Fall 2021 – Weekend Getaway (Tobermory)

Road Trip Begins…

We left our hometown of Mississauga for a scenic 3.5 hour drive to the Bruce Peninsula (300 km northwest of the GTA), of which Tobermory is a small town at the northern point. We drove through the Winston Churchill Blvd and Dufferin County Road 11 passing through Caledon and other small towns. Then followed ON-10 and Highway 6 N to Cyprus Lake Road until we reached the northern Bruce Peninsula. I’m going to show you how to have the perfect weekend in this region.

Halfway Log Dump

We started the day by doing a walking trail at the Halfway Log Dump. This is a hidden jewel of nature which is highly underrated. Most people find this spot second-best after the Grotto, but we absolutely loved it. The highlight was sitting on the flat rocks and viewing the pristine white cobblestone beach that stretched out to far ends of the shoreline and the clear blue-green waters that made us feel like we are looking into the lake through a glass window.

In the evening, we checked into our trailer park (Airbnb with Darko & Marie). I would call our living experience “glamping” or glamorous camping. Our trailer had running hot water and a beautiful home-style fireplace, TV, sofa bed, kitchen and dining area, bathroom with tub and bedroom (not to mention the outdoor glass dining table and firepit). This set up was very comfortable for us and we chose it because we were travelling with our one year old daughter. Since it was a bit further away from the tourist areas, we got a much more economical rate for two nights when compared to motels/hotels.

Watch the Sunset

The Bruce Peninsula area has some gorgeous sunsets, and we were lucky enough to catch one of them. We watched the sunset from a Sandy beach which was a five minute drive from our accommodation. Several cottages and Canadian flags stood tall, off in the distance, providing an additional interesting element to a spectacular sunset on the horizon.

Campfire by Night

After dinner of spicy chicken with salad (we bought the ingredients from home in a cool box), we enjoyed warming our hands at the firepit ($10 for a bag of firewood) while star-gazing. I was showing the big dipper and other constellations to my little one. It felt amazing to be far away from the city lights and into mother nature.

Day 2 begins with Grotto

We experienced Day 2 along with our three friends who had joined us from Milton. We had booked a parking timeslot of 8am-12noon for 2 cars; I recommend you book your parking spot online at the Parks Canada Reservation Service website in advance as there are limited spots available due to covid social distancing protocols. Having the Parks Canada pass ($150 for the year) allowed us to get a refund on our entrance fee that we paid upon online booking so we only paid the parking fee of 12 bucks. The Grotto at Bruce Peninsula National Park is a clear, blue pool inside a cave. You can take a look inside the cave from several spots. I was content to have witnessed this beautiful landscape with my baby in her strap from up above at the nearby Grotto Arch.

Glass Bottom Boat Cruise

Tobermory is known as the “fresh water scuba diving capital of the world” for its intriguing shipwrecks in Fathom Five National Marine Park, Canada’s first National marine conservation area. It’s also the gateway to Manitoulin Island, another wonderful vacation spot that we still need to explore. There are basically two private companies that offer boat rides (Blue Heron and Bruce Anchor). We were booked for the Blue Heron glass bottom Hop-Off boat tour at 1:20pm (cost was approx. $60 for the round trip per person on weekends). After quickly grabbing some Beavertails at the harbour front, we stood in line for the departure from Tobermory.

The captain recommended we sit at the top right as those were the best seats to view the shipwrecks (and he was right!). We saw two 19th century shipwrecks, both wooden ships that rest only feet below the surface of the water. The guide told us about them: Sweepstakes is one of the best preserved in the Great Lakes. Back in 1885, it was damaged and even after towing it to the shore, with no repair work done, it sank the following month. The City of Grand Rapids was a wooden passenger ship that caught fire in 1907. Initially towed far from the harbour to prevent the town catching fire, it burned out in Georgian Bay and sank.

After viewing the shipwrecks, we hit the open waters and cruised towards Flowerpot Island where we saw the large and small rock structures that looked like flowerpots. We also got a good look at the classic white and red lighthouse, Big Tub Lighthouse. The boat dropped us off at beachy cove.

Hiking and Amazing Rock Formations

We hiked up and down several trails on Flowerpot Island and had a picnic with our friends by laying down our mats on some flat rocks on the water’s edge. We enjoyed some fruits and nuts and chilled under the blue sky among many seagulls and other local birds. Later that afternoon, we walked back the boardwalk to our pick up spot after using the washrooms (note that they are water-free). Our pickup time was 5pm and we reached tobermory 20 minutes after that.

As the weather became cooler in the evening, we picked up our jackets and walked to Las Chulas (mexican food) for some tacos and jarritos. In the evening, we had tea by the fire with friends back at our airbnb. They headed back home right after sunset.

Day 3 Starting at Little Tub Harbour

Little Tub Harbour, also known as the hub of Tobermory, is where you’ll find the main source of action in town. Here’s where the majority of the shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, and other essential spots like the grocery store and liquor store are located. In the middle, there’s a small harbour where people dock their boats. It’s a very picturesque part of town and what comes to mind mostly when people think about the village of Tobermory.

Even though this particular day was rainy/foggy, I loved showing Zahra the ducks and she would instantly start waving to them and clapping her hands when they would quack at her. Her favorite was the green-headed loon duck (the classic creature represented on our $1 coin giving it the name loonie). We had packed some egg sandwiches which we had there for brunch, entered a bookshop and took a walk along several boating docks.

Sauble Beach

Sauble Beach is a beach community and unincorporated area in the town of South Bruce Peninsula, Bruce County, in the northern area of southwestern Ontario, Canada. It is on the Bruce Peninsula, along the eastern shore of Lake Huron, on the north edge of the Saugeen First Nation.

This was our last stop before heading home. I have to mention that watching the fall colours on the way to our destination definitely made the drive more interesting. We reached around 1pm after driving past Sauble Falls and the many campsites there and to our amazement, the weather improved and the sun came out just as we were finding parking. There is a touristy street leading up to the beach which boasts restaurants, clothing stores, food trucks and even a law and real estate office. Walking along this street reminded me of Cliffton Hill at Niagara Falls.

However, Zahra and her papa enjoyed the beach itself the most. I loved watching them make sand castles together and passing the ball to each other. We had Pizza Delight for lunch followed by Kawartha’s maple walnut ice cream for the road. Reached home at around 8pm after stopping for gas and water at an Esso in Orangeville.

Scandinavian Series: Copenhagen

Day 1 – Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark

I arrived from Toronto after a 9-hour Iceland Air flight. The highlight of my journey was the opportunity to catch the Northern Lights from the airplane window. Nothing could have prepared me for the beauty and magic that portrays the Aurora Borealis. Juzar landed about 2 hours after me (He was coming from Dubai via Prague. Living the long distance marriage, I was desperate to see him and so excited to begin our European adventure!  (Total flights: USD 1620, September 2016).

Once we met and exchanged hugs and kisses, we headed to one of several kiosks to buy a local SIM card for data usage only. It was not at all difficult to find a vendor and in fact, there were several competing pop-up booths fighting over us. Next, we collected our 48 hour CPH (Copenhagen) Card which we were planning to use for Day 2 + 3 (100 USD) from Terminal 3 arrival hall airport service center. Equipped with the card, we headed towards the underground train which would take us to our Airbnb booking. We took the Metro M2 from Lufthaven station to Amagerbro (9 Stops) then walked towards Nordlandsgade 9A, 4th floor to the right – the doorbell says Rune Hilbert. When we arrived and checked in at Rune’s house (4 nights for 408 USD), I remember having to lug our bags up 4 flights of stairs to the top of the building with no elevator. Seeing the cute space decorated with colourful fairy lights and modern art more than made up for the effort though.

Even though I was ready to crash on the bed, Juzar convinced me to join him on a pubcrawl adventure in the streets of the city. We hopped from one place to another enjoying ourselves and meeting new friends. That night, I lost my prized possession (my iPhone). Embarassingly enough, it fell out of my backpocket and straight into the toilet. I tried everything from hairdryer to rice bowls to fix it but it was the end. All in all, the rest of the trip without a mobile handy proved to be a good learning experience. 

Day 2 – Copenhagen: Walking Tours and a Hippie Town

We left early and grabbed a quick breakfast from the supermarket (Budget meals 4-10 USD/person). We hopped onto bus 5A (Husum Torv) from Amagerbro St. heading to Radhuspladsen. Our meeting point for the 11AM Free Walking Tour was the central square at City Hall. Some of the sites we covered during the tours were Stroget Street, Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens (13 euros, $12), the Little Mermaid Statue, Renaissance Rosenborg Castle, Christiania, and more.

After lunch, we walked to the Magasin Du Nord shopping complex. Juzar entered a Star Wars shop. It was starting to get chilly and we didn’t have any jackets. We found an equivalent of Gap and bought a gray hoodie for Juz and a black wool coat for me. At 4PM, we had booked another 90 min free walking tour of Christianshaven. I particularly remember the colourful wall and street art around this neighbourhood. We stopped at the Church of Our Saviour for a moment of calm and serenity.

Day 3 – Grundtvig Church, Rosenborg Castle, Nyhavn and More

Today, we were exploring out of downtown and into the suburbs. We took the metro M2 to Norreport. From here we took bus 6A to Bispebjerg Torv. Had a fancy breakfast there at the espresso house. I remember being amazed at the number of bicycles parked outside as I had never seen so many of them in one place before. People in formal suits and dresses were going to work on their bicycles. What an environmentally friendly and heartwarming sight it was.  After we visiting the church (the simplicity and elegance of it reminded me of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat), we continued our journey.

At 10AM, we reached Rosenborg Castle. By now, the weather had turned cloudy with a bit of drizzle. I was so grateful to have our newly bought jackets on this day. The castle was rustic with statues of people and animals alike. After a guided tour of the premises and meeting some costumed medieval characters, we said goodbye and headed back towards the city.

We had our signature warm beverages (hot chocolate for me and cappucino for Juzar) outside the Black Diamond royal library. It was a beautiful spot under the umbrella where we sat while enjoying the view of the sun sparkling on the river water. Lunch was at the marketplace (we tried the local sandwiches).

We did a Canal tour at 5pm which gave us a history of Copenhagen over headphones. Then we entered the Tivoli Gardens where we had dinner in a private corner of a pirate ship. At 8pm, we were to meet at the Black Memorial Anchor at the entrance of colourful Nyhavn for a Pubcrawl. I must say I felt much more energetic and happy at this pubcrawl then I was on the first day.

Day 4 – A Fairytale World

On this day, we took an 8:30AM train for Frederikborg Castle (take Metro M2 to Nørreport, then take train A to Hillerød 70 mins). The majestic castle looked just like Hogwarts to me. We took The Frederiksborg Ferry ride to enter the grounds. 

At 1:30 pm, we took another train to Kronborg castle. We visited the house of Holger Danske. Then at 5pm, another train to Humlebaek. We ended the day with a visit to the  Museo d’Arte Moderna Louisiana.  

Next, we visited Carlsberg Museum which took us through the process of how beer is made from barley. The highlight of the tour was the free glass of beer for Juzar and the horse-carriage ride for me. Later, we took a bus to Christiansborg Castle and had lunch at Papiroeen Island. Then we went on to see the National Museum of Denmark.

Another bus ride took us to the National Aquarium in the evening. We saw several sea creatures but my favorite was the actively swimming seal in the outdoor portion. We had shawarmas at a nearby middle eastern shop for supper before heading back to Rune’s House for our last night in Copenhagen.

Stay tuned for the next Scandinavian Adventure in Oslo, Norway.

 

Paris Diaries – 4 Nights; City of Lights

April 7th, 2017 – We arrived in Paris and took the subway from CDG airport to Danforth station. Next, we walked towards our airbnb apartment (a charming studio on 5 rue liancourt, Île-de-France 75014) passing by a colorful marketplace called Rue de Gard. We stayed at the home of a parisian artist named Laila. We collected our Paris Pass (308 euros) and were ready to begin our adventure through the City of Lights.

Day 1 – After lunch of duck, fish and seasoned veggies in a restaurant below our accomodation, our first stop was to the Montmartre Cemetery. Then we walked to a lovely little cafe called Le Pain Quotidien. Our standard order of a hot chocolate and a cappuccino was placed. We strolled through tiny cobblestoned pathways and passed by so many small vendors and street artists on Place du Tertre. Our final destination was Sacré-Cœur. Here, after touring the interior, we sat on the grassy slopes and enjoyed a live guitar performance on the streets. Next, we went to the Le mur des je t’aime wall where I love you is written in every language in the world. As the day came to an end, we came to bastille station which was the meeting point for pubcrawl. After watching a surprise flash-mob style street dancing show, we continued with our group to 3-4 different pubs. The rest of the night was lost to new friends, good music and lots of fun filled memories.

Day 2 –  We visited the florist to pick up a bouquet of the most fragrant white daisies to start off the day. We had booked a local photographer for a shoot outside the Tour Eiffel – the exact meeting point was Pont de Bir-Hakeim. It is hard to describe in words the happiness I felt as we walked around the most romantic city in the world dressed in wedding clothes and holding hands – it was heavenly. After, we proceeded to Les Ombres (meaning the shadow – of the Eiffel), a fine dining restaurant for lunch. Next, we had a wine tour at Les caves du Louvre before we relaxed and enjoyed the weather at the Luxembourg garden. Then we were on our way to the Montparnasse tower for a skyview of Paris. We watched the sunset from beneath the eiffel tower before boarding the boat for the Bateaux Parisiens cruise along the Seine River.

Day 3 – After breakfast, we browsed through the marketplace buying fresh strawberries, oranges and french cheese. It was a day full of museums. We started off at the Musée d’Orsay. Then on to the Église Saint-Sulpice cathedral. Next was the massive Panthéon with its amazing greek-roman columns followed by my absolute favorite – Notredame. With blooming cherry blossoms right outside, it was a picture perfect place with stunning architecture. Being inside this cathedral and soaking in the beauty was the most peaceful feeling. Next was a rather small chapel called Saint Conciergerie. We continued the journey towards the Atelier Brancusi (showcasing modern art and furniture). Next we went to the Centre Pompidou which was a both a public library and a museum on the higher floors. Here, we got to see many paintings by Renaissance artists such as Van Gogh, Renoir and even Picasso. We gave our legs a rest by enjoying a live jazz band playing across the street. We called it a night after stopping by a book cafe called La Belle Hortense. Dinner was vietnamese cuisine (Pho) on Rue de Gard.

Day 4 – We had some delicious freshly baked croissants with coffee from a boulangerie for breakfast. Then we took the metro to visit the Opera before we went on the famous Musee de Louvre. After standing in line for over 2 hours, we entered the home of the Mona Lisa and several other works of italian and french artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Next, we strolled along the Tuileries gardens where I had the opportunity to feed dozens of pigeons – an amazing feeling as they pecked at seeds directly off the palm of my hands. After this, we tried what I would assess as the best french onion soup I have tasted in my life at a cafe within the gardens. We then went to the Orangerie Museum where we were lucky to catch a showcase of an artist’s impression of waterlilies by Claude Monet in the form of 360 degree wall murals. We also saw some works of Renoir. We continued to place de la concorde with the ferris wheel, luxor obelisk and several street performers. In particular I loved watching a man making large hundreds of bubbles in the air using simply a bucket of soapy water, some rope and 2 sticks. Then we walked along the Champs Elysees towards the Arc de Triomphe. We snacked on crepes from the street before climbing over 500 steps to the top of the Arc for a beautiful view of the city. At 7pm, we arrived for the Lido Show – a cabaret style musical performance that was almost a more elegant form of New York’s broadway. We were joined on our table by a friendly french speaking father and daughter. A night to remember for sure.

In my next blog, I will discuss the second part of our journey in France where we rented a car and went on a road trip along the countryside into the smaller towns and the beautiful south of france to be able to live the less touristy and more authentic lifestyle of the French locals. Stay tuned!

The Secrets of Iceland – Discover them before the world does!

So we made it to the land of fire and ice dividing North America and Europe. It’s a place most people would not choose for their ideal vacation; yet is definitely a treat for those with an adventurous spirit. While most typical tourists stick to the big cities and leisure activities, we prefer a more authentic Icelandic adventure where one finds themselves immersed in the culture and alone with mother nature. Keep reading to explore my unforgettable journey along the ring road circling the entire country with emphasis on experiencing life as a local. A special shoutout to the master planner behind this trip and my loving husband; Juzar. I’ve written this blog as a guide for you if and when you plan your own journey to Iceland, although be warned that it may be tough to cover as much as we did in 9 days; now the question is will you rise to the challenge?

 

Day 1 – Arrival to the Capital – Reykjavik  

Sept 15, 2016 – From Keflavik airport, we took a Gray Line bus to the city centre. It was a rainy day. Once we had dropped our luggage at our guesthouse, we walked to the Hallgrímskirkja Church with its unique architecture and changeable benches. Next, we went to city hall facing the pond where we saw and met several species of birds and ducks. Don’t miss the 3D model of Iceland with its mountains, glaciers and contours within City Hall ground floor – it gives you a good big picture of the land. Next, we walked to the Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre where instead of booking a show for the evening, we decided to take a walking tour of the modern building. We had lunch at a local version of McDonald’s called Aktu Taktu and then walked to the Solfar (Sun Voyager) Sculpture. Then, we visited  Laugavegur Street which is lined with Danish-style colorful houses. We grabbed a casual dinner of chicken wings at an American Bar while enjoying the live Irish music playing across the street. Once dark, we strolled into several local book and clothing stores for souvenirs. After some night time photography at the church, don’t forget to watch for the Northern Lights between midnight and 1am.

Travel Tip: stock up on breakfast supplies and quick meals for the road as the restaurants on the way can be quite expensive ($50/person/meal). Some good grocery options are Bonus supermarket or any small convenience store. Overnight: Aurora Guesthouse 

 

Day 2 – Road Trip Begins with the Golden Circle 

We picked up our 4×4 red Honda CRV from a local rent a car company in the morning and headed out. Today’s destination was the famous route known as the Golden Circle. First up was a visit to the Thingvellir National Park. Here, we experienced amazing rock formations of geological significance due to the meeting of North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. We were told that the place also has historical origins as it was where the vikings first settled and created establishments including the world’s first parliament (who knew?). Continuing on to the even more exciting Great Geysir geothermal area. The area hosts dozens of geysers and hot springs, the most powerful of which (Strokkur) erupts every 8 minutes with such force that the boiling hot water jets 15 to 20 meters into the air – I had never seen or felt anything like it and this was the highlight of my day. Then, we went further to the Golden Waterfall, Gullfoss, a majestic beauty with the option of climbing over 5 sets of steps to the top for the best view. Before heading to our lodging for the night, we walked up and down into the impressive volcanic crater, Kerið. It was a misty day with sun shining and we were lucky to witness a full rainbow (semi-circle), and after a few minutes, unbelievably, it became a double rainbow!

Driving Distance: 200 kilometers. Overnight: Wooden cabin near the Lake in Hella

 

Day 3 – Volcanoes and Black Beaches
After breakfast, we drove along Iceland’s amazing south coast; stopped by the beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfall and, for an exciting new perspective, took a walk behind the waterfall to see the water crash over the cliff’s edge. It was surreal to stand there and feel the mist on my face.After a refueling stop, we parked the car and walked 8km (4km each way) to visit the famous plane crash site (Solheimasandur) in the middle of nowhere.  A little further along was the powerful waterfall Skógafoss plunging 60 meters to create quite a massive splash. We also covered the less visited hiking trail which starts once you climb approximately 400 steps to the top of the falls. The trail had some amazing river rapids and hidden waterfalls on the way. We ordered some take-out burgers and fries from Hotel Skogafoss and ate in the car. Next stop was the Black Beach Reynisfjara, where huge basalt columns seemed to rise from the ocean bed in mysterious formations – but the best part was experiencing the sun setting. Then, we went to Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve where we enjoyed watching the water splash against the rocks. The highlight for me was when I realized I was standing on dried volcanic molten lava from an eruption! Finally, we roamed the charming town of Vík.

Driving Distance: 240 kilometers. Overnight: Vogar Guesthouse 

 

Day 4 – The ‘ICE’ comes Alive

Today, after breakfast, we drove over the desolate floodplains to Skaftafell National Park. This park is situated at the roots of Europe’s largest glacier (Vatnajökull). The 3 hour glacier walk along svinafellsjokull was definitely the highlight of my day (see photo in first paragraph). Svartifoss waterfall was next, with its dark lava columns and mesmerizing height. It was by far the waterfall with the most greenery surrounding it. Then, after a detour to the snake gorge, we proceeded along the roots of Vatnajokull glacier to the best part, the Jökulsarlon glacier lagoon. Here, we saw bluish white ice blocks float on the water and drift lazily towards the ocean (in summer you can see puffins too). Short boat trips on the lagoon were operated for those eager for a closer scenic view – but for me, nothing could beat the feeling of holding the glassy ice pieces (remains of the glacial melt that were washed ashore) in my bare hands. Next, at the town of Höfn, we had an exclusive dining experience with amazing langoustine fish pizza at the local restaurant Humarhöfnin Veitingahús.

Driving Distance: 150 kilometers. Overnight: Guesthouse in the Höfn area

 

Day 5 – Rainbows and Hot Springs 

From Höfn, we drove on through the tranquil Eastern Fjords. After threading the fjords, we proceeded to the town of Egilsstaðir, where we took a lunch break at a local bakery cafe decorated with historical artifacts – here we tried a local icelandic veggie soup which felt so good in the cold weather. From Egilsstaðir, we drove on to the amazing Lake Mývatn area and enjoyed its stunning landscapes especially during sunset (when the sky fills with blues, purples, oranges and reds). On the way to Lake Mývatn, we made a detour to Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Europe. You may want to visit the relaxing Mývatn Nature Baths in the afternoon or evening and bathe in the geothermal water. As for us, we decided to cook dinner instead.

Driving Distance: 400 – 450 kilometers. Overnight: Lake Mývatn Guesthouse 

 

Day 6. Whales and Canyons in the North 

After breakfast of boiled egg sandwiches, we started the day early by visiting sites at Mývatn that we did not have time for the day before. We embarked on a hiking trail (it was so quiet and peaceful with the sounds of birds chirping). Here, I saw the clearest reflections of the land in the lake; like a perfect mirror image. Then, we continued to Húsavík. Húsavík was the first place in Iceland to offer successful whale watching cruises. We took a luxury boat to Öxarfjörður Bay and passed by not one but a group of 3 whales! It was a once in a lifetime chance to watch the fountain of water coming out of the whale’s back and the classic tail splash as well. The next stop was Ásbyrgi canyon, a strangely shaped but spectacular horseshoe canyon, not to be missed. Tonight, we enjoyed the pleasure of a warm and luxurious bed in our 4 star hotel. Driving Distance: 250 kilometers. Overnight: Húsavík 

 

Day 7. The capital of the North 

Today, we visited the second largest city in Iceland, Akureyri. Before reaching Akureyri, we came upon the Goðafoss waterfall, known as “waterfall of the gods.” Akureyri had plenty of urban treats to offer us, the best of which was the sight of other people!  It was a place where everyone could find something they liked. For us, it was simply the hearty lunch offered by a local hostel called Akureyri backpackers. After a stroll within the city (we went to a church, an art gallery and some book cafes), we headed back out to countryside. We drove to Skagafjörður fjord, known for its agricultural prosperity and horse breeding. The highlight of the day was receiving a home-cooked meal from our host family (Steinunn and Johann) at the icelandic farm where we stayed the night. We had lamb stew with grilled fish and steamed vegetables – all with farm fresh ingredients!

Driving Distance: 250 kilometers. Overnight: Skagafjörður on an Airbnb farm with a local icelandic family with their horses and sheep

 

Day 8. Northwest Iceland (Farms and Fishing Towns) 

After saying goodbye to our hosts, we took a leisure drive through the Northwest region. We passed several farms with sheep and were amazed to see some icelandic horses running in the wild. After paying our respects at the Þingeyrarkirkja Church, Iceland’s first stone church and graveyard for important leaders of the country. Our next stop was Hvammstangi; followed by Rauðasandur where we parked and walked down to the shore to see some seals. We were told they bask in the sun during low tide hours, but even in high tide, we managed to see so many of them with their heads popping in and out of the water. Then, we continued along a bumpy road to Stykkishólmur, a charming fishing town with a relaxing atmosphere. After the long and winding drive, we decided we deserved to enjoy a fine dining experience at a local joint near the waters edge – we tried a delicious seafood pasta with clams, oysters, shrimp and even squid.

Driving Distance: 270 kilometers. Overnight: Stykkisholmur area

 

Day 9. Iceland in miniature

Our last day on the ring road involved driving through the Snæfellsnes peninsula in the west and visiting the many small fishing hamlets situated around the peninsula. With our explorer hats on, we meandered through spectacular Lóndrangar Rock Formations, snowy mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls,  lava fields, and the magnificent Snæfellsjokull glacier towering over the tip of the peninsula. The peninsula is sometimes referred to as “Iceland in miniature” because it offers all the things found in the country. We stopped at the small town of Hellnar on the tip of the country’s west for lunch. We left Hellnar by 2pm to make it in time for our reservation at the Blue Lagoon Spa near Keflavik airport. A dip into the steaming water with a chilled lemonade in hand and a mud mask facial was the perfect end to the trip. Overnight in a B&B nearby before an early morning WOW Air flight back home.

Driving Distance: 340 kilometers. Overnight: Hotel Bernhard BnB (Keflavik) 

AccuvisBio

I recently started working for a company called AccuvisBio in Abu Dhabi, UAE. We sell molecular biology kits to research labs in both government and academia.

One of the first things you need in the Middle East when it comes to a sales job is a car. Public transport, while available, is not as extensive here in Abu Dhabi as it is in Europe and North America.

My first sales visit was to Dr. Babu (Veterinary Pathologist) and Dr. Idris (Head of Research Division) at the Management of Nature Conservation (MNC) under the Department of Presidential Affairs in Al Ain  (a different Emirate). It was a well deserved 2 hour drive out to Jebel Hafeet as the people I met were indeed kind and humble. The facility which encompassed endangered species (especially the Arabian Tahr) was beautiful and well-maintained. For more information and photos about MNC, check out this blog by Dr. Laurie Marker at the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

One of the important lessons I learned while making a sales visit is to spend at least 30 minutes reading about the background of the person you are about to meet in addition to reading about the organization they belong to. This way you can keep their interest alive and build a good relationship; which is much better than diving straight into your products and prices.

I am excited to continue my brand new journey as a saleswoman in the UAE. Funnily enough, being a woman in this part of the world has several advantages. For example, you have separate shorter lines for women in the ministry offices and some banks. More about Accuvisbio later. Cheers!

Are you like me in wondering whether you should try out entrepreneurship?

Almost everyone I know has wanted to start a business at least once in their lifetimes. It’s not hard to see that some entrepreneurs are better than others at running a company. I think this is dictated by two things: personality and experience. While you’re born with the former, you can easily take steps to acquire the latter.

Personality

Mashable.com posted an article in September on the 7 Reasons Entrepreneurs Don’t Meet Their Potential. They discuss how certain types of personality traits could become a weakness for entrepreneurs. For example, fear of failure and a need to follow the rules. Other traits such as kindness need to be kept in moderation; the so-called ‘need to please’ is important when it comes to customer satisfaction, however, too much of pleasing others causes you to lose focus of your own goals. Click here to check it out.

Experience

A famous person once said: fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Experience is crucial when it comes to being successful. This is why you need to submit a resume full of your experience when you apply for a job. This is why CEOs of companies usually have gray hair. I would say that experience is even more important for entrepreneurs compared to the rest of us. Without experience (where experience includes working/interacting close/closely to/with an existing successful entrepreneur), it is easy to lose heart and not be able to keep up with or filter through; what is relevant. Read more.

Venture Networking Night

Tonight, I had the opportunity to meet several industry professionals at the Glenerin Inn near UTM. The evening kicked off with 3 speakers, an academic, an industry professional and a government man. While the first two were informative, the last speech was humorous. While enjoying the refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, I spoke to Stuart McKeen from FedDev Ontario who encouraged me to check out their programs for graduate students. Among others, I liked the role of Jonathan Eckert who shared with us (Stephanie, Fred and myself) his journey from being an M.biotech student to his current position as Senior Marketing Manager at AstraZeneca Canada.

Getting Above the Noise

I couldn’t agree more with my boss the other day when she pointed out that when it comes to marketing – getting above the noise is the biggest challenge that businesses and individuals face with today’s plethora of social media news feeds. I mean, what’s the point of following so many people when at the end of the day, you cannot hope to read/respond to 120 tweets per minute? How do you know what to focus on when you are bombarded with 50 notifications on Facebook and another 200 discussions per day on LinkedIn? The truth is, there may be a great event or news item out there that I would like to attend/read but the effort it would take to find it is just not worth it.  

Peel Startup Weekend – Oct 19-21st

I was always attracted to the startup culture but when the opportunity to help organize an entire weekend of activities to commercialize ideas presented itself, I couldn’t wait. The event is set for a month from today at Sheridan’s brand new HMC campus at downtown Misissauga. Its a great experience for anyone who would like to be a part of a team that brainstorms ideas, gets the needed coaching and mentoring from experts and makes a business pitch in the space of 54 hours. Plus there’s lots of pizza and drinks and before I forget, unlimited coffee!