DESTINATION OSOYOOS!!!

This April I went to Osoyoos. Osoyoos is located in the south Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada just 10 KM away from the border of Washington State. The Okanagan Valley is known for its amazing climate. Often the hottest places in Canada in the summer, the climate is ideal for growing grapes and other fruit. Although the resident population of Osoyoos is small the area swells with tourism in the spring and summer as people swarm in to visit the abundant wineries and farm-to-table restaurants.

I put together a travel vlog while I was there this past April! Check it out below!

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

If you are interested in learning more about any of these businesses or events I encourage you to check out their websites below!

Lake Village Bakery

Osoyoos Oyster Festival

Shucker Paddy

The People's Craft House

Terrafina Restaurant at Hester Creek

Dubh Glas Distillery - Noteworthy Gin

Liquidity Wines

Smoke and Oak Bistro

River Stone Estate Winery

Pig Out

Covert Organic Farms Family Estate

Destination Osoyoos

SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT PARTICIPATED IN THIS VIDEO!

---

PIN THIS POST

THE PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE - YYZ

View fullsize

They say that you spend roughly 4% of your life waiting for something. Waiting for the bus to arrive, waiting for water to boil, waiting on hold to speak with a customer service representative. Let’s do the math… if the average lifespan of a person in North America is 78 then that 4% is 3 year 2 months. That’s a lot of time!

Unfortunately I don’t think there’s any way to decrease the amount of time you spend waiting, but what if you were capable of making waiting not feel like waiting?

I was recently invited to try the Plaza Premium Lounge at Pearson airport and I literally almost missed my flight! I am OFFICIALLY one of those people you see running through the airport as there name is being called over the loud speaker, “Passenger Hakimi, please proceed to Gate 72 your flight doors will be closing shortly.” AHHHHH!!! In retrospect it is actually quite funny and completely my own doing.

If you’re traveling and have some time to kill before a flight the Plaza Premium Lounges are awesome. With 130 lounges world wide and operating 5 lounges within Pearson airport alone (3 in Terminal 1 and 2 in Terminal 3) you can start enjoying the journey even before you get to the destination. Serving fresh healthy food options and hot plate menus that change weekly it’s no wonder pilots like to hang out there.  With free wifi, big comfy chairs and a relaxing atmosphere you can sit back, kick up your feet and enjoy the view of planes taking off in the distance.  If that’s not your thing and you’re looking to get some work done they also provide complementary computer cubicals and a quiet room for meetings or private discussions. On the other hand if you’ve been in transit for a while and are in desperate need of a shower, there have you covered with complimentary towels, soaps, and shampoos included!

I, of course, invite you to check out the Plaza Premium Lounge website for more info and if you have any further questions about my experience please do not hesitate to leave a comment below.

THE UP EXPRESS, THE FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK & DINNER AT EPIC RESTAURANT

UNION STATION TO PEARSON AIRPORT

Only two short weeks ago I was graciously invited to try the UP Express and experience a stay at the newly renovated Fairmont Royal York Hotel. As with most happy surprises I was ecstatic by the news and knew the only way I could do the experience justice was to video document it for you.

The UP Express, for those of you who have not yet traveled to Toronto, is Toronto’s express airport train that runs between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Union Station in Downtown Toronto; Toronto’s busiest transpiration hub. Having opened its services less than a year ago the rail service has already lowered its cost to $9 for Adults with presto cards and $12 for those without (children 12 and under ride for FREE). With trains departing every 15 minutes they put the ease and convenience back in traveling to and from the airport and is a great alternative if you don’t want to take an expensive shuttle to and from Pearson Airport . Their trains are fully equipped with bag storage, power outlets and the WIFI is free! It takes a total of 25 minutes to get from the airport to downtown Toronto and the best part is that it’s completely traffic free.  If you don’t need to go all the way downtown do not worry, the train also makes two quick stops along the way at Weston & Lawrence and Bloor & Dundas West. For more information on the UP Express and to view the UP Schedule, feel free to visit their website.

---

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @ISTHATSOH

---

FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK - A HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN TORONTO

Upon arriving at Union Station getting to the Fairmont Royal York is literally just a hop, skip and a jump. Located across the street from Union Station the Fairmont Royal York Hotel is Toronto’s most historic hotel having opened in 1929. The hotel has recently undergone renovations, revamping room decor including new HDTVs in every room! They have also renovated the pool (that’s right, a Toronto hotel with a pool) and exercise room, have upgraded services on demand, satellite iPad check-in during peak hours, paperless checkout, and digital path-finding monitors. I also highly recommend checking out the Fairmont Royal York Spa during your stay as it is fabulous. To book your next stay in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York feel free to visit their website for easy web-booking.

Once I was fully able to settle into my room and lounge in their plush bathrobes before getting ready for dinner, I received yet another happy surprise – a small pre-dinner amuse bouche.

The evening’s dinner was hosted at the Fairmont Royal York’s Epic Restaurant. Chef de cuisine Joshua Dyer provided us with a four-course meal perfectly complimenting each dish with wine selected by the house sommelier. Each course presented is available on the current restaurant menu, which changes seasonally. The restaurant’s reputation for innovation and quality was truly evident with each dish. They are known for placing importance on sourcing and using regionally grown premium ingredients; purchasing ingredients from only the best of Ontario's growers. Further, you may also be interested to know that all of the Fairmont Royal York restaurants takes advantage of the hotel’s rooftop herb garden and hand-harvested honey, which they incorporate in many of the dishes and cocktails.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

After dinner I was also able to sit down with chef de cuisine Joshua Dyer of Epic Restaurant and learn more about his passion for cooking and what it’s like working for the Fairmont Royal York. Below is a video of that interview. To book a reservation at Epic restaurant please visit their website.

If you have any questions about my experiences please do not hesitate to leave a comment below! If you missed my SnapChats from the event I'll add the video below!

Here are the links to all websites for quick reference:

UP Express - https://www.upexpress.com/Home/index
Fairmont Royal York - http://www.fairmont.com/royal-york-toronto/
Epic Restaurant - http://www.epicrestaurant.ca/home

Fun Fact:
Honey Bees: In June 2008, the Royal York installed three beehives on its fourteenth-floor rooftop terrace to serve its in-house garden. Approximately 350,000 honey bees provide several hundred pounds of honey each year, including 800 pounds (360 kg) in 2011.

Many thanks to Una MacNeil, Sonya Singh, Jessica Bertolo, Brody Horne and Chef Dyer for hosting me!

---

MORE TRAVEL BLOG POSTS

---

PIN THIS POST

CUBAN SANDWICHES & THE MIAMI WYNWOOD ART DISTRICT, FLORIDA

MY MIAMI TRAVEL GUIDE

One of most amazing parts of being a blogger is discovering things. New food, new places, new people. If you have been following me for a while you have probably already figured out that I’m quite a naturally inquisitive person and if you haven’t, well let me tell you – I like an adventure. You may even soon discover that locals want to share their experiences with you and recommend places to go and restaurants to eat at. Sometimes, it’s even before you have a chance to ask for it! Haha!

I recently went to Florida to visit my mom who like many other Canadians has become a snowbird flying south for the winter. I will admit I went on this trip with one objective, to find the best El Cubano sandwich. It is well know that Miami is the epicenter for Cuban influence in America and I was determined to find the best, most authentic Cuban pork sandwich Miami had to offer – and thankfully, my mom was game!

After doing some research I found a Cuban restaurant located in Little Havana called Versailles that was supposed to have the best Cuban sandwich in Miami, so off my mom and I went.  It was no surprise that the restaurant was packed with Cuban families and businessman.

Aesthetically the restaurant is a little outdated, but the prices are great and everything that came out of the kitchen looked delicious including my sandwich. The bread was toasted until golden, cheese melted just so, pork perfectly roasted and full of juicy flavors, all topped with the perfect amount of mustard accompaniment - YUP! It deserved all the hype I had previously read about!

Now, this is when things get good because blogging and being a social media creator opens a lot of doors/windows into other people’s lives. I mean, isn’t that what social media is for? To discover and share experiences? Well, it didn’t take long for me to soon stumbled across photos of walls, many walls, painted in these amazing murals. I was very happy when at one point I made a new Instagram friend who grew up and worked in Miami and recommended I check out the Wynwood Art District while I was in town – specifically the Miami Wynwood Walls. Perfect! My mom was game so off we went on another adventure!

---

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @ISTHATSOH

---

The Wynwood Walls (where you find all the murals) occupy an entire city block on NW 2nd Avenue between 25th and 26th Streets. Here you will also find a garden, indoor gallery and studio space, as well as the adjacent Wynwood Kitchen & Bar.

Finding parking, a places to eat or bars in Wynwood is very easy. The entire art district and neighbourhood seemed to consist of about five square blocks but even before visiting the walls my mom and I went to a great contemporary art gallery in the area and grabbed food in Wynwood at The Butcher Shop Beer Garden & Grill . The Butcher Shop has both an indoor seating area and an outdoor patio at the front of the restaurant shielded nicely from the street. Like a little oasis my mom and I took some refuge from the mid-day sun for lunch and were pleasantly surprised to find the service quick and food delicious. I really liked this spot and thought it had a great casual dining vibe and a perfect spot to grab drinks if you are looking to enjoy a Wynwood happy hour . It also soon seemed to be a popular spot amongst young creative’s that work and live in the area which made it all the more appealing to me.

food in wynwood - the butcher shop

bars in wynwood - the butcher shop

With our bellies full and the taste of sangria still on our lips we wondered over to the Wynwood Walls and were surprised to discover how many murals there were and how they span both sides of an entire block not to mention lining a pedestrian only walled walkway/art park. The entire place was awesome and I would definitely recommend the Wynwood Art District to anyone visiting Miami who is looking for a cool activity for a day. If you are like me you won’t miss the opportunity to snap a photo in front of a Miami mural than perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to leave with a new profile picture like me – it’s just that good.

Cheers!!!!

View fullsize

---

MORE TRAVEL BLOG POSTS

---

PIN THIS POST!

A TRAVEL GUIDE TO TODOS SANTOS, MEXICO'S BAJA CALIFORNIA

View fullsize

Photo Credit: Louis Wu @ A private Hacienda in Todos Santos, Baja California Mexico

A TRAVEL GUIDE

I recently took a trip to Todos Santos Mexico in January and had an amazing time. It's a quaint little Mexican town full of artists, ex-pats, and hippies free to live their bohemian/low maintenance lifestyles in a small rural city an hour away from the commercialized Cabo San Lucas. Todos Santos has many draws including great beaches and the widely known Hotel California where this year’s Todos Santos Music Festival was held.

---

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @ISTHATSOH

---

Above Frankie The Band @ Todos Santos Music Festival - January 16 2016

MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Todos Santos Music Festival was created by Peter Buck of REM in 2012 and brought to life by The Hotel California as a way of bringing musicians together to make a difference in the community and support local charities.

BEACHES AND RESTAURANTS

Aside from the music festival the area is full of fun activities! There are both quiet and built-up beaches in and near Todos Santos where you can surf and boogyboard and many pleasant restaurants and cafes in town. There are also local food and artisan markets weekly and at sunset, you can occasionally go see the turtle release.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Above are photos from a turtle release on January 20th 2016

Tortugueros Las Playitas is an environmental conservation with a sea turtle focus whose mission is "to protect, conserve and replenish the fragile marine eco-systems of Baja California Sur, Mexico". On occasion when a nest has hatched they have a free viewing of the release at sunset. You are also able to adopt a nest for $40 USD and contribute to their cause. In exchange, they will send you photos of your nest once it hatches! Cute right!

Aside from the turtle release I recommend you go to La Esquina Cafe - a cute outdoor cafe and popular restaurant in Todos Santos that has a relaxing bohemian feel. Their menu consists of great options from healthy veggie shakes and smoothies to full breakfast and sandwiches all very reasonably priced. I had a breakfast enchilada (seen below) paired with a La Esquina Special (a fresh, local and organic fruit smoothie) which was delicious. On Wednesdays, they host a small outdoor market where locals sell their homemade loaves of bread, artisan leather goods, and even organic pesticides. When I went to the market they had a musician playing live music and people couldn't help but get up and dance while they waited for their breakfast. On Thursday evening they are also known to host a band and although I never had the chance to go I definitely would check it out next time I go back.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Above: Photos from La Esquina Cafe

I was so inspired by all the great food and culture of the area that I took advantage of the local markets and fresh ingredients to cook an authentic Mexican meal! I was able to find fresh chorizo at the market along with zucchini hearts (otherwise known as squash blossoms), fresh fish from the local fisherman and all the citrus fruits your heart could desire. In pursuit of my goal of a home-cooked Mexican-inspired meal, I made chorizo potato tacos with fresh guacamole, fried stuffed zucchini hearts, and fresh traditional Mexican ceviche! Also as a refresher, my friends came up with this delicious 'Mexican Screwdrivier' which had vodka, fresh orange juice, Cointreau, and a splash of fresh pomegranate juice! Perfect for sipping by the pool! All of these delicious dishes, which I encourage you to try making yourself, can be found under the Food & Drink section of my blog!

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

On top of all the great food, there are some hidden gems that I also want to share with you including this fabulous hidden beach that is so picturesque and great for bodyboarding. Off the highway, down a dirt road, and hidden behind an oasis of palm trees there lies a hidden, remote beach called Los Palmas. It’s a little tricky to get to so ask a local for directions just to be safe. When my friends and I went to this beach for the afternoon there were wild horses grazing along the oasis of palm trees. I do not recommend getting too close as they are wild but please enjoy them from a distance. This beach seemed practically deserted and is a great place to have a romantic picnic or bask in the cool ocean water and hot sun!

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Above: Photos from Los Palmas beach just outside Todos Santos, Baja California Mexico.

Before I end this adventure I also have to tell you briefly about three more things! The first is called Tacos El Poblano which was my favorite little Tacoria restaurant in Todos Santos with the best Carne (pork and/or beef) Tacos I have ever had! Not to mention they were so cheap! It doesn't look like much of a spot from the outside but it is well known and loved by the locals. We ordered 40 tacos for our group when we went there and kept having to go back for more!

The second thing, which to be honest will require a bit of luck to find because we literally saw him on the side of the road, is a local Tamale cart! Since we were renting a hacienda close to town, we were told about this guy Tamales from an ex-pat we knew living down the road. She said if we see his cart to pull over and get as many as we can because they are so good and often sell out. So there we were, a week into our vacation coming back from a beautiful day at the beach and there he was with his cart going along the side of the road. Well of course we pulled our rental car over and bought a dozen Tamales. In hindsight, we wish we had bought more because we were unable to ever find him again. The tamales however were SO DELICIOUS! I also think they were less than $1 a piece which is ridiculous! If you happen to see someone with a cart selling tamales I urge you to stop and try one!

The third restaurant in Todos Santos that I wanted to share with you was a small Italian Pizzeria/Cafe called Caffe Todos Santos. I didn't have a chance to actually eat there but the back patio looked very quaint and they had an outdoor pizza oven. I stumbled upon this place while looking for pizza dough and was directed to this cafe by a local artist. I also bought some of their jams while I was there (I thoroughly enjoyed their fig jam) along with some fresh bread and of course the pizza dough. I took a look at their menu which appeared to have both Italian and Mexican dishes and although their prices may have been high for the area I would say they were traditional American standard pricing ($15-$22 for a main).

Above: Me Outside Caffe Todos Santos

and so now I must go but before I do I will leave you with this....

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night

- Hotel California, The Eagles

---

PIN THIS POST