Summer days in the Land of Green Gables

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After 15 years of living in Canada, I figured it was finally time to grab my backpack and my camera and head out to the East Coast of this vast and beautiful land.    For some time now, I have been determined to get out of the comfort zone – Ontario and explore the many other to-be-discovered places that the land of the Maple Leaf and the Moose has to offer.

With the car all packed-up and ready to go, my girlfriend (traveling confidant) and I embarked on a week-long road trip to the east coast…final destination, Prince Edward Island (PEI).  With our expectations high, our minds imagining dishes full of oysters and fresh lobsters, and our butts unprepared for 2 days of driving, we were set to experience the PEI way of life.

From the moment we got on the Confederation Bridge, I knew we were in for quite a treat.  Crossing the Abegweit Passage onto the Island, felt like entering a faraway and imaginary place.  But there was nothing imaginary about were we had arrived…PEI was now real.  I loved the freshness in the air and all the greenery that surrounded us.  You read correctly…GREENERY!  Not only is PEI surrounded by water but it is also full of hilly fields and lots of agriculture.

On the first day on the Island we headed straight to the beach at Rice Point to check off “clam digging” from our to-do list.  At Rice Point we confirmed why PEI is recognized for its red sand and long beaches.  As the tide pulled back, it gave way to the best spot on the beach to catch dinner.  A dip in salty waters and a couple of hours later….a dozen clams ready for dinner!  The tide started to rise and we had just enough time to head back to safety as the red sand disappeared back into the ocean.  The day activities also included a quick visit around  Charlottetown to get a refresher on canadian history and the first settlements back in the day, and a drive around 9-mile Creek where we discovered that life as an Islander has a lot to do with working on the land and being self-sustainable.

For the second day, our friend and local tour guide, Natalie took us to the Penderosa Cottages (www.penderosacottages.ca) for a glimpse of the North Shore way of life.  On the way to the North Shore we had to stop at the birth place of Anne of Green Gables and visit L.M’s Montgomery’s home.  You definitely feel like you are a part of the story when driving through the hills and creeks.  At the cottages we had the pleasure of meeting the Pendergasts, a very sweet couple and the proud Islanders who have made the Penderosa land what it is today.   We couldn’t leave this land without some apple picking, swimming in the Atlantic ocean, and cooking up fresh lobster and oysters bought straight from a local fisherman near by.

As our stay on PEI came to an end, I could not help it and felt a bit nostalgic.   This is definitely one of the most beautiful places I have visited in the world and one to which I will go back.  If you are thinking about making this trip I highly recommend taking more time off then we did and stay for at least a full week.  Two days was not enough to see everything this island has to offer.

Until next time PEI!

B&B Heaven in Haliburton

Hidden in the woods around Wiskwabi Lake, in Haliburton Ontario

Shabu Shabu dinner offered by the wonderful hosts at Akané B&B.

Views during a morning walk around Akané B&B

This is the morning view of the woods that surround the beautiful Akané B&B.

 

I recently came back from a weekend get-away in Haliburton, Ontario, and  my very first Bed & Breakfast experience courtesy of Akané B&B.  Oooh my…how fortunate I was, having found this wonderful and homey wood cabin in the middle of the Algonquin Highlands!  From the moment I pulled into Akané, I knew I was in for a treat.  The dream-like winter scenery of its surroundings, the comfort of its wooden architecture, the exquisite food (Shabu Shabu dinner, oven-baked eggs and waffles for breakfast), and the unsurpassed hospitality of the wonderful hosts Mieko and Gary, made my long weekend vacation perfect.

To all the B&B lovers out there, it would be wise to add Akané B&B to your list (www.bbloghome.com).  You will not be disappointed.  As for me, I’m already looking forward to visiting them in the summer!

Translation: Acabo de regresar de Haliburton, Ontario, y de mi primera experiencia en un Bed & Breakfast cortesía de Akané B&B.  Wow…que afortunado fuí al haber encontrado está maravillosa y acogedora cabaña en medio de la región de Algonquin Highlands.  Desde el momento en que estacioné sabía que lo que se venía era de lujo.  Los paisajes invernales de ensueño, la comodidad de su arquitectura, la comida exquicita (cena Shabu Shabu, huevos al horno y waffles al desayuno), y la insuperable hospitalidad de sus anfitriones Mieko and Gary, le dieron el toque de perfección a mi fin de semana largo.

Para todos los amantes de los Bed and Breakfast, sería muy sabio agregar a Akané B&B a su lista (www.bbloghome.com).  Les aseguro que no se arrepentirán.  Por mi parte, no veo la hora de regresar en el verano.

White Holiday

There’s sunshine after the snow at Mont Tremblant. The morning view of the mountain.

Regardless of the cold and snow, Mont Tremblant is a beautiful and welcoming town.

THe beautiful house that we called home for the weekend at Mont Tremblant.

Side view of my backyard at the chalet at L’Auberge La Port Rouge.

A ride on its own, the first lift at Tremblant gives you a quick tour of the resort as you make your way to the serious skiing.

At Tremblant it is all about entertaining the guests.

Parents get very creative to get their little ones to start skiing.

No sunshine on this ride but what a view.

Skiers gather at the summit and try to decide which of the many runs to hit.

Skiing is as much about style as it is about skills. Here a sample of the trendy board and ski designs.

The beauty of winter at Canadian nature at its best.

Although very busy at times, some runs at Tremblant do give you the chance to be alone with nature, if only for a minute or two.

As I made my way down the mountain, I ran into a group of kids practicing their ski jumping. I wanted to line up with them if only to dive into that pile of old cushions.

On the way down to get a hot cup of coffee. What a chilly and fun first day at Tremblant.

At Mont Tremblant fun is not only hitting the slopes. Just as I was finish the ski run for the day, I ran into a couple of deers wondering around the woods. I was fortunate to get close to one of them. What a treat to wrap up the weekend.

After a day of tough skiing, nothing better then heading to the hot tubs and sharing the day’s adventures.

For kids the fun never stops at the resort.

 

So after 15 years of living in Canada, of which many holidays have been spend down in South America, I have finally come to the realization that winter  in Canada is definitely better with a good dose of snow and winter sports.  Although I have skied in the past, it took a 6 hour drive to Mont Tremblant, enduring -25C degree temperatures, a couple of bruised ankles, and all the powder snow I had dreamed of, to appreciate the beauty of skiing and getting away from it all “‘à la Canadien”.

Here are some photos of my recent trip to Mont Tremblant.  This was my first visit to the Laurentians in Québec and I know it will not be the last.  From the scenery and the great skiing, to the great atmosphere at the mountain and the friendly people, Mont Tremblant is by far my best experience of a white holiday in Canada.  Set your eye on this destination and go visit, you won’t regret it.

A la prochaine!

Después de 15 años de vivir en Canadá, durante los cuales la mayoría de las vacaciones de fin de año incluyeron calor, brisa y mar en Suramérica, finalmente llego a la conclusión de que el invierno en Canadá es muchísimo mejor con una buena dosis de nieve y deportes de invierno.  Aunque he esquiado en el pasado, fueron necesarias 6 horas de viaje por carretera hasta Mont Tremblant (Québec), un par de noches de  -25 grados centígrados, un par de contusiones en los tobillos, y toda la nieve polvo con la que he soñado, para poder apreciar la belleza de esquiar y escaparse de la rutina al estilo canadiense.

Aquí les comparto algunas de las fotos de mi más reciente viaje a Mont Tremblant, Québec.  Esta fue mi primera visita y seguro no será la última.  Desde los paisajes y una esquiada inolvidable, hasta el buen ambiente y la amabilidad de la gente, Mont Tremblant es sin duda alguna la mejor experiencia que he tenido de una navidad blanca en Canadá.  Que esperan para visitarla?

Hasta la próxima!