Vancouver, Canada

Edited our honeymoon video for my husband since we missed each other so much. 

Click here for my previous post on our honeymoon to find out more interesting places to visit in Canada, US and Japan.

My Eid Adha 2013

On 10th Zul Hijjah, which falls on last Tuesday, Oct 15, Muslims worldwide celebrated Eid Adha. Also it falls within the annual Hajj to Makkah (Pilgirmage to Mecca). The 9th day of Zul Hijjah is the day of 'Arafah where pilgrims gather to pray. Thus, Muslims all over the globe who do not witness the annual Hajj should fast during the day.

"Fasting on the Day of 'Arafah absolves the sins for two years; the previous year and the coming year, and fasting on 'Ashura (the 10th day of Muharram) atones for the sins for previous years." (Imam al-Bukahri and al-Tirmizi)

I really missed celebrating Eid with my family in Singapore. I wish I could have flown back there again for a couple of weeks, but apparently I'm having my midterm. I really wanna pull up my socks again this semester to maintain my honors in college. Mind you, i was just an average student from my high school till my college year in Singapore. I was a lazy a** back then. lol My husband constantly said how smart I am. That has become a zikir and du'a every time he says it, being "amin-ed" by Malaikat (Angels).

Anyway, Eid Adha is not a province wide PH in Canada unfortunately. However, i was glad enough that it was a public holiday on Monday due to thanks giving, celebrated by the Canadians. They had turkey, we had ketupat! :D My former English teacher, back home when i was in Secondary school, Sir Taib and family, invited us over his crib for Eid gathering. After breaking our fast with those ketupat and rendang, we performed our Maghrib in Jamaah and Takbir. I felt so homesick at that very moment. But I'm blessed to have them. Although I am alone, I am never lonely. My husband couldnt make it here for Eid this time, but I am glad I have my kak Ros and mommy Sophie! <3

Blue Mountain, Collingwood Ontario

Last Friday, Oct 4, my friends and I had a trip to the Scenic Caves. Currently we are doing a Niche tourism, so we got to experience an Eco/Adventure tourism. I was so excited and was looking forward to explore what nature has to offer there. Unfortunately it wasn't a bright day for us. It was raining the night before and was drizzling in the morning. So it was foggy, cold and wet when we were there. Apparently, we had 3 other groups that went days earlier before us. They had a great day and managed to capture spectacular views of the nature. On a brighter note, we experience the tour and the wonder of nature differently from the other groups.

Collingwood Scenic Caves offers great adventure activities for everyone, including family with kids too. From caves, caverns and trails, Tree Top Canopy Walk & Zip lines, featuring their new Thunderbird Twin Zip, Suspension Bridge, Gemstone Mining, Mini Golf, Trout Pond & Picnic Area, Rocky the Train, and Children's Adventure Playground. In the winter, there are Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing. Also, they arrange other special events, educational programs and group adventures.

Discover the natural history here.

We hopped on a tractor ride through the forest to start of with a guided eco adventure tour at one of Canada's six UNESCO biosphere reserve. the treetop canopy walk and zip line. I'm not afraid of height, but i'm afraid of swinging bridge! *600m across 10" wide airborne walkways strung between a web of platform decks.

We were guided by the 2 best guides, Kevin and Amber at the highest point that i felt like in a Twilight the sequel, gliding from tree to tree. lol The wobbly walk ended with a zip line which is 300 ft; 45 ft vertical drop/14m. *adapted from here

Treetop canopy walk

The Cave & Caverns 

Indian Chief

We then headed down walking through the caves and caverns, one of Canada's great natural wonders, carved millions of years ago by glacial ice. We explored the "refrigerator cave", favorite among visitors. Before we headed back to our port for a lunch break, we glide down across the Niagara escarpment on a 1000 ft zip line :D

Towards the Suspensions Bridge

We continued on our tour to explore Southern Ontario's longest suspension footbridge. Unfortunately, we couldn't witness the spectacular views of Georgian Bay and the surrounding countryside due to the fog. :( *I am so coming back again!* ^___^

Upgraded to a premium coach with wifi onboard! 

Check out my video and have a glance through our fun journey.

Looptail

I'm putting my mind at ease after some tedious tasks I had to go through couple weeks ago.

Aniways, this semester isn't hectic like the last n previous semesters. Although my schedule ain't to my liking the fact that classes done by 6pm. On the other hand,  I don't hv to rush out early in the morning to class. Except on Wednesday tho. I have Spanish at 8am! This ain't Spore, 8am was ok for me. I'm an early bird still. However,  catching the bus in the morning here in Canada ain't no fun at all!

Talking bout Spanish, the test I had earlier wasn't hard. I just gotta havta remember the correct verb and all. My current weakness is on the numbers. I was stuck at number 17~ omg. I have always knew what  17 is in Spanish. Due to overly confident and extra excited, I couldnt figure out what is 17. So I came up with my own creative word. -_-" I wrote siete y once instead of diesisiete!! U know like how Chinese mix their numbers to be one. Eg. 10=Shi, 11=Shi yi, 12=Shi er etc. And so I made my professor laughed. Yep! I did good! :D

With my spare free time at the moment, I'mma read a good book tht I got since sept and haven't even had the time to read it, yet only manage to browse through the pix. A book by Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventure. 

picture from my instagram

Attended an event by G Adventure on Future Tourism held at the Winter Garden Theatre on the evening of Sept 23. It was an inspiring and amazing night. The discussion was about, Can a travel company changes the world? In the sense of a sustainable tourism; How travel companies and travellers can make the world a better place.

Looking at the trends now on who travels, why do ppl travel, their needs and expectations, makes me ponder, what type of a traveller am I? Despite having a huge interest in travelling, I travel to learn bout other countries, the ppl, their culture, their language and so on. According to Bruce Poon Tip on that evening, "Out of every $100 spent while on vacation, only $5 actually benefits the local population".

Travels are not just about being in other countries, but rather be with the community to create a sustainable tourism.  Make a connection with the culture. In his book, Looptail, he shares his personal stories and experiences. (I'mma read it tonight)

One of the touching moments was when he invited Delfin, a proud Ecuadorian warrior and a dear friend of Bruce  on stage. Yes, the guy in the book in his leave's vest.  He has no Id, passport, has never seen the outside world, tall buildings and never been on an airplane before. Bruce made it possible for Delfin to be there giving a speech infront of hundreds of crowds with eloquence. Salute!
The closing if the event ended with another video. The videos they made was a total blast. I will one day book a trip with G Adventure for sure. And it would be a great opportunity to work with them too. Who knows.

p/s: I'm officially 24 today :)

Gardens by the Bay

Mak Long came all the way from Vancouver to Singapore to celebrate Eid with families. I think it was the 2nd day of Eid when she reached. She too dint know that I was in Spore. And ofcorz she was surprised.

On the 2nd week of Eid, after we went for VFR (fyi, It's a travel agent's terminology for visit friends and relatives), we brought mak long to one of Spore's newest attraction; Gardens by the Bay. Hokay, so it was my 1st time there too. Husband insisted of going in to bring mak long around, and I on the other hand was happy coz I got to share with my friends a sneak peak of what's inside. It was decently beautiful, the fact that it is a man-made indoor gardens. Whaddaya expect?

My husband and I paid a local rate, priced at $20/pax, while mak long, since she's a Canadian, a standard rate priced at $28/pax. So they have local resident rate and standard rate too. Local senior citizen is at $15/pax and local children's rate age 3-12 years old is at $12/pax. Standard rate for senior citizen at $28, and standard rate for children age 3-12 years old is at $15.

Did I mentioned a sneak peak? Screw that! Enjoy the pix :) Go on and experience yourself, it would be way better. Moreover, its not that expensive.

Due to hari raya (eid) i supposed that they had those decorations up? 

Fyi, most malays in Spore are Muslims. And the malay muslims celebrate Eid. Those decorations are part of the malay traditional collections. Ade Bunga Manggar and Bunga Pahar. Bunga rampai je tk nmpk~

View of MBS from GBTB