Having had dinner in the Riviera Maya restaurant on our first night and tentatively sipping at the water before bailing and asking several couples if it was 'safe', we let that be the most excitement for the night. Jet lag had taken its toll and after being awake for 26 hours, we had an early night. God bless the time difference.
Breakfast; my least favourite meal at home (always in a rush and sleep seems more preferable in a working week) but my favourite whilst on holiday. Directly in front of our room is El Mercardo, the main restaurant for the Catalonia Yucatan, and a bevy of fresh fruit, pastries, omelettes, eggs, hot food and traditional Mexican tasters. I think the pre-holiday working out will fall to waste after one sitting alone. Have I mentioned the chocolate doughnuts yet?
The Orientation meeting with your travel company (Thomas Cook in this instance) is always viewed as a bit of a chore; taking precious time away from the sun-lounger and the tan development! A first for me though, with a two week expanse in front of us, it wasn't much to resent. We met Hayley, our rep, who talked through the basic Mayan cultural info we should know, useful phrases and hotel points etc (yes the water is safe, as is the salad) before getting onto the exciting stuff of day-trips. Talking up Coco Bongos for the livelier members of the group (clearly just us and a couple on honeymoon), we left with a stash of info to mull over.
Back to the beach and my book (Lindsay Kelk's 'Single Girls To-Do List' #walkingcliche). After an impressive breakfast, we tried the 'Steak and Grill' restaurant for lunch (blame jet lag for that actually being consumed at 11.30am!) which is a says-on-the-tin kind of place but back to El Mercardo for dinner.
Day One: over and out.
Monday 25 March 2013
Mexico: A Room with a View
Try beating waking up to this everyday for the next 14 days!!! On yes, that is the Caribbean Sea just a few metres from our room in case you were wondering...
Mexico: In Flight Entertainment
If the timing of our holiday being over Spring Break had failed to come to our attention, the demographic of the flight to Cancun would have alerted us. 70% single guys, rowdy and already "on it" before our 9am flight, 20% couples off on a sun-seeking romantic holiday already loved up and kissing at the departure gate and then 10% women (ages between 18-65) who are seeking tans, cocktails and relaxation.
In flight entertainment starts with shoes off, flight socks on #ohyeahrocknroll. Secondly, face wipe that make-up off and apply a layer of Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Mask (a transparent mask so no one knows your quenching your skins thirst, combatting the airplane air con system with intense hydration and an anti-ageing bonus). Thankfully we had the joys of Jamie Oliver in-flight meals (who knew?) and Daniel Craig in Skyfall to help the 13 hours pass. Just a shame we had some idiots smoking in the toilets to stress out the Captain and Air Stewards who had to threaten to abort the flight due to the health and safely risk of cigarette butts being found in the waste paper bins #ignorantselfishanddangerouspeople.
First experience of any holiday comes when the heat hits you walking off the plane. Mexico, we have arrived! .
In flight entertainment starts with shoes off, flight socks on #ohyeahrocknroll. Secondly, face wipe that make-up off and apply a layer of Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Mask (a transparent mask so no one knows your quenching your skins thirst, combatting the airplane air con system with intense hydration and an anti-ageing bonus). Thankfully we had the joys of Jamie Oliver in-flight meals (who knew?) and Daniel Craig in Skyfall to help the 13 hours pass. Just a shame we had some idiots smoking in the toilets to stress out the Captain and Air Stewards who had to threaten to abort the flight due to the health and safely risk of cigarette butts being found in the waste paper bins #ignorantselfishanddangerouspeople.
First experience of any holiday comes when the heat hits you walking off the plane. Mexico, we have arrived! .
Mexico: Packing
My Mother's most dreaded aspect of a holiday. My favourite. Love utilising my organisational skills outside of the workplace and with home comforts of my iPod or film collection to keep me company, this is when the excitement really picks up. Oh and the obligatory glass of wine to get you into the holiday spirit.
With four new bikinis sets to admire and pack, the summer wardrobe is extracted from the loft for some fun revisiting. Never knowing if you'll have forgotten a gem or two you bought in the summer sales last year. Within minutes my bed was piled high and my wardrobe doors were bowing under the weight of all the dresses and playsuits I wanted to take! Remember Rose, only 20kg allowed. The weighing scales were poised on the bathroom floor to test my restraint.
Holiday essentials have to include an array of chick-lit books, the Redken Color Extend Sun range to protect my hair and scalp, high factor 30 and 50 SPF sun protection (an English Rose in all it's definitions. Loving Garnier Ambre Solaire Golden Touch range) and the trusty aloe vera after-sun when my abnormally sensitive skin decides it wants to try its hand at being a hot plate you could fry eggs on!
Padlock on, travelling outfit hung out on the back of the door and alarm set for a 5am journey to Gatwick. Holiday in 3-2-1...
With four new bikinis sets to admire and pack, the summer wardrobe is extracted from the loft for some fun revisiting. Never knowing if you'll have forgotten a gem or two you bought in the summer sales last year. Within minutes my bed was piled high and my wardrobe doors were bowing under the weight of all the dresses and playsuits I wanted to take! Remember Rose, only 20kg allowed. The weighing scales were poised on the bathroom floor to test my restraint.
Holiday essentials have to include an array of chick-lit books, the Redken Color Extend Sun range to protect my hair and scalp, high factor 30 and 50 SPF sun protection (an English Rose in all it's definitions. Loving Garnier Ambre Solaire Golden Touch range) and the trusty aloe vera after-sun when my abnormally sensitive skin decides it wants to try its hand at being a hot plate you could fry eggs on!
Padlock on, travelling outfit hung out on the back of the door and alarm set for a 5am journey to Gatwick. Holiday in 3-2-1...
Mexico: That's the way uh-huh uh-huh
Having pondered over Cuba for a couple of weeks and being abruptly told, "Havana is booked up!" We switched our destination to the nearby Caribbean Coast of Mexico. Oh and it's Spring Break, what timing!
Holiday booked with less than four weeks to go, jabs planned and dreaded, and the bikini holiday shopping was on!! For my companion, that spontaneously included eyelash extensions (Who wants to wear mascara on holiday?!) Plus short hair is totally NOT holiday hair so hair extensions were needed too! I hit up Westfield on the Thursday before departure having not made enough of the online purchases I'd made through the week. Who needs to eat after an all inclusive holiday anyway? Well I hope I don't, the credit card won't allow for it!
Then it was just the countdown and handover at work to go!
Holiday booked with less than four weeks to go, jabs planned and dreaded, and the bikini holiday shopping was on!! For my companion, that spontaneously included eyelash extensions (Who wants to wear mascara on holiday?!) Plus short hair is totally NOT holiday hair so hair extensions were needed too! I hit up Westfield on the Thursday before departure having not made enough of the online purchases I'd made through the week. Who needs to eat after an all inclusive holiday anyway? Well I hope I don't, the credit card won't allow for it!
Then it was just the countdown and handover at work to go!
Friday 25 May 2012
The Only Way is... Snowdon!
On the 25th May 2012, I shall be donning my backpack with water and jelly babies for fuel along with (luckily) layers of sunscreen rather than clothing. Up the Miners track and down the Pyg track with hopefully a spectacular view at the summit. Considering last time I climbed the 3,465ft I burst into tears at the top with no prospect of temporary warmth, food or even a view, I think things are looking up this time (excuse the pun)!
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Sunday 15 January 2012
Start as you mean to go on...
Since my late-night blog mentioning some of the things I really want to do in 2012, I started today as if it was the 1st of January all over again (think excited anticipation for the task ahead... I hope my attention span will not decrease at the same pace as the January diet has...)
Today, myself and my housemate spent the sunny but wintry Sunday afternoon in Richmond Park. A first for me and it really was as beautiful as anticipated (see photos below). It was lovely to see the Royal Ballet School - a place I had once dreamed of going. I was so glad to see two herds of deer too - I can't believe how tame they are! We had great fun hiring bikes (£7 for an hour, £11 for two hours from ParkCycle at the Roehampton entrance) and got to see approx two-thirds of the park with stunning views of the city.
Definitely a place to go back to with friends, I can imagine in the summer it would be heaving as the paths were busy enough today on a January weekend! Next visit will have to be in the Spring or Summer and include a picnic and Frisbee!
Score: 10/10
Recommend: 100%
Repeat: Yes
Today, myself and my housemate spent the sunny but wintry Sunday afternoon in Richmond Park. A first for me and it really was as beautiful as anticipated (see photos below). It was lovely to see the Royal Ballet School - a place I had once dreamed of going. I was so glad to see two herds of deer too - I can't believe how tame they are! We had great fun hiring bikes (£7 for an hour, £11 for two hours from ParkCycle at the Roehampton entrance) and got to see approx two-thirds of the park with stunning views of the city.
Definitely a place to go back to with friends, I can imagine in the summer it would be heaving as the paths were busy enough today on a January weekend! Next visit will have to be in the Spring or Summer and include a picnic and Frisbee!
Score: 10/10
Recommend: 100%
Repeat: Yes
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