I’ve been writing blogs for close to 20 years. I most certainly don’t do it for the money or the fame. Very few people have read it, so why bother? I started blogging for two reasons: I love technology and wanted to try it out and explore the opportunities I had just started a new adventure in my life, moving from Canada to Europe. I enjoyed doing it for about four years, but I slowly started to think about blogs for my business website. Ultimately, they drifted off as I moved to semi-retirement. When we went on our world tour…
Category: Stories
It’s not OK to pretend to be Canadian!
When I travelled in Europe in the 1970s, a few young Americans put Canadian symbols on their backpacks. I suppose it was flattering, but I didn’t like it. Not that I would get my knickers in a knot about it. But it wasn’t OK, and it’s not OK now. I appreciate that some travellers don’t live in the States anymore. You may even be ashamed and embarrassed by the current administration. However, that doesn’t make appropriating another person’s nationality, whether Canadian or otherwise, acceptable. We can spot you a mile away. We may not have called you out about it…
Why Visit the Twelve Apostles?
I have been to Melbourne several times; it is a wonderful city. It is probably my favourite of all the cities in Australia. I would strongly recommend a day trip to the Twelve Apostles, which is a must for anyone visiting Melbourne, as it combines stunning coastal scenery, fascinating history, and the chance to experience one of Australia’s most famous road trips. Getting to the Twelve Apostles The Twelve Apostles are approximately 275 kilometres (170 miles) southwest of Melbourne, making them a perfect destination for a day trip. The journey takes about 4.5 hours by car along the Great Ocean…
Weather and My Bitch’n Block Post
This post is my bitch’n block post. Well, I can honestly say that I have appreciated and learned from every trip. As I wrote elsewhere, it’s almost impossible to pick my top 10 because everything has been quite impressive. It’s easier to the least enjoyed places, but that’s for another blog post. There have been a few places that have not or, let’s say, could’ve been better. It didn’t take me long to realize that the weather, particularly cold, significantly impacted my experience. I get that some people love the cozy vibes of winter travel, but it’s all discomfort and…
Discovering the Benefits of Solitude While Travelling
There’s a difference between loneliness and solitude. Solitude is a choice that provides freedom and space from the demands and interruptions created by others. Spending time alone is good for you. It doesn’t imply that you’re antisocial, depressed, or mentally ill. There are numerous benefits to spending time alone regularly. Social media has made it more challenging to spend time alone. Even when we’re alone, we need to check in with the rest of the world. Travelling is often romanticized as a social activity filled with shared memories, laughter, and the company of family, friends, or fellow travellers. However, there…
Around Middlebury – Not Your Typical Activities
Today, we visited three off-the-beaten-path locations. The first was an interesting sculpture park that I am sure is unknown by many. It reminded me a little of the Parque De Las Esculturas in Santiago and even a little of a park we visited in La Petite-Gaspése. I was 18 years old when I realized that the type of art that spoke to me was three-dimensional, specifically sculpture. I don’t recall the details, but I was at some fancy place for dinner in Stockholm with my parents, and in the garden, there were these sculptures that I found extremely appealing. I…
Remembering Vermont and Middlebury
We are off to Middlebury, Vermont, for a pet-sitting opportunity later this week. I have fond memories of Vermont. Growing up in Montreal, we would often take short trips down to bordering states. One of my fondest memories is when my mother and her friends would go to Burlington for a shopping weekend. The objective was to get Christmas gifts for the kids. Of course, I was excited to contemplate what my Mum might bring home. I remember getting a gumball machine. It was so cool, and nobody else had one. The Canadian dollar was pegged to the US dollar,…
Exploring Your Own Backyard: Becoming a Tourist at Home
Travel often sparks visions of exotic beaches, bustling cityscapes, or winding mountain trails, but there’s a hidden charm in rediscovering the place you call home. Becoming a tourist in your backyard offers a fresh perspective on your familiar surroundings, turning everyday sights into a unique adventure. Here’s how to dive into this local exploration and enjoy all the benefits of travel without needing a suitcase. All photos were taken recently in Montreal. Why Explore Locally? Staying close to home doesn’t mean sacrificing adventure. Local exploration offers several perks that travel abroad might miss: Reduced Costs: You skip airfare, accommodation fees,…
Incorporating Third Spaces in Travel
Halloween Nightmare: Put a warning on this!
This post contains information that may be too much for sensitive readers. It was Halloween 2022, and we were in Honolulu, so I thought I’d celebrate our day in Waikiki with this particular ice cream. Day 34; Happy Halloween In Honolulu I’m comfortable discussing bodily functions, but Louise is appalled by that. So, I will try to be as discreet as I can. So, there I am, on the plane to New Zealand, minding my own business, when I glance down and—BAM!—my poop is black. Not dark brown, not “maybe that’s just the lighting” dark, but full-on, no-holds-barred…