Here in Canada, we have provincial lotteries, and national lotteries. Our lottery winners get their money tax-free. If you win $1 million, you get $1 million. It’s a great thing about Canada, if you happen to be lucky enough to actually win the lottery!
But, is it worth the money for the off-chance you win? Our national lottery is $5 a ticket, and our provincial lottery is $3. There are 2 draws a week for each of them, and a lot of people buy multiple tickets for each draw every week. Some spend $100s on the off-chance to win the lottery.
A lot of people buy tickets even when they can’t afford it. I was one of those for a long time. I still buy an occasional ticket here or there but I have made myself stop buying them as frequently as I use to. I have so many things I want to do in my life and wasting even $10 a week on tickets could go to my savings.
If the jackpot is quite high, there are so many people who buy tickets that it’s harder to win. My odds for winning are better if I buy tickets for the lower jackpots. At least that’s how I think!
Where you live, do you have lotteries? And do you buy tickets regularly?
I’ve travelled across Canada twice now since 2011, and both times I found something new and exciting to see. The Trans-Canada Highway is a fantastic way to get across Canada and there are many stops you can take along the way.
My Top 5 recommendations for travelling in Canada:
Banff/Lake Louise
You can’t travel to Alberta and not stop to see the most beautiful place on earth – Lake Louise. It is a short drive from Calgary and well worth the time to go and see the magnificent lake and the view. From there, head to Banff. There are amazing restaurants to go to, fun little local shops to meander into, and of course the gondola ride up to the top of the mountain for even more amazing views. The Rockies do not disappoint for stunning pictures and beautiful landscapes.
Vermillion Bay, Northern Ontario
Vermillion Bay is approximately 30 minutes west of Dresden, on the Trans-Canada Highway. There aren’t any real tourist stops there, but it’s important to take a side trip off the highway to the lake. The sunrise on a summer morning by the lake is miraculous, stunning, breathtaking. Words and pictures cannot really describe the beauty of this area in Canada. Take a moment, put away your phone, sit down on the dock, and take it all in. Don’t rush to leave, just let yourself watch the sun come up and produce beautiful colours on the lake. You will not be disappointed.
Gaspe Peninsula
As a child, I spent most summers going to the city of Gaspe as both sets of grandparents lived there and we would visit them once a year. As a child, it was boring as there was not a lot to do, or so we thought.
As an adult, I went to visit my grandmother. What a difference it makes going as an adult. The beautiful nature, the city itself had grown from when I’d last been, and we headed to Perce for a day, which was a beautiful place to see after many years. It’s a place to get back to nature in. Hiking, skiing in the winter, snowmobiling, any outdoor activity can be done in this area. There are also historical sights to see in the area. Definitely a place to see on the east coast of this beautiful country.
Victoria, British Columbia
The island is my favourite place in all of BC. I’ve only been twice but both times were amazing.
The first time took me to Sidney. It’s a small town but with a number of lovely little stores, quaint cafes, delicious fish and chips, and lots of places to walk around and see the ocean. I spent a lovely day there and it just made me want to get back to see more.
The second time I took three days to go to Victoria at Christmas time. It was magnificent! The parliament buildings lit up at night were stunning. The people were friendly, the restaurants were plentiful, and the atmosphere was very relaxed. There are lots of hotels in the centre, as well as Airbnbs. There are boat tours you can take, city tours, and so many historical places to visit. It’s definitely worth the trip across on the ferry to visit Victoria.
Algonquin Park, Ontario
Algonquin Park is a must-see place to go in the autumn. It is alive with colours, wildlife is abundant, the air is crisp, and it is stunning.
It is a couple of hours north of Toronto, and you can find lovely hotels along the way to stay in. Quaint cafes await you. The colours are enough to make your trip up north worthwhile.
Today took me through 3 provinces, starting the day off with a spectacular sunrise. I am a sunset girl myself, mainly because getting up early is not something I really enjoy, but today was different. I knew it was going to be a long travel day so was up bright and early and headed down to the Bay before I took off. Well worth getting up early!
And tonight’s sunset was pretty nice too – maybe not as spectacular as the day started, but still pretty nice!
I was out delivering an Epicure order to a customer this morning, and as I was out walking, I came to the realization of just how lucky I am to live in a country like Canada. There are so many countries, including America, who are struggling with Covid-19 and political problems and while Canada is not perfect, we are truly a privileged country. Some may even say entitled. Despite my part of Canada being in a “state of emergency” and “lockdown” – I find these terms are used quite loosely and not many are following the regulations set out, we are not being bothered by by-law officers or the police to ensure that we are staying in, and I would say that we are very fortunate to have such freedoms.
My thought today is, as I say to everyone who leaves my till at the end of their purchase, is to BE SAFE. Follow the rules of your country, obey the laws and restrictions, and perhaps in a few months we will all be fortunate enough to meet up with family and friends and give them all a big hug.
Canada ~ my home country. It is an amazing country, with some of the most beautiful nature you will ever see, the friendliest people on earth and the best country to live in.
I have travelled across Canada, from Ontario to Alberta. I have crossed over to British Columbia briefly on a snowshoeing trip. I spent many summers as a child in Quebec visiting my grandparents. I have been to New Brunswick, and landed in Newfoundland. I have yet to see PEI (as an adult) or Nova Scotia, but they are on my list. My home country is big and beautiful and has something for everyone. Every single province I have seen has mesmerized me with its natural beauty.
There is so much to see in each of our amazing provinces and territories.
I love my country and miss it. I am so very proud to be a Canadian and I happily tell everyone that I meet that I am from Canada.
Happy 150th birthday Canada !!!
Its just under a month away but I am already thinking about Christmas.
The cold weather has put me in the spirit of Christmas ~ Europe was not that cold or snowy when I was there these past two Christmases. I am very excited that it will be cold here!
My students all know about Christmas, and so its already become part of my lessons. I like sharing stories about Canada, so I will tell them how I celebrated when I was their age.
Of course this year will be different and perhaps a bit tougher for me. With no oven, it means no baking. Or roasting a chicken. I am unsure what I will do, but there is no time off so I will not be wallowing away.
I still can’t believe that this will be my third Christmas away from Canada.
Louise's Loves - Travel, Cooking, Photography, Thoughts 