Travel Archives - Page 8 of 18 - THESE TINY STORIES

Iceland: The Golden Circle (Pt 1)

September 27, 2016September 27, 2016TravelIceland16 Comments

I arrived in Iceland at 4:45 a .m. this morning, local time. After picking up our SIM card at the Duty Free shop (approx. $24 Canadian dollars gets you 3 GB of data), picking up the car rental, we headed straight for the capital to … take a quick nap in the grocery store parking lot.

But by 10 a.m, we were on the road to the Golden Circle, about 40 minutes southeast of Reykjavik. We began at a pull-off to shoot some quick photos, and check out the lava rock. It was so barren in this particular area, it felt like we had stepped foot on Mars.

We then continued on our way to the Geysir geothermal area, where the Strokkur geyser sprays up to 30 metres of water every 4-8 minutes.

After spending the early afternoon hiking to the peak of the area, we drove over the Gullfoss Waterfall. According to Reykjavik Excursions, the waterfall was created by the river Hvítá, which tumbles and plunges into a crevice some 32 m deep.

We didn’t stay out late. Bought a few groceries and tonight we stay at Hellisholar Cottages – where we hope to be viewing the northern lights after midnight.

UPDATE 11:29 p.m. local time: The northern lights came out in grand fashion, dancing in the night sky over our cabin. What a way to end day one.

Love at Laveanne

July 11, 2016July 11, 2016TravelLaveanne20 Comments

About an hour and a half outside of the GTA, you’ll find Laveanne – a beautiful lavender field in Campbellcroft, Ontario.

With free admission for the month of July, you can explore the farm and take in the relaxing aroma around you. This month, you still have time to enjoy a wine sampling, their Lavender Harvest Festival and an aromatherapy workshop.

While we were there, I purchased a dried lavender bouquet (which will last even long after the bouquet is gone by saving the buds in a sachet), and their body lotion.

It’s definitely one of my new favourite places. I look forward to going back! Click here for more information.

Prince Edward County Lavender

July 4, 2016July 4, 2016TravelPrince Edward County, Prince Edward County Lavender22 Comments

Prince Edward County Lavender’s annual Lavender Festival was this weekend. For over a year, I have been trying to plan a trip there, and this Saturday I finally did it.

What I find interesting about PEC Lavender – the owners Rolande and Derek are Yukon natives, who uprooted themselves only a few years ago to follow their lavender dreams in Ontario. As you know, I was in the Yukon earlier this year, and I must admit … it was hard to leave.

Some of the great products you can find at PEC Lavender include body care products, pure essential oils, wands, sachets and plants. During the fest, I picked up lavender goat milk soap and a bouquet of lavender picked from the field. I also sampled lavender chocolate and shortbread. Yummy!

If you’re coming from far out of town, you can always stay at one of their B&Bs. While you’re in Prince Edward County, stop by the farmer’s market and spend a day at Outlet Beach or the Sandbank’s dunes. It’s a provincial park, and will cost almost $20 to get in. But if you bring your beach wear, a volleyball and sunscreen, you’ll have a full day’s worth of fun in a clean and charming environment.

Happy Canada Day: Presqu’ile Provincial Park

July 1, 2016July 1, 2016Travel16 Comments

Happy Canada Day, everyone! I would like to share some photos from my recent adventure to Presqu’ile (“almost an island”) Provincial Park in Brighton, ON, just a couple hours east of Toronto.

According to Presqu’ile Provincial Park’s website, there’s 16 km of trails and paths along shorelines and through woodlands and meadows; a migration hotspot in spring and fall, 336 bird species recorded with 130 breeding species; and 1 km marsh boardwalk trail accessing the largest protected marsh on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

Also, the areas has hundreds of car camp sites for an overnight, but spots by the water book out quickly. So if you plan on going, book well ahead of time.

Bruce Peninsula

June 26, 2016June 11, 2018TravelBruce Peninsula, Bruce's Caves, Lion's Head, Tobermory, Wiarton20 Comments

Last year, for the first time, I went to Tobermory in the Bruce Peninsula. This year, we went back before peak season to explore the surrounding area. We stopped by Bruce’s Caves, Wiarton, Lion’s Head and Tobermory – unfortunately, we didn’t make it to Flowerpot Island … but we will be back within the next few weeks!

Bruce’s Caves were our first quick stop – part of a unique cave formations found along the escarpment face. Unfortunately, not as picturesque as I thought.

In Wiarton, I stopped for a photo with the Wiarton Willie statue. According to southbrucepeninsula.com, “The statue was unveiled “Willie Emerging” in the Bluewater Park on William Street in Wiarton on February 3rd, 1996 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Wiarton Willie prognostications.”

Lion’s Head is about a 30 minute drive from Wiarton, and has a beautiful beach – great for canoeing, kayaking and hiking. It almost looks tropical in photos.

And our last stop was the Big Tub Lighthouse in Tobermory. An incredible location for picnics, photos and just relaxing until the sun goes down. Also, a quick fly or boat ride away, you can see one of the famous shipwrecks in the area. Tobermory is home to more than 20 shipwrecks.

I’ll be back, Tobermory. And not just for the ice cream. 🙂

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