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Sunday Special – Kiribati & Happy New Year
As it is the final Sunday of the year, I thought it fitting to feature the country that is first to ring in the new year. As 2025 draws to a close, many people worldwide plan celebrations to welcome the coming year. Since our planet has been sectioned into 24 time zones it means that…
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Sunday Special – Bled, Slovenia
Bled, Slovenia readily conjures idyllic and serene images, allowing for peaceful thoughts to take hold of one’s mind and spirit. The town of Bled, situated aside Lake Bled, is found within the Julian Alps, not far from the nation’s capital of Ljubljana (50 km/ 31 m northwest). It’s not surprising that this area is easily…
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Sunday Special – Mount Thor, Canada
I’d be lying if I said I previously knew of the incredible Mount Thor — right here in my home country of Canada. The truth is, I learned of it only a couple of weeks ago. Thor Peak, as it is also known, has the world’s highest vertical drop at 1,200 m / 4,100 ft,…
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Sunday Special – Sweden
I’ll be honest, when I think of Sweden, my mind usually goes straight to IKEA and ABBA. And that it is the neighbour of Finland, which is my ethnic heritage. As a Vancouverite I am always grateful for Swedish twin brother Daniel and Hendrik Sedin who played for the Vancouver Canucks NHL team! Of course…
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Sunday Special – Salvador, Brazil
Last year I briefly heard about the city of Salvador in Brazil’s North East region, in the state of Bahia. Recently, it popped up again in my Instagram feed. Because of that, I decided it was a good choice for today’s Sunday Special: to learn more of this cultural, musical, and foodie city that is…
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Sunday Special – Japan’s Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)
The beautiful cherry blossoms, or sakura as they are called in Japanese, produce lovely flowers and are wonderful to see in full bloom. These ornamental trees are common in the Northern Hemisphere, and in Japan, they have been cultivated for some time. Cherry blossoms are almost synonymous with Japan. In fact, Japan has gifted the…
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Sunday Special – Château de Chambord, France
In honour of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games that are underway in Paris, France I’ve selected the historic building of Château de Chambord for today’s post. Although it is not in Paris it is an oft visited site with its elaborate architecture and flare. I have seen it myself but only from the parking lot…
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Sunday Special – Zhangjiajie National Park, China (a.k.a, Pandora)
Nature has crafted an incredible and picturesque canvas in China’s Zhangjiajie National Park and the greater Wulingyuan Scenic Area, located in the Hunan province. The landscape is seemingly otherworldly, imbued with mystery and beauty. Wulingyuan was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, while Zhangiajie holds the honour of becoming China’s first national park…
