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Dog Sledding Near the North Pole
This was hands down the most exhilarating part of our trip to Svalbard. A day of dog sledding, with the reward at the end being entering an ice cave.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that most of the dogs were rescued from Alaska. The owner of the company flies to Alaska to rescue these dogs. All of the...
24 Hours of Daylight in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Longyearbyen is charming and offers a lot of history. The town is named after John M. Longyear, an American businessman who began mining operations in 1906. While officially part of Norway, Svalbard is a self-governing municipality, which means they have their own tax laws, and are not officially part of the EU.
This is why I received a second Norway...
Exploring Glaciers Near the North Pole
We booked a day trip from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, to visit a Russian village along with some stunning glaciers.
Never did I imagine that I would eat a barbeque while approaching glaciers. The stunning beauty cannot be captured in words, instead I'll allow the pictures to speak for themselves. This was approximately 800 kms from the North Pole in early May.
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Exploring the Pitons of St. Lucia
St.Lucia had been on my to do list for more than a decade. The Pitons are the most iconic mountain range in the Caribbean, and I was looking forward to experiencing these mountains first hand.
We started our trip by staying at an AirBNB that offered us a stunning view of the big Piton. Unfortunately, due to all the rain...
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is the most famous of the National Parks in Utah. We came here after visiting the sensational Zion National Park, and the equally beautiful Capitol Reef National Park.
To visit you can stay anywhere in the town of Moab which is only 8 kms (5 miles) away from the park.
While people flock here for the arches, there's...
Capitol Reef National Park, a Must Visit in Utah
I had just spent 2 full days at Zion national Park, which was the adventure I was most anticipating on my trip to Utah. I expected the best to be behind me, and on this day I was simply planning on driving onward to Arches National Park.
After researching Google Maps, we chose to drive a slightly longer route in...
Zion National Park, in Utah
The best way to access Zion National Park, is to fly into Las Vegas, Nevada and to then drive to Springdale, Utah. This is what we did, and it's an easy three hour drive. Springdale is the town that borders the National Park.
Springdale was a pleasant surprise with some nice cafes and restaurants. Completely by accident we ended up...
Great Wall of China – Jinshanling Section
I had the pleasure of visiting 3 sections of the Great Wall of China. Jinshanling was by far my favorite, I was also blessed with perfect weather, and almost no tourists to share the wall with.
This wall is located 130 kilometers (80 miles) North-East of Beijing. It took approximately 1.5 hours to drive to from our hotel, but the effort to...
Discovering Monaco
I recently spent a week in Monaco, and prior to visiting everyone I had spoken to raved about the country. Since the goal of my visit was to learn about Monaco as I intended to potentially relocate there, I really dug in to try and get a feel for life in the most densely populated country in the world.
Monaco is shockingly...
Visiting a Tribe in Embera Village – Panama
Panama is renowned for its ancient tribes living in pristine jungles. The problem is to visit these tribes you need to take a tour, as finding them on your own can be difficult.
I completely avoid tours when possibly, but luckily I found a tour company that was founded and operated by Anne Gorden, an American woman who is married to...
Smuggling a Video Out of North Korea
After returning from the DMZ we were scheduled to visit the war museum. This is the pride and joy of the DPRK, as this is where they collect the spoils of victory to showcase to the world.
Outside the war museum, a huge number of statues feature the victorious DPRK battling back the imperialistic Americans. As in all art in...
Visiting Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
I’m usually apprehensive about visiting animal sanctuaries, as too many road-size zoos call themselves sanctuaries to make a quick dollar.
As soon as I set foot at the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located halfway between Uvita, and Dominical, my worries were laid to rest.
This is clearly somewhere that cares about the welfare of animals, and they had all types...
Visiting the DMZ and a public library, in North Korea
To access the DMZ from Pyongyang entails several hours of driving on a large 10 lane highway that often only has one vehicle on the highway. The highway is large to impress outsiders, but because it is so large it is not maintained properly.
The most interesting part of this drive was when we stopped for drinks. I learned all...
Exploring Pyongyang, North Korea
When visiting Pyongyang, expect endless propaganda on how each monument is the result of the genius of the Kim Jong-Un family dynasty. Each fantastical story is so far-fetched, that the story escapes you before you have time to grasp it.
For instance, I might look at a painting, and be told that the colors match the double rainbow that appeared...
Arriving to North Korea
Air Koryo, the national airline of the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) is the only airline that flies to North Korea. As soon as you board the plane you enter the twilight zone. Communist music plays in the background, and a newspaper with propaganda is waiting for you. From glancing at the newspaper Kim Jong-Un can do no...
Exploring Little Cayman, in the Cayman Islands
Little Cayman is popular for diving, but you never hear anything about it outside of the diving industry. We decided to stay there for a long weekend to experience its offerings. We stayed at the only hotel which is the Little Cayman Beach Resort.
The accommodations were great, and we were on the best beach on the island. We didn’t...
Dandong, China – The Gateway to North Korea
My adventure in Dandong, China started with a train ride from the capital of North Korea, Pyonyang. It took approximately three hours in the train to arrive to the border of China. It took another two hours at the border of China for the North Korean authorities to allow the train to leave the country.
The delay was due to...
Spotting Blue Balls in Lake Manyara, Tanzania
Tanzania has so many beautiful national parks, including the world famous Serengeti. One park that is often overlooked is Lake Manyaria. While this park is smaller in size, it still protect 330 km2 (130 sq mi) of wildlife space.
There are two reasons to visit this park, one is to spot flamingos and the other is to find Vervet monkeys. These...
Petra, Jordan – A Life Changing Experience
It was my first trip to the Middle-East, I had no idea what to expect, and what a way to start that adventure but by visiting Petra. Petra is a world-famous archaeological site that dates from 300 B.C. It is a large network of sandstone cliffs, tombs, and temples.
We decided to travel during low-season. This was a decision that...
Lebanon Caves – Jeitta Grotto
I have seen caves all over the world. A few months before visiting the Jeita Grotte I had seen the newly opened caves in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands which up until then were the most impressive caves that I had seen.
I didn’t know what to expect when I stopped at the Jeita Grotto. We were taken there by our...
Discover Saba – Magic in the Caribbean
If you ever visit the Eastern Caribbean Island of St. Martin you should allow 2 to 3 days to visit Saba, which is a Dutch Island that is 52.1 KMs from St. Martin. The best way to access this Island is by plane with the only flights being from St. Martin.
The plane ride itself is quite special as you...
Visiting Iceland in Winter
I have a confession to make, I really dislike the cold. Having spent a significant portion of my life in Northern Canada, I now do everything possible to avoid vacationing anywhere cold. Hence, it took a significant amount of convincing for me visit Iceland in late March. This is a time of year when there’s still enough daylight for...
Cascais, Portugal a Charming Seaside City
Portugal is often overlooked and overshadowed by Spain, and this is quite a shame. Portugal has many things to offer. I had the opportunity to tour the country and I spent time in the capital city of Lisbon, Porto (the wine region), in Faro (the Southern part of the country known for its beaches), in Sintra, and in Cascais.
Out...
Hiking the “Great Ocean Walk” in Victoria, Australia
Australia has a 243 km (151) mile stretch of highway in the Southern part of the state of Victoria that is a National Heritage Site called the “The Great Ocean Road”. This is a road comparable to other world famous coastal highways such as the Amalfi Coast in Italy, the Pacific Coast Highway in California, or the Cabot Trail...
Relaxing in the Blue Mountains, Jamaica
A downside of living in the Cayman Islands is that I always miss the mountains. There are few areas in the Caribbean with proper mountains where I can get my mountain fix. Fortunately, the Blue Mountains in Jamaica offer beautiful mountains that are comparable in greenery to what you would find in Central America. Even more fortunate is this...
Volunteering with Leatherback Sea Turtles in Trinidad
I was looking for somewhere to volunteer with rehabilitating or tagging sea turtles. Some of the options included Costa Rica, and Mexico, but I really wanted to go somewhere that I would not normally visit.
When I saw an opportunity on the island of Trinidad in Trinidad and Tobago a twin island country situated off the edge of the South...
The Aftermath of a Volcano Eruption in Java, Indonesia
It’s not often that you get to visit the aftermath of a volcano explosion. In late 2010, Mount Merapi in Java, Indonesia erupted several times.
The first eruption was the largest since the 1870s. Over 350 people died in this and the subsequent eruptions.
While visiting the island of Java, we decided to stop by to visit the aftermath of this...
Khao Sok National Park – Thailand’s Treasure
When most people think of Thailand, the ocean comes to mind with picturesque Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands. While these areas are stunning people should not overlook inland Thailand.
Khao Sok National Park is quite possibly the most scenic lake that I have seen anywhere. I would compare it to the beauty of Lake Louise in Canada, that’s how...
St. Martin – European Charm in the Caribbean
St. Martin is one of the most balanced islands in the Caribbean. This balance is due to the fact that there are two countries on this small charming island. Saint Martin the Northern half of the country speaks French, and its southern Dutch side, Sint Maarten speaks English.
Language is not the only difference between the two sides. The English...
Singapore – Suffocating in Regulations
I’ll admit it I broke a law the very first day I arrived in Singapore. We flew in from Malaysia early in the morning which meant we had the rest of the day to ourselves. We took the subway into the city and that’s when we realized everyone was staring at us. As a modern English speaking country with...
Pico Bonito National Park – Raw Undisturbed Jungle
I’ve only been to Honduras once and it was to visit Pico Bonito National Park for a long weekend. This is a relatively large park at 564.30 km2 (217.88 sq mi) in size. It’s near the coastal city of La Ceiba which is a city most tourists don’t see unless they are hopping off to the Bay Islands.
Lucky for...
Hacienda Baru – Animal Viewing Paradise
I’ve been to Costa Rica dozens of times as I do business there and I needed a break from work. I wanted to find an easy to access network of hiking trails in an area that’s not congested with tourists. While Costa Rica is beautiful the National Parks are small which means the hiking trails don’t offer much for privacy.
The...
El Yunque National Forest – A Rainforest Paradise
We had to transit in Puerto Rico after getting married in the British Virgin Islands. We decided to make a mini-vacation out of this.
My expectations were low as I heard mixed opinions about Puerto Rico. Nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised. Old San Juan is fantastic and is in my opinion the best city in the Caribbean and I will post later...
Orangutans in Diapers at the Bukit Meran Sanctuary
We live in a world where animals are under assault. This is especially true in Malaysia where orangutans are losing vast tracts of rain-forest to make way for palm oil plantations. This loss of habitat is causing huge pressure on the existing orangutan population which has been steadily decreasing year after year.
To make matters worse, these solitary creatures are...
An Animal Lovers Caribbean Dream
Barbados is an animal lover’s paradise. Green monkeys which were brought over in the 17th century live throughout the island.
The best place to see these green monkeys is at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, a four-acre forest which serves as a sanctuary to the green monkey.
Also, calling this home are red-footed tortoises, red brockets, Cuban rock iguanas, and many tropical...
Bruges – A Must Visit in Belgium
Belgium is one of those countries that never crosses your mind when contemplating visiting Europe. It’s forgotten since it doesn’t have the best weather, and there are not that many attractions. It’s also overshadowed by Holland to the North.
Nonetheless, Belgium is quite a beautiful country with a high standard of living. It’s a super clean country with walkable cities,...
Robben Island – A History not to be Forgotten
South Africa teems with racial tensions that are the results of decades of apartheid control. Apartheid was the political and social system used by a white minority to control a black majority from 1948 to 1991.
The final and most visual portrayal of this racial segregation and racism is Robben Island.
Robben Island is where political prisoners were kept in maximum...
Panama City – A Perfect Weekend Getaway
Panama City is an interesting place. I have a hate/love relationship with the city. The traffic is a nightmare and is by far the worse that I have seen in Central America and is comparable to what I experienced in Jakarta, Indonesia. Street lights are optional, if you are the type of driver that drives when the light turns...
Belize – Mayan Ruins, Cave Tubing, and More.
Belize is a stunning country that has a shocking number of things to offer considering its small size. It’s an English country which makes it easier to visit for those who fear the language barrier.
I had a sponsorship to visit Belize for a corporate retreat. This meant that the trip was 100% free which is a great way to...
Antigua Offers Stunning Views in Every Direction
I went to visit a friend who was renting a house on the West Coast of Antigua in the neighborhood of Jolly Harbour. The house was situated on Jolly Beach, it's a beach with powder white sand and stunning views.
I had never been to Antigua and I was curious to how it measured up to the rest of the...
Spectacular Small Towns and Cities in France
Everyone seems to love Paris, which I find ironic as I find that France has a lot more to offer than this iconic city. I also find that the people in France were much friendlier in outlying cities.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go on a river cruise with Uniworld a boutique luxury cruise specialist.
The trip...
Surrounded by Dozens of Sharks in Paradise
I had to visit the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas for a four day conference. It was my first time in the Bahamas but there was one thing that excited me about the prospect of visiting the Bahamas.
The Bahamas is considered the largest shark sanctuary in the world. In 2011, the Bahamas banned the fishing of sharks, and banned...
Not Impressed – My Least Favorite Caribbean Island
I had a difficult time thinking of what to write about the Dominican Republic. I’ve visited the country twice; the first time was to inspect the Island with the idea of possibly relocating there. The second time was to go to the Hard Rock Café hotel for a wedding. The Hard Rock is an all-inclusive resort and not my...
Great Caves in Grand Cayman
Having lived in the Cayman Islands since 2008 it can be easy for me to become jaded with the offerings on Grand Cayman. The beaches are stunning, the sun is always shining, but for a person who is addicted to traveling and experiencing new things, the island can feel a little bit unexciting. I always tell people Grand Cayman...
Lucerne, Switzerland – Picturesque Perfection
Lucerne (Luzern), Switzerland is one of the most picturesque little towns that I have encountered. This town sits on Lake Lucerne and is surrounded by a panoramic mountain range. The focal point of the town is the Chapel Bridge, one of Europe’s oldest wooden bridges which connects both sides of the town. This bridge has been faithfully restored to...
Barcelona an Electric City
Barcelona is known for its art and architecture. It's also a city that never sleeps. The late-night culture here is vastly different than what I experienced growing up in Canada. People eat late, and they sleep late.
I was only in Barcelona for four days while attending a conference and I could have easily spent a week or longer.
The one...
Reasons the Vatican Failed to Impress Me
When in Rome it feels a bit foolish not to visit Vatican City. After all, its officially a country with its own separate government. It’s a trove of ancient artifacts and art. It’s home to the Pope and is the birthplace of Christianity.
On paper, it sounds like the perfect location to visit. The problem is too many people have...
Amalfi Coast – Italy’s Majestic UNESCO Coastline
The Amalfi Coast is Europe’s answer to the California’s Pacific Coast Highway, or to Australia’s Great Ocean Road. It’s a stunning scenic coastal road that is 69 kilometers (43 mi) long. This is also a world UNESCO site.
What makes this road so special is the combination of stunning ocean views with historical Italian villages. Every single direction that you...
Havana – The Jewel of the Caribbean
As a Canadian I always find it interesting how fascinated most Americans are with the idea of visiting Cuba. Havana is a quick forty-minute flight from my home in the Cayman Islands so it is actually quite surprising that I have only been there twice.
While Canadians tend to visit the all-inclusive resorts that are on the beach to experience...
Exploring the Amazon from Iquitos, Peru
This was a destination unlike any that I have ever visited. I flew in to Lima, which Is the capital of Peru, and from there a small hopper plane to Iquitos.
Iquitos is an interesting city as it is in the middle of the Amazon and there are no roads leading there. The only access is by boat or plane....
Why Glacier National Park, Montana Should be on your Bucket List
There are 58 National Parks in the United States. Most people have visited or have Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite on their bucket lists.
While all of the above parks are nice one of the most overlooked National Parks is Glacier National Park in Northern Montana. This park is approximately a 4 hour drive North from Yellowstone National Park.
From having...
Amazing Stawamus Chief hike in Squamish, British Columbia
I lived in Alberta and British Columbia for the first 28 years of my life. When trying to think of an amazing hike it was difficult to choose from the 100s of trails that I have been on.
This is why I decided to make a post on the Stawamus Chief. This trail is unknown to most but is one of...
