Another Pin » money

If you won the lottery…

holly — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:55:31 +0000

So, tomorrow’s Lotto Max draw is worth CAD$50 million. With a carrot like that dangling in front of me, I can’t help but start daydreaming. If I had that money, what would I do with it? I’ve been asked this question tons of times over the years, and my standard answer is “I don’t know, but I’ll send you a postcard when I get there.” I’d be on a plane so fast my clothes wouldn’t even have had time to crease in my suitcase. But that poses the bigger question, if you had unlimited funds, where would you go?

For me, someone who plans her own vacations on a daily basis (I’m not sure this is healthy anymore…) it’s a tough decision. Of course, I eventually want to go everywhere, but you have to start somewhere, so you might as well start off with the important places on your to-see list (the ones underlined and bolded with the little stars scribbled beside their names).

Tokyo. Definately Tokyo. If you’ve read my other blogs you know that I love me some Asia, and nothing looks more incredible than Tokyo. The colours, the people, the food. I want to get lost at the Shibua Scramble crossing. Plus, they have a Disneyland. With that checked off, I would only need to go to Florida and I’d have seen them all. And since I was already in Asia, might as well hop on down to Vietnam and Cambodia, two places that not only look cool, but that I’ve heard nothing but incredible reviews about from clients. Everyone says without fail that the people are just so unbelievably friendly. And Angkor Wat’s there.

And for something completely different, I’d go to Rio. Climb Sugarloaf mountain, visit with Christ the Redeemer, learn to samba and wear feathers on my head. Then down to Iguassu falls to see one of the most incredible waterfalls. Another skip and I’d be in Buenos Aires, tango-ing away and eating at the restaurant where a bar code tells you exactly what cow your steak came from (that’s right, specific cow, not just farm) so you know it’s perfect.

And Venice. Gondola-ing along the canals and wearing amazing masks as I watch Murano glass being blown.

And finally, topping my must-see list is Cairo. I love Egyptian history and archaeology, hell my cat’s even named Cairo. I want to stare in awe at the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Karnak temple, the crazy cab drivers.

So basically, I still can’t decide where I would go first if I win that jackpot tomorrow night, but you can bet it’s going to be fantastic!

Where would you go?

Zipping over Whistler

holly — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:53:10 +0000

Get this: I work in travel. I’m all about travel. I live and breathe tourist destinations. And never once in my 26 years had I visited Whistler/Blackcomb, the world-class tourist destination that’s only two hours away up the Sea to Sky highway.

Oops.

What can I say, I put all my energy into far-flung locales, and completely overlooked what was right under my nose in the process. I’d been to the nearby town of Pemberton once in grade six for a school trip, but that doesn’t really count. But this past April I finally made up for all the years of neglect and the BF and I took a long weekend mini-break up to the soon-to-host-the-Olympics village.

The drive up alone was spectacular, the panoramas compelling me to take lots of pictures (that I got home and was like, “oh, look, another picture of a mountain with some snow on it”). There’s a good reason why the British Columbia tourism slogan is ”the best place on Earth” (and I’m not biased at all, of course). The highway itself is interesting, two lanes most of the way. They’re working on that prior to the Olympics, and there’s lots of construction where they’re widening it, but there will always be some bottlenecks where they can’t go more than two lanes due to the giant rock face on one side and sheer cliff drop into water on the other. This highway is actually the main reason why I hadn’t visited Whistler earlier, as most of my immediate family was not comfortable driving it (the “highway of death” nickname wasn’t helping things any), but I found it smooth, scenic and effortless. Granted, I was free to gawk at the scenery while Eric (who’s only lived here a year and had already been to Whistler multiple times) could focus on the road without being distracted, so that helped.

We went in April because I don’t ski (the one time I went cross-country I sprained my ankle and had to be evacuated on the back of a ski-doo), and more importantly, I don’t do cold. I live in Vancouver, people! If it drops below zero schools close, and it takes far less than that for my sensitive hands to turn “oh my God, are you okay?” white. Turns out that by total fluke we hit the final weekend of the Telus World Ski and Snowboard festival, so the place was packed and free concerts/free promo stuff from the suppliers’ booths/free extreme sports demos/free-wheeling drunk Australians hanging naked out of their hotel rooms at 10am. I’m not sure if that last part had anything to do with the festival, but when I go back I’ll compare and let you know.

The village itself is adorable, in that perfect, Disney-does-a-ski-village way (I know, I compare everything that’s cute and clean to Disney, deal with it ). I had booked us into the Delta Suites because it was the only hotel I could find decent last-minute space at, and even then I had to use my “I’m a travel agent” card to get us in (*sigh* membership does have it’s privileges. They’re few and far between, but I’ll take what I can get). Our suite had two fireplaces, a full kitchen, a bed you could loose yourself in and a mountain view, way nicer than I thought I’d booked, but very sweet.

Most of our time was spent wandering the village, exploring and checking out the shops and events that went with the festival. Our personal favorite was the dog day, where they had dog agility performances and – love this – a dog costume parade. There was a woman in a Hawaiian shirt pushing a stroller with two pugs wearing leis and grass skirts, while the other three identially-dressed pugs followed behind, it was so cute!

But the highlight by far of the weekend was the Ziplining. Whistler Ziptrek has a great setup, and, since I had ziplined before in Costa Rica and knew I loved it (the BF just went with it, he luckily had no fear of heights), we went for the higher/longer Eagle tour, as opposed to the beginner Bear tour. We marched, in full harness-and-helmet glory through the festival crowds from the Ziptrek office to the van that took us up Whistler mountain, past the Olympic bobsled track en route. The platforms and equipment was impressive (there was none of that ”I don’t trust this to hold all our weight” feeling), but nothing really mattered as we flew back and forth over the river to end right back in the village. On the longest line if you made it in under 45 seconds you were going more than 80km/h, and the heaviest guy went so fast the guide’s leather gloves literally caught fire as he tried to apply the breaks!

It was a short journey to Whistler, but I finally get what all the hype is about, as the atmosphere in the village is buzzing and, if you’re a skier, you couldn’t ask for more options to be right at your fingertips. It was still a lot of fun, and not once did I have to don technicolour ski pants (I mean, really, do all these people get dressed in the dark? Or is it so they can be found by rescue crews in case they get lost?) or waddle through the crowds in non-flexible ski boots. We really do have a jewel right here in our backyard. And I got another pin on the map!

Packing List – or, as I like to call it, Yoda

holly — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:45:13 +0000

You listen to Yoda. He is all-knowing, wise, and look what he did to make Luke Skywalker’s journey a success. For me, the one thing I can’t argue with and it always helps my trips go smoother is my packing list. Call it 81/2 x 11 piece of mind, but once you have the packing list checked off, you know you’re not going to be stuck in Rio de Janiero while your bathing suit is happily in it’s drawer back in Calgary, and the options to buy in the local stores are nothing but dental floss and a small triangle of fabric that wouldn’t even cover one nipple.

I find that the best approach to the packing list is to start with the little things, like toiletries and batteries. For the most part, you’re not going to forget to pack a pair of pants, and even if they’re the only ones you’ve got, you can still survive that two-week vacation without it causing you too much panic. But if you forget that charger cable for your digital camera, guaranteed you’re going to be spending all your free time hauling your kids to yet another electronics store because “Daddy hasn’t found the right adaptor yet, honey”, and then you know you’re going to pay a fortune for it, and get it home only to discover it only works on European current.

My Achilles’ heel are razors. For some reason, I managed to continuously forget a razor on every vacation for something like five years, forcing me to buy a pack of disposables at the closest drugstore so I didn’t have to worry about hamster-grade armpit fur every time I wore a tank top. The catch with these things is that you can’t just buy one. Nooo, you have to buy them in the packs of six or eight. I am going to still be using my stunning collection of English, French, American and Costa Rican disposables for the remainder of my 20’s. On the upside, the french ones are really nice and sharp Now on my packing list they’re the number one item, double-sized, bolded, underlined and in itallics. So far so good, two trips to Asia and not a single addition to my razor collection.

And for God’s sake, put TICKETS, PASSPORTS and MONEY on the list. I know how ridiculously elementary this seems, but do it anyhow. They are the make-or-break parts of your vacation, and because of that it’s too easy to assume that “I’d never forget those“. It can’t hurt to double (or triple or quadruple) check, and it sure as hell beats waiting in line for an hour at the airport, only to discover your ticket is back at home and there’s no way you can drive back and get it in time to make your flight. I know, in this digital age, that airline e-tickets are more of a formality than a necessity, as all your info is in the airline’s computer system anyway, but if there’s some kind of technical problem and they “loose” your booking (this has happened to me and I’m the freakin’ travel agent), you need that ticket number to prove you’re supposed to be on the flight.

All that being said, here’s my Yoda, the guiding force that has saved my ass more times then I care to admit. There’s no clothing on this list, as your wardrobe can vary drastically depending on the climate/time of year/if you’re feeling fat/etc., but the rest of the items are pretty general-vacation-ish. It’s always better to have too many things on the list and take out what you won’t need than to forget something important, like razors. Also, it’s geared for a woman (we pack more crap anyway), but guys, just take out the makeup, use a little common sense and it applies to you, too. I hope this gives you a few ideas for your own list, and remember when packing to always use the force of Yoda and you’ll have the best trip possible.

Packing List:

RAZOR

Hand Lotion/Moisturizer

Deodorant

Toothbrush/paste

Brush/comb/hair accessories

Shampoo/conditioner

Makeup

Nail polish/remover/non-metal file and cotton balls

Calomine Lotion

Prescription medications

Asprin/Advil

Q-Tips

Travel Curling Iron

Soap/washcloth

Antibiotic Cream/Polysporin

Imodium Pills

Feminine Hygene products

Bug spray

Sunscreen/ sun glasses/ sun hat

Glasses

Cameras/cases/batteries/charger/film/extra memory card

Books/magazines

Playing cards

Trip journal

Moneybelt

Snacks

Maps

Drinking cups/cereal bowls/plastic utensils

Tickets/vouchers

Money

Passports

Backpack

Folding reuseable shopping bag

Voltage converters

Gloves

Umbrella

Exercise bands

Wet wipes

London – Shopper’s paradise. New wardrobe anyone?

holly — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:54:53 +0000

I buy almost all my clothes while on vacation. Mainly this is due to the fact that when I’m home I’m saving up to pay for that vacation, but there is something really cool about going through my closet and being like, ”not that Bangkok shirt, the pink one” (and before you ask, no, all my clothes do not have the tacky ”I went to LA and bought this shirt” slogans on them, though I do love my tacky souvenirs). I have this theory about ”vacation money” : anything you spend in the local currency while on a trip is free money, more like trade really, as you’ve already spent the Canadian money by buying the foreign currency. I’ve allocated that much money for spending, and if I burn through every penny, it’s fine. As long as I don’t go over budget and dip into the credit cards (unless it’s really, really, really incredible and worth it), it’s game on. And when I go to London, I know I have to make sure I budget enough, because, while I can shop anywhere, London fashion and I just click. We’re talking pack-an-empty-suitcase good shopping here!

The biggest thing I love about London shopping is that their “high street” (mass market) stores have great styles at great prices. It’s as if the English approach to shopping in general is to make sure it’s accessible to the masses. Affordable and easy to find. Now you’re talking my language. You’ll also notice here I’m not going to talk about Harrod’s or Selfridge’s, London’s uber-famous and uber-expensive department stores. This is because, honestly, regular people do not go there to buy. They go for the spectacle of it. I always go and look at the GBP$10 000.00 dresses, entire rooms full of nothing but purses and Egyptian-themed escalators, but the only thing’s I’ve ever bought there are magazines, because they have the prices printed right on them, so they’re the same price there as they are at the corner newsagents. But I still got the cool Harrod’s bag to wave around.

Naturally, the place to start is Oxford street, otherwise known as the big awesome and freaking crowded street of all things good and wonderful. You can’t throw a stick without hitting a clothing store. But all of these stores are pretty much everywhere around the country, so if you don’t want to battle the crowds, it’s not hard to still find great fashion. The suburban shopping malls offer huge selection without having to face the weather running from store to store. Smack in the middle of Oxford St. is the English institution that is Marks and Spencer’s, where you can get pretty much anything, the focus being wardrobe basics and career wear. They’re a touch on the pricey (for this focus-on-cheap blog, not compared to DKNY) and middle-aged side, but everyone can usually find something there. Oh, and you can’t miss their awesome food hall, where you can pick up a great selection of groceries or ready meals for good prices. Love their wine gums.

If you’re angling for something on-trend while not being too “oh my God, is she wearing a duck on her head?” over the top, some of my favorites are:

Dorothy Perkins - Aside from the adorable designs, their 2-for tank top deals will be my wardrobe staples forever. Their “tall” line, aimed at those of us over 5 foot 7, keeps the fashion world open to everyone. Their shoes and accessories are hot for a steal, and they have a new organic/free trade/eco-chic line geared for the environmentally conscious amongst us.

New Look – Bright colours and wild patterns mark this store as probably the most funky on the list, but don’t let that scare you, they have everything from sexy/sweet dresses to career wear to teeny-bopper tween styles. I got one of my most professional looking dresses (that I just so happen to be wearing today) there for under GBP$30.00.

Next – More classic and stylish while not being old or boring, this is a great mix of business casual and weekend chic. Not too over the top, but far from boring. Also with an excellent denim section – lots of cuts in tons of lengths. One of my favorite pairs of jeans is their bootcut.

Topshop – More pricey than the other three, this is where you go for trends. On occasion, they do have the “oh my God, is that a duck on her head?” over the top styles, and they wear them with pride. Partnerships with top designers and exclusive lines from the likes of Kate Moss makes sure they are always on the cutting edge.

And then there’s Primark. You want cheap, shop here. Period. End of story. For what you’re paying (GBP$6 for a hoodie? Sweet.) the materials are not top of the line, but they look way more expensive than they are, and the quality is better than average. The aforementioned hoodie I’ve lived in for three years, and it still looks perfect. Be prepared to carry a big bag, because with their prices, you’re not getting out of there with just one item.

When traveling to London, make sure you have some room in your suitcase, are under your luggage allowance and have time to shop, because you’re gonna need it! Last time I had to leave some things behind in order to squeeze all my new purchases in! And it’s soooo worth it.

Zen and the Art of the Moneybelt

holly — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:47:19 +0000

In the travel world there are two camps: the Debit card withdraw-it-as-you-need-it people and the Moneybelters. I am firmly a Moneybelter. On my list of must-haves for travel, my moneybelt is right up there with my passport and air tickets. There’s a certain confidence that comes with knowing at all times that my cash is safely down my pants.

That said, I am one of those women who can’t – and won’t – function without my massive purse (is that a lettuce in there? And a curling iron? And a pair of pants? Honestly, all things I either currently have in there or have within the last week), where I do keep my spending money. For that day. Whatever excess cash I have is happily nestled in my moneybelt. Should anyone steal my baby, er, my purse (I’d take them out. Really. No one messes with my purse. But it’s the principle…) I’d still have enough cash to get a taxi to the police station, buy some food to sustain me for the long hours spent filling out police reports in some random foreign language, and taxi me back to the hotel afterwards. A moneybelt will never replace a purse, as it’s just awkward reaching down your pants when you try to pay for your bag of chips at the minimart (especially in some countries, where this could be punishable by jail time). If the hotel has a safe, I use it, too, for any currency I may be carrying for different countries, or just to keep the bulk of the wad in my moneybelt from being too noticeable. And for my passport. But there are times when you need to have your passport with you, and when it’s down your pants in it’s nicely zippered compartment, I know I’m not going to reach into my purse for a mint and accidentally drop it to the curb.

Speaking of passports, I always keep a copy of mine in my moneybelt, too, just in case it gets lost or stolen. It’s also a good idea to have a photocopy of the person you’re travelling with’s as well, and to have them carry a copy of yours. The liklihood of you both getting ripped off at the same time is slim, and having that copy will make it so much faster at the consulate to have a replacement ordered.

I know they’re not cool looking, and they do evoke images of those old couples with the matching khaki pouches on strings around their necks, but everyone should seriously invest in a moneybelt. Besides, unless you have random people looking down your pants (and you know who you are), nobody’s ever going to see it anyway.

I should also add that I’m a strong advocate to travelling with (at least some) cash, and not relying solely on my debit card to make withdrawls as I need it. Firstly, this is way better on your budget, as you know exactly how much you have and aren’t going to just be randomly spending until that magic machine on the wall stops giving you bills. Secondly, if you’re cashless and nowhere near a bank, your taxi driver in Calcutta or Bangkok or New Jersey is not going to take debit. Or, most of the time, credit, either. Nor are they going to understand you when you try to climb out of the cab at the bank, telling them that you’re just going to get some money and be able to pay them when you get back. This last one is never, ever a good idea. Cash is so much more convenient. Yes, you have to be mindful of where your money is at all times, but you should be doing that anyway, right?

Taking the local currency is also a big plus. I’m not saying take nothing but Colones to Costa Rica, but the local currency is guaranteed to be accepted everywhere (the American dollar is a good emergency fallback – you’d love the look of “what’s that, play money?” you get if you try to use Canadian!- but who knows what exchange rate you’re paying) and I, personally, just find it a sign of respect to the country you’re visiting to recognize their culture and not ask them to recognize yours. Plus, you get to play with all the different funky-looking monies out there. They’re totally fun. Like in Hong Kong, where they have 3 different, but equally effective $10 bills, so you have to keep double-checking that yep, that too is $10.

The moneybelt just rocks. If the situation was bad enough, it probably could save the world, though at the very least it could really save your back someday. Join me. Become a Moneybelter!