Our Honeymoon (photos + a video!)
After such an incredible wedding day, it was hard to believe that life could get any better. But oh, did it. Two weeks in the warm, tropical southern Caribbean does a person good, let me tell you :) A lot of people seemed surprised that J and I were going on our honeymoon immediately after the wedding (apparently the new trend is to wait a few months), but I am SO glad we went right away. There was something really special about setting off on our own as newlyweds, while the wedding excitement was still fresh.
We decided to go the cruise route for our honeymoon, since we both love traveling and would have gotten bored spending our whole vacation at one resort. It was perfect for us; we got to visit six different islands, try out some shore excursions, and explore on our own. Every night there was new entertainment, new food, and new friends! It really couldn't be beat, and it's a trip we'll remember forever.
We've shared some fun video clips from our trip above, plus a few photos below, if you'd like to see:
Setting sail! All the people who lived along the edge of the port we left from were out on their lawns, waving and holding up signs that said "have fun!" and "enjoy your trip!" It was so cute, and oddly exciting :)
Ain't no party like a lido deck party!
We put that soft-serve machine to WORK.
First stop, ARUBA! We explored the plaza a bit before heading to the beach for jet-lev lessons—the highlight of J's trip :) Then, on the recommendation of our instructor, we walked up the beach to Carlito's for some lunch (and the best mango daiquiris ever!)
BONAIRE was next! I'm probably biased because it was my first time ever, but Bonaire has the best snorkeling, hands down. It was unbelievably beautiful, and the underwater photographer we dove with got some amazing shots! After we dried off, we walked through the town and found a thrift store (of course) plus some of the best gelato I've had.
GRENADA - the spice island! This place had THE most breathtaking views, no doubt about it. We hiked up the hillside to Fort George, and spent the afternoon exploring.
My favorite island on our trip was BARBADOS! We swam with the most magnificent sea turtles, had a traditional Barbadian lunch aboard the catamaran, and got to relax on a beautiful beach. Vacation trifecta.
We got a little adventurous on ST. LUCIA and decided to take a taxi tour of the island. In a word: spectacular. The landscape! The villages! The views! Our tour stops included the local college and a woodworking studio, and getting to see how people live and work on the island was fascinating.
A calabash! They use every part of this fruit.
ANTIGUA was the perfect final stop on our Caribbean tour. We taxied across the island to Long Bay, the most strikingly beautiful beach I've ever seen. I'm talking the softest sand, the most crystal-clear water, and the greenest, lushest forrest surrounding. Pictures do not do it justice.
The fun kept going after the island-hopping was done! We enjoyed lots more food, shows, and time together. (How handsome does he look helping me with my shoe? And with his double lobsters?! The cutest.)
Second place in The Quest gameshow with our friends Corbin and Brittany! I have never laughed so hard in my life. Let's just say J ended up in some ladies' garments and worked. it.
Every honeymoon should end with breakfast in bed :) It could not have been a more perfect trip, and I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives traveling and exploring together! Married life is the best.