We like to get away frequently and the way we are able to do so is by keeping our costs down. Whether it's a weekend getaway, a longer road trip or we fly to our destination, we travel with supplies that allow us to be self sufficient. While staying in a budget hotel or treating ourselves to a fancy resort we save money on our meals by bringing a little bit of home with us. We don't prepare every meal for ourselves, part of the joy of going away is eating out in restaurants and cafes. It's a way to experience the atmosphere of your destination, a source of entertainment and way to try … [Read more...]
Happy Canada Day!
Happy Canada Day Everyone! … [Read more...]
Is Beijing The City Of Bad Haircuts?
It seems you can't walk more than a few feet without spotting a barber shop in Beijing, or almost any city in China for that matter. We were warned that anyone and everyone thinks they can cut hair here. There are supposedly less than one hundred professional salons in this largely populated city. The rest are unqualified people who own scissors. Check out this advertisement we saw in a salon window. I guess it is supposed to entice people to come in for a new look? After getting a recommendation from an expat travel forum we chose a shop that looked like a quality place. It was … [Read more...]
Sometimes A Private Airport Lounge Is Worth The Price
This was our first time using a private airport lounge and if our budget allows it we may use them more in the future. Some lounges belong to a specific airline, access can be limited to passengers flying with them or their affiliate partners. The lounge we used in Toronto's Pearson Airport can be used by anyone, at a cost of course. We managed to get a coupon from an airport worker to bring the cost down. We had a little under three hours to waster before our next flight. We paid around $20 CDN each to spend that time in the lounge. Considering that included a meal I think it was a … [Read more...]
Surviving The Toilets Of China
It was a shock to go to the washroom for the first time in China. It was during a stop in a rural while taking a Sleeper Bus from Hong Kong to Yangshou. The bus was equipped with a small closet washroom, but I never saw anyone use it. If the locals were not using it, I wasn't about to. We had been warned about the toilets in China, but nothing could have prepared me for this experience. I followed other ladies from the bus into the building that housed the facilities. I was preparing myself to use a squat toilet for the first time, but to my surprise it was even worse. … [Read more...]
International Talk Like A Pirate Day
Happy International Talk Like A Pirate Day! No, it's not a joke. It is a real celebration. For almost a decade now September 19th has been celebrated as International Talk Like A Pirate Day. It is spreading globally and gaining in popularity every year. People do all kinds of things to celebrate like dressing up for the occasion and talking in crazy pirate lingo. So get into the spirit, Arrrrrr Matey! We spotted this crew of scurvy scallywags walking the streets of Victoria, B.C. on an International Talk Like A Pirate Day a few years ago. Check out the official website, you'll find … [Read more...]
Canuck Fever Has Taken Over Vancouver
GO CANUCKS GO! The city of Vancouver is crazy with Canuck fever. Anything and everything that can have a Canuck's jersey thrown on it has, including the statue of Lord Stanley himself. The history of the Stanley Cup … [Read more...]
Traveling As A Vegetarian In China
It was challenging to travel around for three months in China as vegetarians. We do eat fish, but that didn't seem to make it any easier. We're not complaining, but just giving our experience. The last thing we want to be are travelers that whine about not being able to get the same food as home while in a foreign country. Food is one of the main reasons we love to travel, we try to sample as many local dishes as we can. Generally we are only slightly limited because of being vegetarians. However we found China to be quite different from anywhere else we have traveled. Even hardcore meat … [Read more...]
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of the frequently asked questions revolve around our world trip, but we have covered other general travel topics as well. If you have a question to ask us please feel free to contact us. … [Read more...]
Media Hype Is Destroying A Canmore Dog Sled Company
The Whistler, B.C. company that is responsible for the death of 100 sled dogs has tainted the entire industry and practically destroyed the reputation of the Canmore dog sled company operating under the same name Howling Dog Tours. Rich Bittner and his wife Dana used to own 50% of the company in Whistler. They sold their portion in 2004 and have not had anything to do with the company since that time. … [Read more...]