Tulum, Mexico: In Review!

We went on a little holiday!  Mexico had always been the dream holiday destination for me: the beaches, the FOOD, the history, the tequila, the culture, the chips and salsa....

It was pure luck that B had never been (don't get me started on Mr "53-countries-visited") and we actually had a mutual week off!

We chose Tulum as my rockin friend Jen at Two Itchy Feet was married here and couldn't speak higher of the place. B and I aren't Cancun material, so we were both happy with Tulum- the non-resorty, slightly more "Mexican" alternative. 

(We cycled EVERYWHERE)

(Snorkelling at a cenote)

The Hotel

We stayed at the Palms Tulum Luxury Hotel  - a new hotel 3 km away from the beach and on the outskirt of Tulum town. Considering I wanted to lie on the beach and drink margaritas all week - I was surprised I enjoyed staying so close to town. But I loved it. We were easily able to get everywhere by bike (watch out) or taxi. It opened up a whole new sized of Tulum being a bit further from the beach. 

The Beach

Even though we didn't have our own beach, the hotel gave us a coupon for El Paradiso - a beach club that had the most COMFORTABLE beds and much loved umbrellas. We spent two days here enjoying the sun and sand - but most importantly beach side margaritas and nachos.

Nachos?  Beach?  Yes, please!

The Sites

We went to the Tulum ruins on our second day and were caught in a downpour. We did get some great shots of the old homes and temples before the heavens opened up. B even got a dip in the sea at the ruins - it was the prettiest most secluded beach I've ever seen.

While popping out for orange juice one morning we went past Mexico Kan Tours and met Miguel - a total dude and adventure tour guru. He had a cancellation of a tour and said he could take us out - just the two of us - in the next 20 minutes. No pushiness; just a selection of genuinely cool tours on offer. 

We decided on this impromptu Mayan Inland Expedition where we hiked in search of monkeys, zip lined across a river, had a Mayan safety ritual performed for us before being lowered into a cenote by harness. 

The little hole I was lowered into!

HOW COOL IS THIS CENOTE!

After a quick bite to eat we went to the Coba ruins and climbed a 44 meter ruin. Holy. Wow. The day cost us 130 pesos each - a private tour with a kick ass guide. It was utterly amazing. 

Yep. We climbed that bad boy.

The FOOD

My favourite part...in case you couldn't tell. Being a vegetarian in Mexico is NOT easy. To be fair - I was more than happy with the complimentary chips and salsa served before each meal...but according to B that's not efficient!

We tried some amazing restaurants and ate some brilliant dishes. We used TripAdvisor a LOT and found it really helpful to just narrow down options. 

Best Free Chips and Salsa: It's got to be a toss up between Mateo's and El Asadero.  To be honest, El Asadero was winning until our last meal in Tulum and Mateo's pulled out this gorgeous, tomatoey salsa. Plus Mateo's was the only place where I could find a natural coconut to drink out of! 

Best for Vegetarians:   El Asadero - yep. A steak house. 

There was a whole separate menu for us anti-meat freaks. I had the cactus and it was looooovely. 

Best drinks: value for money points you to town rather than the beach. La Malquerida 

had great offers and the tastiest mojito and margarita I've ever had. Their house tequila they offer as a complimentary after dinner drink in gorgeous. Even B - who HATES tequila - loved that. 

Favourite spot:  Zamas stole our hearts. We waited out a rain storm here on our first day while cycling the coast line. The service was excellent and the food - oh - it was just amazing. Everything I are - stuffed chilli and chilli enchiladas - were amazing. In spite of the heat, we loved their Mexican Hot Chocolate as an after dinner treat. 

Best Bar Atmosphere:  It's a toss up between Ziggy's and Mezzanine.  Ziggy's had swing seats around the bar (the coolest thing - but watch your knees!) whereas Mezzanine had a lovely deck overlooking the sea.  Both did great drinks.

Best Mexican Alternative:  While I felt we should eat all of the Mexican food we could stomach, we stumbled upon a new restaurant called Uniquo.  The chef is from New York and cooks a mean - and I mean MEAN - menu of English/American/Mexican twists. This was the best restaurant with the most attentive service. I really wish it existed back home!

Oh Mexico....I miss you.

xx

The Summer in Review

It's true what they say.  All good things must come to an end.  It's the eve of Back to school Monday!  This means summer is officially over!

It's been a great break - probably my best summer on record.  Would I change anything?  Probably not.  Just to remind myself that it really did happen, here's my summer in Review!

1)  TRAVEL

Cornwall was brilliant - just the feeling of packing a bag and going away makes everything seem a bit more exotic.  I loved returning to our old haunts as there's so much history and tradition there - in spite of our short history.

Next year?  We defiantly need to go away - but perhaps somewhere new?  I like the sound of our holiday away with the Guyatts!

2) NESPRESSO LOVE

I think my body is going to go into shock without my mid day iced coffee and reading in the garden.  I will need to bring one into work and refrigerate it until required!  Not really the same though...with that said - I heard a little rumour that Starbucks will be coming out with Pumpkin Spice Latte within the next few weeks.  Oh. My. Word.

Next year? ALWAYS This would go without saying.  However - there has been talk about adding a little McBerry to our family....so....no coffee next summer?  I think I'm willing to make that trade.

3)  BERRY PICKING

The Berrys love berry picking.  Strawberry, Raspberry or Blueberry.  The prices are ridiculous around here - it's foolish to by your own when you can pick your own for a fraction of the price!  Freshly picked berries  mean freshly baked berry pie!

Next year?  Of COURSE!  Cheap and tasty.  Sign me up.  We are expecting an email soon so we can go for a twilight blueberry pick to clean the place out.  Frozen berries?  Yes, please.

4)  PINSPIRATION IN THE KITCHEN

Having the time to actually think my way through dinners has meant B is eating VERY well.  I've been creative and actually made all of those recipes I've pinned.  It's been fun and it's been a nice change from the usual!

Next Year?   Carry on!  I think this could be a permanent commitment.  Back to work means back on the healthy eating and exercise!  I think variety is the spice of life.  Check out my recipe collection.

5) Starbucks Work Dates

I haven't really written about this as it's been the unexciting side of our lives.  B is revising for the USMLE - like - hardcore revising.  Every day.  We have gone to Starbucks (my favourite work hangout) most weeks this summer to get work done.  I've planned and resourced while B was revising. Good coffee and good company.

Next year?  No.  I'm going to put my foot down and say no to this one.  USMLE will be done by next summer and I want to go to Starbucks and enjoy it.  I work hard enough during the academic year (don't get me started on the time it takes for English teachers to mark while teaching a nearly full timetable while half running the department).  Dates.  No work dates.

6) Zoku making
I love my Zoku. B knows me so well - it was the best birthday present a girl could ask for!  We have experimented with loads of different recipes - and when I say recipe what I really mean is we throw stuff in the blender and see what happens!

Next year? Defiantly.  This was the easiest way to eat healthy, have a snack without really having a snack and it's a great way to entertain children.  Hopefully I can come up with seasonal uses and break this bad boy out all the time!

Looking back, it's been a great summer.  All of the BBQs and Smores making and treat baking and laughing....I could do it all again!  I loved spending time resting and relaxing.  I'm going to miss morning coffee, Pinterest and Made in Chelsea though.

A lot went on last academic year and an awful lot went on back home in Ohio.  I'm standing by my goal - being positive and looking at the good things in life.

xx

Cornwall - Part TWO!

I was so excited, I couldn't wait to post Part TWO of our Cornwall holiday!  On Day three we hit the roads and did a mini tour of north Cornwall.  

Port Isaac was our first stop - it is one of the more popular places to visit as an English tv show Doc Martin was filmed there.

It was another beautiful day, so we didn't mind stopping for a cup of tea by this cracking view.

Following that, we travelled up to Trebarwith Strand.  It was what looked like a tiny little beach near Tintagel, but when we actually got out to explore we saw it was a massive stretch complete with rock pools, pirate caves and about a hundred surfers!  As the sun was hiding, we decided to explore the caves.

I couldn't help having a little splash in the water (freezing water, I should add!) before we left.

We then headed north to Boscastle - famous for PASTIES!  Being a vegetarian, I never get to try the exciting flavours, but you can't go wrong with a good old vegetable pasty.  

I have never seen the tide so low in Cornwall - usually this area is completely covered in water!

When we returned to Bude we thought we had better make the most of the sunshine and had fish and chips and a halloumi salad on the beach.  We brought some Blue Moon (YAY to this being sold in the UK!) - the recipe for a perfect evening if you ask me!

It's only fair to point out that following this photo we were wiped out by a massive wave and I only just managed to jump up with the camera.  

But seriously....how is THAT for a sunset!  The beach at Widemouth Bay will always hold a special place in my heart as that is where Rich proposed - BBQ on the beach, bowls (bocce) and bonfires!

Here's to many more Cornwall holidays!

xx

Cornwall - Part One

School is OUT for summer!  But I'm not going to post about the academic year coming to a close - I'm going to write about our *gorgeous* four days in Cornwall!  We couldn't have asked for a better few days - it was the perfect end to B's holiday and a even better start to mine!

We were staying in Bude, right near the coast.  The view was amazing, although the weather wasn't exactly agreeable on our first afternoon and evening.

B decided he wanted to give surfing a go, so on the last day he made sure I was wrapped up on the beach with a cup of tea and hit the waves.  He was pretty good at staying on the board - I'm not sure I could have done that well!

We were unsure of the weather, so on day two we decided to head to the Eden Project in St Austell in order to make the most of the potentially wet typically English day. We went the last time we were in Cornwall (when we were engaged!) and fell in love with the place!  The bio-domes were steamy as instead of rain it was gorgeous sunshine, but unfortunately that meant that the top viewing deck was too hot (50 degrees Celsius!!).  

We enjoyed the outdoor gardens just as much as the domes -  I really liked the lavender fields (not because it reminded me of Norfolk  though!).

He spent ages in their garden with different types of vegetables from all around the globe.  I think he got a couple of shots for inspiration when we finally get a garden of our own.

B loved the plants (gardener at heart) and I loved the FOOD!   One of my favourite parts about the Eden Project is that the food they serve comes directly from their gardens.  You can even buy some of the plants!

It's hard to believe we were last there two years ago - so much has happened since then.  Moving in, marriage, finishing Med school...  Couldn't hope to spend it with a better man!

Eden Project, Summer 2011

Eden Project, Summer 2013

Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow!

xx