Global – Two Wild Tides

Sunny Days in Phuket

March 14, 2019 | Leave a Comment

We flew into Phuket on a Sunday afternoon. We arrived at our hostel in the city centre called Vitamin Sea. It was honestly one of the best hostels that we stayed in during our entire trip. We met some super cool people, were able to avoid the tourist traps, and enjoy the beauty of Phuket.

Our stay at the Vitamin Sea Hostel was incredible because Pro really took the time to help us figure out what we wanted to see, book tours, and explore the town like a local. PLUS she knew it was my birthday and brought me a fruit plate in the morning (because I can’t eat cake and she still wanted me to celebrate). It was complete with candles and she made everyone sing. It truly was super special. It was the sweetest moment: her hospitality and kindness did not go unnoticed. She’s there to help you with anything you need and she’ll sit down for a drink too. We loved our stay at this hostel and would go back in a heartbeat. Thank you, Pro!

The night of our arrival happened to be the same night as the weekly market. We took a stroll through the market which is only a stone’s throw from the hostel. There was all kinds of food, souvenir and clothing vendors along the street. Musicians and performers were also scattered throughout the space. It was really cool – grab a bite and take in some local entertainment.

The next day we chose to go soak in some rays at the beach. Pro suggested that we visit Karon Beach because it’s a little quieter and less touristy. We hopped on the local transit which was essentially the back of a pick-up truck but definitely the way to go. It was super cheap and saved us cab fair. The bus runs hourly so keep that in mind when you decide to head back into town. When we arrived the sun was shining, the water was incredibly warm and the views were amazing. The water was also super calm and peaceful which made swimming a breeze. We were beyond excited to relax there for the day. It was the perfect day. The bonus excitement of this day was finding Bake Free which featured a ton of GF/DF food. Needless to say I was in heaven and polished off a real meal before heading back to the beach.

GF/DF – This cafe allowed me to eat an actual meal! SO GOOD.

What’s your favourite beach in Thailand? Do you have any preferences? Let us know in the comments below!

xoxo,
linds

My 23rd in Paradise

March 11, 2019 | 1 Comment

I was fortunate enough to celebrate my birthday on the other side of the world in Thailand. I was beyond excited to ring in my 23rd year on the planet in such a beautiful place. It was my birthday after all so… I decided to splurge on one night in a nice, fancy resort. Let me tell you it was a big upgrade from a $12 hostel bed.

I arrived at Cape Sienna Gourmet Hotel & Villas in Phuket with my best friend of 20 years. Our smelly hostel backpacks, shirts that were rinsed out in the sink and messy buns were slightly out of place. BUT we had no problem switching gears and embracing a little luxury. Many travellers we met abroad spoke of the need to treat yourself here and there on your backpack adventure. Sleeping in a room with 10 strangers on little bunk beds definitely builds character but we welcomed a taste of the high life.

I have to admit that I’d never experienced anything like this before in my entire life. We arrived at the hotel entrance where we were met by security, they took said smelly backpacks of ours and put us in an elevator. (The lobby wasn’t even on the ground level). Once we reached the top, we exited the elevators and all we could see was palm trees and the stunning turquoise water. We both looked at each other and giggled like 4 year olds getting a second cupcake. It was pretty neat.

We got a real kick out of the next part – we were escorted to a couch and there were welcome drinks waiting for us. But what really gave us a chuckle was the fact that we got to smell 3-4 different scents to choose which shampoo, conditioner and lotion scent we wanted in our room. (UMM WHAT?!) For the record we picked the citrus one. After this elaborate process, we were escorted to our room.

As we walked into the room, my jaw literally dropped to the floor. It was gorgeous. The room was huge, with a super comfy bed, sitting area, rainfall glass shower & jacuzzi/hot tub on the balcony overlooking the ocean. I could not believe this was my real life but I was so grateful.

The hotel had 2 big swimming pools and many little ones. The main pool was situated by one of the property’s restaurants, The Poolside Restaurant & Bar. The other large pool was located across the street and just so happened to be an infinity pool. It was a lot of fun. We definitely soaked up the rays, worked on the tan and enjoyed one too many iced teas by the pool. (Seriously, the peach iced tea is the best thing ever!).

We ate at the restaurant near the pool a number of times. It was delicious – and there were a ton of me-friendly options. It was so nice to be able to sample traditional Thai cuisine that wouldn’t make me sick. I loved the fried rice. After dark, we headed up to the rooftop bar and enjoyed a drink. We seriously did not want to leave– it was amazing.

Surprising that I didn’t turn into an iced tea…

We soaked up every minute that we had at the resort. The staff were super friendly, the accommodations were incredible, & the view, well, it was unbelievable. If anyone is curious in checking out the hotel– we stayed in the Sea View Jacuzzi Junior Suite (highly recommend)!

Thailand, I will be back!

xoxo,
linds

P.S. This post is not sponsored – we seriously just had the best time!

P.P.S. Can I please have my tan back? haha

Island Hopping: Singapore Edition

March 7, 2019 | Leave a Comment

I always like to get off the beaten path during my travels. It’s fun to see the tourist attractions but I’m interested in the hidden gems as well. Pulau Ubin was just that, a small, quiet island off the coast of Singapore. We hopped in a “junk boat” for $3 and headed off for a day of exploration!

The island is accessible on foot and/or bicycle. As soon as we arrived, we chose to rent bikes (the cheapest ones available) for about $5-10. It was a great way to see the island. Keep in mind these bikes have a lot of wear and tear, so you’ll likely be getting an extra great leg workout. There are a lot of different paths to explore so check out the map and pick a direction.

The island is ideal for a little fresh air. We spent the whole day biking, hiking and walking. It was a great, muddy workout. The lakes, forest and landscape were all stunning. The island is an indication of Singapore’s past and is shaped like a boomerang. The Chek Jawa Wetlands can be found on the island and they’re one of Singapore’s richest ecosystems.

Challenge yourself to see as much of the island as possible, check out the trails, look out and old buildings. Plus, if you’re looking for a snack there’s a little restaurant by the water. It’s a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city. We loved it!

xoxo,
linds

A Taste of Singapore

March 4, 2019 | Leave a Comment

As my adventure abroad continued, I found myself in Singapore. I relished every opportunity to experience and explore a new place. My time in Singapore was quite short but still incredible. It was not my favourite stop of the trip but I was still amazed by the sights!

A lot of time in Singapore was spent exploring on foot, taking in the stunning architecture and experiencing its multiculturalism. The first day was spent wandering through Chinatown, Little India and the downtown core. I saw some incredible buildings, bridges, places of worship, and landmarks. Enjoy the photos below:

After walking for hours, we made our way to Gardens by the Bay – one of the most famous locations in Singapore. It was incredible! The park is huge so plan accordingly if you want to see everything. We started at the Flower Dome and got to see flowers from all over the world. Plus we were there before Christmas and got to take in all of the decor! We then ventured through the Conservatory Cloud Forest which was unbelievable. The waterfall helped to create the most amazing atmosphere. It was so neat, I had never experienced something so grand inside. Finally, we took a walk through the special Christmas area, complete with fake snow and wintery treats. There’s also a nightly light and sound show that runs at 7:45 p.m. & 8:45 p.m. daily. If you have time I highly recommend checking it out.

There’s a lot to explore in this expensive and modern city. Take in the sights, stop for a drink (although you may have to drop $15-20 CAD for one) and relax. On the plus side the Hawkers Centres offer meals for those with no food allergies at only $2.00 CAD. Singapore is an interesting place and I only scratched the surface.

Have you been to Singapore? What was your favourite part? Let us know in the comments below.

xoxo,
linds

Winter Wonderland in Ottawa

February 28, 2019 | Leave a Comment

From the very first time I visited Ottawa, I knew I loved the city. It truly is beautiful, there are great restaurants, events and festivals. My recent trip lined up perfectly with Winterlude, an 18 day festival that takes place in the Ottawa/Gatineau region. There are all kinds of activities from ice carving competitions, to skating, to winter playgrounds, to cultural walks– there’s something for everyone. Having never visited Ottawa in the winter, I was excited!

Step one of this adventure was checking into the Alt Hotel on Slater Street. I love these hotels because you can count on a high level of service, friendly staff and a fun, updated look. From the moment you walk in the hotel, there’s a sense of being home away from home. The location is impeccable, perfect for exploring downtown Ottawa (and Winterlude festivities). The lobby is outfitted with a lovely bar area. They have a great happy hour, delicious food, and they’re open 24/7. During happy hour the bar is definitely buzzing and we enjoyed a couple of drinks there throughout our stay. There’s also a gym on site so if skating isn’t your thing, you can still get your workout in. The space really has a young, hip vibe and caters to a wide variety of clientele. We were impressed.

Our room was clean, classy and spacious. We have a history of working and staying with the Alt Hotels in other locations such as St. John’s and Halifax. You can’t go wrong with these rooms. The beds are always comfortable, there’s a tv, work/desk area and bathroom equipped with all of the amenities you could need. These hotels are consistent in their ability to go above and beyond. The stay was lovely, comfortable and restful. It will not be our last stay with the Alt Hotel. We can’t wait to check them out in another city one day. Thank you for your hospitality.

After settling into the hotel, it was time to start exploring. We headed to Jacques Cartier Park to allow our inner children to play in the snow. The sculptures were grand and beautiful. I had never seen anything like it before. WOW! We were also quick to grab some inner tubes and line up for the icy snow slides. They were so fun and fast! Our walk through this winter wonderland wouldn’t have been complete without some maple syrup candy. It was a blast!

A trip to Ottawa in the winter wouldn’t be complete without a skate on the Rideau Canal. So grab your skates, toques and mittens. We skated about 15km, stopping here and there for photos. We took it at a relatively casual pace because it was so busy. It was really fun to get outside and on our skates. I even have the bruises to prove that competitive skaters wipeout when they get stuck in ruts too. How cool is it to skate outside on the world’s largest skating rink?

The next morning we woke up early and ventured to Nordic Spa. If you’re looking for a relaxing way to spend your morning, it doesn’t get any better than this. We arrived around 9:00 am and started the day with an hour long massage. I’m not going to lie, I totally feel asleep (haha). It was so relaxing. Then we put on our white robes and flip flops and headed outside. We checked out all of the saunas and hopped in all of the pools. There’s a heat cycle they recommend which includes 10-15 minutes in a hot sauna, followed by a cold plunge in one of the cold pools and then some time to relax. We cycled through the steps a few times and absolutely loved it. I wasn’t sure about the cold plunge, outside in the middle of winter but it was super refreshing. We also took part in an Aufguss Ritual in the Finnish Sauna which we both thought of as a highlight. You can read about it on their website by clicking here. Leaving the spa I felt lighter, so relaxed, my body was very happy.

Our weekend getaway to Ottawa was awesome. We spent a lot of time outside which is our favourite place to be. I’m grateful for this experience with great company. It was perfect.

Thank you to our friends at the Alt Hotel for making this weekend extra special.

xoxo,
linds

P.S. If you’re in the Laurentian Valley area check out their skating trail through the woods for a little winter magic!