What was special about my birthday this year, was that my parents decided to drive all the way from Holland to Austria, to surprise me! A 10-hour drive, that's a heck of a long drive to just pop by and say "surpriiiiise".. But they did it.. Anyway, long story short, I came home from work on Friday the 27th (of April) and I found my parents in my closet.. And a surprise it was, I tell ya!! They were staying for the weekend and as if it was meant to be, it was the most beautiful weekend of the month; sunny days with 30degrees, pleasant breeze, time to go outdoors. And that's what we did. We decided to take the bus to the top of the Kahlenberg, a 480mt 'high' mountain and a popular tourist destination, and hike down from there. First stop, of course, the restaurant on top to enjoy an ice coffee - see picture.

While walking down we suddenly realized that at that exact spot -we had stopped- our already existing vacation plans took an exciting turn. Right at that spot, 358 days earlier, we decided to go to Canada with the four of us; Philipp and myself, together with my parents.

And now, 369 days after that decision, it is time for us to pack our bags. I'm half done with mine; all things are sorted at least. Hairdresser's today, nail salon tomorrow; by the afternoon I'll be all set to go!! My excitement is almost hitting the roof; I cannot believe we will actually fly very very soon!!

The taxi will pick us up on Saturday morning at 9.30 and bring us to the airport. After a 6hr layover in Heathrow, our first stop will be in Montreal. Till then!