Rocky Mountains // Jasper Nationalpark

Only after staying 2 nights in Vancouver, we decided to go to the Rocky Mountains right away and booked a Greyhound Bus from Vancouver to Jasper, Alberta, where our wildlife trip should start. Another friend from my hometown, who has been in Canada for 3 months already, spontanuously decided to join us. 

After a 12hr bus ride, the three of us were pretty tired, but still motivated to do our very first hike from Jasper to the Valley of Five Lakes.. 

This hike was quite challenging because we ended up taking detours due to lack of signs and I have to say that each of us had 36 pounds + on our back. But this view of one of the Five Lakes was pretty rewarding after half a day of hiking and backpacking.

One of the Five Lakes

When we arrived at a parking lot, we tried to hitchhike to the next sightseeing... And only half an hour later, we were sitting with a German girl in her van; I was really grateful since this was my first time hitchhiking and many tourists passed us.. she took us to the Athabasca Falls and to the next Campground at the Icefield Center.

Athabasca Falls

Athabasca Glacier at Columbia Icefield Center

Although that campground was already full (we got there around 6pm), a guard let us pitch our tent between 3 spots, which was really nice of her and I was just happy about the fact that we could take a rest then. The next day, we got up early to walk up to the Athabasca Glacier. It was pretty cold and rainy at first, but turned out pretty good later.

I think that the actual Glacier isn't as pretty because it's summer right now, but I just love the landscape and the variety Canada has to offer. And oh, the picture underneath, I think my shoes are actually matching the trail, don't they? :) But you know what? Those were NO good hiking shoes.. which I had to learn the next day. We were just going to hike up the Wilcox Pass until I sprained my ankle.. and spent the rest of the day in the car, cooling it and taking pain killers. Anyways, I was able to walk again and nothing could stop me to do another crazy hike. 

About the other pictures: I was just so amazed about the plants growing up here although it's super cold at the glacier and there was a bit of blue ice left, can you see it? :)

Vancouver // BC Canada

These are some pictures from our arrival and the very first days we spent in Vancouver. Who is we? For those of you who don't know: I am travelling with the brother of one of my friends, who also wanted to travel through Canada, so yeah, just have a look of our Stanley Park Bike Ride which I can highly recommend to anyone who is new to this city. 

Amazing view, huh? :)

The Wanderlust got me again

It's almost 2am in Germany and my flight is leaving in 10 hours, I should go to bed at some point, hmm.. Anyways! I know, I did not post anything this week, but I was really busy with organizing my last and final things for a long trip overseas. Yes, I'll cross the ocean and it'll be a new country :) And yes, although the week was packed, I am excited and happy about this! Additionally, if you're friends with me on FB, you might have seen that I also had my very first skating accident this past week. So, this slowed me down a bit more.. still leaving the continent though.

Two years ago, I arrived from the U.S. after a 13-month stay and now, it's time again! How come? Well, I guess, if you're traveler it's hard to call a place home. Now, that I've been back for such a long time, things settle, you have you're routines, school is school and work is work. It was really hard for me to be back in Germany, I struggled with a reversed culture shock and felt misunderstood (still feel so sometimes, you start to adjust..). I was longing for that spark again, that feeling of happiness and freedom. But my mind was somewhere else, I was constantly thinking of going back.. back to travelling, and actually back to the place where I am heading. This is not a love letter to longboarding, but I must state here, yes, right here so that you know, that this sport gave me back a similar feeling!

Nevertheless, you cannot compare travelling with a sport, you must do it and experience it. And I think, Nike is just right: Just do it! Before I am heading to one of my favorite places on earth, I booked a ticket to Vancouver, BC!!! Why? Nature. I really want to dig into Canada, the Rocky Mountains, the National Parks and also, what the city and people have in store. I've never been and I am planning to be there at least for 3 weeks. So, for the next 3 to 4 weeks, I am trying my best to keep you updated with my travels until things settle again.. Stay tuned and follow me on twitter, instagram and facebook for daily pictures,

but most importantly

take care and don't hurt yourself!

Love,

Minh Huyen

P.S.: Oh and afterwards? You should know, it isn't that hard to guess :)

 Second Hand Shirt, Sandals & Handbag

DIY Jeans Shorts, H&M Bra

Whites & Greens on Vacation :)

Here are just a few attempts from my boyfriend taking outfit pictures of me. I am not one of those lucky bloggers, who has a photographer as a boyfriend, but I think he did a fair job for his very first time, what do you think? :) That day, we did a lot of biking around Potsdam and Sanssouci Park and additionally the weather was really changeable, warm and sunny or cold and rainy, therefore I was trying to stay comfy and warm. 

I wore an old H&M blouse, olive greenish Uniqlo pants, my black Chelsea Boots and a Vintage Leather handbag from the flea :) I really love that handbag, but I only take it in the summer with me because in winter I shy away from too much color because I think this orange-brownish color is hard to mix in the winter, especially when I'm wearing lots of black and grey. But in the summer months, I like lots of white and also color mixes :) The golden bracelet is from Snash Jewelry NY.

Oh and the picture below is just me 

relaxing on the doorsteps of our holiday home :) 

All beige and white with a touch of brown & gold.

Short Vacation at Schloss Babelsberg

The reason why I didn't post anything in the last 3 weeks was because of exams and deadlines for my studies. As a student you might know how it is when your semester is heading towards the end and time is becoming even more precious. You try to work efficiently and let nothing distract you. Therefore, I spend most of my time in the library, studying, and if not in the library, exercising and doing yoga to calm down. 

 

So, I was looking forward to some rest & relaxation with my boyfriend not too far away from Berlin. It was his birthday and for someone you love what's better to give than time? Time and Attention. Since we already did a trip to the Baltic Sea last summer, I booked some nights in Potsdam, at Schloss Babelsberg. It was really hard to decide where to go, but this lovely blog made it so much easier for me: Liebling Brandenburg. You should check it out if you want to get away for some short breaks close to Berlin :)

 

We ended up at Zimmer mit Ausblick, a holiday house built in 1895, restored in 2001, where you can book different apartments and rooms with a wonderful view to the park of the Babelsberg Palace. I've decided on the Garden Apartment with one large living/bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom. I really liked the fact that the wall towards the garden is completely made out of glass, so we would watch the sunrise in the mornings and sunsets in the evenings. 

 

Although we planned to check out some local restaurants, we finished our evenings with some cooking and wine 'at home' instead. I really enjoyed this kind of stay because you're free to do anything you want at any time and it's more private compared to a big hotel where you have an entrance hall with people coming and leaving everytime. Of course, you're also free to do anything you want in a hotel room, but I think this kind of stay is more independent, you're not bound to breakfast/lunch/dinner times. The owners are living at the very top of the house and you can reach the lovely Pia via her mobile phone. She welcomed us very warmly and was surprised about us. We were her youngest guests so far, but hopefully not the only ones ;-)

We rented two bikes for our whole stay at hers and explored the nearby parks, lakes and castles. In only a 30 to 45minutes bike ride, you can reach the Sanssouci Park and Palace. So, there is plenty to discover and walk around :) A lot of greens & nature :) I did not take as much pictures of the sightseeing stuff because often, you won't look at them again, and other times it's just good to put your phone or camera away and let the moment just be. 

No capturing the reality, 

only living and experiencing :)

Have a happy, relaxed and new week guys,

I hope you'll always take your time for rest & peace ♥

 

Thanks again Pia, 

we had a wonderful time in Klein-Glienicke

 and wish you and your family all the best :) Take care!