coqui coqui / valladolid & tulum

24 June 2012

on our trip to mexico we stayed at coqui coqui – we actually started our trip at their property in valladolid and ended it in tulum.

valladolid – we decided to book here after reading the mr and mrs smith review by Ricky Wilson (Crowd-surfing lead singer, Kaiser Chiefs). the property is one of a kind, we were specially curious about staying in a one room hotel!

i was excited the minute we walked in and were given a bag with coqui coqui amenities. my favorite – the orange blossom eau de cologne, of course i brought one with me!

we checked in late after driving for an hour and half from cancun airport. the perfumery was about to close so we had the entire property for ourselves. in a colonial style, the perfumery has its in house made products, a spa surrounded by gorgeous gardens, the cafe de los frailes and our room with a terrace and small private pool.

the next day we had breakfast served in our terrace and had just enough time to go for a bicycle ride around town – the property has two for guests to use. i was specially in love with their cacao floor tiles!

Bertrand, the manager took really good care os us. we bought a couple of things at the perfumery and had a coffee with Nico, the owner before checking out and heading over to our next stop.

tulum – we kept our three night stay at coqui coqui in tulum for the end of our trip. we live surrounded by perfect beaches, but being able to wake up with tulum beach views, and going for a dive in the sea before spending the day sightseeing (there is so much to do) sounded like the perfect plan. and it was!

the hotel in tulum is slightly bigger, 7 rooms, which allowed us to be specially taken care of. rather than a colonial style, it’s more eco chic rustic style. the hotels blends perfectly with the environment and although you feel in close contact with nature, you still feel pampered. this hotels also has a shop, the perfumery, a spa and a restaurant.

as we had a little more time, we truly enjoyed the hotel. we had everlasting breakfasts mexican style -huevos rancheros overlooking the caribbean sea – had a treatment in the spa, lounged in the terrace snacking on nachos and guacamole and walked to nearby restaurants for dinner.

we just felt like being there, doing nothing, looking at the sea, drinking freshly made fruit juices and reading a book. i can’t wait to go back!

See more pictures HERE!

hartwood / tulum

20 June 2012

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we spent our last days of vacation on the beach, in tulum – where we had one of the best meals in our trip.

i had heard a lot about Hartwood (here and here) and thought it was going to be just a fancy restaurant with new york prices. but arriving late, the hotel suggested us going as there weren’t many other places open and it was located just next to our hotel.

if you are going to tulum, this is definitely a must go to restaurant – we went twice! our favorites were the beetroot salad starter, the side of eggplant with honey, the grilled octopus, the yucatan lamb sausage and the steak. and the dessert, corn ice cream with sliced mango – i know it sounds weird, but so good!

the atmosphere is relaxed, the fruit cocktails are to die for (grapefruit mojito, seriously!?) and the menu changes daily, based on the availability of the ingredients – all the food is prepared on the grill or in the wood-burning oven.

the restaurant is owned by a new york couple, may henry and eric werne, who after coming to tulum for vacation, decided to leave their city life behind to open a restaurant – have you ever had this thought? they actually did it!

images 1 and 3 by myseastory, images 2 and 4 to 7 by bonappetit

howdy from mexico

17 June 2012

guest post ~ pedro

14 June 2012

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pedro is my friend since we are 7 years old, oh well we had a gap of more than twenty years, but when we saw each other again we really felt as if time hadn’t gone by. we couldn’t believe we hadn’t seen each other that long! he was my friend growing up in school in madrid and spending summer vacations in the north os portugal. so i was uber excited to know he was coming for our friends’ wedding and would be sating a few more days to catch up!

ps – you will see panchi, the traveled dog, in pedro’s pictures – he will be visiting creta and thailand soon!

what do you think makes turks and caicos (providenciales) so special?

It’s an amazing island. Its beaches are breath-taking. The difference with other places is that even in high season, you still feel that the place is never crowded and that there are hundreds of spots in which you can relax and feel as you were on your own. Although there are hotels and houses by the beach, nature is very well preserved and the sea life is incredible. Scuba diving and snorkeling is a must. Don’t forget to go “conch” hunting and eat this delicious food in all its different ways. Plus people are kind and you always feel safe.

what were your favorite things to do whilst on island?

Without any doubt scuba diving, snorkeling, long walks by the beach, chill out with friends and talk to the friendly people that live there.

would you recommend to a friend?

100%. There are few paradises on earth as this place. It’s a must, at least once in a lifetime. A fantastic place to celebrate unforgettable weddings or other special celebrations. You can’t go wrong with this place – except if you don’t like sunny places, the sea, diving and other related sports and spending time in relax natural environments.

turks and caicos beaches // grace bay beach

11 June 2012

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when we first moved to provo, we stayed in a house right on the beach, so we got up early and went for a beach walk before work. we were so grateful for our new life.

then we moved to a new place, but a 5 minute walk from the beach, so the morning walks stopped…

and lately i have forced myself to go back to that routine. provo has amazing things – being close to the beach + good weather + no traffic = no excuses! i would love to share a few pictures of my morning walks at grace bey beach.

i start off at grace bay club and only this gets me in a good mood!

i then head east, towards pelican beach – i see the tourists arriving to the beach from their resorts. the early birds are the ones with kids, or if they are leaving on a day out on the boat. there are a lot of people walking and running too.

i always have to stop at the coral house, it’s the most beautiful house in provo, with no one to see near it and a gorgeous strip of beach right in front.