Travel

Hotel Review: Tigerlily Edinburgh

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Finding the perfect hotel is a priority whenever I travel since it is important to find a comfortable home-base when exploring a new city. In the past, we had always opted to stay at the bigger hotel chains like Hilton or Starwood because of our status.  Since that status has now mostly expired, we want to try other options like AirBnB and boutique hotels.  While in Edinburgh, we decided to stay at the Tigerlily Edinburgh, an award-winning luxury boutique hotel.  One of the things that drew me to Tigerlily in the first place was their eclectic design. The lounge and bar areas are decorated like the set of a Tim Burton movie – full of pink hues, mirrored walls, extravagant chandeliers, and flowers everywhere. Continue reading →

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14 Things to do in Edinburgh

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I have to admit that I had a hard time writing the introduction for Edinburgh.  Not because there is nothing to say; quite the opposite in fact, there is so much to see and share that I didn’t quite know where to start. Our three days in Scotland’s capital city was filled with things to do, yet it never felt hectic.  The compact walkable city is filled with quirky nooks that just beg to be discovered. The combination of medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with hidden gardens, neoclassical buildings,  and tiny windy alleys is what makes Edinburgh special. So special in fact that the whole city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

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Photo of the Week: Majestic

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IMG_1884 Yosemite National Park, USA

This photo was taken from Glacier Point of the majestic Yosemite National Park.  It’s no secret that I love aerial views.   I’ve always wanted to see every place from above, so that’s why I am excited to to finally get a drone.  I’ve thought about this for along time, but never taken the plunge, until now.  I am so excited to try it out when we’re in Scotland.

Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.

Photo of the Week: Oasis

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IMG_7983Governor’s Island, USA

Do you have an oasis that you like to visit, to get away from the hustle bustle of the city?  For me, that place is Governor’s Island.  It’s located a short (5 minute) ferry ride away from the southern tip of the city.  In recent years, the island has had a major facelift transforming the abandoned coast guard base into a green oasis. 

The laid-back atmosphere on the island is contagious.  Here you will find people riding their bikes instead of cars, having picnics on one of the many green lawns, or taking an afternoon nap at the hammock grove. 

Even though it feels like worlds away, the looming city skyline in the distance reminds you that you are only a hop and a skip away from the chaos on the other side.  And the best part is that it only costs a $2 dollar ferry ride to get away from it all. 

Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.

New York City From Above

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One of my favorite ways to see a city is from above.  The different perspective can totally change how you see the place. Take New York for example – the chaos that you  feel when you’re on the street falls away once you’re in the air.  That was one of the reasons why I’ve always wanted to take a helicopter tour.  It took nine years, but I finally got to check this item off of my bucket list. Continue reading →

Photo of the Week: Floating

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IMG_1481Kauai, USA

Hawaii is truly a tropical paradise with its lush green fields and cloud covered mountains.  This was the place I choose to stay when I was in recovery from my surgery a few years ago. Even though I couldn’t swim or do any fun physical activities, it was simply enough to sit here and enjoy the view while feeling grateful that I was still able to travel .

Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.

Photo of the Week: Balloons

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IMG_1093Bagan, Myanmar

Sunrise in Bagan is one of the most magical moments. Each morning we would set the alarm and roll out of bed when it was still dark out.  We would put on our clothes while half asleep while questioning ourselves why we were up at that ungodly hour.  Then we hopped on our bikes and headed out into the unknown.  Our mission was to find a small temple with a terrace where we could go up and watch the sunrise.

It was still dark out when we finally made it to the top.  We sat there patiently waiting for the sun to rise and the hot air balloons to make their way over the horizon. At the crack of dawn, a sliver of light shined through and you could finally see glimpses of this magical landscape.  In the morning a thick layer of fog also blankets the area creating this dreamy effect. Even with the 4 am wake up call, it was worth the effort every time.

Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.

Family Time in Powell River

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For Canada’s 150th birthday, my family made our way West to British Columbia for our yearly get together. It’s a tradition that we started after we all grew up and moved apart.  This year we choose to spend an idyllic week at a small town on the upper Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. The week was spent with good food, good company, and lots of memories that will last a lifetime.  Continue reading →