Isn't this Hallmark one perfect???
Here are my favorites from etsy.com
Love!
Any opinions? Is it okay to have 5 ornaments for your first Christmas? lol
Monday, November 26, 2012
Our First Christmas
This Christmas is our first married Christmas! Yay! I have been looking for a good Christmas ornament to commemorate the occasion. It is so hard to decide, there are a lot of cute ones out there!
Isn't this Hallmark one perfect???
Here are my favorites from etsy.com
Isn't this Hallmark one perfect???
Here are my favorites from etsy.com
Friday, November 23, 2012
At Home with the Hinkleys
In case you didn't know, I have been blogging with more frequency at www.athomewiththehinkleys.com
Still waiting on wedding photos, then the wedding updates will be on the docket, but until then, I'd love to have you stop by! :)
Monday, November 12, 2012
Anniversary, year 1
It is already November, where did the year go??! I am a planner by nature, so of course I am already thinking about ideas for Aaron and I's first anniversary in January.
I really like the idea of giving the traditional gifts per year because Aaron is really stinkin' tough to shop for. If I have a parameter set, ie: paper, I feel better about unleashing my creativity. If I am picking something out of the sky I get way overwhelmed.
I had not one, but two ideas that would have been SLAM DUNKS and I would have won the anniversary. Problem is, we are not in a place to spend hundreds of dollars on presents, especially right after Christmas.
So Aaron, if we were billionaires, here are some first anniversary Paper ideas that would have been really fun.
When I think of a paper gift, I think of two things. Stationary (?) yawn. And tickets to something (or somewhere)
1/31/13
We'd be celebrating a few days late, but tickets to our favorite freaky pop star ever would have been soooo awesome.
I had not one, but two ideas that would have been SLAM DUNKS and I would have won the anniversary. Problem is, we are not in a place to spend hundreds of dollars on presents, especially right after Christmas.
So Aaron, if we were billionaires, here are some first anniversary Paper ideas that would have been really fun.
When I think of a paper gift, I think of two things. Stationary (?) yawn. And tickets to something (or somewhere)
1/31/13
We'd be celebrating a few days late, but tickets to our favorite freaky pop star ever would have been soooo awesome.
You have got to be out of your mind?!?!
I am sure this show is worth the small fortune she is charging for tickets, but holy jeez, $442.50?? and $25 just to park my car? and $60 for convenience?? Not happening. Even if I did have the money, I would skip this in protest. I might even dress up in a meat dress and hold Lady Gaga karaoke night in the parking lot across the street for all the people who are fans but not suckers. Unbelievable. But it would have been pretty perfect....
My second awesome idea hit me as soon as I heard the news. The Book of Mormon is going on tour! We both have been dying to see it for a million years. They aren't even coming to Houston, which is way lame so I won't even get into that.
So our anniversary is the 28th, and that weekend the tour will be stopping at the fabulous Des Moines, Iowa Civic Center! Can I get an LOL? And we are totally the types that would go to Des Moines for our anniversary weekend - not even trying to be ironic about it.
Ask me how much a flight to Des Moines costs?
That is not even counting lodging or food for the trip. So we would be looking at the equivalent of seeing Lady Gaga twice.
Why do all of my good ideas have such high price tags??
So for now, my best and most reasonable idea is to go see a movie, lol.
Did anyone out there do traditional first anniversary gift? Does anyone have a good idea that is under, say, $200 bucks?
Fun fact, tomorrow is our 2nd engageaversary (if that is a thing?) :)
Monday, October 22, 2012
Can you be a Christian and Support Same Sex Marriage?
I think so, yes.
Since today is the first day to early vote in my state, I thought I would share a bit about my views on being a Christian and also supporting same sex marriage.
I am not a theology scholar by a long shot, I am just throwing that out there. I am only slightly familiar with the passages that condemn homosexuality in the bible. And I won't bore you with the tired arguments that people make for and against these passages. The bible is full of contradictions, I am well aware. Being an Orthodox Christian, our premise and goal is to keep the ancient faith. The church that Jesus himself established 2000+ years ago is what we strive to stay true to. So that is my background as far as my religious point of view.
I am also a big fan of separation of church and state. Even though I am a Christian and so are a lot of other people, I don't think everyone is doing it right. Nor do I think there could never be a time when the majority of citizens in this country are Jewish, or Muslim. You never know. So I like the fact that we are all equally protected to do as we please under our constitution, and have the right to be left alone as we do it.
So yeah. Marriage. I remember dreaming about being married and how awesome it would be when I was single. Love and romance and the comfort of knowing they too wanted to be with me for forever. And eventually we will have a little family of our own, and go to Disney World, and be so happy, for forever. Easy right? I don't mean to shatter any dreams of any single readers, but this is where the record player comes screeching to a halt. Being married is really hard sometimes. Most days it is great, and I come home and my favorite person is there to make me laugh, or hear about the latest work drama. But then sometimes when we are on day 3 of picking fights with each other about really dumb stuff, I just want to scream f* this! and then go back to my cozy little apartment and live my single life again, and not have to think about anyone but me.
Marriage is one of 7 holy sacraments in my church. "In every sacrament there is a combination of an outward visible sign with an inward spiritual grace." (source) So basically it is like a gift from God for our salvation. Most of the church stuff we do, is for our own healing. We are taught that man is in a fallen state, we are all sinners, and the church is our hospital. So when we attend services on Sunday, fast during certain times, confess and repent our sins; they are all to make us better Christians. The whole point of it is to kill your own ego, and obey God. Because what you want at any given instant is usually bad for your soul, and/or the easy way out. Screaming obscenities and leaving is the easy way out of the challenge of being married. But if I stay and love Aaron even when it is super hard for me, learn to accept him and respect him as my husband, I am being a better person, a better Christian, and making God happy. And keeping my ego in check. I know nothing, and I forget that a lot. Is anyone a fan of Sisterwives, like I am? While I think Polygamy is ridiculous, I can see from a vantage point how sharing a husband can be beneficial for your soul in an ego killing way. You don't have to just love someone when they are frustrating you to your core, you have to deal with jealousy too. It is ridiculous because of course the man doesn't have to fight the same fights you do, I think his ego only gets bigger with the more wives he gets. I digress.
So if homosexuality is a sin, I guess it is a sin. But it shouldn't be demonized any more than every other sin that you are sinning. They are all one in the same. We all have crosses to bear in our spiritual life, some bigger than others. I am a glutton. Sometimes I am a liar. I get really angry sometimes. I don't love my neighbor anywhere near as much as I should. I am selfish. I covet. My name is Natalie, and I am a sinner. And really, according to Aaron who is the closest person I know to being a Bible scholar, only the act of man on man 'adult activity' is specifically condemned per the bible.
I posed a question to Aaron the other day, as I often do, and it was a conundrum. If two people of the same sex are married, and are learning the tough lessons of martyrdom to your spouse just as we are; isn't that better (less sinful, if even) than a same sex or even heterosexual person getting down all around town with whomever? We couldn't come up with a good answer, but my gut says yes.
I don't know what is a condemnable offense, or what the bible specifically says, or if that is conveying what God even means when he made these 'laws' of life. But I do know that the overall theme of the entire book, and the entire church is to love one another.
Romans 13: 8-10
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,”[a] “You shall not covet,”[b] and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[c] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
So as I see it, if you are doing things with love, you are obeying God. Simple as that.
As the state sees my marriage, is quite another thing. Aaron and I can file a joint tax return and get a little tax break. I can visit him in the hospital. I can have his social security benefits if he dies before me. We are each responsible for each other's debts. Plus a dozen other things depending on your personal situation. It is just a bunch of legal mumbo-jumbo. And frankly, I don't want any church business involved in it. And I don't see any reason aside from a church reason why this couldn't apply to any two consenting adults. If a church wants to deny people who want to be married, I think that is within their rights, but there should be no reason for the government to deny that to its citizens.
So that is my two cents. I will be casting my vote for the Democrats this year. Don't you just love politics and religion on a wedding blog? LOL
I am not a theology scholar by a long shot, I am just throwing that out there. I am only slightly familiar with the passages that condemn homosexuality in the bible. And I won't bore you with the tired arguments that people make for and against these passages. The bible is full of contradictions, I am well aware. Being an Orthodox Christian, our premise and goal is to keep the ancient faith. The church that Jesus himself established 2000+ years ago is what we strive to stay true to. So that is my background as far as my religious point of view.
I am also a big fan of separation of church and state. Even though I am a Christian and so are a lot of other people, I don't think everyone is doing it right. Nor do I think there could never be a time when the majority of citizens in this country are Jewish, or Muslim. You never know. So I like the fact that we are all equally protected to do as we please under our constitution, and have the right to be left alone as we do it.
So yeah. Marriage. I remember dreaming about being married and how awesome it would be when I was single. Love and romance and the comfort of knowing they too wanted to be with me for forever. And eventually we will have a little family of our own, and go to Disney World, and be so happy, for forever. Easy right? I don't mean to shatter any dreams of any single readers, but this is where the record player comes screeching to a halt. Being married is really hard sometimes. Most days it is great, and I come home and my favorite person is there to make me laugh, or hear about the latest work drama. But then sometimes when we are on day 3 of picking fights with each other about really dumb stuff, I just want to scream f* this! and then go back to my cozy little apartment and live my single life again, and not have to think about anyone but me.
Marriage is one of 7 holy sacraments in my church. "In every sacrament there is a combination of an outward visible sign with an inward spiritual grace." (source) So basically it is like a gift from God for our salvation. Most of the church stuff we do, is for our own healing. We are taught that man is in a fallen state, we are all sinners, and the church is our hospital. So when we attend services on Sunday, fast during certain times, confess and repent our sins; they are all to make us better Christians. The whole point of it is to kill your own ego, and obey God. Because what you want at any given instant is usually bad for your soul, and/or the easy way out. Screaming obscenities and leaving is the easy way out of the challenge of being married. But if I stay and love Aaron even when it is super hard for me, learn to accept him and respect him as my husband, I am being a better person, a better Christian, and making God happy. And keeping my ego in check. I know nothing, and I forget that a lot. Is anyone a fan of Sisterwives, like I am? While I think Polygamy is ridiculous, I can see from a vantage point how sharing a husband can be beneficial for your soul in an ego killing way. You don't have to just love someone when they are frustrating you to your core, you have to deal with jealousy too. It is ridiculous because of course the man doesn't have to fight the same fights you do, I think his ego only gets bigger with the more wives he gets. I digress.
So if homosexuality is a sin, I guess it is a sin. But it shouldn't be demonized any more than every other sin that you are sinning. They are all one in the same. We all have crosses to bear in our spiritual life, some bigger than others. I am a glutton. Sometimes I am a liar. I get really angry sometimes. I don't love my neighbor anywhere near as much as I should. I am selfish. I covet. My name is Natalie, and I am a sinner. And really, according to Aaron who is the closest person I know to being a Bible scholar, only the act of man on man 'adult activity' is specifically condemned per the bible.
I posed a question to Aaron the other day, as I often do, and it was a conundrum. If two people of the same sex are married, and are learning the tough lessons of martyrdom to your spouse just as we are; isn't that better (less sinful, if even) than a same sex or even heterosexual person getting down all around town with whomever? We couldn't come up with a good answer, but my gut says yes.
I don't know what is a condemnable offense, or what the bible specifically says, or if that is conveying what God even means when he made these 'laws' of life. But I do know that the overall theme of the entire book, and the entire church is to love one another.
Romans 13: 8-10
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,”[a] “You shall not covet,”[b] and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[c] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
So as I see it, if you are doing things with love, you are obeying God. Simple as that.
As the state sees my marriage, is quite another thing. Aaron and I can file a joint tax return and get a little tax break. I can visit him in the hospital. I can have his social security benefits if he dies before me. We are each responsible for each other's debts. Plus a dozen other things depending on your personal situation. It is just a bunch of legal mumbo-jumbo. And frankly, I don't want any church business involved in it. And I don't see any reason aside from a church reason why this couldn't apply to any two consenting adults. If a church wants to deny people who want to be married, I think that is within their rights, but there should be no reason for the government to deny that to its citizens.
So that is my two cents. I will be casting my vote for the Democrats this year. Don't you just love politics and religion on a wedding blog? LOL
Friday, October 19, 2012
Tokyo Trip!
I have my first post about my trip to Tokyo posted, but not here:
In order to keep Bells and Bows about wedding themed things, I have started a personal blog for all the other stuff I want to write about!
www.athomewiththehinkleys.com
Hope you will continue to follow!
In order to keep Bells and Bows about wedding themed things, I have started a personal blog for all the other stuff I want to write about!
www.athomewiththehinkleys.com
Hope you will continue to follow!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I am guest posting today!
Hi guys! I just wanted to let you know that I am guest posting at my friend Megan's blog today. She and her hubs got married in January just like Aaron and I, so I have been following her blog for a thousand years by now. She had a gorgeous winter wedding, well worth checking out!
But yeah, below is a link to her blog, my post is about my fav fall outfits on pinterest. Despite how I dress in real life, I think my selections are actually pretty cute, lol. Go to her blog, show her some love!
And stay tuned for my Tokyo trip posts this week!
<3
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Is this thing on...??
Hello to all. Forgive me for not posting a thing in over two months! I tell ya, once school starts I let most everything fall to the wayside, which isn't good.
The past two months have been pretty good though. I finished out the summer school course I was in. Enjoyed my 2 weeks of real summer vacation then started my last semester of my program! I am in 2 semi-challenging classes, and 1 MEGA challenging class. So I spend Tuesday-Thursday nights away from Aaron, and a good portion of the weekend doing homework and studying.
Highlights though, my little brother and I took a week-long trip to Toyko, Japan! It was sooooo much fun. When my little bro Jeff graduated from college back in 2010 Aaron and I's gift to him was a trip to Japan. He has always wanted to go, and we figured when we went the following spring or summer that we all would be done with school so it could be a graduation trip for us all. Well then Jeff got a job with the city and didn't have vacation time for a whole year, plus Aaron and I were still in school. Fast forward to September 2012, Jeff finally got vacation time, Aaron decided he didn't really want to go with us, and though I am still in school, I took a week off and we went. I will say, when Jeff wanted to go to Japan I was skeptical. I didn't really know what you do or so there, or how hard it would be to get around when we can't speak or even read the language. Turns out I was so wrong. We had a total blast! I am going to do a series of posts about our trip eventually, so if you are interested in vacationing there one day maybe it will be helpful. Now that I have been, I kind of think everyone should go at least once. So worth it!
And I should finally be getting my wedding pictures soon, so I can begin recapping the wedding at long last! Hopefully I can remember that far back...
The past two months have been pretty good though. I finished out the summer school course I was in. Enjoyed my 2 weeks of real summer vacation then started my last semester of my program! I am in 2 semi-challenging classes, and 1 MEGA challenging class. So I spend Tuesday-Thursday nights away from Aaron, and a good portion of the weekend doing homework and studying.
Highlights though, my little brother and I took a week-long trip to Toyko, Japan! It was sooooo much fun. When my little bro Jeff graduated from college back in 2010 Aaron and I's gift to him was a trip to Japan. He has always wanted to go, and we figured when we went the following spring or summer that we all would be done with school so it could be a graduation trip for us all. Well then Jeff got a job with the city and didn't have vacation time for a whole year, plus Aaron and I were still in school. Fast forward to September 2012, Jeff finally got vacation time, Aaron decided he didn't really want to go with us, and though I am still in school, I took a week off and we went. I will say, when Jeff wanted to go to Japan I was skeptical. I didn't really know what you do or so there, or how hard it would be to get around when we can't speak or even read the language. Turns out I was so wrong. We had a total blast! I am going to do a series of posts about our trip eventually, so if you are interested in vacationing there one day maybe it will be helpful. Now that I have been, I kind of think everyone should go at least once. So worth it!
And I should finally be getting my wedding pictures soon, so I can begin recapping the wedding at long last! Hopefully I can remember that far back...
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Honeymoon in Bermuda: Royal Naval Dockyards
We spent our last day in Bermuda in the Royal Naval Dockyards, which was where our ship was docked. We had to be 'all aboard' by 4pm so we wanted to stay close by. After our snorkeling excursion was cancelled yet again, we proceeded with plan B. Go to the Clock Tower Mall, eat at the Frog and Onion Pub, and go to the National Museum. And, go!
The mall was cool to walk around, but pretty small. We got through it in about 30 minutes. There were about 14 stores, and 13 of them were pretty identical souvenir shops in a flea market-esque setting.
After a big lunch we went to the museum and saw lots of cool things!
The mall was cool to walk around, but pretty small. We got through it in about 30 minutes. There were about 14 stores, and 13 of them were pretty identical souvenir shops in a flea market-esque setting.
The term 'Mall' used loosely.
Aaron with a novelty anchor
Aaron eating a comically large candy bar
After the mall we went and ate at the Frog and Onion Pub. It was really cool. The pub itself isn't too old, but the building it is in dates back to the 1800s. There are some good pics of it on their website here. Mine didn't turn out too well unfortunately.
After a big lunch we went to the museum and saw lots of cool things!
Why isn't this cannon firing...?
Then we had to get back on the boat back to America. We had a good time!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Liebster Award!
My internet pal Megan @ Butterfly Dreams N' Things nominated me for the Liebster Award!
Fabulous!
I started following Megan's blog what seems like ages ago when I started this blog to chronicle my wedding planning insanity adventure :) Megan and her husband (Aron with one A!) had their wedding a few weeks before we did in Colorado, and I have loved reading about all her plans and recaps. Go read her blog because she is really awesome :)
This award is given to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. Liebster is German and means sweetest, kind, lovely, endearing, and welcome.
How it works:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you and create 11 questions for bloggers you have tagged.
3. Choose up to 11 bloggers and link them to your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No tag backs.
How it works:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you and create 11 questions for bloggers you have tagged.
3. Choose up to 11 bloggers and link them to your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No tag backs.
Here are the questions Megan asked:
1. What is your favorite TV show?
This is tough because I watch a flipping ton of TV... probably The Office. I could watch it all day, every day and it never ever gets old! An honorable mention goes to any reality TV show, because I watch almost all of them religiously. ::hangs head in shame::
This is tough because I watch a flipping ton of TV... probably The Office. I could watch it all day, every day and it never ever gets old! An honorable mention goes to any reality TV show, because I watch almost all of them religiously. ::hangs head in shame::
2. Are you a sports enthusiast?
Not exactly? But. The sport I most enjoy watching is basketball, and my team is the Dallas Mavs. I got into them in college when my friends and I would go watch every game because our favorite bar served $1 beers. I also support UT Baseball (University of Texas) because my now retired Uncle Howard was one of the coaches, and a former player, and his son/my cousin Bryan is also an alumni of the team. So because of this my whole family bleeds burnt orange. I also support any athletic endeavors of my alma matter UNT (University of North Texas) however futile they normally are. It's an art school...lol. And of course, anything is fun when you are there to witness the action in person!
Not exactly? But. The sport I most enjoy watching is basketball, and my team is the Dallas Mavs. I got into them in college when my friends and I would go watch every game because our favorite bar served $1 beers. I also support UT Baseball (University of Texas) because my now retired Uncle Howard was one of the coaches, and a former player, and his son/my cousin Bryan is also an alumni of the team. So because of this my whole family bleeds burnt orange. I also support any athletic endeavors of my alma matter UNT (University of North Texas) however futile they normally are. It's an art school...lol. And of course, anything is fun when you are there to witness the action in person!
3. Do you sometimes believe that you were born in the wrong decade?
Not particularly. I totally would have loved to live through some of the times of the past, but I can tell you one thing. I freakin' love the 90's! I feel that I was born at just the right age where that was the decade I could fully appreciate. Everything that is pure and wonderful came from the 90's. Ok maybe not, lol. I think most people end up loving the decade that was happening when they were young and carefree, and the 90's is mine!
Not particularly. I totally would have loved to live through some of the times of the past, but I can tell you one thing. I freakin' love the 90's! I feel that I was born at just the right age where that was the decade I could fully appreciate. Everything that is pure and wonderful came from the 90's. Ok maybe not, lol. I think most people end up loving the decade that was happening when they were young and carefree, and the 90's is mine!
4. What is your favorite Summer activity?
I live in Texas, so I pretty much hate summer. I try to hibernate indoors until it is over. The only enjoyable parts are going to the beach and eating an insanely large amount of ice-cream. But really, I do that all seasons...
I live in Texas, so I pretty much hate summer. I try to hibernate indoors until it is over. The only enjoyable parts are going to the beach and eating an insanely large amount of ice-cream. But really, I do that all seasons...
5. What is the one thing you can't leave the house without and why?
I would say my phone, but I leave without it mistakenly all the time, and it is horrible. Otherwise, my keys are a definite must have.
I would say my phone, but I leave without it mistakenly all the time, and it is horrible. Otherwise, my keys are a definite must have.
6. What kind of car do you drive?
An '08 Dodge Caliber. It is an okay car. It can hold a lot of stuff, which is cool and it has a drink cooler in the glove box. It doesn't work that well but it is quite an interesting feature.
An '08 Dodge Caliber. It is an okay car. It can hold a lot of stuff, which is cool and it has a drink cooler in the glove box. It doesn't work that well but it is quite an interesting feature.
7. What movie can you quote backwards and forwards?
Napoleon Dynamite, the most under rated movie of our generation. And probably about 12 others. If I have seen a movie more than once, it is likely I have seen in 900 times.
Napoleon Dynamite, the most under rated movie of our generation. And probably about 12 others. If I have seen a movie more than once, it is likely I have seen in 900 times.
8. When you were little, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up?
An astronaut and a singer. I failed. :( lol
9. What one product are you currently addicted to?
I can't thing of anything I would claim an addiction to that isn't food related, however: I recently tried this natural deodorant called Crystal - www.thecrystal.com and I am actually shocked at how well it is working for me. Granted, I don't put it through the wringer or anything - I try to sweat as little as possible. But it doesn't have any of those chemically things or anything and I can go an entire day without stinking. It's a good thing. lol
I can't thing of anything I would claim an addiction to that isn't food related, however: I recently tried this natural deodorant called Crystal - www.thecrystal.com and I am actually shocked at how well it is working for me. Granted, I don't put it through the wringer or anything - I try to sweat as little as possible. But it doesn't have any of those chemically things or anything and I can go an entire day without stinking. It's a good thing. lol
10. What was the last song you listened to in your car?
It was either Call Me Maybe, or something Katy Perry, because that is all they ever play :\
It was either Call Me Maybe, or something Katy Perry, because that is all they ever play :\
11. Do you sing at the top of your lungs while alone in your car?
only sometimes:
lolz.
Ok, now questions for those I am tagging:
1. What is your favorite quote or line from Napoleon Dynamite?
2. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
3. What would be the ideal super power for you and why.
4. Which game show would you want to be on because you are certain you would beat the pants off of everyone?
5. What did you want to be when you grew up?
6. What was the last good book you read?
7. What are the last 3 things your purchased from the internet?
8. Do you, or do you not, like meatloaf (the food).
9. You just won $5000 in the lottery. Do you spend it on bills or something fun? Explain.
10. What is your favorite cause to donate your money or time to?
11. Who is your favorite judge on any reality singing contest show?
Tag, you're it!:
Laura @ Saying 'I do' in NY
If someone reads this and has a blog - consider yourself tagged ;)
Friday, July 13, 2012
Honeymoon in Bermuda: Hamilton
For our next installment of the honeymoon, I give you: Our second day in Bermuda - which was spent in St. George and Hamilton!
On day two, and our last day before our bus and ferry pass was expired. I really really really wanted to go to the Swizzle Inn, which was in St. George and also hit the beach. The Swizzle Inn was in St. George, and we just didn't get to it the day before. The plan was to take the ferry to St. George, and take the bus to Hamilton to go to the beach. On the bus ride we would stop by the lighthouse that I wanted to look at. And if we have time we can go see the Crystal Caves. We can end the day in Hamilton and souvenir shop, since we were in the big city. I realized just now that I am really over-ambitious with the amount of stuff I plan to do in a day...
Anyway, we got off the ferry and got to the bus stop to take us a roundabout way past the lighthouse and then to the swizzle inn.
Doesn't Aaron look so dapper in that hat?? Anyway, we learned of the bus schedule a little late in the game - and that it would drop us off at the light house, but not return for a whole hour. We didn't think we could occupy ourselves for an hour, and we have a lot to see, so we just saw the lighthouse from the bus.
On day two, and our last day before our bus and ferry pass was expired. I really really really wanted to go to the Swizzle Inn, which was in St. George and also hit the beach. The Swizzle Inn was in St. George, and we just didn't get to it the day before. The plan was to take the ferry to St. George, and take the bus to Hamilton to go to the beach. On the bus ride we would stop by the lighthouse that I wanted to look at. And if we have time we can go see the Crystal Caves. We can end the day in Hamilton and souvenir shop, since we were in the big city. I realized just now that I am really over-ambitious with the amount of stuff I plan to do in a day...
Anyway, we got off the ferry and got to the bus stop to take us a roundabout way past the lighthouse and then to the swizzle inn.
But not before decapitation! -Aaron is a good sport :)
And snacks - Ginger Beer and a Bounty Bar!
Waiting for the bus
Doesn't Aaron look so dapper in that hat?? Anyway, we learned of the bus schedule a little late in the game - and that it would drop us off at the light house, but not return for a whole hour. We didn't think we could occupy ourselves for an hour, and we have a lot to see, so we just saw the lighthouse from the bus.
Now as you probably know, Bermuda is a teeny island 100% surrounded by water, so there are like 10 different beaches one could go to. We planned on going to Horseshoe Bay which is the nicest and most touristy, BUT we overheard this couple on the bus talking about going to the beach too - but a different beach. A probably much less crowded beach.... so we decided to throw caution to the wind and follow them while trying to appear as though we had planned to go to that secret beach all along too. They totally bought it...lol. It was quite a walk from the bus stop, but well worth it!
Walking to the beach
Empty!!!!!!
No one will see me in a swimsuit!!!!&^&*%!!!
Beach day was the best!
Soon after we got to the beach and swam a bit we were mega starving, so we went back to catch the bus to the Swizzle Inn. This place is the birth spot of the Rum Swizzle, which is a delightful fruity-tropical rum drink. It is also a tourist trap kinda place, but oh well! They let you eat there when you are still wet from swimming, so that was good enough for me!
At the Swizzle Inn
Proof that I was on this vacation too, lol - getting my Rum Swizzle on!
We left our mark as best we could
Food was pretty good, but pricey. The drinks were really good and strong. I don't know if I would go there again, but I am glad to say I've been. The Swizzle Inn was right by the Crystal Caves, so we walked there in our sandy shorts (ouch!) only to find that admission was $20 a person! So we passed on that. But here is a cool tree we saw:
We are way tired at this point, so we took the bus to Hamilton so we could take the ferry back to the boat.
This is the city of Hamilton. It is just like a real city, so there wasn't anything especially cool about it. I wish we could have spent more time exploring in Hamilton is probably a pretty neat town, there was just not enough time, and too much sand in Aaron's shorts. We did stop in a few places to get souvenirs like we had planned.
Hamilton from the ferry
That was day 2 in Bermuda, a very good time!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Honeymoon in Bermuda: St. George
We got to Bermuda in the wee hours of the morning on Wednesday, and docked at the Royal Naval Dockyards. We decided to go to St. George on the first day since it was the furthest, and seemed like it was the coolest town we'd see since the weather cancelled our shipwreck snorkeling (boo!). Our main gameplan was to spend a day in each of the three cities so we would only need a two day bus pass, since we would spend the last day in the town where the boat was docked. We saved 10 bucks that way!
So anyway, took the ferry to St. George.
So anyway, took the ferry to St. George.
Waiting for the ferry
On the ferry
All the pastel houses
St. George might be a contender for the quaintest town ever. It was the first settled town(?) when the settlers were coming to America from Europe, so the whole infrastructure of the town is like 400 years old! The first thing we did coming off the ferry was get some lunch. The ferries are a great way to get around Bermuda, but it is a 45 minute ride to get from the Dockyards to St. George! We ate at the White Horse Pub which was right off the pier to the ferry. We had to sample the famous Bermudan Dark N' Stormy. Preeeety good, and very strong! The food was very good, the prices were steep, but that is to be expected when you are a tiny island 600 miles from any mainland place. Aaron says it was the best fish and chips of his life!
Don't even think about snagging this book as a free souvenir! lol
Aaron having a Dark N' Stormy
After we refueled we did some exploring. We didn't have an exact gameplan of stuff to see, but winging it was pretty easy. The place is small and you can walk to all the places pretty easily, and there are signs galore pointing you to places worth seeing.
Lots of tourists.
We were welcomed by a steel drum band :)
Once we walked past the main town square area, we found St. Peter's Church which was founded when the settlers got there. It celebrated its 400th birthday this year! Needless to say, it was really neat, and Aaron the history geek was in heaven!
Wow!
The Hinktinez's were here.
So very old
Pretty places to kneel
Cemetery out back. The weather took all the names off the headstones.
I suppose that while the men were at sea back in the day all the ladies did was go to church, because we passed by nearly a dozen different churches while in town. We also went to the unfinished church which was really cool. A big giant storm ripped the building's roof off ages ago and no one ever finished building it. It was cool and a little bit spooky! We couldn't go inside because it was structurally unsound. Bummer.
After walking about some more we decided to have a sit in a park we found. We saw a legit Bermudan in the official Bermudan business attire - your top half is a regular suit, bottom half is Bermuda shorts and knee socks. Oh, British people! lol
It being baby blue makes it that much better, huh? :)
We were pretty beat after all the walking around town and such so we caught the ferry back to the boat and ate a free dinner there. The food in Bermuda is pretty much all pub food, so once a day for fried stuff is good enough!
I promise I will be more timely with the remainder of our trip updates!
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