Engaged Abroad

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Americas Travel: A Photo Journal from Van Dusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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Reading Time: 4 minutesIn this post we share photos from VanDusen Botanical Gardens, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

VanDusen Botanical Garden is a stunning oasis nestled in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia. Sprawling across 55 acres, this world-class garden invites visitors to immerse themselves in nature.

With 7,500 unique plant and flower species and varieties, visitors flock to VanDusen Gardens to admire the diverse range of plants and flowers on display. From vibrant rhododendrons and exotic ferns to delicate cherry blossoms and aromatic roses, the garden is a feast for the senses throughout the year. Different themed gardens such as the Asian Garden, Mediterranean Garden, and Sino-Himalayan Garden showcase plants from specific regions, providing a unique and immersive experience.

If you find yourself in Vancouver, don’t miss the opportunity to visit VanDusen Gardens and indulge in the natural beauty that awaits you.

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California Garden & Potager: Raised Cedar Garden Beds

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Reading Time: 3 minutesIn this post we share our photos from our assembly of the Boldly Growing Cedar Raised Gardens Beds (4×2).

This raised bed will allow you to create a dream kitchen garden just outside your home that not only looks beautiful but is also rot-resistant due to the cedar wood. It only took us 15 minutes to assemble after reading the six-step instruction card and watching a supplementary YouTube video.

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California Garden & Potager: Trees: A Rooted History

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Reading Time: 2 minutesPiotr Socha and Wojciech Grajkowski, with their respective backgrounds in fine arts and biology, bring their love of trees alive in their book “Trees: A Rooted History”. Through beautiful illustrations and in-depth descriptions of how trees have literally and figuratively shaped the world around us, Trees is a treat of a read for children and adults alike.

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Books & Media: Notes from Project 333

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Reading Time: 2 minutesIn this post we share our notes about Courtney Carver’s “Project 333”, a fashion challenge designed to force us to reexamine our relationship with stuff.

In the process, travelers readying themselves to live out of a backpack/carry-on for long-term travel can experiment with living with less.

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Europe Travel: Andalucía Spain (South Spain) in 8-9 Days — An Itinerary for a First Time Visitor

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Reading Time: 2 minutesThis is a recommended itinerary for a first time visit to the Andalucia region of Spain. For visitors who are looking to move beyond major cities like Madrid and Barcelona and find the essence of Spain, Andalucia may be the answer.

Situated on the southern band of the country, this region is rich with history between the Moors and Catholics, is known as the world’s olive oil capitol, is home to flamenco, and offers gorgeous naturescapes.

This is trip filled with UNESCO Heritage Sites including the Alcázar Palace in Seville, the Historic Centre of Cordoba and the Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín in Granada.

This itinerary assumes that travel will start and end in Seville (due to its airport with commuter flights available throughout Spain, Portugal and broader Europe) and makes use of a private rental car. There is an option to continue travels throughout Spain from Granada instead of returning back to Seville.

Packing: Preparing for a Semester Abroad – What Should I Bring?

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Reading Time: 5 minutesIn this post we discuss what items you may consider packing when preparing for a (university) semester abroad program.

We recommend bringing the essentials and other items that may drastically alter the experience without them (i.e. medicine, electronics etc.). By starting with a less-is-more approach, you’ll have a chance to spend some time in-country and assess what additional items you may need to purchase based upon your schedule, activities, weather etc.

Note that most of these recommendations assume you are based in a place with moderate-to-high accessibility to goods. For those studying in the bush, rural areas, or an atypical setup, this post may need to be adjusted to suit your specific circumstance.

California Garden & Potager: 2023 Late Spring

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Reading Time: 2 minutesAs spring comes to an end and summer begins, we share some of our favorite images from around the property.

California Garden & Potager: Building a Floating Deck

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Reading Time: 3 minutesIn this post we share a step-by-step guide to building a simple floating deck. We plan to place a child’s playhouse on top of it, as the deck will anchor the space and make the play area feel more complete.

We used The Handmade Home’s “The Handmade Hideaway” & Rose to Life’s “Easy Floating Deck” as inspiration and adapted the plans to bring this deck to fruition. This guide does not require complicated plans, tools or the help of a handyman.

Included are step-by-step directions, notes, photos and a price breakdown of what this project will cost.

California Garden & Potager: Quotes about Gardening

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Reading Time: 4 minutesIn this post we share some favorite quotes about gardening. Quotes Frances Hodgson Burnett: “However many years she lived, Mary always felt that ‘she should never…

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Asia Travel: A Photo Journal of Park Hyatt Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

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Reading Time: 5 minutesIn this post we share photos from Park Hyatt Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan.

This Tony Chi interior designed hotel is remarkable for its location, design, and overall feel; we could swoon over it all day. Park Hyatt Kyoto is a luxury hillside guesthouse located in the Higashiyama Hills (historic Kyoto). Guests have views of the Yasaka Pagoda and are just steps from Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, place of reverence and spectacular photos.

With only 70 rooms, the sloped tamo wood ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows embody East-meets-West design, where artisanal craftsmanship using local materials accompany contemporary lines.

The Park Hyatt Kyoto is a nod to Kyoto’s artistic and cultural traditions, and a vision for hospitality and design.

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Packing: A Travel Uniform – An Easier Approach to Packing?

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Reading Time: 3 minutesThis post explores the idea of a travel uniform, or clothing that we already turn on a daily basis at home that transitions nicely into our travel plans.

Instead of purchasing new outfits for a trip, select the pieces you already know, love and wear eases decision-making when on the road.

Read more to learn about the numerous benefits and examples of how a travel uniform might come together for a 10-day summer trip.

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UNESCO Travel: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore

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Reading Time: 4 minutesIn this post we share photos from Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Asia Travel: A Photo Journal from Shinjuku Gyoen National Park Tokyo, Japan

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Reading Time: 4 minutesIn this post we share photos from Shinjuku Gyoen National Park Tokyo, Japan.

Developed in the Edo Period (1603-1868) as a feudal lord’s Tokyo residence, it was transformed into a botanical garden, then a public space used by the Imperial Family (Japan-guide.com, 2023). World War II brought near total devastation to the area, and after extensive repairs, the park opened to the public in 1949.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Park offers three different gardens within a single 144-acre park, including a Japanese landscape garden, English Garden and formal French garden.

This park is particularly beautiful during hanami as 1,000+ somei yoshino trees blossom and create a moment-in-time gloriously beautiful atmosphere.

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Asia Travel: A Photo Journal from Shinjuku Chuo Park, Tokyo, Japan

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Reading Time: 2 minutesIn this post we share photos from Shinjuku’s Chuo Park, Tokyo, Japan.

If you need a break from shopping in Shinjuku, or have just feasted at the Park Hyatt’s New York Grill and need a walk, stop through Chuo Park. This lovely space offers two children’s play areas, wild flowers, open concrete expanses for gathering and green space for sport.

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Asia Travel: A Photo Journal from Ueno Park & Ameyoko Shopping District, Ueno, Tokyo, Japan

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Reading Time: 4 minutesIn this post we share photos from Ueno Park & Ameyoko Shopping District, Ueno, Tokyo, Japan.