Easter Weekend on Vancouver Island (6th-9th April)

My friends Sarah and Dan invited me to spend Easter weekend on Vancouver Island with them and it was awesome! We left on the friday afternoon around 3pm and drove over in their car, taking the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. The ferry ride was fun and a great way to see some amazing views of the mainland and the Island, we also packed a little picnic for the journey which kept us happy!

Once we arrived in Nanaimo we drove up to Mount Washington where we had rented an apartment for 2 nights in the Ski resort. It was about a 2 hour drive from Nanaimo and the views and wildlife along the way kept us entertained. We arrived at the resort around 9pm and battled with the walk through the deep snow to our apartment, lugging our bags and equipment along with us! The resort was very small and almost seemed like we had taken a step back in time, with one convenience/liquor store and the ski lodge seeming to be the only amenities! It was quirky and fun though, and just what we needed for a relaxing weekend away! There was an immense amount of snow (about 7m) and we had to climb down a makeshift snow tunnel to the front door of our block of apartments which was great fun! We settled in for the evening and ate a lovely dinner from the Easter hamper I made at Granvile market. 

In the morning we headed to the slopes for a day of skiing and we were so lucky with the weather! The sun was out and the sky was clear so the views from the mountain were incredible and you could see right over to the mainland and even Mount Baker in the US! There were numerous amounts of ski runs so we spent the day exploring, even hitting an unpisted black diamond, which after not skiing for 8 years was pretty scary! We stopped mid morning for a snack and i tried my first ever Beaver Tail with chocolate and banana topping...Amazing!! At lunch time we climbed under a no ski zone and climbed slightly higher up the mountain to find a spot to eat our yummy picnic. We sat down in the deep powder snow high up in the mountain and looked out over the epic views as we munched on our sandwiches and refuelled for the afternoon. 

After an afternoon of more skiing we headed back to the apartment for tea, biscuits and warm showers before heading to the lodge to watch the sun set with drink in hand on the balcony. We had a few drinks and a bite to eat before heading back to our apartment for more drinks and a jigsaw puzzle (which kept us equally entertained and frustrated for hours!) 

On Sunday morning we had a lazy easter breakfast of homemade hot cross buns, soft boiled eggs with soldiers and of course a cadburys cream egg! We packed up slowly whilst still trying to finish off the jigsaw puzzle, which we eventually had to give up on! We headed off around 1pm and drove back to Nanaimo where we stopped off for a lunch break in a lovely little cafe. We had a stroll along the waterfront and took in the beautiful views and gorgeous sunshine. (Photo above.) 

We then headed on to Victoria and arrived early evening, checking into our hotel The Queen Victoria, where we had a lovely big suite between the 3 of us. We had been advised to try the fish and chips from the fisherman's wharf area so we went for a walk along the waterfront and headed down to Barb's Fish & Chips which is right on the waters edge. The fish was so fresh, the chips were delicious and the portions were huge. We sat down on a little picnic bench in the evening sun and looked out at the beautiful and very colourful little house boats which line the waters edge. 

After we were all full to the brim we walked back and headed into the downtown area, passing the beautifully lit parliament buildings along the way. We headed into the town to find a little bar called Tapa Bar, which was another recommendation. We found the bar down a lovely little alley and sat at the bar drinking jugs of sangria (which happened to be on offer on Sundays!) Once we had finished up, we took a stroll further into town to find the China town area as we had heard of a quirky little area called Fan Tan Alley. We wondered around China Town and found the alley which was already closed for the night so we decided to call it a night and head back to the hotel. 

The next morning we headed down to the pool and hot tub in the hotel and relaxed for an hour before packing up and checking out. We then walked back into town to a breakfast diner called 'Johns Place' which again had been recommended to us! There was a line up and a wait for around 20-30 minutes for a table, but we were happy to wait as the menu looked so amazing. We finally got a table and settled down to what was going to be an enormous breakfast. We each chose our breakfasts, myself and Sarah ordering 2 different kinds of eggs benedict (there are about 12 different varieties on the menu!) and Dan ordered a big breakfast burger. We also ordered the French Toast Erotica between the 3 of us as we just had to try it! It came out first and it was even better than I had imagined, with 2 thick pieces of french toast filled with chocolate spread and banana and accompanied by a cream cheese syrup (which sounds strange but was incredible and like nothing I have tried before!) The eggs benedict was also yummy and Dan enjoyed his burger. As you can imagine we were completely full to the brim by the time we had devoured our gigantic breakfast and we headed out for a walk around the town. (The restaurant also had a really nice story behind it and some of the staff have been working there since it opened in 1984!)

Victoria is a beautiful city and had a very English feel to it. There are lots of lovely shops and boutiques and the walk along the waters edge is lovely. We also made our way back to Fan Tan Alley which is a tiny squeeze of an alleyway full of quirky shops, galleries and apparently amazing noodles, although we were too full to try them!  I would definitely recommend a visit to Vancouver Island and I just wish I had more time to explore as I have heard great things about the west coast near Tofino!

HI Vancouver Central (3rd-6th & 9th April)

The Vancouver Central hostel is an awesome hostel in a really central location. There is a really relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the hostel and the breakfast is great. 

Location:

This hostel is in an amazing location! You will find the hostel on Granville street, right in the hustle and bustle of downtown. It is surrounded by bars, restaurants, shops and clubs. Granville street is always busy and full of life. It is in walking distance to Granville island (about 20 mins walk with amazing views from the bridge on the way over!) 5-10 minute walk from 2 sky train stations, and just down the road from the main shopping areas. 

Private Room:

During my stay at the hostel I stayed in a private room and it was lovely! It was spacious and airy and I had my own TV and private bathroom which was a luxury! The room was clean and nicely decorated and I felt very relaxed and comfortable during my stay. 

Activities & Events:

As I was visiting my friends in Vancouver I spent most of my time with them so I did not take part in any of the organized activities and events at the hostel, however there were plenty to get involved with! The hostel had a fun and friendly atmosphere and the staff were great so I'm sure the activities would be great fun!

The Breakfast:
The breakfast at this hostel was amazing! There was so much to choose from, with a variety of bagels and bread, a selection of cereals, fruit, muffins, tea, coffee and fruit juice. It was probably one of the best stocked breakfasts I have seen in a hostel!

Hostel Amenities:
Free wifi, free breakfast, communal areas, activities & events, laundry, 24 hour reception, kitchen, computers.

Vancouver

Vancouver is an amazing and diverse city! You can spend the morning in the hustle and bustle of downtown and be up on the top of Grouce mountain for the afternoon, hiking, snow shoeing or skiing! The views are incredible, unlike any other city I have been to before, with the skyscrapers of downtown against a backdrop of mountains and surrounded by the ocean. My time in Vancouver was slightly different to the rest of my travels as I was visiting friends who live in the city so it was a little more laid back and not so touristy. We spent lots of time making home cooked food, sitting in lovely coffee shops and restaurants and cycling the bike paths. I did manage to squeeze in quite a bit of sightseeing and here are some of the things I got up to...

Visit China Town
Walk through the streets of china town, weaving in and out of the supermarkets and shops full of colour, smells and quirky trinkets! Stop for some dim sum at one of the many restaurants for a cheap and tasty lunch!

Vintage/Boutique Shopping on Main St.
I decided to spend an afternoon exploring the vintage/thrift shops and boutiques on Main Street. I did this on the same day as I visited China town as they are both located on Main Street. After spending the morning exploring the streets of china town I walked down main street all the way to King Edward Ave popping in and out of all the shops along the way. It is a fairly long walk from China town and you will pass an industrial looking area before coming across the first of the shops, which mostly begin with secondhand furniture shops and lots of little cafes. I stopped here for a bite to eat in a little coffee shop before carrying on up Main. Once you get to Main and Broadway you will start to come across lots of individual boutiques and thrift shops.

Visit Gas Town
I visited Gas Town in the evening for drinks and it seems like a really cool area to hang out. The streets are lined with trees covered in fairy lights and there is an old steam clock. There are lots of bars and restaurants and there also seems to be some interesting shops in the area but I didn't get a chance to explore it during the day time. 

Granville Island
The Granville Market was probably my favourite place in Vancouver, and if you are a foodie you will love it! Make sure you go there with an empty tummy as you are sure to fill it with lots of yummy treats! The market is a beautiful place with so much variety. The fruit and veg stalls are perfectly arranged with towers of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries everywhere you look. Buy some lunch and sit out on the harbour front taking in the beautiful views. I would recommend trying the curry from 'Curry 2 U.' I tried the butter chicken rice bowl which was a huge portion and also came with a little slice on naan bread for around $8. You can also buy tiffin lunch boxes which are around $12 initially and $6 for a refill which is great value if you plan to return more than once! I also made a hamper for my friends to say thank you for having me to stay which was full of lovely cheese and crackers, cornish pasties, olives, strawberries and chocolate bunnies for Easter Sunday. The cornish pasties were delicious and very traditional, just like you get back in Cornwall. We also tried a Nanaimo bar from the same bakery which was super yummy and a must try when visiting Canada! We also went back to the market a second time to collect some ingredients for homemade sushi. We bought some smoked salmon and some maple glazed smoked salmon which was so tasty! We also got some fresh wholegrain bread from one of the bakers which we toasted for breakfast and it was so fresh and delicious. There are also lots of little trinket shops and galleries at the market which are fun to explore.

Grouce Mountain
Take the gondola to the top of Grouce Mountain for amazing views, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing (seasonal activities will vary.) I was very lucky as my friends had passes to the mountain which meant I got 50% off my ticket so I paid around $22 for the gondola. We did a little walk up the snow shoe trail and took in the amazing views. There is also a cafe, restaurant, cinema and shop at the top of the mountain. If you are here during the warmer months you may be able to do the Grouce Grind which is a 2.9km trail up the face of the mountain. Once you reach the top you can ride the gondola back down if you have had enough hiking. Unfortunately it was not yet open so we couldn't give it a go. There is also a bear habitat where you can see bears however they were in hibernation when we visited!

Cycle Stanley Park
Hire a bike and cycle round Stanley park. Its a great way to see some awesome sights and get some exercise in the fresh air. There are lots of places to stop along the way, like the beach, if you want to take a picnic along with you. There are also some really cool totem poles along the bike path. Be careful as the bike path is only one way!

Have a Picnic at Kits Beach
Pack a picnic and head to Kits beach for the afternoon! Its a beautiful beach with lovely views and in the summer there is even a salt water swimming pool!

HI San Diego Downtown (29th March-3rd April)

San Diego Downtown is an awesome hostel in an amazing location! It has a fun and friendly atmosphere and the staff are really helpful and always cheerful! I met some really cool people at this hostel too!

Location:

The location of this hostel is amazing, right in the heart of the Gaslamp district! It is very easy to explore downtown by foot from the hostel and there are plenty of buses and trollies if you are going a bit further afield. The area is very lively with lots of bars, restaurants and clubs lining the streets. I felt very safe in the area and walked to and from the bars and clubs at night.

The Dorms:

I stayed in a 4 bed female dorm and it was great. The rooms are clean and comfortable and you have a designated bed and locker. the room also had a long mirror and some hooks for hanging jackets and coats. There was a fan in the dorm and the window opened up so it was nice and cool in the room. The bathrooms were communal and dotted around each floor. They were spacious and kept very clean and tidy.

Events and Activities:

The hostel has lots of events and activities running throughout the week. During my stay I joined a free walking tour of downtown which was great for getting my bearings and working out what I wanted to do during my stay. Our guide was Thomas who is a volunteer of Hostelling International and he did a great job. I also joined a club night out. We met in the lobby at 10pm and were taken as a group to a local club which normally has a $20 cover charge, however we got VIP entry and did not have to pay any cover. It was a great way to meet other people and the club was cool, although the drinks were quite expensive, I was paying $12 for vodka with soda and lime!! The other events included movie night, pasta night, walking tours and bar crawls.

Breakfast:

The breakfast was served daily from 8am-10am and was great! I really loved that they served oatmeal and even had dried cranberries and raisins to put on top! They also had fresh fruit, cereal and a variety of breads to toast. Tea and coffee is provided 24 hours a day.

Hostel Amenities:

Free Wifi, TV room, laundry, court yard, communal area, kitchen, board games, computer room, 24 hour reception, activities and event.

San Diego!

I love San Diego! This is such a beautiful city with so much to see and do! Its the second largest city in California but it still has a small town feel to it!

Take a Walking Tour:

Either take an organized walking tour or make one of your own! Walking is the best way to see a city and find the interesting places you might have missed if you were travelling by bus or car! I took part in a free and organized walking tour of the downtown area. It was taken by Thomas, a volunteer of Hostelling International and he had lived in the city for about 12 years and was really well informed on the area. We walked through the Gaslamp quarter, through the shopping district, to the railway station, along the harbour to the marina and back through the Gaslamp quarter. We were given lots of information on the architecture, history and culture of the areas we passed through and it was also a great way to ask questions and meet other travellers. Thomas told us about local bars, cafes and restaurants that he recommended, one of which was Vin De Syrah which I later visited (see nightlife.)

Visit the Gaslamp District:

The historic heart of San Diego, this area is full of interesting architecture. It is very lively with lots of shops, bars, restaurants and clubs. Just take a walk up and down the streets and look at the architecture. A lot of the buildings have the dates they were built and the name of the developer written on them, also keep your eye out for information plaques on the walls of some of the buildings. Take a walk down 5th and when you meet L you will find the archway into the Gaslamp district. If you make it here, cross the road over to the convention centre, just opposite on Harbor Drive and climb the steps to get a great view of the city. There is also an observation deck up there that you can look out over the bay!

Explore Balboa Park:

Spend some time exploring Balboa park and its beautiful gardens! If you are interested in going to any museums then this is the place to come to! You will also see street performers lining the main walk ways. There is also some very beautiful architecture to keep your eye out for.

San Diego Zoo:

The zoo which is located in Balboa park is absolutely enormous and has everything from Polar Bears, Pandas and snow leopards to gorillas, lions and elephants! You could spend a whole day exploring this place and the zoo itself is a very beautiful place. There are bus tours that you can take around the zoo but I chose to do it on foot. The enclosures are large and well maintained and the animals look well cared for. There are plenty of places to buy food, drink and souvenirs inside the zoo. Be prepared to stand in a long line up to see the Pandas, especially if you visit on the weekend!

Hillcrest Farmers Market:

If you are a lover of food like I am, you will love the Hillcrest Farmers market. The market is on every Sunday from 9am-2pm and is full of stalls selling fresh fruit and veg, bakery items, jewelry and artwork. There are lots of street food venders selling cuisine from all around the world, so skip breakfast and enjoy as much food as you can once you get there! There was also a band playing at the market and the atmosphere was great! You can catch the number 7 bus from downtown to Park and university, walk west along University to Normal st which is where you will find the market.

Watch the Sunset in La Jolla:

La Jolla is a beautiful part of San Diego and I wish I had more time to explore the area. I went there late in the afternoon to watch the sunset with some people I met at the hostel. They had a car rental so we also drove into the town and around some of the residential areas. There are lots of nice little shops, cafes and restaurants (although I think it is a very expensive area!) If you have a car drive round the coast line and look at the beautiful beach front houses! Sunset was around 7pm and we sat along the sea walls watching the sun sink into the sea. We then walked down to the beach which was lined with seals!

Visit Little Italy for lunch:

Visit little Italy for an afternoon walk and some yummy food! You can easily walk there from downtown and a nice walk is along the marina/harbour. When you get to the Maritime museum cross the street and head up to India street where you will find the gateway into little Italy. If you walk along the harbour front in the early evening you will also see the sunset over the bay!

Nightlife:

I spent my nights out in the Gaslamp quarter as this was where I was staying. There are lots of bars and clubs in the area and one I would recommend visiting is Vin De Syrah. The bar is located on the corner of 5th and E, under The Melting Pot restaurant. It is an Alice in Wonderland themed bar and it is so unique and interesting! You enter the bar down some steps which takes you to a small room where the walls are covered in artificial foliage, made to look like tall bushes. At first you can't see the door, but the trick is to find your way through the rabbit hole into the club! It is funny as there is a CCTV camera in the room and a TV screen in the bar so you can watch people confused and looking for the entrance! Once you find your way in, the bar is decorated with more artificial bushes, umbrellas hanging from the ceilings, playing cards stuck all over the place, big plush throne like chairs and mason jars shrug from the ceiling with twinkling fairy lights inside! If you need the restroom you will pass through the looking glass to get there! There is a dance floor in the centre of the room and a DJ playing the latest club music. Its free to get in and the drinks are standard price.