How to Have a Lovely Day

July 18, 20162 Comments

Oh man, I’ve been a bit of a mess this week. It’s been a couple of emotional days; struggling at work, missing home, falling out of love with the bike park. BUT things are happening, and it’s changing around for me (I promise to give more details very soon).

In light of the last couple of days, I woke up today ready to change my mindset. I’ve started the day the best way I know how: went for a run, did some yoga, had a big coffee and, of course, peanut butter.

I also wanted to shed some light on some of the amazing things about this town that we have been loving over the last two months. There’s always a silver lining, and whistler has plenty!

Peak 2 Peak

One lazy Sunday morning, we took ourselves up on the Peak 2 Peak and it was phenomenal!

I’m not even sure what path we went on, but we were attempting to find the snow walls. After half an hour or more of walking up hill in high altitude (safe to say our lungs were in struggle town!), we made it to the summit. Next time, we’ll go the right way and have a proper look and play around.

Harley, you can pay me for advertising any time 😉

This was a good day.

2. Splitz Grill, beeeeeessssttttt burgers!

3. Callaghan Valley

This was part of the Jeep tour I got to do last week, I felt like a very lucky gal to be taken out here and shown some more views of this incredible slice’o’heaven – at sunset no less!

4. Cheap drinks 🙂

While the food can be stupidly expensive, it is teaching us how to shop economically and not to waste anything. We had a very lucky life in Perth, but I do think we were a little greedy and spoilt.

Having said that – alcohol is much cheaper. With all of the happy hours in town, drink specials and cheap liquor stores, we are never short of a good drop 😉

5. The cuddly bears

Jokes, do not cuddle a bear. They will kill you. But they are super cute, and I’m still not sick of seeing them around the mountain!

6. Beavertails

I really wanted to dislike these. I was hoping they would be far too sweet and gross. I was right, but if you go halves with a mate it’s a fun little treat! Once every six months will do though…

There’s plenty more to love about Whistler, like when the sun finally comes out and you grab a six pack and picnic, ride down to a lake (there are many options), bask in the sunshine and stare at the mountains. Or when you and a mate from home go on a hike through the most luscious green forests, talking non-stop for two hours straight. Or when you come home from a long day at work and your loft is toasty warm, you’ve discovered another season of Archer on Netflix and you settle in with a glass of wine or cup of tea.

I also love that I get to share it all with this amazing dude, one of the most patient and positive people I know. He’s constantly trying to see the best in any situation and motivates me to do the same. Love ya kiddo!

Hanbel.
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Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah

July 2, 20161 Comment

Okay, best thing about my job: Fam Tours.
A fam tour, or familiarisation tour, is a chance for all local businesses to get front desk staff of whistler to experience their tours. FOR FREE.

Essentially, as we are the face of the company, and the staff who spend the most time interacting with guests, it’s important for us to understand the activities that we are recommending to them. If we have a great experience, then we are much more likely to encourage every guest who checks in to go to that particular business.

Works for me, I get to see and do whistler for very, very cheap 😉

Last Thursday kick-started my week of awesome, in the most intense way: the Sasquatch Ziptrek. Spanning from midstation on Blackcomb mountain to midstation on Whistler mountain, this zipline spans over 2km and can reach speeds of over 100km/hr. It was pretty sweeeeeeeeeeet!

I really should have saved that one until last, because going to do the TAG Superfly a few days later was a mistake. Although the company seemed more organised, and we got a chance to do four ziplines out at Cougar mountain, everything seemed so slow!

It did give me a chance to take more photos though, and the lack of rain helped me out a bunch.

We were taken up to Cougar Mountain via ZRZ, because Whistler doesn’t do anything half-arsed.

One bonus was getting to hold hands with the lady ziplining next to me on our last run. She was so cute, and it made her day to do that.

It doesn’t end with the ziplining though… Just yesterday, Crina and I also got to take part in one of the coolest activities in Whistler – bobsledding!

So many helmets, so little time!

The tour started with a walk down one section of the course, which was such a privilege. As the fastest course in the world (a fact which will never change by the way), it was insane to even see it, let alone get up, close and personal.

We were given our team, our gear, safety instructions and away we went! (With a driver on the back of course..)

This experience was absolutely breathtaking. Like, literally. Getting up to a top speed of 88km/hr, feeling almost 3 g-force and finishing the course in 51 seconds was enough to take your breath away.

I can’t wait to give this a go in the winter, but for now… summer is making me super happy!

Hanbel.
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I Choo Choo Choose You

June 20, 20161 Comment

Hellooooo friends and family! Still alive over here, kicking life goals and generally enjoying every moment. #sorrynotsorry

I’ve been working for a couple of weeks now, and absolutely loving it. There’s tonnes to learn and so many different processes that I’m not used to (not to mention that Whistler is still unfamiliar to me), but it feels so good to get the brain working again. It’s a great team to work with, our boss is one of the kindest and funniest people I’ve met and I’ve also had the pleasure of training with two other girls around my age.

On on of our days off, one of my co-worker gals, Crina, and I decided to make use of the beautiful weather and head off on a little hike.

We made our way down to Function Junction in search of the train wreck. Following the trails through intense greenery and beautiful trees, we found our way to the train line.

Where we played around, because why not?

Nailed it.

The trail was super easy, and only around 5km long – a nice introduction for us both.

Time for a little back story about the wreck… In 1956 a train came off it’s tracks trying to make up time and speeding along an area in repair. The nearby families and community decided to leave the boxcars there and subsequently set it up as an authorised graffiti zone.

Every boxcar is covered inside and out with artwork, with many incredible faces staring back at you.

You’re also in the middle of a forrest, clamouring over roots and around trees to take it all in. It was pretty spectacular and such a unique set up.

Forgoing the train tracks, we took the trail back to discover Cheakamus River and it’s gorgeous waterfall. Seriously, this place does not get any better!

This is life for me these days; working with some cool cats, finally making money instead of spending it all, and getting out biking or hiking in my spare time.

Andrew updates:
He has started coaching in the park, and can’t wipe the smile off his face. He has started to discover the fun side to tipping, and even got tipped in beer yesterday. I’m super proud of the effort he’s been putting in over the last couple of weeks.

Whistler is the kind of town that doesn’t open until 10am, doesn’t get going until the afternoon and parties late into the night. It’s also the kind of place where nothing happens unless you make it happen. Andrew has been down at the base of the mountain most mornings, organising lessons for other coaches, shadowing their classes and now getting his own gigs. He’s consistent and reliable and I think the senior staff are starting to notice and reward him for it.

Happy happy days over here! Much love,
Hanbel.
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One Second in Whistler

June 17, 2016June 17, 20161 Comment

I have loved this app, re-watching the little clips always puts a smile on my dial. I just mashed our first four weeks of Whistler life and it’s a nice reminder how nervous I was in the beginning and how life is steadily improving here, day by day.

However, I seemed to have forgotten my camera and miss having actual photos to look over. I started work last week also, which makes it a little more difficult to pick up my phone all the time. So, please enjoy my last One Second Everyday video … for now.

Ahhh Whistler, I’m so glad we picked you.

Hanbel.
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Lights Will Guide You Home

June 9, 20165 Comments

You guys, doesn’t it feel a million years ago that I wrote this post?

Almost two years later, I’m having déjà vu like crazy. Moving into a home has been the biggest excitement and relief. Being able to actually unpack my backpack after 6 weeks on the road was such a privilege. I blasted some Beyonce, made myself a cuppa and felt right at home almost instantaneously.

Andrew finished up his course yesterday and MOVED IN. I was starting to go a little stir crazy and had definitely had enough of my own company, so yesterday was a really good day.

A couple of you have been asking for snaps of the new crib, and I always deliver. So, without further adieu;

The spot is studio style, all in one big room. I’m assuming it used to be the basement or lower floor of this HUGE house, which the owners have converted into a small home with the addition of a kitchen and bathroom. Above is the bedroom/lounge room with a TV unit and plenty of floor space calling for more furniture.

The sheets and duvet cover provided had seen better days, but luckily Blake and Tash dragged me along to Walmart in Squamish for some necessities!

This be the rest of our place. I love that the kitchen and dining area are a little separate from the bedroom. It’s a decent size and works for us! Our communication skills could do with some work though, we’ve somehow ended up with two packets of paprika and three of cumin. Baby steps…

Scoping the Pique newspaper has turned into my favourite hobby. Reading the upcoming events has turned me onto free yoga at Lululemon, ladies nights in the park and a plant sale in the village. I picked up these babies for cheap and find that they’re helping us make this place a little happier.

The owners of this place actually live in the same house as us (we have a separate entry and hardly ever see them), and are the nicest little family. They’re looking after us really well so far, by installing a new lock on the shed (so all our bikes have a home) and letting us use this table on our front patio.

This is essentially the view from our driveway, and I’m not mad about it all. From certain angles you can see Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb, this place is insane.

I’m even getting used to filter coffee, mainly because I haven’t been paid yet and life is expensive in Whistler. Kicking back with a cup, reading blogs with Spotify on the go is making me one happy gal.

Life in Whistler ain’t so bad, especially when this is the view riding home from an awesome ladies’ night. I’ve started work too, and I promise to give you details soon. For now though, just know that I already love it and am getting goooooood feelings about this place. Hope you’re all well!

Hanbel.
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The World of Hanbel

Working on Living that Dream

Tag: whistler

How to Have a Lovely Day

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah

I Choo Choo Choose You

One Second in Whistler

Lights Will Guide You Home