MY NOT SO BIRTHDAY SURPRISE | A WEEKEND IN PORTUGAL!

Hey December,

*screams* OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!

How have we reached the last month of 2017 already?

Anyways, back to the more important matter at hand; my birthday. It was two months ago but we are totally going to talk about it like it was yesterday.

WHY SO LATE?

When I originally wrote this post (1st November) WIX decided to misbehave but I weren’t stressing. That was nothing new, it just meant I’d need to publish my post later than I wished. When WIX finally started behaving, the excitement was real. I had promoted this post prior to publishing it because it had been my most favourite post to write thus far. I even had people asking me ‘where is your birthday post?’ and that really just added to the excitement.

I called one of my girls and was like ‘I’m going to publish our Portugal trip right now!’

My happiness took a very quick U-turn. Once clicking publish, the page refreshed and my post then appeared blank. I refreshed the page multiple times till tears starting running down my face. I hung up on my friend and called WIX from my MOBILE straight away. I had clearly lost my mind because it really wasn’t a UK number. So, when the guy said he’d check it all out for me and give me a call back in 5 minutes I was glad. That was the longest 5 minutes ever. When he called back and told me the news, my chest felt ever so tight. The post was gone forever and there was nothing I could do about it. I had notes on word but I was so enthusiastic about this post that I wrote a majority of it on WIX.

Well that was silly!

Had I posted too many pictures?

Could the post of been written better?

Was it too detailed?

We will never know.

What I do know and strongly believe is that things happen for a reason.

Besides, I woke up this morning hearing the rain hitting my window and I couldn’t help but wish that I was somewhere else. Someplace hot with a cocktail in one hand and a book in the other. I had to knock that thought out of my head because money and I aren’t really the best of friends right now. However, my birthday weekend sprung to mind. Writing about it would take me back there and wouldn’t cost me a penny.

Because what’s more free than reminiscing?

THE 'PLAN'

I was so adamant on not celebrating my birthday this year until around three weeks before. The ‘what we doing’ questions started rolling in and I felt as if I had to do something. Pretty sure my friends were thinking a simple dinner or night out but I really didn’t wish to do that this year. I suggested a weekend out of England that was somewhat cheap and cheerful.

Had I looked at deals?

Had I even checked my bank account?

Did I even have money?

The answer to those questions was no.

So, I really wasn’t surprised when most of the responses I got where to do with expenses and other suggestions.

NEW PLAN

My girl Lulu really came through!

She decided that she was going to sort out my whole birthday as a gift and turn it into a game. The game involved the destination being a total secret with clues being dropped here and there. In the end only one of my other friends (Nurat) could make it. Lu briefed her on the game and was really doing her best to keep the location a secret. She even contacted my mum via email to help with the whole process.

The first clue I was given was a list of 10 possible destinations.

NOW BACK TO THE TITLE...

Lulu didn’t even get a chance to give me my second clue because Nurat let the cat out of the bag. It was accidental and she felt so bad. She rang me close to tears thinking she had ruined my birthday. What she didn’t know was how relieved I was (It was killing me not knowing). The only person I felt sorry for was Lu as she was the one planning it all.

Friday 13th October

These cups were cute- Well done Primark!

So are we totally going to ignore the fact that I flew out on apparently the unluckiest day of the year?

Well it wasn’t that unlucky unless you count;

1.Nurat getting held up by security

2.My phone being stolen

3.Nearly missing our flight

Ok, so maybe I’m being a tad dramatic. Nurat was held up by security because she decided to pack a cream over 100ml. My phone wasn’t actually stolen, I had already placed it in my bag after going through security. I feel like this panic happened because these girls made me drink on the way to the airport (apparently my birthday started as soon as I stepped into the car). In regards to nearly missing our flight, it’s really plain and simple. Lulu doesn’t know time and there were two lanes in which people were standing in a scattered matter. If I hadn’t questioned the hold up, let’s just say we would’ve remained at Luton airport.

Once boarding our flight, we realised that our designated seats were taken. People were really playing musical chairs on the aircraft.

There wasn’t any fuss but since our seats were at the front of the plane it felt like all eyes were on us.

Look at my eyes please.

Well someone attempted to photobomb.

I can’t remember which one of them made it known that it was my birthday. But they really had everyone singing happy birthday to me. I was so embarrassed but then again an old gentleman bought me a birthday drink.

Cheers!

When we arrived our taxi driver was missing, not one board had our names on it. Then again, we had arrived a little earlier than expected but we were still stressing. Secretly I was the only one stressing.

Arrival.

Our taxi driver came shortly after and the journey to our hotel was around 45 minutes.

Once we all got settled. I mean once I unpacked my entire suitcase. What, can’t a girl settle in properly lol?

We got all dolled up and was ready to hit the party strip; Praia da Rocha. Portugal was not ready for us!

First night.

You can take the girl out of South but...

I went Portugal for my 23rd birthday, so I remembered most of the spots the friends I made last year had taken me. Before I could say to the girls let’s do drinks and shisha, a local promoter had targeted us!

10 euros to enter the strip club and on top of that two drink tokens each. We were completely sold.

Simply banter.

*PAUSE*

I just overheard my Mum on the phone to my Gran. It’s snowing outside!

*UNPAUSE*

After leaving the strip club which I can only describe as interesting, we headed to the shisha bar.

Keep calm & jamming???

Is shisha seriously harmful?

Whilst we were getting light headed from the shisha, we heard dancehall coming from the club next door. We left the shisha bar and danced our socks off. We then ended the night at Burger Ranch where Lu ordered a burger bigger than her head.

It was a bloody great first night!

Saturday 14th October

My friends tend to think I’m crazy because I’m that person that will get in at 5AM and still wake up early. In this case we got in just after 4 and there was I, wide awake and full of energy at 7AM.

Ermm the buffet breakfast started at 7:30AM so of course I was up.

Lulu and Nurat really weren’t impressed at the time that I had woken them up. However, when they had fresh food in their gut they were thankful.

Breakfast anyone?

We popped to the reception to book a boat/cave trip. When the time came to go, the receptionist gave us a call and off we went to the lovely town of Praia de Carvoeiro.

Me and Lu.

Ice cream is always an option!

Golden goddess

Be silly. Be fun. Be crazy. Be you!

Hi.

Blondie Lu

The boat trip was absolutely breath-taking until tiredness crept in. There I was appreciating the beautiful landscapes, with the wind in my weave, water splashing in my face, weaving in and out of multiple caves and snap chatting away (totally living life on the edge, just kidding I had a waterproof case). Then BAM!

Tiredness really hit me. Energy levels dropped from 10 to 0. I’m pretty sure the boat trip was around 2 hrs long and I’m pretty sure that I was asleep for more than half of it. Lulu and Nurat also fell asleep!

Friends? more like family.

Attempting to pout.

Cave 1.

Cave 10.

Cave 120 lol.

Entering cave 1000.

After the longest boat trip in history we decided to explore the town and ended up sitting down for a meal. The same place tricked us into paying for cheese, stale bread and garlic butter.

They placed it on our table as soon as we sat down with a smile. We assumed it complimentary until the bill and the waitress told us differently.

Once our stomachs were full we went to buy drinks for our cocktail specialist (Lu) to mix up later.

Fried cod, chips and salad.

Found this funny.

Then it was back to the hotel to chill. Partying into my 24th birthday meant that we needed to be well rested.

Laugh often.

What was she looking at?

She cute.

Yeah I changed my hair.

"A day without laughter is a day wasted"

Sitting pretty.

Nigerian princess.

Tried to pose but ended up looking sad lol.

‘New hair who dis’

24 baby.

Yes, 24!

Your girl decided to rock a blonde wig for the night. We truly turned up in the club. The spotlight was really on us. Literally everyone was gravitating towards us. We went out to catch air and was approached by the manager of the strip club. He had remembered us from yesterday. Before he could finish his whole sentence, Lu shouted out ‘it’s her birthday’. He then said ‘come with me’. Guys, girls, everyone that's reading right now!

I received two free lap dances. Yes TWO!

I was such an awkward turtle, I didn’t know where to put my hands and I didn’t know where to look. I mean it was definitely an experience to say the least. Nurat secretly filmed it and all you could hear is her and Lu laughing at me. On top of that the manager gave us free drinks and shots. It really was my birthday!

We decided to leave the strip club and enter the club next door. Every 30 minutes or so we kept going outside to catch some air. The last time we popped out I was approached by my Husband (bants). He was seriously the sweetest.

LOL!

Once he realised that I couldn’t speak a word of Portuguese, he took out his phone and we really had a full blown conversation via google translate. If that isn’t making an effort then I don’t know what is. The first thing he typed to me was ‘you’re so beautiful’.

Cringe. But it didn't stop me from smiling like a Cheshire cat.

Sunday 15th October

It’s my birthday!

We all woke up and headed down to get breakfast. I’m being polite when I say we because only I woke up early (don’t know how) and it was a real struggle to get Lulu and Nurat up. Due to having such a heavy night it was only right that we had more of a chilled day.

Needed.

We went for a dip in the hotel pool, explored Lagoa, relaxed in the Jacuzzi, flushed out toxins in the sauna, popped to the local supermarket, sipped some cocktails and had a serious heart to heart. We honestly spoke for hourssss.

Agua hotel poolside.

Happy.

Who do I think I am?

Shy.

Jacuzzi time.

Fierce.

Melanin.

Quick pool 'photoshoot';

Around 8ish, we got ready and went to a steak house for my birthday meal. If you’ve read my previous posts then you’ll know that I really LOVE steak.

Starter.

The picture doesn't do it justice.

We were going to head back to the hotel but then decided that we had to end the last night with a bang. That totally backfired because it was Sunday and the bars were literally empty. We practically partied by ourselves for an hour and left.

Monday 16th October

We were all up early as our taxi was due to arrive at 7:45AM. The taxi driver was right on time and really took a fancy to Lu. Nurat and I spent the whole time cracking up in the back as the driver spoke sweet nothings to Lu.

And that was it, Adeus Portugal!

This weekend away was incredible. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed and smiled so much in my life. So, thanks again Lulu and Nurat for being such great friends and making this birthday a special one.

Weekend getaways are totally underrated!

I definitely want to make going away for the weekend a regular thing in 2018 and beyond. So please comment any suggested locations below.

Lots of love,

Joy x

#holiday #portugal #Friendship #happy #Travel #birthday