It’s been quite some time since my last post on travelling to sunny destinations and I felt inspired to put out some thoughts and images to my readers.

We have all had a turbulent year with the global pandemic as well as our individual personal struggles, however; there is light at the end of this all!

This post will focus on how to be good to yourself, cope with ‘not such great weather’ by creating simulations of sunny places when we are unable to step foot in those idyllic spots. First off, I live in a beautiful part of British Columbia and do not take that for granted by any means, but sometimes the rainy weather makes me feel gloomy. The impact is shared by many who experience neurobiological physical and mental changes when Mother Nature dumps a whammy on them.

Here are some ways to get creative by using all your senses in developing that feeling of warmth and sun that we all crave these days.

I’ve started experimenting with adding colour to my life. How you ask? Simple. Trust your vision and creative juices:

1. Paint on canvas. Who cares that you are not a realist when throwing colour on a palette. Better to be a Salvador Dali than a Gustave Courbet (look him up). The point is not to imitate, but rather, create those sunny destinations you so miss these days.

The Beach and the Seaside: A Source of Artistic Inspiration

“The possibilities are endless when attempting to depict the beach. The seaside is an ever-changing landscape; its consistent motion has made it a great source of inspiration for many artists. This particular theme is well-liked, especially for its artistic beauty and the duality between land and sea. By representing the beach, artists not only practice their art but also share their emotions”.  

If you’re like me, I am drawn to bodies of water and of course, the sun and warm temperatures, so I use these sources of inspiration to paint.

Colour makes me feel like I’m actually there on the beach in Cuba, Mexico, Hawaii, California, Nicaragua (some of my favs) or wherever your sunny place transports you to.

2) Decorate your oasis with scenes or smells of tropical countries. Easy! For example, fruity candles: satsuma orange, pineapple and lemon (careful of the lemon though as it may remind you of a cleaning agent instead of what a lemon truly represents). How about a cocktail or mocktail using colours like red, orange and blue topped off with an adorable umbrella? A perfect size for Ken and Barbie.

3) Grow tropical flowers if you can. It brightens my day when the weather is less than stellar.

4) Get a tattoo. Trust me, the pain of the needle is well worth it when you choose your tropical image.

5) Last, but not least is play, play, play your music.

My final words for today are ‘enjoy the raindrops because they always lead to sunshine and warmth’. Keep dreaming of those sunny destinations and make them a reality.

Until next time.

Julie

Yes, we all crave a hot sunny destination these days for some rest and relaxation especially as Covid -19 continues sadly. The good news is instead of heading south, why not go north? You will still experience the warmth and hospitality of Victorians when here and the city will remind you that you are in fact in the tropics as we have palm trees, bamboo shoots, hibiscus trees and even grape vines in a beautifully mild yet, sometimes hot climate during the summer months.

Why did I show you this video of one of my favourite sea creatures? Because there are many more beautiful mammals fish and birds in their natural habitat along Ogden Point such as jelly fish, mud sharks, orcas, humpbacks, seals, star fish and pacific white-sided dolphins, cormorants, bald eagles, turkey vultures and hawks to name a few. Further from the city, we also have bears, cougars and coyotes, so you see Victoria has a plethora of wildlife.

“Here at Frank Whites Dive Store, we our proud to be a part of a thriving dive community. If you are looking for a way to connect, explore and reach out to one of our upcoming events, it may be a perfect fit.

Frank Whites Dive Store- info@frankwhites.com (open everyday from 9:30-5:30).

“We offer a mixture of FREE and paid adventures for you to choose from. Below you can find everything from our upcoming courses, to our free local drop in dives and snorkeling as well as larger adventures”.

---

As the breakwater curves right, you’ll notice more marine traffic coming and going from the Victoria harbour area including cruise ships in berth with many tourists often their first time in Canada exploring the city.

Not much further and you reach the end at the lighthouse offering spectacular views looking south over the Juan de Fuca Strait.

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia ; it is situated on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and roughly has a Lat: 48 25.17 N; Lon: 123 22.13 W. It is an ideal tourist spot for those looking for an inexpensive holiday in a mild, subtropical climate. As Ogden Point is so close to Washington State, on a clear day one can see the breath-taking views of the Olympics Mountains across the strait. There are many ways to reach Victoria as a holiday destination: The Victoria Clipper Ship, the MV Coho car and foot passenger ferry as well as by float plane. Price out which form of transportation best suits your needs and your pocket book.

The Ogden Point Breakwater is a popular walk near downtown Victoria that follows the cement structure from Dallas Road out towards the Juan de Fuca Strait to a lighthouse on its furthest end. The area gives people an opportunity to see Victoria’s busy harbour traffic as cruise ships, ferries, sailboats, float planes, helicopters and more all pass through the area to reach Victoria.

From Dallas Road, walk along the path and out onto the breakwater. It was only in 2013 that railings were installed along the route as the sides used to have nothing between the path and the cement blocks below. Continue walking along the route, taking moments to look back in both directions at the scenic harbour views.

Back a few meters along the route from the lighthouse, there is a metal gate with stairs where it is possible to walk down to the area below. A word of caution, the large cement blocks can be very slippery when wet and winds, waves, and the tide can make things unpredictable, so walking down and along the cement blocks to the lower level is done at your own risk.

After an exciting day of exploring the breakwater pier, lighthouse and cruise ships, why not treat yourself to a snack at the Breakwater Barge; a quaint little place overlooking the water offering mouth-watering treats.

Sample Menu Small Plates include:

HOUSE NACHOS, tortilla chips, cheese, tomato, green onion, olives, green peppers, pickled jalapeños- 17

ORGANIC GREENS, radish, pumpkin seeds, tomatillo and coriander vinaigrette- 17

Traditional  CHOWDER with rotating local seafood- 10

House cut KENNEBEC FRIES, Vancouver Island sea salt, kewpie mayonnaise – 6

SWEET POTATO FRIES, served with house aioli. – 8

FALAFEL BITES – 6

Sample Menu Big Plates include:

Wild BC HALIBUT & CHIPS, gluten free chickpea tempura batter, kelp tartare sauce, Kennebec fries, house ferments.  1pc. 17   2pc. 21

SALMON POKE, sushi rice, Sockeye, squash, tamari, greens, sesame, fried onion, spicy togarashi sauce, kelp gomasio
swap sockeye for pickled and root veggies -16

LIME AND BLACK BEAN BOWL, black bean puree, summer squash, cauliflower rice, organic greens, tomatoes and tortilla chips- 14

Two Rivers organic BEEF BURGER on brioche, kewpie mayonnaise, fermented ketchup, mustard, greens, tomato, onion, pickle -14

FALAFEL BURGER, house made patty, kewpie mayonnaise, greens, tomato, pickled vegetables,  onion -16

FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH on brioche, pickled jalapenos, pickles, pickled carrots, aged cheddar, kewpie mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato- 16

 All sandwiches served with your choice of Kennebec fries or organic green salad -17
Add cheese $2 or two rivers bacon $3.

When looking for more authentic cuisine that is reasonably priced, , stroll up to The Tapa Bar/La Bodega on Broad Street, not too far from Ogden Point. There, you will be tantalized by the variety of Spanish food on offer and the atmosphere is full of beans! 250-383-0093 (reservations are recommended as this is a popular eatery for locals as well as tourists alike.

Well folks, this concludes my blog for today, but more to come in the future. I lived in Victoria for 15 years before I moved to Vancouver and whenever someone approaches me with a question about the island, I always reply, “pack me in your suitcase please”.

Hello all,

It has been awhile since I have posted. We have had a tumultuous year surviving Covid -19 and the variants. As things slowly open up and we get our vaccinations, I think for our mental health and physical well-being, it is time to look at cautiously travelling again.

Since mid-December, with Air Canada and West Jet, leaving from Canada direct to Hawaii, one can bypass the state’s mandatory 10 day quarantine period with a negative Covid-19 test taken 72 hours prior to travel.

This state has the tropical paradise that anyone could wish for including plumeria, hibiscus, honu turtles, sharks and whales. Although not a cheap place to visit whether you go to Maui, Oahu, or Kihei, you can do this trip on a budget. Look up Airbnb, Booking.com or Hotels.com with free cancellation on accommodation, by the way, to find the cheapest place to stay. Research condos with kitchen facilities so you are able to cook your meals or even better, a place that has a barbeque so you can put a juicy steak on there as you watch the sunset with a glass of red wine. There is nothing better than the Hawaiian sunsets!

Pacific Whale Foundation in Maui has express whale watching tours for $27 American dollars- a steal! You are guaranteed to see some lovely marine mammal life in the ocean waters. When in Maui, visit Lelaini’s for pupus in Kaanapali:

Pupus

Hawaiian Ahi Poke*

Avocado, kukui nut, local ogo, shaved Maui onion, crispy taro chips21

Coconut Shrimp

Local favorite, jicama cucumber namasu, curried coconut dip18.5

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes

Jicama, local corn & pickled red onion, tomatillo aioli21

Macadamia Nut Hummus

Hawaii grown mac nuts, seasonal vegetables, taro chips15

Dig Me Beach Ceviche

Local fish, fresh squeezed lime, avocado, cilantro, Maui onion, tomato, cucumbers, crisp tortilla chips16.5

Sriracha-Guava Chicken Wings

All natural chicken, fresh cilantro, green onion, jicama cucumber namasu, herb buttermilk17

Calamari Strips

Panko crusted, ginger-yuzu cocktail sauce

Or the Canadian owned Napili Sea House:

Pupus:

Whether you are looking for a place out of the blues or simply visiting a new place place in Hawaii or revisiting a frequented place there, I leave you with my favourite IZ song that sums up what Hawaii all that means to me.

Mahalo!

Alas, travel these days seems like a distant memory due to Covid-19 and for me living in Vancouver, British Columbia even more so because of the smog alerts and unhealthy air quality of our city from the raging forest fires in The United States. One can only hope that situations improve for everyone. I do remember ; however, the clear blue skies of Spain and this is where I share my journey with you…

If you are like me and appreciate architectural wonders that highlight remnants of old cultures, then Cartagena is the place for you. This colonial walled city is easy to get to from Torrevieja Bus Station traveling by ALSA (Movelia) coach line. A one -way trip costs (9CAD/7USD). The journey is an hour and a half taking you through Miguel de Salinas (salt lakes full of flamingos), La Magdalena and finally to your magical destination.

Cartagena is a city in the region of Murcia in southeastern Spain and has a population of roughly 217, 000 inhabitants. The city has a rich history dating back to when the Romans entertained in the 2,000 year old amphitheatre. Walking through these ruins will surely take you back in time for a glimpse of what life was like.

The history of this magnificent city dates back to when the Spanish Bourbon arrived in the 18th century. Their influence is seen in every building. It is not uncommon to stumble across a work of architectural brilliance as you navigate the narrow cobblestone streets. The buildings reflect the Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine and Moorish styles. Take a look at these beauties.

If you want to escape the city for a quieter experience near the water, simply head to the Bay of Cartagena famous for its Spanish Naval Station. This port is still a seaway used for commercial transportation of goods and it also offers many tourist activities.

On Paseo Alfonso X11 Puerto de Cartagena, you will find boats lined up at the pier beckoning you to step aboard. We chose the Barco Turistico for a 50 minute journey on the waters. Only priced at (8CAD/6USD), the tour offers big bang for your buck riding in the comfort of a catamaran.

After this great boat ride, despite having sea legs, we decided to end the day with some seafood tapas at a local restaurant topped off with some Dos Maderos (Spanish rum).

All in all, Cartagena has much to offer the ‘wandering traveller’ whether one prefers exploring extraordinary architecture or simply relaxing on the bay, this city has it all.

The best way to explore the numerous colonial towns in Alicante is of course, by coach and it all starts at the ancient Torrevieja Bus Station on Calle del Mar 40.

Here, coaches for as little as 7 euros, will take you on a whirl wind ride through coastal towns such as Guardamar, La Marina and Santa Pola which is where your adventure begins.

Santa Pola is famous for its castles and fortresses which were built in the 16th century to protect the seamen from pirate attacks. The antiquated Plaza de la Glorieta is a town square where all the action happens.

Santa Pola pier is within walking distance from the town square. When at the marina, booking a boat ride for 15 euros (23 CAD/ 17 USD) to the Island of Tabarca is a must! The island is an inlet located in the Mediterranean Sea and is a protected ecological reserve teeming with colourful fish, birds and octopi. This white washed town has a population of only 1,000 inhabitants, but increases three fold during the summer with the busy tourist season when everyone wants to swim and snorkel on this island. I must warn you though, the 20 minute boat trip to the island was a rocky one with many passengers feeling like they were on a simulated roller coaster ride, so bring some gravel tablets before embarking. Once there, leisurely stroll through alleyways full of painted murals and have a rest at a local restaurant whilst savoring the delights of local seafood tapas.

After a day of exploration and soaking up the sun, it was now time to leave this little gem of a place and make plans for our next trip to the old city of Alicante and Cartegena. More on that in my next blog…..

We all dream of ‘getting away’ to peace and tranquility during this Covid epidemic and leaving the virus behind, yet travel is restricted if not recommended. We can only reflect on past travel memoirs and reminisce of the good old days when travel to sunny destinations on a budget was even possible. To keep my followers abreast, I’m giving you a glimpse of my past trip to Torrevieja, Spain in 2016.

This quaint little seaside town with a population of 86,000 inhabitants sits on the Southeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea of Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante. When we think of Spain and the culinary delights such as Iberian ham, paella and dorado, we tend to forget about other dishes that Spain has to offer.

This blog will focus on some affordable, yet tasty dishes that Torrevieja has to offer. When on a budget in Spain, it can be challenging to find quality food that will not burn a hole in your wallet, but it is possible with a little research and talking to the locals. All these restaurants are at a stone’s throw from each other and within easy walking distance.

The first recommendation is to partake in a three course lunch that is often discounted and at a fixed price at La Pergola. You can fill your belly until your heart’s content for only 12 euros (18 dollars Canadian/14 dollars American) including a salad, dessert and a cocktail.

La Pergola is just the place for scrumptious pizza and pasta dishes. Located in front of Playa del Cura (the main beach on the pier), Ramon y Cajal 175, this swanky restaurant boasts a lovely patio with a vase of flowers at each table to complement the dining experience.

My favorite specialty was the saccottini gorgonzola with walnut sauce, a glass of Spanish red and to top things off, a lush tiramisu served in a glass cup. As the food is filling, you might want to saunter down to the beach for a restful nap under the Mediterranean Sea after.

Another more rustic restaurant to visit is Restaurante El Muelle on Calle del Mar 1 Paseo Maritimo Juan Aparicio.

El Muelle has perfected the pizza experience with many savory items to choose from.

Spain is famous for their croquettes- although I personally believe the Dutch were the ones to put this tasty morsel on the map. When we visited St. Jeremi’s Irish Pub on the pier (Paseo Maritimo Aparicio 8), I was pleasantly surprised with the menu which included rice and cheese filled croquettes for 5 euros. If you want to stay away from traditional pub fare, try this twist on Spanish croquettes as an appetizer.

Finally, no Spanish meal is complete without ‘el postre’. Dulce de Leche on Calle Caballero de Rodas 106 is a fantasy for pastry lovers. This family- run business off the beach front has delicacies that will seduce your sweet tooth time and time again.

Dulce de Leche comes in many forms, but is essentially a concoction of sweet caramelized condensed milk. This shop names itself after the famous dessert and rightfully so.

Spain is such a lovely country steeped in culture and traditions. As such, my next blog will focus on things to do in Torrevieja in order to experience this. Until then, stay safe everyone and dream about your next sunny destination. Who knows, it may just be around the corner……

Hello followers,

It has been awhile since my last post when travelling to Nuevo Vallarta in Mexico in December 2019 and boy do I miss travelling!!

In keeping with my music via ear buds and dancing to Luis Fonsi, Enrique Iglesias, Nicky Jam and Shakira, I long for the tropics, especially, Central, South America and Mexico; however, the COVID-19 virus has left us all in a paralysis. Sadly, despite certain areas, these Latin countries are not affected, so why not visit them, especially if you live in a cold or rainy climate like Canada?

Recently, on ABC News, I watched Nik Wallenda traverse the active El Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua where my family and I were fortunate enough to visit a few years ago. Here is a bold man and his wife who defy all odds in crossing the volcano and carefully indulging in and enjoying the active fiery volcano ash below. An unforgettable experience, no doubt! The courage and determination of this couple to accomplish this feat is wonderful. This makes me reflect on all my travels and despite travel restrictions, be safe and do not let this stop you from travelling to select areas in the world. Be safe, but also be adventurous when the heart speaks.

It had been 16 years since I ventured back to Mexico after having taught in Zamora, Michoacan. My UK friend and I decided to explore the sights and sounds of Nayarit, 15 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta.

First off, if you are like me and do not relish the all-inclusive resorts in Mexico but prefer to experience the authentic Mexican vibe, then Nuevo Vallarta is for you. Thanks to booking.com, we stayed in a tranquil bed and breakfast with 13 rooms for a reasonable price, but not off the beaten path and in walking distance to the beach, restaurants and “OXXO”, the Mexican convenience store. OXXO is as familiar to locals as “Bimbo” bread and you can buy anything from snacks, water, cervezas to liquor. If you are lucky, you will cross paths with a woman and her son selling tamales con plantain (bananas) before entering OXXO.

Our place was Casa Virgilio located in a residential neighborhood and run by a Cuban from Havana. What a paradise and at 14 pesos to the Canadian dollar, you can stay at this place for only $350 a week including waking up to a luscious breakfast consisting of Mexican frijoles, eggs, quesadillas, rice, papaya, melon and pineapple juices. We filled our bellies and partook in the empty pool and hot tub as we relished the sounds of birds including egrets, herons and humming birds. Under the palapas, we could see gargantuas orange iguanas with black stripes slithering down the banks of the river.

The interior of the rooms were magnificently accented with Mexican tile work.

For authentic Mexican cuisine, head down el paseo de las palmas, turn right and walk a few blocks to Ruffus y Lola. We had the best mole, rice, fish and empanadas at this place for only 100 pesos. Needless to say, we were regulars there and Ruffus gifted us tiles.

If you fancy exploring little local towns, I would recommend Bucerias, 15 minutes north of Nuevo Vallarta and easily accessible by local bus or taxi. This little place boasts a strip of markets and restaurants leading to the windy ocean where you encounter a marvelous steel, bronze statue of a deep sea diver spearing oysters.

Another gem of a place is the fishing village of Sayulita in Banderas Bay.

Easily accessible by taxi, this area is known as the surfing capital of Nayarit. The famous iguana tree is a must visit where you can feed these reptiles bananas as you knock on the bark of the tree watching them clamor down for their food.

Sayulita has many shops to buy souvenirs including ceramics and paper shops where you can buy mandelas and plastic or paper Mexican banners. For 50 pesos, I brought these back and they now hang on my patio.

For an affordable holiday away in the sun and warmth at Christmas time where the temperatures reach 30 degrees, I would highly recommend Mexico. You cannot beat the warmth and hospitality of the locals!