excursion living: honeymooners edition.

don't get me wrong, all inclusive resort life is pretty much the best, but sometimes there's a little thing in marriage called "compromise."
{as the marriage expert here, let me explain...}

i got what i wanted: sitting on the beach, sipping pina coladas, and not having to make any decisions

and

mr. lesley got what he wanted: visiting the mayan ruins and fulfilling his history site seeing requirement for the summer.

{he's kind of a history nerd, and i love it. mostly because i'm a little deficient in the history department and need all the help i can get.}

we decided to take two excursions while in mexico.

first we drove 3 hours in a tour bus {always a good time} to see chichen itza, the capital of the mayan civilization.

there were pyramids
{that they don't let you climb anymore...thank GOD!}

a little magic eye action

{can you find the snake?}

a lot of clapping with our tour guide because when you clap in front of the temple, you hear the echo of a chirping bird

i kid you not.

those mayans were smart cookies.

and free time where we explored the almost 2 square miles...just as a storm was rolling in.

apparently, storms really like our relationship.

but that didn't stop us from running to the ball court and the observatory.

{mr. lesley was very intent on finding the observatory. still not sure why. but it was pretty cute.}

we finished our tour and ran back to the bus...

just in time to freeze our arses off and cheers the mayans.

{shout out to mexico for having no law against drinking alcohol in a car, or tour bus for that matter.}

our tour stopped for lunch, a swim in a cave {which one person actually participated in...it was freeeeeezing}, and lastly, 20 minutes at a church, where they were having a FUNERAL.

a.w.k.w.a.r.d.

bottom line: mr. lesley got to see chichen itza, so we were happy.

our second excursion a couple of days later was a little more of what we had in mind.

we went to tulum, another set of mayan ruins, but right on the ocean.

it was so, so beautiful.

i know i learned something here too, but mostly, i just kept thinking about how absurdly gorgeous it was.

after our couple hours exploring tulum, our excursion continued.

we started with a strange mayan ceremony in a cave where i'm pretty sure our mayan guide was speaking gibberish. 

{most likely similar to this episode from parks and rec.}

then there was cave swimming...

and a little repelling...
{which if you remember, we are kinda experts at}

of course, there was zip lining...

no excursion package is complete without a few zip lines thrown in for good measure.

i would like to add a word of advice to anyone out there who is planning on zip lining in the near future: keep your legs closed for the love.

you should feel relieved that i didn't post the 10+ photos of me with my legs spread like a frog in my bikini.

they weren't pretty.

and our favorite activity, cave snorkeling.

it's pretty incredible what you can see down there. 

and we like made out and stuff, so that's cool.

bottom line: laying on the beach is awesome, but being adventurous isn't so bad either.

thanks for an amazing week mr. lesley.

what do you say we make honeymooning a yearly tradition? 

resort living: honeymooners edition.

i would like to present to you the lesley's rules for resort honeymooning.

{since we've been on a honeymoon once and are therefore experts}

without further adieu...

#1. do NOT make fun of your wife's passport picture, even if she's wearing a choker.

and stop calling her goth already. 

#2. as soon as your arrive at the resort, grab the fruitiest drink possible, get acquainted with the property, and make a bee-line for the beach.

#3. soak up the sun as much as humanly possible.

#4. don't just lay out with the thousands of others on the beach. 

set yourself apart. 

look smart.

read.

#5. perfect the art of the arm extension picture.

#6. protect your eyes. 

the mexican sun is no joke.

#7. participate in extracurricular sports.

it will make you look in shape and sporty.

#8. speaking of extracurricular activities, poolside dance class is a must.

i mean, who doesn't want to pelvic thrust with a whole bunch of strangers? 

#9. ok, ok, one more.

water aerobics.

you MUST do water aerobics.

you will most likely giggle like a school  girl while your husband takes pictures with the rest of the dudes on the sidelines.

and you will make new friends and realizes that some ladies still don't shave their armpits. 

you really can't go wrong with a little aerobic exercise, a lot of laughing, and a good dose of cultural exposure.

#10. eat.

a lot.

even when you think you're full.

it's all in your mind.

keep eating.

it's ALL INCLUSIVE after all.

#11. commend your resort's use of hotdogs.

because they will find a way to incorporate them into as many dishes as possible.

and sometimes they will even try to be sneaky and call them by other names to confuse you.

#12. hoard these little delights from your mini fridge.

they are AMAZING.

#13. drink.

drink a lot.

as many fruity, ridiculous drinks as your heart desires.

and don't worry, they will never put enough alcohol in them so that you actually get drunk. 

no, you will have a stomach ache before that's even a possibility. 

but that doesn't mean they aren't completely delicious and completely worth it.

#14. get out.

meet people.

prove to everyone that americans are better than everyone at everything.

archery and mini putting are excellent venues to exert your dominance.

#15. you know the robes and slippers in your closet?

WEAR THEM.

you will feel instantly fancy.

especially while drinking your rooms complimentary champagne and crushing your husband at skipbo.

f.a.n.c.y.

#16. really get into the culture.

wear sombreros wore by hundreds of others and pray your don't get lice.

{we look pretty awesome though, right? i mean, the hand on shoulder pose is always a winner.}

#17. eat out every night.

dress up fancy.

make friends with your waiter.

take tequila shots.

like i always say, when in mexico...

#18. speaking of all things mexican, variety shows are a must.

anytime someone is waving a flag bigger than my apartment, i know i want to be there.

#19. always end the night by brushing your teeth with love toothpaste (thanks kara!)

if anything can get you in the mood for love, it's love toothpaste.

obvi.

and rule #20? 

i don't think it's appropriate to have a picture of THAT.

and that my friends is how you honeymoon. 

resort style.