A quick blog note....

So my - Hot Night, Wind was blowin' - feature on Kathmandu is this blogs most popular article. I just thought I'd say I really love writing that feature because whenever I talk about the places I've been people always ask me "where would you recommend grabbing a bite to eat, a bar to go to". Which I love telling them about..

In my years of travelling I've heard a ton of stories, the best stories are about what happens when the sun goes down (and rises); yeah everyone has been to the Coliseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower, and those are great stories. But I love those stories about what happened after you left the Eiffel Tower, or that time you were stranded on a cruise ship in Athens for a night, and of course everyone's stories about Amsterdam. Because that's whats great about travelling, whether you've been to 1 country or 34, you always come back with one of those "So this one time in..." stories, which are so awesome to hear.

I guess I just realized that a lot of my posts revolve around bars/drinking establishments and crazy evenings. Just thought I'd let you all know that I actually enjoy visiting museums, analyzing local landscapes, studying the built form of a country and experiencing the local culture etc. You know just putting it out there, don't want you guys to get the impression that all I do is party...

*crickets*

Yours in Wanderlust,
Meaghan

Oh Canada Week: Banff, Alberta

So I'm sure almost everyone has heard of Banff, out in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. Known for its stuning views of the mountains, the famous Banff Springs Hotel and its proximity to ski hills, and other outdoor activities.

My list for Oh Canada week on Travel Nutsy, had to include this town, I've seen my mother cry twice when on vacation, once when we were leaving Orlando, Florida, the second on our way into Banff, its as if the mountains slap you across the face and announce "you're here".

Banff is the perfect vacation spot, since there is something for everyone, shopping along Banff Avenue, to skiing, and just taking in the mountains. One of my favorite things to do there is soak in the natural hot springs, this is a must when you're in Banff.

Growing up, we were very very very lucky to stay in the now "fairmont" hotels across Canada. I would naturally suggest the Banff Springs Hotel when visiting Banff, even for just a night. Its worth the splurge, completely, you won't regret it. It is one of my favorite Fairmont's, and when at one of the hotels, promise me you'll order the Clubhouse Sandwich, because it will blow your mind. There is nothing overly fancy about the sandwich by any means, but its done right. Fairmont beds are also luxurious, so much so, that I found out what brand they were and now I sleep on the exact same bed.

TRAVEL EXPERIENCE: When at Banff Springs Hotel, rent some skates, you can do this at the hotel, at night, trek down a ton of stairs to the pond (Bow River). And admist a flood light from an adjacent building you'll be skating surrounding trees. Breathing in the crisp mountain air. Yeah this has to be in my top 5 travel experiences, hands down.

India: A morning in Dharavi with Reality Gives

In July 2011 I had the most amazing opportunity to travel to India for a friends wedding. India was always a country that I knew I wanted to visit, but never thought I would actually get there. But when the opportunity came up I jumped at it, and I'm so very happy I did.

The most memorable part of my trip had to be going on a tour of Dharavi, the area that became popular from the movie Slumdog Millionaire, through an NGO named Reality Gives. They do amazing work in Dharavi, making sure to highlight the positives of this community, and they create programs within the community. I learned so much going on a tour, and I wish I would have had more time in Mumbai so I could have done some of their other tours that are available.

What I loved about the tour is how hands on it was, at one point we climbed to the top of one of the dwellings to see the true physical form of the community. Which put the land mass/population into shocking perspective.  

As daunting the level of poverty is throughout India, and in Dharavi,it was a truly inspiring area to experience, it definitely put everything into perspective. I highly recommend everyone do a Reality Gives tour while in Mumbai.

Have you ever been on a trip/experience/tour that changed you? 

**Backstory behind this photo: reality Gives has asked people to submit photos of themselves wearing their i <3 Dharavi t-shirt or tote bag in their hometown. So this is me in Oakville !!