Sleepover

I threw a "sleepover party" while my husband (?!) was away, an idea of mine for a while, and (surprisingly!), it wasn't as mindblowingly fun as I remember from my elementary school days. Imagine that! I was sleepy after dinner... I think we all were. Nonetheless, my lovely sis and friends were super nice and fun and went along with everything... even sleeping on the floor for not nearly enough hours! Am I a mean friend? 

Honeymoon activities (and final honeymoon installment)

This dog expressed my feelings perfectly: I was pooped. Our honeymoon included lots of hikes that always somehow included getting lost and taking double the expected time...

This hike started at a high point in Madeira (Monte) where we proceeded hike down to the town... 

With Charles I of Austria who was exiled to Madeira...

Wanting to read up on all of Porto Santo's history and explore everything possible to explore...

Another hike...

Lost...!

 Porto Santo church we went to often...

Horses! I almost fell off like five times... it was embarrassing.

Only on the very last day did the clouds clear up and was it good for laying out on the beach...

Honeymoon eats

We ate lots of yummy things, but here were some of our favorites: 

Of course the "breakfast in bed" sent to us by a friend (a surprise organized through the hotel!)...

The traditional fish with banana and passion fruit sauce... delish! Who would've thought fish and fruit would marry so well?

 The traditional meat on a skewer...

We were treated with Madeira wine many places we went...

A restaurant called "Panorama" in Porto Santo, because of the fabulous view...


Daniel fell in love with his mango sauce for his salmon. I was embarrassed to see him practically lick the sauce bowl clean...

Brownie in Porto Santo? Who would've guessed. And delicious at that. 

 A winery out in the middle of nowhere. They opened their restaurant just for us and served us like we were kings that had just traveled from afar.

The best ice cream in Porto Santo, according to locals. It was hard to find, considering there was no sign (see behind). The man has been making ice cream for 50 years. That's something! 

We took home ideas. Our first meal when we got back: salmon with mango sauce. The sauce wasn't like the restaurant version. It needs a little something... maybe lemon or orange? We are thinking about emailing the restaurant!

Honeymoon

It has been H-A-R-D to adjust to working/real life and a whole new living situation, especially when you've just come back from your honeymoon. It was all amazing. 

We decided to go to Porto Santo, a tiny (tiiiiny... like as in 5,000 people that live there and another 5,000 in the summer) Portuguese island. We picked it because it was calm, we had time for us and not a lot of pressure to see and do things. Although we did explore the island quite a bit. 

It was a nice touch to have champagne waiting for us at both our hotels (they knew is was a honeymoon)....

The best part of Porto Santo: the long expanse of sandy beach. The water was the clearest and the warmest I've ever seen. 

The downfall of Porto Santo: the gross, enormous grasshoppers everywhere (it's a very arid, desert climate and landscape). We were totally attacked while hiking. 

 An "oasis" in the middle of the desert. A mini zoo built and managed by one amazing guy...

La isla bonita

Well, it seems we are really married. There are signs that indicate that! We're still on cloud nine. We are currently honeymooning on one of Portugal's tropical islands... Porto Santo. It's raining today (imagine that!), but that's okay. I will be back to blogging next week...

(Picture overlooking Funchal, Madeira)