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Happy New Year everyone! Now that the holidays are over (booooo) and I’m back to work (booooo squared) - it’s also back to wedding planning.
Mr. Kiwi and I were always sure of our honeymoon plans; six days and five nights in a rented condo on Kauai, Hawaii. My cousin Gaines knows we’re struggling with wedding funds, and offered to help us out by maybe paying our airfare or gifting us with some of his miles. That in itself was an amazing offer, and really made us feel great about our decision, saving money by renting out a condo instead of staying in a pricey hotel. Even though I really want to be pampered, I just want some sun and a nice vacation with my hubby.
But recently, we’ve been waking up with back pains and sore necks. The logical problem? Our mattress. This mattress is Mr. Kiwi’s from his BK life (before Kiwi), and has had to hold up a three hundred pound man for a couple of years. Totally TMI, but no worries about other girls using the bed before me. 
Anyway, the bed sucks. There is no support and the thing creaks all the time. It really is a pain in the butt (ha! Literally!) and keeps me awake sometimes.
So, we were out registering on Saturday and discussing bed linens. I said, “What if we decide to get a California King after registering for Queen linens?” Mr. Kiwi said that size was way too big (about 72×84 - I think) and that we’d just add to our registry later. Then we headed over to the mattress store just “to look.”
As I had predicted, Mr. Kiwi totally fell for a California King. See, he’s not used to being able to stretch his legs out and not have them hang out of the bed covers. As we walked out of the store, completely in love with the mattress and the super cool bed frame, he jokingly posed the question: “So… new bed or honeymoon in Hawaii?” Crap. I was a little bummed when I thought about that. Who would selfishly choose a trip for less than a week over a new bed you will have for a very long time?
Mr. Kiwi then brought up something he had been offered: the use of a three bedroom house on the beach in Costa Rica- for FREE. The only thing we’d have to pay for is air fare, and nights out. We can stay as long as we want and not worry about it. Sure, no housekeeper (kidding!), but you really can’t go wrong vacationing basically for free, and getting a new bed as part of the deal. We could possibly use my cousin Gaines’ miles for airfare, too.
What would you do? Hawaii will always be there, and I’ve heard Costa Rica is beautiful. New bed and honeymoon in Costa Rica, or same crap ass bed and put your money down on a honeymoon in Hawaii?
Costa Rica is beautiful!!!
so is Hawaii, but I understand the need for a new bed (we are desperate) so my vote is a new bed and free honeymoon!
Go for Costa Rica! I heard it’s just as beautiful. And you get both, your honeymoon and a new bed!
always wanted to go to costa rica 
My vote: New bed plus free stay definitely. Start saving for a great trip for your one year anniversary if you want!
We are having the very same conversation, only upgrading from queen to king… neither one of is terribly tall but the bed seems so cramped w/two humans and our dog who loves to stretch out (the yarmulke wearing boy wonder I posted a few days ago). Get the new bed, go to Costa Rica and save Hawaii for an anniversary trip a few years down the road. Register for rocking bedding w/a sky high threadcount and every night will seem like a honeymoon!
Costa Rica baby!
Mr Apple and I went last year and it really is beautiful in the jungles of CR! I’m not sure where you will stay but we went to Puerto Jimenez (Southern Part of CR) and we choose this location because its non touristy and we really wanted to do some hiking. Given its your honeymoon, i would skip on the 8-9 hour day treks. hahaha. We went to Carate/Corcovado National Park, Montepaulo and climbed up a 60 foot tree and bungeed off of it (insane!), we rock climbed off a cliff also in Montepaulo.
It really is beautiful there, we birdwatched and saw beautiful toucans soaring in the blue sky’s. The food is nothing to rave about, mostly just beans and cheese.
If you’re not as adventurous, the beaches are quite serene and maybe you could stay at a local resort and pamper yourself a little. =) Oh! try there fresh coconut juice - soooo freaking good, we had pina colada’s at least twice a day! My vote is definitely CR!
that’s a no brainer– go to costa rica!!
costa Rica is supposed to be fabulous. if you have the opportunity to stay there for free and only pay for airfare and food and entertainment, the answer seems like a no brainer to me.
And then you can get a new mattress too. Sounds too good to be true.
Miss Kiwi>> I would go with Costa Rica. A new bed will last for a long time and will give you and Mr. Kiwi restful and healthy sleep. And that is priceless. CR is jsut as beautiful as Hawaii!
Get the bed and go to CR!! You can always go to Kauai for an anniversary trip. My husband and I purchased a new bed 8 months ago and we still say it’s the best investment we’ve ever made. Make sure you buy one with at least a 10 year warranty on it, though. Ours has a 15-year warranty.
haha, it seems unanimous, but I agree, COSTA RICA! and your backs and necks will thank you for the bed too.
Have you slept on a platform bed? We just got the tatami platform bed and its made of solid wood and really comfortable. It’s basically a platform bed with a thin mattress on top - really great for your back. Mr Apple and I don’t like big soft mushy beds but prefer the real hard stuff. haha. Plus, I heard mattresses are really expensive so we opted for the platform and you can get the 4″ thin mattress at Costco for around $100 dollars. Anyways, just a different suggestion….good luck!
Wow guys, it DOES look unanimous! Hm. It’s really interesting, I guess the bees are bargain hunters!! 
I guess I’ll have to tell Mr. Kiwi we’re all set for CR.
Anyone have any sites regarding CR you can send me to?
Miss Apple, we are soo firm mattress people. I will take a look at the platform beds!
I’ve been to Kauai and CR and while Kauai is gorgeous, it’s also SUPER expensive while you’re there. To me, CR is a no-brainer! I think it’s just as gorgeous as Kauai (possibly more so), and way cheaper. I say go for it!
Miss Kiwi - I would read http://www.tripadvisor.com for hotel information, they have great personal reviews on hotels.
http://costa-rica-guide.com - great information for packing guide, detailed maps, adventures, etc.
Lonely Planet guide is our #1 book reference for budget travelers. We used this throughout our whole trip, great restaurant reviews, excursions, background information etc.
When is your honeymoon? Make sure its not during the rainy season or hot season. We went in the summer and it was so hot - stay away from the interior part of CR and instead stay along the coast. It’s a little more expensive but worth it !
Go with Costa Rica and get a new bed, definately!
I went to CR last August, and it is AMAZING. Also, really pretty inexpensive while you are there. I think it’s a no brainer — go to CR, have a great time and a functional bed! What a lucky Kiwi you are
Congrats on those great options, Miss Kiwi! Don’t think of Costa Rica as your “budget” option–just because you’re getting the stay for free does not mean you will be skimping on the important things (sun, beach, beautiful flowers/wildlife/plants/fish/etc) at all! Plus if you or Mr. Kiwi is into baseball you can visit the place where they manufacture Spalding baseballs.
i’m going to CR for my honeymoon. I used fodors.com to research–the forum are great. Frommers was the best guide that I used. Find out what beach!
I don’t think you will be disappointed (but I’m biased)–everyone I know who’s gone to CR has ranked it one of their best vacations.
Congrats on being able to have it all!
Costa Rica IS beautiful. It’s been a few years for me but I loved every minute of it. If you are outdoorsy, adventurous types you are gonna love it. Hawaii will always be there and I guess same goes for Costa Rica, but Hawaii is way easier to get to and more accessible. Besides, everyone goes to Hawaii! Let us know which mattress you purchase and how you like it. I’m in the market for new mattress as well. :p
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Mrs. Kiwi, Los Angeles Age and Occupation in 06: 27, Bookkeeper Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, P.E. Teach/Coach @ private schools in LA Engagement Date: March 31, 2006 Wedding Date: November 3, 2007 Venue: Radisson Hotel About Me: I'm a bookkeeper who failed high school algebra. I'm currently living in Los Angeles, literally a street over from where I grew up with Mr. Kiwi, my honey of three years. We have a jumbo mini-dachshund (seriously, he's huuuuge), and we're planning an autumn themed wedding on a shoestring, paid for by ourselves. The wedding date is my late grandma's birthday, I needed her there somehow, and that seemed like the best way for us. I can't believe I'm a Bee! I couldn't be more proud!
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