Author: unanchoredeve

Explorer.

How to Spend Three Days in Barcelona, Spain

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Day One

This solo trip was my first time visiting Barcelona and my second time in Spain. I first visited Spain during a quick weekend trip to Malaga, the birthplace of the grand Picasso. The much-raved-about Barcelona is a city that I’ve always been curious about. I booked a one-way ticket from Toronto to Barcelona and decided a 3-night stay would be sufficient to enjoy the city. I chose to stay in the district of Eixample because of its proximity to many of the attractions I wanted to see and the reasonably priced hotel with a rooftop pool, Olivia Balmes.

Street in Eixample Barcelona

After taking the red-eye flight on a rather cold, air-conditioned plane, I checked into my hotel, showered, picked up a map from the front desk, and headed toward the beach. Along my walk, I ended up down the Ramblas, a famous street, bustling and touristy.

Ramblas Barcelona

In the Ramblas, I found the notorious La Boqueria market; here, I perused the isles full of fresh produce, meats, fish, and spices. Several people ate at countertop-style restaurants, but none had even one empty seat. Eventually, a man waved a menu in front of me just as I exited the market: perfect, time to eat, and people-watch. I ended up seated at Ramblero de la Boqueria. The tapas bar’s countertops were adorned with enormous colorful trays of seafood that I would have loved to have tried if I weren’t a solo traveler. Instead, I decided on some salty fish and sangria. I ended up chatting with two girls who were on vacation from Latvia. Are you here alone? Alone? They questioned. I laughed. “Well, you’re here with me now.” Patrons of the market crowded the isles, stopped to peer at the goods, shook their heads side to side, and swayed between the isles.

Ramblero
Ramblero
La Boqueria market

Another large tray towered with pink and red crustaceans from the sea was placed on my other side; a happy couple retrieved their phones to snap photos. The day was hot and dry; the red sangria was sweet and robust. I finished my meal and ventured out. Eventually, I met up with the sprawling beach; calm, mild waves broke at the shore. Colored towels and bathing ensembles decorated the tan sand. I was hot, and my body felt swollen; I made the mistake of walking to avoid my jetlag; a swim was probably a better remedy.

Barceloneta Beach

Outside, I took out a small black camera and snapped pictures of my surroundings as I continued walking. Promotions for nightclubs and empty restaurants filled one end of the beach area. The lounges and hookah bars awaited patrons that preferred to eat late. I sat and watched the sunset; other people lined up, couples with entangled arms, individuals with cardboard boxes of food and cans of beer or mixed drinks. I was here.

The following neighborhood I approached was Barceloneta, the beach area. This was a more lively and young area than the one with my hotel. I stopped into a random restaurant for a cocktail and to plan my route home. The waitress recommended two upscale cocktail bars, Dr. Stravinsi and Marlowe Bar. I wrote them down and walked the 45 minutes back to my hotel; even though the sun had set, the city came to life with bright yellow lamps and twists of string lights. I spotted groups of people and couples in a bit more formal attire as everyone set out for their next soiree. A crowd gathered around the entrance of restaurant Tapas 2254, and I joined the line-up.

Tapas 2254

Day 2

I woke up with swollen feet and headed to the lobby to pester the front desk about what I could do for my last two days. Any food and wine tours were fully booked; instead, I purchased tickets for Casa Batllo, a Gaudi-designed house, the Sagrada Familia, and Park Guell. I would have to go on my own food. The concierge smiled; you’re in luck; we have several good restaurants. He listed Tapas 2254 (the one I found on my first night!)and a few others. I returned to my room; I needed to cool down my swollen body at the pool before I endured more heat.

Casa Batllo
Casa Batllo

My Casa Batllo ticket included a recorded tour of the home; I plugged a headset into my ears; they allowed me to focus on the history of Gaudi and his inspiration for the house, a distraction from the heat and the swaths of tourists trying to take photographs. It’s odd that just a couple years back, no one had a cellphone with a camera, and fewer people took photos. Art was enjoyed for what it was, and now it’s the perfect backdrop for that ideal selfie. Casa Batllo was incredible; I couldn’t believe the level of detail, vibrant colors, and wood and shimmery glass curves. A friend of mine who designs homes says that most architects are lazy; they only want to draw a straight line; now, with all our modern technology, you’d assume architects would be bolder than in the past. Or have our tastes morphed? Do we prefer straight lines in our homes, or could we live in a Gaudi-inspired playhouse? Mmm something to consider over lunch at Vinutus.

Vinutus Barcelona

After once more recharging at the pool, it was time to head to another famed Gaudi creation, La Sagrada Familia.

La Sagrada Familia

Dinner time, although my hotel warned me Cerverceria Catalana would be busy, but I decided I would be an easy solo traveler to squeeze into a barstool.

Day 3

I woke up and went for a run in the hotel’s gym. The day’s plan was to get lost in the district of Born, and visit the Antic Theatre and Park Guell.

Antic Theatre

Antic Teatre

I found a unique perfume shop where I found a great souvenir at The Perfumery. There’s something about a smell that is so nostalgic.

The Perfumery

Park Guell

Another incredible Gaudi creation, Park Guell, was so romantic I wished I had been on a date!

A sunset, dinner, and the magic singing fountains made for the perfect last night in Barcelona. The Arenas mall has a rooftop with incredible city views and the ideal spot to see the sunset. The rooftop also contains several restaurants.

View from Arenas Mall

Magic Fountains in Barcelona

Magic Fountains Barcelona

Recap

Barcelona was a busy, colorful, easy-to-navigate city. There is lots of ground to cover and tapas to indulge in, and I got a taste of it all! I love getting lost in a city and don’t worry about “seeing it all”; vacations are about breaking routines and a way to follow one’s intuition. This post is a way for me to remember my trip and inspire others to travel. Overall I felt three days was the perfect time to get a taste of Barcelona, and my only regret is that I should have tacked on a day at the beach to recharge from the jetlag and adjust to the time difference. However, my next few travel days would be blissful, spent lounging on beaches in Costa Brava.

Summer Reading List 2022

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Photo by Julia Sakelli on Pexels.com

Hello Summer!

Summer 2022 is for sipping ice-cold lemonade and bucket hats and escaping day-to-day routines into someone else’s life. In Edmonton, we are getting those long hot summer days where the sun doesn’t set until 11:00 pm. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of clean beaches nearby, so I choose to dive into any book describes refreshing bodies of water and rays of sunshine. I try to read books that coincide with the season, summer vacations, and summer romances and prefer easier reads that I can consume in a day or two. I’ve compiled a list of the books I’ve enjoyed this summer and still have a few to get through. I get my recommendations from the Chapters website, Good Reads, and even Book Tok! Here is what I’ve read and what’s left on my TBR (to-be-read list) for summer 2022. I will be traveling to Europe to see my grandparents this fall so that it will feel like an extended summer (I’m so lucky), and I am looking forward to having a great story to accompany the mundane travel commutes. Let me know if you have any books I should add to my list!

My Summer Reading List (2022)

Every Summer After

Every Summer After-By Carly Fortune

Written by a Canadian author, the setting of this book is Barry’s Bay, Ontario, where Percy and Sam begin their childhood romance. The story goes back and forth to how their relationship evolved over the summer and back to their current lives, where they harbor emotions they still can’t process. I love a good beach read, and since I’ve spent my summer vacations at Lake Skaha in Penticton, I can relate to some of the scenes in the book, but since I’m not going to a lake this summer, I will be able to live it vicariously through this book!

It Ends with Us

It Ends with Us- Collen Hoover

This book is an easy read, full of twists and turns. Lily goes through so much in this story, I don’t want to give too much away, but she struggles with the men in her life and seeks comfort from watching Ellen. She writes diary entries to Ellen that showcase her character’s backstory quite well. The book demonstrates a tricky topic. We root for our sweet-girl-next-door Lily, who becomes surrounded by unhealthy relationships. It reads like a movie, and I could picture each scene easily in my head, and lo and behold, I just discovered this book would become a film. So, if you want to get a peek at the story before it hits the big screen, grab a copy.

Black Cake

Black Cake- Charmaine Wilkerson

This book was so good it made it to Barack Obama’s 2022 summer reading list. Have you ever had to move and re-invent yourself? How would moving affect your family and the people you meet? When Eleanor Bennett passes, she leaves behind a tape of her life; the story shows how Eleanor’s children Byron and Benny learn about the past and unveil their mothers’ secrets. The sea, family dynamic, and a black cake are potent ingredients in this book that is worth consuming.

The Hotel Nantucket

The Hotel Nantucket- Elin Hilderbrand

If you’ve never read an Elin Hilderbrand book, you are in for a treat. She comes out with a classic Nantucket romance each summer, and I have read one of her summer hits since I was 17. The latest summer read’s setting is posh Hotel and complex characters whose lives we get to peel back chapter by chapter. The Hotel has a complete renovation, and Elin’s descriptions are of its picturesque architecture and include every luxurious detail. Elins describes the delicious food as culinary porn, and the staff gossip is hotter than Chris Hemsworth in Thor (cue air-conditioning). I’m halfway through, and as the character’s predicaments intensify, it’s hard to leave this book on pause. Oh, and there is another character who is privy to the secret lives of the staff and the guests, a ghost named Grace who haunts the Hotel so she can serve justice to any rotten individuals who think they can stir the pot without getting reprimanded. At first, I was a bit overwhelmed with the number of characters in the book, but they are so diverse, and the writing gives them exceptional narratives with juicy secrets, and I’m beyond excited to see what they reveal. I can’t remember when I didn’t have an Elin Hilderbrand book on my summer reading list; I guess I’m just an addict, and I hope you become one too.

People We Meet on Vacation

People We Meet on Vacation- Emily Henry

From the book’s title, I expected this book to be about a romance that features a foreign country with a sultry foreign love interest. That might be because I may have found a love interest of two abroad, maybe I should write about them? Instead, the book was about a friendship turned into romance and how travel and life have impacted this hot and cold relationship. I liked how this is a classic story of opposites who attract each other; there’s Poppy, who’s outgoing and impulsive, and Alex, who is a wallflower. I enjoyed that the book describes a lot of travel destinations, and they do so realistically; I like the random encounters and that, hey, traveling is not always perfect, but when you have an excellent travel partner, that can change the entire experience. This story lacked a bit of depth for me, but it’s an easy summer read about a travel influencer and her dorky crush.

Sorrow & Bliss

Sorrow and Bliss- Meg Mason

This novel is not a classic beach read, but it’s a story about Martha’s struggles in life. She ended up in bad relationships and meaningless jobs and learned how much of her predicaments are affected by her external and internal circumstances. Meg Mason’s writing is clear and raw, her book was well written, and I immediately felt empathy for Martha’s character, who amusingly struggles with her mental health. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider or guilty for making the wrong choice, you’ll relate to and enjoy reading about Martha making her mistakes. This novel isn’t the typical effortless beach reach I’m attracted to, but I found it through a book blogger who gave it a 5-star review, and I have to agree!

The To Be Read (TBR) List

The Spanish Love Deception

The Spanish Love Deception – Elena Armas

I want to read this book as it is a romance novel where the protagonist ends up in Spain. I will be making a pit stop in Spain this September, so this might be inspiring in some way. I discovered this book from a Book Tok list; I think it’s pretty amusing to find out that what once was an app for dancing and singing for teenagers has led to so many more hobbies. So I am curious to see if this BookTok recommendation is worth the hype.

Verity

Verity – Collen Hoover

Colleen Hoover has several books on the bestseller list. After stalking Collen’s Instagram page, I discovered that it happens to be one that made it into the hands of Haily Bieber. I read a few reviews about this book, and it seems that the story is a bit edgier than Colleen’s previous novels, and she is receiving great praise for pushing those boundaries.

The Last To Vanish

The Last to Vanish – Megan Miranda

A suspense book set in a resort town, the summer vibes with a thrill, I’m in!

Lesson in Chemistry

Lessons in Chemistry – Bonnie Garmus

After reading My Life in Paris by Julia Child, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I found this gem which also depicts a woman in the kitchen. This novel is set in the 1960s, when the protagonist Elizabeth Zott is a scientist who isn’t respected in the workplace and how fights for her place in the man’s world. I love a good dose of feminism, so this should be fun!

Summer Readin’- Happens so Fast!

Let me know if you have read any of the books on this list, or let me know what’s on yours! I love to discuss plots and characters with fellow bookworms 🙂

Kristin Cavallari’s Gluten Free Banana Bread

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This recipe is super easy, I love banana bread; it’s my go-to recipe for when my bananas start to turn bad. I’ve made it so many times I thought I should share!

Gluten-Free Banana Bread

Ingredients

  • 1/3 Cup of Virgin Coconut Oil
  • 2/3 Cup of Coconut Sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup of mashed ripe banana= 3 bananas
  • 2 tablespoons of almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup of oat flour
  • ½ cup of almond flour
  • 1-¼ teaspoon of baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon of baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt (or any salt)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (I also add in ½ teaspoon of cardamom and ¼ nutmeg and ¼ ginger, its up to your tastebuds to decide what they like).
  • Optional add-ins: ½ cup of pecans, walnuts, and chocolate chips (I add toasted nuts).

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, mash bananas with a large fork or use a hand mixer until smooth. Add coconut sugar, eggs, coconut oil, almond milk, and vanilla.
  2. In a smaller bowl, combine the dry ingredients, oat flour, almond flour, baking powder & soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  3. Preheat oven to 350.
  4. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ones and mix well. Add in any additional nuts.
  5. Oil a loaf pans with coconut oil and then if you have it line with parchment paper.
  6. Bake for 45 minutes.
  7. Let cool and enjoy with jam, almond butter, or just plain butter!

Blueberry Protein Scones

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Baking always gives me a chance to decompress; it’s a time-out for my brain’s to-do list and instead lets me focus on the simple tasks of scooping, measuring, and mixing to the beat of chill music.

Since I love long-distance endurance training, running, biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing; therefore, I need carbs and protein to keep me going. I’m not a fan of grocery store pastries as they tend to be quite cakey or too sweet. Even good bakeries tend to overdo the sugar they use, and having a hard spike in my insulin means a crash where I’m moody and hungry. If I need the extra protein, I pair a scone with a boiled egg, and it’s an excellent base for prolonged endurance activity. I use the vanilla protein powder and the sugar substitute Monk Fruit to lower their glycemic index and make them slightly healthier. If you want the original recipe, adapted from Salley’s Baking Addiction, you can find it here.

Blueberry Protein Scones

Adapted from Salley’s Baking Addiction

Ingredients

  • 1 & ½ Cups of All Purpose Flour
  • ½ Cup of Vanilla Protein Powder
  • ½ Cup of Monk Fruit Sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon of Salt
  • 2 & ½ Teaspoons of Baking Powder
  • ½ Cup of Frozen Butter
  • ½ Cup of Cream (and a bit extra (2 tablespoons for the top, or milk)
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1 & ½ Teaspoons of Vanilla
  • ½ Cup of Frozen Blueberries- (frozen is best; then they don’t get squished when mixing)
  • Brown Sugar to put on top (not required, but I like it)

Directions

  1. Mix flour, protein powder, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl.
  2. Take out the frozen butter and a box grater to grate it onto a cutting board.
  3. Put the butter scrapes into the flour mixture and mix, then put the bowl in the fridge to keep cold.
  4. Use a beater or whisk to combine the cream, egg, and vanilla in a smaller bowl.
  5. Bring out the large bowl and pour the wet ingredient along with the blueberries into the bowl.  Mix with a spoon, and then use your hands to squish it all into a ball. You may need more cream or flour here, depending on the texture.
  6. Once the ingredients are together, I take out a large piece of parchment paper and put the ball on a lightly floured surface. I used a rolling pin and my hand to flatten it into a disc. At this point, I usually wrap the disc in the paper with saran wrap and put it into the freezer for future use. (I typically pull the frozen disc out before a weekend road trip).
  7. But if you are making them right away, store the disc in the freezer and set the oven to 400F.
  8. When the oven is near temperature, take the disc out and cut it into triangles or slices. I usually cut into smaller pieces and make 12 scones, but if you prefer, you can make 6 larger ones.
  9. Then brush the top of the scones with cream and sprinkle with brown sugar. They take about 24 minutes in my oven, but everyone’s oven is different, so check them at 22 min and leave in longer if they are larger sections.
  10. Once they have cooled, try not to eat them all at once!
  11. Store them in an open bowl or empty plate. If you seal them in a plastic bag or container, they lose the dry flakey flavor and taste cakier (unless you prefer that texture).
Blueberry Scones

The Vancouver BMO Marathon

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Vancouver Is the Ideal Place for a Race

Vancouver Waterfront

I’m pretty impulsive, I see something on social media or hear someone rave about a new travel destination, restaurant, or activity, and I want to try it too! Once I noticed the social media post that the Vancouver Marathon was having its 50th anniversary, I could not miss it! I probably run 1-2 times a week, but I never seriously took the time to train for one. When I twisted my co-worker’s arm into signing up for the run with me, he promptly sent over a spreadsheet with a run schedule. Ooh, structure, I have never had a system before.

Our Run Schedule

Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

Monday: Rest Day
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: 5-10 km Runs Days
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: Long Run 10-15 km Runs
Sunday: Cross-training day (Bike, yoga, weight training, etc.)

This training schedule was adapted from this popular running site. 

This schedule was so important to me; I followed about 80% of it. Sometimes work or social events got in the way, and I skipped some of the runs. But the consistency of completing the running made me feel like a superhero. Committing to the runs even when I didn’t feel like it made me realize I could push myself. That, coupled with the runner’s high, seemed to flow into my day-to-day life. Whether it was cold, windy, or if I was sore or tired, I was still pushing myself to get the miles in. I feel like that training reflects how actual life flows; you’re not going to be the best version of yourself daily, but if you keep showing up, that consistent discipline adds up and makes you physically and mentally stronger.

Running Q&A

While I was training, I was asked these questions:

  1. Do you train with anyone?

Immediately I thought I didn’t want to run with anyone, and I didn’t want to hold anyone back; I needed to run at my own pace. There’s no point; I have my headphones, and we won’t be able to talk to each other anyways. However, the curious part of me thought, why not try it and see? So, I asked my co-worker, Michael, to join me for our weekend-long runs. Training with someone was incredible; it always seems easier to suffer from someone than alone! His pace always started faster but ended slower, while I did the opposite, picking up speed near the end of the run, squeezing the last bit of energy left. So, our running dynamic probably balanced and pushed us to be better runners. Also, Michael introduced me to the famous guided run coach from the Nike Run Club, coach Bennett. The free app allows you to choose your running time or distance and have someone chime into “coach” or pump you up during your run. I found this helpful as the encouragement from this virtual coach helped push me to run longer or distract me from running pains.

Training in Edmonton
  1. Are you on a special diet?

No, I ate more carbs (I love baking pastries) during training and drank more water, but I never tracked what I ate. Now that I’m training for yet another run and trying to assess nutrition a bit more. Whether or not fasted runs or eating certain foods before help. I find that running has leveled out my hormones, and I’m not as hungry when I’m consistently running. It’s weird; the lazier I am, the more I feel like eating, maybe because I associate snaking with watching tv, and that habit has been replaced by running! Does anyone sit down to watch a movie or show without eating a snack, or is it just me?

  1. How do you stay motivated?

Honestly, I prefer to take the path of least resistance; I think most of us are. But if someone were going to hand me a pill and say swallow this and that I will be marathon ready in 8 weeks, I wouldn’t want to take it. The most grueling part for me is always just putting on my shoes and going outside. My overactive brain says several things like I’m too tired, busy, sore, hungry, full, etc., to run; however, the reality is that my body is the one doing the work. Your brain doesn’t do the heavy lifting, and nine times out of ten, the days my mind told me I would probably have a bad run because of some narrative that kept me spiraling and procrastinating the runs till the last minute usually turned out to be the best ones. After this pattern repeated itself repeatedly, I just started going out with less trying to analyze whether I should. So shut up, brain. Do your quads burn? Is your breath panting? I didn’t think so. Running is a roller coaster ride; there are up and downs, and the ride will feel different every time you embark on it. I’m addicted to the runner’s high, but my brain often forgets this when getting started. Here is the playlist I made when I was training.

Vancouver Running Playlist

Pre-Marathon

Michael and I arrived three days before the run and didn’t do any more training and chose to eat and bike our way around the city instead. We stayed at the Sutton Place Hotel. It’s a few blocks from the train and a great central location for exploring the city. Also, running the BMO Vancouver Marathon in the spring is the perfect time to see the cherry blossoms blooming all over the city.

Vancouver Food

Here are the restaurants we went to, and I highly recommend them!

Maenam

Maenam

Kokoro Toyoko Mazesoba

Kokoro Toyoko Mazesoba


Tom’s Sushi

Tom’s Sushi


Linh Cafe

Linh Cafe

Race Day

Delayed an hour due to a mysterious package on the course, we stood cold and anxious at Elizabeth Park to get started. But once we did, what a race. The weather was cool and mild, slightly overcast with no wind, the ideal temperature for a long-distance run. The city horizon and a calm harbor came into view. We charged across the bridge with several other yellow coral runners (hoping to make it in 2:20 min). Supporters ran bells, cameras clicked, and posters of Ryan Gosling (who else would you want in your cheering squad) brought a smile to my face as I was finally in it. All the training added to that moment. While cruising through China town, a man meagerly pulled his dog through the course while smoking his joint. While the scent wafted through the air in front of me, it caused me to burst out laughing; British Columbia is known for its solid and good weed. The course blended oceanside air, lush greenery, and urban building. Other sights I remember were seniors who had met for their morning coffee and pastries at what looked like a local bakery; others stood in line for what must have been a trending breakfast spot, all while we runners clapped our feet on the pavement past them. In the race’s final leg, I felt entirely warmed up to the run; the crowd’s perfect weather, scenery, and energy made me want to pick up my pace. Soon I could see the 2:20 pace bunny and knew I would beat my un-trained Sea wheeze run. As I began to charge ahead, I knew the work I had done allowed me to be running as a better version of myself. I ended up coming in a 2:08, twelve minutes faster than my previous race!

Vancouver BMO 1/2 Marathon
Vancouver Marathon Finish Line
Vancouver BMO 21.5 Run
Vancouver BMO Run

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never trained for a race, I highly recommend it, regardless of distance or experience. The best part is the journey, the good runs, and even the horrible ones you are most proud of enduring. One time I ran through 40 km wind gusts, and I still laugh when I remember that moment. The most crucial part is that you are moving towards a goal that encourages you to be present while training to get there; enjoy the ride! Vancouver is a beautiful city, and the BMO marathon is such an incredible event; I’m so glad I passed the finish line and recommend this race to anyone looking to run an epic marathon. Vancouver is a beautiful city that is easily walkable and runnable!

How to Plan the Ultimate Vacation!

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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

For those planning your post-pandemic vacation, also being described as the revenge vacation, I have a simple hack that will make it easier for you to narrow it down. If you’re anything like me, the multitude of social media images and blog posts has scrambled my brain and made my ability to decide on only one travel destination a challenging feat.

When it comes to vacation planning, I needed to create something to stop me from getting overwhelmed, so I constructed a spreadsheet that lined up my values and interests, which was the fastest way for me to put a bullseye on where to buy my next ticket. Some of you may have different values or factors to consider (ie, children, distance, and duration) that you may add to your count.

For myself, the following elements to consider are essential:

Cost

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

How much to spend on a vacation is a personal choice, lifestyle factors like home ownership, debt, or children can deter you from staying at t Ritz and flying first class, but even on a lower budget, traveling can be affordable. Knowing I will always want to plan another vacation when I get home, I tend to spend less on accommodations and splurge on activities.

Photo by Jess Loiterton on Pexels.com

Activities

What do you want to do when you get to your destination? For me, swimming is number one on a summer vacation list. Getting into a refreshing body of water feels amazing, and bonus points if I can rent a nearby paddleboard.

Nature or Culture?

Photo by Olena Ukraine on Pexels.com

Sometimes I want to escape with no make-up, do strenuous physical activity, and hang out with a book at my hotel. However, when I’m on a long flight, I want to transpose myself into a much more unique world than I’m currently in. Less time at the hotel, more time out and about. Seeing and being seen, I want to hear other languages, see people dressed in fabulous clothing, and taste delicious food.

Food

Photo by Boris Hamer on Pexels.com

Lately, my trips have consisted of me packing sandwiches, beef jerky, and baked goods. When traveling abroad, I love hunting down must-try restaurants. I like to experience the variety of new flavors a country offers and adopt a “see food” diet; I eat anything I see that looks good. Then, back home, I can go back to more short staples. Cities with food I wouldn’t typically see in restaurants in Edmonton, Canada, must be explored!

Transportation

Photo by mentatdgt on Pexels.com

When I travel, I want to have as stress-free a trip as possible; this means the place I’m visiting has a robust transportation system. Renting a car in an unknown city is far from ideal—driving on the left-hand side of the road, or a stand, and traffic, no thanks. If I can take a train, uber, bus, or use the “heel, toe” express to get around, it makes the destination much more favorable.

Put all these factors together, and this is what my sheet looks like:

Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

Final Results

CountryBudget-FriendlyActivitiesFoodCultureTransportationTotal
Portugal97810640
Turkey98810843
Greece69910640
Spain99810945
France571010941
Travel Decision Making

Summary

I used this spreadsheet to help me narrow my decision down to Spain. As a solo traveler, it seems like an accessible country to navigate for a shorter time frame. I can’t wait to see how much fun traveling in Spain will be! I hope you can use this as a template when you are scratching your head for your next getaway.

What to do in Waterton

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Summer in Waterton

View from Crypt Lake Hike

The juxtaposition of the view is remarkable. First, you may feel the melancholy, fires destroyed approximately 30,000 hectares of land in 2017, but now there is an influx of fresh greenery popping throughout; hope sprouts post-tragedy.

The small town is charming with souvenir shops and restaurants that only span two blocks of the street and a beautiful lake on the other to enjoy pre or post-meal stroll. For me, walkable destinations on vacation are favorable. One, I’m lazy, and two, I want to drink a beer and not worry about the stress of driving, traffic, parking, etc. From the center of Waterton, you can walk to beaches, restaurants, hikes, or rent bicycles to cruise around with.

Bear’s Hump Hike

Crypt Lake Hike

Our first hike was to the famous Crypt lake. This trail is only accessible by boat, and can often be fully booked, so plan ahead. It’s a long hike that requires a lot of water and sunscreen as we attempted it in the middle of summer. Crypt is the Greek word for “secret” as the hike reaches its end, the secret is revealed beyond a tunnel and steep hill. This last part terrified my mother, so this “secret” lake remains as such for me. Oh well, perhaps just an incentive to return and do it again? Book the shuttle here:

https://www.watertoncruise.com/2022.php

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Crypt Lake Hike

Bertha Lake

Bertha Lake is an excellent medium-intensity 8 km hike; you walk from town to the base near the campground.

Bertha Lake

Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon

Paddleboard or kayak: I brought an inflatable paddle board that was the perfect break from sweaty days of hiking. A lot of people out on kayaks too. (You can easily rent these in town if you don’t have your own). The water was on the cooler side but still suitable for a quick swim.

Bike- rent or BYOB 😊

Eats

Dining in Waterton

Stay Bear Mountain Hotel: Clean, cheap, and close to everything! Bear Mountain Hotel

Bear Mountain Motel

Waterton is Incredible!

View on Bertha Lake Hike

The Best Vancouver Island Road Trip!

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Wild Pacific Trail

After two canceled trips to Mexico, I racked my brain for places to recharge that would be adventurous and relaxing for a family vacation with my parents. However, horror stories of stranded travelers and increased costs prompted me to consider a local trip instead. Having driven to Vancouver Island from Edmonton, I knew the distance and rise in gas prices couldn’t compete with Flair’s $100 flight to the island.

While Victoria, British Columbia’s capital city, is most often sought out with direct flights or ferries and shuttles. However, I decided to take advantage of the lesser-known Comox, which offered a cheaper & less busy flight and a rental car; book one in advance; the checkout counter had a sign that said they were sold out! I spent a few days exploring Qualicum Beach, Parksville, Nanoose Bay, Coombs, Ucluelet, and Tofino. It sounds like many destinations, but these are quieter, smaller towns with most people found content on a beach with a picnic.

Qualicum Beach

Qualicum Beach

We chose the longer ocean route to get to our hotel and stopped to have lunch on the beach. My mother packed us an entire lunch of sandwiches and fruit, which I swore we would have to throw away at security, but we were able to keep to our luck! This town has a Saturday market to check out if you fly on this day, but we were eager to check in to our resort and enjoy a drink in the sun.

Qualicum Beach

Parksville

Rathtrevor Provincial Park

We stopped at a grocery store to pick up more snacks, smoked salmon, cheeses, and fruit. We then headed to Rathtrevor Provincial Park, a lovely park with a nice beach full of kites and picnic tables. We came here once for a walk and then the following day for a 5km run through the park before heading for lunch.

Rathtrevor Beach

Nanoose Bay

View from the Pacific Shores Resort

We stayed at the Pacific Shores Resort, which was great. It has an indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna, which we enjoyed each night. My dad and I also borrowed ping pong paddles and played a few games to give my mother a break from us for an hour! There were the most beautiful sunsets in the evenings, and with outdoor propane firepits, it was a charming way to end the evening. Several families brought smore kits and roasted marshmallows with their kids. We snacked on the meat, cheese, and beer we bought in Parksville.

Sunset at the Pacific Shore Resort
Notch Hill Loop

Activities:

  • Rathover Park- 5km loop to run or walk
  • Nanoose Loop – 2.9Km loop that we choose to run, nice gravel trail.
  • Notch Hill Loop Trail- 5 km loop with a view of the bay and a swing!

Coombs

Coombs

A quick stop, most people come to see the goats that walk on the roof of the building; however, there is much more to discover at this stop. This pit stop was the liveliest place we found on our trip. We enjoyed a fabulous lunch at an Italian restaurant, Cuckoo. I bought some fresh doughnuts from Billy G’s doughnut shop and more snacks from the market, which was quite ample. There, were picked up heart-shaped truffle cheese, the tastiest sausages, and an apple galette. I would also recommend the cheese bread and pies if we had time and more real estate in our stomachs!

Cuckoo Restaurant
Coombs

Ucluelet

Wild Pacific Trail

We stayed at the Blackrock Resort. It is a picturesque place on the ocean, with an outdoor hot tub, and is steps away from the West Pacific trail. There is also a beach where some people had made fires and cozily eaten near- something to plan for the next time we go! We opted for a room with a kitchenette to cook breakfast in (eating out every day isn’t ideal for us); the room had high ceilings, a nice balcony to sit out and listen to the ocean on, and a large soaker tub. It is also dog friendly if you planning to bring a furry family member.

Wild Pacific Trail

Tofino

Long Beach

We went to Tofino to do a bear tour via boat. Unfortunately, the covered boat was not available, so we ended up with these bright red spacesuit-looking overalls in an open boat. We have several bears in Alberta, so the sightings weren’t too eventful. But my mother wearing the red get-up was priceless. If I went again, I would do a seaplane tour, as it would be cool to see the beaches from that unique vantage point. We stopped at Shelter for lunch, which had a lovely, heated patio with a fireplace and a great view.

Tofino Eats

The catch of the day, cooked over an open fire at the Zedd hotel was our best meal of the trip!

At the Zedd Hotel & Shelter

Activities:

  • Atelo– recommended by our guide for seaplane tours
  • Ocean Outfitters– who we chose for a Bear Tour
  • Long Beach- nice walk, lots of surfers
  • Chesterman Beach-Nice beach for walking and watching surfers
  • Wild Pacific Trail
Chasing Waterfalls
Qualicum Falls

Road Trip Pit Stops

To break up our drive, we visited Cathedral Grove and Qualicum Falls, and they were the perfect easy hiking spots! Hope you enjoyed this post and are inspired to take your own trip to the majestic Vancouver Island!

The Route:

  • Comox via Flair – pick up Enterprise rental car
  • Stop at Qualicum beach for lunch
  • Stay: 3 nights in Nanoose Bay at the Pacific Shores Resort
  • Stay: 3 nights in Ucluelet at the Black Rock Resort
  • Stay: 1 night in Courtney- Bayview Hotel– close drive back to the airport

Instagram For Beginners

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When Instagram began, its purpose was to maintain contact with existing friends through sharing small images thumbnails. It’s 2022, and Instagram has expanded into one of the most powerful branding tools for businesses and content creators. Due to the nature of the internet, when I started researching how to use the powerful app as a marketing tool, I was very distracted (so many exciting profiles!) and overwhelmed (how do I use this thing?). I had a personal account that I used to have fun with and post about my day-to-day life, but the account was taken down after a cryptocurrency scam (long story and good learning lesson). Fortunately, I had two versions that featured photography that I would do as a side hustle, and I decided to apply some newfound knowledge as I began to learn about branding through the app. By sharing details about learning social media, I discovered that many of them had the same interest in it as I did. These business owners knew how powerful a marketing tool it was but were also quite apprehensive about using it for themselves. I’m going to use this blog as a tool to help myself as I continue to learn about social media marketing. I also want to help others break down these apps into tiny bite-sized pieces that anyone can implement to help them gain a larger audience for their businesses.

Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com

So here is step one of creating your brand. Have a professional-looking headshot or logo for your profile picture. Depending on your budget, you can hire a photographer or graphic artist to make these for you. But do not rush this process. Journal and think about how you want your brand to look before investing a great deal of money. If you don’t have the finances right away, using a cellphone and having a clean, colored background is an easy way to look professional. Canva and Kapwing are great websites to help you with this! And if you are still scratching your head feel free to email me, and I can help you with this process!

10 Reasons to Visit Jasper in the Winter!

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  1. Ski Marmot Basin, the parking lots are staggered up the mountain so if you want to bring a cooler and come back to your car for snacks or wardrobe changes it’s convenient. Or take a shuttle from the hotel so you can enjoy some spicy Cesar’s with your lunch!

Ski Marmot Basin

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2. Stay at the Whistler’s Inn, is located in the center of town and has two rooftop hot tubs.

Stay in Whistler’s Inn

3. Visit Jasper Park Lodge for Sunday buffet brunch.  I’ve stayed here a few times; it’s quite the treat, but also quite the expense. If you can afford it, treat yourself! If not, pop in to enjoy their amenities, go to the spa and enjoy the outdoor heated pool, rent skates and do some loops, or enjoy a Sunday breakfast brunch. The hotel has a rustic charm and it worth visiting just to walk the grounds with a hot chocolate and enjoy a cocktail in the lounge.

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4. Visit Pyramid Lake for pictures where a tight group of trees sits on a remote island circled by mountains. We went early and were lucky to get the private little island to ourselves. Strike a pose and re-create it in each season!

Pyramid Lake

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You can also pick up cross country ski’s, skates or snowshoes at Pyramid Lake Resort.

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5. Participate in a hike on the Maligne Canyon, make sure you purchase foot covers for the walk. You are walking on sheets of ice, pick some up at the store in town, they are worth the money.  Or, if you are feeling extra adventurous, try ice climbing. I’ve visited the canyon three times now and never miss it; each visit is unique with the amount of snow or colors exposed to the frozen water. It’s an easy trek that will take about an hour, depending on how many pictures you stop to take…

Maligne Canyon

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6. Spot the locals! Jasper is known for elk, bighorn sheep and moose roaming close to the roads.

Local Jasper Residents

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7. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Candy Bear’s Lair . There’s a great candy shop for your sweet tooth’s with fresh fudge and chocolate bear paws.

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8. Dance party? If you still have the energy to shake it at night, go to the 4peaks Night Club.

9. Enjoy a great beer at the Jasper Brewing Company, and I like the Blackeye Blueberry Vanilla Ale.

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10. Um, I like photos, of any kind, go if only for the photo opportunities!

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