2014 Travel Highlights: The Best Travel Moments Of The Year
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
We took the aerial tram up the canyon and hiked a bit. Snow in February!
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
The view from the CMM welcome reception at the Fairmont 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.
Stopping at the border to take a selfie (with a tripod)!
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.
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.
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
The relaxed nature of Victoria. “The Chairs” on Beach Drive in Oak Bay
Giant trees at Cathedral Grove at MacMillan Provincial Park
The Malahat Lookout on Vancouver Island
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.
This polar bear at the Assiniboine Park Zoo has my kind of humor
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
A chopper selfie
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
A Sleepless Photo Series: Hong Kong
Visiting The Tian Tan Buddha and Tai O On Lantau Island
The beautiful Victoria Harbour
The Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island
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:
Singpatong Muay Thai Gym
Someone may have gotten a lot of massages and spa treatments while in Phuket!
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
Walking around NYC’s Chinatown, specifically Pell and Doyers Streets
Visiting the 9/11 Memorial and the Freedom Tower downtown
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.
I felt like Vancouver gives me so much so it was time to give back to the Vancouver Food Bank
I’m a bad Canadian and can’t skate
Quality time with my nephews
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!!!
