Archives for February 2019

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!

The Ubud Diary

February 25, 2019 | Leave a Comment

Ubud was the next stop on my adventure through South East Asia and Australia. I had already fallen in love with Bali and relished the opportunity to experience a new area of the island. Ubud is one of the cultural hubs of the island with a focus on tradition, health and wellness. If you’re looking for the yoga experience and vegan cafes – this is your place!

I went on a day trip that explored Ubud and its surrounding areas. The first stop was the Blangsinga Waterfall which is quite exquisite. If you’re brave you can climb along the rocky edge for a photo (but take your shoes off so you don’t slip)! As it was rainy season when we visited the water was quite muddy but that did not lessen its beauty. However, near the base there was a lot of litter and it was disappointing to see so much pollution along the edges of the water. For those chasing waterfalls in Bali – this is a must.

The second stop was at a coffee plantation and when we arrived it was pouring rain. We were provided with these large woven hats to keep us semi dry. Fun fact: there was a giant spider in mine but I did not know this until I already had it on. We walked through the lush green forest and even saw some pineapples growing! They taught us about how the coffees and teas are made which was really interesting. Then it was time to taste test and it’s a well known fact that I don’t like coffee. BUT the Balinese make incredible coffee and tea – I loved it. I even bought some to bring home. We also got to taste some dark chocolate which was super tasty too. Plus, you can’t leave Bali without tasting luwak coffee which is made from the animal’s poop. I tried it and lived to tell the tale!

Tirta Empul Tampak Siring or the Bali Holy Spring Water Temple was the next stop. One of my favourite things about traveling is experiencing other cultures. I was humbled to visit this temple and take in the incredible architecture. It was fascinating to observe those who were practicing. It is a big tourist attraction and many flock to this location to bathe in the holy water. Personally, I did not feel adequately informed on this religious practice and decided to refrain from participating in this tradition. However, I thoroughly enjoyed taking in the spectacular views of the temple.

Last but not least was the incredible rice fields. The views absolutely blew my mind, everything was so green, rich and vibrant. We had to trudge through a little mud to get the best views but it was totally worth it. This was most definitely a highlight of Bali!

All around amazing! Bali: I will be back. You’ve stolen a piece of my heart. The people are so kind, the landscape is stunning and there’s some awesome swell on the coasts.

Thank you, Bali.

xoxo,
linds

Check out the next leg of the adventure: Singapore

The Hike of My Life: Mt. Batur

February 18, 2019 | 4 Comments

I have woken up at 2am many times in my life– usually, it’s to catch an early morning flight. This time, however, I was getting up at 2am for a sunrise hike up Mt. Batur in Bali. I had no idea what I was in for but I was excited, tired and ready for this incredible adventure.

Mount Batur is an active volcano that can be found in Batur Village in the Kintamani District in Bali, Indonesia. It’s located 1717m above sea-level and usually takes about 2 hours to reach the top by physically fit individuals. I highly recommend doing this hike at sunrise for the stunning views. You won’t believe your eyes!

The shuttle picked us up right at our hostel and proceeded to take us to a restaurant for a 3am breakfast. Unfortunately, it was not gluten free so there was no breaky for me. Then we piled back into the shuttle and drove about 45 minutes to the base of the mountain. As I stood outside in the pitch black light of the early morning I realized how chilly it was but I warmed up real quick.

Our guide, Bagawata was young, full of energy and extremely knowledgeable. It’s important to note that it’s prohibited to hike the mountain without a guide. There are plenty of guides and tours set up– we loved ours because of the small size (there were only 7 of us). We begun our hike up the mountain with Bagawata in the pitch black, only with the light of small flashlights. It was disorienting hiking in the pitch black but it was also really cool! Near the beginning of our hike, our guide stopped to talk to us about the mountain. It’s very sacred land to the Balinese people and there were some basic rules of respect that he asked us to follow. It was important to under no circumstance litter or leave garbage behind and to avoid cursing at all costs. He taught us a blessing that we could recite to show our respect for the land. This little talk was extremely interesting and gave us all some wonderful insight about the culture.

Our group was comprised of young, athletic adults and therefore we were cruising along at an incredibly fast past. We quite literally flew past other groups of hikers but the hike itself was gruelling. While it wasn’t a super long hike– it was pretty much straight up, entirely up the side of this mountain. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done– trust me we were cooking. In the darkness of the early morning all I could think about was putting one foot in front of the other. Many of us ran out of water quite early on (oops) and our clothes were drenched in sweat. By the time we made it to the top our guide said we made it up 30 minutes faster than normal to give you a little perspective. Reaching the summit of that mountain was one of the most exhilarating feelings in the world. We were all above the clouds, watching the sunrise and night time disappear. It was the highlight of the entire trip for me but also one of the best experiences of my life. Witnessing the beauty of the world around us will never get old.

We stayed at the top for a solid amount of time just taking it all in. Our guide brought a guitar and serenaded us with some songs as we watched the sun rise in awe. We took photos and chatted. Don’t forget to bring layers because the top is much colder plus all of your sweat dries! Chilly! Our guide took us on a tour to see some of the giant craters, views from different sides of the mountain. We walked a lot and even saw some monkeys!

The hike back down was almost harder because it was so steep and hard on the knees. But we did it! This was an experience I will never forget. It was the toughest hike I’ve ever done and I’m so grateful seen that part of Bali.

When’s the last time you saw a sunrise? It doesn’t have to be from the top of a mountain but I promise it will give you some perspective. Our planet is beautiful.

xoxo,
linds

Check out the next leg of the adventure: Ubud

My First Taste of Bali

February 14, 2019 | Leave a Comment

Indonesia instantly became an incredibly special place to me. I met my best friend in Bali who had flown from Canada to join me for the second half of my trip. We were both so excited for this adventure and to discover all that Bali had to offer. From the airport we headed to Uluwatu, our first stop on the island. We arrived at SR Hostel exhausted and eager to start exploring the next morning.

The hostel was cheap and great! It had all of the basics, a small swimming pool, amazing staff and included free supper. As the allergy queen that I am, I was thrilled that they offered to cook me a special dinner every night free from gluten and dairy. While my friend Carlena sampled Balinese cuisine, I usually had some chicken, veggies and rice and I could not have been more grateful. Food had proved to be quite difficult in Hong Kong but I was grateful to find a few more options in Bali. Plus, the hostel has events most evenings even when the hostel is quite empty. One night we went to a beach club in Uluwatu and another night we played a beer pong tourney at the hostel (which we won!). Despite it being the off season while we were there, we still met lots of cool people during the communal free supper every night.

Both Carlena and I were pumped to catch some Balinese waves. Our first mission was to rent some boards and hit the swells. We booked a surfing lesson through our hostel and the company provided transportation to and from the beach for us. We surfed at Dreamland beach and our instructor joined us in the water. I was so proud that I caught some waves in both Bali and Australia. The water was so hot in Bali, you’d be out there working up a sweat so much that it wasn’t even refreshing, but that didn’t stop us. I got stuck in the break zone more than I’d care to admit, and definitely got pummelled by some big waves but I lived to tell the tale. I was grateful to be out there with our instructor and my best friend who also happens to be a lifeguard. We both had a blast and definitely slept well that night!

While in Uluwatu we used an app called GOJEK which is similar to Uber. Our driver picked us up at our hostel and offered to drive us around for the whole day for one sole price. We really lucked out – he drove us wherever we wanted to go and waited for us in each place. He was so friendly that we even asked him to drive us to Ubud the next day. Like clockwork he was there at 9am to take us to our new accommodation. If you’re nervous about driving the scooters, this is totally the way to go!

We visited the Uluwatu Temple which is a Balinese Hindu temple located right on the coastline. The views from the temple were breathtaking and left us both in awe. There are monkeys everywhere and while they’re very cute – they will steal from you. Make sure all of your belongings are safely stowed in your bag and keep a firm hand on your camera. Take a walk along the coastline and enjoy the scenery.

After visiting the temple we headed to The Cashew Tree for lunch and I kid you not it was one of the best meals of my entire life. The restaurant is tucked away in a cute little courtyard and the food is exquisite. There’s also a ton of options for vegetarians, celiacs and those allergic to dairy. We had a delicious chicken bowl, spring rolls and smoothies. It was seriously delicious. I would fly back to Bali just to eat this meal again. AMAZING.

We spent the afternoon exploring Padang Padang beach. It was a cute little area but was much smaller and busier than Dreamland beach. The street near Padang Padang beach is lined with surf shops like Roxy, Billabong and Rip Curl. We did a little window shopping and dreamed of getting customized surfboards but decided those will have to wait until next time (haha).

I loved Uluwatu and would love to go back to explore even more. The people are so friendly and kind-hearted. The landscape is unbelievable and it’s definitely going to be a place I visit once again.

xoxo,
linds

Check out the next leg of the adventure: Mount Batur

Finding Nemo in Real Life

February 11, 2019 | Leave a Comment

As I continued to work my way up the East Coast of Australia my next stop was Cairns. I was so excited to check out the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. I knew that this stop would be filled with adventure and new experiences.

Cairns is a very small and walkable city. I relished this because I could avoid eating out and do a little grocery shopping. Plus, my hostel, Mad Monkey Backpackers had a fully equipped kitchen for those who wanted to cook. It was also conveniently located right on the waterfront which made for easy access to the Esplanade. I definitely took advantage of the man-made beach/pool area because it was so hot! A dip in the water was a must in an attempt to cool off. I also had some delicious pad thai around the corner from my hostel and had to stop into Grill’d for my last Aussie burger. There are so many restaurants, cafes and grocery stores – you won’t go hungry. So grab a snack and start exploring this great city!

Up next: The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef has been on my bucket list since I was a child. I dreamt of seeing all of the colourful sea life up close. My dream became a reality as I headed out to the reef on a day trip with a couple friends I had met while on the Gold Coast. (They also happened to be Canadian!) I love meeting new people when I travel and it’s always so exciting to meet fellow Canadians abroad. Anyway, we enjoyed a full day excursion with plenty of diving and snorkelling opportunities. I chose to stick with snorkelling and thoroughly enjoyed it. I saw Nemo! I also saw a ton of beautiful, colourful fish that completely blew my mind. Our planet is filled with so much beauty and we really need to protect it. My brain is filled with mental pictures from this underwater experience.

I highly recommend snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef. There are so many different tours and most of them include lunch. I had an absolute blast! They provided me with a stinger suit to prevent any jelly fish from trying to sting me. I felt extremely safe in the water and the crew was absolutely fantastic. If swimming isn’t your thing, they have life jackets and instructors willing to take you on a little swim to see the fish. These tours are set up for all levels, all ages and are guaranteed to be an experience you’ll never forget.

Hair brought to you courtesy of the Great Barrier Reef…

I chose to do another day trip up to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest during my stay in Cairns. They picked me up just around the corner from my hostel and provided all transportation throughout the day. Uncle Brian’s tours are geared to young adventurers and they do not disappoint. The small group sizes, and friendly, informative guides are incredible. I had a lot of fun exploring the forest, checking out the four mile beach and even taking a dip in the creek. As a group we went on a crocodile cruise as well and managed to catch a glimpse of some crocs in the wild. It was a day I won’t soon forget!

I really enjoyed my time in Cairns. It’s a great starting point for many different day trips, plus the city has a wonderful charm to it. I highly recommend spending a couple days in this part of Australia.