An archipelago of 113 islands, Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture in Japan. Historically the region was known as the Ryukyu Kingdom and had ties to China and later to Japan. This history has given Okinawa its own distinct culture and language and is the where karate has its roots. When the Ryukyu Kingdom was annexed... Continue Reading →
I Was Pickpocketed In Naples!
Yep, you read that right! I was pickpocketed in the Italian city that is known for this frequent act. I am officially another pickpocketed statistic. Now, before I go any further with my tale of unknowingly having my purse lightened of approximately $13 Canadian dollars I want to stress, that despite this unfortunate occurrence, I... Continue Reading →
Here for the Beer – A Weekend in Victoria for Craft Beer Lovers
What do craft beer and the Gold Rush of the mid-eighteenth century have in common? Both altered the history of BC's capital city of Victoria. In the mid-1800s, as would-be millionaires stocked up on supplies in Victoria en route north to seek their fortunes in gold, the population of the future capital surged rapidly. It... Continue Reading →
Sunday Special — French Polynesia
You would be hard pressed to find someone who does not like the idea of languidly enjoying a golden sunset on a white sand beach while sipping on fresh coconut juice as a balmy breeze rustles through the leaves of palm trees. Days of relaxing bliss and warm sun kissed skin on a beautiful island... Continue Reading →
2021 to 2022
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Another collective spin around the sun and another exceptionally eventful year has passed. 2021 has been tough, yet I am grateful, that for me personally, there were some fun and memorable moments. That is what I’d prefer to focus on because I think it helps. Certainly there were times where things were... Continue Reading →
How Old Is Old? A Look At Ancient Rome
Rome Is Ancient Coming from a relatively ”young” country, I have long been awed and amazed by old architecture. I was born in a country where descriptions of old refer to the geology of the nation — the Rocky Mountains or the Pre-Cambrian Shield / Canadian Shield. But architecture? Nah. Quebec City and area does... Continue Reading →
Sunday Special – Grenada
The Spice Island Grenada is a more recent addition to my Bucket List. During the lockdown here in BC last year, when I was not able to work and had too much time on my hands, I did what any travel-obsessed person would do - learn about all sorts of world destinations. Now of course... Continue Reading →
Throw A Coin
Before the Euro was around the coin I threw was likely an Italian Lira. Or was it a French Franc? A German Deutschmark? Austrian Schilling? During that first backpacking trip many many years ago I had a number of coins left over from the five countries my friend and I had visited before arriving in... Continue Reading →
Sunday Special – Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
In May 2015 I arrived at the bus station in Sofia, Bulgaria around 4:30am. A Japanese girl and I were staying at the same hostel so we decided to make our way there on foot with the night of city still surrounding us. Utilizing her data and Google Maps we trekked the 30+ minutes to... Continue Reading →
Sunday Special – San Francisco, USA
Welcome back to the Sunday Special. I hope you are all keeping safe during this pandemic. To be honest, I am ready to go off to an intriguing destination. How sweet it will be when that does happen! In the meantime, I will do my best to stay safe and do my part to keep... Continue Reading →
What Covid-19 Has Taught Me About Travel
This pandemic has been all sorts of things, we all know that. It has affected everyone in some way or another. For me, much of it has been a time of reflection and thought. And as it has progressed over time I have come to a few realizations. In regards to travel, there are two... Continue Reading →
Sunday Special – Ljubljana, Slovenia
It was back in spring of 2015, on my Big Trip, that I visited Slovenia's capital city of Ljubljana. I had not intended to visit until some hostel mates in Bratislava went on about how lovely it was. I must say that along with "Ljubljana"(loo-blee-ah-nuh) being fun to say, it was a darling of city... Continue Reading →