iceland in four days

After our short time in Paris, we had another stopover on the way to Toronto in Iceland. It was such a cool place. We didn't stay in Reykjavik but sort of between there and Keflavik, and our hotel was actually very near the Blue Lagoon and in a lava field. It was surreal - very much how I imagine other planets would look. I happened to be reading The Martian while we were there, too, which was more than fitting! (Very cool book, by the way, and soon to become a Matt Damon - great choice! - movie.) 

While it wasn't as cold there as you might expect, it did take Mara some time to adjust.

One of our first food stops was at a fairly new restaurant right in Reykjavik called Public House. 

It was delicious, but had very small portions.

Icelandic wool

 Another place we happened upon was Kol and it was really, really good. 

A great place to get a cocktail before your meal.

Mara got to ride an Icelandic horse! Fun facts: these horses are the purest breed in the world as they've never been cross-bred and they have five different gaits, where most horses only have three.

A stop at Micro Bar for some craft brew (apparently one of the best 11 bars to go to in Iceland).

Traveling with a baby meant that there's a ton of stuff we couldn't do, so we'd definitely like to go back to tour around more - touch some glaciers, see some hot springs, and hang out with some puffins. Iceland Air gives up to 7 nights as stopover without fees, so we're actually thinking of taking the Europe route again another time we're flying back to Canada!

We did get to have a hot dog, though, the One Dish to Eat in Iceland...

paris in two days

On our way back home we detoured a little from our stopover in London to spend two short days in Paris. Most of what we did was dictated by our tiny travel companion, but we were still able to wander around a lot and get a glimpse of this beautiful city.

Sacre Coure

my favourite shot of the trip!

Arc de Triomphe

Eiffel Tower

another favourite!

Louvre

guess which day we went...

One day we'll go back!

lately

We just got back from quite the adventure with our 13-month old! From Manila: London, England - Paris, France - London, England - Iceland - Toronto. As you can see, she was a bit shocked with the temperature change when we arrived in Iceland.

That first fifteen-hour plane ride was so long. If I thought Mara wouldn't eat it, I definitely would have made this for the flight. Maybe she'll have matured over the summer so I can make it for the flight back? ha.

Instead, Jeff bought a bunch of plane-friendly (quiet) toys that we wrapped up for her! Every few hours there was a new surprise + some of our favourite author's books on the iPad. They're really, really well done.

I'll be looking to make this flourless cake when we're back in the land of mangoes in late July.

Before we left we finished Fortitude. My big question throughout the series: What is this show trying to be?? It was the very last episode that brought it all together.

Even though we're finished school for the summer, this is great: How to Escape Education's Death Valley.

Need to buy a cast iron pan so I can make us these.

The Internet has made me so excited about cooking. I've never cared, really, but now I get happy about trying new dishes. This was one of the latest great dinners.

I was just reading a post about capsule wardrobes - 37 pieces is supposed to be magic. I probably have 37 of each of the usual wardrobe pieces - 37 dresses, 37 tops, 37 sweaters... you know. On that note, we're off to do some shopping for the day.

Ubud, Bali

We stayed at a great place outside the city center, so it was pretty quiet: Sri Rathi. Ubud was surprisingly touristy for an April break.

We enjoyed some great meals at a place not far away, Sari Organik.

It's not easy travelling with a baby, but people are so gracious - staff at Sari occupied Mara so Jeff and I could eat a meal together, and people on every airplane did their best to distract and entertain Mara!

I think I'd like to go back someday...

yokohama, japan

Along with some great PD with some like-minded schools (Collaboration for Growth), I was able to do some sightseeing in and around Yokohama - in to Tokyo and out to Kamakura. It was more than chilly, but I love Japan. The order, the cleanliness, the culture. Jeff and I are even thinking of going back again in our next October break! We've been together just one other time, a short time, also, and there's just so much to see in this tiny country.

so many flowers in frigid february

yokohama chinatown: the largest one outside of china

pre-dinner dumplings

lunar new year decorations

shinto shrine near kamakura

odaiba

mt. fuji

all the sashimi!!!

residential yokohama