Ecuador-Ama la Vida
Ecuador is a jewel of a country located on the middle of the Earth. This country, about the size of the state of Oregon, is home to 14 million people, 25,000 species of plants and 1663 species of birds. As seen in its name Ecuador (Equator) is host to the closest point to the sun which is located at the top of Chimborazo Volcano. Ecuador is made up of 4 distinct regions. They are the Amazon, the Andes, Pacific Coast and Galapagos Islands. All areas are distinctly different and are special in their own way.
When I travel abroad I always come home to Vancouver with a greater appreciation for my city and Canada as a whole. However, this trip I was able to be a tourist in my backyard, Western Canada. I travelled with my sister and we took a 7 day trip from Vancouver to Calgary and return. The first 5 days were part of a Rocky Mountain Trip. We spent the first night in Vancouver at Fairmont’s Heritage Property Hotel Vancouver. This castle in the city was built in 1939 and is located in the heart of the shopping, business and entertainment district in downtown Vancouver. The next morning we boarded the Rocky Mountaineer train in elegant fashion. The Rocky Mountaineer allows you to be taken back to a time where train travel was all that existed!
Read more: JOURNEY THROUGH THE CLOUDS - A Western Canada Tour
Carly and I recently attended the Inaugural ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) Spa Conference in London. This was the first event of its kind to bring together VIP buyers who specialize in health/wellness travel with destination spa and wellness resort suppliers from around the world. Carly and I flew Virgin Atlantic direct from Vancouver to London and return. On the way to London we flew in the economy class of service. That was the smallest/squishiest economy seat I experienced thus far. My knees were touching the seat in front of me. The man beside me was 6’4” and he didn’t look very comfortable either. Despite the small quarters I was able to rest my head on his shoulder got some shut eye. On our return flight to Vancouver from London we flew Virgin Atlantic’s premium economy service. I highly recommend this class of service. It is spacious, the service is of higher quality and it is great value. The 10 hour flight passed quickly as the other passengers on board were also in high spirits and excited to talk to their neighbours.
Read more: THE MANY FACES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM - Jessica Renshaw
Carly and I recently experienced a Detox in the Trees at Chewton Glen. Chewton Glen is an English original luxury country house and Spa hotel. It is set in 130 acres of Hampshire Countryside and located on the edge of the New Forest and just a few minutes to the sea. This tranquil location was an inspiration for the hotel to build 6 contemporary Treehouses with 12 suites, in a secluded valley just a 5 minute walk to the main house and spa.
September 2012
With 3 years of anticipation I finally found myself in India. Prior to my trip I heard numerous things about India: it’s smelly, it’s hot, you’re going to get sick! I felt that I needed to see this country so that I could make a fair judgement on my own. I traveled with my co-worker Emily and we had the most amazing trip! We took a bus tour through the state of Rajasthan, Northwest India, and found ourselves in the Land of Kings.