A bit about me...
Hi, Kamusta, Hola, Bonjour! I’ve always wanted to start creating a blog – the idea of writing down all of my thoughts, keeping a collection of photos and memories, and connecting with people has always appealed to me… but I really wanted it to mean something to me – something I’m passionate about. I was born in the Philippines, and my family immigrated to Canada when I was 2 years old. I grew up in small town north of Toronto, Ontario and always dreamed of chasing my dreams through exploring and travelling. After graduating from University, I started my career in marketing & advertising. That career had me right smack in the city, in downtown Toronto and keeping up with the rat race for most of my 20s. I did love the rush, the excitement and busy-ness of the city… But what I looked forward to the most was getting out of the city on weekends – breathing in fresh air, getting into the woods, going fishing, roasting marshmallows over a campfire, sleeping underneath the stars and heading up to a cottage or to go camping.
To the topic of this blog – exploring! I fell in love with all things outdoorsy and nature from a very young age. My Aunt & Uncle had the most idyllic cottage on Lake Simcoe. We would go up every Summer to swim and jump off the dock into the river. On warm Summer days, we would barbecue on the grill, eat corn on the cob and roast marshmallows in a big barrel. At night, we would have a campfire going strong, the firewood crackling and lighting up the sky while we charred our marshmallows to the best and gooiest is still one of my favourite childhood memories that will be etched forever into my memory bank. We canoed all day, swam, fished and soaked up the sunshine of Summer.
After a few years living and working in Toronto, I made the big move out to the West Coast – something I had been dreaming about for years! To Vancouver, British Columbia in my late 20s; I packed two bags, knew one person in the city and took a leap of faith! Now living and working in beautiful Vancouver Island in a seaside community, I’m so happy I followed by dreams when I did. The mountains and Pacific Ocean were calling and I had to go!
2020 brought on so much change – with so many social issues to the forefront and the world thrown into a global pandemic – we’ve all been locked down, in quarantine and spending a lot more time at home. I found myself reminiscing with old friends over Zoom and FaceTime about incredible memories, and found myself exploring our own Island more, whether it be finding new trails in our neighbourhood, going camping in new and familiar areas or out on some pretty epic hiking adventures with my dog. With so much new time on our hands and being at home more, I knew I had to write these thoughts down and share them.
This site reveals my adventures primarily on Vancouver Island, in beautiful British Columbia embracing the unpredictability of life, and getting lost in the culture of the people and places and not having an itinerary! Every time I’m in a new place, I always ask someone who lives there… “What do you like to drink from here?”, “What should I see while I’m here?”, “What’s your favourite thing to eat here?” And most importantly… “Where do the locals go to have fun?”. I’d love for you to read and be inspired to see the same places I have explored. I like to think I can make a difference one destination at a time – whether it be big or small – while letting you know a little bit about about me, my story and my experience with a particular place. I hope this inspires you to move. To move out of your comfort zone, to travel and take a solo adventure or plan a getaway with your most favourite people. I love hearing the best stories from people passionate about their favourite spaces and places. Thank you for reading and following along my adventures… Don’t hesitate to reach out and tell me yours too!
“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”
John Muir
Recent Adventures
Keeping cool in Cattle Point
So we’ve been having quite the heatwave here on the West Coast. It’s unseasonably hot, dry and humid and temperatures have been getting up past 40 degrees celcius here on Vancouver Island! Now don’t get me wrong, I love warm, sunny days… but this feeling of “I feel like I’m roasting in a convection oven” weather is a bit unbearable! LOL! To keep cool, we’ve been spending evenings down by the water… And one of my favourite places has got to be Cattle Point here in Victoria…
Deep in East Sooke
It’s been over a year since we’ve been in this pandemic… and travel is essentially non-existent at the moment. So we’ve been exploring our beautiful island more and more. It’s been years since I last explored Sooke – even though it’s only an hour away from Victoria – but I’m so glad we recently spent a beautiful sunny, warm staycation weekend in East Sooke! East Sooke is a bit farther of a drive, but if you love rugged coastlines, moody rainforests, never-ending sandy beaches and small-town quaint local charm… You won’t regret the scenic drive! You’ll love exploring Sooke and want to keep coming back for more!
A scenic stroll down Dallas Road
If you’re planning to be in Victoria for just a day, a must see is one of my favourite scenic strolls – Dallas Road! Just under 10km, this waterfront walkway is popular for walkers, runners and dog lovers!…
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Keep up with all my latest adventures and discoveries!