To all the Canadian's out there, this weekend is Thanksgiving so I hope everyone gets to enjoy some fabulous food and special times with family and friends.
I am from Edmonton, AB and I live in Nanaimo, BC (Vancouver Island) so I will not be with my family this Thanksgiving. These are times when I REALLY miss them. My 20 year old daughter will be with my family and I will be spending it with my boyfriend here in Nanaimo. At least we will all be together for Christmas.
A couple of weekends ago, my boyfriend and I went to Victoria, BC. If you have ever been there, you know how absolutely beautiful it is!! It is about 1 1/2 hours from Nanaimo and is the largest city on Vancouver Island. I have travelled a lot and I feel Victoria is one of THE most beautiful cities I have EVER seen and am very luck I live so close.
It is right on the ocean, the weather is the best in Canada and it is a very healthy and vibrant community. There are quaint outdoor cafes, shops and markets. Below are just a few pictures of my visit there. The weather was incredible as you can see.
There are tons of these little outdoor markets in neighbourhoods. These are my favourite places to shop. We don't have any in Nanaimo so I take advantage of them when I come to Victoria.
Here I am buying some fresh veggies!!
Take a look at these BEAUTIFUL sunflowers!! They are so bright, colorful and full of sunshine - I just love them!
We then went for a walk along the beach. The beaches here are rocky and have huge logs that have drifted up on shore. The logs are from all the logging done on the island (which I am not happy about). Vancouver Island has so many beautiful old growth forests and trees that reach to the sky and are very, very old. It is like a rain forest here with lots of ferns and trees covered with vines and moss. Very beautiful.
One reason why I love to come to Victoria for the day or weekend is that it is like a mini-holiday. I feel far enough away from the everyday stressors and I am in a place that is so amazing, has a lot to do, has some extremely healthy restaurants and health conscious people and it is on the ocean!! How great is that!
I come back home feeling rested, calm, peaceful and happy! When I am there, my body relaxes, my mind quiets and I feel at peace. We all need that.
Where can you go for the day that will help you release the stress, feel more at peace and just be in the moment? You don't have to go far. Just a day trip. We often think we need a holiday far away to rest and relax. You don't. Try taking a day trip. Explore the area around where you live. Be a tourist in your province, in your state, in your city.
Let me know where your favourite day trip is.
To my fellow Canadians - HAVE A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
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