It’s been awhile since I traveled, I guess a lot of people are in the same situation as me. I was kind off really really late going back to traveling again. I had been stuck in one place since pandemic and few years before that, time to get back out there and explore again.

I decided to visit my friend in Calgary, Alberta. Alberta is one of the most beautiful province in Canada. If nature is your thing, this is a place to explore especially during Summer months. If lots of snow is what you want to experience, no better place to experience it than in Alberta. The Rocky Mountains are gorgeous both Summer and Winter; always worth the visit. Add it in your bucket list if you happen to visit Canada.

I stayed with my friend the entire duration of my trip. She’s very generous to allow me to stay at here place for more than the usual length of days I stayed with her before. I am blessed and thankful for that, not everyone will have someone who will open their home to people. She opened her home to me, and not only that, everything that’s inside the pantry and fridge, lol. I got a place to call home for few days and experience the day to day life in Calgary. All complete with everything I could ever asked for, that’s how lucky I am.

So if you are reading this post, thank you very, very much from the bottom of my heart. It was the most impromptu and spontaneous thing I’ve done for a long time. I wasn’t there as a tourist anymore, but I was just there to actually experience the day to day life in Calgary.

Let me show you what I had been up to. My morning and evening walks, places I’ve discovered on my own, and most importantly the delicious food I’ve discovered along the way. Let’s go!

Morning run, evening walks,sunrise, sunset

My morning runs are something that I religiously try to do everyday, at least after the 2nd day that I arrived. Waking up early is something that is not new to me, maybe what’s new is doing it while I was away from home. I was glad though that I was able to still do it, doesn’t feel that I am away that much. It was a good change of scenery, it was nice, I enjoyed every run 🙂 These were taken at Mahogany, Calgary. The new in thing there now are the artificial Lake front development, like this one. The area was huge with large play ground, swimming area, walking path like this one with nearby shops, cafe and daily essentials and services stores. I have to say, it was quite impressive and beautiful.

Breakfast @Diner Deluxe

I took an early flight to make the mark of the day. Breakfast at Diner Deluxe was my first meal after arriving to Calgary. They serve traditional North American breakfast, the likes of egg benny, omelette, classic egg and sausage breakfast, and pancakes.

I ordered classic breakfast with egg and chicken sausage served with toast, poached egg and potato. The serving was just right and I was able to finish it. My friend ordered an omelette which was a really huge portion for one.

Meet adorable Kookie the Cat

After breakfast we went home and got got the chance to finally meet the adorable Kookie the cat. I am more of a dog person, but I fell in love with Kookie. She’s fluffy, cute and very playful. I cannot helped taking photos of her, she’s just so cute 🥰

Starting My Day @Analog Coffee

One of my favorite routine was waking up early in the morning and going for a run. I am glad that I was still able to do this the entire duration that I was away. I enjoyed waking up early and running in a refreshing cool weather.

I was able to explore and go further everyday., seeing new places and finding delicious breakfast spot. Analog coffee was my breakfast place for few days after running. I love spending time here, the place was so quiet in the morning. I’ve tried quite a few pastries and I love all of them. I wish I had more time to spend there, maybe next time. I will create a separate post about this place, stay tuned for that.

Pure Butter goodness @Pie Junkie

I’m not much of a pie lover, so when I found a pie place that makes really good delicious pie and Rick of the boxes in my idea of a perfect pie, that’s a place to share. I cannot keep this to myself alone. This was one place that I really hoped I had more time to go back. I wanted to try more items but I run out of time.

Knowing my self, I immediately knew that I had to try both sweet and savory items in their menu. I had to select the top items which ended up to be Steak and Mushroom Pie and for the sweet pie, I ordered Banana Toffee Pie. They’re both amazing!! I will not spoil all the details here as I have separate post coming just for this place. Stay tuned for that.

Let’s try Japanese food @Kinjo

What’s your routine on Sunday’s? When I am not traveling, I usually wake up early, around 7:00am. That’s how early I start my day doing my Sunday morning routine, followed by a time at a cafe for breakfast or brunch. I like exploring new food places on Sunday since I start my day early anyway.

When I was in Calgary, it was not much of a difference. We had lunch at Kinjo, a Japanese restaurant. They have an impressive list of choices, there’s something for everyone’s taste bud. I am more of a roll or tempura person when it comes to Japanese food. I opted to order Lobster Roll.

The Moon Tea House: Sips for the inner glow

When I think I was done exploring new places, my friend recommended a bubble tea place close to my friends house. We met her there and had a quick chat. I ordered Taro Bubble Tea, substituted with oat milk and I chose Lychee popping pearls as mix in and added coco cream foam on top. It was divine 🙂 I quite like the creaminess of the bubble tea, and I really enjoyed the popping pearls. It was a great change from my usual bubble tea.

Home Cook Meals, still the best

While I enjoyed exploring new places to eat, I also had so much fun cooking meals at home. This is something that I’ve never done when I am away from home. I was blessed with my friends generosity. She did not only opened her home to me, but also everything in it. I’m talking about full access to her walk-in pantry and double door refrigerator. I was free to cook and use anything that I can get my hands to. It was great, I enjoyed cooking for them 🙂

Let’s Make Earl Grey Bubble Tea Ice Cream Float

We also made bubble tea at home. We made Early Grey Bubble Tea Ice Cream Float. Just looking at this photo makes we want one right now.

A peak @Winnewanka Lake, Banff Alberta

Aside for food exploration, we also took time to explore new place. I will create a separate post and video for Winnewanka Lake but I thought of giving you a glimpse here. The lake looks like a postcard photo. Stunning, peaceful.. beautiful

Goodbye for Now

Well, it’s time to say goodbye with a nice pizza and chicken wings at The Mash Craft Beer and Craft Pizza. This was our last meal together before I left to the airport.

I had fun in this vacation. It was nice experiencing day to day like in Calgary. This would not had been possible without the generosity of my friend. I will miss the beautiful scenery in my morning run, I will miss cafe, the pie shop, I will miss her pantry and fridge (lol), I will miss Kookie, I will miss cooking for them, I will miss my friend, my God Daughter, but most especially, I will miss our time together.

I had fun .. but I am also happy to be back home 🏡.

Until my next adventure. Bye now!

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