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Posted by Chrystal McKay on Dec 24, 2012 in Canada, North America

So This is Christmas

I love Christmas and I love it in a very big way. The way stores decorate and wrap everything up in paper and ribbons. Christmas carols being sung merrily on radios, televisions, and over intercoms. The entire ground piled high with the crisp white of fresh snow and the tree branches drooping under its weight. The hustle and bustle in every store as people scatter to obtain that perfect gift for that special somebody; be it mother, father, brother, or cousin. Christmas for me is a time of big, bright, and boisterous.

Posted by Chrystal McKay on Oct 15, 2012 in Canada, Home, North America

Where to Hike in Northwestern Ontario

Since I adopted my Thunder Bay lifestyle change – I’ve been hiking a lot. With Scotia in tow, we spend every 2-3 days hiking along Lake Superior, at a Provincial Park, or up a Mountain. So Since I am doing all this hiking, I thought I would share some of my favourite hikes with you. In case you ever make it to this beautiful part of Canada.

Posted by Chrystal McKay on Oct 1, 2012 in Canada, Home, North America

My Thunder Bay Lifestyle Change

I have managed to come home to Canada once a year. Sometimes for only 2 week stints a few times a year, or maybe for a whole month. Most of these visits had an ending scheduled; I had somewhere to be – I had a next step. But currently, I sit in limbo. Waiting. My lifestyle morphed quickly into an unhealthy one as I let failure consume me. But I needed a change – This is my Thunder Bay Lifestyle Change.

Posted by Chrystal McKay on Aug 29, 2012 in Canada, Explore, North America, Travel Info

Hiking the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Thunder Bay’s greatest feature is its location. On the banks of Lake Superior with mountains and forests surrounding it – it is a hiker’s paradise. There is one hike I have wanted to do since I was young: The Top of the Giant at The Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. And last month – I finally did it.

Posted by Chrystal McKay on Aug 27, 2012 in Canada, North America

Chateau Laurier’s Ode to the Brits: Afternoon Tea

Every time I return to Ottawa, my University city, I fall back into a routine of the same restaurants, the same cafes, the same activities, and I rarely explore beyond that. So to change it up I took the classy route: I want for afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel.

Posted by Chrystal McKay on Aug 26, 2012 in Canada, North America, Photo of the Week, Photos

Photo of the Week: Lemonade Stand

Kensington Market is a vibrant neighbourhood of Toronto. During my Tasty Tours Treat tour last week, I experienced many of the shops and their delicious goodies that the neighbourhood offered. But the neighbourhood offers more than tasty treats

Posted by Chrystal McKay on Aug 20, 2012 in Canada, Eat, North America, Travel Info

Tasty Tour Treats of Kensington Market

I spent my Sunday eating tasty treats in Kensington Market in Toronto. My tour was hosted by Tasty Tours Toronto and led by Audrey. This tour had my attention from the get-go; tasty treats in a intriguing neighbourhood? I’m there. But what kept my attention was all the fun facts of the tour like What do Ronald Reagan and JellyBellys have in common? Keep reading to find out.

Posted by Chrystal McKay on Jul 30, 2012 in Albania, Canada, Europe, North America

A Night of Celebration, Confusion, and Canadianism

My Balkan Road trip was well underway. I loved the 14 other people on the bus with me and our driver and tour guide. The sights were incredible and the hard work our guide guaranteed us lunch breaks on the beach to break up the sweltering heat we encountered with each tramp through a new historic sight. But on out last night it was a cause to celebrate; it was the 18th wedding anniversary of a British/Australian couple on the trip PLUS the 24th birthday of an Australian boy. And celebrate we did – far beyond the cake and wine at dinner and on to the drinking in a bar scene which lead to my confusion and disbelief.

Posted by Chrystal McKay on Jul 24, 2012 in Asia, Cambodia, Canada, Caribbean, Chile, Contests, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Europe, Italy, North America, Photos, South America, Travel Info, Vietnam

7 Super Shots by Hostelbookers

I watched as this game went around the travel bloggers world last year. I wanted to join but waited patiently. And finally, 1 year later, my patience has paid off as I was nominated by my friends Skott and Shawna at Get Up and Globe!

Posted by Chrystal McKay on Apr 4, 2012 in Canada, North America, Travel Info

How Rural Canadian Life Prepares you for Global Travel

Rural life. Boats, Canoes, Lakes, Baits, Hooks, Fishing, Fires, and Fun

I come from the centre of Canada; a little place called Thunder bay. Most people discredit the city as not worth seeing, and label us as “hicks”. But living in rural Canada prepared me for Global Travel in many ways I wouldn’t expect – don’t discount your upbringing for how it can help prepare you for life and Global Travel.