Capturing Us

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Self or part of Self

We never take photos together... So I figured why not for Photohunt

A Photo of P and I at a North Van Garden last weekend.

Weekend Walk

We did a lot of walking this weekend since the weather was so nice. Here are a few of the photos from our travels.

New Leaves of Spring

What a beautiful day to be outside!
Ambleside, West Vancouver

A Sail boat sails near the tidal waves.

The beautiful colors of spring.

Sunset views from North Vancouver.
One of my favorite view points.

Spring Flower from my favorite bush.

Sunset on the North Shore

My Shoes - Photo Hunt

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Shoes.

I've got super big feet and I'm not ashamed of it. The downside of having larger than normal feet is that you can't find too many shoes you adore. Recently I got myself a new pair of shoes that I absolutely adore.

Maybe someone knows which brand type they are. I've warn this brand since age 14, the size since age 12.

Update: These shoes are Doc Martens - Congrats to Sally for guessing correctly!

Here's the funny collage I made of my shoes.

One thing I have noticed from living in other countries is that Canadian shoes are very expensive. Swiss shoes are by far the most expensive. And generally in the US, you can find the shoes you want on sale if you wait long enough to buy them.

For me, I take what fits, no choice. Well the choice to buy or not to buy.

Happy Hunting!

Happy Victoria Day

Today is a holiday for Canadians, and the birthday of the monarch. Victoria Day normally signals the start of summer activities with the camping season for us here in BC on a rainy weekend. It's also the opening weekend for many spring and summer activities around Canada such as gardening, frost free nights, winterizing cabins and opening up those cottages.

This is how beautiful the weekend started off to be.

So I started off with a celebration of summer activities and took my first kayak and camping trip together. I don't even remember camping since I've moved to Vancouver...

Our two day kayak trip started out at Cates park in North Vancouver.

We started our journey at the boat launch at Cates Park. It's also the turning point to go up Indian arm or out towards Burrard inland and Vancouver area towards the Pacific.
This small map shows the places we stopped at. Initially we wanted to go further but found out I was a lot slower than anticipated. Our lunch stop was at Jug Island and then onto Twin Islands where we ate dinner and camped for the night. We wanted to get to Granite falls but that would take us 4 hrs longer landing at night fall.

I'm laughing at my lobster red head, but it's still beautiful behind me.

Our campsite with fajitas for dinner.

Views on the Island while relaxing on soft rocks.

The beauty of it raining so much is that we get to see green everywhere.

I had to throw in one site that is so North American.

It was very nice to enjoy the evening and see the beauty all around us. That night, the waterfalls from accross the way were so loud we decided we had to check them out on our way back home.

The Light house on the Twin Islands looking towards Indian Arm, where we rounded to head back home to Cates Park.

Kayaking was a lot of fun but I'm so darn slow compared to my friends. I guess I should get better with practice but coming from a swimmer, I just don't quite understand it all yet.

I'm so lucky to have such a great group of friends who were so patient with my beginner ways. Hopefully I'll be taking a few more of these trips this summer to get better! And then maybe I'll have some more water shots in the water as there is absolutely no way I'll take any camera out yet.

My Candy Stash

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Candy.

I'm not really a fan for most candies, but I absolutely adore chocolate. If you look a t the wikipedia definition, chocolate certain falls into that candy category.

"In North America, candy is a broad category that includes candy bars, chocolates, licorice, sour candies, salty candies, tart candies, sucking candies, taffy, gumdrops, marshmallows, chewing gum and more. Vegetables, fruit or nuts glazed and coated with sugar are called candied.

Outside North America, the generic name for candy is sweets or confectionery (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other Commonwealth countries). In Australia and New Zealand, candy is, in normal usage, further categorised as either chocolate or lollies (for all other non-chocolate candies)."

So you decide, my type of candy..

A present from our beloved Swiss friends

Too Much Fun

Just in case you need some fun for the day

Bubble wrap fun

My Personal Fascination

Besides being obsessed with all things Switzerland, I have to admit I'm quite obsessed with architecture, especially all over Europe. But I absolutely adore architecture anywhere and everywhere and very often bore P to death watching some of the home shows we get here in Vancouver.

If they have anything to do with cement, being green or just a plain old European look, I'm glued. Well okay, it's usually easier than that, but I think you get the point.

I was watching Holmes on Homes this evening and was mesmerized by the show. The couple had gone through a lot to get their end product but I think it was well worth it. Here's a screen shot from my computer.
What impressed me with the house was the overall look, the use of eco-friendly materials and energy resources, along with an end product to make my mouth melt..

They used such designs as lot of cement, eco-friendly roofs, mold resistant interiors and really making the most out of the least. The biggest kicker is the sustainability of house for years to come. I'm sure they'll have a few more visitors now.

Check out the awesome pics here for yourself and the front of the house.

The Spider Monkeys Are Gone

It's a sad reality the Vancouver Zoo had to face this past week. The staff at the Vancouver Zoo are missing their beloved Spider Monkey's. They found out the horrible news on Wednesday morning and sent everyone around the Vancouver mainland in shock. It's definitely a sad story to have to tell your kids, and an even harder one to explain why they were no longer in their cage.

Of course, the Vancouver Zoo is asking everyone if they have seen the spider monkey Mia while her mate Jocko was found beaten and dead right outside his cage.

There's even a reward offered for her return.

North Vancouver - Photo Hunt

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Sharing.

It's been a nice week of sunshine this week. I've had a bit of time to take a few photos and share the area that I live in. Here's a map of North Vancouver area and where the below photo was taken in red.

This is one from a few weeks ago not far from where we live. It was so beautiful out. I'm sure you agree. It's always a lovely area to enjoy nature all around.

Deep Cove, North Vancouver

Hope everyone enjoys mother's day in North America and Whit Monday in Europe.

Ah Spring

A few images from the last couple of weeks.

North Vancouver - Deep Cove Cherry blossoms

Sunset in West Vancouver - Ambleside

Walking the streets of Zurich

And thinking too much about what I miss most.
Switzerland

Time - Photo Hunt

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Time.

I had enough time on my hands while I was on vacation in Switzerland to photograph the time. This week, I'm not spending that much time on the computer.
I'm sure you can find the Time in the photos below.

Looking for the precise time in Lausanne.

Aarau old town.
Go here for more photos.

Learning something new

Food for thought for the day.

Lots of sun = good photography weather.

Lots of water in dish washer = dead cell phone.

Now scratch your head on that one. No it wasn't me.

And a happy expat.