Best honeymoon locations: Exeter Lodge

If you’re looking for the best honeymoon locations, this is it!

On honeymoon, we played a lot of backgammon. A. LOT. I have never known how to play backgammon – but Warren has been playing it for ages right back to when his family owned Oaklands guest house. He was a little kid back then and used to play with all the guests which I’m sure was the greatest thing for a little kid. (I even bought him his own Backgammon game set for Christmas last year with a delish bottle of red wine and cosy blanket for us to have a “backgammon couch night”)

When we arrived at Exeter Lodge – our first honeymoon destination – and we saw that they had Backgammon – I was so excited for The Husband to teach me how to play.

It was awesome to sit on our deck, listen to all the wild sounds around us and play backgammon, like in those old school coffee ads. Except we switched out our coffee for Gin and Tonics and Red wine, because we’re gangsta like that.
After the first game of explaining the rules– we decided to start placing some bets on these “friendly” backgammon games.

Bet Number 1: A Full Day Saturday Date organised by the Loser.

Anywhoo… A full date to plan. Can handle that.

Then we played a few other friendly games, so that I could practise a bit more and get used to all these backgammon fancy “strategies”.


Ché: Warren, what are you doing? What are you googling? Are you cheating?
Warren: No, I’m just googling to see the correct placement of the backgammon pieces
Ché: Are you lying to me? Are you cheating?
(INSERT HILARIOUS LION/CHEETAH  BUSH JOKES NOW)
Warren: I’m really not.
Ché: Ok well then I’m going to google the placements too because I feel like you’re cheating.

Then we played a few more games.

And I lost.

And let me point this out –
I do not lose at games.

Ché: Whatever Warren, you can gloat all you like, I don’t even care about winning. I am just here to enjoy spending time with my husband on our honeymoon.

Warr: Yeah, pffft. whatever.

So am in debt by one full day Saturday date, One three course home-made Dinner, One popcorn and wine night, One movie date. Yeah. OK.

Then we headed to Quilalea off the coast of Northern Mozambique and to my absolute delight we discovered that they had a backgammon set for us to play. Warren of course, having now become quite enamored with playing backgammon because of all the free shit he can win off me.

I was really starting to detest husband for all the games he had won. But then, who can stay mad at this face?

The face of “i-can’t-help-it-that-I’m-so-good-at-this”

And finally, Bet #567: A Dinner Out at a Lovely Restaurant –

Somehow Mr Dyer let his game slide and I managed to beat him fair and slipping-my-pieces-off-the-board-square. Or, he totally let me win. Whatever. I don’t really care. I win.

So, last Friday, I cooked up my Three Course “Backgammon-Bet” Meal for The Husband. Being the absolute “amazing chef” that I am – there are, of course, a lot of stories to follow. Stay tuned.

* * * * * * *

PS. Playing backgammon is actually really fun. You will have plenty of laughs. I would highly recommend playing it with your husband/wife/fiancé/lover/friends. Make a few Game Bets… But definitely make sure that you win.

PPS. Warren, we will soon be playing a re-match for the three course home-cooked meal. And a full  Sunday breakfast-in-bed. But this time –

PICTIONARY.