Saturday, August 30, 2008

The Spa!!

My work treated the ladies to a FANTASTIC spa trip last weekend. I can't even describe how amazing the place was.

We left on Friday morning at 6 am (eek). The trip there took a while because we had to take a plane to Vancouver, one to Campbell River and a third, a float plane, to the actual spa. The float plane was really fun, and I got to be the co pilot!! It was a lot louder than I would have expected though.



Check out the rooms. I had this HUGE room all to myself, complete with two king size beds, fireplace between the bedroom and bathroom, view of the ocean, and an amazingly huge shower. It was great to live like this for three days!



We arrived Friday afternoon and went for an "Eco-Tour". It was on a Zodiac type boat and we wore head phones so the guide could explain everything we saw. It was great; he had the most excellent voice for tour guiding and you could tell that he looooves what he does. I was really hoping to see some whales, or at least whale tails, but alas, no such luck. We saw sea lions, some seals, and Dall's porpoises! They were so neat to see... they played in the wake that the boat made and kinda chased us around for a while. I was thrilled that we saw something this exciting!

Dinners were an amazing experience, unlike anything I've ever experienced before. They looked like this:



...only five different courses like this and all so gourmet. Most of it was soo delicious except for all the cold soup. I think it's a very gourmet technique to serve cold soup, but I can't say it was one of my favourites. :) Friday I accidently drank a little too much wine (I'm a cheap drunk!!!), which was kinda fun. I actually really liked the wine I was drinking. Also, apparently I talked to one of the girls that night more than I have in three years!

Saturday morning we went fishing for four hours. Our boat was a little crowded for the nine of us, but it was still tons of fun! And I caught a fish!!*



We weren't allowed to keep the fish (it was a Coho, which you can't keep this year), so that was a bummer to everyone, but I was secretly glad we didn't have to kill it!

After we had fished, we went to a "barbeque" on the beach. I use the quotations here because NEVER have I been to a bbq quite like this! On a deserted West Coast beach complete with tableclothes, wine, pasta salad, and your choice of salmon, chicken, or pork. It was so fancy.

Saturday afternoon two of the girls and I went fly fishing in a little trout pond the resort has. It was absolutely crawling with fish, and I caught a trout. I really don't think I'm much of a fisherman though... when I pulled the fish out of the water and saw the hook through his lip (which was :'( bleeding) I felt like a horrible person. Also, I know my uncle (an avid fly fisher) puts the fish back gently in the water and holds them for a minute so they can get their bearings before they swim away. I tried this technique, however, the fish was slippery and flew out of my hands and lay in the water, stunned, for a minute. Again, felt like a very cruel person. Nope, not a fisherman!

Saturday afternoon we had spa treatments. I started with a hydrotherapy bath (a tub with lights and jets), then had a 90 minute massage, and a facial. I really liked my massage; the woman doing it knew so much. So interesting. She kept telling me how loose my muscles were, and how I must not let stress bother me. Lol. The facial was pretty good... facials aren't my favourite, to tell you the truth. They always make me break out after. All of the pictures of me on Saturday night have me hiding behind someone. My face was so shiny!

However cruel I feel in my role as fisherman, I headed out again Sunday morning. Only four of us (five with the guide) went, so it was a lot less crowded. We had fun, though it was rainy and not many fish were biting. It also included the famous "I want him" exchange between T and I. Ha ha. After fishing I had my manicure/pedicure. Pedicure is my most favourite thing to have done at a spa BY FAR. I think I might start treating myself to one now and then (although I believe I said that to myself last year).

Monday we just spent relaxing and wandering around, finding interesting sea life!



Four of us went to peek in a VIP lodge they have (to the tune of 8000 dollars a night!!!) which was amazing. I can't imagine having enough money to stay there. Each room had its own hot tub and they bring in a gourmet chef and personal server just for you. Wow.

The trip was amazing... I had a great time and it was so gorgeous there. To an amazingly genorous boss!! :)

[Next up, Edmonton trip update!! I just had a lot of time tonight to update this loooong entry. :)]

*Professional fishermen seem to just watch the rods fish and then reel them in. So I guess the rod caught the fish, and then I brought him in. They are strong little things!!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

The Outcome

My strategy WORKED! I am HEADACHE FREE for the first Saturday in a while. :) :)

Not up to much today, just kinda enjoying the day off. Can't go anywhere too far becuase Matt woke up early to take apart my car and fix the a/c. He grabbed the part out that he thinks is broken, took it with him to get a new one, and went to a bachelor party today. He's just going to the day part of the party... I think it also involves camping later, but M isn't going to that because we are leaving bright and early tomorrow for Edmonton!!! Can't wait. Anyway, I hope the part he took out and is putting back in later is the broken part so we have a functioning a/c on the drive! I hate having the windows open on the highway- much too noisy!

Hopefully I'll have some pictures to post when we get back!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

I have an idea!

So, I've noticed that I almost ALWAYS have a headache on Saturday mornings. I was trying to brainstorm what could cause this. My first thought was that there is something in the chicken at Swiss Chalet (or the sauce, eek!) that was triggering me (because we usually eat there on Fridays). What an awful thought this was; Matt and I love SC and eat there often. Very often. Anyway, we skipped Swiss for a week and I still woke up on Saturday with a headache, so my next thought is this: maybe sleeping in later than I do the rest of week triggers me. Could it be? It's the best thought I have at the moment, and I will try out my strategy this weekend and keep you posted!

The most exciting thing that has happened to me lately is that my mom washed all* my underwear with these new BRIGHT green towels and all my underwear got dyed this minty green colour. I pretended to be kinda upset, but I actually thought it was hilarious.

Last weekend we spent with L and J doing birthday things! Friday night we saw Pineapple Express (which was quite funny but had too long of a 'fight' scene at the end) and went to the bar for Name that Tune on Saturday night. It was great. I find the game takes a little too long though; I kinda wish they didn't play the whole song after teams guess it because it takes forever! Still sooo much fun though!

Not too much more time 'til Edmonton! I can't WAIT!

*ok, by all I mean a pair or two, but all made for a more interesting story, dontcha think???