Naples Pt 1... Somebody Get Me a Juice Cleanse

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I am hanging out in the 80 degree weather in the Naples, Florida area this weekend, and let me just say that I am trying my best to stock up on my Vitamin D so that I can survive the rest of winter in the Midwest... I'm sorry I can't bring any back for you.

My wakeup on Friday morning was 4:30am. The only way to make this happen is with an iPhone alarm and lots, lots, lots of emojis.

I somehow managed to get to the airport with all of my toiletries, limbs, and electronics intact... except for my iPhone charger. I pulled a Carly and left my iPhone charger plugged into the wall next to my bed. What can I say, life is hard at 4:30am. 

Just chilling with Tory, Diane, Apple, Lulu, and Sperry. My travel BFFs.

Another thing that is hard at the butt crack of dawn? (Besides anything, ever...) --> FLYING! We booked the trip last minute, so I flew Spirit on my way into Florida and am flying United back. The thing about Spirit is they do not give you any food or drink. Like, not even a cup of crappy water. You have to pay like five bucks for a tiny water bottle. Not my jam.

So, as soon as we landed, I was on a mission to hydrate. A huge Smartwater did the job.

Are you making me smarter?

After a quick stop to drop my bags off, we headed to the ballpark. We had second row seats, so I really could not complain. The Boston Red Sox played the Minnesota Twins. Despite not knowing (or caring) a bit about baseball, I enjoyed a Bud Light (and a bag of pistachios I smuggled in, don't tell) and had a great time. 

Don't know, don't care, I am loving the sun.

This was followed by a series of shrimp and tuna, which left me extremely stuffed and ready to pass out. I woke up early the next morning to go on a run, but it was only 55 degrees at 6:45am, so I grabbed my lulu jacket since I was a dummy and didn't bring pants.

Look who's excited to wear shorts outside!

I ended up doing a combination of sprints and walks. I have been planning on a Paleo/Primal March for quite a few weeks now, so I was determined to make my March 1st workout count. I sprinted all out and then walked or jogged for a while in between.

Other things that happened: Amazing swordfish on the beach.

Oh yeah. Swordfish is dreamy. 

Shrimp. More shrimp. The image below used to be a plate of coconut shrimp, but... well, then they all disappeared. I truly do not know what happened.

I would do it all over again.

Hanging out in Olde Naples.

And eating far, far, FAR too much dessert. No I did not eat all of this... but I am going to be stuffed for a while. Don't get mad at me when I go on a juice cleanse upon returning to the Midwest...

Let's talk about dessert.

OH, AND DID I MENTION DESSERT?

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

• Do you indulge in dessert or are you healthy on vacation?
• Do you try to get in workouts while on vaca or just live by 'when in Rome?'

Traveling Home From Costa Rica

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Packing for Costa Rica

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 1

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 2

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 3

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 4 - Surfing

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 5 - Monkeys!

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 6 - Last Day

Traveling Home from Costa Rica

On our last morning in Costa Rica, we awoke to a gift. A huge, bright, hard-to-miss rainbow was right outside our villa. As I was slowly rolling out of bed, my fiance flew through the sliding doors and said "Grab a camera, get out here right now!" Can't refuse that...

If that's not a good sign on the morning you're traveling internationally, I don't know what is!

We had a quick breakfast at the restaurant before getting picked up by our driver to head back to San Jose for our flight. I went with the Caletas Breakfast, which consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, avocado, and farmer's cheese. There was also beans and rice and plantains, but I skipped on those.

We said our final goodbyes to what had been our home over the past 8 days and finally met our driver out front for the drive to SJ.

The drive away from Villas Caletas was just as gorgeous as the drive there... but, naturally, it was bittersweet as well. We found ourselves already missing our new-found paradise, and knowing our one and only honeymoon was coming to an end was not the happiest of thoughts. To combat the sadness that can accompany the ending of such a trip, we spent a while talking about all of the exciting things to come - great things that are happening in my husband's career and with my consulting business, and the overall excitement to be married and live as a married couple. 

We arrived quite early to the airport in San Jose. We weren't sure what to expect on our way out of the country, so we wanted to be prepared. In the end, this translated to one last indulgent meal (nachos for me - with fake cheese, which was simultaneously delicious and disgusting - somebody please explain that to me) and some pre-flight cocktails. Two of them. Each.

Travel from San Jose to Houston was uneventful -- but the customs line was 2 hours long, so we were a little worried about potentially missing our flight. It all ended up working out. After finally getting through, the customs agent offered my husband a bit of newlywed advice: always make sure your home has at least two bathrooms. Hah... Okay then. Thanks for that.

 

We also ran across a true miracle: Someone taller than my husband! It was a momentous occasion so we had to snap a picture.

 

We arrived back home around 1am Chicago time, ready to see our pup!

Villas Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 1

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Packing for Costa Rica

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 1

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 2

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 3

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 4 - Surfing

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 5 - Monkeys!

Villa Caletas, Costa Rica Pt 6 - Last Day

Traveling Home from Costa Rica

We had a 4:30 leave time, which called for a 4am wakeup. I had showered right before going to bed, so I woke up feeling clean (essential). We'd just set up our Nespresso the night before, so I prepared some espresso for my husband and myself. Topped it with half and half because we were trying to use it up.

O, Hail to the Nespresso

Took that espresso like a shot, because my packing fiasco lead to a measly 3 hour slumber. Sub par in the sleeping realm.

Cheers!

Bottoms up!

We trained it via the Blue Line to O'Hare. Security was kind of a cluster, because O'Hare has its own set of Murphy's Laws (a.k.a. everything must always be difficult).

Yeah, I put a Tiffany ring on that man!

My husband had left his Oakleys in my mom's car over the weekend, and he is very careful about things like eye care and skin care. So, we hit up the Oakley counter at O'Hare and got him a sweet set of shades.

We boarded our plane and everything was very smooth. I am a phenomenal plane sleeper, so I passed out pretty quickly and woke up as we were landing in Houston.

Neither of us had eaten yet, so even though it was kind of late morning by this point, we went in search of proper breakfast food. I found eggs with veggies, grits, and ham. Not the best thing I've ever eaten... but it got the job done.

We had a very short layover (we don't like waiting, and there was a second flight we could have made if we missed the first one, so we took the risk), so after stuffing our faces, we headed to our gate. My 6 foot 7 husband and I were blessed with lots of legroom.

The flight was fairly uneventful. We each had a cocktail, followed by a few episodes of Modern Family and a wonderful nap. Flying done right, my friends.

When we landed in San Jose, we were greeted by our car service. Ted was exceptionally friendly and his English was superb.

Oh hey Ted!

It was about an hour and a half drive from the airport to Villas Caletas, where we were staying for the week. We considered renting a vehicle and driving it ourselves, but ended up opting for the simplest route of just paying someone to take us.

The drive was a nice little introduction to Costa Rican life. San Jose was significantly smaller than I had imagined, and just minutes into our drive, we were already seeing cows all over the countryside.

We also stopped to check out the alligators. Thank God we were viewing them from above, on a bridge, or else I think I may have lost it.

It didn't take long for the Pacific Ocean to come into view. It is extremely hilly on the West Coast, so the scenery is to die for. High peaks, low waters. Bright green and deep blue. It reminded me of the Pacific Northwest, only ten times more colorful.

Costa Rican Countryside

Our resort, Villa Caletas, was high up in the mountains, perched on a cliff that butts up to the ocean. Our driver turned off of the main road and we began climbing higher and higher. It took an extra ten minutes just to climb up to our hotel.

As soon as we checked in, we were greeted with delicious cool tea and cool towels. The tea was amazing - it was very sweet and even a bit thick and tasted like peaches.

We were staying at Zephyr Palace, which is a large palace on the grounds of Villas Caletas that has only a handful of luxury suites, its own pool area, deck area, garden area, and its own champagne salon. We were brought to our room, the 20th Century Suite, which was decorated to reflect 1920s style.

I absolutely loved the boutique feel of the Zephyr Palace. Every room is different and no detail is overlooked. Hand painted naked cherubs on the ceiling of your room? Why not?!

There was a jacuzzi in our suite, which had a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. Instead of stepping into hot water from the hot, muggy rainforest, we were stepping in from glorious AC of our suite. Call me spoiled, but that's the best way to hot tub!

And let's not forget a huge private balcony with a hammock and plenty of seating (and fresh fruit, as delivered by the butlers).

After exploring the room, we unpacked a bit and then took a stroll around the grounds.

This gorgeous infinity pool that was part of the palace - meaning we would be sharing it with only a handful of other people. WINNING.

We headed over to the main restaurant, El Anfiteatro, which is perched above an amphitheater that has such a gorgeous view of the sunset and ocean that people come from all around to watch.

I went with a mojito and we split some delicious ceviche with plantain chips.

This was followed by some delicious salads on both our parts. Mine included rice noodles, shrimp, and cucumber with a tzatsiki dressing. My husband had a more traditional salad that also looked delish.

After dinner, we headed back to relax and unwind after a long day of traveling!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

• When you travel, do you stick to classic meals you know, or experiment with local cuisine?
• Are you a good flight sleeper? Any tips and tricks for sleeping on planes?