With every vacation comes a long list of foods to try and restaurants to visit. I'm the type of person that travels to eat and fits in exploration and activities to fill the time between meals. My honeymoon in Maui was no different, as my husband and I arrived on the island armed with a list of 30+ places to hit on our 10-day trip. Instead of giving everyone a long, drawn-out list, I have put together a guide with our most memorable meals for you to enjoy on your trip to Maui.

Spam Musubi, a must-have when in Hawaii!
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Thai Mee Up Food Truck
Don't fill yourself up on too many in-flight snacks because you will want to walk off the airplane with a healthy appetite! Right around the corner from the Kahului Airport and across the street from Costco is a gathering of food trucks at Plate Lunch Marketplace, with menus that will have you salivating. This area is a semi-permanent spot with covered seating and space for 5-7 food trucks, making it a great first stop to eat! The trucks offer everything from fish tacos to poke to açaí bowls, but we were on a mission to try the dishes from Thai Mee Up. We were instructed by a friend to try the Fried Pork Ribs ($12) and Pad Thai ($10), both of which definitely satisfied. The pork ribs were tender, juicy, and so flavourful - I would absolutely recommend. Portions were generous and we had leftovers for the next day. You can find the truck at 591 Haleakala Highway, Kuhului.

Leoda's Kitchen & Pie Shop
Driving along the Honoapiilani Highway to the West side of Maui brings you through Olowalu, home to Leoda's Kitchen & Pie Shop. This gem is in a bit of an unassuming spot and is easy to miss if you aren't paying attention. Trust me, Gordon and I were so mesmerized by the ocean that we didn't even realize we drove past! Leoda's casual eatery offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the pastry case is where you want to direct your attention. There's a giant assortment of sweet and savoury pies, but we went for the classic Coconut Cream & Banana Cream pies ($4.75 each). Both had an enjoyable crust, creamy custard, and just the right amount of sweet whipped cream to top it all off.

Star Noodle
As a self-proclaimed noodle lover it wouldn't be right if I didn't have a bowl or two while in Hawaii. Star Noodle in Lahaina was high up on my list of places to try as they serve fresh house-made noodles for lunch and dinner. We arrived to a packed house in the late afternoon, but luckily the turnover was quick and we didn't wait long. Star Noodle makes all their ramen, saimin, and udon noodles in-house and there's many different preparations for every noodle on their menu. It was a tough decision but we ordered the Local Saimin ($10) and Star Udon ($10), both of which were simpler in preparation to allow the noodles to shine. The saimin had a nice toothy bite while the udon came with the doughy chew that is expected. I wish we had more time on our trip to return and try more dishes, so we'll definitely be visiting again in the future. If noodles are your thing I'd definitely recommend a reservation, if you can score one!

Morimoto Maui
Being located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean means Hawaii has access to some of the freshest seafood, so we made sure to indulge. I grew up in the Iron Chef era and was always a big fan of Masaharu Morimoto, so a visit to his restaurant was in order. Located within the beautiful Andaz property in Wailea, Morimoto Maui has an incredible unobstructed view of the beach and ocean. It's truly breathtaking and the lunch we splurged on made the experience even better. The sushi and sashimi were incredibly fresh, beautifully plated, and ranks as some of the best we have ever enjoyed.

Flatbread Company
After a long day driving the Road to Hana and back, you'll need some sustenance. Flatbread Company should undoubtedly be a pit stop on your way back to your accommodations on the island. This humble pizza restaurant is committed to sourcing local sustainable and organic ingredients, and fires up all their flatbread over wood fire in their stone and clay ovens. Although thin and crispy, the crust had a pleasing chew and the flavour combinations all sounded delicious. We opted for a half/half of the Homemade Sausage and Mopsy's Kahlua Pork flatbread, and to this day I still think about the phenomenal pairing of the smoked pork shoulder and sweet Maui pineapple.

Tin Roof
When you're on the hunt for a quick and casual lunch spot, look no further than Tin Roof. Owned by celebrated Chef Sheldon Simeon, Tin Roof offers a fresh take on Hawaiian lunch favourites that are sure to pack a punch to your taste buds. This grab & go spot offers daily specials and a core menu, and after trying almost everything they offered over two separate visits, there was not a bite we did not like. But if there's one thing you can't leave Maui without trying, it's the Spicy Chicken Sandwich ($7). The ultra crispy chicken thigh smothered in spicy aioli and served inside of a brioche bun is worth the flight alone.

T Komoda Store & Bakery
After spending the early hours of the morning above the clouds watching the sunrise on Mount Haleakala we made our way into the old cowboy town of Makawao for some sweet pastries. Komoda Store & Bakery is a favourite of locals, specializing in a handful of baked goods such as guava malasadas, cream puffs, and stick donuts. The stick donut might look silly, but it's an item you don't want to pass up. The soft, fluffy donuts dressed in a thin icing are little bites of heaven! Service is quick and friendly and the baked goods sell out fast, so make sure to stop by early in the morning.

Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors
If you aren't leaving Hawaii a couple pounds heavier due to eating too much poke, you are missing out. Poke shops can be found throughout the island and poke by the pound is available in grocery stores, but did you know you can even get your poke fix at the liquor store? Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquor is home to wines, liquors, packaged snacks (hello rice crackers and li hing mui candies!), and has a poke counter tucked away at the back of the store. Given the variety available, you would think you were at the deli counter in a grocery store! At Tamura's you purchase your poke by weight, or you can have a poke bowl built to your liking. You can try before you buy, and Tamura's had some of the freshest poke we tried on the island.

Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
Under the heat of the sun, digging into a mountain of shave ice is one of the best ways to cool down, and Ululani's has you covered with seven locations in Maui. The syrups are made with real fruit and cane sugar, so there's nothing artificial here. Pick from one of their signature combinations or build you own, either way it's a delicious, refreshing treat any time of day.

Lineage
Our final dinner in Maui turned out to be the best meal of our honeymoon, so if you're heading to the island soon you absolutely need to pay a visit or two to Lineage. It's another restaurant from Chef Sheldon Simeon, but the offerings are very different from those at Tin Roof. From start to finish we had a spectacular meal, learning a little bit about the history behind the dishes that showcase chef's heritage and upbringing. While the menu has changed since our visit, I'm happy to see that some of the standout dishes are still available on the menu. Do yourself a favour and order the Chicharon with Chili Pepper Water and try some of the Poi Mochi. You can thank me later.

Dining our way around the western portion of Maui allowed us to get a taste of what the island has to offer, but there were so many more places we have yet to explore. The island has incredible ingredients, traditional recipes to share, and everyone we encountered had so much respect for what they take and use from the land and sea. This list is just a small representation of what you can find and are places we wouldn't hesitate to visit again on a future trip! Whenever you're headed to Maui next, follow your nose and you'll be sure to find something ono. And if I missed your favourite spot be sure to let me know!

Hawaii is a beautiful travel destination, no argument. Yet visiting the Hawaiian Islands was never a high priority for me on my travel bucket list - despite friends and family always telling me about their dreamy vacations.

Last Summer I was so fortunate to win a sponsored trip for two to Maui with the Ka'anapali Beach Resort Association. And it dawned on me: it was a sign that Gordon and I were meant to honeymoon in Hawaii. At the beginning of December we packed our bags to escape the Canadian winter for 9 full days of sunshine, ocean and Aloha. Once we returned all I could think was "why have we not visited Hawaii sooner?" We had an unforgettable time exploring all that Maui has to offer and plan to return again in the near future. In the meantime, I've put together some must-do activities and travel tips for those of you planning a visit to Maui!

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Watching the sun rise to signal a new day is one thing, but watching the sunrise above the clouds at an elevation of 9700 feet is completely different. Whether you drive to the summit yourself or join a tour group, it really is quite the experience and a must-do when you visit Maui. We chose to drive to the top of Haleakala ourselves as it allowed us the freedom of exploring the summit at our own pace, and we didn't find the winding roads of the drive to be too difficult or nauseating. It takes about an hour to drive top to bottom each way, so pack some snacks and enjoy the views after the sunrise!

• If you are driving a vehicle you must book a vehicle reservation to enter Haleakalā National Park to view the sunrise. Reservations are $1.50 and can be made online up to 60 days in advance of your visit.
• Entrance fees (per person) need to be paid on top of the reservation fee.
• Plan to arrive at the summit at least 1 hour before sunrise - this will guarantee you a parking spot and a good viewing spot.
• Dress warmly (consider a blanket). You are at a high elevation and the temperatures hover around freezing. We packed hoodies, mittens, hand warmers and coffee and still felt cold!
• Plan this around the beginning of your trip - as you haven't adjusted to the local time yet your jet lag will help you wake up early for the drive. Trust me on this one! 

Maui is an incredible location for snorkeling. The waters are a beautiful shade of blue and give a very clear view of the coral and marine life. Our favourite spot to snorkel was at Black Rock in Ka'anapali by the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. The water is calm and there are so many different fish right by the shoreline so you don't need to swim out too far. Snorkel sets are available for rental by the beach from the hotel, but if you plan to do lots of snorkeling I would recommend bringing or buying your own set as the rental costs can add up. Black Rock is also a popular spot for cliff diving, and if you stay into the evening there is a nightly cliff diving ceremony you can watch!

• For affordable snorkel rentals, visit Snorkel Bob's or Boss Frog's (Boss Frog's offers $1.50 snorkel sets but they are very, very basic).
• If you're planning to purchase a snorkel set, Costco in Maui has them at a great price (~$40).
• It may look silly, but I highly recommend renting a flotation belt for snorkeling! It takes away the stress of staying afloat and you can focus on exploring the water.
• We also enjoyed snorkeling at Maluaka Beach (also known as Turtle Town for the turtle encounters), but the water is a little more rough and you need to bring your own gear.
• We didn't make it out to the Molokini Crater on this trip, but it will definitely be on our itinerary for our next visit.

The scenic town of Hana is located on the eastern shore of Maui and the drive along the highway is winding and scenic. Before our trip I read that the Road to Hana is more about the trip than the destination, and it really is true. There are incredible views of the ocean and waterfalls, hiking trails and beaches to explore, and you'll find multiple swimming holes along the way. Although the length of the Hana Highway is only 52 miles, budget 3-4 hours to complete the drive each way as you will be making multiple stops and the highway is narrow and full of hairpin turns and single-lane bridges.

• Plan to start your day early. On our trip we left Kuhului at 7:30 am and were back in Paia around 5:30 pm. By departing earlier than most, we were among the first to arrive at most stops and didn't find it too crowded. I also highly recommend you plan your trip to Hana at the beginning of your vacation as you aren't adjusted to the time change yet.
• I tend to get nauseous easily and found the hairpin turns of the Hana Highway to be tolerable. Pack some ginger candies or ginger-based Gravol and sit in the front seat if you're worried. 
• Pack a lunch and lots of snacks in the car. There are stops for food along the way but they tend to be quite busy. We were able to enjoy our picnic lunch with the view in the photo above! 
• We purchased the GyPSy Guide for the Road to Hana and would highly recommend it. For $5.99 from the App Store it was more than worth the money - the app works offline via GPS and gives you stories, information, and recommended stops along the way to Hana. On the drive back from Hana you also get to learn lots of Hawaiian history. 
• Pack a good pair of shoes for walking. Some areas are very muddy and rocky. 
• I would recommend packing beach gear into the car - there are great swimming holes and you never know if there's a spot you may want to stay and enjoy a bit longer!
• We stopped multiple times on our journey, but our favourite & recommended stops would be: The Ke'anae Arboretum, Ke'anae Peninsula, Nahiku Marketplace (the toasted coconut chips are a must!), Wai’anapanapa State Park (black sand beach & a blowhole), Hamoa Beach (we would come back here for a day!), Koki Beach (for the red sand!), Wailua Falls (a great little swimming hole), and Waioka Pond (a little trek to get here but well worth it!) 

If you aren't the strongest swimmer but still want to get out onto the water, taking a stand up paddleboard (SUP) out onto the ocean is a great idea. Napili and Kapalua Bay on the northwest side of Maui are known to have calm waters sheltered by coral reefs, so it's the perfect place to SUP or snorkel. The bay is a popular place for families and lots of people enjoy snorkeling thanks to the ideal conditions and clear waters. I could see plenty of fish from my board and a turtle even popped its head out of the water to say hi!

• SUP rentals are available at Kapalua Bay for $40 per hour, but you can rent boards from many different businesses in Maui for cheaper, especially if you rent for a couple of days. 

Maui has many incredible beaches so you'll want to spend a full day or two on the sand by the water. Many hotels offer Cabana rentals on the beach and most condo rentals in Hawaii come with beach gear (coolers, chairs, umbrella, etc.) for you to use. We like to pack a picnic lunch and lots of snacks for the day, and by shopping at a local grocery store you can discover a lot of delicious treats! Here are some of our recommendations for picnic food:

• Poke - we tried many places but our favourites by far for quality and price were at Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors and Foodland. 
• Hawaiian Kettle Style Potato Chips in Sweet Maui Onion Flavour - you can grab huge bags at Costco for a great price.
• King's Hawaiian Dinner Rolls paired with Aloha Bakehouse Banana Macnut Peanut Butter (find this at ABC stores!) 
• Li Hing Mui gummy candies. 
• Acai and Lilikoi flavour Hi-Chew. 

You can't leave Hawaii without attending a luau! A luau is a traditional Hawaiian feast that is accompanied by live dancing and music. There is pre-dinner entertainment, free flowing drinks from the open bar, and a dinner buffet with traditional Hawaiian dishes. We spent our first luau experience at the Old Lahaina Luau which we read was one of the most authentic in the area. It was a night of great entertainment and the dinner buffet was fantastic!


Along the waterfront in Lahaina is Fleetwood's, a restaurant and bar owned by none other than Mick Fleetwood. Given the musical influence, Fleetwood's on Front Street is known for their daily entertainment which you can enjoy while grabbing a meal or bites during happy hour. On top of the musical talents, Fleetwood's is home to a daily sunset ceremony on the rooftop starting at 5:45pm (5:30 on Saturdays). We learned a thing or two from the Hawaiian Kumu as we watched the sun set on another beautiful day in Maui.


Sansei Seafood Restaurant in Kihei is well known for their Japanese menu, but what many visitors don't know is that they host late night karaoke from Thursday to Saturday starting at 10pm. Aside from having a good time singing some of your favourite songs inside the restaurant, you can satisfy late night cravings as the sushi menu is 50% off. Gordon loves karaoke and I love sushi, so we planned a visit for our last night in Maui. The restaurant was packed and we had a fun night!


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As you can see there are so many things you can do on a trip to Maui. While this list may seem extensive, there are so many other activities I would have loved to do or areas I would have loved to explore but didn't get to on our honeymoon. That just means we'll be back to this beautiful island again in the near future!

If you've been to Maui and have a must-do activity, please let me know! I would love to add it to my list for our next trip!

I've been doing quite a bit of travelling this year, and the one thing that always stumps me is how to properly pack and store my jewelry while I'm out and about exploring the world. Do you have any tips and tricks? The following tips will help you protect and manage your jewelry wherever you travel!

Travel LightSelect items that you can wear throughout the day or evening and choose the ones that go with most of your outfits. Keep a register of all your precious jewelry and make copies. Leave one at home and take one with you on your travels. A video or photograph of special pieces is also helpful for replacement or insurance purposes.

Purchase Inexpensive JewelryThe risk of losing valuable pieces can cause stress during your vacation. A simple solution is to purchase jewelry items that have the appearance of real diamonds and gold, but are available at stores such as Michael Hill for a fraction of the cost. Fake diamonds look almost real, but with the advantage of no panic attack if they are stolen or get lost.

Travel OrganizersA travel organizer for your jewelry will help manage smaller pieces while avoiding damage to jewelry. Excessive exposure can harm items. Some metals may tarnish and scratch. Avoid excessive wear and tangled chains by placing items in a separate case. Check regularly in order to make sure that stones and clasps have not become loose or broken.


Keep Valuables with YouPlace items in your carry-on luggage or wear pieces that are more expensive. Avoid placing any valuables in luggage that you plan to check at the airport. Slip necklaces beneath the neckline of your shirt and turn your diamond ring so that the stone doesn’t show. Carry personal belongings with you while checking into your hotel room.

Insure Valuables Insurance policies can help protect valuables for a nominal amount. Reliable insurance will cover your fine jewelry wherever you go, assuring you peace of mind.

*Disclosure: This is a guest post

With another semester of school coming to an end, I've spent the last few weeks debating if I should go on a trip! I've got my heart set on Mexico and am leaving next week, but I think it would be absolutely amazing to visit South America! Brazil has always been on my travel list... hopefully I'll get to cross it off one of these days!

Photo thanks to National Geographic
South America is a diverse and exciting continent, famed for its vibrant cultures, love of music, incredible food and rich history. It’s also home to some of the world’s biggest and most interesting cities. With increasing air travel to the continent driving down prices, it’s now possible to take city breaks and long weekends in some of the continent’s biggest urban areas.

With flights widely available from Canada, reasonably-priced tickets and american express widely accepted across the continent, financing and paying for your break has never been easier. All you have to do now is choose your destination.

CuzcoSituated high up in the Andes, the colonial city of Cuzco was built upon an old Inca capital. The main cathedral still sits upon centuries old Incan foundations, with the massive Twelve Cornered stone remaining as a testament to pre-Columbian ingenuity and building techniques. From Cuzco you can also access Machu Pichu, a lost Incan city rediscovered in the early 20th century. It truly is one of the wonders of the world and must-visit destination. You have to try the Alpaca while you’re here and for those feeling very brave, you’ll find guinea pig on the menu too.

Rio de JanerioThis sprawling Brazilian megalopolis is always associated with the golden sands of the Copacabana, Sugar Loaf Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer towering over the city. Aside from these globally recognisable landmarks, Rio is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities on the planet. Streets resonate to the sound of Samba and bars seem to throng with constant parties and celebration. Don’t miss the world famous carnival, the world’s biggest street party, and a truly unique event. Brazilians are also famous for their meat, with barbecue being the preferred way of cooking.

Buenos AiresA stunning mix of Old and New world, the capital of Argentina has a European feel to it but retains its South American charm. It’s also home to the Tango and a grandeur that oozes romance.

SantiagoThe capital of Chile is a classically beautiful and cultured city that is located less than an hour from the coast, just two hours from the ski slopes and half an hour from the countries famous vineyards. All of which means there is plenty to see and do. Try the traditional dish of ceviche, shrimp cooked in lemon juice – a dish currently taking the world by storm but never better than in Chile.

Book early and get great prices on flights. Be flexible with dates and times and you can get a better deal. While South America generally offers cheaper accommodation and food than Canada, prices are going up so be prepared to pay more for some of the higher-end facilities and attractions.'

*Disclosure: this is a featured post 

Old Navy ruffled tank | Talula shorts (on sale now!) | American Eagle jean jacket | Bluenotes hat
Coach bag & accessories | Abound sandals (via Nordstrom)
Back in August, I spent the last two weeks with my family road-tripping around Seattle and the Oregon Coast. The trip was laid back, we were blessed with amazing weather, and it was seriously such a fun trip. Astoria was our first stop in Oregon, and it's a little town located along the Columbia River. The core of the city has so many well preserved historical buildings, it feels like you've been transported back in time. We actually chose this town as a stop since I wanted to spend time digging razor clams on Sunset Beach - unfortunately the season was closed! We still did get to take in the sights and even caught two crabs on the beach! And yes, they were delicious. I eventually got to dig my share of clams down in the town of Tillamook, and got to eat some freshly shucked oysters along the coast. If you love seafood, I highly recommend the drive along the Oregon Coast - feel free to ask for recommendations!

Flashback. It's been a whole 3 months since I left Hong Kong. I never really thought about it until now, but wow, time REALLY has flown by this year.

Ajisen Ramen - Langham Place - Kowloon, Hong Kong

The first real meal I had after arriving in Hong Kong was at Ajisen Ramen in Langham Place. While there are many options available, it was a colder day and a bowl of hot noodle soup was in order.

Ajisen Ramen is HUGE in Asia. It started out in Japan, and has grown into a large "fast food" style chain restaurant across the globe - Canada, the United States and even Australia have some locations to call their own. They've won awards for their dishes, and I remember coming home after my Asia trip seeing that they won an award for the best ramen in Hong Kong. That's a big accomplishment.

We arrived shortly after lunch time at about 1:00 in the afternoon, and the restaurant was packed! Groups of people both big and small eagerly awaited their meals at their tables, and I just loved the energy of the staff that were working. Seriously, Asians are so efficient. Off the lunch menu, we ordered a set lunch for two people, which included two appetizers, two mains, and two drinks for $148 Hong Kong Dollars. This rougly equates to about $19 CAD/USD, which to me is such a good deal!

Our first appetizer was the Crab Meat and Crab Roe salad. While I had expected to be way more "crab" (it was fake crab!), I liked having the crunch of the cucumber in the dish. Tobiko (flying fish roe) topped the salad, which is one of my favourite toppings out there. Loved this.

The second appetizer was a plate of Japanese Dumplings (gyoza) - I was a little confused at first since no sauce was served with them, until noticing there's quite a few condiments available for you to use at the table. There's an amazing soya sauce vinegar mix that was soo good with the dumplings. The gyoza themselves are great, but so much better with the sauce.

So this is what I had been waiting for. Tender Rib Ramen, and it really was a fantastic bowl of noodle soup. The noodles were perfectly cooked, being soft, but still with bite and elasticity to them - not to mention they did not become soggy over the course of enjoying the bowl of ramen. The ribs were so tender and flavourful, and the seaweed added additional chewy texture. The broth was tasty and I wasn't too thirsty after the meal - a definite winner.


Beef Ramen in Tomato Soup
While Langham Place is a great location (given the amount of food traffic daily), it also means that wait times for both a seat and for food is going to be longer. We found ourselves having a bit of time inbetween the appetizers and mains.. and being a tourist doesn't exactly mean you have work to do while you wait. Luckily, Langham Place has free wifi for those of us that have the need to stay connected while abroad. I definitely enjoyed the meal at Ajisen and wouldn't hesistate to visit another one in the future!

I'm always up for a quick trip to Vancouver. Because I get to eat. And eat some more. And more. My trips over to the West coast normally consist of the following in a cycle: eat, shop, eat, sleep, eat, visit the beach, repeat. It never ends - the food in Vancouver is so much better than what I can get in Edmonton, so I use every opportunity I have to take in the calories and enjoy. Here's just some snippets of my week away - in essence, previews of posts to come :)

left: all packed up, ready for the trip!
right: deer roaming on the side of the road in Jasper, AB

left: pho, perfect for cold Vancouver weather @ Thai Son
right: beautiful morning oceanside view - Tsawwassen, BC

left: dimsum for lunch @ Good Eat Seafood Restaurant
right: dried geckos on sticks, found in Chinatown

left: xiao long bao @ Ning Bo Restaurant - Richmond, BC
right: mango sago pomelo dessert in a giant cup @ Parker Place

left: $180 3D Mario cake @ Crystal Mall - Burnaby, BC
right: sushi dinner @ Sushi Garden in Burnaby

left: homemade pineapple bun w. butter & fruit for breakfast
right: gorgeous sunny day in Tsawwassen!

left: toast box from the What8ver Cafe in Richmond
right: Lucy's cute little bunny, Cheerio

left: Starbucks is a no brainer to have in Seattle!
right: s'mores Eggo waffles found @ Target - why can't Canada have these?

left: purple potatoes from my aunts garden - look like dog poo!
right: Jamba Juice Orange Dream Machine, my all time favourite!

left: shopping day outfit! H&M, F21, Tory Burch & Coach
right: sandal haul from Nordstrom!

left: not yet available in Canada, but nuggets are better IMO
right: new bestfriend.. wish I could've taken him home!

left: Summer day outfit - heading out for dinner!
right: Japanese tapas w. friends @ Guu in Aberdeen Mall

left: beach day @ Stanley Park's second beach
right: watching the sunset in Tsawwassen

left: last sushi dinner, AYCE @ Ninkazu in Richmond
right: post sushi bubble tea - lychee green tea w. lychee jelly

left: last homemade breakast before heading home!
right: finally trying out Chobani yogurt - now they need to come to Canada
Thanks for reading, have a great weekend everyone!