Searching for the perfect honeymoon

Picking a honeymoon destination is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make. 
(Yes I live a lovely, fluffy, care free life!)

As we had a destination wedding in January, we decided it would be nice to come home and have a honeymoon to look forward to later in the year. I also knew I would need to occupy my once filled wedding brain with something post nuptials.

But it is oh so difficult to pick a destination.

I already have my own personal top three honeymoon location:

-Cuba

-Egypt

-Fiji

But the issue is, we have already been to these locations.

Driving along the rural roads in Cuba

Before the wedding, we had thought that Vietnam would be an ideal location. Asia intrigues us both and this beautiful country would allow us adventure, relaxation and culture.

But now that the grand event is over (and all the money is spent!) the gloss is wearing off it. Flights are expensive, we only have two weeks to play with and we have a conflict with the ‘best time of year’ to visit.

Giza Pyramids, Egypt 2012

So now my mind has been refocused back to Europe and the Middle East. There are some fab beaches and resorts scattered about this continent and obviously there is culture and history galore to explore, but which one do I pick for a honeymoon?

Ideally we would like to do some sightseeing, partake in a fun activity and spend a few days relaxing.

Fiji islands, 2008

Crete, Sicily, Croatia, Malta, Greek islands, Jordan and Tunisia are all on my radar.

Do any of you have any tips, advice or indeed destinations you would think suitable?

Take a trip for love

Is Valentine's Day an overblown hallmark event to buy cards, presents and spend a week's wages on a dinner for two? Yes.

But the idea of taking one day in the year to tell those who mean the most to you how much you love them is beautiful. So take the time out to say how you feel and do be romantic. But romance doe not mean spending a fortune on red hearts and it is not about showing off your love in front of others at a swanky restaurant.

Instead, today take the time to plan a romantic day, weekend or holiday. Planning something romantic is a perfect way to spend quality time together, have something special to look forward to and get away with your special someone.

Need some inspiration for a romantic trip?

IRELAND:

Glencar Waterfall, Co Leitrim

Glencar Waterfall, Co Leitrim

Ever heard of it? Want to know what it is all about? Take your romantic ass there, marvel at nature
and be inspired as the great Irish poet WB Yeats was. (Print off 'The Stolen Child')

Romantic tick, poetic tick tick.

Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare

Why the cliffs? You are on the edge of Ireland the next land mass is America. Feel the breeze – hold on tight to your loved on and make some beautiful declarations! Ladies bring some hair spray and maybe a raincoat.

Carrauntoohil, Co Kerry

Yep, the mountain. The highest peak in Ireland. Climb past deep mountain lakes, along ice-carved ridges until you reach the breathtaking summit. If your partner is still with you (maybe stay together on the way up) take a look around the legendary landscape and pledge your allegiance to Ireland and to (insert name here).

A LITTLE FURTHER:

Paris, France

You cannot bypass Paris. It is the most romantic city in the world. It is beautiful, the buildings, the landmarks, the language (if they are not shouting at you!) Eat a baguette and cheese, climb to the top

Fiji island

of the Effie Tower and say “J'Adore.”

Venice, Italy

Smelly, yes. Dirty, yes. Wet, yes.

Still romantic. A mid night stroll, a gondola ride, share a pizza or pasta and sip some chianti. Bliss.

Fiji islands

Get away, really far away. Stop off at the beautiful and romantic Bounty/ Love Island, or just keep going – until you reach the last island. Then relax and tell your partner “if I was on a deserted island all I would want is you ...”

You are Welcome – now go forth and love!

The simple life

Ah the simple life.

On the treadmill  of life

Life is as simple and as complicated as you make it right? Correct. But it also depends on circumstances, where you live and the culture you live in.

As I jump on to the treadmill of 2012 and try to stay on without falling off, try to keep up with the changes around me, and meet my expected goals I can't help but wonder about a much simpler life.

A new year requires quite a bit of organisation, resolutions, goals, events, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, parties, holidays need to be penciled in so we don't forget them on the hectic cycle through the year. But as I filled out my work diary, calendar, home diary and smart phone I became exhausted.

The simple life in Fiji
(c) fifiheavey

I stared up at a picture from Fiji, and I recalled the first time I ever really experienced the real simple life. Living in a beach hut with only cold running water and electricity for three hours each night I was in bliss. We stayed in a family run resort – but not a resort as you know it. A few beach huts scattered on a remote island in the tropics of Fiji.

Away from the politics of communism, the island was run as a commune with a King at the head. The meals were cooked together by all the families, they held religious ceremonies together and the village had one TV for a large number of families to share.

And they were so happy – not that put on 'Bula' false smiles but true content. Once their days work was complete, the individuals did what they do best: relaxed. Even the work was carried out slowly, due to the immense heat, if you had to walk somewhere you did it slowly. But it all got done, everyone knew their role. They could come and go from the island as they pleased, but they usually stayed together because that is where they knew their place.

And I was happy there, I read and walked and danced and played cards and talked. Oh boy did we talk – to the visitors to the family who cared for us to the neighbours, to the king! We watched as newbies joined the island life, full of stress and plans and as the days went by slowly relaxed into the way of Melbravo life.

Melbravo Resort on the Nacula islands, Yasawas, Fiji
(c)fifiheavey

If you wake up one morning, sick of the rat race and decide to return to the simple life in Ireland – you are branded a Hippy – not the flower power kind the dirty kind.

But I understand the lifestyle choice. After working on the farm at home last Summer I had a similar epiphany. My back was sore, I was physically exhausted but I never felt so satisfied. Caring for animals and being self sufficient is a real gift. It is the meaning of life day after day watching the world renew itself in the eyes of baby animals and surprise you with a fresh crop of food.

Man kind has taken huge strides to get us where we are today, but remember the simple life is always only a few steps away.

Looking out on the blue sea, and the landscape of Fiji. The home of the simple life.
(c)fifiheavey

Travel Regrets

Have you ever experienced a truly terrible holiday, had a wasted trip or just been the victim of bad luck at a new destination?

An unexpected injury or sickness, a badly suited companion, the impact of a quick decision or some really bad karma can ruin your holiday or trip leaving you returning home full of regrets.

Or was it the destination? Was the location of your stay, your accommodation the straw that broke the camel's back?

I have experienced all of the above, (thankfully not together) and they can really inflict on what should be blissful memories, but they have never made me regret my trips.

Some of them even provided me an opportunity to do or see something different, when I took a hell of a reaction to sandflies (yes they exist) in Thailand I found myself exploring the inside of San Paulo Hospital, Hua Hin, which was an eye opening experience. Again that same reaction led me and my boyfriend to stay in the lap of luxury on Viti Levu, Fiji as a treat of enduring my pain for two weeks during and island hopping trip.

Find yourself unable to get accommodation? – Stay the night in the airport, sleep in a car – the less money you have the more inventive you need to be!

If you don't like your travelling partner – take a day off go exploring by yourself and you will find a world of exciting things and you may also make new friends.

Hate the destination ... well that is a tough one – catch up on some reading possibly?!

My travel regrets are made up of places of things I just didn't get around to:

• We didn't have time for a three day visit to Fraser island on Australia's East Coast
• Ruled out Chang Mai because it was a long distance to travel
• Dismissed Milford Sound in New Zealand as a nice Day Trip
• Cut Washington DC out of our USA tournament

When you meet someone and talk about a specific country or area you have visited and you hear about a place (which is obviously the BEST thing to do according to everyone) but you didn't visit – do you feel regret?

You shouldn't of course you should just note it in your mind to go back, and this I have done – but Fraser Island and Milford Sound ... that is not going to be my next weekend away is it?!

A friend told me a regret is something you wanted to do but were afraid, or rushed into too quickly.

Like not travelling solo, wishing to stay somewhere for longer but not doing it, not travelling full stop.

You can't help that you get sick, your friend is an ass or you lost all your money – that is all part of the travel experience but you can regret foolishness and letting yourself be bounded by fear.Now that I think of it, I do regret not seeing that ping pong show in Bangkok ....!

Ping pong show ...

Do you have any travel regrets?