After spending two months back home in Singapore, we decided to spend five days in Taiwan before returning to Vancouver as a mini birthday celebration for the both of us. We arrived in Taipei on a hot July day, and while the weather continued to be a scorcher, we had fun exploring the busy city and its surroundings.

One of the biggest takeaways I had on this trip is that five days is wayyyy too short to properly dive into everything that Taiwan has to offer.

Another big takeaway: Having a local guide helped us experience Taiwan on a whole new level.

V and I are not too fond of joining large tour groups with a jam-packed itinerary, often with stops that you wish weren’t included. I’m a spontaneous kind of traveller, the kind that make loosely-held plans and are always open to change. Plus, joining a tour – or having a tour guide – didn’t seem very necessary in a well-developed city like Taipei (the bus rides were ridiculously cheap and convenient!). But because it was my first time in Taiwan and I didn’t want to miss out on visiting popular (albeit touristy) sites like Yehliu Geopark and Jiufen, we enlisted Loci Amica’s help.

the friendly locals

Sam and Frieda, the founders of Loci Amica, created the platform to connect travellers with local tour guides in Taiwan. It offers you the opportunity to tailor a tour that meets your needs and interests, and meet with locals who have insider knowledge on what to eat and where to go.

Sam and Frieda put me in touch with Daphne, a Taiwanese tour guide, a few weeks before my visit to Taipei. After sharing some of the destinations I wanted to visit on a day trip out of Taipei with Daphne, she cautioned that it would be rather tiring as it would require a lot of walking. The list was then whittled down to four must-visit hotspots, and we arranged for Daphne to pick us up at our hotel in Ximending in the morning.

Check out the places we visited and what we enjoyed about having a Loci Amica* guide with us!

Yehliu Geopark

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Our first stop of the day was the Yehliu Geopark, approximately an hour’s drive from Ximending. The park is full of intriguing rock formations with amusing names like mushroom rock and tofu rock. There are also ones shaped like candles and a slipper, as well as its most famous attraction, Queen’s Head, which supposedly resembles Queen Elizabeth’s side profile.

Daphne expertly led us to view many of them, and helped us to avoid the long line-up for a photo at the Queen’s Head by showing us around to its other side.

I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about these fascinating rocks, spotting ancient fossils embedded in the dusty sand, and marvelling at the area’s alien-looking landscape. What’s more, just being close to the water (and out of the city’s crowded shopping streets) was a treat in itselt.

One handy tip you should know before you go: There is barely any shade available here, so umbrellas are highly recommended if you don’t want to get sun-burnt or suffer heat damage like we did!

Jiufen

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After spending some 45 minutes at Yehliu Geopark, we were starting to get rather hungry. Daphne drove us to our next stop – Jiufen (九份) – which was roughly an hour away. The charming mountain town became famous after gold was discovered during the Japanese occupation, and gold mining was once its biggest trade. It’s a touristy place, to be sure, but still worth a visit especially if it’s your first time in Taiwan.

Fans of Hazao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away will be thrilled to spot the iconic A-mei Tea House with its flashy red lanterns and gorgeous wood-panelled windows. Street food fiends, too, will be spoiled for choice with tons of stalls along Jiufen’s narrow, winding alleyways. We tried handmade fishballs and lu rou fan (卤肉饭); some fried squid; and an iced taro ball dessert from A Gan Yi (the best one in Jiufen according to Daphne, and we fully agree!).

For first-time visitors to Asia, Jiufen’s complicated layout might be rather overwhelming; for non-locals with a bad sense of direction like myself, navigating would’ve been a nightmare. Thankfully, we had Daphne to guide us and bring us to the places we wanted to check out.

Shifen Waterfall

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After lunch at Jiufen, Daphne brought us to Shifen Waterfall, a 40-minute drive away and easily one of my favourite stops of the day.

The waterfall is super easy to get to – just cross a short, creaky suspension bridge, walk past a few shops, and you’ll reach a pretty spacious viewing area for the waterfall, which is 20 metres high and 40 metres wide. On your way back to the carpark, there’s another viewing spot which offers a close-up look at this majestic beauty. Just be prepared to jostle with a ton of other eager tourists for that million-dollar shot.

Pingxi

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While many tourists stop by the town of Shifen to experience the Taiwanese tradition of releasing paper lanterns into the sky, Daphne advised us that it was the little nondescript town of Pingxi where this practice originated from. Hence, we skipped out on visiting Shifen and headed to Pingxi, which was about 15 minutes away from the waterfall by car.

I would highly recommend Pingxi if you have crowd fatigue, especially after going to Jiufen. The streets were way less crowded and it made exploring a lot more relaxed. We spent a fair bit of time at the train tracks watching people release their paper lanterns, on which wishes and hopes were written, into the sky. Fun fact: Those train tracks are still in operation today, and I would strongly advise against taking a photo when the train is bearing down on you :p

To cap the day’s activities off, Daphne treated us to a local delicacy called “Big Sausage Wrap Small Sausage” (Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang / 大腸包小腸), comprising a glutinous rice sausage wrapped around a Taiwanese pork sausage. I found it a tad oily, but my husband polished it off in minutes.

By this time, it was evening, and Daphne drove us right back to our hotel in Ximending, where we could finally rest our tired feet!

my overall experience with loci amica

In all, I thought Daphne did a brilliant job as our Loci Amica guide. She didn’t rush us or promote certain activities or stores over others (which often comes across as pushy), but let us take the tour at our own pace while pointing out things of interest. I was in desperate need of coffee at one point, and she immediately brought us to a coffee shop in Jiufen where I could get some caffeine into my system.

I also liked having the freedom and choice to decide on our itinerary for the day, rather than subjecting ourselves to standard pick-up and drop-off times on a typical bus tour or rushing to take public transit. Daphne did advise, however, that this tour is usually broken up into two days so there’s much less walking involved.

It was also fun for us to gain a local’s perspective on life in Taiwan and get tips on where to eat and shop. The Taiwanese are friendly people, but since my Mandarin isn’t that great, I was immensely grateful that Daphne could converse in English.

If you’re considering a day trip out of Taipei and/or wondering if you should hire a tour guide, my answer is a resounding yes! Loci Amica also offers tours of Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, and I think having a local’s insider info in these destinations would be so helpful.

Thanks for sticking around to read this, and if you have any other questions about my experience, feel free to leave a comment below or email me at izzabelle.ong@gmail.com!

*This tour was gifted by Loci Amica. All thoughts and experiences in this blog post are my own.

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xx,
iz

In Metro Vancouver, one of the places we’ve enjoyed exploring is the quaint little village of Fort Langley, where we visited Fort Langley National Historic Site and where I had the best blackberry pie of my life in a cafe-cum-bookstore.

Our recent mini adventure took us back to Langley, but this time to a very different environment. Our sole purpose: To get up close to some adorable alpacas at Kensington Prairie Farm.

According to the farm’s website, the farm breeds, raises and shows Huacaya alpacas, and it also has an on-site boutique which retails apparel, accessories and home decor items made from – you guessed it – alpaca wool.

The farm has a huge field for alpacas to wander around in, but there were a few curious ones nearby that saw us behind the fence waving and saying hello – and to our delight, some of the more adventurous ones decided to approach us. There was a baby alpaca that looked SO FRIGGING CUTE!

An alpaca busy munching away on frosty grass

An alpaca busy munching away on frosty grass

COME ON OVER

COME ON OVER

HELLO I WANNA BE YOUR FRIEND

HELLO I WANNA BE YOUR FRIEND

The cutest little trio!!!

The cutest little trio!!!

One of many failed attempts at taking a photo with ’em

One of many failed attempts at taking a photo with ’em

There’s plenty of space for these alpacas to roam around freely here

There’s plenty of space for these alpacas to roam around freely here

If you’d like to see the alpacas in action (and hear me squealing in the background), I have some videos in my Instagram profile highlights under “Vancouver”.

One important thing to know before you go: The farm only runs tours from Mondays to Thursdays (by appointment only) for a fee of $5 per person, and they are open only from Fridays to Sundays. What this means is that they don’t accept walk-in requests for tours on Friday or over the weekend, so it’s best to email or call them to arrange a tour in advance if you so wish.

Also, while the alpacas look like the perfect cuddle buddies, the staff there informed me that it was best not to try to touch them, justtt in case they spit!

So, was this worth the hour-long drive from Vancouver? 110% yes – and I would do it all over again (but probably go for a tour next time)!

Kensington Prairie Farm

1736 248 St, Aldergrove, BC V4W 2C3

Open Friday (12pm-5pm), Saturday (10am-4pm) and Sunday (12pm-4pm)

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xx,
iz

Anyhow, we managed to catch the tail end of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park’s annual Canyon Lights Winter Festival event back in December. I was studiously avoiding this attraction for a while because 1) the entry fee is a bit on the high side 2) it’s rather touristy – but we decided to give it a go since we are, after all, still considered tourists..!

I’m glad we decided to head up here in the end. It’s so convenient to get to from Vancouver – there’s even a shuttle bus you can take from Canada Place – and the lights and attractions in the park were lovely.

I particularly liked the Cliffwalk and Treetops Adventure, even though I’m typically scared of heights. Oh, and crossing the suspension bridge is not for the faint-hearted… let’s just say I felt like I was continually swaying even while on solid ground.

The best part about visiting this attraction? BC residents get an annual pass once you purchase a ticket – which is why we’ll definitely be heading back again!

P/S: I wore the most comfy Everlane pieces here – the ReNew Fleece Sweatshirt in oat and the Straight Leg Crop in golden brown. As an Everlane affiliate, any purchase you make through these links will go toward supporting this blog. I’m pretty new to the whole affiliate game, but doing so doesn’t take away my real/honest opinions on what I wear and buy. This sweatshirt and pants are some of my most favourite purchases to date, and I love that they’re ethically made and affordable too.

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Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4J1
Tickets are $46.95 (adults), $34.95 (students), $14.95 (children) and free for kids under 6 years old. Buy them here.

xx,
iz

As a child, reading books or watching films about a white Christmas would make me yearn to experience one. And while I’ve chucked a few snowballs, created snow angels and tried out snowboarding since then, I had still never experienced a proper white Christmas.

For 2018, we decided to stay put in Vancouver over the holiday season, and hit upon a quick remedy for our snow-starved souls: A two-hour drive up to Whistler, BC, home to a famed ski resort, full of winter sport enthusiasts, and (obviously) a ton of snow.

We were only planning to do a day trip at first, but the husband decided to do some sleuthing and uncovered an amazingly affordable deal for a one-night hotel stay at a four-star resort in Whistler.

The only catch? We had to pay for it without knowing where we were going to stay. I was rather hesitant and tried looking for cheaper options (which failed miserably), and so we went through with it… and discovered we were staying at The Westin Resort & Spa. Sweeeeet.

[Spoiler alert: It only got better from here – keep reading and you’ll find out why!]

Brandywine Falls

We left Vancouver at 9:30am (an amazing feat for two late sleepers like ourselves) because we wanted to make a few stops along the way before arriving at Whistler. Our first stop was at Shannon Falls, which only required a short walk from the carpark (no photos because it was a little, well, meh).

The second stop we made was at Brandywine Falls, which took us about an hour and a half to get there. This was a little iffy because the carpark was completely snowed under and cars had to park at a small strip of road along the highway. We made a split-second decision to go exploring here, and I am SO glad we did. If not, we wouldn’t have been treated to a beautiful rainbow appearing before our eyes at the waterfall’s viewpoint area, or the snow-covered railway tracks stretching as far as the eye could see.

P/S: Winter-appropriate footwear is absolutely recommended here. The snow was so thick and there were lots of icy, slippery bits on the way to the falls too.

The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler

From Brandywine Falls, it was a short 15-minute drive to Whistler Village. We decided to go to the Westin Whistler first to drop off our luggage and potentially check in early (our check-in time was at 4pm but we were in town around 1pm).

Here’s where our Christmas miracle happened: While we were asking if we could check in early, the lady at the front desk sprung a room upgrade on us for free. So we went from a deluxe room to a loft suite (which already sounded amazing!).

And yes, it was complete HEAVEN.

The well-stocked kitchenette had everything we needed to cook a meal; the bathroom was suitably spacious; there was a gas fireplace to cozy up in front of; the floor-to-ceiling windows and the view was amazing; and the bed was so comfy I honestly had the best sleep of my life there. We felt so incredibly blessed.

Whistler Village

It was our first time to Whistler, so we wandered about the village for the next few hours to get a feel of the place. The twinkly lights strung across trees really helped to make it all feel so magical.

We watched skiers and snowboarders on the slopes; grabbed a flat white at Lift Coffee Company, which came highly recommended via Yelp and didn’t disappoint one bit; felt totally Canadian while having two scoops of ice cream from Cows Creamery; snagged ultra-comfy lounge socks from the Eddie Bauer year-end sale; and then retreated back into the comfy comfines of the loft suite to whip up a home-cooked dinner, drink a ton of red wine and binge-watch Netflix.

Snow tubing

We kicked off the next morning with a latte from Mount Currie Coffee Company (also highly recommended and pretty good), as well as burgers from El Furniture Warehouse for lunch, which was really value-for-money.

After checking out from the Westin (sobs), I was feeling reluctant (read: lazy) to go for a winter activity like snow-shoeing, toboganning or tubing. In the end, we made our way to the Coca-Cola Tube Park for an hour of snow tubing, and it was absolutely thrilling! I’m not a fan of rollercoasters, but this really felt like one… and I would actually do it again in a heartbeat. I guess it helps that the slopes are kinda short :p

The great thing about the Tube Park is that it stays open till 6pm and it’s well-lit, so even though the sun set around 4:30pm, we still managed to have some fun in the evening. Also, we paid close to $50 for two persons for this, but there are definitely other more affordable options around!

I can’t wait to return to Whistler someday and visit Scandinave Spa (which seriously looks so tranquil and relaxing) and try other winter-time activities there. I love that Whistler doesn’t just cater to hardcore skiers and snowboarders, but also offers a wide range of things to do for couples, families and groups of friends.

What are some of your favourite memories of Whistler? Or if you haven’t been, would you be keen to visit?

xx,
iz

The Joffre Lakes trail is one of the most popular hikes to do in Vancouver, and it’s easy to see why: turquoise blue glacial waters and breathtaking mountain views along with a darn good workout make this an unforgettable – or, in my case, literally breathless – experience.

The trail takes you to three beautiful lakes – Lower, Middle and Upper Joffre – with increasing difficulty as it climbs steadily uphill. The special tinge of blue that these lakes have is all because of glacial silt, and the chance to see them IRL really made the 10km round-trip trek worthwhile.

But enough talk; I’ll let the pictures do the talking now. For tips and important things to note before you visit, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this article

The Lower Joffre Lake is only 10-15 minutes from the trailhead. And it only gets better from here…

A small part of the looong, arduous climb uphill we had to endure. At the last section between the Middle and Upper lakes, we had to scramble onto rocks and across muddy patches.

Adorable little birds! Sadly, they’ve been conditioned to get food from humans. One of them perched on the open palm of my friend’s hand hoping to score a snack.

The Instagram-worthy location I was dying to see: the Middle Joffre Lake! This shot was not easy to snap, thanks to the amount of people here (just keep scrolling).

The crowd on a Saturday morning. Yup. No words.

Escaped to the Upper Joffre Lake where there were less people and cooler views! We were a lot higher up, which meant we got even closer to the Matier Glacier (the fully iced bit on the mountain).

To get to this spot, you actually have to climb over a ton of rocks. Like a mountain goat.

Definitely should’ve worn more layers than this. But this Girlfriend Collective set is awesome, eh? :p

Pretending I’m not freezing my butt off.

Another iconic Joffre Lakes image – all you need to do to snap a photo on the log is to queue up. I think I waited for half an hour just to stand on that darn log for less than five minutes. Oh well, I guess I can say I’ve been there, done that

Tired but happy. Weekends here are such a treat.

Here are some things you should know before visiting Joffre Lakes:

• Get there early. Joffre Lakes is a three-hour drive from Vancouver, so you can imagine how early you have to set out before reaching. The carpark at the trailhead gets full really fast, so you might have to park farther away and walk there. Some folks recommend staying overnight in Squamish/Whistler since these areas are closer.

• Don’t go with a full bladder. The toilet situation is super sad at the trailhead. There are only two latrines, and the next toilets you will come across are near the Middle Joffre Lake, which is at least 30-45 minutes away on foot. I had to queue for at least half an hour to use the loo, and it stank to high heaven too. So avoid going to the toilets here at all costs (unless you really can’t help it!).

• Bundle up. Silly me thought that I would be fine wearing normal workout gear, but boy, it was COLD. Yes, it should’ve been obvious since we were going on an uphill hike. Keep yourselves warm and the hike will be a tad more enjoyable.

• Wear proper shoes. If you want to make it all the way to Upper Joffre Lake, proper hiking footwear is advised. It gets slippery, muddy and icy there, so good shoes would definitely help prevent any unwarranted injuries.

• Don’t feed the wildlife. It’s a great photo op, to be sure, but I feel like us humans have already damaged nature enough; we shouldn’t interfere with the animals that call beautiful BC home.

Feel free to post a comment if you have any other questions! Joffre Lakes is such a gem, and I hope all of us get to enjoy its natural beauty for years to come.

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xx,
iz

On one gloomy August afternoon when we felt like doing something a little different, V and I hopped into our car for a one-hour drive to explore the quaint little town of Fort Langley, BC. Here’s what we checked out there!

Fort Langley National Historic Site

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Initially, I thought this would be the kind of fort I see in TV shows: Kitted out with secret entrances, fancy (for its time) weaponry and the like.

However, this is not a fort built for war (sorry to disappoint, folks!). But it was still very interesting to find out how it served as a trading hub for this part of Canada in the 1800s for Hudson’s Bay fur traders and gold prospectors.

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We also caught a glimpse of the manager’s house (he may have had a different designation which my memory fails to recall, but essentially he was the Big Boss). This was probably the largest living quarters here too; ordinary workers had to live in very cramped conditions.

The coolest thing about this historic site? It’s the birthplace of British Columbia, because it was where Governor James Douglas proclaimed the forming of the crown colony in 1858.

CN Station Fort Langley

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After spending about an hour or so at the national historic site, we stopped over at the village of Fort Langley and grabbed a bite at Wendel’s Bookstore & Cafe, where I had the BEST blackberry pie in the world.

As we were leaving, the train station caught our eye (it’s just opposite the cafe) and we decided to head over for a quick look. Also, the husband is rather keen on trains, so we had fun exploring the inside of the caboose and learning more about the Canadian Northern Railway. I also loved how adorable and photo-worthy the train station was. Every inch of this place has been lovingly restored and preserved by the Langley Heritage Society, so kudos to them!

P/S: Enjoy complimentary entry at the Fort Langley National Historic Site if you have a Parks Canada Discovery Pass, which is what we used. If not, adults have to pay $7.80 while children have free admission for 2018. Entry to the CN station is free of charge.

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xx,
iz

Hiking has become such a big part of our lives here. Back in Singapore, you would probably find us in malls and cinemas over the weekend, but here, they’ve been spent in wide open spaces, having picnic lunches and admiring killer views (see Lynn Canyon and Gold Creek Falls). Can’t say I’m complaining!

We finally ventured out on one of Vancouver’s most popular hiking spots, Quarry Rock, back in June. The BC government is supposedly limiting the number of hikers here to 70 a day, but we thankfully made it through even though we arrived late in the afternoon.

Also, websites list this as an easy hike, and while I thought there were a ton of steps to conquer (i.e. hardly easy!), I have now come to realise that this is a piece of cake after paying a visit to Joffre Lakes (more on that in a bit).

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The biggest reward on this hike appears right at the end, when you finally reach this great big expanse of rock and the gorgeous deep blue waters that open up before you. We sat here for a while, basking in the sun and enjoying a slice of quiet (thankfully, not many people were up and about that day).

The other great thing about this hike is that it’s open year-round and is dog-friendly too. Oh, and grab a treat at Honey Doughnuts pre- or post-hike – they’re a local favourite and well worth every calorie.

xx,
iz

With wildfires raging all over BC right now, fresh air is sadly lacking… and sorely needed. This set of images that my friend Tze, an immensely talented photographer, took during our hike at Gold Creek Falls in June makes me long for clear blue skies again.

Perhaps it’s more accurate to call this a walk; it was probably one of the most pleasant hikes I’ve had, with zero steps to climb, no mozzies on the attack, and hardly any incline (clearly I’m not into strenuous activities much, though I hope to conquer more difficult hikes someday!).

In all, we spent about half a day here. We walked to a nearby beach for a picnic-style lunch, then headed to the actual trail after lounging about for a bit. My friend’s adorable Labrador, Emily, came along for the trip, and it was such fun getting to play with a dog again.

I remember that I had barely gotten any sleep the night before this hike (insomnia sucks). The 1.5-hour drive out of Vancouver allowed me to grab a short nap in the car, and when we arrived, just being amidst nature and friends and fresh air did wonders for my weary soul. I felt a lot lighter and free-er when I returned home that evening. Plus, the weather that day was just perfect (i.e. pretty sunny), which made dipping my toes in the cool glacial-fed waters an absolute must. It was refreshingly cold, and I encourage everyone to try it at least once. But I wouldn’t recommend drinking it!

What I loved most about this hike was that there were a few hidden stopovers along the way where we could spend time taking photos at and squealing at how cold the water felt, mere seconds after wading in. If you have dogs, they should be kept on-leash here, but Emily still managed to enjoy a little swim.

The only downside is that parking is super limited, so it’s best to get there early if you don’t want to park really far away from the trailhead. The relatively easy hike and the chill vibes, however, will more than make up for any inconvenience you experience. Am looking forward to returning and exploring more of Golden Ears Provincial Park!

xx,
iz

On a sunny May afternoon, we took a 30-45 minute drive down from Vancouver and spent a good part of the day exploring.

Here are some of my favourite sightseeing spots and Instagram-worthy destinations to check out in Steveston!

Gulf of Georgia Cannery

12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond, BC V7E 3J1

This salmon cannery reportedly dates back to the 19th century, and is a treasure trove of information on the fishing industry in Canada’s west coast. Some parts of the original structure have been retained, while other sections have been painstakingly recreated (the area where the fish were cut and deboned looked particularly gross, as you can see in the pictures above!).

During our time here, we joined a guided tour (information on tours can be found on-site) to learn more about the canning process. Unsurprisingly, canning was an extremely laborious process, and many women would work with their young children in tow while the men went out to sea to fish. It was also a hazardous job, thanks to machinery that acted viciously on not-so-quick fingers.

I enjoyed learning about Steveston’s role in building up the fishing trade here, and also about the different types of salmon available in these parts. Plus, because we had our Parks Canada discovery pass on hand, entry was free

Pajo’s Fish and Chips

12351 3 Avenue, Richmond, BC V7E 2Z1

So this is probably one of the best fish and chips I’ve had in Vancouver (my other favourite spot is The Fish Counter on Main Street, fyi!). Another testament to their success: they’ve got so many locations in the Lower Mainland.

We went to Pajo’s on the wharf and ordered three different varieties of fish to try: Pacific wild cod, Pacific wild salmon and Pacific wild halibut. All of them tasted great, but my favourite was definitely the cod fish. Also, these guys are super generous with their fries. I can’t wait to have this again!

Fisherman’s Wharf

3820 Bayview Street, Richmond, BC V7E 4R7

After filling our bellies, we took a short stroll along the boardwalk and headed to the wharf, where fishermen were hawking their catches. We saw spot prawns, crabs, fish on sale – basically, it was a seafood lover’s dream come true.

This area evokes memories of a wet market, which you might be familiar with if you’ve ever been to Asia. Still, it’s worth going in for a look-see, and possibly scoring a good deal on fresh fish.

Steveston Interurban Tram

4011 Moncton Street, Richmond, BC V7E 3A8

While getting a latte to go at Rocanini Coffee Roasters, we spotted this historic tram display across the road and trooped over out of curiosity.

Tram Car 1220 was built in 1913, and is currently one of only five cars that exist today. The chance to view this stunning piece of history and even get to explore its Wes Anderson-esque interior was quite the treat. The exhibition space isn’t that large, but this is definitely one photo-worthy spot!

Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site

5180 Westwater Drive, Richmond, BC V7E 6P3

Our last stop of the day was the Britannia Shipyards. We reached close to their closing time (5pm), and in hindsight, I would’ve loved to spend more time here because it was so educational and informative. It’s probably the highlight of my Steveston trip (the fish and chips are a real close second).

Essentially, the shipyards are an eight-acre cluster of heritage buildings along the Fraser River, and showcases a mix of canneries, boatyards and residences. Seeing how people lived in the past was the most intriguing aspect for me. The workers were a varied mix of Japanese, indigenous peoples and Caucasians, and they mostly lived in large wooden bunkhouses. The managers/bosses, meanwhile, had very English-style abodes – complete with floral wallpaper, lace tablecloths and the like. They lived in individual houses built on stilts (like the red-walled house you see in my photo).

One other must-see is the Murakami House, a lovingly restored home which the Murakami family lived in for years. I loved reading about their lives in the shipyard and imagining how 10 people (if memory serves me correctly) could live, work and play in rather cramped lodgings.

Oh, and the best part about visiting the shipyards is that it’s absolutely free, so if you’re on a budget, you know where to go!

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xx,
iz

The beautiful thing about living in Vancouver is that there is SO much terrain to explore. There are so many trails to hike and mountains to climb only a few hours away, which never fails to boggle my mind. I think what I appreciate most about being here is that they are so many ways to enjoy a day out, compared to the typical mall-and-movie weekends I would spend in Singapore (such a bore, I know).

One trail some friends and I recently went a-wandering to: Lynn Canyon in North Vancouver. Here, a creaky old suspension bridge brings you across a wildly rushing waterfall, and winding and sometimes steep trails led us to pools that looked most inviting. I’m tempted to jump into one this summer, although I heard the water will still be cold!

There’s a big carpark near the entrance as well as restroom facilities – there aren’t any of the latter on the trails so it’s best you go before you embark on a hike.

This thing is shaaaaky, so if you’re scared of heights, just grab onto both railings as you walk across. The views are something else, though (keep scrolling and you’ll see what I mean!).

Oh, and coming here is completely free of charge, compared to the CAD$42.95 you pay for visiting the Capilano suspension bridge.

Nature in its element – gorgeous, eh?

We continued hiking and made our way to the Twin Falls (you can’t really tell but it’s in the background). Don’t let the sun fool you – it does get chilly out here.

This bubbling river was close to the 30-Foot pool. To get a good shot, you have to scramble onto some rocks and be pretty sure-footed, which I unfortunately wasn’t. (Happily, my husband was.)

Admiring the crystal clear waters of the 30-Foot pool. How can anyone resist a swim here?

The cutie that went hiking with us. This little dog was so much more agile than us humans, and really put us to shame :p

I took this shot as we were heading back because I was so captivated by the golden light pouring through the trees… it’s not everyday you get to see a sight like this. Can’t wait to return to Lynn Canyon over the summer!

xx,
iz