by Joanne Lane I first heard about the slow boat travels on the Mekong River from an Australian Queen over several cocktails. He was looking for his "spot" in Indochina and I was determined never to use road transport again on the shotgun highways … [Read More...] about Slow Boats on The Mekong
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Mari -Where History Began Before History
by Habeeb Salloum Below our Furat Cham Palace Hotel in Deir ez-Zor, Syria's northern farming and oil capital, the Euphrates flowed in all its majesty. As I glanced on the waters of this mighty river which had witnessed the birth of civilization, I … [Read More...] about Mari -Where History Began Before History
5,000 Eagles Gather In Southern BC
by Julie H. Ferguson Every November, between two and six thousand eagles congregate to gorge on spawned-out salmon within an easy day trip from Vancouver. I have yearned to experience this, the biggest convocation in North America, but was … [Read More...] about 5,000 Eagles Gather In Southern BC
Swap, Sip and See on Vancouver Island
by Barb Rees On Canada’s 145th birthday, we started celebrating with Vancouver Island’s biggest swap meet at Western Speedway in Langford. We’d camped next door at All Fun RV Park and Campground for the weekend and woke Sunday at 6:00 a.m. … [Read More...] about Swap, Sip and See on Vancouver Island
Desert Retreat Offers R’N’R Without All The Usual Spa Glitter
Story and Photos by John Geary As we started up the trail, I glanced overhead and spied a pair of vultures circling above. "I wonder what they know that we don't?" I thought to myself, as I instinctively took a sip from my water bottle. At the … [Read More...] about Desert Retreat Offers R’N’R Without All The Usual Spa Glitter
St-Malo: In Search of Jacques Cartier
by Julie H. Ferguson I glimpse St-Malo from the sea just as Jacques Cartier did on his voyages home from the New World in the sixteenth century: the sun illuminates the old town behind its medieval ramparts and towers. I’m riding the early … [Read More...] about St-Malo: In Search of Jacques Cartier
Avoid the Crowds at the Un-Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic National Park
by Joan Fitting Scott In 2004, some 3.2 million visitors made the pilgrimage to the 1,200 square miles of stunning, protected wilderness that is Yosemite National Park, high in California's central Sierra Nevada range. Contrast this to about … [Read More...] about Avoid the Crowds at the Un-Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic National Park
Curacao, Where Northern Europe meets the Southern Caribbean
by Barbara Barton Sloane “Blanch your plantains!” our instructor commands in a no-foolin’-around voice. Blanch? “What does blanch mean?” I furtively whisper to Julia, my partner in this off-the-wall adventure. You see, we were cooking for our … [Read More...] about Curacao, Where Northern Europe meets the Southern Caribbean
New Orleans: Where the Soul Survives
by Kayt C. Peck Signs of Katrina are everywhere; water lines on the concrete embankments of the freeway during the taxi ride from airport to hotel; stories of whole neighborhoods abandoned and destroyed; or the haunted look in the eyes of the … [Read More...] about New Orleans: Where the Soul Survives
A Thoroughly English Day Out in Little Known Norwich
by Anna Bright Surrounded by hell-bent footsteps and a blur of grey scowls, we ducked onto a suddenly peaceful train, to escape the insanity of rush hour London for an altogether more green and more pleasant part of the land. I heard a keen … [Read More...] about A Thoroughly English Day Out in Little Known Norwich
Weekend Sojourn in Barcelona
Story by Caroline M. Jackson After commandeering a flip-down seat near the crowded doorway, I hovered over my suitcase like a broody hen as our train left the airport and headed towards Barcelona. A young Spanish student, Francesco, perched … [Read More...] about Weekend Sojourn in Barcelona
Storage and Minimalism Lessons You Can Learn During a Hawaiian Getaway
Visiting Hawaii had always been a dream of mine. The lure of its beautiful beaches, lush landscapes, and rich culture was irresistible. When I finally booked my trip, I had no idea that beyond the natural beauty, this getaway would teach me valuable … [Read More...] about Storage and Minimalism Lessons You Can Learn During a Hawaiian Getaway