travel Archives - Page 6 of 8

In Toronto

UP Express: Pearson International Airport to Union Station

June 2, 2016

What is the best way to get to Downtown Toronto from Pearson International Airport? If you have a group of 4, it’s easier to take a bus, Taxi or Uber. If it’s just you and a friend, the new UP Express is a great alternative that is also cheap and fast. Since we had a long layover for about 6 hours, we thought it was the best way for only $12 to go to and from the Airport.

It gets travellers to and from the airport in 25 minutes, with trains departing every 15 minutes.

UP Express tickets can be purchased online, on your mobile device and at the vending machines or service counters at UP Express stations. I was a bit confused on what tickets to get since the names of the tickets aren’t intuitive.

Long Layover Return $12

You just need to return back to the Up Express within 7 hours.

Between Pearson and Union, UP Express stops at Weston and Bloor stations as well.

We just followed the signs and eventually get there. It was a bit of a walk from the Domestic arrivals, but the signs are pretty clear.

They have automatic doors that open when the train arrives. A cool feature that reminds me of the MTR in Hong Kong.

Trains are equipped with convenient amenities including:

WiFi
Flight disruption information
Overhead luggage storage
Luggage racks at access doors
Space for oversize baggage
Power outlets
Tray table on seat backs
Toronto events information

Once the train starts, one of their staff comes through the train checking tickets. When they make stops at Weston and Bloor stations, it’s very seamless and doesn’t stop for too long.

At every seat, there is a guide to the city. There might be some useful information to those new to the city, but since I knew where I was going, I didn’t have to read it.

Photo Credit: UP Express

Once we were at Union Station, everything is within walking distance. We didn’t have any luggage with us, so we didn’t feel weighed down.

Since we did arrive really early at 9am, we headed off to St. Lawrence Market for a snack before meeting up with a few friends.

Website: https://www.upexpress.com/

In Airplane Meals

Air Canada: Vancouver to Toronto Red Eye

June 1, 2016

Air Canada Flight 1172 from Vancouver (YVR) to Toronto (YYZ) departs from YVR International Airport at 12:25am and arrives at 7:55am at Pearson international Airport. Total time of about 4 hours and 30 minutes.

As this is a domestic flight even though we were on our way to Orlando, Florida. There are a lot of connecting flights that go through Pearson International. Air Canada didn’t have a direct flight to Orlando.

We check-in online 24 hours ahead of time, checked our seats, and got our tickets loaded onto our phones. We also had to check a bag in, so it cost us $25USD. Pretty annoying how it’s in USD, but we didn’t have a choice.

Since it was late at night, going through security was seamless. Staff were very friendly and if you are Canadian, you can show your passport, Drivers License or Government issued ID.

None of the shops or stores are open, so you won’t have anything to do to kill time waiting for boarding. There is Wifi, so as long as you have a device of some sort, you can browse the internet.

It was a packed flight, so they asked that anyone with a carry on that wanted it checked in for no additional price can do so.

The row configuration is 2 -2 in Business class with 14 seats and then in Economy class, a 3-3 configuration with 169 seats. They use their Airbus A321-200 fleet.

The seats have a USB outlet, touchscreen entertainment system and an outlet for charging other devices like laptops.

They have pretty recent movies like Star Wars: The Force Awaken.

Once the plane lifts off, they offer passengers a complementary beverage and the option to buy any snacks or meals off their menu. I went with water because I always get so thirsty on flights.

Most of the flight, everyone is sleeping. There was a bit of turbulence, so there was announcements once in a while to make sure people have their seat belts on .

Once we get closer to Toronto, they offer another complimentary beverage.

This time I went with tomato juice since it tastes a lot better in the air. There were studies done where loud noises suppress sweet flavours and enhance savoury ones.

The flight wasn’t eventful, which it shouldn’t be. We were able to sleep through the plane ride with no issues. I can fall asleep even with the loud engine noises as it is a consistent noise.

We got to Toronto and had a long layover, so we explored the city for a little bit a met up with a few friends before heading off to Orlando.

Website:
http://www.aircanada.com/

In Tofino

Tofino: Tonquin Trail

May 26, 2016

Tonquin Trail in Tofino was recommended to us by a local for a quick easy trail with a nice view of the beach. Since we ate a huge brunch, we needed to burn off the calories on a short walk.

We followed the signs until we were at the designated parking lot.

Everyone parked their cars on the gravel field that was close to the entrance of the trail. This particular parking lot is by the Community Centre.

All the information is located on the board. We headed to the beach as it is a shorter trail. If you want to do the full trail, it is about 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete.

Follow the gravel path and you will eventually find your way. Data services can be spotty depending on your cellular provider. I am with Rogers and there was no 3G or LTE.

The trail has gradual inclines and declines, but not too tough.

The next sign you will see helps direct you to the beach rather than the another parking lot. Just head left.

Closer to the beach, you will see a set of stairs that goes down right to the beach.

Tonquin Beach looked decent, but because of the clouds, it wasn’t as impressive. If you get a perfect sunny day, you’ll be having a great time basking in the sun.

The Maze Lookout is a short distance away. You’ll want to climb up on top to take some panoramic photos. Cool little structure on this beach.

It was nice to be in Tofino and just take a short break from the small town, sit on the rocks and just relax.

Sometimes its good to just take in the natural beauty of nature.

Website: http://tonquintrail.ca/

In Hotel Review

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet: Review

May 25, 2016

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is located in Ucluelet between the Wild Pacific Trail and Big Beach. My friends and I came here for the long weekend to relax and unwind. The Pacific Rim Whale Festival was happening at the same time in March, so there was plenty of things to do in the area.

The resort is 40km away from Tofino, which is around a 35-40 minute drive. It’s not too bad as it is a really nice drive and tons of hikes and viewpoints along the way. Just make sure you get an park pass for Pacific Rim National Park so you can park and enjoy the sights.

Checking in

Photo Credit: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort

We checked into the lobby at 4pm and got our keys to our room. The staff were very friendly and knowledgable. If you had questions on where to go or dine nearby, just go ask them.

Dining

Photo Credit: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort

Black Rock has 2 dining areas you can check out – Fetch and Float Lounge.

Fetch is a 90 seat oceanfront restaurant that over looks the Pacific Ocean. Every seat has a spectacular view of the surrounding view.

Float Lounge is their more casual dining atmosphere. You still get a nice view if you sit right by the windows. They do not take reservations, so its first come first serve. It is cheaper than Fetch and has a good amount of West Coast dishes that will tickle your taste buds like the seaside bowl, Surf n’ Turf Steak Sandwich, and the Smoked Seafood Chowder.

Spa and Amenities

Photo Credit: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort

Drift Spa is an award-winning spa and won Top 20 Spa in North America from Spas of America in 2015. They have an extensive menu of rejuvenating and restorative body and skin treatments including, massage, facials, manicures, pedicures, hydrotherapy, body scrubs, wraps, soaks, and hot stone treatments.

I looked into RMT services but since they don’t have a dedicated RMT team, they contract it out, so book in advance to make sure you have a spot.

Amenities

All guests get access to public outdoor hot tubs, plunge pool and fitness centre.

Adjoining Trail Suites

My friends and I stayed in the Two Bedroom Adjoining Trail Suites which combines their One Bedroom Trail Suite and Studio Trail Suite to create a larger space, suitable for up to 6 people.

Studio Trail Suite

The one side of the suite is a Studio Trail Suite which features a king size bed and kitchenette. This is suitable for 2 – 4 people as it has a king size bed plus a seating area with a double pullout couch.

The kitchenettes in this suite are fully equipped for four people with dishwasher, 2-burner stovetop, combination microwave/convection oven and small refrigerator.

My friends stayed on this side and they did like it. The only critique was the window separating the washroom and the studio. Since it is a sliding window, you can easily play pranks on each other…not that we did that or anything.

The bathrooms have heated slate flooring, soaker tub, and a shower with a rain shower head. Everything was clean and we had no issues.

One Bedroom Trail Suite

On the other side of the suite is a separate living room with a pull out double couch bed, flat screen tv, gas fireplace and a dining table. This also fits 4 people as well. You can also step outside to the balcony to look at the views outside. We didn’t get much of a view as it was covered up with large trees. We could see a little bit of the Big Beach and smaller trails.

There is cable and wireless access, but some of the channels were limited. Wifi was a bit slow.

Since I have my data plan on my phone with Rogers, there was no LTE or 3G. Most of the time it didn’t work. My other friends that were on the TELUS network had no problems at all. I really relied on the Wifi at the resort.

The separate bedroom has a king size bed, a small flat screen TV and a closet. You can step outside on the balcony from the bedroom too.

The flat screen TV was pretty tiny, but most of the time we were out in the living room watching movies or shows.

The bedroom also has a window connecting to the bathroom. You can hear everything that goes on in the washroom.

The bathroom is very spacious and a lot larger than the studio suite. There are 2 sinks and the shower might have been bit larger.

Most of the time was spent in the living room/kitchen. We brought with us some snack and drinks for the evenings when we play board games.

The dining table has 4 chairs, so it have have a group of 8, you will need to find other ways for them to sit.

A nice relaxing time with a group of great friends.

Wild Pacific Trail

Wild Pacific Trail is on the right side of the Resort. You will want to take a stroll around the area to catch some gorgeous views. It’s definitely worth it.

You’ll need to walk through the parking lot past some stairs and you will see a path.

Walk towards to ocean and the scenic views will be there.

There are a few benches where you can just sit and take in all the beauty.

How could you not love this stunning view? We had a great time staying at the resort and there is definitely a good amount of things to do around here. We loved the area so much that we are going to plan another visit to Ucluelet/Tofino next year!

Address:
596 Marine Drive
Ucluelet, BC

Website:
http://www.blackrockresort.com/

In travel

Ucluelet: Big Beach

May 24, 2016

We were staying at Black Rock Resort and waiting for our room to be ready. We arrived super early, but we were all exhausted after the long drive from Vancouver. To kill some time in Ucluelet until we could go to our room, we headed to Big Beach, which is right beside the resort.

We parked out car of the side of the road and walked down to the beach. Big Beach is is the largest public beach destination in the Ucluelet with a picnic shelter, some picnic tables, a playground and washrooms.

Big Beach is situated in a large bay with a good-sized beach. The bay is backed by rock outcroppings and jagged cliffs providing a natural shelter from the winds.

The beach is, both, pebble and sand. Low tides reveal tidal pools and more wet sand. The beach shoreline is always lined with piles of driftwood logs thrown a shore by the west coast storms which batter the coastline every winter.

There were a good amount of families here. Some were having a BBQ and others just stopped for a nice short visit to the beach – running around and throwing rocks into the water.

We on the other hand had decided to just sit on the rocks and enjoy some drinks.

Or you can grab a beer, but since public drinking is illegal in Canada, just be discrete about it.

The waves crashing on the rocks were fun to watch.

If you’re looking for a picnic or BBQ spot right by the beach, you definitely want to take your family here.

In travel

Ucluelet Lighthouse Loop: Wild Pacific Trail

May 23, 2016

When in Ucluelet, you have to pay a visit to Lighthouse loop, which is part of the Wild Pacific Trail.

It only takes around 30 minutes to 45 minutes to complete the 2.6km loop. Plus, the views are phenomenal.

You start the walk right near the lighthouse and walk clockwise on the trail. They encourage everyone to stay on the path, but the views are so gorgeous when you’re a lot closer to the water.

You have to take caution when walking on the rocks since it is jagged and sharp. If you are in high heels for some reason, you definitely don’t want to be walking on the rocks.

A lot of selfies and scenic shots are taken here. You are basically staring into the pacific ocean and there won’t be land for thousands of miles.

Even listening to the waves crash upon the rocks was so therapeutic.

There are benches and lookout points throughout the trail, so make sure you stop and take a lot of photos before continuing .

If you’re in the area or staying in Tofino, you’ll have to make a stop to come out here.

You won’t regret the beautiful sights and its a way to get some easy exercise done.

In Surrey

Top 5 Restaurants for Late Night Eats in Whalley

April 27, 2016

When the sun goes down, Whalley has a lot of restaurants that are open late into the evening. I remember pulling all-nighters at SFU Surrey wishing there were some places that would be open past 8pm that were not fast food chains.

In collaboration with VENUE, a new condo development in Surrey, I present to you my list of Top 5 late night eats in the Whalley neighbourhood.

Chatime

Chatime recently opened their newest location very close to Surrey Central Skytrain station. They are a Taiwanese teahouse franchise and have over 1,0000 locations in 26 countries. They are best known for their wide selection of bubble teas with flavour that stand out from the competition.

I’m a big fan of Chatime and my favourites include their classic Roasted Milk tea with Grass Jelly, Brown Rice Green Milk Tea, and Thai Coffee Milk Tea with Coffee Jelly.

You won’t find any food here, but bubble tea is great for any time during the day or night.

If you go to SFU Surrey, they do free delivery with a minimum 4 drink purchase. What I like about this location is that it’s not crazy busy unlike their other locations.

Address: 10255 King George Boulevard, Surrey
Phone: (604) 588-6863
Website: http://www.ichatime.com/

Bubble 88

Bubble 88 is a Taiwanese Cafe and they have set meals at affordable prices. Like many cafes, it is cash only, so make sure you head to the ATM ahead of time. It’s one of the better Taiwanese cafes in the Lower Mainland and it’s great thats it’s located in Whalley.

Spicy pig ears, chicken nuggets, and spicy wontons are essential appetizers to order. Even though they are labeled as spicy, it barely registers on the spicy scale.

Their set items are very popular and come with a bowl of rice and side dishes. The portions are a good size for one person.

Address: 10209 King George Hwy, Surrey
Phone: (778) 395-8899

Taste of Punjab

Taste of Punjab has been around for quite some time now and close to King George Skytrain. This family-owned and run restaurant serves up Indian food.

Their menu is large with over 100 items, from tandoori to curry and even Indian-style Chinese food. Even when we were dining in here, they were playing Chinese Dramas on their TVs. A strange sight, but it’s all about the food right?

A few of the items we liked were the chicken pakora, butter chicken, and palak paneer. You can choose how spicy you want the dishes.

Their restaurant can seat big groups, but they also do take out if you want to eat in the comfort of your own home.

Address: 10009 Whalley Boulevard, Surrey
Phone: (604) 588-7700
Website: http://www.tasteofpunjab.ca/

Nahm Thai Bistro

Nahm Thai Bistro is a modern Thai restaurant that has been around since 2010. Instead of flying off to Thailand, you can enjoy the delicious tastes of their classic dishes right here.

From the first slurp and bites, we couldn’t put our forks down. We started off with the Thai Ice Tea, which blew our taste buds away. The combination of the strong tea, milk and sweetener is so comforting on a nice summer’s day. They also have a Fresh Lime Juice Soda.

The platter starter gives you a taste of a few different appetizers. The satay skewers were delicious. A few other things we enjoyed were the green curry and the Pad Thai. You also have the option of adjusting the spice level to your liking. Definitely a place I would recommend.

Address: 202-13650 102 Avenue, Surrey
Phone: (604) 930-8833
Website: http://www.nahm.ca/

Central City Brewing Co.

Central City Brewing Co. is an essential place to hang out for a late night out watching the game or just enjoying a few beers with friends. This place brings back memories since it’s right in Central City Mall and under SFU Surrey.

We would finish class and come here for a quick drink before heading back home. You will find their Red Racer craft beers on the menu. I went with their lager, which is light and crispy with a slight citrus finish.

Sometimes you need some greasy food in the evening to go with some beers. Their brew pub has the usual pub fare that you will find on the menu. Wings, burgers, and pizzas. Don’t worry, there are lighter items like salad if you’re not in the mood for typical pub staples. Central City Brewing Co. is great for large groups too.

Address: 13450 102 Avenue, Surrey
Phone: (604) 582-6620
Website: http://centralcitybrewpub.com/

That ends my two-part series exploring the delicious eats in Whalley. The neighbourhood is slowly changing and there are some great hidden gems to discover.

If you missed my Top 5 delicious eats in Whalley, check it out.

Do you have favourite late-night restaurants in the Whalley area that didn’t make the list? Let us know in the comments below.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by VENUE. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of VENUE.

In Surrey

Top 5 Delicious Eats in Whalley

April 20, 2016

Whalley is located in Surrey City Centre and home to SFU’s Surrey Campus. I spent a chunk of my early 20’s completing my undergrad degree and it was also around the same time I started Foodology 6 years ago. The neighbourhood has definitely changed a lot with the new public library and new City Hall building. Surrey is BC’s fastest growing city and by 2041, it is expected that the population may eclipse Vancouver. There are more and more developments going up as well as head offices moving into the area, the neighbourhood is definitely changing.

With more people in the area, that means delicious eateries can be found. In collaboration with VENUE, a new condo development in Surrey, I present to you, my list of my Top 5 Delicious Eats in the Whalley neighbourhood.

Pho Tam

Pho Tam is steps away from Surrey Central Skytrain, I would come here during breaks between classes to indulge in their large bowls of Pho packed full of ingredients. This hidden gem has been a neighbourhood favourite since it opened.

A few of our favourite phos are Pho Tai Bo Vien and the spicy – Bun Bo Hue. They are very generous with their meat, so you will be pigging through the bowl and still have some meat left for the very last bite.

If you aren’t into the soupy noodles, they have a variety of rice dishes too like beef short ribs and lemon grass chicken on rice.

Don’t forget, they are cash only, so make sure you have a few bills on hand. The place is packed during peak times, but turnover is quick, so you won’t be waiting too long.

Address: 10-10302 City Parkway, Surrey, BC
Phone: (604) 589.4223
Reservations: No

Sushi & Roll

Sushi & Roll is a popular spot for families and large groups to enjoy Japanese cuisine. Most evenings, you will find lots of people waiting for a table or ordering take out.

Although it is not 100% authentic Japanese, you will find the usual items like bento boxes, noodles, nigiris, sashimi, donburis, and their large selection of rolls. It reminds me of Sushi Garden, which is popular in Burnaby. Similar items on the menu too.

There are unconventional rolls like the crazy rabbit roll which is wrapped in cucumber instead of seaweed. On the other spectrum, you will find solid nigiri like tobiko with quail egg or the unagi nigri.

Address: 103- 10241 King George Blvd Surrey, BC
Phone: (604)498.4569
Reservations: Yes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sushirollsurrey

Taqueria Jalisco

Taqueria Jalisco has been around since 2006 serving authentic Mexican food in the neighbourhood. It’s an eatery/grocery store combined, so you can grab a few tacos and burritos while buying some imported Mexican sauces to bring home like mole. It is close to Gateway skytrain station, about a 5 minute walk.

It’s small inside, so there are only 4 tables, but once you are seated, they give you complimentary chips and salsa. You gotta order a Mexican Coca-Cola to start off the meal. The main difference is that they use cane sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup, which some people prefer.

Quesadilla, Nachos, Chimichanga, Flautas, Tamales, Tacos, Tortas, and Burritos can all be found on their menu. They have a wide range of options.

Address: 13648 105A Avenue, Surrey, BC
Phone: (604) 588.6100
Reservations: Yes
Website: http://www.taqueriajalisco.ca/

Manis Pan Asian Eatery

Manis Pan Asian Eatery is located under the Quattro building since October 2014. They are a family-owned restaurant specializing in South East Asian Cuisines. The owners are very humble and can easily guide you through the menu.

At this cute restaurant, you can enjoy classic dishes like Satay, Mee Goreng (Malaysian stir-fried egg noodles), and Singapore Laksa. The food is well executed and definitely delicious. You can also adjust the spice level on each dish from mild to super spicy.

The menu is quite large and they even have a lot of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. Plus, a dessert menu. We went with the classic deep fried banana with coconut gelato. Really delicious and a great way to end the meal.

I highly recommend this place if you just need a mid day coffee or a full on meal.

Address:116-10768 Whalley Boulevard, Surrey, BC
Phone: (604) 497.1778
Reservations: Yes
Website: http://www.manisrestaurant.com/

Mal Li Jang Sung

Mal Li Jang Sung is a Korean Chinese restaurant and it’s always funny to describe this cuisine. There really isn’t anything Chinese about the dishes nor would you ever find it at a Chinese restaurant either. It’s basically food that Koreans think is Chinese.

The most well known dishes of Korean Chinese cuisine include jajang myeon (noodles with thick black bean sauce), jjamppong (Spicy seafood noodle soup), ttangsuyuk (Korean version of sweet and sour pork), kkangpunggi (Fried chicken glazed in sweet and spicy sauce), and jajangbab (Fried rice with thick black bean sauce).

The staff are really nice and can help you navigate thought the menu. Their combo items are pretty good value for larger groups. The 4 of us ended up spending around $35 for 4 people and we had leftovers.

Address: 13648 105A Avenue, Surrey, BC
Phone: (604) 588.6100
Reservations: Yes

Check back next week as I reveal my top 5 late night restaurants to eat in Whalley. If you have favourite restaurants that didn’t make the list, let us know in the comments below.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by VENUE. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of VENUE.

In British Columbia

Cathedral Grove: Old Growth Forest on Vancouver Island

April 13, 2016

Cathedral Grove in an old growth forest on Vancouver Island located inside the MacMillan Provincial Park. On the way to Tofino, we took Hwy 4 past Port Alberni and it leads us right to the forest.

There are parking stalls on either side of the highway, so it’s not too difficult to get a parking spot. You will also find garbage cans and washrooms before you enter the forest.

The trail around Cathedral Grove is a short and easy. Since there was so much to see, if didn’t feel like a long walk. Maybe about 30 minutes or less.

You see see towering ancient Douglas-fir trees untouched by the modern world – some more than 800 years old.

In 1997 on New Years Day, there was a huge storm that passed by knocking down hundreds of trees at Cathedral Grove and affecting a few of their trails. It was so badly damaged that some trail systems were never opened again.

You can see some of the toppled trees lying all over the grove.

A shot of the Cameron River

The Cameron Lake is nice too.

If you have binoculars or a telephoto lens on your camera, you can have a good time spotting all the birds in the area.

It was a nice stop along the way from Nanaimo to Tofino. Most people stop here to stretch their legs, walk around the trails and just enjoying the scenery. If you are passing by, definitely spend 30 mins. – 1 hour here.

Website:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/macmillan/

In British Columbia

BC Ferries: Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay

April 11, 2016

Having a BC Ferries ride from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay at 6:30am in the morning is a pain. The sun isn’t out yet and you’re driving on the highway at full speed trying to make your reservation time.

We were headed to Tofino for the long weekend and 6:30am was the only sailing we could get a reservation for. We didn’t want to risk waiting a while, so we thought we would start our day early. Total sailing time is about 1hr and 40 mins.

To get to the terminal, just follow the signs from highway 1 and you’ll get there. Or turn on the GPS to guide you.

Once you get up to the gate, you can either give them your phone number or reservation number. You don’t need a reservation to get on the ferry, as long as there is enough space, you will have no problem.

Even with reservations, our sailing was 30% full…but it was 6:30am, so I can see why.

The first thing that everyone did when they got on the ferry was line up for breakfast at their Coastal Cafe.

Coastal Cafe is their self-serve restaurant and they have Bread Garden Sandwiches, Wraps and Sushi, Fresh Salads as well as White Spot Hot and Cold Entrees, Burgers and Pirate Paks.

For their morning menu, they have a few options. They also have waffles, oatmeal, baked goods, and fruit.

The line up was consistently long, but if you have to eat, then you have to endure the wait.

Everything is basically cooked to death, so it’s pretty much cafeteria style food.

We plopped everything onto a tray and paid for it.

M went with a odwalla smoothie and I got a cappuccino.

Traditional Breakfast I got the sausages, hashbrowns and eggs. It also comes with salsa but I think they forgot to put in on. Very mediocre breakfast but there aren’t any other options on board. The sausages have a very tough casing around the outside, so it is hard to chew. The eggs were very bland, but some ketchup can fix that.

All Aboard Breakfast gives you two choices of protein, so M chose bacon and sausages. It also has hashbrowns and eggs. They also forgot the salsa, or perhaps they just didn’t have any.

I came with 4 pieces of toast for each meal.

As we waited for the sun rise, it was actually quite nice. The golden sun just peering over the horizon hiding behind a few clouds.

It was a nice sight to see it slowly change. It was very windy up on the deck, so we could only stay outside for a short amount of time.

Make sure you bring a thick jacket and a scarf! Since it was early spring, it was still cold enough to wear a parka and a scarf.

You can also look at the sights from inside. The Queen of Oak Bay is an older model built in 1981, which is a few years older than me.

At both ends of the ferry, there are large seating areas where you can just stare off into the distance.

By the time we got to Departure Bay in Nanaimo, it was nice and bright outside. Cellphone data was spotting along the route, but it didn’t really bother us to much since we either took naps in the car, ate or roamed around the ferry.

Website:
www.bcferries.com

In Car

2016 Acura MDX Elite SUV: Review

March 31, 2016

We got a chance to drive the new Acura 2016 MDX Elite SUV for a whole week. What began with criticism, ultimately led to a love of a luxury SUV.

The MDX Elite is the highest equipped of the MDX SUV line by Acura and it sure feels like it.

The exterior is very simplistic looking, no harsh lines and a handsome metal plate adorning the Acura logo. The LED headlights is the real star of the show.

The interior is a nice blend of the soft touch material from all of Honda’s and Acura’s cars, high quality leather, real wood, and metal.

I did miss the digital speedometer that is in my Civic, but I did appreciate the tactile feedback from the touch screen.

There are 2 seats in the third row that could easily fit a couple of kids, or with some adjustment 2 adults!

This does sacrifice some trunk space though.

Once you go Push Start, you can never go back to having a key ignition start.

The MDX also sports a really cool non-stick gearbox. The flappy pedal gearchanges on the steering wheel does make the SUV feel more sporty too. Even if the stickless gearbox was neat, I was disappointed by the super stock feel and inclusion of the parking brake. I expected a button for the parking brake found in other luxury SUVs, but the MDX Elite has the same parking brake as my in-law’s CRV.

You have the standard auto climate control, but I was pleasantly surprised with the cooling front seats! They were divine! In mornings, I loved the heated steering wheel as well!

The coolest feature by far in the MDX Elite, is the 360 camera. Parking is a breeze with both collision detection and the superb 360 camera view. I marveled as I parked with robotic precision in every stall.

The feature that was the most finnicky to deal with was the Auto Idle Engine Stopper. There is a convenient button on the Gearbox that turns this feature off or on. However, after my first drive of the car, it never reactivated itself, regardless of me turning the mode on or off. Looking online, there seems to be others who are confused as well. I also wasn’t too impressed with the Adaptive Cruise Control, as it made the auto gear shifting uncomfortable and made the drive feel less refined.

The most important buying decision of a car is how it drives. Honda and Acura just nails the complicated balance of tension and give for both the suspension and steering assist. The IDS (Integrated Dynamic System) lets you select different driving profiles that affect the steering assist, suspension, and automatic gear shifts. Sport Mode tightens up the suspension and greatly decreases steering assist, so you can feel every curve. Of course, going into Sport mode also increases the revs you get from gear shifts. Make sure to tap the D/S button on the gear box to fully go into Sport mode.

My favourite mode and the mode I was on the most in my week driving the car, was Comfort. Oh man, do I already miss the loose and easy steering assist and the pillow soft suspension. You can make the MDX feel like a muscle car by activating Comfort Mode and putting the drive on Sport. When I first picked up the MDX, the average fuel consumption was 17.1L/100KM, but when I returned the car, I brought that number down to 13L/100KM. Yep, I’m awesome. Driving the MDX Elite was a joy day to day.

Website: http://www.acura.ca/mdx

Disclaimer: We were provided the Acura MDX to borrow for a week to Tofino and all thoughts are my own.

In Blairmore

Frank Slide: Largest and Deadliest Rock Slide in Canada

November 28, 2015

Driving from Alberta back to British Columbia, Crowsnest Pass on Hwy 3 is home to Frank Slide. This unique historic mining town was partially buried in 1903 due to a limestone rock slide down Turtle Mountain within 100 seconds.

The rock slide obliterated the eastern edge of Frank, the Canadian Pacific Railway line and their coal mine.

It is noted as one of the largest landslides in Canadian history and remains the deadliest. Between 70 – 90 of the town’s residents were killed, most of whom remain buried in the rubble. Just driving by, you can see all the debris that still lay in the area. Multiple factors led to the slide from the changing weather to the mining operations.

Now, its a popular tourist location to those who pass by this area. There is an interpretation centre where you can learn more about the slide. M and I were on a tight schedule to get back to the Okanagan Valley, so we opted to just drive through the area as I snapped away on my camera.

Address:
Hwy 3 Crowsnest Pass, Blairmore, AB

Website: http://history.alberta.ca/frankslide/

In Osoyoos

Spotted Lake: Attraction in Osoyoos, BC

November 27, 2015

Spotted Lake in Osoyoos, BC is a naturally formed inland lake that has a unique look. We stopped on the side of the Highway and you will spot this small gate at the entrance of the lake. It’s not recommended that you drive down to the lake as it is quite a steep with lots of gravel. I’m not 100% sure if you would make it back up. There’s a sign saying not to go on the lake as it’s sacred.

We made sure to look from afar, but we did notice that there were a few people walking around the lake. In the Summer/Fall, the lake is pretty dry, so all that’s left are the minerals. Thus they grey look. It’s something I’ve never seen before.

It’s only a 15 minute drive from Downtown Osoyoos and you don’t need to spend too much time here.

If you are ever in Osoyoos, make sure you make a stop at Spotted Lake. It’s an iconic attraction and if you’re lucky, this lake might look a bit different that what I saw.

Website: http://blog.hellobc.com/the-magic-of-spotted-lake-in-osoyoos/

In Hotel Review

Best Western Plus Nelson: Baker Street Inn

November 22, 2015

Making our way back to Vancouver, we made a stop at Best Western Plus at Baker Street Inn. We saw this on Trip Advisor and it was one of the top hotels in the town.

It’s conveniently located right off the highway leading into town. There is free parking across the street for guests. You just need to register your vehicle with the front desk. Most guests j-walk to get to their car and it seemed quite normal. Try not to get hit by cars.

The building has a bit of age, but it was ok since we only spent a night here. Didn’t bother us.

We stayed in their standard room with 1 Queen Bed, refrigerator, microwave and view of the mountains. The view wasn’t very impressive as it was obstructed by electric poles and wires.

The room was a tad small, but that was ok since we really didn’t need any extra space. It had all that I needed for the stay. If you were staying multiple nights and need the space, they you’re better off getting a larger room.

The TV had Food Network, so I was super happy. Wifi had a strong signal and was fast so I could go on my computer. There’s a Keurig machine with a few K cups if you wanted coffee or tea.

The bed was comfortable and clean.

In front of the washroom were recycling, trash can and an ice bucket with cups.

The bathroom seemed like it was renovated not too long ago.

Overall, it was a pleasant stay with no issues. Staff were friendly and the place was clean.

Address:
153 Baker Street, Nelson, BC

Website: http://www.bwbakerstreetinn.com/

In Calgary

Hotel Elan: Boutique Hotel in Calgary

November 19, 2015

M and I were in Calgary for 2 days during our week long road trip driving across BC into Calgary.

We stayed at Hotel Elan, a boutique hotel located just off stylish 17th Ave Retail and Entertainment District. We chose this place as it was the top ranking hotel on Trip Advisor. It’s also a great location since some of the best restaurants in town is within walking distance.

They have gated underground parking on site for $18 per night for guests. Still a lot cheaper and safer than parking on the street. They also have a Car2Go zone in there too.

Hotel Elan is the only boutique hotel in Calgary to offer combined accommodation and private in-suite meeting spaces designed specifically for business travellers.

We were in their Vista King Bed Suite. Walking in you will see like a mini kitchen without the major appliances.

Keurig coffee machines are free to use. There are K cups of coffee and tea.

It’s nothing fancy, but its nice to have the basics like the sink, microwave, mini fridge, cups, plates and utensils.

Each suite includes a bedroom, bathroom and living room with meeting space for four to six, complete with a private outdoor balcony.

It’s nice to just sit out in the balcony and observe people walking by.

In the room, you also get:

Complimentary calling to 75 countries worldwide
Complimentary dedicated Wifi

Free wifi is the norm now. I couldn’t imagine going on a trip and not having access to wifi. The complimentary calling worldwide is pretty awesome, but sadly I had no one to call.

There’s USB chargers built into the wall unit, so you can plug in your cord for your smartphone devices. The beds were comfy and I liked how there were 2 types of pillows – form and soft.

The only issue I found was that the AC/Heater device in the room did make a fair bit of noise in the evening that we ended up unplugging it.

The TV’s have Telus Optic HD TV, but for some reason I couldn’t find Food Network. We ended up watching a lot of Border Security on National Geographic channel. It’s a pretty addictive show.

In the bathroom, there are heated floors, showers with thermostatic temperature control valves, and heated toilet seats. M loved the heated toilet seats! Everything was very clean and we didn’t have any issues.

The shower is very modern looking and probably my favourite shower that we have encountered on our road trip.

I like their choice of L’Occitane bathroom amenities. SO much better than what other hotels have.

Business Centre

They have a mini business centre with iMacs if you need to do any work here.

Complimentary Happy Hour

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, they offer complimentary appetizers and a well deserved refreshment after your busy day.

I grabbed a few bites and a beer. They also have wine too. I really couldn’t say no to free beer.

Complimentary Deluxe Continental Breakfast Buffet

They offer complimentary breakfast on weekday mornings from 7:00am to 10:00am and weekends from 8:00am to 11:00am. A nice touch and it was great to be able grab a quick bite before exploring more of Calgary.

They have juice, cereal, yogurt, and fresh fruits.

Oatmeal, tea and coffee.

I grabbed some fruits, meat and scrambled eggs with a cup of coffee. It’s nothing fancy,

Overall, our stay was good, but you can tell some services are geared toward travelling business men and women. I didn’t mind since I liked the extra table space in our room to go on my computer and do work in the evening. The staff were welcoming, great location and clean. I would come back again.

Address:
1122 16 Ave SW, Calgary, AB

Website:
http://hotelelan.ca/

In British Columbia

Top 10 Eats for Visitors and Locals in Vancouver

November 13, 2015

Whenever friends or relatives come to Vancouver for the first time, I have a handful of places where I must take them to eat. Over the years, I’ve gotten a lot of e-mails from readers asking for advice on what are restaurants they can’t miss when they visit Vancouver.

In collaboration with Expedia.ca, we present to you my top 10 restaurants you must visit when traveling to Vancouver. Locals love it and any visitor will love them as well. After being to 2,000+ restaurant visits over the past 5 years of food blogging, I can confidently share my top 10 list with you all.

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is located in Chinatown and serve Vietnamese-Cambodian cuisine. This modest looking restaurant attracts locals and they can’t seem to get enough. Celebrities like Anthony Bourdain have visited this restaurant before.

Must order:

Butter Beef
Luc Lac with Egg
Chicken Wings

Reservations are recommended as Phnom Penh gets busy during peak hours. They only accept reservations for groups of 5 or more.

Address: 244 E Georgia St, Vancouver, BC

Phone:(604) 682-5777

Miku

You can’t get anymore West Coast fresh than at Miku with their mouth watering aburi sushi. From their patio, you overlook the North Shore Mountains and the Vancouver waterfront. Once you eat their Aburi Salmon Oishi Sushi, no other sushi will compare.

Must order:

Aburi Salmon Oshi Sushi
Aburi Chirashi Tart
Nutrigreens Farm Tofu Salad
Aburi Saba Oishi Sushi

Reservations can be made online or over the phone. Walk ins welcome, but lines during peak hours. Take out.

Website: http://mikurestaurant.com/
Address: 200 Granville St, Vancouver, BC

Phone:(604) 568-3900

Purebread

Purebread started out as a Whistler-based family bakery and has slowly made their way to Vancouver by making appearances at local farmers markets. They opened up their latest location near Gastown to share their plethora of delicious pastries with Vancouverites.

Must order:

Crack Bar
Outrageous Brownies
Cheddar Jalapeno Scone

Walk-in shop with limited seating. Grab and go.

Website: http://www.purebread.ca/
Address: 159 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC

Phone:(604) 563-8060

Ask for Luigi

This little Italian joint at the corner of Alexander and Gore serves up freshly made pasta full of flavour and creativity.

Must order:

Anchovies & eggs
Risotto
Pappardelle and Duck Ragu

Reservations can be made over the phone. Walk-ins welcome but there may be a wait. If there is a wait, put your name down and head to Alibi Room for a drink before returning to your reservation time.

Website: http://www.askforluigi.com/
Address: 305 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC

Phone:(604) 428-2544

Santouka Ramen

This global chain of Japanese ramen is located on Robson Street near the unofficial Japanese town. It draws local and tourists everyday and people can’t seem to get enough of their delicious broth.

Must order:

Kara Miso Chashu Ramen
Toroniku Shoyu Ramen

No reservations. Walk-in only. Long waits during peak hours.

Website:http://www.santouka.co.jp/en/
Address: 1690 Robson St, Vancouver, BC

Phone:(604) 681-8121

Earnest Ice Cream

Earnest Ice Cream is a local gem. Once you have a bite, you can never go back to having your normal ol’ ice cream. They infuse a lot of favour into their ice cream and it’s seriously addictive.

Must order:

London Fog
Salted Caramel
Whiskey Hazelnut

No reservations. Walk-in shop with limited seating.

Website: http://earnesticecream.com/
Address: 3992 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5V 4E4

Phone:(604) 428-0697

Address: 1829 Quebec Street, Vancouver, BC
Phone: (778) 379-0697

Timbertrain Coffee Roasters

Take a stroll in Vancouver’s historic Gastown and wander into Timbertrain Coffee Roasters where you will find their staff committed to the science of brewing perfection into each cup of coffee they serve.

Must order:

Any espresso based drink
Nitro Cold Brew

No reservations. Walk-in shop with limited seating.

Wesbite: http://timbertraincoffeeroasters.com/
Address: 311 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC

Pizzeria Farina

Thin crust pizza done right is so hard to find in Vancouver. Located right outside Chinatown is Pizzeria Farina where they open daily at 5pm until the dough runs out. If you’re thinking about late night pizza here, you will most definitely be out of luck. Stalk them on their social media to see if they have already run out for the day.

Must Order:

Margherita Pizza
Funghi Pizza

No reservations. Walk-in shop with limited seating. Take out.

Wesbite: http://www.pizzeriafarina.com/
Address: 915 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2V8

Phone:(604) 681-9334

Beaucoup Bakery

Beaucoup Bakery creates exceptional French-inspired pastries and childhood favourites including sweet pastries, artistic cakes, seasonal tarts, nostalgic cookies and rich viennoiserie. Stop by for a coffee and a sweet treat with your friends.

Must order:

Double Baked Almond Croissant
Mini Chocolate Croissant

No reservations. Walk-in shop with limited seating. Take out.

Website:http://www.beaucoupbakery.com/
Address: 2150 Fir St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3B5
Phone:(604) 732-4222

Nero Belgian Waffle

Everyday, they are waffl’ing. Their brussels and liege waffles top with decadent toppings are fantastic and Instagram worthy. The perfect mid-day snack or a late night indulgence for your sweet-tooth.

Must order:

Razz
Fruity
Mocha

No reservations. Walk-in shop with limited seating and busy during peak hours. Take out.

Website: http://www.nerobelgianwafflebar.com/
Address: 1703 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1C8

Phone:(778) 712-0694

That concludes my top 10 restaurants for locals and tourists in Vancouver. Make reservations where possible and enjoy your eats. If you have any other awesome places to add to the list, share it in the comments below.

Post created in collaboration with Expedia.ca.

In Drumheller

Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta

November 8, 2015

1.5 hours away from Calgary is Drumheller, Alberta, internationally recognized for its rich abundance of dinosaur fossils and home of the world-renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.

I would assume most of the tourists come here to see the dinosaur museum. Everywhere you look in the town, you will find a dinosaur.

You do have to drive a little bit into town to get to the museum, but the view is amazing. The town is in a valley, so you will see all the different layers of sediments that were there.

What makes this museum so special is that the Royal Tyrell Museum has Canada’s largest collection of dinosaur fossils. If you want to go to the ultimate dinosaur museum, this is the place to go. To this day, they are still discovering new dinosaur fossil in and around the area. Pretty awesome.

The museum is situated in Midland Provincial Park, 6KM northeast of Drumheller, Alberta

There is plenty of free parking and museum entrance for an adult is $15. Pretty decent price I would say. M and I spent about 1.5 hours here looking at all the exhibits.

They has been voted one of the world’s top dinosaur museums by CNN, National Geographic, USA Today, and Smithsonian Magazine several years in a row.

There are definitely a lot of opportunities to take photos and do some fun poses.

At the beginning of the museum, you will find recreation of what the dinosaurs look like.

But, I think everyone is interested in the cool fossils.

In the Lords of the Land exhibit, you won’t miss the enormous 13.7-metre long Tyrannosaurus rex!

The Preparation Lab is where the fossils that they find from the field gets transport them back to the Museum and then the technicians begin to meticulously remove the surrounding rock in order to expose the fossils so that they can interpret and record their findings.

The Cretaceous Garden is a small area where you will find the recreation of the ancient Alberta landscape- a lush, coastal environment dotted with swamps, ponds, and marshes. Look at the room filled with plants found in the fossil record.

Some things you will find in there are:

A fossilized dinosaur footprint found only steps from the Museum
A three-tonne fossilized tree stump, Alberta’s provincial stone
Two Gingko trees, often called living fossils because they have barely changed in over 270 million years

The Dinosaur Hall has fossils everywhere in the room.

Some highlights are:

Triceratops with its large bony frill and three horns, is one of the most recognizable of all dinosaurs
Euoplocephalus, meaning “well-armoured head”, was one of the largest ankylosaurs—about the size of a small elephant.
Not everything in Dinosaur Hall is a dinosaur—check out the Bearpaw Sea exhibit with mosasaurs and elasmosaurs; some of the largest marine reptiles that ever lived

Overall, it was great to spend a few hours here to see a lot of fossils. M really loved it because he’s just a dinosaur nerd.

Address:
1500 N Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, AB

Website:
http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/

In Calgary

Calgary Zoo: Day Visit and Illuminasia

November 5, 2015

The Calgary Zoo has been around for 80 years and is right in the heart of Calgary. The animal exhibits are organized by geographic regions in large, natural habitats. These regions include the Canadian Wilds, Destination Africa, Penguin Plunge, South America and Eurasia.

We came during high season and the admission was $24.95 per adult. Our car GPS somehow took us to their south entrance instead. We parked outside in their lot for $8. In total, M and I spent about 1.5 hours here.

Penguin Plunge

The newest and best exhibit at the zoo is the Penguin Plunge, which opened in 2012. It’s home to four species of penguins. While visitors watch the playful birds, they also learn about the impact of climate change on wildlife and what they can do about it at home. They have 4 types of penguins here – Gentoo Penguin, Humbolt Penguin, King Penguin, and Rockhopper Penguin.

The exhibit is quite large and its so awesome to see the zip through the water lightning fast. I was fortunate to grab this picture of this Gentoo Penguin.

The Prehistoric Park

The Prehistoric Park at the Calgary Zoo includes 15 model dinosaurs, replicas of an inland sea and volcanic mountain, and more than 100 species of living plants.

The area isn’t too impressive when you compare it to the Royal Tyrell Dinosaur Museum about 1.5 hours away from Calgary.

The Canadian Wilds

More than 20 acres of the zoo is dedicated to showcasing Canadian wildlife in their own natural habitat.

The Rocky Mountain Goat is super chill and he was just posing for a picture.

You can get up and close to the bears in their enclosures.

There’s a few other bears too that are smaller and lighter colours.

Inside the bird area, you will find the snowy owls hanging out.

There are more birds hiding and you’ll also see a bunch of dead mice around.

I thought this was a groundhog but this is a black-tailed prarie dog.

Crossing over to the other side, of the zoo, you will find Destination Africa, Eurasia, Conservatory, and Rainforest areas. While we were here, there was a lot of construction so some exhibits were closed.

We saw this peacock walking around freely.

We even saw some other birds just chilling on the ground.

There is a cool area with Chilean Flamingos, they are pretty neat.

The ENMAX Conservatory

The old zoo conservatory was once one of the oldest and most inefficient buildings on zoo grounds. As a LEED building, solar tubes and panels help warm the building while cisterns capture rainfall for the plethora of plant life inside.

There are a lot of plant inside. It won’t take too long to walk around their 2 area, but you should check out their butterflies.

Illuminasia

Illuminasia ran at the Calgary Zoo nightly from September 17 – November 1, 2015. It has since ended but it was a nice change to get visitors in the park during the evenings. This was a Lantern & Garden Festival Presented by Sinopec Canada. There are 183 animal lanterns, with the additional bamboo and other décor pieces the total number of lanterns is 366 in the entire park.