A day in the life of ...: July 2018

Canada: Victoria, BC — Day 7 ...

A 10KM walk around Elk/Beaver Lake in Sannich, BC

A lovely reflection on the lake

My mom and I enjoying a Tim Horton's coffee while walking around the lake

Canada: Victoria, BC — Day 4, 5 & 6 (cont'd) ...

Along the Colquitz River Trail in Saanich, Vancouver Island

Some fabulous trees along the Colquitz River Trail

Juno getting ready to go to the park

An early evening walk with my mom and Kona, my step-sister's dog

Canada: Victoria, BC — Day 4, 5 & 6 ...

Wandering around the walking paths out back of my parents' new house — at Colquitz River Trail

Juno's new sweater from Nana

Along the Colquitz River Trail

An evening walk with my mom and Kona, my step-sister's dog

Canada: Victoria, BC — Day 3 (cont'd) ...

Hiking at McKenzie Bight in Saanich, BC on Vancouver Island

A rose with my brother's new condo in the background

My adorable niece, Juno, at McKenzie Bight (18 months old)

Canada: Victoria, BC — Day 3 ...

Sunday funday family outing with my handsome older brother and his family

Lovely views at McKenzie Bight in Victoria, BC

My favorite ice cream: Tiger Stripe aka Tiger Tail (yum!)

Canada: Vancouver and Victoria, BC — Day 1 & 2 ...

Flew over to Victoria on a tiny seaplane with Harbour Air — a 40-minute flight

Rented a one-bedroom suite in downtown Vancouver to celebrate my two besties' birthdays
— at the Sunset Inn & Suites

You know you are in back in Vancouver (or Canada) when ...

Getting ready to land in Victoria harbor

China — Day 6 ...

Another rainy day in Shanghai

Some fantastic architecture around Shanghai

China — Day 5 (cont'd) ...

Took a 1.5 hour dinner boat cruise in Shanghai to see the sights on a rainy evening (iPhone 7+ images)

The Oriental Pearl Tower at night

China — Day 5 ...

The Mercedes-Benz Arena at the Expo Park in Shanghai, China

The Lupu Bridge is the second longest arch bridge in the world

The China Art Museum

Wandering around the Expo Park grounds before the rain started

China — Day 4 ...

Drying out at the Koala International
Youth Hostel in Huangshan City

The rain was still coming down on my last morning in Huangshan. I slept late and enjoyed a hot cup of coffee in bed. There wasn't much point in staying on the mountain.

My hiking boots had spent the entire night in front of the heater because they were soaked from the downpour we had to hike back in the day prior.

The rain wasn't light in the morning nor was it heavy. I thought it best to make my way back to Huangshan City. I had a one-hour trek to the gondola that would take me down the mountain. The rain was bearable and I didn't want to take the chance of it becoming a heavy downpour like it was the day before.

I left the hotel around 9:30am and trekked as fast as I could to the gondola. There were tour groups coming at me for most of my hike back. The signs weren't always clear on which direction to go and this resulted in a roundabout or two. When I finally reached the gondola, I was out of breath and wet.

Spicy tofu and rice

There wasn't much to see on the gondola ride down but it wasn't raining at the base of the mountain. The bus from the gondola to the bus station filled up quickly and took about one half hour to get to the bus station. I then had to wait over an hour for the tiny shuttle bus back to Huangshan City to fill up and depart. The ride back was seventy minutes. It was pouring buckets upon my return.

I ran across the street to the Koala International Youth Hostel where I spent the day. My train back to Shanghai was scheduled to depart at 8:07pm. I had lunch and dinner at the hostel along with a bunch of beer. What else was one to do on a rainy afternoon?! The food at the hostel was absolutely delicious!