Vacation Time We are at Heathrow just waiting for our gate to be called so we can fly off on our latest adventure. First stop on this trip is Nee York, the big apple for four days then it’s off to Tulum Mexico for ten nights of relaxation. Keep an eye out for vacation updates as I will be posting our adventures as we go along.
@MrtoffeeOnNoiseApp in August 2022
Up up in the air We got of the ground a little later than scheduled but the flight was nice and smooth and we landed forty minutes ahead of schedule which was great. We got lucky with US immigration and we’re through really quickly and our bags were quick too. For our first flight since the covid pandemic it went really well. Only glitch we had was with the transfer to the hotel as the pick up area was so busy our driver had to move from the agreed space and it too a while…
Strolling through Grand Central Station We decided to visit grand central station for our first trip out in New York to recreate the photo of Sophie and Lily walking through the main concourse, which we originally took six years ago when they were 7 and 8. We then went down to the food court for some pizza and a drink. This was enough for our first night in New York after a seven hour flight, day two is a trip to the world trade centre and the 9/11 museum.
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral On route to grand central station we walked past Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, which is a stunning building. It’s so strange to find such a old and pretty building surrounded by skyscrapers, it’s a very unique building and such an architectural wonder in a very busy city, well with a visit if you are in Manhattan.
Looking Up One of the things you just can’t help doing while in New York is look up, it’s so strange being surrounded by so many massive skyscrapers. Looking up at the blue sky and fluffy white clouds above Manhattan is so cool, there’s just so much to see all around you in the concrete jungle that is this city.
All Tucked Up Dotty was taking a pup nap on the sofa last week when one of the cushions fell over and landed on her, she didn’t mind one bit as you can see as it made a cover for her. She lay there quite content for a good thirty minutes to an hour catching up on her beauty sleep before hopping off the sofa and finding someone to play fetch with.
Time For The Next Flight Our time in New York is over and we are onto the next part of our vacation with a short flight down to Tulum, Mexico. Our time in New York was fun but the city is tough if you have mobility issues, like I do due to my multiple sclerosis. Most people were very friendly in the city and it’s was a fun trip, the airport staff at JFK were all very grumpy though and that wasn’t a fun experience, but that’s now in the past so all good. Will post from Mexico…
Chilling Be The Pool We made it from New York to Mexico safely, but boy was it a very long day. A good nights sleep and the girls are already out on out porch dipping their toes in the pool. We will be taking it slow today and having a chill after the travelling, a chill day is always good.
My Office For The Next Ten Days Yay it’s chill vacant time, after four very busy days in New York doing the tourist sights we are now in Tulum Mexico chilling by the pool. This now gives me the time to unwind and relax, plus the opportunity to share my photos from New York with you all. The girls are happy in the pools and I’m in the shade, so perfect for all.
Always Training What do cheerleaders do on vacation? Well as you can see they practice their jumps 🤣. Sophie’s 68 stories above New York practicing her herkie jumps, with a beautiful view of Central Park just behind her. Cool place for a little bit of pre season training.
Casting Shadows Walking along the beach this morning the sun was casting shadow of the palm trees that’s line the beach. There’s something very special about palm trees and white sand beaches, I can see why people call this part of Mexico paradise.
Pre Dinner Cocktail When in Mexico it’s rude not to have a margarita lol, well one can’t hurt can it and i will be back to the soda after this one. The chilli and salt rim adds a cool kick and as it’s the evening they are making the cocktails weak which is fine by me as I'm not a big drinker. There’s a lot of very drunk people about who have been drinking since the bars opened so it’s sensible to tame down the drinks as the day progresses.
Back After A Wifi Outage I’m back and posting again after a couple of days missing dues to a wifi outage in the Mexican resort we are vacationing in. It’s been quite nice not having internet for a couple of days and having a proper break from the world but I did miss sharing our adventures. I still have lots of photos of New York to share with you all as well as photos we have taken so far here in Mexico, and now the wifi is working again I will start posting all the fab…
Off Exploring Off The Resort All the beaches in Mexico as public so to can wonder off resort very easily which makes for some fun exploring. Once you are away from the masses you see a lot more wildlife and the sea seems to be happier away from the people. Like a lot of the Caribbean this part of Mexico has issues with seaweed, but away from the resort area the seaweed doesn’t seem as bad. Right time for a dip in the sea, catch you all in a bit.
One World Trade Centre Nestled next to where the twin towers used to stand is the magnificent one world trade centre, one of the tallest building in the world and extremely pretty too. I loved how the mirrored glass encasing the building reflects the blue sky and fluffy white clouds, it’s very impressive and a great monument to stand in the place of the twin towers. We were lucky enough to to go up to the observation deck and I will share the photos of the amazing views…
Kayak Trip Number One I’ve just been for a very short kayak trip with Katie, the sea was a bit to rough for her so we were only out for five minutes, but it was still nice to be out on the sea. I am going to get my kayaking buddy Sophie in a bit so I can go a little further and enjoy the views back to the beach from the sea.
Heading into the Skyscrapers Whenever I’m in New York I spend all my time looking up as it’s so strange being surrounded by skyscrapers. In the UK where we live there aren’t many skyscrapers so it’s not normal for us to walk block after block surrounded by such massive buildings. This photo shows the girls heading off to Wall Street and the area around the world trade centre.
Rice Chicken How cool is this chicken made of rice, we have just sat down for dinner and he’s sat on the side of the cooking area. We are at a teppanyaki show so will try and get some photos once the chef gets here and the show starts.
Teppanyaki Show Food and flames, teppanyaki is a fun meal show. We started off with vegetable sushi and a ramen soup, before heading into the cooking show with and egg fried rice as the third course. While we were eating our rice, which was delicious, our chef cooked the chicken, beef, shrimp and vegetables for our fourth course. Once we had eaten our full of savoury delights we were treated to a chocolate and banana filled spring roll for our fifth and final course of the…
One of our Vacation Pets This is Fred, he’s an iguana who lives outside the entrance to our room here at Dreams Tulum, he enjoys sun bathing and hunting for insects in the bushes. As you can see he likes to pose for photos and a couple of days ago he wanted to come into our room to get out of the heat.
Puppy Throwback Time We have been away from home for a week and a half now and we are all missing little Dotty, such a shame she can’t fly out here with us but we will see her in a few days. As I’m missing her I have been flicking back through old photos and decided to share a puppy photo as a throwback moment. She was such a bundle of fluff when she was little and so so cute.
Palm Tree View I’m lying on the beach looking up through the palm trees are the fluffy white clouds and sun peaking through. After the thunder storms yes it’s nice to see the sun shining here again in Mexico, hopefully it will be another nice day.
The Changing World We were last at this Dreams resort in Tulum, Mexico three years ago when it was a very different experience. Sadly things are no longer the way they were here, with an up sell on every possible item, which for what is marketed as a “ultimate luxury all inclusive resort” is disgraceful. The food is average at best, staff rude but expect cash rewards for very poor service, on top of this the rooms are battered and have broken bits, so far we have had a leak…
Strolling Through The Gardens The grounds of our hotel are a bit like those of a stately home or Hollywood mansion, they are very pretty and well kept, making them good for a stroll. As we headed towards the reception building, which as you can see is very grand, the sun was setting which made for a great photo. It didn’t take long for the sun to set so I got some night shots too, with the plants and fountains lit up which was cool.
Fred’s Friend Geoff So yesterday or was it the day before, I’ve lost my days lol, I introduced Fred the iguana who live just outside our room. This is his friend Geoff who live at the hotel room block next to ours, Geoff is very shy and unlike Fred gods in the bushes rather than coming out for photos.
Tranquil Start To The Evening The girls and I are heading off for our pre dinner drink and stopped by the hotels cenote (fresh water sink hole). It’s a very calm and tranquil part of the hotel and a nice place to stop and watch the world go by. We took the view in for a few minutes chatting and watching the world go by before drinks and then dinner.
Birthday Girl Sophie is 15 today and as we are in Mexico she is celebrating her quinceanera in style. We started the evening with a drink in the lounge and are now at the Italian restaurant for her birthday meal. Seems like just yesterday Sophie was born, where have those 15 years gone to. Here’s to many very happy years and lots of fabulous birthdays for Sophie in the future.
Splits Handstand Sophie working on her core strength by performing the splits while doing a handstand. She held this position for quite a while so that I could get a few photos with this one being the best of the bunch. This takes strength, stamina and skill to achieve, go Sophie.