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These last few weeks have been a whirlwind. I have two more weeks until things settle down – so thank you so much for sticking with me through it. I feel so guilty every day that I can’t make time for M&M – I honestly would much rather be posting and researching travel spots for you guys than working!

I have been going back and forth about posting on Cyprus. Here’s the thing – I was sent over to Cyprus to take photographs for the Australian media (newspapers and a posh travel/food magazine), so I wasn’t sure whether or not to post the photographs from the trip until they have been published. I also just found out that they may get picked up for a Cypriot Cookbook! So fingers crossed on that front.

I decided that I will do a full post (with tear sheets from the different publications) and pics once everything has been officially published. For now you will have to settle with a brief Cyprus Snapshot…

We went all over the Greek side of Cyprus visiting the birthplace of Aphrodite, old-world towns, hip restaurants, trendy bars, castles, beaches, the green line and lots more. I promise to give you a full run-down with all the amazing places that are a must in this different destination. I have to honestly say – if you get a chance to visit Cyprus it will stay with you for a lifetime. Unbelievable place. Loved every minute.

I will get back to Australian destinations this week (promise).

Happy traveling!

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The post Cyprus appeared first on Maps and Mojitos.

So, I’ll start by saying that Austen surprised me for my birthday with a weekend at the Bells Hotel in Killcare. We rented a car, left early on Saturday morning, and drove us up towards the beach. I have to admit, I was super excited to leave the city.

Killcare is a quaint beach town in the hills, just 2 hours outside of Sydney. Bells is a secluded boutique hotel with only 12 small luxury cabins, surrounded by stunning English Gardens. Its lovely. A perfect escape – and insanely expensive. Austen then told me he made dinner reservations at the restaurant and we would have a feast. All the food is grown/prepared on site. I instantly felt guilty – this was costing him a lot – and then I felt suspicious – I’m only turning 26. Not a big birthday, not 30 or 21 or 25…. something else had to be happening!

I was on edge. We checked in, drove to our cabin and unloaded the car. As we were walking Austen stopped and got to one knee. My heart dropped – but he was just tying his shoe. He looked up at me with a weird face. “whats up?” Nothing – get a grip Lauren! Geez! So we unpacked, went to the pool, read our books, went to the beach, had burgers on the sand and just enjoyed doing nothing. The sun was out but it didn’t get over 65 degrees. It was a perfect winter day.

At sunset Austen asked me if I wanted to take a bottle of wine that he bought to the beach or harbor. I said yes. I had on yoga pants and sneakers, we were just being mellow. We decided to go to the harbor, it was so peaceful and pretty. Walking around we spotted a dock. Austen said he wanted a picture of me on the dock, so I walked out. When I turned around he was on one knee with a ring box in his hand and a huge smile on his face. He surprised me – not an easy feat.

“Marry me.” It was a statement, not a question. We have been coming to this for a long time. Of course I was going to marry him – its never been a question. I walked over with a huge smile on my face and dropped to my knees in front of him. “Always”. He slipped a wedding ring onto my finger – a beautiful rose gold band with pave diamonds all the way around it. He wants us to design my ‘dream ring’ together, just like he wants to do everything – together. I am in love with that idea. Later he told me he thought of a million things to say but at the end of the day, we have said them all. I want to grow old with you, I wasn’t alive until I met you, you are my future, etc etc. We both know this, we have both said this. It was so perfect because we don’t have to say anything at all – there is nothing else if we don’t have each other.

We spent the rest of sunset sitting at the end of the dock, watching the boats, sipping our wine, taking pictures. We were both buzzing. I was slightly numb, like, having a weird out of body experience – is this really happening? Did it just happen? We were and are both so excited. Austen keeps calling me fiancé or wifey. Weird! But the best feeling ever.

We went back to the hotel and dressed for dinner. We splurged on champagne (for me) oysters (for Austen) steak, gnocchi and a chocolate carmel dessert. Yum! We checked out the next morning and spent Sunday hiking in this gorgeous forest and hanging out at the beach before heading home.

What an amazing weekend. One I will never forget!

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