Vancouver, BC

After a few days of hanging out with Apryle and Hollye at home we planned a trip to Canada so they could experience a different country and we could explore a new city. Chad and I have been to Victoria, BC before but never Vancouver and I have to admit we weren't that impressed with it. It was very interesting driving through the boarder crossing though which was a first for us. I was sure they would pull us over and strip search us but it ended up being really easy and quick. We got lucky I hear but hey, I'll take it. I ended up pissed because our passports didn't get stamped; apparently they rarely do that anymore and you have to request it. Chad and the girls were terrified of the boarder crossing agent though and I didn't realize I didn't get a stamp until it was too late. During that same time Chad was speeding across the boarder and we missed the big Welcome to Canada sign so no pictures were taken. Once we realized this we spent the rest of the trip trying to find a damn sign with CANADA on it and we found nothing. Please enjoy the stop sign we found with Vancouver on it instead.

 

We stayed at a the Best Western Plus Sands right by Stanley Park and I really enjoyed the hotel. It was older and the elevators were terrifying but overall I'd give it a B. I didn't realize how many transits were in Vancouver until we started walking around but there are a lot and it's very sad. At one point we walked passed a guy that was sitting on the ground and slumped over unconscious with a half eaten egg mcmuffin in his hand. Ape and Holls were acting a little terrified and all I could think about was Cory Monteith and that he was probably high on heroin. We ended up walking back by an hour or so later and he had finished his egg mcmuffin and he was alert so that was at least comforting.

 

After walking around for a little bit we realized there was nothing but bars and food around and so like any normal adults we decided it was time to have the first Knight family bar crawl. Hollye is 20 so in the USA she can go off to war to die but not drink a beer in a bar BUT in good ole Canada she can get drunk with the rest of us! We started out at The Three Brits and that is also where we introduced them to Poutine. They were scared, curious, and disgusted at first but then they fell in love with those french fries covered in bacon gravey and cheese curds. Doesn't everyone?!

 

Hollyes first legal drink!

 

I didn't bring my camera with me so I don't have many photos from that afternoon/night but after Three Brits we went to the Cactus Club and we discovered the most Delicious drink in the world.

 

The Dirty Vegas: 

 

 

 They were FANTASTIC and we have now purchased a muddler and bar supplies to recreate these at home. Later that night we stumbled upon an art instillation and the amount of fun that was had can only be described as ridiculous. The next day we went back to take pictures with my camera in the daylight and we actually figured out what they were there for.  

 

Oh and laugh we did.

This was an attempt to recreate a scene from the night before. Hollye was a little "extra" and it was absolutely hilarious. God, I love her.

 

 

I had so many favorites it was hard to choose but we all agreed these were way more fun at night after a few drinks and with less onlookers. I just love art and these guys were defiantly my favorite part of Vancouver.

 

The rest of the trip was filled with pizza, fireball, cupcakes that I didn't even take a picture of that were absolutely GLORIOUS, and trying to find souvenirs. There were NONE. It was stupid. We were angry. (Still are) We came back to the good ole USA the next day and proceeded to buy the biggest bag of Cheetos I have ever seen. More on that later.

 

 

 

 

Victoria, BC

I posted a blog about Thanksgiving a few weeks ago and if you read it you know that we had some bad news on Thanksgiving morning. However, we were on vacation in Victoria, BC and even though it was an odd and at times emotional trip we still made the best of it and got to explore a very pretty little city.

Waiting to board the Clipper for Victoria, B.C.

 

First time using my "Married Name" Passport... I'm still pissed I lost all of those stamps.

 

Once we arrived we took a taxi straight to the hotel...which ended up being a short walk away and a quick ride...whatever it was freezing and I didn't know where we were. Now, let me show you the hotel room and the one randomly amazing thing that they did...

I tried to get Chad to push the beds together but he refused stating some boring excuse of them being nailed into the walls... I think he just wasn't trying hard enough.

I squeal when I get a kitchen in a hotel room! I have no idea why other than the fact that I just like that it's there even though I have no intention of cooking on a vacation.

And this... the coolest thing ever... a "Fresh Remote" I read somewhere one time that those are the filthiest things in a hotel. I never even thought about that before then and ever since I've been super grossed out by them... I slept a little easier this trip.

 

We explored a lot this trip and basically walked the whole city...it's not very big and we got pretty bored after a day but now that I realize how close we were to a movie theater I'm mad because we could have watched Silver Linings and we didn't. DOH! Up next is 700 pictures of us in front of Parliament:



This was in front of Parliament which we got to take a free tour of and learned a lot of interesting facts...

Like when I was sure that there is an Olive on top of the crown when really it's a mini lion. I also learned what that phrase on the banner says, "endless beauty" and it fit well with the city. Absolutely charming and beautiful, it reminded me of Europe quite a bit. Parliament had it's Christmas lights on and they kept going on and off all day due to it getting dark then light (gray skies) so enjoy both styles:

 

Random from our exploring...

Like New Orleans but no urine.

 

I'm obsessed with this H&M scarf. I need to go back and buy them in every color.

A new favorite...Poutine.

Gravy, french fries, cheese curds, and bacon. Comfort food to the extreme at Irish Times Pub

We took a trip to Miniature World and got our Geek on

It was actually really neat to see all of the tiny worlds they created.

 Makes me want a doll house real bad.

The prettiest hotel I've ever seen. The serve afternoon tea here and I hear it's fabulous but we didn't go because spending 50 Dollars per person on tea, cucumber sandwiches, and cookies was just not our prerogative. However, when I'm rich I shall do it and not bat and eye.

Every city has a China Town

Lastly, Victoria will always be where we fell in love... with waffles.

West Coast Waffles was my favorite discovery... down a quaint little ally right before our hotel laid this magical world of waffle's and booze. $3 Rum and Diets yes, please. Please hurry to their facebook right now and look at the menu it's amazing. We ended up splitting this Banana and Chocolate Waffle which has now inspired me to request a waffle maker from my sister for Christmas. I can't wait to get that puppy home and start making my own waffle creations!

Sweet potato waffle I'm coming for you.

 

Speaking of Christmas we are on a plane right now flying home! Hopefully everything goes smoothly and we shall be spending the next week with the ones we love most. I just love Christmas time!