Posts Tagged With: sup

Trash the dress? Nah, I honored it!

The week leading up to and the days following our wedding was just as fun and memorable as the actual event. Since we had about 25 guests that had flown in from all over the world, it was only appropriate to expand the celebrations and have a little more adventure!

If you’ve been with this blog for awhile you know Ryan, owner and operator of SUP Barbados. He was the very first Bajan I ever met and turned into one of my dearest island family members. Aside from Barbados, we had a mini adventure to Trinidad and Tobago and a random airport hug in Frankfurt, Germany! On this day, he took out a small group of us for a sunset paddle. Recognize the other girls? Bree, from travels in Chiang Mai, New York, and Barbados back in 2014. Then there’s Denise and Ioni, my amazing friends from The Netherlands! We’ve studied together in Buenos Aires, played with in Córdoba and definitely made a mark in Amsterdam. I actually met Denise back in Spain before herhappytrails even existed!

Now, we all gather under one sun and celebrate!

Ryan took the photo of me years ago and then one of Matt on this day… unplanned!

Such a fun day! Thank you Ryan for always providing a day of laughter, sunshine and paddle filled memories.

Post wedding day was spent on the beach with boats, rafts, drinks, snacks and music. In my opinion, perfection! Cameras weren’t brought out that day (at least ours weren’t) so you’ll just have to trust it was a bright day full of more smiles, sunkissed skin and friends as far as the beach could hold. Here is the only photo I was given from the day, thanks Dani!

The last day of the wedding celebrations was spent on my favorite catamaran Cool Runnings!

If you’re interested in booking your own excursion, visit their website by clicking here.

Again with the lack of photos, just know it was a fantastic day! We did get a few snap shots of me honoring my dress though!

As I wrap up the memories of this beautiful moment in time, I want to rewind and post the video of how it all started. I’ll end here with the recording of the engagement!

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What’SUP Barbados?!

I’ve given the final hugs for this round in Oklahoma before the 26 hour journey to my next destintion. 26 hours you may wonder? This my friends, is how I’m able to save a solid amount on flights. The ticket I chose was nearly half the price of the “easier” route because I was willing to sleep in an airport.  Someday, I’m sure I won’t be so willing, but for now… bring it on! 

   
Thank you mom for the towel (dubbed napkin/head wrap/table cloth/seat cover/fruit container/camera protector/bandaid/glove/dishrag).  I love the quote and tonight it will be used as my clean pillow case as I attempt to rest on the airport floor. FYI: there are chairs and benches, but I offerred the one I was using to a family with little tikes.  Pay it forward, right?  It all comes back around. 

 
Breakfast of champions? Ummm, sure. Oats (thank you Lacie!) with some honey that I permanently borrowed from a coffee shop. 

Another hint for less expensive travel: Try to limit your… no… just avoid airport food as a whole! No exaggeration – a water bottle, sand-which with a whole piece of fruit, $17usd! That’s not even including additional treats or coffee. Pack some snacks and use the water fountains to refill your drink.  Funny how we get excited to save a handful of cash for a cheaper flight, yet spend more than we saved by not preparing for the journey. Go figure.

 
Final flight and now it has hit me like being a senior on the last day of highschool or maybe like a bride on the morning of her wedding (I wouldn’t know haha). Well shoots, probably more like a backpacker that has just arrived to her island-home away from home!

 
My dearest Barbados, I have often craved the sound of your native accent when the locals are joking with one another. I’ve longed for your sunsets that just seem brighter in the Barbadian sky. I’ve been let down abroad desperatly trying a variety of Roti’s, knowing that nothing will compare to a Trini Roti in Barbados (although I might reevaluate that once I have a Trini Roti in Trinidad!) and Doubles… nobody has ever heard of them!  Oh how I love to devour a Channa Double! 

The people who make Barbados what it is, are definitely one of a kind. Genuine is a word that comes to mind when describing a Bajan.  Some are spicy, many are sweet. Sober faced with smiling eyes and a bit feisty if necessary (and sometimes even when it’s not). Whatever personality each one holds… they are genuine to it.  Nothing to hide, no shame, they are who they are. And if you don’t like it, that’s all right with them… 

Just  “guh-long ’bout yuh bizness! (to be said like a proper Bajan).

For more Bajan slang and some not so well known facts, please be entertained by clicking here!

 
 
Now that I’m finally here, I’ve chosen to start not with a Roti or Soca party, not even a rum punch or Banks beer… but a sunset paddle with friends. I’ll go into description of these wonderful comrades later, as for now I just want the pictures to do the writing.

A perfect welcoming to a magical place.   

    
 

   

   

   
  

When we got back, everyone was trying their yoga stands so naturally I joined in!  Turns out a floating device on water doesn’t make for a very stable handstand surface.  Kudos to Ryan for catching the shot right before I bailed! Try, try, try again! 
    
What’SUP Barbados is a standup paddleboarding experience that should be on your “must do list” next time you’re on the island. If you desire an experience that works the body, relaxes the mind and rejuvenates the soul, please contact my amazing friend owner/operator, Ryan Rodriguez – Phone: 1(246) 243-7878.  I’m sure he’d get a kick out of a name drop too… mention herhappytrials to get an extra smile!
 

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