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Beautiful Coast Mountains

19 years ago I moved solo from Québec to the Coast Mountains. Growing older in a place with limitless scenery and vast landscape has been nothing less than a humbling experience. To be able to hike up to mountain peak and dip in a glacier-fed lake, dive into clear ocean waters, roam with my dog…

Snowboarding in Whistler’s Epic Backcountry

Whistler is home to untouched powdery terrain, high alpine bowls and extensive natural playgrounds that we get to enjoy during our beautiful winters. To celebrate another wonderful season, here are a few snowboarding clips taken earlier this year. 𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘭’𝘸𝘢𝘵 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘓̓𝘪𝘭̓𝘸𝘢𝘵7ú𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥…

Mt Gardner – Bowen Island

Photos taken during our hiking trip to Mt Gardner. 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐭Distance: 17kmElevation Gain: 595 mHighest Point: 728 m

Brandywine Meadows – Whistler, BC

Photos taken during our hiking trip to Brandywine Meadows. 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬Distance: 7 kmElevation Gain: 538 mHighest Point: 1,460 m

Mt Brunswick – Vancouver, BC

Photos taken during our hiking trip to Mt Brunswick. 𝐌𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐤Distance: 14 kmElevation Gain: 1,543 mHighest Point: 1,788 m

Cirque Lake – Whistler, BC

Photos taken during our hiking trip to Cirque Lake. Cirque LakeDistance: 13 kmElevation Gain: 1,045 mHighest Point: 1,686 m

If I Rest, I Rust: Confession of a Restless, Roaming Spirit

I came across this quote not a long time ago. It really stuck to my mind. “If I rest I rust. ” words from Helen Hayes, an accomplished American actress who won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award as well as receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom and awarded the National…

RV Redo

After spending 5 years in our initial trailer, we finally upgraded to a more spacious, leak free home on wheels. We painted the walls, stripped a few unnecessary things, and added our decorations. It didn’t take much to create our own perfect little space. Having space to cook, craft, workout, and dance (we had a…

Brew Lake Hut – Whistler, BC

Photos from our recent hiking trip to the beautiful Brew Lake Hut. 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐭Distance: 13 kmElevation Gain: 1,045 mHighest Point: 1,686 m

23-Hour Layover in Beijing

Beijing Being capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing is the nation’s political, economic, and cultural center. Located in north China, close to the port city of Tianjin and partially surrounded by Hebei Province, it also serves as the most important transportation hub and port of entry. It is now known as one of the…

Top 10 Things To Do in Hakuba for the Most Epic Winter Trip

Maybe you are the proud owner of an Epic Pass, or Hakuba has just been on your list for a while now. Either way, you’re excited to meet face to face with the breathtakingly beautiful Northern Japanese Alps and eat Japow for breakfast and traditional foods at night.  Surely, Hakuba stands out as one of…

Would You Dare to Live a Simple Life?

We spend our lives on the hunt, searching for happiness to fulfill the void. We live for paychecks that will allow us to purchase the things that make us look good to the eyes of others, distracting us from the things that are essentially important around us. It is a delusional craving for ‘’normality’’, trying…

Tackling the 75km West Coast Trail

I slipped my feet into the white sand. Its cool composure liberated me from the throbbing pain. I was too exhausted to jump into the ocean and wash out all the dirt on my face and my hands, and the sweat that has accumulated on my skin and my clothing. I laid there for a…

Work Less, Live More, Spend Less, Do More: Part 2

I decided that I wanted to live a life doing the things that I love, and only work to be able to pay for the things that I need. And okay, a few things that I want too. I work a 4-day-week, and I take about 2 months or more of vacation a year. I don’t…

Work less, Live More, Spend less, Do More: Part 1

The world has created a society of consumerism, leading us to live a life of full time work, with little time to live a life of ours. It is a mentality of living to work, rather than working to live. The more we work, the more we spend, and the more we need to work…

Promise Me We Will Always Be Wild

Promise me we will always be wild, running barefoot in the dirt, wind messing our hair, sun freckling our skin. That we will free our inner savage, and embrace our beautiful flaws and blemishes. Promise me we will always be bold, living lively, fiercely and colourfully. That we will smile often and be silly. That we will dare…

In the Midst of an Incomprehensible Wild Beauty

An army of cars filled with vacationers carrying summer toys such as mountain bikes and leisure crafts tied atop their roofs hurried north on the Sea-to-Sky highway towards the recreational town of Whistler. As for us, we drove south on the empty lane heading to a secluded island. Boat tied up behind the truck, trunk glutted…

Confession of A Diver: How I Found Awareness Floating In Nothingness

I was 5 years old. I sat in the staircase of my apartment building where I resided with my mother. I looked through the window I faced, pondering the why and the how, trying to define the meaning of myself: Who is this person inside of me? Why do I think like this? Why do I…

5 Free Winter Outdoor Activities To Do In The Sea-to-Sky Corridor On A Rainy Day

“There is no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.” -Ranulf Fiennes Some people tend to find inconvenience under atmospheric precipitation. They fear to get wet, to get cold, to soak their hair, to ruin their makeup, to get lost in the fog, or to be drown in sadness. Of course I am not talking about getting outdoors during a…

How Living In A RV Made Me Rich

What is it that we really need in life? Shelter, food and water, clothes, love, safety? While those are the biological needs of the human being, the modern world has added a terrifying item to the list: money. In fact, money has created a world of wants over needs, a society of consumerism with a…

Celebrating Life

I usually plan a road trip getaway for my birthday, discovering a new place with new faces. Although I am not the type of girl that craves attention on this occasion, but I do believe it is important to highlight the moment. For me, a simple adventure somewhere in nature with people I love is…

2015 Challenge Accomplished: 20 Adventures In the PNW ✓

In 2015, I chose not to travel overseas in order to save money and focus on other projects. It was a tough decision, since I have been travelling around the globe annually for the past 14 years. It was something I had to do, in order to financially get back on track and work on…

6 Ways To Give During The Holidays

My favourite time of the year has arrived and I am so pleased to see fallen snow covering the grounds.  I love the coziness of the season and the comfort I find in the little things it brings: Cozy sweaters, piping hot cocktails, fresh air, frosted flakes, and doggy cuddles. The shorter days of the…

Morning Sweetness

Winter solstice is still a couple of weeks away, but the days are already colder and snow covers the grounds here in the mountains of Whistler. It was such a nice day today, and such an enjoyable morning walk with the pups. I love how I can just open the door of my trailer and…

La Crémaillère: First Day At the New Home

We are pretty excited about our new purchase: a home on wheels.   An old gondola for storage space.   Cracking the first of many bottle of sparkling. Cheering to my new setting. Loving my new backyard. And the views are to die for. Much better than TV. Getting cozy. Friendly neighbourhood. And again, can’t beat the…

Preparing for a Winter in a Trailer: Winterizing the RV

Owning a RV is in all a project and adventure. As newbies of the RV culture, there is so much to learn, especially with winter around the corner. Depending on how El Nino will affect our region this season, it is prudent to expect lots of heavy snowfall. Plus, we are sitting on an edge,…

RV Budgeting: Cost and Expenses

RV living seems like a good way to save money while living in a natural setting. While saving a chunk of money on rent and bills monthly, and with the possibility of re-selling the home at an equivalent price, there are costs and expenses to be aware of before purchasing a mobile home. Cost: -Trailer: (…

Considering the RV Life: Is This For You?

I am a home owner. A home on wheels owner. That feels good to say. Plus, I don’t owe any mortgage and I don’t pay someone else’s mortgage. It might not be luxurious like a home with multiple bedrooms, a nice jetted tub or double car garage. I also don’t own the land. But it has a functional…

Iceberg Lake – Whistler, BC

Photos taken during our hiking trip to Iceberg Lake. Iceberg LakeDistance: 15 kmElevation Gain: 870 mHighest Point: 1,635 m

RV Living: I Bought A Trailer

The insurance lady handled back the papers to me: “Congratulations! You are officially the owner of a trailer.” I looked at her, a most satisfied smile spreading from my face to my whole body. She had no idea what this meant to me. After living predominantly in the beautiful resort town of Whistler for the past 12…

5 Dog-Friendly Incredible Hikes in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor

The season has changed, leaving place to the cool and crisp air of autumn. Summer has been absolutely crazy, in so many good ways, with work, and camping and adventuring every weekend. But I am now looking forward to quiet days at work, cozy wool sweater weather and wrapping my hands around hot teas and good…

50 Sings You Are a Passionate Traveller

1. You keep thinking about the next adventure2. Your Christmas cards are postcards3. You never miss out on an opportunity4. You have friends from all around the world5. You are constantly planning, sometimes for trips you’ll never take6. Money isn’t essential, experiences are7. You spend more money abroad but when home, you shop at local stores8.…

Hornby Island for a Family Vacation

Raised by a single mother and with an older brother that took on his freedom filled life as soon as I was born, I never really had the chance to understand the term “family vacation”. Of course my mom always made sure we would go on road-trips and explore the beautiful corners and cultural gems of…

6 Lessons My Free-Spirited Friend Taught Me

I just dropped my best girlfriend at the airport. Along with all her necessary belongings and a one-way ticket to Panama, she is leaving a place she called home for the past 11 years, and taking the plunge to start a new chapter with the love of her life. She met her now-fiancé while on a surf trip in Panama a couple…

Sportfishing in the Cayman Islands

It was a gloomy morning in Grand Cayman, and the tarmac was still wet from the rain that heavily poured the previous night. We grabbed a quick breakfast at a coffee shop in Camana Bay, awaiting impatiently 8 o’clock to arrive. At the dock, Captain Jon, owner of Slackem Charters, and his First Mate Peri welcomed us aboard…

The Ocean Is Calling And I Must Go

There is a place on the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island that was built for dreamers: a place where the salty air is curing, the cold ocean is rejuvenating, and the lush rainforests are reinvigorating. A place where people go to gaze at the ocean in peace, and experience nature at its humblest best. Tofino is indeed…

A Sunday Stroll

Life on the road is absolutely exhilarating. But you can’t always be trotting from country to country eternally. You eventually have to go back home to recharge the battery and you soon fall back into routine. You feel trapped in normality and daydream of your next destination. But until you set sails and explore the whole wide world again,…

Totally Pampered!

This post has also been published on Clapway. I have been adventuring a lot lately, discovering dirt roads, camping new grounds, surfing new waves, hiking new peaks. But this time, for my friend Julie’s birthday, I decided it would be nice to get a little less dirty, and a little more sassy. Starting off the day…

The Call To Adventure

When the adventure is calling, you need to listen. Whether it is the wanderlust kicking in, a thirst for an unusual experience, or an immediate urge to escape, adventuring is the best way to disconnect from your daily routine, and reconnect with yourself. This week, Julie and I decided to leave the Vancouver Coast & Mountains and…

Bringing Sunday Funday to a Whole New Level

When Julie called me and asked what were my plans for the following day, I answered: “Well, it’s Sunday, so something outdoors and fun!” She replied with a smirk in her voice: “Excellent, I’ve got the perfect adventure for us! Just pack a bag with a bathing suit, a towel, and a nice bottle of champagne.” Julie is…

Home vs. the Insatiable Wanderlust

I am sitting here with a glass of wine, looking at my globe accumulating dust. It hasn’t spun in a few months, resulting from having to keep my feet on ground for a while to make money. I have been back home since November, working the clock, collecting paper bills of different colors and trying…

7 Ways To Cure Your Wanderlust At Home

Travelling months overseas and returning to the nest to feed on money isn’t always easy. We go back to commonness and boredom can easily come from daily routine. We feel strapped in normality with the urge to be on the road again living a satisfying life of adventures and discoveries. We constantly scroll down our travel pictures, chat…

8 Tips on Managing Money Abroad

Travelling abroad is an exciting adventure. And to make the most of this experience, it is primordial to plan the right budget and have plenty of funds. The last thing you want is having to cancel a skydiving jump over the Republic of Palau, or a hot-balloon ride in Tanzania, or a cycling wine and gastronomy tour in Burgundy because…

5 Things I Hate About Travelling Abroad

1. Traveller’s Ignorance If there is one thing I cannot stand, is the culturally insensitive behaviour of certain type of tourists. With attractive all-inclusive packages deals, and ‘soul searching’ travel becoming a popular trend, travelling has brought a variety of travellers to the map. While many tourists show a sense of curiosity and a genuine…

Merry Christmas!

As I walked in the illuminated streets of my neighbourhood, trying to digest the over consumption of sausage stuffing and other Christmas festive dishes, a maple whisky and eggnog in one hand, and my dogs on a leash in the other, I filled myself with Christmas Spirit. It was Christmas night and the crescent moon glittered…

New York City

Photographs taken in New York City. Read the story here: 3 Nights in New York on a Budget.

3 Nights in New York on a Budget

On my way to Cayman Islands from my visit in the province of Québec, it was inevitable that I stop in New York, at least for a quick glance at this famous ”City That Never Sleeps.” Like many of us, I always dreamt of walking the streets of the Big City. Flights in and out of New York…

Île d’Orléans

Photographs taken in Île d’Orléans, Québec. Read the story here: Picnic in Île d’Orléans.

Picnic Day in Île d’Orléans

Just 15 minutes from downtown Québec City is located Île d’Orleans. The island has been described as the “microcosm of traditional Quebec” and as the “cradle of French civilization in North America.” On a sunny Monday morning of October, Karine and I drove across the solo bridge, entering a land of farming and agriculture. We acquired provisions in…

Québec’s Wine Route

Photographs taken on Québec’s wine route. Read the story here: Quebec’s Wine Route: A Mother-Daughter Road Trip Through the Colours of Fall

Festival de la Galette Sarrasin

Québécois love their poutine. But they also love their buckwheat. The buckwheat made its way to Québec during the first colonization, principally by the Bretons. During this time, the buckwheat flour was used to make crepes, and was accompanied with baked beans, molasses and a glass of p’tit caribou.  It became a popular meal rich in protein for lumberjacks…

Getting Lost in the Old Medina of Fes

After getting ripped off by the taxi coming from the CTM bus station, we got dropped off at an entrance of the old Medina of Fes, in front of an obscure alley. “Straight ahead, then right” scrambled the driver, directing us to our riad. A fainting light hardly lit the entrance arch. We paid the…

Finding Ground Above Clouds

“Drink chhaang, nectar of the Gods. Then eat shutki”. I didn’t know which one made me more reluctant: the pungent smell of the fermented millet drink travelling to my nostrils, or the sundried little fishes, their round eyes fixed on me morbidly. As I directed their heads towards my mouth, my bitter face anticipated the bad circus about…

Rohr Lake – Cayoosh Range, BC

Camping has always been an important part of my life. Since I moved to the west coast in 2003, I camp almost every weekend from late spring to early autumn. In the winter, I camp in the cabins of the backcountry. I don’t mind cold temperatures and am not scared of the wild. In fact, I always…

Napa Valley

Photographs taken during a road trip from San Francisco through Napa Valley. Read the full story: Wine Holiday: Road Trip Through Napa Valley.

Wine Holiday: A Road Trip Through Napa Valley

We drove north on highway 29, through scenic switchbacks of lush green grass overlooking fields of wild mustard sprouting under the trellised grapevines. At times, the route wound through open spaces sparkled with grazing livestock and where remarkable old oak trees filled the emptiness and characterized the landscape. We were on our way to Napa…

Do’s and Don’ts in Amsterdam During a Night Layover

A night layover in Amsterdam is a great opportunity to have a quick taste of this romantic and beautiful European city. Within only a few hours, you’ll be charmed by this famous, small city of the world. When I booked my return flights from the Canary Islands to Canada, I opted for the 16-hour-night layover…

What Is Your Love Story?

For me Valentine’s Day is simply a traditional and irrational Hallmark holiday. However, I must see it as a ‘Day of Love’: to celebrate those feelings of interpersonal affections and life pleasures. I dedicate this day to my beautiful family, to my most meaningful relationships, to my crazy but loyal dogs and to my greatest…

Winter Olympics: Embrace the Games

On Friday, an estimated audience of 3 billion people worldwide watched the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games. The ceremony was extravagant, breathtaking and colourful, preceded by the march of athletes into the Fisht Olympic Stadium, fired with enthusiasm, excitement and proud smiles. The Sochi Games haven’t got a positive press lately.…

30 and Key Free

I am sitting in front of a blank page, not really sure what to write about. I guess I’m not really sure of a bunch of things right now. That’s always been my life. Uncertainty. Instability. Insatiability. Never knowing what’s gonna happen next has always been challenging, although exciting and exhilarating. I always lived up…

Top 10: Things You Can Do To Embrace Your 20’s

At the edge of entering the 30’s, I reflect on the past 10 years that went by. I have to admit it: I’m a late bloomer. In fact, the reason why I left the city was because people were going too fast. That was never a road I wanted to chase. So no, I don’t…

Gran Canaria

Photographs taken in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. Read the full post here: Vacationing in Gran Canaria.

Vacationing in Gran Canaria

After travelling Morocco for 6 weeks, I decided to fly west to the Canary Islands of Spain, where I would spend 10 days vacationing. I’ve never been an all-inclusive fan, but considering the need for a vacation and the expensive Euro, it seemed more convenient and economic to choose a nice a hotel and not…

Taghazout

Photographs taken in Taghazout, Morocco. Read the full post: Hanging Loose in Taghazout.

Hanging Loose in Taghazout

North of the city of Agadir, in the south west coast of Morocco, is located the small fishing village of Taghazout, where sun bleached hair surfers showcase their skills on the ocean curls and where camels lounge peacefully on the golden beaches. Mostly of Berber origins, the residents have become to be local surfers, blending…

A Road Trip to the Gateway of the Sahara

The sun painted the golden sand in beauteous shades of bright orange and gentle pink. My scarf protected my head, shielding it from the fieriness of the midday sun. We travelled through the Erg Chebbi dunes at a desert pace. My legs dangled on each sides of his rib cage, 6 feet from the yellow…

Marrakech: Where the Magic Happens. Or Does It?

The impressive red walled medina is an extensive labyrinth of tangled tight streets, unfortunate homeless, everyday survivors and kids calcitrating donkeys. A city of snake ‘charmers”, monkey entertainers and aggressive sellers. Sore for the eyes, arduous on the heart, but it is the reality of the place, whether you like it or not. Despite the…

Gran Canaria

Photographs taken in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. Read the full story: Vacationing in Gran Canaria.

Essaouira

Photographs taken in Essaouira, Morocco. Read the full post: Seagulls and Sea-breeze in Essaouira

Easy and Breezy in Essaouira

The soaring and screaming of the seagulls accompany the melody of the sea. Inside the medina, white are the walls and majorelle blue are the old windows and wooden doors we see. The air is fresh, the pace is slow, the colours are soft and the people are hassle-free. Essaouira is a small fishing town…

Rabat

Photographs taken in Rabat, Morocco. Read the full post: Rabat: Exploring the Neighbourhood

Rabat: Exploring the Neighbourhood

I’ve been in Rabat for already 2 weeks and I haven’t been further than the ramparts of the medina. So Lisa (my volunteering partner) and I decided to stay in the capital this weekend and explore the surroundings. I can’t believe I haven’t left the medina. All this time I had the ocean right nearby!…

The Great South

Photographs taken while road tripping the Great South of Morocco.

Marrakech

Photographs taken in Marrakech, Morocco. Read the full post: Marrakech: Where the Magic Happens. Or Does It?

Celebrating Eid Al-Adha in Morocco

Warning: This blog post contains images and descriptions that might not be suitable for some readers and some may find the content disturbing. If you do read, please have an open mind and the ability to understand a different culture. Thank you. Every year, on the 10th day of the Islamic calendar’s last month, falls…

Rif Mountains

Photographs taken while trekking through the Rif mountains of Morocco.

Peacefulness in Chefchaouen and the Rif Mountains

The 5 hour bus ride from Fes to Chefchaouen allowed me to peacefully rest while finding comfort in the sound of music from my iPod. Songs that reminds me of home, of my friends, of a fantastic summer we just spent. Don’t worry, I am not homesick yet, but it is nice to sometimes feel…

Chefchaouen

Photographs taken in the blue city of Chefchaouen

A Decade In Such Great Heights

500 weeks ago, I headed west aboard a Greyhound bus on the Trans Canada Highway, bringing along a poor English, a backpack, a snowboard and just a few dollars in my pockets. After spending the summer by the sea in Victoria, BC, working at a Yögen Früz to learn a second language, I migrated to the…

Fes

Photographs taken in the ancient Medina of Fes. Read the full story: Getting Lost in the Old Medina of Fes.

Volunteer Abroad: Reflexions & Conclusion

News from Morocco: The warm sunrays light up the alleys of the Medina. The scents of olives, spices and cow’s feet travel the streets. I walk from my lovely homestay through the alleys towards my work place. Teaching the kids in the morning, empowering the women in the afternoon. However, I’m not sure who’s gaining more…

Gender Equality Empowerment

I was sitting at a table amongst women whose eyes were locked on their sewing projects. Since the program was new, I had limited instructions on what exactly I was supposed to do, and how to do it. I had brought writing booklets and pens in case teaching some French, their second language, would be…

Teaching Children

When reading the description of tasks, it wasn’t clear to me what ‘helping with children’ exactly implied. Besides my experience teaching swimming lessons (which I actually really enjoyed), I didn’t have much of a teaching background. And working with kids? I mean, kids are fine, although I find at times awkward to deal with their impulsivity, loudness, hyperactivity, whining or…

Orientation

Departure I woke up to an appetizing warm meal with cheese and bread waiting on my table tray in front of me. “Rouge ou blanc?” asked the flight attendant from Air France. “Juste de l’eau, merci,” I answered. “Madame, il vous faut du vin avec votre repas,” he insisted. “Rouge alors, merci.” I was on my…

Volunteer Abroad: Preparation

Think about how you can help and what you want to get out of the experience Volunteering might have been part of your ”list” for a while now. The urge to save the world, play a hero, get recognized, tell a great story. But seriously. Why do you do it? How can you help? What…

Changing Lanes: The Impossible List

Like most of us, passionate and travellers, we live life to the fullest and to make sure we do so, we have created a list of goals we want to accomplish before we expire. Whether it is a meli-melo of ideas trotting in your head, or on a sheet hanging around the house, or written on…

Yearning For Simplicity

A pack of malicious clouds covered the village of Whistler with continuous precipitation on this Tuesday morning of late August. The cool breeze and the leaves prematurely falling from the maple trees almost made us forget about the endless sunny and hot days that made our summer until now. I opened the door of the…

10 Easy Camping Food

If you browsed my blog recently, you might have noticed that I have been enjoying the great outdoors frequently this summer. Just like travelling, camping is for me a way of connecting with the nature and reconnecting with myself. After a long busy week at work, I find comfort in the wilderness. But camping isn’t…

Rainbow Lake – Whistler, BC

Summer has been magnificent so far with suns sparkling the forecast everyday and warm, pleasant temperatures reaching 30˚C each afternoon. Rain was needed and so it did for a couple of days, just enough to soak the dryness of the forest and revive the grass and trees of their pure lush greens. It is wildflower…