There and back again!

So it’s time for us to take a deep breath, smell some of them roses, and enjoy some down-time after a pretty crazy trip. We’ve been so busy, our Instagram Diary hasn’t been updated in a little while, but here’s what we’ve been up to on our favourite social media platform:

We’ve been to Cuba and fixed a classic car… well, pretended to anyway.

We’ve met some interesting people with interesting… friends.

We’ve been to Mexico and eaten the best fish tacos Mrs Romance has ever experienced. Thanks, Lulu, from our hotel Casa de las Olas in Tulum. Your cooking has left a lasting impression on us!

We’ve had amazing mezcal cocktails in Mexico too. Just down the road from our hotel is this restaurant, MamaMuu, that serves delicious food and great cocktails too.

We’ve been to amazing Mayan ruins on the Caribbean Coast. We’ve even visited Mayan people in their home villages. Such a unique experience.

Mrs Romance get’s a glamour shoot in the Caribbean Sea… meaning, I take some ‘hair flicking’ shots on my iPhone!

We’ve seen some breath-taking water views here in Mexico too.

We get to visit cenotes – natural swimming pools with crystal clear water – scattered around the Yucatan Peninsular of Mexico.

We’ve driven Route 66 in America… well, not this bit. But best of all, we get to do it in a Ford Mustang! Cool or what?!

We do drive to This place on Route 66 though. Roy’s Motel in the town of Amboy. The town only has two people living there. I don’t know if Roy is one of them though!

We have our hearts broken by the sad news of the terrible siege in our home town of Sydney while we’re away. So sad, so appalling. We just hope something – anything – good can come from it.

We’ve visited the odd city of Palm Springs. It’s a favourite haunt of a huge list of celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Errol Flynn, Bing Crosby…

anyway, our first night in here we stay in the iconic Ace Hotel and Swim Club, a remodelled mid-century motel. It’s a really cool place, beautifully styled and a great representation of what this crazy little place is about.

We’ve sneaked into the uber cool Parker in Palm Springs to have a look round. This place is incredible. Huge grounds surrounding a palatial hotel. We’re not sure if visitors are allowed here, so we take a few ninja photos and hit the road again.

We’ve driven to Las Vegas through the desert. This place is crazy! The Venetian has a complete mock-up canal running through it complete with gondolas and a painted ceiling that makes it look like day! So trippy!

We celebrate Mrs Romance’s birthday in Vegas!

We even get married again! Thanks Elvis!

Mrs Romance – the blushing bride – looks stunning I’m proud to say!

We’ve eaten at one of Gordon Ramsey’s restaurants. BurGR in the Planet Hollywood on the Vegas strip is so cool. The blue cheese burger is pretty awesome and gets into my hallowed top 10 burger list… but it’s not No. 1!

We’ve been to San Francisco. Even in the middle of winter, it’s still such a beautiful city. The Golden Gate Bridge is an incredible sight. Instantly recognisable.

While we’re in San Fran, we get to explore the Pinterest HQ offices. So damn cool! This is the Bar – just somewhere you can sit and work. Nice, ay?

Mrs Romance can’t resist a quick Pinterest + Hair Romance pic!

We’ve visited Sonoma – one of the most famous wine regions in the States. Wine and panini picnic at the Larson Family Winery with our awesome friends Melissa and Peter. A superb way to spend our time here.

We’ve driven Route 1 – the Pacific Highway – down the Californian Coast. What a spectacular way to see the country!

The road here is awesome!

Our last night in America, we spend in the ridiculously fine Bacara Resort and Spa. Now that we’re here, we wish we had more time to stay even more than before we arrived at Bacara!

The sun sets over the Santa Barbara coastline and on our journey. In the morning we travel to LA to fly home to Sydney.

Finally home, we drive up to the Port Stephens area to spend the rest of Christmas Day with Mrs Romance’s fam. We fend the jetlag off with a swim in this water. Not bad, is it?!

Tonight, we went to Murray’s Brewery just down the road from our beach shack. The beer flight of six tasters ($21) is the best way sample the best of what this cool little craft brewery has to offer.

And the Murray’s burger is the best way to sample the food! It’s a bit expensive but it’s also managed to get into my top ten list! Very tasty!

But here’s what we’ve been working on the last couple of days. My in-laws’ beach shack has needed a new ceiling for quite some time. It’s been good to do some physical work, and the ceiling looks amazing, but we’re all happy it’s over!

We wonder what the rest of the Christmas and New Year holiday has in store for us!

How have you been the last couple of weeks? How did you spend Christmas? Do you have a top 10 burger list? Tell us in the comments!

Images by Mr and Mrs Romance via Instagram: @MrAndMrsRomance, @HairRomance and of course @AngryBastard!