2014 Travel Highlights: The Best Travel Moments Of The Year

Helijet Chopper Selife

2014 My Year In Review 

Happy New Year friends!! I hope that all of you had a festive holiday season, either spending time with friends and loved ones or travelling of course! The holidays for me were spent with my family in Vancouver. Now I’m back settling in Los Angeles only to get back on the road again next week. To be honest I didn’t think it would be a big year of travel, but in the end, I did manage to have many memorable experiences. We’re already a week into 2015 so I thought I would share some of the highlights from 2014.

Palm Springs 

For my birthday, one of my best friends surprised me by flying our other BFF in all the way from Toronto. Palm Springs is one of my favourite places in California. It’s a perfect escape from Los Angeles. Only a 2-hour drive from LA or San Diego, it’s a perfect place to go with friends, a partner, or even solo! It’s not just all snowbirds or festival goers.

Read more here: A Weekend Guide to Palm Springs

Mount San Jacinto Hike January 2014

We took the aerial tram up the canyon and hiked a bit. Snow in February!

Fire Pits at The Parker January 2014

I kind of love the Parker Palm Springs. To death!

San Francisco

In April 2014, I was invited to attend a conference organized by Canadian Tourism in San Francisco. The event was for US-based travel writers to meet with Canadian Tourism offices and brands. After the conference, I had a few days extra to explore San Francisco and Oakland.

Read more here: A San Francisco Coffee Guide or A San Francisco Food Guide

View From Fairmont San Francisco - CMM 2014

The view from the CMM welcome reception at the Fairmont San Francisco

Street Car San Francisco

Ding ding!! A San Francisco trolley car

Solo road trip from Los Angeles to Vancouver

When I went on my round the world trip, I drove my car up to Canada so I could leave it at my parents’ place. When I did the drive years ago, I pushed myself to drive crazy hours. This time I didn’t want to do that so I gave myself plenty of time for the drive. 

Oregon Coast Border - Road Trip 2014

Stopping at the border to take a selfie (with a tripod)!

Solo traveler photo tips

An epic selfie along the Oregon Coast

Running My First Road Race, The Vancouver Sun Run

Growing up in Vancouver, it’s shocking that I had never run the Vancouver Sun Run. In 2014, the race had its 30th Anniversary and to celebrate a milestone birthday year, a group of our friends decided to run it. We all signed up, trained and completed the 10K race. I’m not really the best runner so I was proud of this accomplishment. Read more here.

Vancouver Sun Run 2014 Finished!

A happy Sun Run finisher!

Harrison Hot Springs – Sturgeon Fishing

In late April 2014, I went up to Harrison Hot Springs for a few days with my friend Paul.  Whenever I go home to Vancouver, I try my best to see more of British Columbia. We planned a couple of days at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort and went sturgeon fishing with BC Sports Fishing Group.

Sturgeon Fishing Harrison 2014

Whoa, sturgeon!

Travelling Around Vancouver Island 

When I was growing up in Vancouver, I barely spent any time on Vancouver Island. Now I am obsessed with it. If I don’t retire on a tropical island in Asia, I’ll end up living on Vancouver Island. I am enamoured with Victoria and loved exploring Parksville and Qualicum area.

Read more here: A Victoria Food Guide, Things To Do In Victoria, Oak Bay Beach Resort: A Review

Chairs on Beach Drive Victoria BC

The relaxed nature of Victoria. “The Chairs” on Beach Drive in Oak Bay

Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island

Giant trees at Cathedral Grove at MacMillan Provincial Park

Malahat Lookout on Vancouver Island

The Malahat Lookout on Vancouver Island

Caving at Horne Lake Caves On Vancouver Island Summer 2014

I went spelunking at Horne Lake Caves

Winnipeg Is Cooler Than You Think

At the end of May, I took a trip to Winnipeg. Most people tend to ignore the middle of Canada. All the focus tends to be on Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Cities like Winnipeg have great gems, too not to mention some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

While I was in Winnipeg I attended an event called Table for 1200, visited the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, saw rescue polar bears up close, had some spa time at Ten Spa, ate killer food at Deer+Almond and shared a frozen treat at Bridge Drive-In (a local institution). Winnipeg is now on my radar and I would go back.

Polar Bear Winnipeg Assiniboine Zoo

This polar bear at the Assiniboine Park Zoo has my kind of humor

Table for 1200 Winnipeg 2014

All of the lovely diners dressed in white at the Table for 1200

The Best Tour In Vancouver

Riding a helicopter for the first time was definitely a highlight of 2014 for me. But riding over my hometown on a perfect summer day? Even better.

Read more here: The Best Tour In Vancouver

Helijet Chopper Selife

A chopper selfie

Vancouver Sightseeing Tour With Helijet

Flying over the North Shore Mountains

Hong Kong

One of my favourite places in Asia is Hong Kong. I have now been a handful of times. For my trip in September, I was keen on visiting places I had never visited before. My friend Theo and I went to Lantau Island, went to different markets, and ate a lot of food. I love Hong Kong

Read more here: 

6 views not to miss in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Markets

A Sleepless Photo Series: Hong Kong

Visiting The Tian Tan Buddha and Tai O On Lantau Island

Hong Kong HarbourThe beautiful Victoria Harbour

Tian Tan Buddha Lantau Island

The Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island

A Michelin Meal at Shang Palace In Hong Kong

A Two Star Michelin Meal at Shang Palace at the Shangri-La in Kowloon

Phuket Part 2

When I went to Phuket on my round the world trip in 2011 I weary of it. Friends told me they hated it so I was not that interested in visiting. In the end, I went but just to surf and did not explore the island.

In September 2014, I was visiting a friend of a friend. It always seems as though my opinions change when I spend time with locals. And with Phuket, it did.

Highlights from my weekend in Phuket include visiting Singpatong Muay Thai gym, boating through Phang Nga Bay, stopping for lunch at a floating fishing village, visiting Old Town Phuket, getting tons of spa treatments for cheap, and eating of course.

Read more here:

10 Must-Dos In Phuket

Exploring Phang Nga Bay 

Phuket’s Old Town

Singpatong Muay Thai Gym

Singpatong Muay Thai Gym

Spa Treatments 2014

Someone may have gotten a lot of massages and spa treatments while in Phuket!

Phang Nga Bay

So beautifully unreal in Phang Nga Bay

New York City

It seems as though I take a trip to New York every year. Not complaining, I love that city. It was nice to explore the Big Apple and have no agenda. While I was there my best friend was there too and we celebrated her birthday. 

Read more here: A NYC Coffee Guide and A NYC Food Guide

Pell and Doyers Chinatown NYC

Walking around NYC’s Chinatown, specifically Pell and Doyers Streets

Freedom Tower In NYC

Visiting the 9/11 Memorial and the Freedom Tower downtown

The Highline New York City

I always visit the Highline every trip. This trip I went 3 times!

Christmas In Vancouver

Ever since my mom passed away, the holidays don’t feel the same to me. I’ll be honest and admit that I’m not a fan of Christmas. This past summer my Pops moved into an assisted living home and I decided that I need more time. AND I miss my nephews. So even though the city feels different without my mom, I came home. In the end, it was great to be home and see family and friends.

Volunteering At The Vancouver Food Bank December 2014

I felt like Vancouver gives me so much so it was time to give back to the Vancouver Food Bank

Not Very Good At Ice Skating

I’m a bad Canadian and can’t skate

My nephews and I Xmas 2014

Quality time with my nephews

Canyon Lights At Capilano Suspension Bridge

On Christmas Eve, I went to see Canyon Lights At the Capilano Suspension Bridge

Happy New Years my friends! To more travel, adventure, and love in 2015!!!

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