Lost On A Layover

"Tell a tale of traveling, a city or country you've been to or a favourite vacation."

I am going to share a silly little story of a layover adventure I had following our trip to Vegas, since I already blogged about our trip to Vegas this year, and our trip to Newfoundland last summer. 

I was flying home from Vegas a few days earlier than Jay, and had a 4.5 hour layover in Vancouver, British Columbia. I had been to Vancouver a few years ago but really didn't remember much about getting around the city. 

For a couple of days prior to my flight I toyed with the idea of leaving the airport during the layover to go exploring. It seemed complicated though so I more or less gave it up. 

Then as I sat on the tarmac at the Vancouver airport, minutes after my flight had landed I had an idea. I would go to the city and find the Olympic Rings from the 2010 Winter Games. So, I texted Jay since my blackberry can't handle google and from his hotel in Vegas he helped me plot my trip. 

It was a civic holiday in BC so my travel on the train-like-subway was free, which was good as I didn't quite master Jay's directions on my first attempt. 

At Olympic Village, during my detour.

From the airport there is a train-subway thing that takes you directly to downtown and stops at a place called Olympic Village. Doesn't that sound like where you'd find the rings? So I of course half listened to Jay's directions and then got off there, got lost wandering side streets and eventually realized that the Village was now just condos, in what used to be athlete housing during the games. On the bright side I got to see a giant bird statue and the BC Lions CFL team stadium. 

By this point it was really hot and I was carrying a heavy backpack filled with all my treasures and had wasted close to 2 hours of my 4.5 hour layover. I also hadn't eaten since 6am, and it was now about 11am. So I called Jay, ready to admit defeat. 

As I talked to him I decided, screw this I came for the rings and I will find them. It was a bit foolhardy probably but I wanted to see them badly. So, Jay again found me some directions, I raced back to the train-subway station and hoped back on (thankfully it was free) to downtown Vancouver. 

As soon as I got off the train I felt like I was in a better place, these streets were filled with people and the ocean was just steps away. I even found a lovely visitor information booth and they directed me to the Olympic Cauldron, 10 minutes away. Sadly, the rings are located outside of the downtown area, not to be found on a 4.5 hour layover. 

But, I did find a stranger kind enough to take a photograph of the sweaty girl, speaking too fast, and looking a bit crazy. 

Then, I raced back to the train-subway station, made it onto the train and back to the airport with 1.5 hours to spare, just enough time for security, lunch and to collect some snacks for the long flight back. 

Best of all, since I had so much fun on Jay's layover a week later he made the same trek (though he skipped my tour of Olympic Village)! So it's almost like we went together, almost. 

Keep Smiling :) 

Happiness

Another day, another post. Today's Blog-tember challenge "Write about what makes you happy, from the little joys to the huge game-changers."

Two summers ago (whoa!) I spent a month documenting everything that made me happy. Cleverly I titled this my "Quest For Happiness." See what I did there? I'm witty. 

I like to think of myself as a generally happy person. I try and look on the bright side and to stay above the drama (for my own sanity). It doesn't always work, but I try! Honesty is important in blogland and I must admit that sometimes I also like to wallow by sitting in the dark on the bathroom floor crying for any reason I can think of- it's oddly helpful. 

But today we aren't talking about my theatrics, but just about things that make me happy. 

This Guy Makes Me Happy. Everyday. 

He's awesome, loves animal puns, and lets me talk for hours without a break. He's great.

Travelling Makes Me Happy.

Niagara Falls, Toronto,  Florida, New York, Calgary & Banff, Vancouver, Montreal, Northern Ireland, Ottawa, Kingston, Prince Edward Island, Watertown, Newfoundland, Las Vegas. I love airplanes, trains and the adventure of a new city! 

My Family Makes Me (Super) Happy.

Best of all, it recently got even bigger. When Jay & I got married I added an extra set of parents and another lovely sister to my life! I'm blessed to have such wonderful people in my corner. 

Playing the harmonica with my Grandfather! 

My Friends Make Me Happy. 

Because I'm completely paranoid (thanks Dr. Phil) I never share photos here of other people unless I've gotten their explicit permission. That doesn't mean my life isn't filled with absolutely amazing and wonderful people. They've stood by me through so much and I am thankful everyday to have them in my life! 

 This lovely lady has her own blog so sharing her picture seems risk-free! 

Other things that make me happy include: skirts, ice cream, sunshine, my cottage, birkenstocks, curling up with a good book,  Skype, jumping in puddles and a warm cup of lemon tea. Actually anything lemon flavoured.

Puddles//Cottage//Ocean//Joel Plaskett//Skype//Giant Roadside Attractions

What or who makes you happy? Do you have any secrets to happiness? Any methods you use to pull yourself out of a funk? 

Keep Smiling :) 

That's What You Get For Waking Up In Vegas- Trip Recap Part 2

Last week I shared the first round of photos of our amazing trip to Vegas and the Grand Canyon. We took so many photos though that they couldn't all be shared in one post, so you lucky ducks get to check out another round of Vegas photos! 

If you ever get the chance to go to Vegas I seriously recommend you go! We went kind of on a whim and I would now count it as one of the coolest places I've ever been! Pro tip: If you stay between Monday-Thursday hotels are a little cheaper and everything is less busy. 

Sadly, my homegirl Brit Brit was on vacation the whole time we were in Vegas. I would have been at the show every night #noshame #fangirl #britneyismyhomegirl

Now I'm out in Brooklyn, right next to Tribeca and I'll be hood foreva'  (slightly butchered Jay-Z lyrics)

Brooklyn Bridge at New York, New York Hotel Complex

Inside, such attention to detail! 

Lady Liberty 

Hanging out with the Flamingos, at the Flamingo Hotel.....

.... and with a Knight at Excalibur Medieval Themed Hotel 

Luxor Egypt Themed Hotel... it's shaped like a pyramid and at night a light shines from the top of the Pyramid that can be seen from Outer Space.

In front of the Bellagio, waiting for the Fountain Show to start! There is so much free entertainment in Vegas! 

Keep Smiling :) 

Shake The Glitter Off Your Clothes Now... Vegas Trip Recap

Jay & I spent five amazing days in Vegas. It was HAWT (over 50degrees Celsius most days), sunny and so exciting! 

 Inside the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Hotel. All of the malls had this fake blue skies, the Miracle Mile Shops even had a fake rainstorm inside the mall every day! 

A human statue working for tips and (below) indoor Gondola rides!

Nightly volcano show at the Mirage, that fire gets so hot! 

Fountain inside The Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace

Paris Hotel, the Eiffel Tower & a mock hot air balloon. 

View from the top of the Eiffel Tower (it's 1/2 scale of the original in Paris)

There are more photos, so I'll save those for another day! We didn't do any partying or swimming, but we did lots of walking up and down the Strip so we have tonnes of photos of the hotels. 

Have you been to Vegas? If not, would you go? 

Keep Smiling :)