I recently found myself visiting family out in South Surrey, a part of Metro Vancouver that I visit once or twice a year. It was one of those magical mild sunny December days when everyone goes outside to work off …
Why British pub culture doesn’t exist in Vancouver
There is no British pub culture in Vancouver. There never has been. I’ve read over and over from UK immigrants their quest to find that one “proper” pub like home in Vancouver. They never find it. They never will. I’m …
Using US Dollars in Vancouver? Bad Idea. Here’s Why.
Can You Use US Dollars in Canada? (Spoiler: Not Really) Want to see a Canadian seethe on a travel forum? Ask if you can use US dollars in Canada. Watch a seemingly innocent question turn the thread into a frenzy. …
Dream Day: Hiking Smuggler Cove on the Sunshine Coast
Smuggler Cove is my favourite short hike on the Sunshine Coast. It’s easy, it’s scenic, and it’s a nature lover’s dream. I was reminded how gorgeous this provincial park is when I went for a spontaneous visit on a mild, …
Oca Pastificio: Vancouver’s Dreamiest Pasta
Update: Sadly, the co-owner and head chef of Oca Pastificio unexpecedly unexpectedly passed away in July 2023. Oca closed for a while and has since reopened as Magari by Oca. It was one hour into tomato season at Oca Pastificio …
5 Must-See Botanical Gardens in Vancouver
Vancouver is a garden lover’s city, but it’s often eclipsed by nearby Victoria, home of the Butchart Gardens. Butchart is world famous, but it takes at least 3-4 hours to get there from Vancouver one way. It’s not always practical, …
How I Became an Unlikely Mushroom Forager
I never expected to become a mushroom forager. You see, for the longest time, I never liked mushrooms. I meticulously picked them out of pizza. I snubbed my nose at cream of mushroom soup. But something changed in my twenties. …