Canada

48 hours in Winnipeg

October 25, 2018 by Anne-Marie Marais Leave a Comment

As a proud Canadian, I’ve been west and I’ve been east, but I haven’t seen much of the middle or north, so this year I’ve decided to change that. My first destination had me step foot into a province I had yet to visit, Manitoba. And where better to start than the capital of Manitoba, Winnipeg.

Maybe not everyone’s first choice of city or time of year, but for whoever questions that, stop and think again. Winnipeg is filled with culture, delicious restaurants, tasty craft beers and so much to see and experience.

With Winnipeg being only a couple of hours flight from Toronto, there are flight deals to be had with Air Canada and WestJet. But luckily it was easy to get a points flight within a couple of weeks of my visit. By leaving mid-morning from Toronto, I arrived before lunch and with an early check-in request, I was able to drop my stuff in my hotel room at the Fort Garry Hotel. This hotel is in a great location and put me within walking distance of all that I was planning to enjoy in my 48 hours in Winnipeg.

Let me back up for a second and explain why I chose Winnipeg as my first destination in my ‘see more of Canada’ plan. It wasn’t just because I hadn’t been to Manitoba, but it started by hearing from friends that the Nelson Mandela exhibit was a must see at the Museum of Human Rights. Mandela being my hero, this was pretty much a no brainer. Lucky for me it was still on exhibit for another couple of weeks, which lead to my trip to Winnipeg being built completely around that main stop.

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Thankful for my Canada 150 moment in Ottawa

December 20, 2017 by Anne-Marie Marais Leave a Comment

As the number of days left in 2017 dwindle away, so do the days left in Canada’s 150th anniversary year. My time was running out to recognize this important moment in our history. I knew that I needed to step foot in our capital, Ottawa, even if just for a few hours.

Being an immigrant to this incredible country, I live and breathe Canada and all the wonderful things it is and stands for. I’m as patriotic as they come. Shedding many a tear when I hear our anthem played at sporting events, seeing our flag blow in a perfect breeze against a gorgeous blue sky and even getting a maple leaf tattoo to show my love for this country.

With the days disappearing in this historic year, I grabbed a quick flight on Porter to our capital and stayed close to all the action just down from Parliament Hill at the Metcalfe Hotel. I knew that I didn’t need much time in town, but I had a list of activities that I had to experience.

A quick and simple ride on the Ottawa transit from the airport on the 97 bus, dropped me in the heart of it all. Right off the bus I made a bee line to Parliament Hill. With a chill of about -20C in the air, but no wind and the most brilliant blue sky, I arrived on the hill just as the festivities of the day were beginning. Not overwhelmed with too many people yet, I was able to get some clear shots of the beautiful centre block of the Parliament Buildings. It provided the perfect backdrop for my historic pictures of the ‘Canada 150’ sign. Definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.

In Halifax, Rum Runs in the Blood

August 11, 2017 by Anne-Marie Marais Leave a Comment

(Originally written for BillyYTZ.com – no longer live)

Three years ago I drove my little red rental car around Prince Edward Island in search of the Prince Edward Distillery, which I had heard made vodka out of P.E.I. potatoes – as it turns out, 18 pounds of them (8 kilograms) to make each bottle.

The outfit also distilled delicious gin and blueberry vodka from local ingredients. While there, I had the honour of meeting, touring and tasting with the distiller and co-owner, Julie Shore.

Jump ahead a few years: I was visiting Halifax and stopped in at the new Halifax Distilling Co. After chatting with the team, I discovered that the amazing women behind the Prince Edward Distillery had opened a second distillery and tasting room in a fabulous space in the Nova Scotia capital.

And since the new venture is located in the rum-drinking capital of Canada, this time the focus is on spinning molasses into gold.

Julie Shore and Arla Johnson, both originally from the United States, fell in love with Canada a decade ago – especially the Maritimes. They originally settled into the calm of Prince Edward Island and as well as being the founders of the Johnson Shore Inn, they began creating fantastic spirits for east coasters to enjoy.

Dancing with Bonhomme at Carnaval de Québec snow bath

January 18, 2016 by Anne-Marie Marais Leave a Comment

QUEBEC CITY — I first learned of Carnaval de Québec in Grade 4 French class and fell instantly in love with Bonhomme, the symbol of what bills itself as the world’s largest winter carnival.

I knew I one day wanted to meet the 7-foot tall replica of a snowman who has been the carnival’s ambassador since its start in 1955 and who visits all its activities.

But I had no idea that during my first Carnaval last year I would be wearing a swimsuit in freezing temperatures, about —-20C to be precise, and dancing with Bonhomme on a snow-covered hill in front of an audience.

Quebec City, Saguenay Region: Taking on winter’s challenges

March 11, 2015 by Anne-Marie Marais Leave a Comment

Just as the guide told me that the snow was packed hard, I took a step with my snowshoe and, poof, my leg fell deep into a tree well. With one leg bent a way it doesn’t normally go and the other lost in a tree well, I started to panic.

Seeing that I was stressed, the guide started to dig out my lost leg.

It turned out my snowshoe was caught deep down on a treetop I couldn’t even see. After some digging and some wiggling, I was finally free.

Thank goodness this was as the halfway point of the hike.

Tobermory: Dazzled by blue waters

May 30, 2014 by Anne-Marie Marais Leave a Comment

Before I took a trip to Tobermory recently, I thought that certain shades of blue only existed in photos of the Caribbean or South Pacific after they were put through photoshop. Or that the orange in a Lake Huron sunset was just a colour choice on a paint colour palette. But I was wrong. When you’re in the right place at the right time, nature can treat you to a spectacle of greatness.

The coastal waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron meet in Tobermory and together create views that you feel you should be paying thousands for at some all-inclusive resort down south.

Canada

QUEBEC CITY — I first learned of Carnaval de Québec in Grade 4 French class and fell instantly in love with Bonhomme, the symbol of what bills itself as the world’s largest winter carnival.

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