I was happy to discover that there was a four-day ski trip in Mont-Tremblant, Québec coming up in the next few weeks. The cost of the trip included three nights of accommodation, one full day ski pass, a half day pass to the Scandinave Spa, and other fun activities like ice skating, and bonfires.

From the get-go my interaction with Tryps leader, Kimo, was warm, friendly, and he got me really excited about the possibilities of the getaway. There was only one caveat – the trip would be with total strangers.

I’ll have to admit, I was really nervous about the thought of spending an entire weekend with people I’d never met before.

What if we didn’t get along or the vibe was just off?

Well, I booked the trip anyway.

After all, the biggest risk in life is not taking any risk, right?

In the weeks leading up to the trip, any anxieties I had about traveling with strangers fizzled out, as Kimo sent frequent updates about our upcoming getaway, including a virtual orientation session to arrange logistics and book optional add-ons (which we would have to pay for ourselves) like massages, ski rentals, etc. He even provided us with a sneak peek of our “Tryps crew”, including every travelers’ headshot and short bio.

THE JOURNEY

While there were many different options for transportation and getting up to Mont-Tremblant, carpooling from Toronto seemed like the easiest, most budget friendly, and most environmentally friendly option.

I met up with our Tryps leader and a couple of other Tryps solo travelers at Toronto’s Union station. We greeted each other with hugs and began the 6-hour journey to the mountain.

The conversation in the car reminded me of my days traveling through Europe via Bla Bla Car, a low-cost carpooling service that encourages you to chat or “bla bla” in a car with strangers who happen to be traveling to the same destination.

On the drive up we talked about our lives so far, where we were born, what we did for work in Toronto, the usual small talk. However, I was really surprised at how quickly small talk turned into meaningful discussions about life, family – the important things.

Luckily this energy continued on for the rest of the trip, as I met more of the other “Tryppers”. I was quite surprised at how comfortable we got with each other and just how quickly it happened.

ARRIVAL

When we had arrived at our destination, Auberge le Manitoga, a beautiful ski lodge close to Mont-Tremblant’s ski village, the rest of the Tryps crew was waiting for us. We were eight in total, all from different walks of life, and I appreciated the fact that I met people that I wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to meet.

I bunked with two awesome women in their twenties, the ones I had shared a ride with from Toronto. Being in a car with people for more than six hours has a way of making you feel comfortable with each other.

Upon arrival, we had welcome drinks at a bar nearby and went to bed relatively early because we’d be skiing the next day. My millennial self was very happy that everyone was on the same page about this aspect!

THE ACTIVITIES

Like many folks I know, I did not grow up skiing. I’m from an island in the Caribbean and I’m partial to anything that involves water, though in recent years I’ve been enjoying winter activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Even though we were traveling in a group setting, I was pleased that there was also room to do the things that I wanted to do, even if it meant that I’d do them alone. While the rest of the crew opted for downhill skiing, I decided to venture out on my own and experience cross-country skiing in Québec.

Our guide dropped me off at a conservation area nearby that offered cross-country skiing rentals and arranged a pick-up time for me.

I ended up having an incredible time, even though I was alone in a forest. I wasn’t expecting the trail to be as hilly as it was, but it made for a fun and exhilarating workout!

THE SOCIAL LIFE

Later that day, I met up with the rest of the Tryps crew for some Aprés-ski cocktails at the Fairmont Tremblant which has an elegant lounge overlooking the ski hill. We shared our experiences and memorable moments from the day and looked forward to dinner and dancing later that evening.

On the last day – my favourite day of the trip – we spent the entire morning and afternoon in robes at the ethereal Scandinave Spa, drinking tea, getting massages, and enjoying the restorative thermal waters. Truly living our best lives!

One of the things that stood out the most about this experience is that I had casually mentioned to Kimo the idea of having a raclette dinner, traditionally a Swiss dish – similar to cheese fondue. It was proving to be a difficult task because all the raclette places were booked up as it was high ski season.

To our surprise, Kimo secretly struck a deal with a restaurant next to our lodge. He organized a raclette dinner in one of those cool domes outside, the ones that became popular during lockdown. We watched the sunset over a frozen lake, and enjoyed a delicious meal with our newfound friends – it was the perfect way to culminate such a special long weekend.

ALL GOOD THINGS

Our fourth day we gathered in the kitchen area of the ski lodge for the drive back to Toronto. Every Tryps experience ends with a group recap of the trip, and one final group huddle before everyone parts ways. Kimo surprised us all with little fridge magnets of photos from our trip!

We exchanged numbers and hugs, and made plans to meet again in the city.

Kimo founded Tryps from his deep passion for creating unique travel experiences for his family and friends. His commitment and energy is felt down to the smallest detail in the itinerary. What started as a small dream during the pandemic, has turned into a big reality spanning across three different continents.

Tryps destinations range from a portaging trip in Algonquin Park to bucket list trips like 11 days in Egypt or week-long sailing trips across the Caribbean.

I’m already looking forward to my next Tryps experience – a sailing trip across the Amalfi Coast in Italy!

Now I just have to brush up on my Italian. Grazie to Kimo and all the Tryps crew for a wonderful experience!

The post My Mont-Tremblant ‘Tryps’ Getaway with Seven Strangers appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

One such amenity is the Bata Shoe Museum, located steps away from the Saint George. The Kimpton and Bata Shoe Museum offers a unique collaboration. The museum is currently featuring the Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting Edge Kicks exhibit. This exhibit takes audiences through the evolution of shoes from cultures all over the world to futuristic auto-lace and virtual shoes. Bring your phone, through QR Codes, audiences are able to project and interact with virtual shoes. It is a great place to take kids or enjoy an afternoon to yourself exploring the beauty and evolution of shoes!

The experience at the Kimpton Saint George felt personalized from the moment of check-in. The staff were welcoming, offering a fast and easy check-in process and suggestions to hotel events and events taking place in and around Toronto. This evening in particular featured a social hour, wherein complimentary drinks were offered alongside an amazing local soca duo, V.K. Vocal Vybez. The ‘V’ stands for guitarist/singer Vincent Jamal – Jamal is a Bahamian R&B artist, with a recently released album, Solid Conversations; the ‘K’ is for Kimya (that’s Kee-MY-ah) a Vincentian songstress who recently opened for Brian McKnight. Their renditions of popular soca hits filled the 1,500 square foot lounge and lobby of the Kimpton and drew a crowd. This felt like the Bacchanal Social Hour, an obvious ode to Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival aka Caribana. The social hour occurs on a nightly basis between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Guests of the Saint George are offered breakfast options – breakfast time can be booked upon arrival – check with the front desk during the check-in process. Fitness is a priority at the Kimpton Saint George with a state-of-the-art fitness room, accessible from the second floor, now featuring a Peloton, and yoga mats are available in each guest room.

There are plenty of photo opportunities in and around the Kimpton – from the large lobby mirror to the Marble Moon art pieces featured in all guest suites by Ottawa artist and designer, Laura Langford. There are elements of not just Toronto, but celebrations of Canada sewn into the design of the Kimpton Saint George. Take advantage of the unique aesthetic which makes the Saint George its own work of art. Inspiration for the design of the hotel pays homage to the heart and soul of the Annex while highlighting the eclectic eccentricities Toronto has to offer. Details of the hotel, like the single white squirrel figures found in every room, are attributed to providing guests with more insight into landmark Torontonian attractions while adding a whimsical flair of city representation. The overall design and usage of colour provides visitors with a feeling of being in a home-like environment.

One of the most impressionable features of the Kimpton was the reminder note in the guest suite which offers guests easy access – via room service – to items they may have forgotten or overlooked during packing. The service is quick and adds an extra special element of security and comfort for guests.

The Fortunate Fox is located in the lobby of the Kimpton Saint George and offers an amazing selection of foods and beverages. As a vegetarian, options are often limited, however, the Garden Burger… delicious! Every bite, more delectable than the last. The combination of feta cheese and avocado was incredible. This restaurant was lively throughout the day and evening, offering a dimly lit, intimate environment.

This staycation in the city showcases Toronto from a unique perspective, wherein visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the many attractions Toronto has to offer while playing tourist. There are so many ways to enjoy the Saint George. Guests can’t help but feel welcome by the staff and overall feeling of warmth present while staying at the Kimpton Saint George.

The post Staycation in the City at The Kimpton Saint George appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Teamed up with Honda Canada recently to take part in some Day Trips from Toronto. I got to take the new Honda HRV on my adventures which had me hiking, paddling, swimming, and of course, eating.

The car was a good size for city driving while still having the stability and room of a smaller sized SUV. The large sunroof and the quality of the sound in the car combined with 5 sunny days made the trip extra special.

I wanted to find some fun outdoor activities close to the city that can be done while the weather is still moderate. The items we came up with were as follows.

1. Scarborough Bluffs

The Scarborough Bluffs are often missed by those that reside in Toronto proper. The banks of the escarpment tower over one of the city’s nicest beaches, Bluffers Park Beach. The beach, the hiking trails and the marina all provide a great outdoor adventure minutes away from the city.

Parking is located right by the entrance to the marina, the beach and the hiking trails. While driving down I found out about the economy mode on a lot of these new cars that tell you how much preassure to apply on the gas to make best use of fuel. I was burning way too much apparently.

2. Niagara-On-The-Lake

An hour outside Toronto, before you get to Niagara falls, lies the very pretty town of Niagara-On-The-Lake. The main street is lined with styalized housing with the town dating back to the 18th century. As well as there being an abundance of good wine in the region, some restaurants provide some great farm-to-Table options.

We headed over to Treadwell Restaurant and had a delicious meal with beer and wine pairings to match.

Here are a few of the items we had.

3. Elora Gorge

About an hour and a half outside of Toronto is Elora, Ontario. Within Elora (right downtown) lies the Elora Gorge and Zipline. The zipline is a short run but worth it to catch some footage of the experience. It goes straight across the river and is only about a 10 second ride. It is very easy to access and is located in downtown Elora so you can go exploring the many beautiful thing this town has to offer.

4. Kayaking the Humber River

It is easy to forget that Toronto is surrounded by nature. If you head over to Old Mill Subway station, you can walk or drive down to the Humber river where you can rent canoes and kayaks from Toronto Adventures.

There is a ton of wildlife along the river. We saw swans, blue herons, turtles and white herons to name a few.

You can travel quite a long way. We were told the full length trip is about 45 minutes and then 45+ (depending on current) minutes back.

5. Stand Up Paddleboarding on the Toronto Islands

I have to admit that I am becoming a fan of SUP. I went over to the Island recently to meet up with the folks at Toronto Island SUP. You can catch the ferry to Ward’s Island and then head straight off the ferry, past the cafe, and on to the beach. Here you can meet up with the Toronto Isalnd SUP staff who will get you embarked on one of their paddleboards.

Once you are on your way, you can turn around and see the city skyline over the islands. A great time to have your GoPro.

The whole trip was done in 5 days. Each day, I went to one of the destinations and managed to use only $55 worth of gas for all the trips combined.

Please visit some of these great Ontario attractions which are all run by some very friendly folks. If you want more info about the Honda HRV, visit their website.

http://honda.ca/hrv

The post Easy Day Trips from Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

1) Wood Bison Reproductive

Wood Bison are found only in Canada and parts of Alaska. At their prime, there were over 150,000 of them found in northeastern British Columbia, northern Alberta, northwestern Saskatchewan, Yukon, and southwestern Northwest Territories. That number reached its lowest point in the 1950s when it dropped to only 200 remaining and was listed as an endangered species. The main cause of the drop were diseases like anthrax, brucellosis, and tuberculosis. A ban on hunting them has been in effect since the late 1800s.

In 1957, recovery programs were initiated to help the breed make a comeback. In 1977, The Toronto Zoo joined in and has been captive breeding and reintroducing the animals back into the wild. 2014 marked the 4th year in a row that the zoo has had wood bison calves born through artificial insemination, as part of an ongoing research program with collaborators at the University of Saskatchewan and Parks Canada. “Reproductive technologies, such as artificial insemination, are important tools for improving the genetic management of small populations,” says Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco, Curator of Reproductive Programs and Research, Toronto Zoo. “These techniques will help us overcome the challenges of managing the endemic disease that is threatening wood bison herds in the wild. Preservation and distribution of disease-free genetic material, in the form of sperm or embryos, will enable us to maintain genetically diverse disease-free herds in captivity and the wild.”

From these movements, the population in 2006 was estimated at 4188 Wood Bison in seven free-ranging, disease-free herds, 6216 animals in four diseased, free-ranging herds, and 1029 animals in captive conservation (public and private) and research herds. It has been lifted from the endangered species list and downgraded to threatened.

2) Shrike Program

I didn’t know anything about Loggerhead Shrikes when I first started reading about this initiative. That is probably because by 1997 this songbird’s population dropped to only 18 pairs in Ontario. A native bird to Ontario, the bird fed off the massive grasslands that were abundant during early settlement of the province. As the habitat dropped, so did the population of the bird which neared extinction. These birds are pretty badass. They hunt like birds of prey with a sharp hooked beak, but lack the strong grasping legs possessed by true birds of prey. Alternatively, shrikes will impale their prey on thorns or barbed wire fences, which allows them to tear apart and eat their prey.

Loss of sustainable grasslands, roads, and pesticides are common threats to this species.

Today, in conjunction with Wildlife Preservation Canada, Environment Canada, and other partner facilities, The Toronto Zoo has teamed up to breed and release loggerhead shrikes back into the wild in Southern Ontario. To date, the programs involved have released 700 new shrikes into the wild. This year alone, 100 young were produced, 90 have already been released, with over 20 of these coming from the Toronto Zoo. That means the zoo produced more this year than the entire population consisted of in 1997. Pretty remarkable. Lets hope they have food to eat in the wild.

3) Black-foot ferret Captive Breeding and Reintroduction

Since 1992, the Toronto Zoo has been involved in the recovery process of Black-Footed Ferrets across Mexico, Canada and the United States producing hundreds of baby ferrets (kits) and then releasing them into the wild. In 2009, the Toronto Zoo took on the challenge of returning the species to Canada with 75 captive-bred ferrets being released into Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan, creating Canada’s first wild population of the species since it was extirpated several decades ago.

The ferrets biggest threats are disease and disease that affects their preferred prey, the prairie dog. The Toronto Zoo is also involved in ferret monitoring, conducting annual surveys and health assessments, and administering vaccines. Field researchers also monitor the status of the prairie dogs.

4) Vancouver Island Marmot Captive Breeding and Reintroduction

The Vancouver Island Marmot is one of only 5 animals endemic to Canada. It is a critically endangered species whose numbers dropped as low as 30 individuals left in the wild. Their biggest threats come from predation and habitat alteration.

In 1997, the Toronto Zoo began captive breeding of the species from 6 wild caught marmots. That breeding process turned into the production of 162 litters and 551 pups. The reintroduction of the marmots to Vancouver Island started in 2003 with 445 captive-born marmots being released to date. 27 mountains on the island are now home to this species with at least 37 pups being born in the wild this past year. The wild population is now between 215 and 277 individuals.

To learn more about the awesome conservation initiatives at the Toronto Zoo, visit their website.

The post 4 Important Conservation Initiatives at the Toronto Zoo appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Tell us about yourself and how the company started, who was involved, location, history.

About me? Hmmmm – well I was born and raised in Calgary and over the years have lived in many places (Vancouver, NYC, Japan) but now I’m based in Toronto. I stared out modelling and acting in my early 20’s but now in my 30’s have found myself on a very different path. I’ve just recently started a new company called Matheson Enterprises which will create and support business ventures that are environmentally and socially responsible. Basically, I really love being creative and I’d rather be my own boss, so inevitably I ended up becoming an entrepreneur. I didn’t really plan for it though…it just sorta happened that way.

I met Geoff McCabe back in the Spring of 2009 when I was pregnant with my husband’s and my first child. My husband, Scott, and I had been to Costa Rica many times (went to surf camp together, got engaged there, had our wedding there, etc) and we were interested in buying property. Geoff was our Real Estate Agent and took us to approximately a dozen properties one day that Spring. While we were driving around the rugged roads of the Nicoya Peninsula, going from property to property, he was telling us about a high-end, celebrity-type rehabilitation centre he was creating in Montezuma. In fact he was converting his land where he had lived with his family, and built their dream home on, just for this business venture.

After Scott and I came back to Canada we did end up purchasing some land that we saw that day, but I also continued to talk with Geoff and some of the other partners about the rehabilitation centre project. They were still looking for investors and after many meetings and some research, I ended up investing into it. FORTUNATELY for us, it actually didn’t work out the way we had hoped and the plug was pulled on that project approx 6 months before opening. So Geoff, myself and one of the original partners from the rehabilitation centre group, Joseph Mikrut, continued to brainstorm about what we wanted to create moving forward.

On Nov 25, 2009 my daughter Maya was born…and then on Dec 22, 2009 Anamaya was born.

What is the focus of Anamaya Resort?

We want Anamaya to provide a nourishing and welcoming environment for our guests to relax, explore and discover the beauty of Costa Rica. We aim to inspire a deeper connection with the natural world, people from around the world, and the world within. We are dedicated to non-toxic, eco-friendly, and sustainable business practises. We aspire to be known globally as a leader in health and yoga. Our goal through education, yoga and nutrition is to initiate a transformation that begins at the cellular level and ripples out globally, creating an abundance of peace, health and happiness.

Why was this spot in Costa Rica chosen?

Geoff McCabe had built his dream home on this spot – which has now been converted into Anamaya’s main house. It has absolutely the best view in the area. It’s truly stunning. People who have traveled all over the world are in awe of our view.

What kinds of natural attractions can one plan to see?

When you come to Anamaya you are sure to see monkeys (white face monkeys, as well as howler monkeys), iguanas, pizotes (Coati), squirrels, agouti, turtles, anteaters and possibly porcupine, armadillo, and wild cats (mountain lion, puma, jaguar, jaguarundi). You’ll also see a ton of different birds including humming birds, kingfishers, parrots, heron, woodpeckers, wood storks, and many more. There are also a lot of butterflies, caterpillars, frogs, walking sticks, and lizards.

Recently I saw you were featured on Huffington Post. Tell us about that.

The writer found us on her own while doing research for her article and was thrilled about Anamaya, what we’re about, and what we offer our guests. We were really excited to be one of their cover stories!

You also provide healthy organic meals for both meat eaters and vegans alike. Where do you get all your food from and who is your chef?

Our head chef is Johan Sancho, then we have 3 “A” cooks, and 2 “B” cooks. We get 65% of our produce from APODAR which is the Organic Producers Association, and 25% from small independent organic producers that are supported by the National Center for Food Supply and Distribution. Finally the last 10% is from the locals that are starting their own businesses growing sprouts, coconuts and coffee. All our produce is organic but only 85% is “certified” organic. Some of the smaller producers do not have their certification yet. Our fish is always the catch of the day and sold to us within 24 hours, and our chicken is free range from a local farmer. We don’t serve any dairy or red meat, but we do serve organic coconut milk, unprocessed honey, organic teas, and raw organic sugar cane.

We cater to vegans, dairy free, gluten free, & vegetarians. We have also had raw guests in the past…sometimes that’s a little more difficult to provide for but we do our best, plus our chef is always eager to invite guests to show him new recipes that will cater to certain dietary needs. One time we actually had a retreat group prepare the dinner themselves and they served it to the kitchen staff to enjoy. It’s one big happy family at Anamaya.

What other amenities, sports, activities can one expect to enjoy?

There are many activities to enjoy in Costa Rica. Some activities will inherently be a part of one of our yoga retreats or surfing retreats – but others can be additional excursions you can book at anytime. The options are limitless really – yoga, surfing, zumba, hiking, scuba diving, zip-lining, white water rafting, snorkelling, sailing, fishing, ATVing, horseback riding, and of course there’s always just hanging out at the beach!
We also have a stunning infinity pool that looks out over our 270 degree ocean coastline view.

We also have different spa services available for our guests to indulge in, and there’s an infrared sauna at Anamaya that our guests love to use at the end the day.

What is Kids Yoga?

We have a company called Kidding Around Yoga that is leading a Kids Yoga Teacher Training at Anamaya. This training will allow yoga teachers to broaden their horizons and teach yoga to an entirely new, and very captive audience – kids! Kids love doing yoga. Kids yoga is fun and active but instructors also teach the principals of relaxation and living life with awareness and care.

What is next for Anamaya?

Right now Anamaya is currently expanding. We just finished building 2 new cabinas and are in the process of finishing one more. We are also building a permaculture centre on 5000m2 of land that we purchased approx 15 min inland from the resort in order to start growing some of our own food. We’ve planted over 100 exotic fruit trees, are building a structure that will provide a safe growing environment for vegetables, and hope to also raise our own chickens one day.

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