Have you ever been in a situation where you realize exactly what makes you happy isn’t actually what you thought brought you to smile? Have you ever been awaken, not from sleep but from a boring stillness, by the epiphany that you’ve been waiting for something exciting to happen, something aspiringly historical, as opposed to going out and making that said electric charge and surge of pleasure actually occur? I was there for the past eight days and am, very much so, tired of waiting and excited (read: excited but extremely nervous) to fall forward.
At the beginning of June, I started this here blog because I went on an adventure and for the first time in a long time, I felt inspired. I felt inspired to explore things I hadn’t seen before. I felt inspired to eat “strange” foods and make up my own recipes. I felt inspired to walk for hours and hours, perhaps in circles, taking photos, talking to people and doing things I don’t normally get to do. And, I felt inspired to, maybe, break some rules.
At the beginning of June, I returned from my first trip to Vancouver, where I was visiting my partner, who is there completing his PhD. I just came back (late last night, to be exact) from another visit out west with more inspiration, more stories to tell, more photos and an even fuller belly. I can’t wait to start something new. What that “something new” will be, I’ve yet to discover. However, once I find it, I’ll let you all know.
Here is a recap of the weeklong trip I wish lasted a lifetime, in photos:
The trip started with some tea. Naturally. After landing in Vancouver via a red eye flight, I just wanted to chill. What better way to chill than by sipping the good stuff from this awesome custom mug?
My partner’s roommate makes crepes on the reg. Sunday morning crepes, might I add. I surely missed them this AM!
Fall is my favourite season of all. I couldn’t help but take this photo on my way to the Granville Island Public Market.
…And this one too! Something about the way the leaves change makes me happy.
I took a similar photo the first time I made my way to Granville Island. This time, the Granville Island Harbour is full of colour. Oh, as the leaves change!
Fresh Italian chestnuts at the Granville Island Public Market were just begging to be photographed. I wish I had access to a wood burning stove or fireplace to cook these babes.
Not the best photo, but I still had to stop and chat with the makers of these homemade candy canes! The pictured treats are only made on Granville Island on Remembrance Day long weekend in November. Pretty lucky that I got to witness it. I definitely purchased a candy cane to go. Mmm!
I could stand on the Granville Island Ferry Dock for hours. It’s so peaceful and makes me forget I’m in Canada.
Dried apple slices are my weakness. That, and chocolate. These babes were freshly picked and dried in beautiful British Columbia. And no, no sugar was added!
Granville Island was getting in the spirit of the holidays, that’s for sure. Glitter and sparkle were everywhere.
My partner and I climbed Grouse Mountain. I didn’t know the Grouse Grind was also known as nature’s stairmaster. Going up, I didn’t think I would actually make it to the top. Once I did, though, I had this beautiful view (and a bench to sit on).
Grounds for Coffee, this tiny cafe in Kitsilano, has the most delicious cinnamon buns around.
Snapped this just as I was leaving Grounds for Coffee. I loved the photos hanging on the wall at the cafe. The dude sipping coffee in the corner is a nice touch to the photo, too.
This here is from Mom’s Grilled Cheese, a food truck near the Vancouver Art Gallery. I ate this harvarti on marble rye lunch with the pigeons squawking at me.
I went to Kitsilano Beach for the first time and read my book by the shore for quite a while. No words can even describe how pleasurable this was.
After reading at Kits Beach, I went for a stroll. I found this pathway breathtaking. I had to stop to Instagram. The life of a social media lover, let me tell you.
I have never seen fall mix so perfectly with the ocean shore.
I went for a walk at Jericho Beach and saw two bald eagles in a tree. No big deal or anything. Just some bald eagles. Woah!
An interesting find at Jericho Beach. Not sure where it came from, but thought it was pretty.
A mother and her child enjoying the morning sunshine at Jericho Beach.
Strategically placed logs at Jericho Beach for walkers, runners and swimmers to take a breather.
There are some great paths in Vancouver! So great that when you see bunnies like these ones, they let you get extremely close!
My partner and I went to the Vancouver Art Gallery. We don’t know much about art, but we enjoyed reading about it and embracing what we could.
I may have made my partner run down two flights of stairs just so we could take this photo.
Post-Vancouver Art Gallery adventure nutella crepe at Cafe Crepe? Sounds like a grand idea to me.
I went back to the Granville Island Public Market towards the end of my trip. I just had to. I love it there. Here is a photo of some fresh mushrooms, grown and sold in BC!
This colourful tower of macarons looked so delightful, I had to buy some! My personal favourite: The chocolate macarons! Mmm!
I got this hot chocolate and sat in my favourite spot: The Granville Island Ferry Dock. I watched the birds fight for bread crumbs and the yachts sail by. Oh, I also read up on Rob Ford. You can take the girl out of Toronto…
I could swim in these.
This photo was taken at Creekside Park, a small resting area a short walk away from Granville Island. I love how the sky looks and how the Granville Island and downtown Vancouver shores meet so perfectly.
A fountain at Creekside Park near Granville Island.
Photos with flash don’t look the greatest when taken from a cell phone, but I had to document how amazing these mussels were from Q4, a fancy Italian restaurant in Kitsilano. Stop by and try them the next time you’re out west. You won’t be disappointed.
The morning of my last day, my partner and I went to Solly’s Bagelry, this delicious Jewish bakery in Kitsilano. After our bagels, we bought this yummy babka (essentially a cinnamon bun minus the cinnamon but with chocolate) to take home and enjoy while watching a documentary. We wanted to enjoy every last moment together.
What’s your favourite thing to do while on vacation?
xo
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