Munro Lake Trail - Burke Mountain/Pinecone Provincial Park

VANCOUVER

The most scary, adventurous, and amazing hike ever, the Munro Lake Trail is a 8-9km trail going uphill for about 800m before ending at Munro Lake. It took us 5 hours round trip including staying at the lake for about 30 minutes. The trail was narrow and some parts of the trail had water running down, but was manageable. Trail curved like any other trail that goes uphill. Some parts were a little harder to climb since the trail is not well maintained.

Near the beginning we saw a HUGE rock.

And after that, the trail is in a clearing, so we got to have a nice view of the farms across Pitt Lake.

The trail then becomes a lot steeper, until it gradually levels out into a wooded marshy area.
Near this point, there should be a junction leading to the Village Trail or the Munro Lake trail.

Up at the summit, patches of snow and then sheets of snow were seen. It was a little harder finding our way now, since everything looked the same and there is not just ONE path to take. We finally got to the lake, but only could access the southern tip of the lake, since the other parts had too much snow and we did not dare to hike further away from the trail markers. The lake was still frozen. Bear footprints (or other animal footprints) were seen at the shores of the lake, which creeped us out a lot. So we didn't stay too long or eat too much up at the lake in case a bear wants a bite.

Munro Lake was really quiet, since no one else is there and you don't hear anything nearby. Overall it's a great great hike. Totally recommend this for explorers and adventure seekers!

Air Canada vs. Westjet (Domestic)

If you ever had to fly between Toronto and Vancouver, you don't have that many choices. You either go with Air Canada or Westjet. Having flown for more than 4 years back and forth every 4 months or less between these two cities, there are some fundamental differences between the two. Here are a few categories I think people care about.

1) Loyalty Programs: Air Canada

Hands down, Aeroplan rewards are 10 times better than Westjet dollars. For Westjet dollars, you get only 1% of your airfare back, whereas Air Canada....well....it depends. Maximum you only need to ride 25 times before you get your air ticket back. However, there are always promotions from other partners for you to accumulate lots of points. And you get to spend it on other stuff, besides air plane tickets. 

2) Service: Westjet

Hands down again, Westjet is famous for their friendly service. Sometimes it may seem unprofessional, but a laugh or a joke here and there definitely brightens your day. I always get a few laughs here and there during my flight. No one can beat Westjet here. 

3) Legroom: Air Canada

Tight race, but I have to go for Air Canada. Some people don't mind, but for people like me who is 6' every inch is welcomed. Air Canada gives me slightly more legroom which makes my ride a lot more comfortable. Westjet, well....my knees touch the seat :(

4) Complementary Stuff: Westjet

Drinks + Snacks! Yay....Air Canada...just drinks...aw...

5) Booking Flights: Westjet

Apparently Air Canada over books their flights, so sometimes you may have to wait for another flight. However, this has never happened to me before. Westjet guarantees your seat and is always a tiny bit cheaper than Air Canada. 

6) Punctuality: Both

Both are good at being on time. However, this is very weather dependent since Toronto usually gets the bad winters.

In conclusion: Air Canada. 

If I wasn't 6' tall, I would totally pick Westjet, but Air Canada is my choice of airlines for the Toronto-Vancouver line. I like my legroom :) and that's the most important thing for me....really !

Toronto vs. Vancouver (Fireworks)

My life has always been in two cities.
Vancouver with my family in between semesters.
Toronto whenever I have school and work terms.

Having lived in both cities, I have experienced both sides of the country and wow...what a difference there is even though we're in the same country :) ~~~

FIREWORKS

 Both cities have Canada Day. And both cities celebrate with FIREWORKS at that day.
What about the other days?

Apparently, Victoria Day for Ontario. WHY? What's so fun about Queen Victoria that we have to blow up money for? WHY!? I don't understand. Who actually celebrates Victoria Day? I don't undersatnd....

In Vancouver, we blow up money with fireworks during Halloween. Doesn't that make more sense? lol....it's when kids are out on the streets, having fun, trick-or-treating, and teenagers going nuts about the day. Way more fun. Come on Torontonians, Victoria Day? ...come on....

Provence Marinaside Restaurant

VANCOUVER

Said it was a French restaurant, but it really wasn't. Great seafood, just like anything you'd expect from the West Coast.

We got all the food suggested by Urbanspoon, including the Warm Goat Cheese Salad. You don't really taste the goat, but the cheese was perfect. Lots of random complementary appetizers, which had us try different sauce.

For the main course, we got the Grilled Halibut and the Bouillabaisse. Grilled halibut was nothing spectacular. The halibut is itself a great fish. The bamboo rice wasn't that great, since we're Asian and we eat rice all the time.

Bouillabaisse was the best! Absolutely spectacular. The sauce they told us to add into the dish was amazing. It felt like all the seafood combined into one cup of sauce. The broth didn't go to waste. We dipped our bread in it. Total came out to be about $95, but it was worth it. Service was amazing. No disappointment there.

Def. will go again.