Agadir (A to Z 2020)

I forgot this was happening! Not that I've blogged any time recently. But here we are... We'll go with a travel photo log for this year's theme, shall we?

It was our 10th wedding anniversary this year and we were able to take a trip to Agadir, Morocco with some monetary gifts from family. Here are some highlights:

Agadir City Logo

How to make a River Song Journal cover for your eBook on the cheap and with limited supplies

Long title. Sorry about that. This is your how-to guide (with photos!) on making a River Song Journal style cover for your eBook if you have little money and few supplies on hand. I'm currently working remotely from a guest house in The South and had some free time and the creative urge and a need for a cover for my new Kobo. I don't have any of my usual sewing or art supplies so I had to use what was available with one quick trip to the nearest Micheal's.

My version of the River Song journal book cover.

Please note that this is not super professional or amazing but for a few dollars and a few hours, I am happy with the result. There are other tutorials on the interwebs that have nicer end products and you can order some on etsy but I wanted to do something with my hands. So I thought I'd share. 

A to Z 2014: YOLO

{For the month of April I will be blogging alphabetically on the topic of travel tips.}

Yes, I know, that is such a lame title. The thing is, that's kind of the attitude one should have when going on adventures.

I'm feeding teh kitteh!!!

A to Z 2014: Food

{For the month of April I will be blogging alphabetically on the topic of travel tips.}

There are so many reasons to travel. So many. One of my absolute favourites is the food. There are flavours around the world that you haven't experienced yet! Go find them!

Thailand is so tasty!

Vietnam for Christmas! Day 10 - Hanoi

Our last day in Vietnam was spent walking around Hanoi again. This time with a wider berth. I think we'll do this in photos again...

Military dudes walking up and down the sidewalk in front of the Federal Government Office.

Vietnam for Christmas! Day 9 - Hanoi

For our first full day in Hanoi, we followed a walking tour that Alyssa had found in the guide book she bought. I think this will be another photo post.

We three teas of orient are... delicious. Lunch at The Little Black Duck is highly recommended!

Vietnam for Christmas! Day 8 - Hanoi

It was the drive from Ha Long City back to Haiphong where I was most struck by the beautiful architecture. This is when I really started taking pictures. Which became awkward because the windows of the train from Haiphong to Hanoi were very foggy. This post will be filled with foggy photos. Sorry.

Duplex, Vietnamese style!

Vietnam for Christmas! Day 7 - Ha Long Bay

If you've been following along, you might noticed that I skipped Day 6. That was basically a transit day. We had an early afternoon flight from Da Nang to Haiphong via propeller plane. Then it was a three hour drive (because our driver wouldn't go faster than 40km/h) to our hotel in Ha Long City. We had a disappointing dinner at the hotel and went to bed early. Not worth a whole post. Ha Long Bay, however...

Karsts in the mist.

Vietnam for Christmas! Day 5 - Hoi An

We really only had one day in Hoi An. (Two sleeps.) So we just did the touristy things. And boy-o was this a touristy town!

Being super touristy.

Vietnam for Christmas! Day 4 - Ho Chi Minh City

Merry Christmas! Our fourth day in Vietnam was Christmas day. We spend the day wandering around Saigon and ended the day at the airport to fly up to Hoi An.

We started with another lovely breakfast at the hotel.

Amazing bread!

Vietnam for Christmas! Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City

Our third day in Vietnam was spent on a bus. About three hours each way to visit the Cao Đài Holy See and Củ Chi Tunnels. These are two fascinating pieces of Vietnamese history and culture.

Worshippers in the Temple.

Vietnam for Christmas! Day 2 - Ho Chi Minh City

Our second day in Saigon started off early with an amazing breakfast. 

Mini pho for breakfast!

Vietnam for Christmas! Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City

For Christmas 2013 my husband Evan and I, along with our friend Alyssa, did a quick trip to Vietnam. Ten days in this complex country isn't really enough but it's what we had. Our destinations were all "H" cities: Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An, Ha Long and Ha Noi.

People like to ask, "What was your favourite part?" or "What surprised you the most?" Vietnamese food has been some of my absolute favourite for years (shout out to Viva on Sargent!) and the country did not disappoint! The second 'favourite' thing and most surprising was the beautiful architecture. It was like a modern take on French Colonial with Asian flare. Stunning! I wish I had thought to take more pictures early on. Both of these themes will come up throughout this trip blog. Consider them the main motifs.

I should also note that this trip was inspired, in part, by Top Gear and Anthony Bourdain.

We flew in to Ho Chi Minh City (AKA Saigon) on a Sunday afternoon. Our day started super early so we were tired but excited to jump in!

Our first glimpse of Vietnam from the taxi.

A to Z 2013: Zoo

For the month of April I will be blogging alphabetically with the theme of Winnipeg versus Davao City. Not to prove a winner but simply to explore the differences and similarities between my home town and my current location.

Z is for Zoo!

Canadian Lynx!

A to Z 2013: Water

For the month of April I will be blogging alphabetically with the theme of Winnipeg versus Davao City. Not to prove a winner but simply to explore the differences and similarities between my home town and my current location.

W is for Water!

The Assiniboine River in Winnipeg.

A to Z 2013: Trees

For the month of April I will be blogging alphabetically with the theme of Winnipeg versus Davao City. Not to prove a winner but simply to explore the differences and similarities between my home town and my current location.

T is for Trees!

Palms and others in Davao.

Jakarta!

One of the perks of working for an international NGO is travel! I recently go to visit some colleges in Jakarta, Indonesia. I didn't get to do much exploring but here are a few photos of my experience...

The view of the Jakarta skyline from my hotel room. (Click to enlarge.)

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Here is this week's entry for the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme of "Reflections":

Click to enlarge. (Limited to your browser window.)

This is a mirror in the middle of a fountain in front of the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo, Monaco. I think that might be the Hotel Paris in the background on the left. Such a beautiful place!

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Green

Here is my photo collage for this week's WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge theme of green:

A Morning at the Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City

Thursday morning we we went to the Bankerohan Public Market for the first time. Our wonderful new friends Beth and Kurt were our guides. Here are some shots or our day.

This is the trike we took to get to the market.

Here is the open part of the market. Most of the fruit and veg is out like this.