Reminiscing about past travels

1. Deka Lake in the Summer of 2010

Oh my goodness, it is so gorgeous there. I could probably spend my whole summer on that lake. I went with a few friends and we had a great time sun bathing, chatting, tubing, ATV-ing and wandering about.  One week there is not enough!

2. Thormanby Island

Like a little piece of Mexico in BC, Canada. It has warm white sand, clear blue water and the sun just beats down in the summer. It is absolutely gorgeous. Some friends and I went camping here and loved it. (Though I have never been so sun burnt in my whole life.Painful)

3. NYC in September 2010

I <3 NYC. 

Definitely the coolest place I have ever been. The city is literally alive, all the time, night or day. You walk outside of your hotel and you're instantly surrounded by culture and diversity, its all so beautiful. I would move there if I could. 

We went to "Crumbs" which is a famous little bakery in Greenwich that has cupcakes that are to die for! They were fantastic! (See the photo above? Mines the pink cupcake called "the fashionista") 

I also saw the 9-11 grounds as well as St. Paul's Chapel which is located right next to the twin towers. It is the oldest surviving Church in Manhattan and survived the devastation on 9-11, making it a sign of hope and perseverance for many people.  Walking around St. Paul's was overwhelming, the letters people wrote for hope were so heartfelt and moving. (Yes - I bawled my head off)

One letter really stood out to me, it was a letter from one of the secretaries at the police department and she had remembered a phone call she received on the morning of 9-11. A woman had called in panic, not knowing where to go, she told her to run to the top of the building because helicopters were on route, before she hung up the woman asked the secretary to do her a favour and tell her family how much she loved them. The secretary never got her name, or a phone number to ever let the family know. Many families never received a good-bye phone call or message and her letter was letting people know that each and every person inside the 9-11 buildings were trying to reach out to their loved ones. 

The visit to St. Paul's definitely was a life changing experience, you could really feel the love, sadness and hope inside the chapel. It was amazing to see how people really came together in this moment of incredible pain and grief. 

I will absolutely go back to NYC one day.

4. Whistler in January 2011

Whistler is beautiful and so close to Vancouver, I don't know why I do not make the effort to go there more often! I really should get back into skiing.....

I went up to Whistler for a Girls Weekend. We had a ton of fun running around in the snow. 

If you haven't been to Whistler, I would highly recommend it - even if you're not a skier or snowboarder. 

5. Cuba in April 2011

Cuba is incredibly beautiful. Probably some of the best beaches I have ever seen. Unfortunately though, what is said about the food is so so true. Its awful. I seriously could have lost weight on this trip from just avoiding the food. Plus there is a lot of smoking, go figure right? 

I do not think I will go back to Cuba, but I will say that if you're going away primarily for the beach then  this place may be for you!