at sea, it was all I could do to stay seated. I sat on the middle of the boat with one leg bracing myself on the side seat and kept looking ahead! I asked if this was considered rough water, and aparently it wasn't!! My word, I could not imagine being out in worse than that! I couldn't understand how the boat stayed on top of the waves rather than under!
Almost immediatly, the guy on our level shouted and grabbed a rod which he gave Steve, and Steve reeled and reeled and I saw a flash of blue and sort of said, I can see blue, is it the bait?! and it wasn't, it was a mahi mahi fish, about 1.5 long and then the sailer guy grabbed a rod with a big hook and stabbed it through the middle to bring it in! No net or anything, and there was a lot of blood too. Steve thought it was great, and we sat back down and carried on.
Then there was nothing, and we'd been sailing for 2 hours when we got to Akumel Beach and looking over the side, there were turtles! Just like on Finding Nemo! They looked really chilled out and just drifting lazily, this way and that way, and we got our snorkal gear on and went off the boat for swimming.
This was only my third go at snorkelling and to start with, I seem to forget to breath so I did struggle a little but I got the hang of it, and at one point there were three turtles around me! We swam above them for about 40 minutes and then they seemed to head off, so we boarded again, and set sail for another 2 hours of fishing. And this is where my queasiness set in. Coming against the tide had felt bouncy but not too bad, but going with the tide, with the back of the boat being flung around, I suddenly had to concentrate very hard on not being sick. It really was hard work and I couldn't talk much.
Then about 1.30 hours later, another rod was thrust at Steve and he set to with the reeling and the boat stopping helped my sickness and I grabbed my camera and Steve really was setting to with a bigger fish! It was another mahi mahi and it flung itself out of the water and went from left to right and back again. Steve kept reeling it in and it was caught! Into the ice box it went and then 'thump, thump' it kept reminding us it was in there :(
We then got back to base for 1pm and they took the smaller of the fish, skinned and filleted it for us and gave it us to take away back to the hotel. We walked back, pretty sunburnt but happy.
On getting to the hotel, we had to sign a disclaimer saying we were eating something that wasn't hotel food, and then they took it and we sat down with a bit to nibble whilst we waited. We weren't sure whether to go up and collect it ourselves, when a chef made his way over with a big platter and it was Steve's mahi mahi!! It was so lovely, it was on salad and carrots and all beautifully laid out! It had been cooked on a grill and they even supplied a bowl of tasty oil dressing to go with it!
We got a plate of rice from the buffet to go on the side, and it was the most delightful meal, delicious and simple, rice and fish but knowing it was Steve's fish made it more tasty! Steve ate a lot of it and couldn't bear for any to go to waste!
Then, in the afternoon we took a siesta, the hot noon sun had taken it out of us, and my arms were pretty burnt despite my applications of sun lotion due to the sea spray out on the boat. The motion of the ocean plagued me all afternoon too! I still felt as though I was on a boat.
Dinner was a light one at the buffet restaurant on the Yucatan side. Steve said he wasn't hungry and just ate cakes, and I had a light nibble too.
It was a good day :) And we got some great pictures!
Monday 10 May 2010
Our Honeymoon Day 8
After a couple of pretty eventful days, we had a day just lounging around the beach and pool today. Steve is insistant that I'm tanning, I'm not sure, I'm still finding the heat a little much and feel very red and shiny most of the time, but I have admit, I have lines that I think need working on! Not that I'd dare go topless, I don't think, some have here, mainly French/German, but me? Hmm, I don't know!! Instead I'm wearing my variety of bikinis and trying to keep strap marks at bay by alternating halternecks with shoulder straps!
In the evening we went along to the Italian restaurant, there are four a la cartes here, the Japanese, the Mexican, the Steak House and the Italian so we wanted to work our way around. It was very pleasant, but we did prefer the steak house and Mexican as our favourites although it should be noted that Steve had steak again here, which makes it four nights in a row!!
In the evening we went along to the Italian restaurant, there are four a la cartes here, the Japanese, the Mexican, the Steak House and the Italian so we wanted to work our way around. It was very pleasant, but we did prefer the steak house and Mexican as our favourites although it should be noted that Steve had steak again here, which makes it four nights in a row!!
Sunday 9 May 2010
Our Honeymoon Day 7
Today was our pre-arranged trip of visiting Chichen Itza. Thanks to seeing how people had dressed at Tulum, I was more prepared. Nothing tight on me today, I'd learnt my lesson from denim shorts and a tankini yesterday. No, today I was in a loose cotten mini skirt, and a bikini, with a sheer top over to conceal my shoulders! Our rep also said to take a book for the coach journey, water, lots of sun cream and an umbrella.
We were collected along with another American couple at 7.50, Steve didn't make it to breakfast, he slept instead, but I needed some juice and to fill our water bottles.
We had a mini bus that was soon full from collecting at other hotels and then we got to a massive 5 star one and had to change onto a coach. I did have time to nip to the very posh loos though!
Then two hours later, we were at a cenote which we could have had a dip in, but being 175 ft deep, both Steve and I were a little apprehensive. He'd have gone in, if I'd gone in, and vice versa, but neither of us were enamoured of it. It was beautiful though. The butterflies were amazing, lemon yellow and lime green and flying around in drove. Steve filmed them, and I swooshed at the them and they all flew around his camera looking like cartoons!!
Then our next stop was lunch, we had 'entertainment' during it, girls dancing with bottles of tequila on their heads and then asking for tips (which Steve did graciously give, he's getting better) and lunch was a buffet style just for tourists!
Then around 2pm we got to Chichen Itza. It was 45 degrees here, and I'm ashamed to say it, but I'm very English and considering it was 10 degrees a week ago for our wedding, I'm amazed I didn't faint away.
I got my umbrella up and hat on and sunglasses and went around looking slightly crazy but it was worth it to avoid the sunstroke and heat stroke I'm prone to. I shall censor any photos though, I looked like a shiny red tomato. Steve has started calling me his little lobster which I don't like.
The ruins were amazing, and our tour guide gave us a wonderful detailed commentary on the Mayans and the ruins for over an hour. Steve slipped away to film which I didn't mind as I was listening to the tour and we both got some good photos.
On Sundays, locals are allowed in for free, so there were lots of Mexicans wandering around too, and lots selling their wares which looked like a lot of tat to be honest. A lot of stalls had death and skeletons as their theme which I didn't get before the tour, but with all the sacrifices and imagaery remaining on the pyramids, it made sense afterwards.
Some of the things we learned:
The Mayans had royal families and babies had to have their heads shaped to show they were royal. This is where the sombrero came in, they'd put it on a babie's head so tightly, they'd make their heads a papaya shape. This was only done for royals. Sometimes, babies would be killed due to the tightness of the contraption, and if this were the case, they were dismissed as being a weak child and not worth being alive.
They had a lot of sports, and there is evidence for games with a bat and ball. Winners would live, and losers would die.
They would have warrier battles as well, and again, winners would live and losers would die, and have a head chisselled into a wall which we saw, with lots of skeleton heads in.
Every so often, 7 virgins would b sacrificed to bring water and rain, and it was an honour to be chosen for this. They'd be put in a white robe, and have a stone fastened to their feet and they'd all be pushed into a pool and drowned. Parents actually volunteered their own children for this.
When the Spanish invaded, they knocked some pyramids down to build churches and completely wiped out the Mayan culture. Recent excavations have been done around the site to paint a better picture. It was all very interesting anyhow.
We then headed back on the bus at 4 and got back for around 6pm to our hotel. We changed for dinner, and had drinks at a bar by the sea, Banana Mama for Steve and Cosmopolitan for me, and then went to the Steak Bar for dinner. We both had a t-bone and man, they were tasty. The steaks here are so delicious, they season them so well, and cook them to perfection.
I then having nearly fallen asleep in my dinner (I think the 45 degree hit had taken it's toll) was taken home by Steve and promptly crashed asleep immediately. Dreaming of delicious steak though :)
We were collected along with another American couple at 7.50, Steve didn't make it to breakfast, he slept instead, but I needed some juice and to fill our water bottles.
We had a mini bus that was soon full from collecting at other hotels and then we got to a massive 5 star one and had to change onto a coach. I did have time to nip to the very posh loos though!
Then two hours later, we were at a cenote which we could have had a dip in, but being 175 ft deep, both Steve and I were a little apprehensive. He'd have gone in, if I'd gone in, and vice versa, but neither of us were enamoured of it. It was beautiful though. The butterflies were amazing, lemon yellow and lime green and flying around in drove. Steve filmed them, and I swooshed at the them and they all flew around his camera looking like cartoons!!
Then our next stop was lunch, we had 'entertainment' during it, girls dancing with bottles of tequila on their heads and then asking for tips (which Steve did graciously give, he's getting better) and lunch was a buffet style just for tourists!
Then around 2pm we got to Chichen Itza. It was 45 degrees here, and I'm ashamed to say it, but I'm very English and considering it was 10 degrees a week ago for our wedding, I'm amazed I didn't faint away.
I got my umbrella up and hat on and sunglasses and went around looking slightly crazy but it was worth it to avoid the sunstroke and heat stroke I'm prone to. I shall censor any photos though, I looked like a shiny red tomato. Steve has started calling me his little lobster which I don't like.
The ruins were amazing, and our tour guide gave us a wonderful detailed commentary on the Mayans and the ruins for over an hour. Steve slipped away to film which I didn't mind as I was listening to the tour and we both got some good photos.
On Sundays, locals are allowed in for free, so there were lots of Mexicans wandering around too, and lots selling their wares which looked like a lot of tat to be honest. A lot of stalls had death and skeletons as their theme which I didn't get before the tour, but with all the sacrifices and imagaery remaining on the pyramids, it made sense afterwards.
Some of the things we learned:
The Mayans had royal families and babies had to have their heads shaped to show they were royal. This is where the sombrero came in, they'd put it on a babie's head so tightly, they'd make their heads a papaya shape. This was only done for royals. Sometimes, babies would be killed due to the tightness of the contraption, and if this were the case, they were dismissed as being a weak child and not worth being alive.
They had a lot of sports, and there is evidence for games with a bat and ball. Winners would live, and losers would die.
They would have warrier battles as well, and again, winners would live and losers would die, and have a head chisselled into a wall which we saw, with lots of skeleton heads in.
Every so often, 7 virgins would b sacrificed to bring water and rain, and it was an honour to be chosen for this. They'd be put in a white robe, and have a stone fastened to their feet and they'd all be pushed into a pool and drowned. Parents actually volunteered their own children for this.
When the Spanish invaded, they knocked some pyramids down to build churches and completely wiped out the Mayan culture. Recent excavations have been done around the site to paint a better picture. It was all very interesting anyhow.
We then headed back on the bus at 4 and got back for around 6pm to our hotel. We changed for dinner, and had drinks at a bar by the sea, Banana Mama for Steve and Cosmopolitan for me, and then went to the Steak Bar for dinner. We both had a t-bone and man, they were tasty. The steaks here are so delicious, they season them so well, and cook them to perfection.
I then having nearly fallen asleep in my dinner (I think the 45 degree hit had taken it's toll) was taken home by Steve and promptly crashed asleep immediately. Dreaming of delicious steak though :)
Saturday 8 May 2010
Our Honeymoon Day 6
Well, after yesterdays adventures we had a quiet morning, me scowling at the sea when I could, and decided to go and visit Tulum, a smaller site of ruins.
We opted to go after midday, when we figured the sun wouldn't be so hot. I don't think it thinks like that at all! It's hot all afternoon!
Anyway, after lunch we were going to go, but Steve had a nap, and then it was 2pm. We weren't allowed a taxi, Steve wanted to see 'real Mexico' so we walked through Peurto Aventuras and out to the main road, and underneath a road was a 'collectivo' stand, a bus stop.
With neither of us speaking any Spanish we stood there feeling foolish, approaching a couple of mini buses but being told 'no' via a wagging finger. I attempted some spanish to enquire about buses, and it seems we just hail one, which we did and it worked. BUT it was very full, and the driver told us to get on so Steve and I stood, hunched over for over 1km, very sweaty and wondering if we were even going in the right direction. This bus pulls over all the time and just picks people up off the main road and drops them off, so we were able to get a seat shortly, and admittedly, it cost us 30 pesos each rather than the 300 for a taxi to the ruins.
Once there we walked the distance to the Tulum ruins and got tickets at 51 pesos to go in. We worked our way around the site, some lovely ruins and views, and the beach was amazing. Steve did a bit of filming and I sat in the shade with an iguana and we then headed down to the beach and bobbed in the crystal clear waters.
After some more time lapses we headed out again, and walking along were hailed to a collectivo so we didn't have to hail one on the main road. We were back before we knew it, and had successfully managed a day out on our own!
After showering and changing, we dressed up and went to the Mexican restaurant here. It was fabulous. We had nachos and guacamole to start, then our first course, then soup/salad, then we both had a steak, Steve went for fillet stuffed with cheese, and I had rump and they were delicious. We couldn't manage pudding, but Steve did knock back a cherry tequila, and back to our room we went, rolling rather than walking though.
We opted to go after midday, when we figured the sun wouldn't be so hot. I don't think it thinks like that at all! It's hot all afternoon!
Anyway, after lunch we were going to go, but Steve had a nap, and then it was 2pm. We weren't allowed a taxi, Steve wanted to see 'real Mexico' so we walked through Peurto Aventuras and out to the main road, and underneath a road was a 'collectivo' stand, a bus stop.
With neither of us speaking any Spanish we stood there feeling foolish, approaching a couple of mini buses but being told 'no' via a wagging finger. I attempted some spanish to enquire about buses, and it seems we just hail one, which we did and it worked. BUT it was very full, and the driver told us to get on so Steve and I stood, hunched over for over 1km, very sweaty and wondering if we were even going in the right direction. This bus pulls over all the time and just picks people up off the main road and drops them off, so we were able to get a seat shortly, and admittedly, it cost us 30 pesos each rather than the 300 for a taxi to the ruins.
Once there we walked the distance to the Tulum ruins and got tickets at 51 pesos to go in. We worked our way around the site, some lovely ruins and views, and the beach was amazing. Steve did a bit of filming and I sat in the shade with an iguana and we then headed down to the beach and bobbed in the crystal clear waters.
After some more time lapses we headed out again, and walking along were hailed to a collectivo so we didn't have to hail one on the main road. We were back before we knew it, and had successfully managed a day out on our own!
After showering and changing, we dressed up and went to the Mexican restaurant here. It was fabulous. We had nachos and guacamole to start, then our first course, then soup/salad, then we both had a steak, Steve went for fillet stuffed with cheese, and I had rump and they were delicious. We couldn't manage pudding, but Steve did knock back a cherry tequila, and back to our room we went, rolling rather than walking though.
Friday 7 May 2010
Our Honeymoon Day 5
Today was a sad day.
We decided to go out on the sea kayaks, we can use them for an hour for free, so got them and went paddling off, Steve liked to ride them into the waves and hit them, which was fine, I coped and we went out to bob and rode the waves in again. In the beach cove there is a big coral reef, and we're not meant to go over it, there's not enough depth, and after about 45 minutes, we were over the coral, and sure enough, a big wave hit us and we capsized.
The coral is very sharp and scratchy painful, I was thrown onto it by the waves and buffeted about a lot. I completely panicked and couldn't get off, and the kayak was drifting to shore and Steve was trying to get me to swim off (I'd forgotten I could float) so I did, and got to shore, and my knee was scraped and bleeding, and my left wrist and I felt sore all over. I went to the beach shower to clean off whilst Steve returned the kayak and he came back looking devastated. I thought it was just the fact we'd had a shock and hurt ourselves, but in the melee, he lost his wedding ring. We'd been married for 6 days and it was gone to the sea already. We both cried, I was so upset. I know it was a complete accident, and I was wearing mine too, so I could easily have lost them and I kicked myself for not thinking of taking them off, but Steve's didn't come off easily, so it never crossed our minds.
We were both pretty upset and Steve was feeling terrible, and going to our room to put plasters on and antiseptic, we were very cross at the sea. We did go out snorkelling but the sea was rough and we couldn't swim over the coral. Steve says it's gone, I'm still hoping it turns up somehow before we go but if not, then I'm buying another one exactly the same. He says he'll lose it too, but I want him to have a proper wedding ring, and since he picked it last time, it'll have to be that one. I want him to have it and can't believe he didn't make a week before he lost it :(
After all that, we went to Playa Del Carmen at 6 on the bus and had a nice evening walking through the town. We found a Wal-Mart, (I did look at mens rings but they were naff and very pricey) and got aloe vera for our sun burn, and then went along the street to find a cafe suitable for Steve to do another time lapse. There were lots of stray kitties around, and as we'd missed dinner, we got some food, I had a prawn quesiddila and shared the remainder prawns with a cat under our table. It liked them.
Then home again at 11 and to bed.
We decided to go out on the sea kayaks, we can use them for an hour for free, so got them and went paddling off, Steve liked to ride them into the waves and hit them, which was fine, I coped and we went out to bob and rode the waves in again. In the beach cove there is a big coral reef, and we're not meant to go over it, there's not enough depth, and after about 45 minutes, we were over the coral, and sure enough, a big wave hit us and we capsized.
The coral is very sharp and scratchy painful, I was thrown onto it by the waves and buffeted about a lot. I completely panicked and couldn't get off, and the kayak was drifting to shore and Steve was trying to get me to swim off (I'd forgotten I could float) so I did, and got to shore, and my knee was scraped and bleeding, and my left wrist and I felt sore all over. I went to the beach shower to clean off whilst Steve returned the kayak and he came back looking devastated. I thought it was just the fact we'd had a shock and hurt ourselves, but in the melee, he lost his wedding ring. We'd been married for 6 days and it was gone to the sea already. We both cried, I was so upset. I know it was a complete accident, and I was wearing mine too, so I could easily have lost them and I kicked myself for not thinking of taking them off, but Steve's didn't come off easily, so it never crossed our minds.
We were both pretty upset and Steve was feeling terrible, and going to our room to put plasters on and antiseptic, we were very cross at the sea. We did go out snorkelling but the sea was rough and we couldn't swim over the coral. Steve says it's gone, I'm still hoping it turns up somehow before we go but if not, then I'm buying another one exactly the same. He says he'll lose it too, but I want him to have a proper wedding ring, and since he picked it last time, it'll have to be that one. I want him to have it and can't believe he didn't make a week before he lost it :(
After all that, we went to Playa Del Carmen at 6 on the bus and had a nice evening walking through the town. We found a Wal-Mart, (I did look at mens rings but they were naff and very pricey) and got aloe vera for our sun burn, and then went along the street to find a cafe suitable for Steve to do another time lapse. There were lots of stray kitties around, and as we'd missed dinner, we got some food, I had a prawn quesiddila and shared the remainder prawns with a cat under our table. It liked them.
Then home again at 11 and to bed.
Thursday 6 May 2010
Our Honeymoon Day 4
Steve is now done with relaxing and ready for exploring, so we lazed around for the morning, Steve finished his book, I bobbed in the sea and after lunch we strolled down to Puerto Aventuras which is the village/town our hotel is in.
It was scorching hot and the moment we're away from the sea, the heat really gets you. I'd always felt that I didn't sweat, men get the beads on their foreheads but I'd never had that problem. Until today. Man, I was dripping and just so wet with it, it was awful!!
We found our way to the Marina where Steve hired a boat to take us fishing next Tuesday. I've never fished, but I'm going along with as Steve is very excited at the possibility of catching a marlin, mahi mahi or a sail fish.
We then saw the dolphin place and got to see some of their training which was great. I sat in the shade and Steve tried to take pictures but on my camera which was a bit slow for him!
We headed back after buying some postcards and booked ourselves onto the hotel bus which goes to Playa Del Carmen, the nearest big town on Friday night.
We then decided to try out one of the a la carte restarants and got dressed up and got a seat for 8.30 at the Japanese restaurant.
This was a meal with a bit of a show as the Japanese chef cooks right in front of you and throws food around in the air and it was very fun to watch. We were two English folk with a party of 10 American friends which was a little disconcerting to start with, but they were chatty and friendly.
We headed back to our room afterwards, full and sleepy! Another good day.
It was scorching hot and the moment we're away from the sea, the heat really gets you. I'd always felt that I didn't sweat, men get the beads on their foreheads but I'd never had that problem. Until today. Man, I was dripping and just so wet with it, it was awful!!
We found our way to the Marina where Steve hired a boat to take us fishing next Tuesday. I've never fished, but I'm going along with as Steve is very excited at the possibility of catching a marlin, mahi mahi or a sail fish.
We then saw the dolphin place and got to see some of their training which was great. I sat in the shade and Steve tried to take pictures but on my camera which was a bit slow for him!
We headed back after buying some postcards and booked ourselves onto the hotel bus which goes to Playa Del Carmen, the nearest big town on Friday night.
We then decided to try out one of the a la carte restarants and got dressed up and got a seat for 8.30 at the Japanese restaurant.
This was a meal with a bit of a show as the Japanese chef cooks right in front of you and throws food around in the air and it was very fun to watch. We were two English folk with a party of 10 American friends which was a little disconcerting to start with, but they were chatty and friendly.
We headed back to our room afterwards, full and sleepy! Another good day.
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