Throwback Thursday! Ripley's Aquarium, Toronto!

Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto is actually quite new, and they tried to make it as innovative as they could. Its an okay aquarium, but really busy and a bit overpriced for the attractions they had. That said, I would still recommend going on a trip to the CN tower (the aquarium is right underneath).

aquarium and CN tower

Skeletons on display

So many people

fishies!

Here's looking at you, kid

Octopus tentacles 

Reef (which is highly endangered FYI)

Fishies 

Sharks (also endangered)

Sawfish (endangered...see a trend?)

Swordfish (obviously endangered)

Sting ray 

JellyFish (not endangered-the only one)

Honolulu aquarium

Given how sun burnt I was in Hawaii, I tried to do things in the shade, or indoors. Needless to say, there aren't a lot of options like that around. Not in Waikiki or Honolulu anyways. So, we went to the aquarium, in hopes to see some cool fish, and leave my poor white skin alone. 

Little baby sea turtles!

Octopus are my favourites.

Little stingray, all smily and stuff.

I like the vibrant colours.

You'll note that there isn't a lot of pictures. While my phone was having some issues, that wasn't the only reason. In truth, the Honolulu aquarium doesn't have a lot. Which I thought strange given the fact that the waters surrounding Hawaii are a marine reserve. I expected more education and more outreach, given how threatened aquatic ecosystems are. I mean, it was only $15 to get in, so it was okay, but, really, if you have the choice between the aquarium and almost anything else-go for the other thing.

Diamond Head Hawaii

When you go to Hawaii, you have to expect to spend a lot of time outdoors. There isn't much to do inside-not even shop, as many of the shops are outside. So, once that realization that outdoors is most of the time, you'll look to see what there is to do, and, one of the most popular-and fun-things to do is hike up Diamond head Crater. The crater is an almost perfect circle, and formed as part of the processes that make volcanic hot spots-of which Hawaii is one.

We walked from our hotel in Waikiki, but there are several buses that go to the base of the crater, which will cut the walk by an hour, if you want to do that. The hike took about an hour, not including the walk from Waikiki, but a lot of that was waiting for people as some of the walkways are quite narrow and do require some patience and care. It is not in the least dangerous, unless you are supremely drunk. There is a small fee to get in, but its only $2.00USD, which is hella cheap, considering the upkeep required. There is also a nice little shaved ice truck, and recommend the lime flavour!

I HIGHLY suggest going bright and early, before too many people get there and either a. get in your way or b. ruin your awesome pictures!

This is the base of the mountain and, if you're driving, the way to the parking lot.

It seems like a state park thing to have rules, doesn't it?

This is the entrance into the crater, where you will walk along the road (its safe!) to go into the crater proper.

Our little bear had to get a photo-yes, he came with us!

Part way up the mountain!

Looking back into the crater-looks like a grassland desert, right?

This is the view from the top, looking towards Waikiki, with Honolulu proper in the background. 

The beach and the ocean! It was so pretty, the pictures don't do it justice! 

Seriously guys, if you do go, Diamond head is a for sure thing to add to your to do list in Hawaii! It can be done by everyone-unless you are in crutches or a wheelchair. But, old, young, out of shape-it might take a little longer, but it is totally doable!

Honolulu Hawaii

I told you guys that I was in Honolulu for my secret trip-and here we are! I was there for 8 days, in, I think, the best hotel we could have got. We got an upgrade to a full 1 bedroom apartment, because we were staying so long, and it worked out really well. This is the view:

Nice, right? It was close to everything-the beach, jogging path great food, and Ala Moana, which is the giant outdoor shopping mall. We had our own full kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, and the maids came in to clean our dishes-which is perfect since it was vacation time. 

This was our first day at the beach-but not our last by far! See how pale we still are?

There are statues all over Honolulu and Waikiki that celebrate some of the prominent Hawaiians. While Hawaii is part of America, it is important to remember that Hawaii has its own culture outside of America. 

I didn't get to surf at all, which may or may not be a good thing. Bad, because its surfing, and I've never done it, but good because I didn't kill myself. Doesn't mean I can't appreciate how awesome these boards are though!

These little guys were waffles, filled with the most delightful creams! They were from a small Japanese bakery in Ala Moana. 10/10 recommend 

These guys are also from a Japanese bakery in Ala Moana-but a different bakery! Also hella tasty-and so cute!

I posted the video of this on my YouTube channel. It was a performance of traditional Hawaiian luau dancing and singing. It was really well done, and entertaining. This show is 3 days a week, and totally free on Waikiki beach. 

Throw back post! Cuba!

Once upon a time, I went to Cuba for a pre-wedding honeymoon. Or something. Okay, not at all. It just happened to fall a few months before our wedding, so we called it a honeymoon, as we didn't have one.

The actual story is that the man and I decided we wanted nothing to do with the Vancouver Olympics, and so we rented out our downtown apartment in exchange for our rent payed, flights to Ontario, and a vacay to Cuba, which was all inclusive. Not bad for vacating my apartment for 3 weeks, right?

We went to Varadaro, which isn't too far from Havana, and is the area where you can see both sides of the ocean from the same spot. It was a really nice location, and the resort-the name of which escapes me at the moment-was pretty good. The majority of the other tourists were all Canadian, what with the anti-American sentiment in Cuba that is well reciprocated in the US.

I actually got really bad food poisoning before we went, and I had to stop on the way to the airport to puke a few times. It was gross, and I didn't want to go anymore. The husband made me go, and I am so happy he did. I had a great time there! I have never seen water so blue as I did there. Seriously. And I've been a few places in the Caribbean and Tropics. Nothing bluer.

Storm making its way to shore

Super burnt little feet

Golf course over looking the ocean that we were thrown out of

The golf course

These little guys were EVERYWHERE!

Carved relief wall at the resort we stayed at

This is one of the few vacations where we did almost nothing. There was some family drama that made things a little tense, and we didn't have a lot of money. We stayed mostly at the beach, and did a lot of swimming, eating, hot tubbing, sun bathing, sand castle building (seriously) and walking around. It was super great and relaxing. Next time we go there, I hope to go in the more warm weather-don't get me wrong, it was nice, but it wasn't THAT nice, you know? It was still February, and there were a few cooler days.

Aquarium!

Again, we went to the Vancouver Aquarium! I love aquariums, although I will say that I am getting tired of the one in Vancouver. I find there is nothing new, and nothing I haven't seen before-I've been too often to make it really fun anymore.
It was still good for one last hurrah though. We went because we had cheap tickets, and also because our Korean friend had never seen a sea otter. Crazy, right?
I do love aquariums, I just think I'm over this one. I have potential plans to visit some other ones this summer. Have any suggestions for good aquariums?

New area

way way WAY back in the day, I mentioned that I was moving into the apartments at my school, yea? I'm sure I did. Anyways, I'm all moved and stuff, and, I gotta tell you, living on a mountain is great! It is also super convenient for school and classes and stuff. Not so much for work though. It takes almost an hour to get to work on the weekends, which sucks, but is alright.

So, I got some pictures of my "backyard" for you guys. Now, I don't actually have a backyard-I live in an apartment, that would just be silly. BUT, my building is hella close to the bike/walking paths, where we go jogging quite often. Its really pretty, but, I'll just show you.

These are from the late summer, early fall:

Pretty, right? I have a great view of the Coast mountains, and the Inlet that separates Vancouver from North Vancouver (clever names, right?). One of those mountains is Grouse, which we climbed earlier this year as well! This area is part of a conservation area, and there are bears and deer and all sorts of other wild animals that roam the woods. I haven't seen a bear yet, and I'll have to wait for the spring, when they come out of hibernation. I have seen deer and raccoon, and TONNES of birds.

And we also get some of the greatest views of the city proper. Especially sunset, which dips like red fire across the horizon.

These are from mid-late autumn, early winter(ish)