Kenora, Ontario

It's about d*mn time we travel!

After more than 2 years of travel restrictions, we can now freely travel the world again. But of course, travel safely and responsibly. Wear masks in crowded areas and be pandemic smart.

We went to Kenora Ontario on Victoria Day since it's a long weekend.

After weeks of nonstop torrential rain and flooding, we were thankful for the awesome weather (finally!) and the almost 2.5 hours of driving has been therapeutic for us and very good for our mental health.

Kenora, previously named Rat Portage, is a small city situated on the Lake of the Woods in Ontario, Canada, close to the Manitoba boundary, and about 210 km or 2.5 hours east of Winnipeg by land. Kenora is known for its waterfront beauty and Lake of the Woods.

The place is picture perfect --- lakeside, serene, and not crowded. We just noticed significant increased water level in the Lake area at that time because of  the recent rain but all in, it was beautiful.

We met Huskie the Muskie for the first time. He needs to be cleaned and polished but the view was mesmerizing. Lunch at Lake of the Woods Brewing Co or Lowbrewco, an iconic heritage restaurant that used to be 109-yr old firehall. If you can, buy some local beer from their store, it is really good.  

It was a much needed break for our family. And a perfect weekend getaway. 

Looking forward to more travel adventures this summer ☀️ 

Our Canadian Dream

Disclaimer: I am no expert in Canadian immigration. These are all based on my personal experience that worked for our family.

The application.
How do I start? It took us so many tears and fears and tons of discussions to even start anything. We both had nice, comfortable, familiar lives in the Philippines, our friends and families are there and to tell you honestly, there's nothing much we need as we were both living well. But when we look at our son and his future, we wanted him to have the options and the many opportunities in life and a government that works for the people. We want more transparency, less if not none of the graft and corruption, and more accountability, free healthcare especially when you’re too old to get an insurance, and more and we found it in Canada. Although there are still other countries worth checking out. It all depends on what you want in life and what you intend to do in the future.

There are many categories to choose from. Canada has express entry, provincial nominees, skilled workers, caregivers, study permit, work visa, start-up visa, temporary foreign worker, family sponsorship and many other pathways to Canada. I will put the link of resources at the end of this. It all depends on your credentials. Canadian immigration is on a point-based system just like NZ and Australia. The more points you have based on several factors, the higher the chances for your application to be approved.

Since my sister already lives in one of the provinces in Canada, we decided to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (Manitoba). The requirements for this one will depend on the province you intend to immigrate and it will  also depend if you have a strong family connection to support you. They also require sufficient funds to start and settle in Canada based on how many family members you have. They have a chart for that based on the prevailing rates.

I personally don't recommend agencies based on my experience. But I respect those who opted to get one. The reason I don't is because all the information, resources and requirements are online. You just have to have the patience to read, read, read and understand. There are tons of reading materials and a lot of online groups you can join to know how different people undergo different scenarios in applying. The requirements are all about you and your family -- education, work, certifications. And to tell you honestly, the bulk of the work will be about gathering the documents and making sure that these are all correct, authenticated and certified. The submission part is the easiest one.

Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, next step is wait for the invitation to apply which differs for different people and will also test your patience especially now with Covid. Invitation to apply took us a month of wait based on the draws at that time. From application/submission until we finally received our approval for PR status took us about less than a year. As I've mentioned, it is different for different people. No two applications and timelines are the same. And the waiting game is also one of the hardest. But it's all worth it.

We have been fulfilling our Canadian dream for almost 5 years since we decided to immigrate. And we're also officially Canadian citizens now. It's different and it's humbling but it's all good.

Goodluck and whatever path you choose, hope you achieve it.

Useful link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada.html

Making Memories: Elm Creek-Carman-Roseisle-St. Claude-Treherne-Holland-Glenboro, Manitoba 31 July 2021

Making Memories: Elm Creek-Carman-Roseisle-St. Claude-Treherne-Holland-Glenboro, Manitoba

31 July 2021 

Real roadtrips are made of these --- roadside attractions, and the 'world's largest' objects because why not! This one makes for an interesting journey, sometimes more interesting than the destination. Odd maybe but these quirkiest giants are conversation starters and make the best profile picture. 

This trip brought us to Elm Creek fire hydrant used to be the world's largest fire hydrant built by firefighters. At 29.5 ft, it's now the world's 2nd largest to Columbia, South Carolina. You won't miss it when you visit the place and this is just beside their fire station. 

Roseisle Rose is not the largest one, but this statue is 11 ft, has 3 flowers, 224 thorns and 112 leaves. Roseisle, Manitoba got its name in 1890s from a rose-covered isle rising out of the water after a rain. There's some interesting stories from the locals there and you can see it in the park beside the rose garden. There are also photo opportunities at the park for kids to enjoy.

Not to be outdone on this side of the road is the world's largest smoking pipe. St. Claude's first settlers here are from the namesake city of France where the main industry is smoking pipe. Hence, the tribute to the giant pipe. 

Treherne, Manitoba has glass bottle structures of  house, church, wishing well and functioning outhouse all made with recycled bottles! This was built by a couple and eventually donated to the town. No entrance fee but donations are encouraged for the upkeep and maintenance of the attraction.

I can't believe Holland is just an hour and a half away from Winnipeg with windmills, mini golf and a well preserved Gothic-revival style church that is also a historical church. Holland, Manitoba is named after their first postmaster Mr. Arthur Holland, not after the country. Although he is of European descent, too. There's a mini-golf beside the structure for a fee of course.

Glenboro's Spirit Sand or more famously known as Manitoba desert has Sara the Camel as a symbol of their community. Desert = Camel, right! If you enjoy hiking and trekking, this place would be good for you.

The road is ok, there are patches of rough roads but in general, the driving is long but smooth so enjoy the ride.

We had a sidetrip at Carman's famous Syl's Drive Inn and mini golf for lunch. Had a total of almost 400 km drive and a 9-hr trip against the endless fields of gold and the love of family. Roadtrip should really be made of this ❤ 

Making Memories 2021: Dunnottar, Gimli, Hecla-Grindstone, Manitoba

Dunnottar, Gimli and Hecla-Grindstone, Manitoba

Sunny days and weekends make better days for traveling. This weekend brought us to a lakeside village named after a Scottish castle (Dunnottar), a town named after a place in Nordic mythology (Gimli), and an island named after a volcano in Iceland (Hecla).

Dunnottar, Manitoba is a happy place for water babies with beaches of Ponemah, Matlock, and Whytewold. I have always been fascinated by piers and these iconic ones are abundant here, all stretching out to the endless sea with seaside hammocks and comfortable benches. They also have the popular Whytewold Emporium with their greenhouse, antique, wood-fired pizza, and also a place for dogs to eat up and rest too. Locals are pretty friendly too! Just be mindful of parking as most of the areas are private properties. It never hurts to ask permission.

Gimli, Manitoba is called the New Iceland because of the largest population of Icelandic descendants outside of Iceland living here. Gimli beach, harbour, pier, seawall gallery, art studio, wharf and local restaurants are summer favorites here. Summer also is the busiest season so parking would be almost full but they have plenty of space, you just need to find one or be early to get the perfect spot. There are still minimal covid restrictions but all in, you'll have a great time.

Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park. This is an  island connected to the mainland by a causeway. Hecla is named after a famous volcano in Iceland. Icelandic immigrants started the self-sufficient fishing community in the old days. Hecla is an island teeming with different wildlife. You can also visit the Hecla Village Trail which is a self guided tour to the historic houses and monuments of the old times. If the interpretative school is open, check out their old classroom and the taxidermist-preserved stuffed animals of all kinds.

A few minutes away is the Gull Harbour Marina which has a pretty nice viewing deck at the top of the lighthouse overlooking the marina bay. They have the Lighthouse Inn and a waterfront patio resto.

Lakeview Hecla Resort has the amazing Seagulls Restaurant which has yummy food that are locally sourced and support local fishing industry. We had bacon and cheese burger, double smoked farmer's sausage and chicken cordon bleu burger with poutine and tomato soup and it's all good.

Also, the trail to the famous lighthouse and lagoon start here and the beach is also a few minutes of walk from here.

Long walks (had more than 11,000 steps today), a little climbing, a few hikes, great food, and some really nice chats with the locals made this adventure another one for the books.

Sidetrip: On our way back home, dropped by at the Integrity Foods, which is an artisan bakery using natural leavened bread in a wood-fired oven. But wait there's more! They mill their grain on site, and they chop their own wood to fire their oven. Lucky us, it was pizza night when we visited them. Pizza Night is Fridays and Saturdays.The place has live music, good vibes, pretty gardens, cutest table setup, outdoor play area, wood-fired pizza, a mini zoo, and an alpaca -- the cutest alpaca in town! Cool huh! This is just off Highway 8 at Riverton, Manitoba. Look for the tall silo to the right.
GPS coordinates:
N 51° 04.975’
W 096° 58.987’

Making Memories 2021: Lockport, Manitoba

Lockport, Manitoba

Summer in Manitoba is in full swing. With the intense heat and dryness this year, plus learning to live with Covid, this is the perfect time to explore the world safely, whenever we can. And when I say the world, we start locally in Manitoba, our province, our place.

The good news though is our family now is fully vaxxed except my 10 year old kiddo that's why we also take the necessary precautions when traveling to make sure he is safe. We're learning now that we can't escape Covid and hard it may be, it will probably be here to stay for quite a while. Herd immunity would be a welcome relief but still not the solution we aim for.

But anyway, making the most out of this unprecedented time and learning more about our new home and the people who built it are our goals this year and probably the next years to come. Taking it one day at a time and making sure we are enjoying every moment of it.

July 17, our destination is Lockport, Manitoba. Around 30-45 minutes away from the city of Winnipeg (give or take), it's a community split within the municipalities of St. Andrews and St. Clements with a fur past as it has been a fur trade site in the old days. Descendants and retirees of the famous Hudson's Bay Company has settled here and established this peaceful community.

Rustic but charming, modern but teeming with history, it was the perfect weekend trip for anyone who is looking for adventure, history, fun and don't forget, food!

We visited Lower Fort Garry, a National Historic Site of Canada built by the Hudson's Bay Company. The first treaty (Treaty 1) in Western Canada was signed here. In later years, the fort has been a penitentiary, a mental hospital, an HBC residence, and a golf and motor country club. It was so much fun visiting the place as costumed interpreters recreate the life at Lower Fort Garry in the early 1850s. The staff are friendly and all are in character. There is the blacksmith, the workers, the traders and bakers in full costume. Park fees apply here, but kids 17 below are free of charge. Bring water, or snacks for kids (they have gazebo or picnic table), wear sunscreen as it gets warm, well hot, and wear an inquisitive hat as you unravel the history of the fort and its people. 

We also went to the St. Andrews Lock and Dam, a designated National Historic Site and is one of 2 of its type in the world and took 10 years to build. Built in 1910 , this is a movable dam, with floodgates and moveable curtains to flood out the St. Andrews Rapids and make the Red River navigable. It is also a very popular destination for families and for fisherfolks as you can fish here. Just make sure you have your license permit.

We also visited St. Andrews Church, the oldest stone chuch in Western Canada established in 1828, that is still in active use. Interesting information is that the elite of the fur trade era rest in St. Andrews Churchyard. It was close when we went there so we didn't have a chance to go inside the church.

Across the church is the St. Andrews Rectory, this residence was hand-built by the rector and his neighbours and the design was reminiscent of Red River architecture. The heritage grounds have gardens, agricultural artifacts, rotating and solar system display and parks canada monuments. They also have a gift shoo, fire pits, picnic tables, and yard games. Too bad we weren't able to enter the rectory as we haven't been able to request our Covid vaccination details.

And of course, this trip wouldn't be complete without eating at the World Famous Hot Dog and the oldest hotdog venue in Canada, Skinners and one of Manitoba's famous eating destination, Half Moon Drive Inn. 

We had hot dogs and poutine at Skinners. Outdoor dining is the only one open for the time being.  At Half Moon, we had their Banana Split and Chocolate Hot Fudge Sundae. There are table and gazebo at the back overlooking the bridge and the dam. It was the perfect spot. 

All in a day trip.

Winnipeg Beach

The long weekend gave us the opportunity to go the distance and spend it somewhere outside the city. So off we go to Winnipeg Beach. Just more than an hour from Winnipeg. Easy access, free to the public, not too far away from the city. 

There were a lot of tables and benches and parking space. Although they don't have barbeque pits, so you have to bring your own. Outdoor shower, restrooms and portalets are plenty. Ample parking space is available. But be early because people flock to the beach during summer. And there were a lot at that time. Some of the restos are open but with restrictions due to Covid 19. 

The beach is a little murky and there are signs that parasites may be present at this time of the year so swim at your own risk. Life guards are present and friendly and nice and alert. There were staff who put away trash regularly. 

As with any other parks, respect is important -- respect to other visitors, locals, staff, environment and animals. Make sure your trash is properly stowed and tables are wiped down.