If your making you way to Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley, you will probably pass through Cusco.

Cusco is a vibrant city with lots to see and do, as well as a great place to start your andes adventure.













 

To make the best of your visit, here are a couple tips to get you started:

• The altitude is higher then what most are use to. Spend your first day taking it easy and acclimatizing. If you feel sick, rest and have some Coco leaves.
• Check out the central square - but prepare to be approached by many vendors trying to sell you anything and everything. Make sure to keep an eye on your stuff if you get distracted.
• The bars and restaurants around the square tend to be a bit pricey, try places a bit off the beaten path.
• Take it ALL in. It's an absolutely beautiful city with lots of culture and history. Take tons of pics!

Some of my favourite things to do:

Paddy Flaherty's Irish pub in the square (price was reasonable and its the highest altitude 100% Irish owned pub in the world!)

Jake's Café. Great food and portions (not pictured)

Check out the Cusco area ruins, especially Saqsayhuaman. Great ruins and one of the best views overlooking Cusco.

Stay at the Torre Dorada. Excellent service and just a great place to stay.

Continue reading

Figuring out what bring on vacation can be hard. Here are some ideas of what to bring depending on your vacation.

Caribbean Vacation
- Clothing (Shorts, TShirt, Tank Tops, Long Pants (just in case), light sweater (for those nights at the beach)
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen
- Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, deodorant, etc.)
- Medicines (Immodium, Bandages, Pepto, Tylenol/Advil)
- Bug Spray and Afterbite
 - Money (check your destinations currency)

South American Adventure
- Clothing (Bring both warm and cooler clothing - different altitudes can range in temperature)
- Sunscreen, Hat
- Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, deodorant, etc.)
- Medicines (Immodium, Bandages, Pepto, Tylenol/Advil)
- Bug Spray and Afterbite
- Money (check your destinations currency)
- Travel guide
- Spanish/English Dictionary or Portuguese/English dictionary

North American Road Trip
- Clothing
- Sunscreen, Hat
- Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, deodorant, etc.)
- Money
- Travel guide/Map

Continue reading

Today I went to my first ever Fan Expo in Toronto. What an experience! Where else can you see Wonderwoman and Iron Man hanging out, Anime characters mingling with Marvel Heros and Predators getting along with humans? Well apparently at Fan Expo you can see this and more. The event is huge and the turnout was amazing.. at least 100,000 plus people were there many dressed up as their favourite super heros. There was tons of stuff to buy, chances to meet your favourite celebs and lots of picture opportunities!

Some things I learned as a first timer:

- Come early. It gets packed!
- Its ok to dress up - in fact its encouraged.
- If you want an autograph, come early and make sure you check the time when they will be there
- Bring a big bag or backpack for purchases and swag
- Bring your camera and take LOTS of pictures

Here are just a few of my highlights from the day

Until next year...may the force be with you super peeps :-) #fanexpotoronto

Continue reading

Checked out buskerfest this year for the first time and loved it! Great for people of all ages and will definitely put a smile on your face. Theres tons of performers, musicians, vendors and even samples! (one of my favourite things).  Admission is by donation and all proceeds go towards Epilepsy Toronto. Go for a great time and for a great cause.

Here are some of my highlights.

 

For more about Buskerfest, you can check out this link: http://www.torontobuskerfest.com/


#buskerfest2013 @cp24

Continue reading

 I visited London, England for a course, but also got the chance to do a bit of exploring. London is a great place, with lots of history and culture.

While I could write forever on all the things to see and experience, here are some of the highlights you should check out.

High tea at the Corinthea Hotel

Enjoy a lovely tea selection in a beautiful, classic setting

Sunday Organ recital @ Westminister Abbey

We came upon this by chance and what a pleasant surprise! Sunday evenings they do a free organ recital for your listening pleasure. If you are in the area, check it out. 

The Tube

Their subway gets you everywhere you want to go. There's no need to take cabs as their sophisticated and extensive subway system covers pretty much anywhere you need to get to. Tip: if you are staying for a week, get a week pass. It's cheaper and easier. 

Pret a manger 

Great quick place to buy coffee and a bite. You can find them pretty much everywhere. 

Shopping on Oxford Street

If you like to shop, you want to check out the selection on Oxford. Piccadilly Circus also has quite a bit of shopping, but a bit more touristy. 

Steak at the Hawkthorne

Here the steak selection is nothing like I have ever seen. I had a porterhouse steak and it was one f the best steaks I have ever had! Make sure to make reservations though. This place fills up fast! 

Hunter Museum

If you like unusual museums, stop by here. This museum showcases some of the first experiences in medicine and surgery. Admission is free, but you may not want to plan this around lunch time as some of the exhibits are not for the weak stomach. 

 

Trafalger Square

Great place to check out, and right near some great picture ops. This place is like one huge meeting place. We were lucky enough to see a play happening right in the square, but seems like if you go anytime there's lots of activity.

Shopping @ Primark

This place rocks! If you like discount shopping, go here. They have a huge selection and great prices. Everyone we saw coming out, at least had 2 bags of shopping in their hands. 

 Buckingham Palace

Buckingham palace itself is something worth checking out, but if you go during the changing of the guards, it's a huge parade! When we went thousands of people were lined up to experience it and trying to get the perfect shot. If you don't like crowds, you may want to avoid it but if you can get through the crowds and get a good spot, it's worth checking out.

 

London Eye

This has to be the best Ferris wheel I have ever been on. The view is amazing, even at night. And the compartments all include interactive screens that give you a tour and description of all the sites you are looking at.

Convent Garden

This area is great for specialty shops, restaurants and bars. 

London is a great place to check out for a week, and if you have more time stay longer! There's tons to see and do :) 

Continue reading

So it's been a couple weeks, and I couldn't let another day go by without writing about the carnival. Great times! This year, was even better then ever with more gorgeous costumes and tons of energy! We started around 10am and I swear the time just flew by. I usually just stay until the end of the parade, but this year we were getting right into all the action and didn't leave until 10pm. Great times for sure and can't wait to do it again next year. Here's just a few pictures from the parade.

My favourite memory was going with judging. That's when you are at the peak of your energy and its all about just giving it all you got and it paid off... Louis Salendah mas camp won first place!! Way to go!! http://bit.ly/16d0cyN


#TorontoCarnival @TO_Carnival - until next year...in the mean time keep wining!

Continue reading

Went camping to Killbear this recently and loved being surrounded by wilderness and beautiful scenery, right on Georgian bay.

While I definitely loved our camping experience and being surrounded by great friends, it may not be for everyone. Just a couple things to think about before you head out there: 

- For August, the water was pretty cold. Not sure if its normal up here, but was a wee bit on the chilly side.

- Not all campgrounds allow radios/music. So if you want to listen to some tunes, you have to do it very quietly and hide it.  

- The beaches don't allow dogs. Although this may not effect everyone, it was a bit hard for us with 2 puppies to determine puppy duty while the others went to the beach. 

- Great for families. My friend brought her son and he had a blast meeting new friends. She even extended her time there, as did other families. But if you are a group of party goers, you have come to the wrong place. 

- There are bears and snakes and signs to remind you... Enough said. 

All in all we had a blast as it is what you make of it and good company always helps. Although this place was nice, I might try another place next time before I come back here. 

Continue reading